Jade Man's Skin

The dragon is free, but not free. The young emperor has the power of jade, but not the power to retake his throne. Mei Feng is the emperor's favorite, yet he won't speak or listen to her. And a battle is about to begin, a battle inspired by treachery and led by warriors fed on jade. This is the exciting second book after DRAGON IN CHAINS, and picks up the action with a newly freed dragon looking for her revenge. Will the Li goddess be strong enough to thwart her? Will the emperor and his army be strong enough to crush the rebels? What will the plotters achieve behind the scenes? Find out, and be prepared for an interesting adventure.

The dragon, freed from her chains, has devastated the army mustered against the emperor and now kills any who sail her waters. Those loyal to the emperor vigilantly protect him in the mountains, while the emperor's enemies regroup. Meanwhile, a boy magically bound to the dragon struggles to control her to protect those he loves. So goes //Jade Man's Skin// by Daniel Fox, the sequel to //Dragon In Chains//, with one final volume in the works. Fox's novel picks up immediately where the last ended without introduction; new readers might flounder initially, but will eventually find their footing, and it is worth the effort. //Jade Man's Skin// is in many ways a typical fantasy, replete with dragons, royal power-struggles, and mystical beings, but its feudal Chinese setting is refreshing. While Fox's world could be better fleshed out, what's there is wonderful. Fox relies on language, ethereal and poetic, as much as plot to immerse readers in his fantastical realm. The point of view leaps around among the sizable ensemble, ranging from the emperor's wily concubine to an elderly sailor, gradually mounting to a climax extremely satisfying yet also anticipatory, jettisoning the reader into the final volume. A gripping read. Reviewed by Ariel Berg

The Dragon in Chains is no longer locked in the Straits of Taishu. Instead she soars in the sky free with an obsession to take her vengeance on those who chained it. However, the beast has not been able to rid itself of her liberator, Han the apprentice scribe who remains telepathically tied to the dragon. At the same the exiled young Emperor remains alive because of the dragon, but also feels like a bird in a gilded cage as he is trapped in the mountains of Taishu Island by his enemies and the beast. He is changing due to jade exposure that leaves him more powerful, angrier and frustrated as he no longer wants to hide in the mountains. His first step back is taking control of the city of Taishu as the Emperor strikes back. General Ping Wen believes capturing the Jade Throne is his first step to what he should be - Godhood. Besides counting his losses over the years, pirate Captain Li Ton tries to take over the military as the civil war continues unabated. The exiled Emperor's favorite concubine Lady Mei Feng is also in the mix cleverly out maneuvering the ambitious general. However, out of the sea comes the Li-Goddess who comes after the dragon, but collateral damage of people is no concern to her. The second medieval fantasy captures the essence of Chinese mythology with an even deeper more complicated tale than the Dragon in Chains. The story line is fast-paced with several subplots brewing as various individuals want power; some want godhood power. The point of view changes, but never slows down as the dragon unchained is a strong tale as the conflict expands. Harriet Klausner