Easiest five stars I've given in a long time. This book was absolutely excellent. Expertly crafted from beginning to end. I am constantly wowed by how well Fonda Lee writes characters and complex, intertwining narratives. This was simply amazing, I don't know what else needs to be said. I was concerned this would suffer from middle book syndrome, but as much as I loved Jade City, I loved this book so much more. This took all of the fantastic markers of the first book and improved upon them.

Be warned, this book is deeply, deeply political. Moreso than the first one, and that works for my tastes but it might not be for everyone's. This installment dives deeply into the complicated position the No Peak clan is in, and their constant tug-o-war relationship with their rival Mountain Clan. We get to see fantastic character arcs for many characters, relationship development, and tragic loss. With every chapter we fall a bit more in love with all of the characters and with the complex world Lee is creating. This book sets up the final installment, Jade Legacy, to be exciting and explosive. I'm both terrified and thrilled to dive into it. If you haven't started this series, do it right now.