This story was epic. I absolutely love the fearless main character and her determination to not only find her father's killer as well as make a name for herself in a field that would not allow her in without being disguised as a man. Her the push and pull of her friendships/relationships with the 2 princes kept me hooked as well as her journey to become her father's legacy. I sincerely hope this is just the first book in a series because the world built was so intriguing that I want to dive into it more.

Overall, I think this is a good book if you are interested in the overall plot. I was a little hesitant at first and it took me a bit to get into the story, but once I did, I enjoyed it. It’s not my usual book I read so it was nice to switch it up a little also

Sometimes it sucks being a mood reader and this book is a perfect example of why. It was amazing and beautiful and fun! But, when I first got access to it last year, I was starting to get burnt out on fantasy and I hadn't realized it, yet. I'm so glad that I finally got the desire to read it!

The story follows Aihui Ying who, after the sudden murder of her father, infiltrates the prestigious Engineers Guild that he was once a part of. The thing is, though, that the Engineers Guild is male-only, so Ying has to masquerade as her younger brother and not get caught. She has to work hard for a place in the coveted guild while also trying to solve the circumstances of her father's murder. There's also a sub-plot with a love interest that is enjoyable but not the focus of the story, which is what I prefer. I had not heard the term "silkpunk" before this book, but I do think that term accurately encompasses the way it feels.

Overall, I loved this book and I can't wait until the next one is out in a few months! I will definitely be grabbing it to read as soon as it's available. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy with sub-plots that involve a mystery and romance. I really think that this was a perfect balance of the themes that I enjoy the most and I look forward to whatever else Amber Chen writes in the future!

My Selling Pitch:
Steampunk Mulan but it’s a generic lower YA fantasy.

Pre-reading:
I get this book and Fathomfolk confused all the time. The cover’s beautiful but I’m anticipating something generic af.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
OK, so she’s definitely gonna fuck the rebel prince. (Uh ask me again in book two, I guess.)

Okay, steampunk Mulan. Heard.

Uh, Zuko? (The way this mans has no dialogue.)

Oh, is this gonna be a love triangle? (Survey says ask me in book 2.)

It’s very YA. Very digestible.

Ship is parked? Not docked?

Could I pay attention and learn the royal structure and birth order? Sure. Am I going to? No. Bear Prince is his name, and that's all I’m remembering. (The way I finished this book, fully understood the plot, and gun to my head, could not tell you a single one of the characters’ real names.)

I'm enjoying this. It’s generic as hell, but like it’s solid. I feel like if you're 12 and like fantasy-Tamora Pierce style, you might like this.

Was he designing canons for the pirates and not!Zuko is a pirate captain? (I mean 50%?)

I love a competition plotline.

On the one hand, thank god for this audiobook because I could not pronounce anything, but then when I try to eyeball read I can't recognize it because nothing is spelt how it sounds lol. (That’s a me being a dumb bitch problem, not the book’s fault.)

Veil boy is also a girl? (Nope.)

She's not gonna question how they survived falling off a roof? (And I guess the author thought the audience wouldn’t either?)

Sounds a little gay, bestie. You hate her dad that much? At nerd, boy-only boarding school? H’okay.

Or did he lose his hand because of the ore and he's evil because he seems nice and they just finished telling us not to trust the nice ones? (No, it was even more on the nose, and the prince was like I’m a bad dude, and Sam’s like I know.)

I don’t need this bathroom humor.

That's a lot of plot armor. Sheesh!

But that's not how pythons eat? They suffocate their prey and that rabbit would screech?

This book’s a little slow.

Aw Tangled.

This book needs to be faster.

It’s really hard to be invested in this book because I don’t believe that this romance is endgame. I think she’s gonna fall in love with the scar guy or the other prince.

The harem stuff also keeps pissing me off. I know it’s historical, but like I can’t read about it and not get mad.

Girl, I told you. I said he was evil, and we were getting a different love interest.

Girl, in the game of thrones, you either win or you die.

I like that I always clock the bad love interest the second they come on page. I don’t think I’ve ever been surprised when they turn out to be a dick.

I'm not opposed to continuing this. I just think it’s mid AF.

