I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review!

Blood Jade picks up where Ebony Gate leaves off, and it is so good. I appreciated that this went deeper into world building and I found it to be well paced and just as action packed as the first, which is nice because sometimes middle books feel a bit too much like a bridge. I really loved seeing Emiko’s continued growth and it was satisfying that questions from Ebony Gate were answered. Vee and Bebelle did a good job at expanding upon the world and asking new questions for the third in the series to answer, and I’m honestly impressed at how good of a follow up this is.

As always, Natalie Naudus is an excellent narrator and really helps bring the story to life. The action is so engaging and it really scratches some itches that I have previously only had scratched in action movies and shonen manga, so I’m absolutely thrilled that this is a series I can continue to enjoy.

I am absolutely obsessed with this series I absolutely loved this book and the narration was perfect. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

This was fantastic! I was a fan of the first book in this series but I have to say that I liked this book even more. I was thrilled that the book opened with a summary of the first book which really helped me get my mind back into this world that Emiko lives in. Once I started reading this one, I didn’t want to stop because I just had to know how things would work out in the end.

Emiko Soong now serves as the Sentinel of San Francisco, which is a huge responsibility. A murder investigation takes her to Tokyo where her family resides. I feel like we really get to know Emiko in this installment and I grew to like her more and more as the story unfolded. Emiko’s brother, Tatsuya, is about to enter his tourney which is very important to the clan. The story was very exciting with plenty of action woven throughout.

Natalie Naudus does an excellent job with the narration of this book. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators because she does such a good job of bringing stories to life. I found her voice to be very pleasant and appreciate the various voices that she used to represent the characters in this story. I do believe that her performance heightened my enjoyment of this book.

I would recommend this series to others. This is the second book in the Phoenix Hoard series which I do recommend reading in order. This installment was an excellent read that kept me hooked from beginning to end. I can’t wait to read more of this incredible series.

I received a review copy of this book from Tor Books and Macmillan Audio.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for sending me an early copy of this audiobook! All opinions are my own!

If you're looking for a unique world steeped in Asian mythology and folklore, then look no further! This series is setting up such a novel world full of magic and intrigue. I can't get enough of how different it is from everything I've read, even other fantasies that are based in Asian folklore. It feels like it has an extra dimension to it because of it being a contemporary setting, and I love that part of it!

This book feels like it was setting up a lot more adventure and plot twists, and I can't wait to see where the series is going to go from here! I love the way it tackles family, honor and mixes it all with self worth and self discovery in the midst of such a tense political environment.

I feel like I can't say too much without giving a lot away, but this is a fresh new series that will feel unlike anything you've read before! You won't want to miss out on the action!

Great narration. Fantastic story telling. Fast-paced story line. Interesting characters. This book was a shockingly good book. but honestly the narration saved it.

It's been a little over a year since I read Ebony Gate, the first book in this series. I appreciated the recap of book one at the beginning of the story – it was a nice refresher. Book #2 has less action than the first book, and we step outside of San Francisco into Emiko's family home in Tokyo. Very few characters from the first book appear in this one, except for Adam, who follows Emiko to Tokyo and stirs up trouble, and Fiona. I enjoyed reading about the lore of the dragon and learning why Emiko is "broken". The book mainly focuses on delving into a big family backstory, as well as Emiko preparing her brother for the trials she couldn't participate in. There's a great deal of family involvement in the book's emotions and story. I have a feeling that this whole backstory and assassin plot in Tokyo will lead to a much bigger story in the third book. Overall, it's a beautiful urban fantasy narrated by Natalie Naudus, who does a fabulous job bringing the author's words to life.

I loved this book. The narrator is excellent and the story is so engaging. The story ends with you wanting more and needing to know what happens next but also super curious about some of the other characters which isn’t △⃒⃘lways the case in books. Definitely recommend!

Can I just say that I LOVE when a sequel starts off with a summary of book 1?! Absolutely fantastic! I love that we travel outside of San Fransisco in this novel. We get to see more of the power dynamics within the families. There were also more mysteries being unraveled with a great ending. Book one was really good, this book is even better - which I don't say often with sequels. If you haven't read this series yet, what are you waiting for?

