Gods of Jade and Shadow: A much welcome addition to the fairy tale genre
If you’re fascinated with mythology and enjoy a new take on tired tropes then Gods of Jade and Shadow is for you!
Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Gods of Jade and Shadow delivers on its back cover promise as a “cross-country odyssey [that] will take [Casiopea Tun] from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City—and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.” Casiopea Tun, our willful 18 year old heroine, is a near-slave on her family’s wealthy estate in a small town when she accidentally releases and binds herself to a Mayan God of Death. Their ensuing adventure to help him reclaim his throne lets her explore the world she’d always dreamed of seeing.
Of the five reviews printed on my copy of the book, three of them directly use the words ‘fairy tale’ to describe how Gods of Jade and Shadow updates old tropes to a modern setting in 1920s Mexico. Early on, Casiopea even compares herself briefly to Cinderella before rejecting this comparison to “focus on more pragmatic issues,” like the possibility of inheriting enough money to move to the city. Like other fairy tales, an interaction with the magical world grants her an opportunity that she can’t pass up. Her cousin Martín plays a ‘stepsister’ like role by standing directly opposed to Casiopea’s goals.
Writing: 8/10. The 3rd person narration was strong and the book excels with descriptions, particularly of the various detailed settings. The dialogue was realistic and smooth to read. I appreciated that every few chapters we got a Point of View from one of the antagonists. These chapters were particularly well written and engaging.
Characters: 10/10. The four major characters: Casiopea Tun, Hun-Kamé, Martín, and Vucub-Kamé are all interesting, unique, and dynamic. In particular the interactions between the characters and the way they shape each other is brilliant. Cassiopea and Martín are cousins, while Hun-Kamé and Vucub-Kamé are brothers and the parallels between these two relationships are apparent throughout the book. I won’t say more to avoid spoilers, but in the end, these four characters converge, and this convergence defines the final arc for each of them. Additionally, there are a host of interesting and fleshed out side characters that add a unique depth and flavor to the story.
Plot: 7/10. Aside from the gripping intro and premise, I personally found the plot to be a bit lackluster and one-note. Since it plays with so many tropes, the story can feel like you’ve read parts of it before. The classic ‘gather three items in order to face the final battle’ type of story is not bad by any means, but there was nothing about the plot that drew me along.
Setting: 10/10. Wow! I was absolutely blown away by the beautiful settings in this book. The Mexican cities in the 1920s Moreno-Garcia describes are full of vibrant color, dancing, music, people, and excitement. The Mayan underworld, Xibalba, has a life of its own, and descriptions of its horrors feature prominently in several key scenes throughout the book.
Overall: 8.75/10. Gods of Jade and Shadow is a solid read I would recommend to just about anyone! Even though the characters and setting are unlike other books I’ve read, the familiar plot and fairy tale genre made this feel like a very nostalgic read—perfect for curling up on the couch with this holiday season.
You can learn more about Silvia Moreno-Garcia and check out her other books at her website here.