Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

Did you ship Zuko and Katara as a child? Yes? Then, oh boy, is this the book for you.

I loved the Chinese inspired mythology and the beautiful writing along with it.

Ahn’s character growth is so beautiful, and you want to root for her. Altan is so dedicated to his sister, and you see that obsession with revenge grow into his desire to help and protect others.

There is a lot of violence and abuse, as one might expect from the blurb but it never feels gratuitous or gross. Tan portrays the realities of war, famine, and struggle simply and accurately.

I did feel that the book had a slow start and then a very fast climax, so I think my only issue would really be pacing. Besides that, I really enjoyed!

Four stars.

This is the kind of book that I didn’t want to put down, full of magic, secrets, and adventure, and it made for such an enjoyable read.

There was a lot to love in this book, the world-building was fantastic, I loved the contrast in the different settings and how this affects the characters. The mythology within the story was amazing, I won’t say too much, but I loved how the history changed depending on who told it and how it became shaped by people in every retelling. The magic in the book was really interesting, the fact that it had to be hidden in some places but was more welcomed in others added a wonderful dynamic to the story, especially as Ahn struggles to control her abilities.

Whilst the writing was engaging and easily sucked me in, the pacing was not quite right in places, I do think there were possibly some middle sections that could have been shortened and more time spent on the ending. I feel like the story built to a super exciting point but then started to feel rushed, it kind of awkwardly jumped through the last sections and there wasn’t a flow to keep that excitement up, this didn’t stop my enjoyment it just left me a little deflated at the end.

The characters were great, I didn’t know how to read Altan at first and I enjoyed seeing him develop as he came up against different obstacles on his journey, Ahn is great from the start, a bit of a mystery even to herself but loving and loyal. I enjoyed their chemistry but I’m not sure I was entirely sold on their relationship, it was very slow burn which I enjoyed because nobody knows who to trust at a lot of points in the story which is always fun, I can’t put my finger on it but I feel like something was missing.

The other characters in the story were also interesting, I am particularly intrigued by Tai Shun and Leiye and wish I got to know more about these two characters especially but I am hoping that since the ending was left a little bit open that this is maybe going to be explored in another book. Wishful thinking perhaps but I would gladly read more about all of these characters and how their world further evolves after the events of this story.

A brilliant debut and I am looking forward to seeing what wonderful worlds this author takes me to next.

One of my problems with this book and likely the reason I never finished it despite the premise sounding cool and the cover being positively divine was that it felt like it was written in overly explanatory terms.

I'm not the kind of reader who likes things explained too much to them and this book gave me that. I didn't get to make connections by myself with little world building details and it kept irritating me so unfortunately a dnf.

This book was so addictive! Once I started reading I just couldn’t put it down.

I wouldn’t have minded more pages (mostly to develop the different relationships between the characters) but overall it had great pacing and easy-to-love MCs. ☺️ And I loved that snippet at the end hinting the *possibility* of a sequel.

DNF.

I humbly apologize. I have been trying to get into this book for months. I am not sure I will be able to read it anytime soon.

I got to this one in December, a little late, but I really enjoyed it. It was a great debut with a fantastic premise and world-building. The lore was certainly a favorite part of mine but unfortunately the pacing and the storyline didn't match up to the mythology Tan set up. I loved the characters but they didn't develop as much as you'd think with how much they've been through; in fact the side characters were better developed in the end. I would certainly read other things from this author and again I just loved the world-building and the magic as well.

3.5/4 rounded up. Full RTC.

Thanks so the Pub and NetGalley for an eARC of this in exchange for my honest opinion.

First of all… the tropes were amazing. “I have to kill you” and chosen one?? Amazing.
I started this with high expectations and I was not disappointed.
I loved this book so much, I couldn’t read it as fast as I wanted to because of school but I was happy every time I could read it. The book is absolutely addictive and the pacing is perfect.
The protagonists were amazing. Ahn and Altan were both loveable characters with individual growth and strong personalities, loved the dual pov. I found their romance to be a little too rushed, even though it was slow burn, but it was still really cute. The side characters made the story even more amazing. You never knew who to trust – that made the characters and story even more interesting. The found family trope was also amazing here.
I really enjoyed the fast paced plot and Chinese mythology – definitely something I want to read more of. All these elements kept me interested at all times, I was never bored.
June C.L. Tan has a beautiful writing style, it was really easy to read (even for not native English speakers.) I really hope that we will get a second book because the book has a cliffhanger epilogue and I need to know what happens next.
I will definitely read everything this author writes!! And I’d recommend you do the same, so pick up this book!

