Bones of Jade, Flesh Like Ice: A Novel
Gracie Marsden
Nov 2026 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Katharine Chin
headphones
Audiobook
7 hr 59 min
Unabridged
family_home
Eligible
info
infoThis book will become available on November 10, 2026. You will not be charged until it is released.
About this audiobook
"You may devour this work in one sitting, but you'll be thinking about it for a long, long time."—Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi
"Exquisitely wrenching [and] as elegantly constructed as a finger trap...A triumph." —Shelley Parker-Chan, bestselling author of She Who Became the Sun
A young woman makes a bargain with a shapeshifting demon who promises her power, if she will give up love—a painful price that sets her on a dark journey in this historical fantasy inspired by Taiwanese myth
Eleventh century Kangzhu. In a small village, far from the political conflicts of the royal dynasty, a too-young Yu’er is sold off to be married at the word of a jing, a shapeshifting-demon who prophesizes that her parents will thus gain wealth beyond their imagination. Her new husband Xiaozhu is, like her, barely more than a child himself—but he’s kind, and, over the years, Yu’er heals as they build a home together. They become allies, then friends, then lovers.
Until misfortune befalls them, once again at the hands of a demon. They’re left destitute and estranged. Reeling from loss, and determined to never leave her fate in another’s hands, Yu’er decides to strike her own bargain with a jing: she will have all the agency and riches she desires. She just has to leave Xiaozhu and their home together, forever—a price that will cost her more than she then understands.
Yu’er’s choice sets off a saga that will lead her to the heart of the royal court, and bring her more power than she ever dreamed of, but may kill her humanity along the way, in this sweeping tale of love, revenge, and redemption.
"Exquisitely wrenching [and] as elegantly constructed as a finger trap...A triumph." —Shelley Parker-Chan, bestselling author of She Who Became the Sun
A young woman makes a bargain with a shapeshifting demon who promises her power, if she will give up love—a painful price that sets her on a dark journey in this historical fantasy inspired by Taiwanese myth
Eleventh century Kangzhu. In a small village, far from the political conflicts of the royal dynasty, a too-young Yu’er is sold off to be married at the word of a jing, a shapeshifting-demon who prophesizes that her parents will thus gain wealth beyond their imagination. Her new husband Xiaozhu is, like her, barely more than a child himself—but he’s kind, and, over the years, Yu’er heals as they build a home together. They become allies, then friends, then lovers.
Until misfortune befalls them, once again at the hands of a demon. They’re left destitute and estranged. Reeling from loss, and determined to never leave her fate in another’s hands, Yu’er decides to strike her own bargain with a jing: she will have all the agency and riches she desires. She just has to leave Xiaozhu and their home together, forever—a price that will cost her more than she then understands.
Yu’er’s choice sets off a saga that will lead her to the heart of the royal court, and bring her more power than she ever dreamed of, but may kill her humanity along the way, in this sweeping tale of love, revenge, and redemption.
"You may devour this work in one sitting, but you'll be thinking about it for a long, long time."—Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi
"Exquisitely wrenching [and] as elegantly constructed as a finger trap...A triumph." —Shelley Parker-Chan, bestselling author of She Who...
Discover more
About the author
Gracie Marsden is a proud Taiwanese American who grew up moving frequently between Taiwan and the US. She is now the young adult librarian at the Marshall Public Library in Pocatello, Idaho. Her favorite books (and writing) highlight both the beautiful and awful things that make us human. Marsden also has a deep obsession with mythology and cats. Bones of Jade, Flesh Like Ice is her debut novel.
Gracie Marsden is a proud Taiwanese American who grew up moving frequently between Taiwan and the US. She is now the young adult librarian at the Marshall Public Library in Pocatello, Idaho. Her favorite books (and writing) highlight both the beautiful and awful things that make us human. Marsden...
Listening information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can read books purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