CAMARADERIE, I MEAN-(I need to be sedated.)

I feel so blah about this. Very Daughter of No Worlds where like it’s fine, I just don't give a shit.

Hey, I know I was in love with you, but I’m gonna fuck your sister now, kay?

I do think she's a huge hypocrite about murdering people, but like I don't care about this series enough to be outraged about it.

Genuinely can't tell if this author is trying to have them get together. Every time I think I’ve nailed it where like oh yeah, this is the red herring relationship, she throws in some line where they’re like destined to be together, and I’m like mmm, are they though?

… do I kinda wanna read book 2 just to see if I’m correct that there’s some other dude to throw at this book. But I’m also like Samantha, your TBR is longer than God. Don’t do this. (Yes, that is a dick joke. Size matters. I know, I know. Samantha, jail. )

Also, I hate that I read this when the sequel isn’t out because this isn’t a book that’s like easy to come back to because I will not recognize the names without hearing them because I did this 99% as an audiobook and I still don’t know how to even attempt to spell their names so pray the sequel has a recap, and we’ll see if I do it.

TLDR: Mulan wants to go to engineering school, and the emperor murdered her dad by way of her boyfriend, and her boyfriend was like well, my dad‘s unethical so I’m gonna use my girlfriend to kill him. The end. P. S. I married your sister. So-

Post-reading:
For what it is, this is fine. It’s mid as helllll, but that’s what I was expecting going into this so I wasn’t super disappointed.

This needs to cut about 100 pages and be snappier. It’s in desperate need of banter. The competition lacks any real tension. Everyone has so much plot armor that it’s hard to make the audience feel genuine worry for them. The cast is incredibly underdeveloped despite being large. There’s really only three actual characters in this book.

The romance doesn’t work, but I feel like that’s because it’s not the endgame romance. But then it’s also like what does this book have to offer you? The plot’s lackluster. The only complexity in the politicking largely comes from a layperson being unfamiliar with the structuring of empires. But I’m also like that tracks for YA. It’s digestible. The world building isn’t complex, but it’s solid. It’s fed to you in bite-size pieces.

I think this book is geared toward younger readers of YA. I think a 12-year-old fantasy reader is gonna be satisfied by this. If you’ve never read a plot line where the love interest betrays the main character, maybe this would gag you. As a 20-something raised on Tamora Pierce, I’m like be better.

Who should read this:
YA fantasy fans

Ideal reading time:
Anytime

Do I want to reread this:
Nope. Might continue. Might not.

Would I buy this:
No, but I won’t be getting rid of the copy I have because the special edition is so pretty.

Similar books:
* Guardians of Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones-generic YA fantasy romance, Disney Princess retellings
* Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent-generic fantasy romance
* Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan-urban fantasy, little mermaid retelling
* Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton-generic fantasy romance, little mermaid retelling

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Stars: 4

My Thoughts:

I see this Mulan style novel very similar to Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim. Even if Spin is about going to the capitol to be the head tailor and this book is about getting into the Engineers Guild, what makes Of Jade and Dragons so powerful is that it combines the competition aspect with a murder mystery and a political ethics dilemma. Yes, there is a romance. Yes, there is betrayal and intrigue. But the mystery and lies right around the corner are so unexpected. The secret gender may be a secret, but not to the main male character, so that is not a mystery. However, the lies, oh my goodness! The best part is when Aihui realizes that she should have listened to her deceased father and it is too late. She had to see it through, but in the moment, at least she has come to some kind of "aha."

Other books to try before or after this one:
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

From the Publisher:
Mulan meets Iron Widow in this thrilling silkpunk fantasy about a girl who must disguise herself as a boy and enter the famed and dangerous Engineer’s Guild trials to unravel the mystery of her father’s murder.

Eighteen-year-old Aihui Ying dreams of becoming a world-class engineer like her father, but after his sudden murder, her life falls apart. Left with only a journal of her father’s engineering secrets and a jade pendant snatched from the assassin, a heartbroken Ying follows the trail to the capital and the prestigious Engineers Guild—a place that harbors her father’s hidden past—determined to discover why anyone would threaten a man who ultimately chose a quiet life over fame and fortune.

