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.

Blood Jade by Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle definitely shines as a great 2nd book in the Phoenix Hoard Series. In this urban fantasy, readers will find the FMC picking up almost immediately after the happenings in book 1, Ebony Gate. So much happens, including character development, continued world building, twists and turns. I love that the setting is now in a new location, Japan. And though we are living in the present day, it seems more flawless the integration of the character's history and past.

I cannot deny that Blood Jade quite possibly outshines Ebony Gate in a few ways, and it's hard to put in the right words exactly how. However, the Pheonix Hoard series is definitely a hit. Looking forward of the development of the FMC's romantic/professional relationships with two certain characters. I wouldn't be disappointed though if the romance took a very far away back seat, as it is greatly appreciated from this reader that the main story lines have been front and center.

Additionally, the narrator did an excellent job! I did not want book 2 to end, but it did so in a very "neat" way that left crumbs of how there will most definitely be another book. I recommend this series to all. A solid 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, Netgalley and the authors for allowing me to "read" this book in return for a review.

I will be posting to Instagram, GoodReads, and Storygraph.

Wow. Wow. Wow. This author duo had done it again. I very much enjoyed book one, Ebony Gate, and was eager to jump into Blood Jade. Vee and Bebelle have created a wonderful, mythical story in a modern setting, which I very much enjoyed. Now I have to wait on book 3 to continue with Emiko and see what happens next.

Loved this book. Love the story and the characters. Can't wait to read the next one. Ken and Julie make a great writing team. Natalie's narration was excellent as usual. 10/10, no notes.

If you liked the first book you'll enjoy this one too. It delves a more into the world and culture of magic. I really liked we got to see more of Emiko's family and some we also get to see more magical beings. I wish we got more of an explanation of Emiko's abilities, because there was something about her power and the other mystical beings reactions to her that hint at something otherworldly about her. But I guess the author is saving that for the next book. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger and that was kind of annoying, but I am eager for the next installment.

loved the second installment of this series. I would have liked to have more time in SF but getting to know Japan and its families through the MC’s eyes was interesting and puts her life in SF in perspective. I also appreciated getting to know her family better.

I do think this has a little bit of a second book syndrome because some big story lines from the first book has very little page time in order to get to know the new characters but it did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the book for me.

I loved the narration of the book. Natalie Naudus has such a great voice and I’m more likely to get an audiobook that she’s narrated than a paper/kindle copy. She brings so much life and spark to the story.

4/5 stars.

If you're anything like me, you may be hesitant when you see multiple authors listed. It can often end up discordant and choppy. However, let me assure you that this is not the case with this book, Julia and Ken's voices blend so well. This is a sequel so if you have not read Ebony Gate, perhaps read that one first and do not proceed with this review.

Emiko is the eldest daughter of the Song clan, but she her Hoard talent has been hidden from her. Once the Blade of her clan, she refused to swear loyalty after six years of training to the Jiaren. This decision had rippling implications in books one and we see it again in book two come up. Blood Jade delves deeper into Emiko's history and unravelling a tumultuous past.

The setting changes substantially as well from book one. Whereas book one was set in San Francisco, book two sees Emiko journey home to Tokyo. I really enjoyed exploring the different setting. She journeys home to support her brother through the grueling final challenge of his training, one that Emiko was never able to take due to being banished from the school.

My one complaint and the reason this isn't a 5-star read for me is that there were two instances where things were resolved entirely too quickly. Adam and the Crimson Cloud Splitter concern was resolved entirely too conveniently to make sense for me, this a carry-over conflict from book one. I won't reveal the other instance as that would be a major spoiler.

Overall, I really enjoy the pacing, author's voice, characterization and I'm looking forward to the trilogy conclusion!

I love it when a second book really starts to shine - Ebony Gate laid all the groundwork for the worldbuilding, and Blood Jade really starts to dig into the political conspiracies and family connections and rivalries between all the jiaren, allowing both the world and Emiko to grow as we follow along.

Once again, it's a frenetic pace - I really want Emiko to get a rest (just a small vacation!!!) after becoming the Sentinel and immediately being throwing into the chaos of tracking down an assassin against the backdrop of her brother's graduation tournament and having to take a crash course in her powers.

While I was sad to not have much of the book set in San Francisco this time, since part of what I really loved about Ebony Gate was how much of its own character the city got to feel, we got to learn so much about the mythology and traditions of the world Vee and Bebelle have set up and it makes the tradeoff worth it. I just really hope we get to see both the fledgling magical city and its Sentinel come into their own together in the next book though.

Blood Jade hits all the wonderful urban fantasy beats again, bringing pan-Asian traditions in a modern way that are just /fun/. Each new piece of information, each reveal, each new power is just a delight to watch unfold, even if it just entangles Emiko further, and the reveals at the end of the tournament just have me absolutely clamoring for the next book.

I absolutely love Natalie Naudus voice and work. I was excited to see that she was continuing her character as Emiko in the continuation of the Phoenix Hoard trilogy. Give me more!

