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.

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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!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of Blood Jade! Not only is it the sequel to a book I read earlier this year and loved, it is narrated by one of my favorite narrators. Natalie Naudus does an amazing job of bringing the characters to life.

In Blood Jade, Emiko has to travel back to Tokyo to support her brother in his tourney while also trying to find out who keeps trying to murder important clan members. Emiko is incredibly off kilter having to face all of the familial expectations she tried to escape and unlike her, I enjoyed every moment of it.

We learn a lot about Emiko’s past and her powers in this book and she is really starting to settle into her powers, new and old. While there is a murder mystery as the driving force of the story, at its heart it is about her finding her place in the world and what it means to truly set aside the expectations of everyone around her. Especially those she put on herself.

I am so excited to see where Emiko’s story takes her next.

In Ebony Gate we saw who Emiko is. Who she chose to be as she left behind her past as The Butcher. And in Blood Jade we are able to see how this new self comes head to head with her past. Back in Tokyo, Emiko is confronted with her family, their machinations for her, and the secrets which come rushing like an avalanche. She becomes roped back into family politics and a reminder that here her life wasn't her own. Blood Jade examines when the ones who have to take on the power are never looking for it. And when those who crave it can never have enough.

I loved this sequel! Partly is because I was listening to the audio book which is voiced by Natalie Naudus who is an auto-buy narrator for me. I love the way Natalie brings the voices, emotions, and tension to the forefront.

Even though this was the second book in the series, I really enjoyed it. The writing was great and the story flew by!

This was a sweeping adventure that continued from the first book. I'm so glad I was able to listen to this, makes me wanna get the audio for the first book now since I read the physical

Emiko Soong has recently become the Sentinel for San Francisco; the protector of the city. It’s not exactly the life away from her powers she hoped she’d have when she left her clan of magic wielders descended from dragons. Emiko has difficulty with her magic. She can tap into the power of San Francisco while she is there, but familial duty takes her to Tokyo where she’ll have to unravel the mystery of her powers and origin, while thwarting a deadly assassin.

The writing in this series is very cinematic. Told in first person from Emiko’s perspective, the action scenes are all vivid, the landscapes prettily expressed, and the magic system thoroughly explained as each new component is revealed. That said, as a non-visual reader, I actually struggled at the level of description. Readers who love to imagine a well-thought-out world will love this though. The writing is infused with Japanese folklore and legends. Thematically, it feels like The City We Became by NK Jemisin and Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews, though stylistically, it’s dissimilar to both.

I actually picked this series up because it’s narrated by Natalie Naudus. Her character work with the voices is excellent, and when I got tied up in the prose style, I was glad to have Naudus’s narration to fall back on.

The follow-up to Ebony Gate takes us out of San Francisco with Emiko as she returns home to Japan to visit with her family and support her brother in a coming of age contest/ritual. Returning to the family dynamic she ran away from, dealing with a mysterious and powerful enemy, and learning to unlock her own secrets all while revisiting Tokyo keeps her busy as she takes readers of her tale along for the adventure. As with the first book, high-adrenaline action blends nicely with a slower narrative that explains magical objects, powers, fills in past histories and still manages to inspire a food craving or two. I enjoyed this book, maybe even more than the first, not only seeing Emiko interacting with her family, but also learning more about herself, and coming into more of her own power. It is refreshing to have a book with a female main character that prioritizes her strength, growth, and healing over a romance. Anyone who liked the first book of The Phoenix Hoard should appreciate Blood Jade and anyone who likes urban fantasy with an Asian flair or magical fantasy with a strong female character, but hasn't read the first book of the Phoenix Hoard yet should start at Ebony Gate.
I enjoyed this book as an audiobook and the emotion and intensity of the actor's voice really made it feel as if Emiko was telling her story.
I received advanced access to this audiobook thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.