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

So, I wrote this review weeks ago, and then life got in the way. This was the book I needed at precisely the right moment. I’ve been watching a lot of K dramas lately as they are all action and storytelling packed into a very distinct timeline so the pace is amazing. This has that same feeling of plot and pacing. It ebbed and flowed with the story and characters in such a way it both felt like I lost track of time and somehow it felt too short. I loved the growth in both her role as Sentinel, and the slow unfolding of her history and importance in the world. I felt like I was learning something at the same pace she was, and that impact did so much for the feel of the story. I really can’t wait for book three…..

The Phoenix Hoard series is arguably one of my favorite urban fantasy series thus far with its snarky but endearing main character Emiko, a fast-paced action-filled plot, a unique clan-based magic system, and a nuanced portrayal of familial relationships. I thought that Blood Jade, the follow-up to Ebony Gate, shined even brighter as we navigated more of Emiko’s culture and familial influence when she travels to Tokyo to investigate a murder and show support for her brother entering his school competition that will solidify his place in the clan.

I had the honor of dually reading a physical arc provided by Ken BeBelle and Julia Vee and the audiobook, narrated by Natalie Naudus, that was courtesy of Netgalley and MacMillan Audio and it was such a satisfying experience. Natalie Naudus did an excellent job of bringing sharp-witted Emiko and the world she lives in to life, giving each character their own tone and nuance. The narrator does make a very audible intake of breath before speaking consistently throughout the story which could at times be distracting.

I LOVED the deep dive that Blood Jade took into Emiko’s family life and how those relationships shaped who she is and what drives her. It created such an emotional depth to Emiko’s character and helps us understand her and the push and pull of her sense of responsibility and need for independence. The unraveling of family secrets and the complicated family dynamics were fascinating and kept me hooked throughout the story. I will also say that there was such a breadth of magic in this installment with such vividly described mythical/magical creatures and a deeper development of the magic system. Vee and BeBelle's ability to detail every fantastical element with such clarity and imagination makes the magical realm feel incredibly immersive and alive. Also, the deep affection these authors have for their characters and their world is vividly evident on every single page which endeared me as the reader even more to this work.

I am really loving this series and if you enjoy adult urban fantasy I am confident that you will too! I am excited to read the next installment in The Phoenix Hoard series.

First off the narrator of these books breaths so much life and cinema into the story. I don't know that anyone else could have done as much justice as she did. When I read Ebony Gate I completely fell in love with this modern fantasy oozing with culture and mythology. Blood Jade picks up right where book one left off and starts full force without letting up until the end. I love Emiko and think that she is such a fantastic character who really grows and steps into her own in this series. I was so excited when she finally figured out why she was "broken" and was thrilled to see how that all played out. The world building in this series is fantastic, everything is so vivid and easy to fall into. There was so much action and so many things packed into this book. It was so neat to see get an in depth look into Emiko's family history and drama and well as get more insight into the different family clans. There is a scene towards the end of the book that is absolutely stunning I don't want to give anything away but I was absolutely enthralled. And that ending eeeeek! I will be waiting somewhat patiently for the next book because I have to know what is in-store for Emiko next!

Blood Jade, second book in the Phoenix Hoard series, once again features Emiko Soong, the new Sentinel of San Francisco. Despite her new responsibilities, multiple situations conspire to bring her home to Tokyo. Emiko has newfound strength and abilities that she does not fully understand in addition to near constant attacks. Are they after her brother, Tatsuya, who is preparing for his tournament? Is there a darker family secret that is coming to light? Who is the General and why does Emiko keep crossing paths with members of the General’s army? It is challenging to compare this book to the first, Ebony Gate, bc in my mind they felt different. Ebony Gate has a quest feel and this book was more about her family and the battles they were facing. Happily, I enjoyed both books. The characters are flawed but likable and I was rooting for them while trying to figure out what was going on. The momentum was good as long as you enjoy fight sequences (which I do) otherwise it might feel slightly repetitive. The ending had many surprises and finally some answers which was satisfying. I found this book more on the serious side which is not a bad thing, but hope more humor is displayed in future books. The setting was enhanced by many descriptions of food, including various flavors of Kit-Kats (I had no idea) and I would love to learn more about these libraries as they sounded amazing. Eager to return to this world in the next book, Tiger Eye. Narration by Natalie Naudus was perfection—she is the voice of Emiko in my mind. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and review.

