Gods of Jade and Shadow

Casiopea yearns to be learning jazz dances and wearing the latest flapper styles but finds herself instead cleaning her wealthy grandfather’s house and being abused by her older cousin Martín. But one day, she opens a locked box in her grandfather’s room and awakens a Mayan deity, one who has been imprisoned for decades. To stay alive, Casiopea must aid him in punishing those who imprisoned him and reclaiming his throne, even if it requires multiple sacrifices from her and leads her into the arms of death itself.What a fantastic read! The author did an amazing job with this work. I loved having so much South American folklore incorporated into a work set in the 1920s – it made for a unique and fascinating read. The characters were perfect. Casiopea was what I want out of my female protagonists, and I enjoyed how the author portrayed the god and the changes that he underwent during the story. The ending of this work couldn’t have been written any better, and made this whole read quite satisfying.Part of what really elevated this book was how immersive a world the author created. There were so many details included, ranging from folklore to geography, that brought this book to life. I especially enjoyed the historical details concerning the Yucatan during this time, and how it became a melting pot of many different ethnicities after the Spanish first began to take over.Overall, I can’t recommend this work enough. I had a bit of a difficult time with the author’s writing style at first (so many unnecessary commas, as well as some awkward wording), but I soon became so immersed in the characters and story that I stopped noticing. If you haven’t read this yet, check it out!

Gods of Jade and Shadow is hard to pigeonhole into one particular genre. But it is definitely consistent with Ms. Moreno- Garcia, this is a love song to Mexico, her homeland. The reader experiences a range of the major cities of Mexico, each with their idiosyncrasies amidst the dark adventure of Casiopea. Casiopea is our heroine who works as the much maligned servant in her grandfather’s mansion. Until the day in anger she opens a chest and frees a Mayan god.This novel has been divisive for some readers. I suspect this is related to writing style and certain subplot developments. Having read two of her other works, I’m hitting my groove with the limitations which is balanced by her imagination. Often the stories are in third person with intrusion of explanation for motivation of characters. If you are not a fan of exposition, then this style will grate your nerves. I too prefer to be shown rather than told. And yet I marvel at her ability to vividly paint scenes. You always wish you were to see and visit these places at the time described. The other issue is the romantic subplot. The relationship always seem to have undercurrent of stereotyped power imbalance. But yet I am never quite upset with the final scenario. I suspect it is the feminist grappling for both parties that keeps my attention.If you enjoy mythology and want to experience another culture, this is a suitable alternative bearing in mind the drawbacks already stated. This is about Mayan religious practices which involves blood sacrifices, so be warned of its dark content. Personally I view the content as wrestling with death/grief, religion( both Roman Catholic and indigenous) and changing times.

Gods of Jade and Shadow is quite different from her noir Velvet Was the Night. Gods of Jade and Shadow is set in the Yucatan peninsula during the 1920s. The old myths and religious beliefs of the indigenous folk have withered away, supplanted by Christianity. Casiopea Tun, a young woman about to turn eighteen, is a poor relative taken in by her maternal grandfather and his family. Casiopea works as the family maid, cleaning floors and polishing her grandfather’s boots to pay for her upkeep. Her cousin Martín, arrogant and privileged despite being rather dull-witted, physically and emotionally abuses her. While her family is out, in a moment of defiance, she unlocks a chest in her grandfather’s bedroom, thus releasing Hun-Kame, a Mayan god of death, whose bones had been imprisoned in the chest by his minutes-younger twin, Vucub-Kame. To further weaken his brother, Vucub-Kame scatters bits of his older brother across Mexico and the American Southwest. Casiopea’s grandfather had been tasked with guarding the box of bones. Over the years, as nothing had even happened, the grandfather became lax in his duties. Hun-Kame rises from his chest, determined to reclaim his throne and imprison his brother in turn. Hun-Kame enlists Cassiopeia, who wants to live her hometown anyway, and the two set off across Mexico to recover his missing bits.Casiopea and Hun-Kame encounter flappers with short skirts and shorter hair, demons, evil spirits, sorcerers—and her cousin who has been enlisted by Vucub-Kame to woo Casiopea to the “dark side.” Casiopea and Hun-Kamé develop a deep, wounded love as they travel into the unknown searching for themselves. Casiopea develops into a strong heroine rather than remaining as the overworked, abused poor relative. Hun-Kame, god though he might be, develops a bit of humanity as he travels with her.Moreno-Garcia does a divine job blending the Jazz Age with Mexican mythology. The tone of the story is resplendent with details of the Underworld, Xibalba. She successfully blends Art Nouveau, Mayan temple architecture, bizarre animals, blood-thirsty gods, and exotic stonework.

Again, another book of hers I love. I loved the mythology, the lore. I like the characters and the roles they played. This one will def have you rooting for the under dog. I was pleasantly pleased with the ending. A very good adventure.

I didn't know anything about the ancient gods of Mexico when I started this book. It didn't stop me from thought enjoying it, but now I need to know more about them.

Mi segundo amor del 2023Este libro fue toda una sorpresa, no esperaba mucho de el, ya que vi críticas muy negativas del libro "Gótico", otro libro de la autora.Excelente critica a la sociedad de su época 1927 (y en la actual) en México y a la discreción de los pueblos Mayas.Comprendo la frustración Casiopea hacia sus según familiares que solo la tratan como esclava y abusan de su necesidad. Ella es un personaje entrañable, me gusta ver su evolución conforme pasa la historia.El toque mágico que tiene el libro me encanta, le da una buena chispa a la historia, y aprendes de la mitología Maya.Y por supuesto el hecho que la autora sea Mexicana es un plus para mi, y más que sus historias tengan está representación de nuestra cultura.Sería fabuloso ver este libro en adaptación para película, ya que me encantó el viaje que hicieron Casiopea y Hun-Kamé por las tierras mexicanas.Ahora tengo curiosidad por leer "Gótico" también.

Excellent book condition and very good follow up by the vendors.

For days I've been trying to make an intelligible review of Gods of Jade and Shadow. At this point, I'm still all starry-eyed at the simple thought of it so, it's time to admit no matter how long I wait, I'll probably never be able to write a calm and rational review and maybe, that's not a problem.So, let's try to explain why this story became one of my favourites ever, shall we?First, the writing. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has a way with words I'm slightly jealous of. Her style is beautiful and poetic, very fitting for a magical realism setting.Then, the characters. Casiopea is a girl full of dreams, who love star gazing and dancing and only wants to be free to be herself? She knows how to stand for herself and isn't afraid to go up against some death gods. She's brave and kind and standing for her ideals. I loved her.Hun-Kamé is a death god so I couldn't have disliked him. I loved his growth, it's all small things: a smile, a laugh, a sigh. It's was beautiful to see.The relationship between these two was everything I could ask for. It's slow, they have to learn each other and it takes time but it's so satisfying.Next, the worldbuilding. Maybe my favourite thing about this book? I absolutely loved how the author incorporates bits of magic and myths in the story, weaving it smoothly and in the most beautiful way.I hugely recommend it if you like myths and tales, stories that read like poetry and are filled with magic.

I’m new to Sylvia Moreno Garcia’s work and went in with no expectations, and despite a slow start (which was probably my own fault because I was reading jaggedly), became fully invested. About halfway, the world-building and vivid prose sucked me right into Middleworld and the Xibalba underworld, and I learnt so much about Maya mythology and Mexican Jazz-era history. I also appreciate that Garcia made me feel empathy for demons and death gods.The gorgeous, trope-subverting, satisfying ending bumped it up to 4.5-5 stars and made me misty-eyed. I can’t wait to read more of Sylvia’s catalogue!