★ 09/20/2021
In Tan’s thrilling debut, an homage to Xianxia novels, 16-year-old orphan Ahn has nothing but a murky past and a secret: she is a magic-wielding Tiensai, a hunted people whose powers are said to be the cause of the land’s transition into desert. The rightful heir to the corrupt Shi empire, 18-year-old Altan was betrayed by the royal family and left for dead; now, he seeks the Life Stealer to further his agenda. When fate brings the two together, they discover that Ahn’s magic is the key to their desires: Ahn, to unravel her past, and Altan, to get revenge. As they journey to seek a legendary sword in the hopes of expelling the dark magic that has corrupted the land, the two earn each other’s trust, which slowly becomes something more. Effective worldbuilding and vivid imagery suck the reader in to Tan’s high-fantasy, Chinese folklore–inspired world written from two perspectives. A strong cast of supporting characters—including a closeted emperor, a mysterious priest, and a queer spy couple—rounds out a book rooted in themes of power and imperialism. A glossary details places, cultural terminologies, and more. Ages 13–up. Agent: Elana Roth Parker, Laura Dail Literary. (Oct.)
"A rich fantasy world and complex, intricately drawn characters makes JADE FIRE GOLD an addictive story that is impossible to put down. June CL Tan is a stunning new debut and one to watch." — Swati Teerdhala, Author of The Tiger At Midnight series
"From sweeping deserts to thrashing seas, JADE FIRE GOLD is adventure at its finest. Yet in between its pages you’ll also find a tender spirit and beautifully rendered story that honors the great wuxia epics. Jin Yong would be proud." — Joan He, New York Times bestselling author of Descendant of the Crane and The Ones We're Meant to Find .
"An epic adventure! Ahn and Altan steal off the pages with their delicious banter, and into readers' hearts with their resilience and courage." — Elizabeth Lim, NYTimes bestselling author of SPIN THE DAWN and SO THIS IS LOVE
"Epic in every sense of the word, Jade Fire Gold is a fantasy as beautiful as it is sweeping. June CL Tan's world sings with magic on each page, populated with characters readers will cheer and cry for in equal measure." — Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times Bestselling Author of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin
"A spectacularly crafted world. Jade Fire Gold breathes new air into old mythology, bringing an utterly fresh lens to a classic story. With gripping storytelling that depicts a perilous adventure, June CL Tan has brightened up YA fantasy." — Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
"Brutal and beautiful, June Tan's debut is a force. JADE FIRE GOLD was a gripping adventure I couldn't put down.” — Hafsah Faizal, New York Times bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame
“ [A] smoldering romance takes place against the backdrop of themes of duality and complementarity in nature, trauma and revenge, self-sacrifice, truth in history, and the fight for a better future… A magic-filled debut that will leave readers eager for more from this author.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"[A] thrilling debut. Effective worldbuilding and vivid imagery suck the reader in to Tan’s high-fantasy, Chinese folklore–inspired world. A strong cast of supporting characters rounds out a book rooted in themes of power and imperialism." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Tan’s richly imagined, magical debut will leave readers breathless.” — Booklist
Addictive and immersive, June C.L. Tan's JJade Fire Gold transported me straight to the desert and kept me there right up until the final page. A spectacular debut full of adventure, magic and heart—I can't wait to see what comes next from this talented new voice in YA fantasy! — Lynette Noni, #1 bestselling author of The Prison Healer
“A complex and intriguing world based on Chinese mythology… [for] those who love larger-than-life stakes.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Brutal and beautiful, June Tan's debut is a force. JADE FIRE GOLD was a gripping adventure I couldn't put down.”
"An epic adventure! Ahn and Altan steal off the pages with their delicious banter, and into readers' hearts with their resilience and courage."
"A rich fantasy world and complex, intricately drawn characters makes JADE FIRE GOLD an addictive story that is impossible to put down. June CL Tan is a stunning new debut and one to watch."
Tan’s richly imagined, magical debut will leave readers breathless.
"From sweeping deserts to thrashing seas, JADE FIRE GOLD is adventure at its finest. Yet in between its pages you’ll also find a tender spirit and beautifully rendered story that honors the great wuxia epics. Jin Yong would be proud."
"A spectacularly crafted world. Jade Fire Gold breathes new air into old mythology, bringing an utterly fresh lens to a classic story. With gripping storytelling that depicts a perilous adventure, June CL Tan has brightened up YA fantasy."
Addictive and immersive, June C.L. Tan's JJade Fire Gold transported me straight to the desert and kept me there right up until the final page. A spectacular debut full of adventure, magic and heart—I can't wait to see what comes next from this talented new voice in YA fantasy!
"Epic in every sense of the word, Jade Fire Gold is a fantasy as beautiful as it is sweeping. June CL Tan's world sings with magic on each page, populated with characters readers will cheer and cry for in equal measure."
Tan’s richly imagined, magical debut will leave readers breathless.
Narrators Natalie Naudus and Kevin Shen deliver a magical performance of this intense fantasy. Naudus voices Ahn, a peasant girl who is just trying to survive and protect her grandmother but who is also wielding a dangerous power. Shen voices Altan, an exiled prince who is ready to reclaim his throne and exact his revenge. The audiobook alternates between their perspectives smoothly, and while Naudus excels at compelling and distinct voices, Shen’s tend to be harder to identify. Additionally, the volume is more dynamic than usual, so while some listeners will find this immersive and realistic, others may be continually adjusting volume. Overall, both narrators captivate listeners through the scheming and romance of characters who are discovering how interconnected they are. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2021 - AudioFile
Narrators Natalie Naudus and Kevin Shen deliver a magical performance of this intense fantasy. Naudus voices Ahn, a peasant girl who is just trying to survive and protect her grandmother but who is also wielding a dangerous power. Shen voices Altan, an exiled prince who is ready to reclaim his throne and exact his revenge. The audiobook alternates between their perspectives smoothly, and while Naudus excels at compelling and distinct voices, Shen’s tend to be harder to identify. Additionally, the volume is more dynamic than usual, so while some listeners will find this immersive and realistic, others may be continually adjusting volume. Overall, both narrators captivate listeners through the scheming and romance of characters who are discovering how interconnected they are. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2021 - AudioFile
★ 2021-08-16
Sixteen-year-old Ahn lives with her grandmother in a small village that’s disappearing into the ever expanding desert. She can’t remember much of her past, before she was found alone in town as a child of 6 and adopted by her Ama; all she can do is focus on their survival by pilfering food—and keeping her secret hidden. Ahn is a Tiensai, those possessing strong spiritual powers who can use magic and are hunted mercilessly by cruel, fanatical Diyeh priests. As the Shi Empire goes into mourning for the deceased emperor and the threat of another war looms, Ahn discovers a dark side to her magic. She also meets enigmatic, 18-year-old Altan, the rightful heir, who is seeking the mythical Life Stealer in order to bring back peace and prosperity. The worldbuilding is rich and layered, mixing Chinese culture and mythology with martial arts and fantastical magic. The depiction of the impact of war, as shown by the Shi Empire’s colonialism, power imbalances with neighboring civilizations, and effect on families and communities, is nuanced and balanced with discussions of strong leadership, national pride, and service. The smoldering romance takes place against the backdrop of themes of duality and complementarity in nature, trauma and revenge, self-sacrifice, truth in history, and the fight for a better future.
A magic-filled debut that will leave readers eager for more from this author. (glossary, notes about the fantasy world) (Fantasy. 12-18)
