A girl who doesn’t remember her past.
A boy who remembers it all too well.
Told in a dual POV narrative, JADE FIRE GOLD is a YA fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology as well as xianxia and wuxia elements. Epic in scope but intimate in characterization, fans of classic fantasies and the magical Asiatic setting of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER will enjoy this cinematic tale of family, revenge, and forgiveness.
In order to save her grandmother from a cult of dangerous priests, a peasant girl cursed with the power to steal souls enters a tenuous alliance with an exiled prince bent on taking back the Dragon Throne. The pair must learn to trust each other but are haunted by their pasts—and the true nature of her dark magic.
PRAISE FOR JADE FIRE GOLD
* “The worldbuilding is rich and layered…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…
A magic-filled debut that will leave readers eager for more from this author.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS starred review (read 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.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review (read more)
"In between its pages you’ll also find a tender spirit and beautifully rendered story that honors the great wuxia epics.”
JOAN HE, New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find.
"Brutal and beautiful, June CL 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 spectacularly crafted world. Jade Fire Gold breathes new air into old mythology, bringing an utterly fresh lens to a classic story. "
CHLOE GONG, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
"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, New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes
"A rich fantasy world and complex, intricately drawn characters makes Jade Fire Gold an addictive story that is impossible to put down.”
SWATI TEERDHALA, Author of The Tiger At Midnight series
"Epic in every sense of the word, Jade Fire Gold is a fantasy as beautiful as it is sweeping.”
ROSEANNE A. BROWN, New York Times Bestselling Author of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin
"A beautiful and magical adventure - you don't want to miss this one!"
TASHA SURI, author of The Jasmine Throne
"Addictive and immersive, June C.L. Tan's Jade Fire Gold transported me straight to the desert and kept me there right up until the final page."
LYNETTE NONI, #1 bestselling author of The Prison Healer
Editions & Translations
US - HarperTeen
UK, ANZ - Hodderscape
France - Bragelonne
Germany - cbj
Spain - Monogataried
Russia - Eksmo
Italy - Edizioni E/O
Book subscription: FairyLoot, OwlCrate,
Illumicrate (debut box)
UK edition
Russia edition
FairyLoot edition
German edition
France edition
OwlCrate edition
AUTHOR’S NOTE
It started with a girl in the desert.
In late 2015, I had a dream of a girl trying her best to survive in a desert which was actually a growing beast that was killing her world. Not long after, I was in the cinema watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The image of Rey struggling amongst the sand dunes reminded me of my dream and it felt like a weird enough coincidence that I started to plot a book.
JADE FIRE GOLD is a story born from the confluence of culture and diaspora nostalgia. Much of it is driven by my own experience and inner struggle with traditional beliefs in Chinese culture and Confucian tenets such as filial piety, honor, sacrificing for the greater good vs having a healthy sense of individualism.
The magic system in the story world is inspired by both wuxing (five phases/five elements) and the western concept of the four elements, while the fantastical elements are influenced by wuxia (martial arts heroes) and xianxia (immortal heroes) stories, television dramas, and movies and the cultural mythology I grew up with. JADE FIRE GOLD is also about the balance of light and dark—both externally as the larger stakes play out in the story world, as well as internally within the two main characters.
As someone who was raised in a former colony, I also wanted to explore the genesis of what we call “history”: how it may be twisted by colonizers and victors and how it could be rewritten to suit the purpose of oppressors and those in power.
But above all, I wanted to write about young people finding their place in the world.
A girl who doesn’t remember her past. A boy who remembers it all too well.
While I wouldn't call this a true enemies-to-lovers story, there are elements of that between the two main characters, and they are most definitely reluctant allies. The story has a slow-burn romance but ultimately, it’s about two young people grappling with the weight of the legacies left in their hands, overcoming past trauma, and learning to forgive so as to live.
I’m excited to share my story with you, and hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did writing it.
Click heScroll down to learn more about the world and characters, and content warnings.
THE WORLD
credit: June CL Tan
character art by Jayessart
THE CHARACTERS
ALTAN
His family murdered and his birthright hijacked, Altan has three things on his to-do list: take back the Dragon Throne, free the empire from the clutches of a dangerous cult of priests, and undo the ravages of dark magic lying deep within the land. For the exiled prince to get what he wants, he must put his faith in a girl, but will she be a tool for his vengeance or the downfall of his nation?
in a nutshell: will tell you that he’s very good at magic, but his actual expertise is in holding a grudge and dying on small inconsequential hills. like white rabbit candy — hard as a rock, difficult to bite into, gets stuck in your teeth but sweet enough to be worth it.
AHN
In a far-flung desert outpost of the turbulent Shi Empire, Ahn ekes out a living as a dishwasher and petty thief. She longs for a better life for herself and her adoptive grandmother, but when a theft goes awry, her latent powers manifest, transforming her into the most powerful weapon in the world.
in a nutshell: not interested in your bullshit. attracted to shiny things. wants to be left alone. like tang hulu (candied fruit on a skewer) — sweet but hard, tart and surprising, will poke you in the roof of your mouth if you're not careful.
XIMA LEIYE
As the illegitimate son of a Marquis, he has had to fight for everything in life. Favored by the powerful, his path seems clear. But who knows where his real loyalties lie?
in a nutshell: hates talking about emotions; probably drowning in emotions inside. like bitter gourd — full of nutrients but an acquired taste.
TAI SHUN
Fearing that he is not up to the task, this guilt-ridden and grief-stricken Crown Prince of the Shi Empire is reluctant to take up the reign of his kingdom, opting instead to pass his time idly in drink.
in a nutshell: sad and in love uwu. like a steamed custard bun — the chinese version of a cinnamon roll.
TANG WEI
After running away from home at a young age, she joined the Lotus Sect and trained as an assassin in order to seek revenge for her deceased sister.
in a nutshell: once stabbed a man with a chopstick for telling her to smile more. like xiao long bao — proceed with caution, the delicious soup inside can burn your tongue.
CHEN LINXI
A spy passing off as a lady-in-waiting to the Empress Dowager at the Imperial Palace, she is the daughter of a former high-ranking court official who was loyal to the previous Emperor .
in a nutshell: the absolute best. tells you when there’s lipstick on your teeth. the mom friend. like a warm bowl of congee — comfort food, pairs well with everything.
character art by moconiz
Content warnings
self-harm (gouging, eye horror; non-graphic), child abuse (physical, verbal, emotional manipulation/gaslighting), parent death (implied, off-page), character deaths, mentions and descriptions of fantasy/magical violence (blood, war, political violence), mentions and descriptions of physical symptoms that might be triggering to those with emetophobia, alcohol consumption