REVIEW Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: June 18, 2024
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Reminiscent of a steampunk cross between Xiran Jay Zhao’s Iron Widow and Disney’s Mulan, Amber Chen’s debut novel Of Jade and Dragons was a very engaging read. Aihui Ying has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming an engineer. But after she witnesses his murder, she becomes determined to get revenge and discover who sent the assassin, sneaking into the legendary Engineering Guild’s apprentice trial to do so. 

I loved the worldbuilding in this book. The peace and tranquility of Ying’s home is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city where the Engineering Guild is located. The concepts presented by both the masters and the apprentices during the trials were well thought out, and I appreciated what they added to the story. I also enjoyed how the author gave hints of other places in the book's world (since readers stay in the Nine Isles), and I hope she explores them later in the series. I especially want more dragons to make an appearance in this book. 

The characters were where I struggled a little with this book, and why I couldn’t give it a full five stars. The main premise of the book is Ying seeking the truth of her father’s death, and the revenge that would come with that. While she’s a strong female character who’s filled with intelligence, curiosity, and determination (and I am all for that), I feel like that thread of motivation was lost at times. Given its culmination at the end of the book, things didn’t have the same impact for me as I feel was intended. Ying’s relationship with Ye-yang was also a little hard to decipher. They are not given a lot of on-page time to build their relationship, so I didn’t feel like some of the twists and drama made sense at the end of the book. There are some threads left open, however, so I do feel like the author has the potential to flesh things out more in any sequels and that leaves me hopeful. 

Overall, an excellent read. I’m excited to get to see how the sequel will play out, especially with how things stand between Ying and Ye-yang. I’m also curious to see if some of the members of the Engineering Guild will make an appearance in subsequent books. Jen Zhao did a fantastic job bringing Ying’s story to life with her performance in the audiobook narration. If you would enjoy an Asian-inspired fantasy novel complete with elements of romance, steampunk, and even a bit of an academia spin you’ve come to the right place.