This book is so cute! I loved it but I wish the characters were a bit older. That’s just me tho. I think the mulan esque vibes were awesome and I can’t wait to get a physical copy of this one!

I really enjoyed this Asian inspired YA novel. It was refreshing to have a female MC who stuck to her morals and principles instead of just blindly following a love interest. It sets a good example for girls (and women, to be fair) everywhere to follow. I was definitely invested in the characters.

The plot was good, although it was also quite simple and easy to work out. The pacing was quick enough to maintain the flow and keep my interest.

I would have liked to see a bit more of the worldbuilding. I enjoyed the guild and the trials the apprentices undertook, but it would have been nicer to see learn more of the history between the Empire and the Isles, for example.

I will definitely look forward to the next one.

A solid 3.5 star read. I found the plot and drive of the characters really well done. I enjoyed the unique parts of this story and am excited to see where this story goes.

Famous last words. What harm could there be in reading a book?

I love that Ying is not letting things go or just acquiesce to her fathers fears. She needs to go and explore, experience for herself. A truly scientific woman. Never just accept always test always strive to be better.

The writing was easy to follow and get pulled into the story. The steampunk atmosphere created is intriguing and challenges your mind to create the story described. I look forward to seeing more of Ying. It was a little bit of struggle with the names and titles pronunciation.

beautiful cover and writting i loved it. i founded it extremely interesting and really love both ye-yand and ying.
fav character is ye-kan though love him.

I found the beginning of the book to be quite slow since it did not have much action.I really liked the world, and even through words, I knew it was beautiful. The building of world politics were explained in an easy-to-understand way, which I liked. Overall, the writing was easy but also gorgeous; it just had a certain vibe to it that made me love the story even more. Maybe because it was in the third person, I didn't fully connect with the characters. At some points, I found Ying to be self-absorbed, like when she spoke harshly to Ye-kan, and instead of apologizing, she was like, "He will come back just like my family did, knowing how I am," which made me not so happy about her character.
I loved the story being inspired by Mulan because I love Mulan.
I wasn't disappointed at all; I really loved the story and the characters (mostly Ye-kan).

A delightfully easy to read book with airships, chimeras, a mysterious murder and a guild full on intriguing secrets. I flew through the pages quicker than expected and found myself lost in its world. Ying is quite the enchanting girl and Yang I found myself constantly curious about. I continued to puzzle over all that happened in the past with her father and guild and found myself amazingly surprised.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Of Jade and Dragons follows teen Aihui Ying who seeks to follow in her father's footsteps -- and uncover the identity of his murderer -- by joining the Engineers Guild disguised as a boy.

This was a stunning and fast-paced read that had me glued to the page the entire time. I loved the steampunk world we were immersed in, I loved our bold and smart main character, I loved the academic vibes and the murder mystery and everything else. For me, this was almost as good as it gets for a first book in a series. I did think some plot points were a little overly convenient, and I would've loved to spend even more time sinking into this world and the scope of everything, but overall I think this is an incredibly solid start and I will definitely be picking up the rest of the series!

The premise of this book sounded very interesting and I was intrigued up until 28%. The story dragged for me and I was not interested enough to want to finish the story. Others might find it interesting as it seems to take a different look at women masking as men.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Of Jade and Dragons" by Amber Chen is a captivating mystery that combines elements of Asian fantasy, steampunk, and a coming-of-age tale. With its intelligent and relatable protagonist, Ying, and a richly detailed world, this book offers an engaging and fresh twist on familiar themes/stories (like Mulan). This book features an intelligent female main character who is extremely skilled in engineering, and I loved the focus on engineering throughout the book, especially with Ying’s inventive creations, like a fan that can shoot out darts.

Ying is a strong and determined young woman who disguises herself as a man to enter an engineer’s guild trial and solve her father’s murder. Her journey is filled with trials, both academic and personal, that challenge her resolve and intelligence. Ying's character is particularly relatable for readers who appreciate a heroine that defies traditional gender roles and pursues her dreams against all odds (similar to Mulan).

The worldbuilding in "Of Jade and Dragons" is immersive and unique, with an Asian-inspired setting that provides a vibrant backdrop for the story. The steampunk atmosphere, complete with airships and intricate guilds, adds a layer of intrigue and excitement. As stated earlier, I absolutely loved the engineering aspects, like with the cannons on the airships and with the mysterious elements that can be used to create weapons of destruction. However, it's worth noting that while the title mentions dragons, they are not the traditional fantasy dragons readers might expect. Instead, the story leans more towards a sci-fi feel with minimal magical elements. I was a bit disappointed in this due to the title and cover depicting dragons, though there are some interesting animatronic/chimera characters and creatures in the book.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its blend of academic trials and a murder mystery. The plot keeps you on your toes as Ying navigates the complexities of the guild while uncovering the truth about her father's death with little clues strewn about as Ying goes through the engineering trials. The mystery aspect is well-executed, with surprising twists and revelations that add depth to the story, though I did want more of a focus on both the mystery and the engineering itself in the first half of the book.

