5 out of 5 stars

I want to thank netgalley and Del Rey books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of the book for an honest review.
This is a lovely fairy tale/fantasy that takes place in the 1920's. When we first meet Casiopea Tun she is living with her Mother in her Grandfather's estate. Since her Father Casiopea has basically spent her life as a slave for her Grandfather and her mean cousin her resents her. She dreams of someday leaving. Setting out for an adventure in the great big world but her reality is that she spends much of her time scrubbing floors and polishing shoes. One day Casiopea is banned from going on a visit with her family she finds a chest. Though she always tries to be good she can't stop herself from wanting to open the mysterious chest. Perhaps her Grandfather keeps coins there and even though she is honest she is also desperate to get out of the life she is living. Maybe she could grab a few coins and hide them away for her escape fund? When she opens the chest she discovers something much more different than she was expecting. She discovers that the chest is full of bones. After she pricks her finger with a bone something happens. A form begins to solidify in front of her. It is the dethroned God of Death Hun-Kamé who promises her freedom and anything else her heart desires if she helps him find his missing pieces. It's not like she can say no to him though as a piece of his bone is lodged in her finger and as he lives she begins to die.

As Casiopea and Hun-Kamé on their journey they begin to form and interesting relationship. With her cousin trailing behind her working for Hun-Kamé's brother (the one that imprisoned him) she knows she must fight an battle for both of Casiopea and Hun-Kamé's life. This story is unique and lovely. Definitely the kin of book you really want to get lost in.

Perfect standalone fairytale. I read it about a chapter a day when I had free time, and I think I preferred it that way - l don't usually like journey-type books but it always felt as if each part of the journey/quest was integral to developing the cast of characters, and the focus was always on the characters, rather than the next checkpoint. The writing is amazing and magical and swept me away - each chapter gives just enough, and the story has a very serial/oral quality to it, so that it's easy to pick up the next day. Super super romantic and bittersweet, I would love to see this on screen. The comps are on point - if you love Uprooted/Spinning Silver or Winternight trilogy, this is another book to pick up.

Loved this book. The descriptions of the 1920s-era life was fabulous, and I really enjoyed the Mayan/Mexican culture and environment as well since there are only a few very rare books in YA with this type of setting. The ending was bittersweet, although I can see how it makes the most sense. Still, it's always a sad thing when a romance doesn't make it. The writing was spectacular, and I thought the story had just the right amount of creepy/gruesome and magical/wonderful.

This was absolutely incredible. Aside from the already super cool premise, this is an astounding fantasy with rich visuals and an exciting adventure. It broke my heart, it made me scream, and I was dying to know how it all would play out. Each character is deeply developed with enriching motivations and back story. The world is built spectacularly well and I enjoyed the 1920's Mexico setting with the Mayan mythology built into it. Overall, I highly recommend this book and in fact already recc'd it to several IRL people who asked me what I was currently reading. Great book, highly entertaining, and that ending is one of the best I've read in a long time.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed reading it and finding out what happened next. There were a couple parts I paused and took a break in reading but overall it was easy to read and couldn't wait to find out what happens next.

Gods of Jade and Shadow is a brilliantly crafted coming of age story that is part historical fiction, part mythology. Set in 1920's Mexico and drawing on Mayan mythology, the story is brilliantly placed at an intersection of old and new, with all of the complexities that come with it. Casiopea is a young woman from a small village where she spends her days in drudgery, she and her mother being at the mercy of her wealthy and harsh grandfather. Her cousin Martin torments her, frustrated that she does not bow to his every whim. One day, she opens a forbidden box full of bones, unleashing a Mayan god of death and setting her on a dangerous journey that will change her and allow her blossom.

The contrast of Mexico during the Jazz Age with descriptive imagery of magic and the Mayan underworld is striking and creates a sense of the old and the new clashing. Thematically, this is a bit reminiscent of The Bear and the Nightingale by Katharine Arden, both grappling with moments in time where old-world religions are diminished but still present and Catholicism/Christianity are on the rise. In this book, that clash is also closely linked to colonization and indeed the existence and effects of colonization on Mexico is a major theme throughout. The narrative is culturally and historically rich, clearly a lot of research went into it. But also, we follow fascinating characters who allow us to explore the ways that traditional gender norms can become toxic, particularly in patriarchal cultures. This is such a smart book and Casiopea is a fantastic heroine- fiercely independent but also kind and generous. Highly recommend. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Love the Jazz Age, Mayan mythology, quest narratives and fables? This book is a can't miss!

