Justice on the Grass: Three Rwandan Journalists, Their Trial for War Crimes and a Nation's Quest for Redemption

by Dina Temple-Raston
Justice on the Grass: Three Rwandan Journalists, Their Trial for War Crimes and a Nation's Quest for Redemption cover
Good Books rating 4.83
Technical
  • ID: 4441
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
abebooks.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
enjoyable 4.50

The reviewer found 'Jade City' to be a thoroughly enjoyable read, praising its Asian setting, the addition of jade imparting special abilities, and the well-drawn characters. They particularly liked the political tensions and the underlying story of the younger generation trying to make their way. The only minor criticism was the Earth-like setting, which the reviewer has a personal preference against.

The reviewer was initially wary of 'Jade City' due to past disappointments with other books but was pleasantly surprised. They found the novel's setting on the island of Kekon, with its two warring clans and the unique properties of jade, to be fascinating. The characters, especially the Kaul siblings, were well-drawn and engaging, with Shae's journey being particularly interesting. The reviewer appreciated the political tensions and the underlying story of the younger generation navigating their roles. The only minor criticism was the Earth-like setting, which the reviewer has a personal preference against. Overall, the reviewer found 'Jade City' to be a fun and enjoyable read and is looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

Quick quotes

    The island of Kekon is a vaguely Japanese/Hong Kong look-alike, ruled by two clans: the Mountain clan, led by the Ayt family, and the No Peak clan, dominated by the Kaul family.

    The characters were well-drawn and I found myself rooting for each of the siblings as the book progressed.

    I loved the politics and the underlying tensions between the previous generation’s ideals and the younger ones who were trying to make their way.

publishersweekly.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
brilliant 5.00

The reviewer highly praises Jade City for its brilliant world-building, engaging prose, and excellent characterizations. They found the themes of honor, loyalty, and family compelling, and the book exceeded their high expectations.

The reviewer was initially hesitant to read Jade City due to their towering TBR pile but was drawn in by the constant praise the book received. They found the first part of the book slow but were quickly engrossed as the story picked up pace. The reviewer appreciated the themes of honor, loyalty, wealth, power, greed, and family, which were central to the narrative. They also praised the immersive world-building, the combination of magic and martial arts, and the excellent characterizations. The reviewer found the characters flawed, realistic, and relatable, and the interactions between them were glowing. They also appreciated the author's use of characters to show the importance of honor. The reviewer concluded that Jade City exceeded their high expectations and is a fantastic Asian-inspired urban fantasy debut.

Quick quotes

    Any old horse will run when it’s whipped, but only fast enough to avoid the whipping,” Hilo said. “Racehorses, though, they run because they look at the horse on their left, they look at the one on their right, and they think, No way am I second to these fuckers.

    Sometimes even the most loyal and devoted men make mistakes when they’re forced to make decisions under terrible circumstances.

    Sometimes, Andy, the people you think you can count on, they let you down in a bad way, and that’s hard to take. But for the most part, you give a man something to live up to, you tell him he can be more than he is now, more than other people think he’ll ever be, and he’ll try his godsdamned best to make it true.

radio.wpsu.org · Unknown · 2005-04-07
brilliant 5.00

The reviewer found Jade City to be an engaging and fast-paced novel with a richly detailed world and complex characters. The story of two families at war, driven by the power of magical jade, kept them hooked from start to finish. The reviewer praised the book's action, plot twists, and character development, ultimately giving it a high rating and recommending it for adaptation into a TV series.

The reviewer was immediately drawn into the world of Jade City, which revolves around two powerful families and their struggle for dominance on the island of Kekon. The magical jade that gives certain individuals unique abilities adds a fascinating layer to the story, making it stand out from other fantasy novels. The reviewer appreciated the book's focus on multiple characters and their interconnected stories, which created a rich and immersive narrative. The action sequences were particularly praised, as were the unexpected plot twists that kept the reviewer on the edge of their seat. While the reviewer noted that the magic system was not the main focus of the book, they found it to be a wonderful addition that enhanced the overall story. The characters were well-developed and believable, with each one facing their own challenges and making decisions that felt true to their personalities. The reviewer was particularly impressed by the main character's journey and the dynamic between the two families, which added depth and complexity to the story. Overall, the reviewer found Jade City to be a standout novel that they would highly recommend to fans of fantasy and action-packed stories. They were so impressed that they even suggested it would make a great TV series, given its potential for episodic drama and character development.

Quick quotes

    I absolutely adored this book and even tweeted the author telling them it needs to be made into a TV series

    It’s a story that, as I said, draws you in from the beginning and keeps you hooked with its constant fast-paced action, genuinely interesting and lovable characters, and your constant longing to know what’s going to happen in the next chapter.

    I’d have to say this was one of my favourite books of 2020 without a doubt.

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