''Jade Legacy'' is an 2021

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

novel by

Fonda Lee Fonda Lee (born March 10, 1979) is a Canadian-American author of speculative fiction. She is best known for writing ''The Green Bone Saga'', the first of which, ''Jade City'', won the 2018 World Fantasy Award and was named one of the 100 Best Fa ...

published by

Orbit In celestial mechanics, an orbit is the curved trajectory of an object such as the trajectory of a planet around a star, or of a natural satellite around a planet, or of an artificial satellite around an object or position in space such as a p ...

and the sequel to ''

Jade War ''Jade War'' is a 2019 fantasy novel by Fonda Lee published by Orbit Books, Orbit and is the sequel to Jade City (novel), ''Jade City''. It follows the island of Kekon as the jade-controlling clans are embroiled in an international war where jade i ...

'', released on November 30, 2021. It is the third and final novel in ''The Green Bone Saga'', which began with ''Jade City'', and follows the surviving players from the end of ''

'' as they plot a path for peace between nations and within Janloon's competing tribes, The Mountain clan and No Peak Clan, over jade distribution. ''Jade Legacy'' won the 2022

Locus Award The Locus Awards are an annual set of literary awards voted on by readers of the science fiction and fantasy magazine ''Locus'', a monthly magazine based in Oakland, California. The awards are presented at an annual banquet. In addition to the pl ...

for Best Fantasy Novel and the 2022

Aurora Award The Aurora Awards (french: Prix Aurora-Boréal) are a set of primarily literary awards given annually for the best Canadian science fiction or fantasy professional and fan works and achievements from the previous year."Literary glow of Auroras lure ...

for Best Novel.

Plot

With the mass distribution of jade occurring after the events of ''

'', forces from all sides will swarm Janloon, seeking jade's magical abilities. As one worldwide crisis ends, more wars break out internationally and within Kekon, as Hilo and Shae struggle to hold their power and prepare the children of their family to take up the No Peak Clan legacy. At the same time, they wage a continued war against The Mountain clan as its power continues to grow.

Development history

''Jade Legacy'' is Lee's third adult novel. In an interview with ''Lightspeed'', Lee said of the novel's writing process: "I normally write a book a year, but the Green Bone novels are twice as long and about five times more complicated than my previous books" and that she plans on continuing writing adult books down the line over further

young adult A young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages of human development significantly influencing the definition of ...

novels, stating she plans on "be ngfocused on the Green Bone Saga for some time." In 2020, Lee revealed that ''Jade Legacy'' would take place over the span of 20 years.

Literary significance and reception

''Jade Legacy'' received critical acclaim ahead of its release, earning a starred review and weekly pick status from ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'', a starred review from ''

Library Journal ''Library Journal'' is an American trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional prac ...

'', and a glowing review from

NPR National Public Radio (NPR, stylized in all lowercase) is an American privately and state funded nonprofit media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It differs from other ...

's book reviews. ''

'' called it "sprawling, complex, and steeped in Asian culture and sensibilities..." and said "Lee expertly balances conflict and growth on both individual and societal levels, giving this massive story weight, as every decision can potentially change the world. In both meeting and subverting expectations at every turn, Lee guides her cast to a deeply satisfying, well-earned conclusion.". Kristi Chadwick of ''

'' said "Lee's storytelling is masterful and will leave readers heartbroken and hopeful." NPR book reviewer Jason Sheehan called ''Jade Legacy'' "Thirty years of love and war and vengeance and betrayal..." and that "Ultimately, that's what ''Jade Legacy'' is about. Endings. And then what comes next.".

Awards and nominations

Adaptations

In 2020, it was announced that a TV series based on the first novel in ''The Green Bone Saga'', ''

Jade City Jade City is a "spot on the road" in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, near the Yukon, located on Highway 37, west of Good Hope Lake and close to Cassiar, in the Cassiar Highlands. The region around Jade City is rich with serpentinite (a ...

'', was being developed at

Peacock Peafowl is a common name for three bird species in the genera ''Pavo (genus), Pavo'' and ''Afropavo'' within the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae, the pheasants and their allies. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female pea ...

, with Lee serving as a consulting producer. In July 2022, it was announced that Peacock had canceled the project, but Lee shared on Twitter that the team were seeking another service to take it up.

References

External links

Review: Jade Legacy
''

''
Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee
''

''
'Jade Legacy,' final in the Green Bone Saga trilogy, is about endings
Jason Sheehan,

Nadia Elbaar Reviews ''Jade Legacy'' by Fonda Lee
Nadia Elbaar, ''Locus''
Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee
Adri Joy, ''

Strange Horizons ''Strange Horizons'' is an online speculative fiction magazine. It also features speculative poetry and nonfiction in every issue, including reviews, essays, interviews, and roundtables. History and profile It was launched in September 2000, and ...

'' {{Locus Award Best Fantasy Novel 2021 Canadian novels 2021 American novels 2021 fantasy novels Orbit Books books