Richly written, Gods of Jade and Shadow is a charming Jazz Age fantasy anyone will enjoy.

Mexico may be swept up in the fever of the Jazz Age, but Cassiopeia Tun's small village is still stuck in the past. Little more than a servant in her grandfather's home, Cassiopeia quietly dreams of forging out on her own with the small inheritance she's been promised and escaping the oppressive judgement of her mother's family. When her cousin lets it slip that the inheritance is a lie, Cassiopeia defies her grandfather's mandate to never open the chest in his room, in hopes of finding something to fund her new life. Instead she awakens Hun-Kame, Lord of Xibalba and god of the underworld.

Betrayed by his brother, Hun-Kame has been locked away for decades. When Cassiopeia accidentally awakens him and ties their fates together, it's just the beginning of the road back to regaining his former status. Together they must go in search of the scattered pieces of Hun-Kame his brother spread across the land before Cassiopeia's life is drained entirely and Hun-Kame becomes mortal.

Bound together by fate and myth, Cassiopeia and Hun-Kame's relationship is the fulcrum on which this novel rests. Cassiopeia is dictated by the shape of myths to be The Maiden, the helper of the god she travels with and the one whose story is truly altered by the quest. Hun-Kame is the unchanging immortal, an unreachable god. Bound together by Cassiopeia's mortality, they bleed into each other and it's that relationship that truly makes this book shine.

Casiopea has the life story of a Cinderella (dead father, cruel relatives, drudgery), but not the temperament. She's stubborn, sharp, and longs to escape to the big city, not some prince's castle. She gets more adventure than she bargained for when she opens her grandfather's iron chest and releases the Mayan lord of the dead, Hun-Kamé. They must join forces to wrest his throne back from his brother or both their lives are forfeit. Their quest will alter provincial Casiopea and stately Hun-Kamé beyond all recognition. The glamour of Jazz Age Mexico and the dread realm of Xibalba are equally vivid.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has created a beautiful book for fans of American Gods and cultural mythology. In her new book Gods of Jade and Shadow, readers follow the adventures of Cassiopeia Tun, a young woman who releases a trapped Lord of Xibalba by accident. For those who are not deeply into Mesoamerican mythology, XIbalba translates as “place of fear” and was the land of the Myan Gods of death. Cassiopeia is the disrespected granddaughter of a man who basically disowned his own daughter and has her work in his kitchen. After a cruel punishment from her grandfather, Cassiopeia breaks the rules and opens a special box in his room. Inside are the bones of the Lord of Xibalba, Hun-Kame, and he is out for revenge against his brother. Unfortunately, a shard of his bones lodges in Cassiopeia’s finger and they two are bonded together, with Hun-Kame slowly draining her life force until he becomes whole again. With Hun-Kame’s twin brother creating traps, the Cassiopeia and the god she is accidentally bonded to go on a tour of Mesoamerica to return him to his rightful place among the gods of the dead.

Moreno-Garcia has an incredible imagination and uses a whole host of gods, demons, and creatures from Mesoamerican mythology. It is rare to see them used in literature in the United States and I found it thrilling to get to know more. The detailed descriptions play out a movie in the reader’s mind. The book follows a good chunk of fairly dark mythology and death culture, which may not be suitable for younger or very sensitive readers, but for fans of works like American Gods, the reader will feel right at home. The book follows a definite theme of tradition vs. change in the 1920s, but also feels fresh and relatable to modern day readers. Gods of Jade and Shadow covers large portions of history and culture from the Yucatan to Baja California, but it never feels like a forced history lesson. I absolutely adored this book and I definitely will be reading more of her work.

Gods of Jade and Shadow is available July 23rd from Del Rey Publishing.

I was able to read this book early thanks to #NetGalley.

Where to start? I read this book from cover to cover, and wanted more when it was over! Casiopea Tun was a fantastic protagonist, who finally took charge of her life. Even if it was at the behest of an ancient God. I really recommend this book for anyone who loves a good adventure!
#ARC

I love historical fiction, especially when it’s set in the 1920s. And I love any kind of mythology. Combine the two, and we’re well on our way to a book that I absolutely love. Which is exactly what I got with Gods of Jade and Shadow. This book is just fantastic. It absolutely blew me away, and I loved it. The Jazz Age is easily one of my favorite all time eras to read about. It’s just so fun, and I really enjoyed what it added to this novel. But the highlight of this novel, for me, was definitely the Mayan mythology.