Disguised as her brother, Ying manages to infiltrate the guild’s male-only apprenticeship trial with the help of an unlikely ally—Aogiya Ye-yang, the taciturn eighth prince of the High Command. With her father’s renown placing a target firmly on her back, Ying must stay one step ahead of her fellow competitors, the jealous guild masters, and the killer still hunting for her father’s journal. Complicating everything is her increasingly tangled relationship with the prince, who may have mysterious plans of his own.

The secrets concealed within the guild can be as deadly as the weapons they build—and with her life and the future of her homeland at stake, Ying doesn’t know who to trust. Can she avenge her father even if it means going against everything he stood for, or will she be next in the mastermind’s line of fire?

Publication Information:
Author: Amber Chen
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers (June 18, 2024)
Print length: 477 pages

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great YA fantasy novel. I loved the parallels with Mulan and loved how interesting this world was. Ying was a great character and was so intelligent and I could not wait to see her succeed. I am excited to see what comes next in this series.

Providing a review in exchange for the ARC from NetGalley

I was immediately intrigued by this book due to the title and cover. Recently, I have been finding myself really enjoying Asian fantasy and folklore. It is all just so interesting and much cooler sounding than American fantasy and folklore lol.

The story and world building was amazing as well. I found myself really immersed into the story, though at times it did feel like it dragged a bit. I liked the characters though the feelings felt like they developed a bit too quickly, not even 30% into the story yet.

a 3.5 stars from me.

Of Jade and Dragons is a captivating start to what promises to be an amazing series. The story draws you in with its rich Asian-inspired worldbuilding and an engaging mix of fantasy, mythology, and romance. The main character, Ying, is a strong, intelligent, and relatable female protagonist whose journey is both inspiring and exciting to follow.

The coming-of-age elements are wonderfully woven into the narrative, and Ying's growth throughout the story is both heartwarming and empowering. The dragons and fantasy elements add an extra layer of magic, making the world feel vivid and alive. If you’re a fan of young adult fantasy with a unique cultural backdrop, Of Jade and Dragons is a must-read. I can't wait to see where Ying’s journey takes her next!

If you mention dragons, you know I'm in. I was excited to see that this will be a series, I thought it was a fun fantasy romp and I can't wait for more.

The idea behind this book was intriguing especially in the setting but unfortunately, the execution didn't work as well for me.

I struggled with the pacing and again, I liked the concept of the characters but in the context of this book they didn't work. The ending felt like something thrown in as a cliffhanger for the next book.

I'm also a few months removed from reading this book and I could genuinely tell you nothing that stood out which makes this book unfortunately forgettable for me.

Of Jade and Dragons is a spellbinding mix of Mulan vibes, political intrigue, and angst & yearning that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Amber Chen delivers a richly detailed world where innovation is power, secrets are deadly, and one girl’s quest for the truth puts her in the crosshairs of forces far beyond her understanding.

Ying is a fierce and determined protagonist, navigating the girl disguised as a boy trope with intelligence and grit as she infiltrates the Engineers Guild. Her journey is full of tension—not just from the looming threat of her father’s murderer but also from her complicated dynamic with Ye-yang, the enigmatic eighth prince. Their allies to lovers relationship is layered with mistrust, reluctant partnership, and undeniable chemistry that will have you flipping pages just to see where they land. And, of course, the daddy issues run deep, adding emotional weight to Ying’s struggle as she uncovers the truth about her father’s past.

While the worldbuilding is immersive, the pacing occasionally slows under the weight of technical details, but the payoff is worth it. With sharp prose, high-stakes action, and a romance that burns slow and sharp, Of Jade and Dragons is a must-read for fans of historical fantasy with a twist. Can’t wait to see what’s next in this world!

"I was your sword, but you were never mine."
Of Jade and Dragons was an epic story of discovery, betrayal, love, and the fight for the heart's truth. Chen does a wonderful job at creating a setting vibrant with ingenuity, imagination, and lore. The pacing of the book was well done—there was never a time I was mindlessly scrolling through pages just so I could get to more entertaining plot. The character relationships were well done and left something to be desired (meaning I am eagerly awaiting the next book if only to meet the supporting characters again). 3.5/5.

