This book is a delight! Casiopea Tun is a maid in her wealthy grandfather’s household, where she and her mother toil dawn to dusk and weather their family members’ abuse because of a “mistake” Casiopea’s mother made years ago: she married a brown man and had Casiopea, a multiracial child.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When Casiopea stumbles upon the bones of a dormant god, he demands she help him restore his former glory—and get whatever her heart desires in return. But the god’s enemies are powerful and ruthless, and the stakes are high for Casiopea as she travels from the Yucatan to Baja California to save the god, her family, and herself.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Casiopea is stubborn to a fault, but big-hearted and forgiving. She wants revenge on her family for their racism and cruelty but is compelled to be sympathetic to her weak-willed and spiteful cousin who, in my opinion, doesn’t deserve it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I really enjoyed this book, but didn’t fall in love with it. I liked how tenderly Casiopea’s character was crafted, and appreciated that it focuses on an underrecognized community that deserves more attention in fantasy lit. Still, I think if I’d gotten to spend more time with Casiopea and her mother, and understood the family dynamics more deeply than that they’re bigoted and mean, I would have felt the stakes more intensely than I did.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Nevertheless, this is a fun, quick, and imaginative read.

This is a fantastic book, and I enjoyed so much about it. The best thing, I think, is the protagonist. She's clever and strong, and has to make some very hard decisions.

Again blown away by this authors creativity of mysticism and intertwining it with cultural mythology! I will forever be a follower of Moreno-Garcia's work. This novel absolutely satisfied my pop sugar 2020 reading challenge of a Bildungsroman book. The characters were beautifully intertwined with each other as well and seeing the progression of characters individually as well as with each other. Although it was obvious to see the One thing I would have liked to see or learn more of what is the relationship in between the two brothers. although Cassiopeia was the central main character of the novel There were other relationships that I found very interesting as well.

Gods of Jade and Shadow is a beautifully written novel that mixes historical fiction and Mexican folklore into a mesmerizing tale. I devoured it and would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy fantasy.

This is my favorite of Moreno-Garcia's books. In descending order, the others I've read are Certain Dark Things, Signal To Noise, The Beautiful Ones.

The book is sort of a combination of a fairy tale by way of Mayan mythology plus a travelogue across early twentieth century Mexico. There's a girl who doesn't think she's pretty who is treated like a maid by her family and a god of death who is learning to be human from her even as he slowly drains her energy. There's a chupacabra, a beautiful art-deco hotel by the Sea of Cortez, sleepy dusty Mexican villages, an underworld that reminded me a little of the underwater monster crab scene in "Moana", and a race to the death.

Part of why I enjoyed this book is that it doesn't quite go the way you think it will. The romance is a little different. Instead of a white chiffon ballgown, our heroine Casiopea wears a black and white beaded and fringed sheath dress that she can do the Charleston in. Casi's brother in law ends up her antagonist and in some ways he's a typical villain, but in other ways he's not. The mythology is quite dark, but also beautiful. In this book, I think the author has done her best imagery and has created a vibrant and fully realized world.

I couldn't throw myself into the book 100%. 90% is still great, but that last ten percent is why it gets a 4 instead of a 5. I felt just a bit remote from the story, just a bit at a remove. Maybe for larger than life mythology it should be that way, but Casi's humanity is also a big part of the book.

Gods of Jade and Shadow was a very well written story. I found a new favorite author. It was funny and just enough drama to keep me interested.

Who would have guessed that what I really needed to do today was finally read this gorgeous fantasy based on the Popul Vuh, the most casually bloody and brutal pantheon of gods out there? It's beautiful in the way that myths are beautiful. A good interpretation of an ancient myth is incredibly difficult to write well without being ponderous or falling into cliche.

So glad I read this, can't recommend it highly enough - for those who want to take a darkly romantic stroll through a Mayan underworld.

This was a really atmospheric and beautifully written read!

The world building is so vivid and I enjoyed the of all the rich history the author gave. There was so much description of the people and the culture and what was going in Mexico during the time of the Jazz age. There was also some really great imagery and information about Mayan and Aztec mythology and folklore which really enhanced the story.

I really enjoyed the complexity of all the characters. Casiopea was an awesome main character to root for with her fierceness and bravery, and I really enjoyed watching her dynamic with Hun-Kamé develop. The antagonists were well fleshed out and I enjoyed the small glimpses we got from their perspectives throughout the story.

My main issue with the novel is that it felt that I was being told a folktale, and while that may work for some people, it made the story feel at such a distance. I didn’t feel any of the urgency that a story like this warrants, and I never felt like our characters were really in any danger. I wasn’t as emotionally connected to the story and characters as I thought I would be.

This is a unique look at the customs and traditions that make up Mexican heritage and culture....with a spin. I don't think I have ever read a novel that intertwines historical fiction and fantasy/mythology so this was a nice departure from the norm. Would LOVE to see this on the big screen.

A somewhat familiar "underworld/beast bride" tale with a twist tying in 1920s Mexican culture and Mayan mythology. Interesting and well-written, if predictable.

7/24/19 pub 2019 Casiopea lives as an unpaid worker, in her wealthy extended family’s household, like Cinderella, but with no prince is sight. Casiopea lives in rural Yucatan in the 1920’s. She gets involved in a war between two Mayan gods, who themselves are twins. Hun- Kame and Vucub-Kame are gods of the underworld or Xibalba. This novel is inspired by the Popol Vuh, which is Mayan mythology, and I have not read it.