Going into this book, I didn’t know much about Mayan mythology that I didn’t learn from The Road to El Dorado. Which I’m sure is totally accurate (not). But I really, really loved reading about it. Moreno-Garcia paints such a vivd picture that I felt as if I was walking through this story, and not just reading it. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had such a visceral reaction to a book, but Gods of Jade and Shadow did it. I was almost vibrating with the energy I got from reading this book. I know saying “I couldn’t put it down” is kind of a cliché, but I honestly felt a strange magnetic pull to this book. The writing pulled me in – it felt magical in the way that Erin Morgenstern’s or Neil Gaiman’s writing feels. Which is my favorite kind.

Not only are the setting and mythological element fantastic, the characters and story are, too. I don’t know what to say other than I loved everything about this book. Casiopea is such a great heroine; it was extremely hard not to be immediately invested in her story. It was just so, so good. I’m hesitant to say much more because I really loved going into this book and discovering the story along the way. I wouldn’t want to ruin it for any of you. But trust me when I say this book is incredible, and you should definitely read it.

This is basically what happens when you take Deathless and mix it with Mayan mythology, aaaaand I love it!

Casiopea is a girl after my own heart: she hates her small hometown, she hates the fact that she's an outsider within her whole family. She hates her cousin Martín (he's a dick and a half). She wants more.

Hun-Kamé is a god. Like. A for real Mayan god, a lord of Xibalba. He's out to seek revenge on his brother, but he has to get some body parts back first.

This is like an epic road trip story, akin to American Gods, but still wholly original. It's so magical, and you never once question the world. Just like Casiopea.

Absolutely stunning and beautiful, I give Gods of Jade and Shadow 4 out of 5 skulls. Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a copy in exchange for review.

Gods of Jade and Shadow is a fabulously fantastical story full of myth and magic, exquisitely written with lush, atmospheric prose!

Casiopea Tun is a young woman who spends her days toiling as her wealthy grandfather's servant and tormented by her cousin, while longing for escape and adventure. After being left home one day to mend clothes as punishment, she lets her curiosity get the best of her and opens her grandfather's locked chest, accidentally releasing Hun-Kamé, the god of death, from his prison. In the process she binds her life to his and so must help him regain his essence and his throne. What follows is the escape and adventure she had always dreamed about.

I absolutely adore Casiopea! She is no meek girl who simply does what she's told, much to the consternation of the men around her. She is intelligent, strong-willed, courageous, and more than a little sassy. However, I would have liked a little more depth to Hun-Kamé.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has proven once again to be a master of her craft!

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions are my own.**

I'll be honest: this book initially caught my eye 100% because of that truly gorgeous and vibrant cover. The title also called out to me rather strongly and once I read the synopsis as well I knew I had to check out this book. Books set during the Jazz Age and that take place in Mexico are not things I often see--or ever see, really--so I was really excited to see a new and exciting setting.

I really loved the setting that Moreno-Garcia developed in this book, as everything felt vibrant and full of life. Her descriptions of Mexico City, Uukumil, the Mayan underworld, and every other location mentioned were all so well done and truly allowed me to picture the locations as if I were really there. I also fell in love with the Mexican folklore that the author developed and felt a constant craving to dive back into this book and culture whenever I wasn’t reading it.

Gods of Jade and Shadow reads very much like a fairy-tale due to the method of storytelling and the progression of the plot. The initial setup of the story and how Casiopea ends up helping the gods feels very matter of fact and classic in nature, though of course Morena-Garcia makes this story entirely her own with her beautifully crafted world and descriptions. It's also very much a journey that is undertaken in specific tasks and times of "first we have to go to this place to find X, then we go to the next to get Y," and so on. It feels a bit rote when taken at a surface level, but the tasks themselves are creative and have plenty to make this setup a bit more interesting

Casiopea is an iron-willed, obstinate character and I loved seeing her grow throughout this story. I can't say that she completely changed from someone meek to someone who knows how to stand up for herself because that'd be a disservice to Casiopea. Even in the beginning of the story she maintains a constant streak of fiery attitude and stubbornness where she refuses to back down to fully to those who are "above" her and order her about. She always imparts attitude or makes her unhappiness known, but it isn't until she embarks on this journey Hun-Kame that she truly learns what she's worth and what potential the future might hold for her if she actually takes some courageous leaps of faith into the unknown future and I had such a wonderful time watching Casiopea embark upon this personal journey. A few other things that I liked about her was her extremely pragmatic mindset and her no-nonsense way of handling things; if something had to be done, she wanted to just do it and get it done with so that they could move on to their goal.

