If you love an urban fantasy series, then Ebony Gate and Blood Jade has to be on your TBR. I loved how much we got to know Emiko and her family in this one all with these dangerous trials as a background. Keep reading this book review of Blood Jade for my full thoughts.
Summary
Emiko Soong, newly minted Sentinel of San Francisco, just can’t catch a break. Just after she becomes the guardian for a sentient city, a murder strikes close to home. Called by the city and one of the most powerful clans to investigate, she traces the killer whose scent signature bears a haunting similarity to her mother’s talent.
The trail will lead her back to Tokyo where the thread she pulls threatens to unravel her whole world and bring dark family secrets to light.
Meanwhile, the General rises in the East and Emiko must fight the hidden enemies of his growing army who are amped up on Blood Jade, while keeping her promises to her brother Tatsuya as he prepares for his tourney.
Her duties as Sentinel and her loyalties collide when she must choose between hiding her deepest shame or stopping the General’s relentless march.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
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. It feels like a perfect sequel to Ebony Gate. Emiko is forced to confront her old demons, her old life, and figure out if she knows who she is and doesn’t fall back into that whirlpool. Who is she now? 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.
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Blood Jade explores family. It explores family which shows up for us when we don’t expect, which try to protect us and includes keeping secrets. It asks, through a variety of characters, what we would do for power. I loved getting to know Emiko’s brother – we love a softie like him! – and it was a great way to get to know Emiko’s past. I cannot wait for the sequel!
Find Blood Jade on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.