I enjoyed this follow-up to 'The Ebony Gate'. We saw Emiko developed more as a character, and got more of her backstory that helped to explain the dynamic between herself and her family.
The action in this book was non-stop and I was legitimately worried about Emiko's mortality at several times, because her adversaries this time around were much closer to home, and knew her fighting style intimately.
Several side characters in the first book were more a part of the plot, and new characters were introduced that made the story more interesting..
I would highly recommend this one if you're looking for a fantasy that is easy to read, great world building and a plotline that isn't convoluted.

Really loving the Phoenix Hoard series. There is such a great blend of action and character building mixed with mythology and urban fantasy with multicultural interest. Blood Jade had me guessing the whole time. I gasped when a few new characters showed up and it had me wanting more with the last line!

Loved the narrative portrayal with the audiobook.

I had not read this series yet and therefore started with the first book to get a full sense of what would be happening in the second book, Blood Jade. There is a lot of world building and background of characters to get into prior to really getting into the story. As this story has a lot of ties to Japan there are many Japanese words and phrases along with names used throughout the entire story - which makes it feel authentic but difficult to remember characters appropriately when listening - this may be an easier one to read.

I liked the character developments, the world building, and the action packed story. For me it was just mediocre because I like more of adventure without the gore, and it took me too long to feel invested in this book.

I also thought the narrator was very good at reading and becoming the character while reading. She kept the story really interesting and moving along.

4.75 stars!

Wow - this was a great sequel! Continuing the journey Emiko is on was so much fun especially with how much her character is developing. This urban fantasy weirdly feels like a cozy mystery to me - I’m so attached to Emiko and the friends she is making as well as the cast of characters we keep seeing that aren’t necessarily main characters.

We start the second book off with a bang! I was instantly excited for what would happen as the story progressed. Emiko is getting stronger now that she is the sentinel, but she has to be careful when she isn’t in her city. Even with the power of the city she is still ‘blocked’ in some way. When she is confronted by a deity when her guard is dropped she knows she has a lot of work to do to protect herself and her friends. She’s also still struggling with Adam and Tessa when it comes to the sword Adam has found.
Even with all of the chaos and assassination attempts she still has to travel to Tokyo to be with her family and community for her brother.
She not only has to figure out who has been trying to take out Pheona, but who’s trying to take out her and Tatsuya during a huge tournament. Can she juggle it all?

So far the Phoenix Hoard series is becoming one of my favorites. I would love to see this turned into a show or movie!

Intriguing second book. A lot of politics and machinations of the family. A little slow in places, but very cool ending. Love reading about the mythology and world building.

OMG wow, the sequel to the Ebony Gate was FANTASTIC. I am so glad I got access to the audiobook. Natalie Naudus. I loved the change of scenery from San Francisco to Tokyo. The story kept me on the seat of my seat. It was so well written and loved the growth of Emiko Soong through out. I am so excited for future novels written by the author.

"Blood Jade," the sequel to "Ebony Gate," continues Emiko Soong's story as she returns to Tokyo to face her past and protect her family. Julia and Ken blend their writing seamlessly, making the narrative smooth and engaging. The book's vibrant setting and fast-paced plot are enriched with Japanese folklore and legends. Emiko's journey is packed with intense action, detailed magic systems, and emotional depth, focusing on her personal growth rather than romance. Despite a few convenient plot solutions and the absence of a favorite character, Freddie, the story remains exciting. The audiobook, narrated by Natalie Naudus, adds an extra layer of immersion, making Emiko's tale even more captivating. Fans of urban fantasy and strong female leads will find "Blood Jade" a thrilling and satisfying read.