*Thank you Penguin/Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the eARC of this book; the review is my own.*

My feelings about this book are quite mixed, vacillating between 3 and 4 stars. The idea of the book interested me, and sometimes (though not often) I found myself engrossed in the story. But even though there isn't anything I can saw was particularly wrong with it, I frequently found my mind wandering and had some difficulty staying invested in what was happening. It had the feel of extensive info-drops and world building (you know what I'm talking about: when you're done with the explanations and ready for the action to begin), but neither of those things really happened; there wasn't a lot of world building. I marked this as having a love story, but it would be more accurate to say it has hints of one. I only felt anything near the end of the book.

You know, since an insignificant amount of time was spent on world building, character building, romance, solving the murder, or the trials, I'm tying to figure out exactly how this book filled 477 pages. Interesting.

Although the catalyst for Ying (18) to leave home was to find her father's murderer, she easily lost focus on that task and instead worked towards earning a place in the Engineer's Guild. Yes, that's something she already wanted, but thoughts of her father only popped back up when something happened that reminded her (for example, seeing someone she believed was the murderer). Her plight pretending to be her brother was made much easier because of two key allies she made: Ye-yang (19) and Ye-kan (15ish?); with the exception of bathing (problem solved), it didn't seem to be much of a challenge. Confessions: Even though he bothered me initially, Ye-Kan became one of my favorite characters. That could be because most of the other characters were just faceless words on a page; when they weren't mentioned, I didn't of them at all.

With probably 10% of the book remaining, things started to get pretty interesting with more intrigue and emotion--you know, that's possibly what was missing for much of the book: emotion. Up until that point, I wasn't sure I was particularly interested in continuing the series. However, I might pick up the sequel because, while this book didn't have a cliffhanger, it wasn't fully resolved--I haven't decided yet.

Overall, the book was fine, but it didn't stand out to me as a book I'm dying to buy for my bookshelves. If my middle grade or high school kids wanted to read it, I'd be totally fine with that.

Note:
A visit to a brothel (nothing inappropriate happens). A little bit of swearing. Honestly, it was somewhat jarring whenever a character swore--it felt out of place.

I listened to the audiobook so some details definitely slipped past me as my mind wandered but overall I really enjoyed this one and it definitely gripped me more than the average audiobook I listen to. The ending was really curious and definitely different from your usual YA story which makes me all the more curious to read the sequel to see how things will play out.

I also really enjoyed the MC. She was headstrong and badass and I loved how she stuck to her goals and did not let anything or anyone distract her. I love how she stuck to her beliefs and integrity to the very end. I'm excited to see what she'll do next!

I was for the most part 100% on board with the story and swept up in what was happening. The immersion was occasionally broken when I questioned how hot-headed and quick to jump into anything and everything Ying is, and how quickly her relationship with Ye-yang develops, and how the plot alternates jumping around and meandering.

All of those sound like things that would have had me dropping the book but... I was still hooked. I kept reading through all Ying's eyebrow-raising choices and abrupt about-faces. I was sold on her as the central figure. I also loved Ye-Kan and their developing friendship.

The final section of the book was a whirlwind and I still don't know how I feel about everything that went down. It's clearly setting up for the next book which I will be reading.

I listened to the audio and it was really well done. The voice actor really commited to the voices and the emotions in the story.

The steampunk world was fascinating and fun to explore. The characters were all really well done. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters more than anything. The plot doesn't quite know what it wants to be, but I can forgive it that.

*Thanks to Viking Books for young readers for providing an early copy for review.

I really enjoyed the setup of this one! Crossdressing to follow in her father's shoes, a murder mystery, silkpunk? Instantly sold, and I'm glad that the execution worked for me (even though it took me forever to finally get back into the groove of reading in general). It's hard for me to enjoy YA as much nowadays, but Chen's writing was really easy for me to get into, and I was endeared to Ying. I definitely would have enjoyed this growing up and the twists were fun for me.

Of course I was EXCITED to read a story of a girl dressing as a boy to achieve her goal/dream! The storyline is interesting and I love the worldbuilding in this book. There were several slow parts in the book that made me disconnect with it. I did love the slow-burn tension between Ying and Ye-Yang!

