Gods of Jade and Shadow

3.5 stars. I read it one sitting so it wasn't completely bad, but I wasn't convinced by the romance subplot, I don't think the main character had enough going for her that a god would fall in love with her? I also didn't really connect with most of the characters because we didn't really get a chance to know them, only on a surface level.

I can confidently say at this point I'm a huge fan of mythological tales especially those mixed with historical fiction. This book checks both boxes. I am disappointed however because my library classifies this as adult fiction and it read very teen/young adult to me. I felt the depth of the characters was not very strong and the plot was very predictable. I knew from the start I was going on an adventure with Casiopea, but by the halfway mark I became quite bored and disconnected from the protagonist, and that never changed by the end. Still a very cool read and recommend to those interested. 3.5 stars.

SMG is such an amazing writer. This book excels in the things I come to SMG for - fantastically prickly characters, clever use of genre tropes, and a wonderful world to step into. SMG does an excellent job of developing her characters' internal lives and motivations as the as the characters get a chance to experience things beyond their normal world.

This and my other reviews are available at my site: Aspects of Me

Gods of Jade and Shadow is a little different than my usual fantasy choices - I don't tend to read fantasy based in our real world Earth - and I was not disappointed. The journey of Casiopea Tun is one I found myself readily investing in and just as at-first rude & lofty god Hun-Kamé softens and grows on Casiopea so does he too with the reader.

The quest they embark upon doesn't have great odds and along the way they meet demons, ghosts, spirits, witches, warlocks and Lords of Death. Hun-Kamé seeks to restore his power and himself to the throne of Xibalba (a form of Underworld in Mayan history) but he needs Casiopea's help to do so. She is stuck living with her awful racist family who treat her with cruelty and disdain - she wants to escape and the time she spends with Hun-Kamé becomes some of the most vibrant and exciting days of her life; even with all the threat, dread and sacrfice.

It is set in the 1920s so some of the prose and dialogue is suitably antiquated; if you're not used to reading historical fiction it might take a little bit to get used to (like me) but it is worth it. This is a wonderful story that will teach you a few little snippets of Mexican and Mayan history along the way. Don't worry, you don't need to know anything special in advance as Moreno-Garcia not only guides us beautifully through the narrative but includes a handy Glossary at the end of the book too.

4.5/5

Instead of being Yet Another Mythology Retelling where an author picks apart Greek mythology with a female protagonist, we get something a bit more inspired from a reputable author. The result is kind of a fairytale-esque story written using figures from Mayan mythology in a 1920s Mexico historical setting. It sounds like a mishmash of concepts, but I thought it worked well together.

Casiopea works as a servant in her grandfather's house, a glorified floor scrubber and errand runner for the household in a small town in Mexico. But when she accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of Death, she's given the opportunity to finally see the larger world and all the things she's only dreamed of. But it's a dangerous journey she's about to go on with many opposing forces trying to keep the two of them from reaching its end.

I thought it was a really sweet story. There's a bit of romance here between Casiopea and Hun-Kame, but done in a hesitant way since the two of them realize that their situation isn't permanent. I liked that we get to see a lot of personal growth in both Casiopea and Hun-Kame from the journey as well, and some introspection about how the journey changes a person. The setting in Mexico is beautiful, and I loved the descriptions of the different cities they visit along the way, with the author taking care to make them feel distinctive.

I will say that, because of the way the story is intended, the ending is a bit predictable. Ending spoilers here: it never really feels like Casiopea is in danger from anything she's asked to do, despite the warnings she's given, and it does take you a bit out of the story when you realize the thickness of her plot armor. But if you enjoy a journey more than the ending, there's a lot here to like.