Jade City

"Every year there are books we discover far too late and have to cram them into the Book Concierge at the last minute because there’s just no way we can let them slide again. Fonda Lee’s Jade City is one of those. The island of Kekon won its independence from an occupying empire decades ago – but now the proud rebels who fought for freedom have split into two rival clans, each drawing fearsome fighting powers from a magical jade that’s unique to Kekon. An uneasy peace prevails as the book opens, but of course that can’t last. Jade City is an instantly absorbing tale of blood, honor, family and magic, spiced with unexpectedly tender character beats. In my mind’s eye, it all unspooled in the grainy, supersaturated colors of a classic Shaw Brothers kung fu film."

"You can't possibly expect me to pick one. "James," by Percival Everett. "Jade City," by Fonda Lee. "Rejection," by Tony Tulathimutte."