Wow!!
I had no idea how to feel after finishing the epic saga titled Black Jade by Kylie Chan, the final book in the Celestial Battle trilogy wrapping up John and Emma’s storyline of 9 books. I have never been so conflicted in how to describe how I feel over this novel, now that the last sentence has been read. So much happens, and it’s hard to sum up a novel like this in an single phrase like excellent or brilliant. I know when I spoke to Kylie at her last signing that she said that Black Jade would be a brutal. We left our heroes facing War at the end of Demon Child and Kylie didn’t pull any punches on the plot. I had my heart in my throat for most of this book, as I watched the beautiful destruction of the Demon King’s ultimate plot bloom over the storyline. I will try to avoid spoilers, but it goes without say that this review shouldn’t be read till if you aren’t up to date with the story so far.
Where to start? I love dark fantasy, some of my favourite story’s have sections in them that are so fantastic because of their horrific content. Sort of like a train wreck you can’t look away from because it’s so dreadful you can’t stop watching. Even as I read through this novel at 2am, shocked and horrified by what I was reading, whispering to myself “no, this is getting to be too much, how can they possibly survive?!” but I couldn’t close the book or put it aside. It was brilliant!! I can only name 1 or 2 authors that have ever gotten that reaction from me (Not Martin, you sort of expect that kind of thing from him). At the same time certain parts were so beautifully sweet, literally making me sigh and smile. I loved this contrast, and did enjoy the nostalgic flair Kylie through into this novel in phrases and sections. Particularly the final chapter. It really brings the story full circle, though I don’t think Kylie is finished with this world just yet, even though Emma and Johns storyline is concluded.
This novel, as I mentioned is brutal. We start after 2 sections of the Heavens have fallen, the West and South. This isn’t an uplifting start, you can feel the tiredness in the characters, which is very different to the other novels. The humour is still there but there is a more serious feel to this novel as the Celestial realm is in true danger of falling to the Demon Kings (Yes, Kings there’s 2 remember). Kylie uses this fantastic yoyo technique of both giving the characters hope and then dashing it within a few chapters, which does make this book an amazing but nail biting ride. I know I shouldn’t, but I have loved Wong Mo (aka George) from the very beginning. His evolution through this entire series and his brilliant strokes of strategy were both awesome and terrifying to see happen through the whole storyline. The King’s relationship with Frankie is so messed up, on so many levels, but was absolutely perfect tactically for his overall plans that I can’t help but be impressed even though I have never felt worse for Emma throughout the whole 9 books. This is not a story for the faint hearted, I warn you there is true death in this novel. Some of those scenes were heartbreaking to read but only helped build the feeling of suspense. Kylie payed this one very close to the edge, with no mercy at all. Still it’s not all slaughter-fest, so I feel I can tell you that there is a wedding somewhere in this novel without it really counting as a spoiler, we know John made an oath to find Emma, raise her and marry her even if he has to move Heaven and Earth, so that was always going to be a definite part of this novel.
With this saga now finally concluded, I wonder exactly what Kylie will be choosing next. In her acknowledgements she does mention she has plans to write a few novels but I won’t spoil what exactly that may be, you’ll have to ask Kylie Chan at her signing at Galaxy Bookshop on Saturday 30th of April 2016. With this series concluded she can literally write anything now. I won’t say no to more of the same world, but I would love so see more adventures of the denizens of the Celestial realm, there are so many characters to choose from and I’d love to see Kylie’s depictions of the Celestial histories as well, the generals definitely seem to have some great stories to share. All I can say is that this is the perfect ending to the Dark Heavens saga, but I’m not going to say no to more.
