Jade City

Long ago the natives known as Green Bones defended their island nation of Kekon from foreign occupation. They were imbued with the magical properties of the local jade which granted warriors incredible capabilities across six disciplines known as strength, steel, perception, lightness, deflection, and channelling. But brandishing these skills demands a delicate balance requiring intense training. More jade means greater power, but too much can destroy minds and bodies.

In war the families fought side by side but in peace the city of Janloon is controlled by the No Peak Clan and the Mountain Clan. War heroes become profiteering mobsters holding down their territories against each other. It's a Far East Mob Novel as we focus on the incoming generation of Kaul's taking the reins of the city and pushing up against the ruthlessly ambitious Ayt Madashi.

And while the first book manages to do a lot of world building, introducing us to the strict clan hierarchies of Pillar, Weather Man, Horn, Luckbringers and Fists and a sprawling tapestry of characters it never lags. Lots of turns, fights and drama that sets the stage so you can see how it will evolve over subsequent books in the trilogy. Engrossing and fun.