Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for prodviding a free copy of The Jade Necklace in exchange for an honest review.

In this novel, we follow two main characters, Clara and Robin, who come from very different backgrounds, and I appreciated how the author explored their contrasting lives. The lore surrounding gargoyles, mages, vampires, and other supernatural elements was intriguing and added a fresh twist to the story, especially since I haven't read many books that feature gargoyles in this way.

I found Robin’s chapters particularly engaging—they flowed more smoothly and were easier to follow, which made his story stand out. However, Darla’s character felt a bit underdeveloped, as she seemed to primarily serve as a way to expand on Robin’s powers and storyline.

As for Clara, I struggled a bit to connect with her. Her backstory felt somewhat disjointed, and she doesn’t have much presence in the first half of the book, even though she’s the female lead.

The romantic subplots in the first half were a bit distracting, and I wasn’t sure it was the best choice to focus on these relationships at that stage. I didn't care much to read about both MC's developing feelings for other people. It made it harder for me to fully invest in the development of Robin and Clara’s relationship once they meet, especially since the pacing was already on the slower side.

I also found the writing, particularly the dialogue, a bit stiff at times, which made some interactions feel less natural.

Overall, while there were a few aspects of the book that didn’t fully resonate with me, I can see the potential in the plot and the unique world the author has created. With more development and refinement, I think this could become an even stronger story.

The Jade Necklace by Jad Phillip is such a masterpiece. I couldn't stop reading this book. I read it in a day and an afternoon. I couldn't stop reading this. So so good.