A solid YA fantasy.

Book: 3.5
Spice: 1

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for the ARC! I always appreciate it.

A thrilling fantasy debut with steampunk elements, political intrigue, and a fierce heroine determined to carve her own path.

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen is a captivating blend of mythology and innovation, set in an East Asian-inspired world where engineering and ambition collide. The story follows Aihui Ying, a skilled engineer whose life is upended after her father’s murder. Armed with his secret journal and a jade pendant linked to his killer, she disguises herself to enter the prestigious Engineers Guild trials, seeking both revenge and the truth.

Ying is a compelling protagonist—intelligent, determined, and relentless in proving her worth. The trials were a standout aspect of the book, filled with tension and creativity, and the steampunk influences added a fresh twist to the worldbuilding. While I loved the intricate setting, I occasionally wished for a deeper exploration of its mechanical elements.

The pacing is well-balanced, though some plot points felt predictable. However, the character relationships truly shine, particularly the dynamic between Ying and Ye-yang, whose slow-burn tension and growing respect made for a satisfying subplot. The friendships, especially between Ying and Yekan, also added emotional depth.

The ending left me eager for more, and while the story isn’t without its minor flaws, it’s a strong start to what promises to be an exciting series. Fans of Mulan-inspired stories, steampunk fantasy, and determined heroines will find much to enjoy here.

Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy. This review reflects my honest thoughts.

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen is a wonderfully immersive fantasy that pulls you into a world filled with magic, mythology, and fascinating characters. The story kept me hooked, with plenty of twists and turns to keep things exciting. Chen’s writing brings everything to life, and the characters, especially Aihui Ying, are easy to root for as they go on a journey of growth and discovery.

While the story is engaging, the pacing can sometimes feel a bit slow, and a few plot points are predictable. However, these minor flaws don't detract from the overall experience. It's a strong debut, and I’m eager to see where the series goes next. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy with a touch of mythology!

Ying loves to create and make inventions and test them. And all Ying wants is to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a master of the Engineers Guild. However, that dream is put on hold when she comes home one day to an intruder in her father’s workshop and her father bleeding on the ground.

As her father is laying dying, he entrusts her with a leather bound book and tells her she needs to burn it because it could bring about the downfall of their clan and possibly the rest of the nine isles.

But Ying is too curious and looks at the book and learns it is a book of weapons. She dismisses it and instead decides to focus on getting revenge for her father’s death. And she believes the Great Jade Empire is responsible thanks to a pendant she snagged off the intruder. And now, with her sister’s help, she dresses as a boy and ventures out to find out the truth about her father’s death and bring about revenge for his death.

As she’s traveling, she learns the Engineers Guild apprenticeship trial is still about to happen and now wants to try entering, but doubts she’ll make it in time when she meets the fourth beile, Ye-yang, who offers her passage and a sponsorship for the trial to enter the guild. Ying of course says yes.

I’m mad it took me so long to read and finish this book. This was so so goooood!!! I LOVE the world! It gave me steampunk vibes, but really it’s just an older world with machines and I found it so utterly fascinating and unique!

I adored Ying. She’s a bit reckless and brave, but I admired her tenacity and I especially loved her at the end with a decision she makes. I was very impressed and I usually have a hard time rooting for the female characters because they usually come off as unbearable or emotional, but she wasn’t. And it’s probably because she’s an engineer and has more of a logical mind. She thinks things through first. And I support her decision at the end, and I wonder how it will continue now though 👀

This definitely focused mostly on Ying and her journey, and that ending I feel like will change her so much, but I love that she recognized what she thought was right versus wrong and followed her father’s footsteps still. And there’s a bit of a romance, but it was mostly about Ying and her story and after the ending, I do wonder how this romance will…continue 😅

But my favorite thing about this book is the beautiful friendship Ying has with Yekan. Yekan is a spoiled boy, but wow does he grow and change and seem to recognize what a wonderful person Ying is. Their interactions were hilarious and so much like siblings it just made my heart ache. Their sibling like relationship is just so lovely to see and I wonder how it will be in the next book because again that ending really disrupted a lot of things and makes me worried and yet eager for more.

I will be moving onto the next book asap!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.