I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia on July 23 2019
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Mexican mythology mixed with a 1920s vibe makes this a stand-out fairy tale.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Certain Dark Things is still one of my favorite books, and it’s always exciting when she releases something new. Somehow I completely missed her last book, but I was determined to read her latest, not only because of the stunning cover, but because I love how complex her stories can be. Gods of Jade and Shadow is completely different from her other books, which is one of the things I love about her: she never seems to write the same thing twice.
This time she tackles Mayan mythology and gives us a tale filled with magic, gods and a dark journey to the underworld. Eighteen-year-old Casiopea Tun lives with her grandfather Cirilo Leyva, a very rich but cruel man who beats Casiopea and treats her like a servant. They live in the small town of Uukumil, but Casiopea dreams of going to the city of Mérida someday, far from her grandfather and her equally nasty cousin Martin.
And one day she gets her chance. While the rest of her family is out of the house for the day, Casiopea’s curiosity gets the best of her and she opens the old chest at the foot of her grandfather’s bed. Inside is nothing but a pile of bones, but when she gets a bone shard embedded in her thumb by accident, the bones suddenly come to life, forming a man who calls himself Hun-Kamé and claims to be the Lord of Xibalba, the god of death. Hun-Kamé explains that he’s been imprisoned in the chest for fifty years, tricked by his brother Vucub-Kamé, who then took over his throne in the underworld. Vucub-Kamé also stole Hun-Kamé’s eye, ear, finger and jade necklace and scattered them throughout the land.
Now bound to him because of the bone shard, Casiopea agrees to join Hun-Kamé on a dangerous journey to find his missing possessions and take his rightful place in Xibalba. But Vucub-Kamé knows that his brother has escaped, and he’ll do anything to keep him from taking back the throne, even using Casiopea against him.
Moreno-Garcia has written a dreamy, fairy-tale-like story with vivid world building. Her descriptions of 1927 Mexico and the fictitious Xibalba are part of what made this story so wonderful, and I had no trouble at all visualizing Casiopea’s journey from Uukumil to Mérida to Mexico City and beyond. Every detail seems to be well researched, and even though I stumbled a bit over the unfamiliar names and places, they made this story authentic and immersive.
One of my favorite things about this book was watching each character change and grow. Casiopea was a wonderful character, a practical and optimistic girl who dreams of leaving her controlling grandfather and traveling the world. Her wants are simple: she wants to see the big city, meet new people, and have the freedom to make her own choices, and when Hun-Kamé enters her life, she suddenly has the opportunity to do all these things. But traveling with a god and venturing into the realm of the underworld is dangerous, and so she also learns more about life than she expects.
Even the horrible Martin shows surprising growth, and I was shocked to find I felt sorry for him by the end of the story! I never quite warmed up to Vucub-Kamé, however, who sets out to trick his brother and Casiopea in every way he can. There are some very dark parts to Gods of Jade and Shadow, especially near the end, but I suppose when you set your story in the underworld and pit two gods against each other, it isn’t that surprising.
There is also a romantic element to the story, although it’s quite subtle, and the author integrates it so well that you almost don’t see it coming. Yes, Casiopea and Hun-Kamé start to develop feelings for each other, but both are convinced that those feelings can’t possibly be right, so they fight them for a long time. Part of Hun-Kamé’s growth is that he’s becoming more and more human the longer he spends in Casiopea’s company, and of course part of becoming human is dealing with emotions. I loved his gradual change from god to human, although it’s bittersweet because he wants nothing more than to reclaim his godhood. But don’t expect a typical, romantic ending, because Moreno-Garcia pulls some surprises out of her hat that I didn’t expect.
As for the ending itself, it didn’t turn out quite the way I expected, but I loved it anyway. In fact, it’s one of my favorite endings ever! Fans of fairy tales, mythology and well-drawn characters will love this book.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
aaaagh, yay, I’m glad you got to this and loved it! I was so surprised at how much I adored it, even with that ending! normally I demand a HEA or I riot, but this was perfect. it was true to the characters and it was still positive and left me feeling hopeful for them? alsooo, how timely that you posted your review today because an internet friend of mine was AWESOME and sneakily bought me the Goldsboro edition which is signed and has beautiful sprayed edges, so I’ve been flailing for joy over this book all day!
