Cover Reveal! The Boy with the Jade by Charles Bush
We are thrilled to reveal the stunning cover for The Boy with the Jade, the highly anticipated historical novel by Charles Bush—coming September 16, 2025, from HTF Publishing.
Set in the opulent yet rigidly stratified world of 18th-century China, The Boy with the Jade is a sweeping tale of love, loss, betrayal, and one young aristocrat’s search for freedom and meaning.
At the heart of the novel is Baoyu, heir to the powerful Jia family, born with a jade pendant in his mouth—an omen of destiny that looms over his life. Surrounded by wealth and expectation, Baoyu's world is one of lavish beauty and deep emotional turmoil. Torn between familial duty and his own desires, he forges intense relationships with his brilliant cousin Daiyu and his devoted maid Amber—bonds that are ultimately tested by tragedy and deceit.
After enduring a brutal beating by his father, the death of Amber, and Daiyu’s heartbreaking illness, Baoyu’s spirit is broken. When he's tricked into marrying another woman on the day of Daiyu’s death, his descent into despair seems complete. But through Taoist and Buddhist teachings, and the wisdom of mystical mentors, Baoyu begins to reclaim both his jade pendant and his sense of purpose.
Inspired by the Chinese literary classic Dream of the Red Chamber, Charles Bush offers a fresh and accessible reimagining of one of the greatest love stories in world literature. The Boy with the Jade invites readers into a richly researched narrative that transcends borders and time, exploring what it means to live authentically in a world bound by tradition.
Advance Praise
"Reads like a classic, woven into a deeply researched culture that immediately pulls one in... This is a novel I will never forget."
— Jillian Forsberg, author of The Rhino Keeper
"A letter from imperial China to our modern era... A compelling interior focus on a beloved literary figure."
— Laurie Dennis, author of The Lacquered Talisman
"A refreshing take that would have captivated me from the start… a compelling, soap-opera-like portrayal of one of China’s most famous families.”
— Terese Tse Bartholomew, Curator Emeritus, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
“A powerful fresh take... filled with psychological drama and the vivid splendor of the Qing Dynasty's golden age.”
— Larry Feign, author of The Flower Boat Girl
"A fascinating historical novel... Baoyu is a seeker who shows us no one is immune to the caprices of fate.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Pre-order Now and Receive It Early!
We’re offering The Boy with the Jade for exclusive early delivery! Pre-order today through our website and receive your copy on August 1, 2025—over six weeks before the official release date of September 16.
About the Cover
The beautiful cover, designed by Christine Horner of The Book Cover Whisperer, features a luminous jade pendant—an essential symbol of the novel. According to family legend, Baoyu was born with this jade in his mouth, marking him for a fate both wondrous and tragic.
About the Author
Charles Bush is a novelist, historian, and former lawyer based in San Francisco. After earning degrees in history from Harvard and UC Berkeley, he eventually found his way back to fiction, his first passion. With The Boy with the Jade, Bush returns to his historical roots to reimagine one of China’s most iconic literary characters. He lives with his husband in a lovingly restored 1877 Victorian home.