“Everyone agrees that Mexico City is a vile cesspool, filled with tenements, criminals, and the most indecent lowbrow entertainment available. Paradoxically, everyone also agrees Mexico City exudes a particular allure, due to its wide avenues and shiny cars, its department stores filled to the brim with goods, its movies showing the latest talkies. Heaven and hell both manifest in Mexico City, coexisting side by side.” (33%) I really liked this, maybe loved it.

Unfortunately, I was not able to review this book. I think it was a case of "it's not you, it's me," because every time I tried to read more, I couldn't get into it. I think I will be able to finish and love this book when I am in the right mood.

The presence of a strong female protagonist makes Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. The episodic structure makes the book a very quick read. Casiopea's age and the adventure based plot give the book a young adult vibe. The basis in Mayan mythology points me in a direction to read a little bit more about that mythology. All in all, a dose of fun and adventure that is much needed.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2019/12/gods-of-jade-and-shadow.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

I really enjoyed a great many things about this book. Characters were fleshed out and the plot was well spaced. Some of the secondary storylines could've used a bit more page space but all in all an enjoyable read!

A fantasy novel set in 1920s Mexico. (Apparently the author is insistent that this is not YA, but both the writing style and characters felt incredibly YA-ish to me, so... *shrugs* Decide for yourself.) In a small town in rural Yucatan, young Casiopea is used as servant by her rich grandfather and looked down upon by the rest of her family, especially her cousin Martín. Until one day when Casiopea is left alone in the house and out of spite opens a locked chest in her grandfather's room, only to release the ancient Maya death god Hun-Kamé, who was trapped there by his twin brother in a battle for control of Xibalba, the Underworld. Now Hun-Kamé and Casiopea are linked; her morality seeping into him allows him to exist in the world of humans, but it will only last for so long before she runs of out of life and they both die permanently. In the short time they have, Hun-Kamé must travel across Mexico (stopping at Mexico City, Mérida, El Paso, Tijuana, and a luxurious spa resort on the Pacific coast) to regather what his brother stole from him before the two gods can meet again in battle; he brings Casiopea along, allowing her to see the outside world she always dreamed of. Meanwhile, Hun-Kamé's twin chooses Martín as his own mortal champion (gods are fond of parallels, you know), using him to force Casiopea back home.

As I said, the prose struck me as very standard YA, particularly at the beginning of the book. (Which I don't mean as an insult; lots of genres have their standard styles.) It did seem to deepen and become more complex as the story went on, though I'm not sure if that was a choice of Moreno-Garcia's, or just me becoming more used to her writing.

On the other hand, I really loved the worldbuilding. Hun-Kamé and Casiopea meet all sorts of other characters from folklore, and not just from Maya mythology – there's figures from European, modern Mexican, and other Indigenous groups in here as well. Though the Maya connections are obviously the most prominent, and are really, really well-done. The scenes set in Xibalba itself do a wonderful job of conveying its creepy otherworldliness.

I absolutely loved Hun-Kamé's characterization. Moreno-Garcia gives him an agelessness, a stillness, and a detachment which felt so plausible for a god, and a death god (however benevolent) in particular. His slow transformation as morality grows in him was very effective. Speaking of characterizations, I also appreciated that Moreno-Garcia gave even the 'bad guys' a lot of empathy and understanding as to the root of their actions. Finally, the relationship between Hun-Kamé and Casiopea was fantastic. This is possibly the very best god/mortal romance I've ever read, and its resolution just could not have been better.

So, overall: do I recommend it? The beginning is definitely not as good as the latter parts, and it still comes off as fairly YA-ish, but if that's a genre you enjoy, you really should check this one out.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3064616768

Well, I am going to be the odd one out on this.

First, I can see why so many people love this book. The mythology and history behind the story is perfect; in fact, I am inspired to read actual myths. The landscape created is also gorgeous.

I just could not get into it. Casiopea just felt flat against the background and I had no interest in learning more about her. It also felt written like a YA book, even though it was adult. I'm not sure if this was due to the language used or the sentence structure. I will say I am sure this is just the case that this book was not for me, but if you like mythology, to give this try.

Thanks to NetGalley for an unbiased review!

Such a fascinating premise! This book forces you to buy into the setting quickly then turns it all on its head - which I loved. This Odyssey-like epic was winding and captivating, though some parts dragged. However I loved learning about South American mythologies and appreciated the glossary the author included. Great character development. It almost feels like Flowers For Algernon meets Pixar's Coco.

I've been wanting to read more mythology books lately since I see my younger patrons asking for them all the time in the middle grade or YA age ranges. I rarely see good mythology in adult and this one was even rarer a find since it was about Mexican culture. I enjoyed the genre blend of mythology, culture, fantasy, and history. I have also been trying to find more books set in the 1920s so this one was a perfect find. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and setting, which I think the author did excellently. It stands out as something I've never read before and I think readers will enjoy spending time with these characters

>Youngish feeling MC, with eyes wide open
>Atmospheric
>Full of history & context
>Great quotables.
>Abusive family
>Love Casiopea the whole way through. She won me over quick & then she rejected Cinderella <3
>Love the included versions of myths and myth making
>More of hidden hope & muffled dreams, then action showdowns & romantic declarations.
>Which I LOVE & think all the introverts/bookworms/quiet nerds will appreciate
>That did not go as I expected.
>That did not end as I expected either.
>Brillant.
>I won’t forget this any time soon.
>Highly recommended for YA fans that enjoy history & myths, anyone tired of the normal romances and hero journeys

I really enjoyed the melding of jazz age aesthetics and Mayan gods. The characters' relationships grow in an interesting way as the narrative goes on. Recommended for fantasy fans, but also might work for folks who are not normally fantasy lovers but are interested in the Mayan folkloric/religious elements.