Oh cool! I came very close to buying that Goldsboro edition but I was trying to be good. I bet it’s gorgeous!
A fabulous review of one of my favourite books of the year so far, Tammy. I’m glad you love this book as much as I do, especially as I know that you’re a real fan of this author’s writing. I, too, loved that ending…
I can see why it’s high on your list of favorites:-)
Great review! The ending is one of my favorites as well – I struggled with the middle of this book because I always do that with journey books, even when I like the characters (and here I did), but the ending was so worth it. It made sense, it’s not what you usually see, and it’s not unhappy either. Perfection.
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Love that everyone who’s read this loves the ending as much as I do:-)
Wow, that’s high praise for the ending, Tammy, and high praise overall, too! I have this waiting on my shelf and need to get to it. I think I’m going to love its uniqueness. Wonderful review!
Hope you enjoy it, Jennifer!
Great review, Tammy! The setting and characters really popped off the pages didn’t they. 🙂
Yes, her descriptions make you feel as if you’re right there with the characters:-)
My library has ordered a copy of this one so I’m sure I’ll be grabbing it one day. Like you, I need to read something else by this author. I admit thought I’ve been a little hesitant because of just how much I loved Certain Dark Things!
I didn’t love it quite as much, I don’t think she’ll ever be able to top CDT, in my opinion, but this was really good!
I loved the ending of this one too, completely unexpected
Lynn
I’m glad I’m not the only one who loved the ending! It really was perfect, even if it’s not what you think you want, lol.
At the risk of repeating myself, I’m endlessly amazed at the incredible narrative range displayed by Moreno-Garcia: no two novels are the same, no two characters can be compared. And I’m certain this will be a great reading experience like the previous ones.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Author Interview: CRAIG DI LOUIE
Yes, she really has quite a range, it’s always exciting to see what she’ll do next:-)
I’m very pleased to hear you enjoyed this, Tammy. When I first saw the cover and read the title, even before reading a description or review, I thought it was one I’d like to try. I really enjoy reading tales of different cultures, especially when written by someone familiar with that culture. And now after your review I’m really looking forward to this one.
todd recently posted…Favorite Books A – Z: Fiction
It’s always nice to read her books, because she writes about her own culture and her books feel so authentic.
This one’s been at the top of my TBR for weeks. I need to get on it!
Hope you enjoy it!
She definitely has a knack for making you feel for her characters, even with her antagonists. And I loved the ending too! One of the best I’ve read as well. So glad you enjoyed this!
Yep, that’s how you end a book, IMO:-)
Great review Tammy! I think I might add this one. I was hesitant at first because I had some issues with the last book of hers I read (Certain Dark Things I think?). Not terrible issues just a couple. But this sounds like it’s worth giving her a second try.
It’s REALLY different from Certain Dark Things, so it may work really well for you.
That’s good to know!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Tammy, and especially that you loved the ending. I’ll be reading it soon and hope that I like it as much. 🙂
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Review: ON THE CORNER OF LOVE AND HATE by Nina Bocci
Oh good, hope you enjoy!
Ooh, great review, Tammy. I’ve been looking forward to this one but I don’t know when I’ll get to it. I’m intrigued by your description of the small romantic element. 🙂 I should be getting to Certain Dark Things soon though, hopefully! So I’ll have at least read that one. 🙂
Looking forward to your thoughts on Certain Dark Things! It’s quite different from this one, but I just seem to love everything she writes:-)
Hopefully I’ll get to it in September, but we’ll see. I’ve got it on my giant TBR list for the Fall at any rate. I like versatile authors, so that’s a selling point. 🙂
I just got this one! I’m excited to start it.
Oh cool, hope you enjoy!
I am really excited to hear that you enjoyed the book, I have a copy and can’t wait to dive into it sometime in the next decade.
Kal @ Reader Voracious recently posted…August in Review // The Month of Little Reading
Another book blogger is going to lend me her copy of this and I cannot wait!
As always, you’ve provided a wonderful review, without spoilers, but warning us of potential issues. I love mythology, so I look forward to reading this one.
I’ve enjoyed some classic Mexican films, including fantasies, and this sounds like it could have been a great Mexican film from the 1950s!
This book sounds fascinating and unique. Thanks.
I love unexpected endings! I will check this book out.