I need an explanation about that epilogue.

To be completly honest, I expected more from this. I don't know if I had wrong expectations (mainly thinking this is a standalone), but this was not it.

The main elements of this book surround a prophecy about a person meant to save the world or destroy it, along with a persumed-dead heir of an empire seeking his revenge. I still don't understand some aspects of the worldbuilding or how certain magic works, but that's maybe because the author is saving it for the sequel, judging from the epilogue. It also felt really slow in the beginning.

I found the romance in this book to be the most interesting part, even though it's really slow burn. It's that type of romance where everyone around them is aware of their feelings, but they refuse to admit them out loud.

I would maybe consider reading the sequel (if there is indeed one), but right now I'm not sure.

I really liked this book. The story was phenomenal but in some areas, it reeks of promise unfulfilled. The pacing is totally off, in some places, it's too fast, and in some places, it is too slow. The characters are beautifully fleshed out, I wish there was a bit more depth to Ahn and Altan's feelings. Some of the chapters felt slightly disconnected. The epilogue destroyed me and I wonder if there is a sequel because it felt like a cliffhanger. The ARC format that Netgalley provided was TERRIBLE. It was disjointed and there were too many images and the line format was not alwasy in order.

But I loved this book otherwise. I loved the characters and the plot.

Stunning. Amazing.
I really connected with the writing and the plot - it was so vivid to imagine. I felt that the characters were fully three-dimensional, and very well thought out.
Definitely, one to recommend and buy.

WELL HELLO JADE FIRE GOLD. You were amazing, you’ve easily shot into one of my top reads for the year, from the characters, to the world, to the magic system I fell into this world and tbh didn’t want it to end. 

Filled with political intrigue, Chinese mythology, elemental magic and the repercussions of war Jade Fire Gold is an addictive read filled with twists, action and characters whom stand alone in their journeys as well as light up when together.

“the priests and the palace have done too good a job erasing the true history of the Empire. Pages can be burned; words, erased. Scribes can be persuaded to write new tales, new books. A new past to suit the agenda of those in power.
History is never written by its victims.”

Jade Fire Gold is set in an empire on the brink of war and focuses on the journey of our two main characters Ahn and Altan and their journeys in an empire filled with dangers.

Ann and Alan are incredible characters whom each follow their own arch whilst also being incredible in the moments they are brought together. Supported by an incredible cast of side characters who you’ll love just as much and stand out despite their smaller roles. Honestly I love every single character even the villains.

3.5 rounded up.

This was enjoyable but I found it slightly too much telling and not as many well chosen descriptive details as I would have liked.

The side characters are surprisingly endearing and I didn't find the shape of the story that predictable although the ending was a little bit predictable.

I think this just didn't quite feel like an epic story - the climax was a little undercooked.

Still an enjoyable debut and I would read both more from this author and more in this world. The ending could be setting up for more.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Ahn is found as a child in the desert with a jade ring and an unmelted snowflake in her hand which means she has magic. She is raised by a midwife who is now sick and she hides her magic for fear of being persecuted. Altan is the lost heir to the emperor's throne, considered dead. He is hiding his identity and is on a quest to save the land. A quest they end up sharing on different paths.

It begins with a promise of an epic sweeping tale and boy does it deliver! Gorgeous writing, descriptions threading words together beautifully, painting pictures alive. A sense of melancholy mixed with foreboding topped off with the inevitability of the characters' destiny. The mythology invigorates the story.

The narrative flows naturally through the two POVs that interchange. They are both so intimate, so in tune with each character. The out of place and endearing feeling for Ahn and the big shoes to fill shaded by desire for vengeance one for Altan, are depicted so well as are all the emotions. The action sequences are written with such suspense you want to chomp on your nails and you read so fast you stumble over words. There are smile-worthy moments that simultaneously tug at your heart strings. Twists of story that are gasp-worthy, awkwardness, coincidences and encounters that make you want to squeal.

A study of human nature, it philosophizes life, exemplifying loyalty, sacrifice and the many faces and cost of revenge. Shows us how important freedom in one's life is.