I also really enjoyed getting to know Hun-Kame, the Mayan god of death. He's a fascinating character to watch interact in the Middleworld (aka, land where live human mortals live) and his lack of much personality or comprehension of humor and other sentiments that we humans hold dear. It was particularly interesting to watch him develop in tiny, but still noticeable ways that gradually affected more of his own character and the story itself. Our other "villain" character is also well-done and provides a nice contrast to Hun-Kame, though the two also have many similarities that often led to a bit of a grey area where it's not clear if either of the two are necessarily "good," which I think adds some great tension and compelling components to the plot.

There is a bit of a romance in this book, but I'm pleased to say that it was done extraordinarily well. It's not rushed, nor does it have any "insta-love" attached, and it is instead extremely slow-moving and develops at a logical and unobtrusive pace. It's doesn't really intrude on the story itself until the latter part of the book, so it's not something that takes away from the rest of the narrative in any way.

Overall, I've given Gods of Jade and Shadow four stars! Fans of creative fairy-tales and vibrant settings will love this book.

I read this ARC in 4 days (finishing it after midnight on the 5th morning)! I was that engrossed in this story that reminded me of both Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Márquez with story elements similar to both Rick Riordan and Katherine Arden. "Gods of Jade and Shadow" is a beautiful blend of history, culture, and mythology. Anyone who is a fan of standalone works such as "The Wolf in the Whale" and "The Sisters of the Winter Wood" will love this book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Casiopea Tun is the granddaughter of Cirilo Leyva, the wealthiest man in town, but you wouldn’t know it based on her appearance and her demeanor. All the while, Casiopea’s cousin, Martín—who is also Cirilo’s only grandson and 2 years older than Casiopea—entertains himself by bullying Casiopea. Unlike Casiopea—who is pragmatic, yet hopeful—Martín is the traditional spoiled heir who has nothing else going for him except for his family name and the wealth that comes with it. When Casiopea opens a mysterious chest under her grandfather’s bed with the key he left behind, she finds a pile of bones that revive into Hun-Kame, Lord of Shadows and rightful ruler of Xibalba, the Mayan Underworld. Casiopea learns that Hun-Kame was betrayed and imprisoned by Vucub-Kame, his twin brother. Immediately, Casiopea is traveling with the god in order to locate his missing essences and to help him regain his throne. The plot is part folklore and part bildungsroman. The folklore aspect of the plot follows the Hero’s Quest in that Casiopea leaves her home and goes on a “divine” quest. The bildungsroman, or coming-or-age story, Casiopea's growth into adulthood.

The setting is Mexico in 1927 (during The Jazz Age) and readers can pull up a map of Mexico and follow the journey of the characters throughout the narrative. Each location throughout the story elaborates the clothing, the music, and the hustle and bustle of Mexico. The author does an amazing job explaining Mayan mythology, Mexican culture and history, and pop culture, she mentions both fairy tales and poetry as cautionary tales to staying pragmatic no matter what is occurring in your life.

"Gods of Jade and Shadow" is an informative and entertaining story about change, tradition, desire, and family. . Silvia Moreno-Garcia conducts a grim, but magical journey throughout Mexico while reintroducing what we forgotten from our world history class. This novel is one of the best stories that balance fantasy and reality in recent years.

"I wish you were a coward instead of a hero." "I don't think I'm much of a hero." "And yet you are."

"Howl's Moving Castle" meets Mayan mythology in this fantastic novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

In Jazz Age Mexico, Casiopea Tun dreams of fast dances and driving an automobile. Instead, as the poor relation with a dead Mayan father, she toils in her rich grandfather's house every day, scrubbing floors and bossed around by her horrible cousin, Martin. When her mouth and stubbornness gets the better of her once again, it gives her an opportunity. Home alone, she takes the key to her grandfather's mysterious locked chest and opens it. Inside is a pile of bones that, when she touches it, transforms into a handsome man.

No.

Not a man.

A god. Hun-Kame. The Mayan god of death and Lord of the underworld, Xibalba. Betrayed by his brother, Hun-Kame seeks to retake his throne. But he is not at his strongest, not when his brother, Vucub-Kame, has scattered parts of Hun-Kame's body across Mexico, trophies given to Vucub-Kame's loyal lackies. Hun-Kame is quick to recruit Casiopea on his quest, and she agrees to make the journey with him. Not that she has much of a choice, as a shard of his bone is in her hand, slowly eating away at her life and making him mortal, and the only way to save the both of them is for Hun-Kame to have his full strength to take back the shard. So begins a race against time, especially as Vucub-Kame soon is on their tail.

Thus begins a journey full of adventure, magic, monsters, and myth. And so "Casiopea Tun was off into the world, not in the way she had imagined, but off nevertheless."