The writing is witty and accessible, making it a quick and delightful read. The romance is cute and has slow development, which I enjoyed. There wasn’t any insta-love, and the romance wasn’t prominent throughout as the mystery and engineering plot points were the main focus. The ending, while unexpected, stays true to Ying's character and sets the stage for future installments, and I definitely can’t wait for the next book.

"Of Jade and Dragons" is a fantastic start to what promises to be an exciting series. It is a perfect palate cleanser for those looking for a lighter, yet still engaging, read. Fans of YA thrillers, Asian fantasy, and steampunk will find much to love in this novel. Amber Chen has crafted a world and characters that have left me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Retellings are hard for me to read because I expect to read what I already know and pray there is enough of a twist that it feels new. I feel like this one fell flat in that regard. It was a very hard book for me to read and finish because it seemed kinda dull. I wanted more excitement and less building.

A steampunk fantasy inspired by the history of the Qing Dynasty, Of Jade and Dragons is an impressive YA debut. This story follows Aihui Ying as she disguise herself as a boy and infiltrates the prestigious Engineer’s Guild, all in an effort to solve her father’s mysterious murder.

I appreciated that Ying was a bit older than a lot of ya protagonists. I think it made her actions and choices feel more realistic. I also loved that Ying wasn’t some prodigy when it came to engineering. She’s definitely smart and cleaver but she’s good at engineering because her father nurtured and encouraged her interest in it. Ying’s character has a lot of depth and she really grows as a person over the course of the story. Her interactions with others, particularly Ye-Yang and Ye-Kan really shows her commitment to her core beliefs and her strong sense of self. She speaks her mind and she doesn’t let others treat her as lesser simply because of their status.

Ye-Yang’s character is intriguing because throughout the story we see him wanting to be a better person than his father while still being trapped by his father’s world view and influence. He’s become complacent with the idea that the ends justify the means. Ying challenges this viewpoint, she pushes him to stand his ground, to demand better because nothing less will do.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I am definitely interested in picking up the sequel to this story. If you like angst, strong FMC’s, revenge, politics, beautiful world building, and high-stakes adventures then you should pick up this book.

I really, really enjoyed this. I have been eating up all of the recent YA focusing on Asian cultures and mythologies. I also really liked the fact that there was some romance but that wasn't the focus of the story. I loved the main character--she was smart and witty and I loved reading from her perspective and watching her interact with others and the setting. I didn't realize at first that this was a retelling of Mulan, but I definitely see that now that I"m reflecting--to be fair, I wasn't super familiar with the story of Mulan, so it's no real surprise that I missed it.

Overall this was great--great relationships, great dialogue, really compelling plot and setting! I am definitely going to have to watch this author to see what they put out next!

A smart FMC??? I love it! I enjoyed this story that felt like Mulan but definitely with a twist. I wish I had seen more romance BUT I also understand that it is YA even if some other book boxes aren't classing it as such.

Great fantasy story and characters.
Couldn't put the book down.
I love stories with Asian culture and myths.
A great fantasy story.

Aihui Ying, a young woman, wants to follow in her father's footsteps and become an engineer. When her father is assassinated, she only has one choice but to infiltrate the prestigious Engineers Guild to find the assassin. She disguises herself as her brother to enter the apprenticeship trial to gain access to the Guild and find her father's murderer.

This book was a unique retelling of Mulan. Full of STEM themes and an intelligent FMC. I love to see a character development focused on a female's brilliance. She transforms from a dutiful daughter to a courageous and resourceful woman. The dialogue between Ying and her father is heartfelt and shows their loving relationship. The engineering marvels added to the uniqueness of the story. The author builds suspense and mystery throughout the book. I was captivated, trying to guess who the assassin was and the valuable contents of her father's journal up to the end. The novel masterfully blends fantasy and adventure with a coming-of-age story while raising questions about the cost of ambition and honor.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley, Penguin for Young Readers Group, and Viking Books for Young Readers.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC of this book.

You're going to like this book if you are a fan of Mulan and the idea of going against what is "expected" from a person in society. This book is a good representation of doing something for your own values instead of just following what others say you should do.

The main characters are well written and intriguing with their interactions. The main female character, Ying, is stubborn but has a good sense of loyalty and what is right on a larger scale. Her interactions with the main male character, Ye-Yang, were a bit bland in my opinion but I liked the fact that she was not immediately in love with him just because of his pretty face or social rank. Ye-Yang, is a decent main male character, he felt a bit boring and even confusing at first because he was not showing as many quirks until after maybe half of the book.