A spellbinding slow burner (maybe too slow in parts) that I properly enjoyed, all this promise, you expect a more explosive final confrontation. My gripe is that I wish the final confrontation would have lasted longer. Needed more 'oomph'. But the story is so well written we can 'forgive' that little 'mishap'. Also THAT epilogue. This better mean this is the beginning of a series.

This is one of those books I'm so sad to give a negative review. Because it was absolutely bursting with potential, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to it. There were parts that really pulled me in and that felt so vivid, but then I kept finding myself zone out again, not engaged enough by the rest of the story.

I am a huge fan of high fantasy book and YA so I was hooked when this book was announced. I read it like 2 month and ago and wait a bit before posting this review.

Sadly it is a not a great thing for this book. I like what I read but I could not tell you today something precise about this book.

I like the two main characters, the story was nice and fun but sadly 2 mont after my reading nothing really seems to stay with me. I am not saying it's a bad book I will give it 3,5 stars but I think it a bit generic for me.

This book feels like a mixed bag to me. While there were areas I enjoyed, there were too many things dragging it down. From an info-dump at the beginning, to highly skilled teenagers besting… well, everyone they meet (and in record time) to antagonistic characters dropping their manipulative plans at some tears from a family member. I thought at first this was a standalone – before the epilogue – so while I wasn’t thrilled with the romance – you know I never am – I could understand it if we only had the 400 pages to run the whole arc of the story. But no, it looks like there’s a sequel, so I would have liked to see that drawn out a bit more. The dialogue and banter had me rolling my eyes here and there, but that was nothing less than I expected. I liked the lore and the world, and again wish they would have spread this out fully over multiple books, and let us experience it all slowly, savouring it. As it was, I didn’t care as much about the stakes, or the risks for the characters. This does have some beautiful artwork going with it though – that combined with the descriptions definitely helped me immerse more into the story.

Jade Fire Gold is a wholesome YA fantasy with a great cast of characters. I found it to be an enjoyable read that felt light even though the characters have tragic back stories. I think the lightness probably comes from the simplistic writing, which I actually enjoyed as it made it easy to read.

It should be noted that the book is full of cliches and I didn't find there to be any unexpected twists. I even saw the ending coming, though the book could also have made a nice standalone without the final chapter.

The characters are cute and I liked their energies. Altan and Ahn are really wholesome characters to read about - I think the characters are probably the book's biggest strength. The plot is a little bare bones, but I mostly enjoyed the world-building.

Overall, Jade Fire Gold was a good read and I'm glad I finally got around to reading this arc.

What a book, well written characters and an amazing story line. The world build is rich and detailed.

I was sucked in to this book hard and fast and couldn't wait to finish it, but I didn't actually want the story to end.

* “History is never written by its victims”
* “Always remember the heart is not a weakness”
* “We all carry the burdens and joys of our past. Only those who choose to be blind to themselves forget what once existed and what continues to exist inside”
* “It is the wielder who decides what to do with a weapon”
* “Forgiveness is not weakness. It more courage than you think..”

This book was a whirlwind of emotions… there was everything in this book and I really enjoyed it!
It was fast paced, diverse, mysterious, magical, romantic and gorgeous 😌
I loved the found family troupe and how lovely each character is 🤧 Ahn and Altan were BEAUTIFUL characters and I loved everything about them and their stories too.
I especially liked the morals about forgiveness of yourself and others, finding yourself and being proud of who you are but also being confident and proud too ☺️ - lots of amazing things happened in this book 😌
THANK YOU POOJI FOR BUDDY READING IT WITH ME - it would have taken me wayy longer to read if not and I loved it 🥰
Overall - amazing story I loved the plot and really enjoyed the book ☺️

I enjoyed this book. Was I blown away by it no, but was it boring as well, no. This reads just like a standard YA fantasy novel, which isn’t a bad thing. I still really enjoyed reading this book, while I was in no rush to pick it up after I had put it down, I did find that when I did pick it up I read about 100 pages at a time. If you’re a new reader of south East Asian inspired fantasy’s I think you’ll get a lot more enjoyment reading this than I did. This particular sub-genres is one of my favourites and as such I wasn’t particularly surprised by the plot twists. However I do still think this is a good book and a quick read, I found Ahn’s pov more enjoyable to read than Altan’s, I found his quite cringey at times. But still worth a read!