"Gods of Jade and Shadow" is a fantastic novel in every sense of the word. Dark and mysterious myth and magic couples wonderfully with the bright and shiny Jazz Age and post-Revolution Mexico in this amazing tale. Casiopea is a heroine to be reckoned with, and so very wonderful and human. She's stubborn, witty, has a smart mouth, and has a fire burning within her, but she's also afraid and imperfect. Hun-Kame is also imperfect and starts off honestly unlikable, but he starts to grow on you and learn more about himself and the world on the adventure.

"Gods of Jade and Shadow" is perhaps one of the best novels of 2019, and one you certainly do not want to miss.

I absolutely loved this one. It's an adult fantasy stand-alone, but would appeal to mature young adult readers. Set in 1920's Mexico with Mayan mythology mixed in. It's got Hades/Persephone vibes with some romance but the romance doesn't overpower the plot. The pacing was great and I never felt a lull in story.
The ending was not what I was expecting from this kind of story in the best way and what made this a 5 star (love), rather than a 4 (enjoyable)

This book was so good! It definitely pulled at my heart strings with it's vulnerability. It's an honest book that I will definitely recommend to everyone.

I loved this book so much! I was so intrigued by the Mayan elements in a fantasy story. I really hope that I get to see more diverse fantasy books like this in the future! This book is to summer what The Bear and The Nightingale is to winter. The time the book is set in is fascinating as well. I loved getting a look into jazz age Mexico.

Though the fairytale retelling is a popular trend among current fantasy authors, most of those fairytales are based upon European stories such as Snow White or Cinderella. Too few authors have delved into the wealth of folktales from the rest of the world. With her new novel, Gods of Jade and Shadow, Silvia Moreno-Garcia bucks this trend and tells a tale based upon Mayan folklore using the language of fairytales.

Casiopea Tun is part of a wealthy family, but she does not benefit from this wealth. Her father, a poet and dreamer, was not approved by Casiopea’s imperious grandfather and when he died, Casiopea and her mother were taken in as servants. Everything European is desired more than anything Mexican, and Casiopea’s dark, Mayan appearance is far from what her family and the rest of her small town’s people think is beautiful. Ground down by endless housework and the small cruelties of her cousin Martín, Casiopea dreams of a better life far away.

One day, after a particularly cruel jibe from Martín, Casiopea steals the key her grandfather usually wears around his neck and opens an old wooden chest in a search for money. What she finds instead is a pile of old bones, and when she touches them, she awakens the spirit within the bones– Hun-Kamé, the lord of the Mayan underworld known as Xibalba. He was betrayed and overthrown, and now that Casiopea has awakened him, they are bound together on a quest to reclaim the old god’s throne. Meanwhile, Martín is drawn into the conspiracy against Hun-Kamé and must try to dissuade Casiopea from her course of action by a variety of means.

“They were quiet and they were foolish, both of them, thinking they were threading with any delicacy, and that if they somehow moderated their voices they’d stop the tide. The things you name do grow in power, but others that are not ever whispered claw at one’s heart anyway, rip it to shreds even if a syllable does not escape the lips. The silence was hopeless in any case, since something escaped the god, anyway: a sigh to match the girl’s own.”

Though the language of the story often feels simplistic, it fits into the mood and atmosphere of fairytales, moving from Casiopea’s or Martín’s perspectives and into that of an omniscient narrator that serves to explain the story or setting. This change could feel jarring, but Moreno-Garcia is skilled enough as a writer to make elegant transitions from one perspective to another.

The characters, too, are elegantly written. Casiopea and Martín discover things about themselves and their places in the world. They have their odd similarities, but where Casiopea’s primary desire is for freedom and to see the wider world, Martín’s goals are much smaller. But by the end of the book, the reader comes to understand both of them.

Unlike many current fantasy novels– particularly YA fantasies– Gods of Jade and Shadow is not an action-packed tale starring a sassy, strong female character. Casiopea has a wealth of mental fortitude and wit, and these are her primary strengths. She does not need a weapon to defend herself, she just needs her cleverness. Nor is she afraid to push back when her companion, Hun-Kamé, is rude or fails to understand her human nature.

Though Disney has co-opted many of our fairytales and turned them into romantic tales filled with inevitable happily-ever-afters, the original stories are more ambiguous and darker than the visions Disney provides. Gods of Jade and Shadow follows in the footsteps of these older tales. It is a dark story of unspoken desire, belief, and death, and delves into the depths of mythical Xibalba and the very real cenotes of Yucatán.