The story did not take on an interesting enough plot until about 40% of the book, when the main idea was being planted and the conflict was kind of obvious. I think the plot was good enough to keep the desire to read ahead but it just started so slow that I almost did not finish it. I am glad I did finish it though, but I think it will be just fine as a standalone since I don't see how it can add anything else to the story that would make me want to keep reading it.

Overall, the story was good and the characters were well planned and introduced. The book itself could have left some stuff out to make it a bit easier to get into the main conflict, but the overall idea of the main character's purpose was well addressed. I liked the book enough to finish it.

2.5⭐

DNF. The book felt overwritten and did not feel like it truly got started until over 100 pages in. I would cut out the first 100 pages and start there. I had a hard time reading through all of the formatting errors. It seemed like almost every page had a typo. I tried to persist through, but eventually I just got tired of it. I loved the concept but ultimately did not fall in love. I wish this author success and hope this book finds its target audience.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for an early copy of this book! 3.5 stars this was a mulan retelling following Ying posing as her brother to join an engineering program. I liked the concept of this one, and was interested throughout. But it moved a little slow for me at times and I would have like some more romance.

Thank you Viking Books and Amber Chen for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Aihui Ying sets out to investigate her father’s death by disguising herself as her brother and enters a male only apprentice trial that her father also was a part of in hope to find more clues to lead to the identity of the ones responsible. As she learns more, and gets deeper inside, secrets are uncovered and she’s left not knowing who she can trust.

4/5 ⭐️

I had so much fun in this fast paced, industrial, silkpunk world. I enjoyed the romantic subplot, mixed with a bit of murder mystery. Ying character development had me invested in her future and rooting for her, whichever way the story went. Her unlikely allies and surprising foes made for great tension within the characters. Overall, a great read and I’m excited for book 2!

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

Rating: ✨3.5 stars✨

Of Jade & Dragons by Amber Chen is a promising debut novel (with a beautiful cover!) set in the fantasy world of Antara.

Ying has always wanted to travel to the fabled capital city of Fei and enter the Engineer’s Guild. She dreamt of being an engineer, just like her father before her. But everything changes after her father is murdered. Hoping to find answers and get revenge for his death, she travels to the capital disguised as her brother to the Engineer’s Guild. She manages to enter the guild’s apprenticeship trial, with the help of Ye-yang, one of the powerful beile’s of the kingdom, but once there, Ying must protect herself from the assassins who seek her father’s precious journal and stay in the difficult guild trials. But there’s more at stake, and there seem to be more secrets and questions than answers, between Antara’s complicated politics, threats of war, and Ying’s own complicated relationships.

Of Jade and Dragons was an overall pretty good and engaging book. Once I got reading, I got more into the plot and wanted to continue.

When I first read the blurb of this book, I thought it would be a fantasy novel, and there definitely were fantasy elements, but when I started reading, I found it to be leaning more on the science fiction side, especially with some of the weaponry and airships. I even got a little dystopia vibe, and the challenges to get into the Engineer’s Guild reminded me a little bit of the trials to get into a faction in Divergent. I definitely enjoyed the more advanced technology and would love to have seen more airships and flying time!

Ying is a strong and relatable main character. She’s intelligent and brave and makes a good FMC (especially in a Mulan retelling). There was also a nice cast of characters around her. Ye-kan was probably one of my favorites! I liked how he was almost a younger brother to Ying, but he was also a good friend and helped her many times. They both weren’t what they seemed, and both had secrets to keep, and Ye-kan was a lot smarter and less naïve than he let on :) However, I felt like the apprentices in the trials weren’t developed enough. Apparently, there were a lot of them, but only a few actually had any page time.

I felt like through Ying’s perspective, the Engineer’s guild was portrayed as this prestigious, exalted institute that was perfect in every way, when in reality it was less than perfect, and it was obvious there were a lot of cracks beneath the surface. I was happy that as the book progressed, really near the end, she realized the truth, but the continuous praise of the guild did start to feel a little too much in the earlier parts of the book.

Ying and Ye-yang had so much potential in this book, and I would have loved to see more of them together, without all the complications! The yearning….

But there were some shocking twists near the ending, from Ye-yang’s motives to the High Commander and his involvement, and I didn’t know how to feel about some of them - mainly the ones regarding Ye-yang. I didn’t like the complication Nian (Ying’s sister) added with her marriage and I’m not sure how that’s going to work, especially with Ye-yang and Ying’s feelings for each other.

I am happy with the ending. It was fitting for this book, and I liked that Ying stayed true to herself and her beliefs, even if she had to walk away from other things. Although, I’m not sure what will happen next, since it definitely seemed like the ending was set up for a sequel.

So, overall, I enjoyed reading Of Jade and Dragons and can’t wait for what’s next!