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imaginingly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
it’s very much -a god takes mortal from her abusive household and takes her on adventure to win his throne back- vibes
i loved this, honestly. a lot of new terms i have never heard of and it was out of my comfort zone but i’m so glad i read it
i loved this, honestly. a lot of new terms i have never heard of and it was out of my comfort zone but i’m so glad i read it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Physical abuse, and Violence
ana1s's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
THE DESCRIPTIONS. THE CHARACTERS. THE SETTING. THE STORY. ALL PERFECT
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cultural appropriation
Some mentions of colorismpipkins973's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
theirgracegrace's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Violence, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Gaslighting
tigerlily800's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked what this book was trying to be but I found that the author just didn't delve into the characters enough. I like the use of indigenous mythology and this take on a Cinderella or Persephone retelling, though I wish it wasn't as obvious. I think the main two things this book lacked were nuance and character development. The world was beautifully built, the prose was some of my favorite, and I like the plot for the most part, but the characters fell short for me.
I think if this book was categorized as a YA book I wouldn't be as disappointed, I expect lack luster character development (among other issues) in YA fantasy. This book makes me want to read other works by this author, I can tell that she is a good writer and has an amazing grasp of her world. Hopefully another book by her will fill in the gaps I felt Gods of Jade and Shadow lacked.
To sum up my feelings on the book: what was the point of this great journey if we're just returning to the status quo? So much happened, and yet nothing changed.
There may be slight spoilers below, I've tagged explicit spoilers but not implied spoilers.
I think my main issue is that I don't feel as though Cassiopea changed at all. Even worse, she was a Manic-Pixie-Dream-Girl to a god. Seemingly, the whole point of her character was to help Hun-Kame change and grow as a person/being.She literally gave her life force so that he could change, literally dying for some random man's growth. I don't know a more literal interpretation of manic-pixie-dream-girl than that.
I also think the author abandoned multiple characters half way through their arc. The main character abandoned was Cassiopea's cousin (whose name I can't even remember). I think the use of dual perspective really added something to this story, something I can't say often. With the inclusion of his past experiences, even the same event just from his perspective, he character felt less like a Disney villain. At the same time though, the audience never sees him change his view of the world. Honestly, that would've been fine if someone had confronted him on his lack of change but that doesn't even happen.
I think this book would've been 10x better, and would've received a much higher review from me, if the author had another 100 pages or so to help finish the story. I love loose ends, I think that can really add something to a book. This book didn't have loose ends, it had the start of a few different ideas that were never fully developed into something meaningful. For example, Cassiopea shows genuine sympathy for Hun-Kame's brother, she sees herself in him and starts to confront Hun-Kame about it. But this is left after two brief mentions. I wish this idea had been introduced closer to halfway through the book rather than the end so that the author can truly show how this idea changes how the characters interact. Why does Hun-Kame not show sympathy for his brother, even with the revelation of how similar he is to Cassiopea, even as he gains "humanity" for the first time? Does he not feel guilt?
I think if this book was categorized as a YA book I wouldn't be as disappointed, I expect lack luster character development (among other issues) in YA fantasy. This book makes me want to read other works by this author, I can tell that she is a good writer and has an amazing grasp of her world. Hopefully another book by her will fill in the gaps I felt Gods of Jade and Shadow lacked.
To sum up my feelings on the book: what was the point of this great journey if we're just returning to the status quo? So much happened, and yet nothing changed.
There may be slight spoilers below, I've tagged explicit spoilers but not implied spoilers.
I think my main issue is that I don't feel as though Cassiopea changed at all. Even worse, she was a Manic-Pixie-Dream-Girl to a god. Seemingly, the whole point of her character was to help Hun-Kame change and grow as a person/being.
I also think the author abandoned multiple characters half way through their arc. The main character abandoned was Cassiopea's cousin (whose name I can't even remember). I think the use of dual perspective really added something to this story, something I can't say often. With the inclusion of his past experiences, even the same event just from his perspective, he character felt less like a Disney villain. At the same time though, the audience never sees him change his view of the world. Honestly, that would've been fine if someone had confronted him on his lack of change but that doesn't even happen.
I think this book would've been 10x better, and would've received a much higher review from me, if the author had another 100 pages or so to help finish the story. I love loose ends, I think that can really add something to a book. This book didn't have loose ends, it had the start of a few different ideas that were never fully developed into something meaningful. For example,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
beckyg1016's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Writing style intentionally mimics the way folklore is orally told, rather than the way novels are typically written - this can take a little getting used to, but it's worth it. (It feels odd, almost choppy, but once you understand the intention, it's very good)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Death
catsandbookspluspup's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death, and Emotional abuse
booksandprosecco's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Suicide, and Emotional abuse
erica_palmisano's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Fun, fast-paced, full of interesting twists and incredible, imaginative visuals. I dropped into this book and never surfaced. Couldn't put it down and really enjoyed the exploration of mythology, magical realism, 1920s Mexico, and the lovely character of Casiopea.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, and Violence
rotfaced's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I agree with several other reviews here, which stated it more succinctly than I would: This book had a lot of potential, and is even enjoyable, but moves too quickly and with too little care and detail to really slip into. There were parts of the book that were very fun and even surprising, but the story is hindered by the very thing it seeks to emulate, which is fairy-tale formula. Many of the major events end up being:
- Main Characters have to confront a challenge.
- They are imperiled, briefly, by the challenge, but the peril does not feel overmuch.
- MC triumphs without any significant struggle.
- Later, the main characters talk.
- We check in on the villains.
- Rinse and repeat.
Just because this is an intentional and meaningful structure does not mean it is a good one.
The ending was stronger than the journey. It felt like we were rushing to get there. The writing can also be a bit too brief, and I feel we lose a lot of the momentum in this way. It is both a fast read and painfully slow at times. I was excited to read a story about Mexico in the 1920s, but the time period is merely a set dressing with very little actual impact on the characters. MC does become more compelling the further you get into the story.
The actual lore and magic is very cool, though. Also, some of the characters are QUITE good, but I think it says a lot that one character who shows up for all of two scenes was more exciting and lively than several characters who persist throughout the entire book.
Overall, I sit on the fence of giving it a 4* rating. With some reflection, I feel it falls a bit short for me, but it is worth the read and enjoyable nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse