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Content snapshot
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Violence
Very heavy
Extreme gang warfare violence; jade-powered combat is depicted with visceral detail and the death toll is significant
Language
Some
Adult language in Lee's literary fantasy register
Sexual Content
Barely any
Minimal sexual content
Substance Use
Some
The jade-related substance Shine creates addiction; some drinking throughout
Emotional Intensity
A lot
The psychological weight of family loyalty, clan duty, and the cost of wielding power — and what the Kaul siblings are willing to do for each other — gives the saga its emotional depth
What this book is about
The first Green Bone Saga novel follows the Kaul family, who lead the No Peak clan in a post-colonial Asian-inspired city where jade grants combat abilities to those who have been trained to channel it. The rival Mountain clan threatens everything the family controls. Lee writes adult epic fantasy with extraordinary craft; the gang warfare is detailed and extremely violent, the family dynamics are as complex as any crime saga, and the political dimensions are fully realized. One of the finest fantasy novels of the decade.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
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