Blood Jade takes place a week after the events in Ebony Gate are over. Emiko gets hired by Fiona to find out who killed her beloved bodyguard. While doing so, Emiko also discovers that the Soong family is also on the kill list. The hunt takes her back to her hometown in Tokyo, where the real games begin. I loved traveling with Emiko to her familial grounds. We finally got to see what she left behind in the physical and emotional sense. Watching the weave work of her family history gave Emiko's character a chance to open up and see the real her.

I don't want to give too much away because this book was unbelievably good. You have to experience it. The action scenes are still immaculate. I want KitKats. New powers emerge in the Soong clan that can elevate or shun the family out of the hoard realm. Adam is still hanging in there, and Mutha has arrived!!!!

Blood Jade is the sequel to the Ebony Gate in The Phoenix Hoard series. Blood Jade picks up following Emiko Soong in her adventures as she investigates intrigues in the Jiaren world and as she takes up the mantle of Sentinel of San Francisco. Emiko works to find a killer and it eventually sends her back to Tokyo and in the middle of the family and Jiaren politics she left years ago.

This book certainly doesn't suffer from a second book slump! Starting from chapter one the action picks up and doesn't let up for the whole book. I was wrapped up in the story as soon as the book started. I couldn't put it down and finished this book in 2 days. I feel like I connected with Emiko and the world even more in this book and understood the magic system even more than in the first book. I actually think I like this book even better than the first book. I can't wait for what the authors will bring in the next book!

Natalie Naudus did an amazing job of narrating the audiobook and I really enjoyed tandem reading the book and and the audio and she was clear and easy to understand at 2x speed.

Thank your @b2weird for letting me part of the "Blood Jade" tour for Julia Vee, Ken Bebelle, and Tor books! Book Two of the Phoenix Hoard out July 16, 2024!

Emiko is actually doing pretty good in San Francisco as the new Guardian. Has some magic she can access, growing respect in the community (as not The Butcher), and work is trucking along. Except family comes with obligations. More so when you used to be the Blade of yours. Her brother, Tatsuya, is about to graduate and engage in a murder game/prom/social flexing party with the other Hoard family kids. It would be good if his sister could tune him up before that conflict and save his life from the assassin with powers similar to her mother. We see the families in the heart of their power, further information about why they left their realm, and what came with them. Oh and there is the small matter of The General making moves, a second mythical figure threatening her if she doesn't learn things with no guide, and her own convoluted past with her parents and her powers. Easy right?

I might have also listened to it again because Natalie Naudus kills it in this.

Reasons to read:
-More of this world
-Answers to many questions!
-Murder Prom
-Hey if you are going to have a secret magic world flex a bit on the building design
-Emiko gets to let loose a bit
- When the pieces connect I just get excited with this story

Cons:
-I got really hungry because the food sounds delicious...

Oh baby, here we go again!

Emiko Soong is officially sentinel of San Francisco, but as soon as she starts her tenure - a murderer strikes. To find the killer and protect her city, she has to travel back home to Japan and confront some demons.

The stakes are raised and it was SUCH a fun ride following Emiko to Tokyo in this entry in the Phoenix Hoard series. This definitely does not suffer from second book syndrome. In fact, it takes the world building and magic from Ebony Gate and runs with it. It felt like such a rich experience to discover more about the families and what makes the world of Jiaren tick. I especially loved seeing Emiko and her father's relationship grow and change. So many great moments to experience!

Personally I am sitting (not so) patiently because we have SUCH a great set up for book 3. Can't wait to see where the series continues to take us. This is becoming a fave urban fantasy series for me and I can't recommend it enough!

The narrator did an excellent job. The pacing of the story was perfect. I loved the characters, the tension was wonderful throughout. I really enjoy the magic system in this series and I can’t wait for the next book.

Blood Jade (The Phoenix Hoard #2)
Written by Ken Bebelle and Julia Vee
Read by Natalie Nadus
Book 116/250
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Physical/Digital/Audio, ARC
Pages/Time: 448/14hr 23min
Published: July 16, 2024
Rating: 8.75/10
Narration: 8/10

“The empty space at my shoulder felt naked and exposed to the judgement of my ancestors.”

Thank you, Ken and Julia, for sending me this ARC! I had the luck to be able to experience this upcoming release in Physical, Digital, and Audio and let me tell you all three are a treat. Blood Jade serves the important role of worldbuilding in the Phoenix Hoard world, as well as diving headfirst into the magic system.

Blood Jake picks up pretty quickly after the end of Ebony Gate (check my review for that one if you haven’t). Still getting used to her new role as the Sentinel of San Francisco, Emiko is on the hunt for a magical assassin. This quest takes Emiko back home to her family in Tokyo. Originally, I wasn’t sure about the decision for Emi to leave the city she recently became the Sentinel of, but I has happy to find that this opportunity really helped develop the world of The Hoards and building further relationships within the Soong Clan. On top of this, Bebelle and Vee delve deeper into the magic system and make some exciting revelations that will have big impacts in the future. Blood Jade was a very good entry into this series and I am excited to see what the next book has in store!