Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen is a captivating example of the silkpunk genre, a unique blend of fantasy and technology that is sure to intrigue readers. And it's reminiscent of the Mulan story's rich world-building and engaging plot. This novel held my attention from start to finish, offering a fresh and intriguing take on these genres.

The main characters in 'Of Jade and Dragons' are developed exquisitely, and their interactions are not just intriguing, but also deeply human, fostering a strong sense of connection with the reader. The main character, Ying, is stubborn and champions what is right even when it's a hard choice. Her interactions with Ye-Yang felt authentic and grew over time, which I found particularly engaging. Ye-Yang is a decent, almost bland male lead, but his individuality shines as the story progresses, making the reader feel a strong sense of connection and investment in their journey. You'll find yourself rooting for them as they navigate their complex world.

While the story was engaging overall, it started too slowly for my tastes, and I struggled with unfamiliar Chinese terms dating back to the Qing dynasty. They were unknown to me, and I didn't find them described enough so my reading could flow smoothly. This might resonate with readers who prefer a faster pace and are unfamiliar with Chinese history and culture. However, knowing these aspects beforehand will help you better appreciate the story's unique setting and cultural references, preparing you for a more immersive reading experience.

DNF @ 20%

Unfortunately I just can’t seem to get into this one. I loved the idea and I love silkpunk fantasy, but I am really struggling with the pacing and writing. The dialogue is coming across very stilted and it felt really predictable. I am really bummed because I was so excited for this book! I just don’t want to get into a reading slump.

Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars. The ratings on goodreads for Of Jade and Dragons are lower than I would have expected, and I think that's because this is being promoted as a fantasy book and has "dragon" in the title. However, upon reading this one, I wouldn't really qualify this as fantasy (it's more steam punk), and there are no dragons... at least not in a way you would expect from a book with "dragon" in the title. So I think because of that, for many, this is a case of the book not being what they expected, causing some to ultimately be disappointed. I had no expectations, and don't feel disappointment at all. My main reason for requesting this one was that it was Mulan inspired and I LOVE Mulan. And it turns out, I really enjoyed Of Jade and Dragons. After Ying's father is murdered, she leaves rural life behind and heads to the capital to enter the yearly competition to join the Engineer's Guild. But she's not at the guild just because she loves engineering (which she does), she's there to figure out who is responsible for her father's murder. And oh yeah, girls aren't allowed, so Ying disguises herself as a boy. I enjoyed the general plot behind this one (aka Ying's quest to find more information about her father's murder), but I also enjoyed all the cool tech and engineering feats, AND I enjoyed the budding romance between Ying and one of the princes! This is YA, so as is typical for most books that feature teenage characters, emotions run HIGH. And even though Ying tries to act like an adult, she definitely has her moments (and to be fair, so does her romantic interest). All in all, I really enjoyed this one. This is my first Mulan retelling and it won't be my last. I can also see myself picking up book 2... with how things ended, I'm definitely curious to see how the relationships evolve.

Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
Of Jade and Dragons is an adventurous story mixed with academia and murder mystery. Aihui Ying is a young girl who shares her father’s passion for engineering. When she bears witness to his assassination, she goes on a quest to uncover the truth. This leads Ying to the prestigious engineering guild her father worked for. Disguised as her brother, Ying passes the trials and gains entry into the guild. Danger lurks in every corner and Ying isn’t sure who she can trust. If her disguise breaks, she will be convicted of treason. But if she leaves the guild, she will never find her father’s killer.

The story has an interesting plot, but once again I got baited into reading a YA book. Although it’s not my personal preference, the story was entertaining. I enjoyed Aihui Ying’s headstrong character and her determination to not let anything deter her. I’ve given the book three stars because of how long it took me to finish it. I’m conflicted about this one because the book was well written, it just felt dull for me and didn’t stand out. Overall, this would be a great book if you love YA fantasy. Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for the advance reader copy.

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⭐