Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Novella
Length: 136 pages
Author: Fonda Lee
Publisher: Subterranean Press
Release Date: July 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Fonda Lee returns to the acclaimed Green Bone Saga with four prequel short stories that delve into the personal histories of the Kaul and Ayt families.

The Witch and Her Friend. Before she was the ruthless leader of the Mountain clan, Ayt Mada was an orphan without friends at school except for one: Aun Ure, a teenage girl feared and renowned as an assassin but yearning for a simpler life.

Not Only Blood. Before he was the heir apparent of the No Peak clan, Kaul Lan challenged his grandfather and clan patriarch to help a boy who had lost everything.

Better Than Jade. Before they were married, Kaul Hilo and Maik Wen were a young couple facing long odds: the son of a top Green Bone clan in love with a stone-eye girl from a disreputable family.

Granddaughter Cormorant. Before she left and returned to Kekon, Kaul Shae was the apple of her grandfather’s eye…as well as a daring secret informer to a foreign country.

Contains an introduction and story notes by the author.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

I MISSED THEM ALL.

I loved this collection so much!!! The Green Bone Saga is one of my all time favorite fantasy series and when I heard we were getting a few more short stories, I HAD TO HAVE IT. And it delivered.

Seeing everyone again, learning some more back stories, seeing the beginnings of love, it’s all here. I love that Fonda Lee wrote these and that I got a chance to be back in this world. I found each one engaging and quick and that it added another layer to how I view the characters from the trilogy. This is a must read for those who love this series!

Note: I think this is best read after finishing the series (but also could be read after at least reading book one, Jade City). The author adds some comments after each short story about why she chose to write it and its connection to the larger story.

Overall audience notes:

• Fantasy Novella Collection
• Language: some strong
• Romance: 2 open door; high explicit
• Violence: moderate
• Trigger/Content Warnings: suicide, physical altercations, murder, loss of a parent

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