A review by aliyyah
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

adventurous emotional inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

“Mythmaking. It’s greater than you or I, this tale.”

This book has left me breathless. It was absolutely spectacular.

Gods of Jade and Shadow is about a girl named Casiopea who unlocks a chest and accidentally frees a Mayan god of death. This death god requests her help in recovering his throne from his treacherous brother. Failure will mean Casiopea’s death but success could make her dreams come true. Together, they set off on a harrowing, life-changing adventure set in the Jazz Ages that takes you from the jungles of Yucatán, to the bright lights of Mexico City and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.

I was drawn in by the unique premise of this book and was not disappointed at all. The plot was amazing. I loved the adventure that these two went on. Things kick off from the very start of the novel and it just keeps going. I was kept on my toes the entire time, completely entranced by this rich world.

I adored the characters more than I can express. Casiopea is such a lovely girl who has been through a lot in her life but remains resilient and kind hearted. She keeps her dreams locked within herself and looks up at the stars. She is a hero who believes the world should be just and fair. Defiance runs through her veins and she always keeps her head held high. I loved reading about her so much. Hun-Kamé, our god of death is exactly what you would expect and yet not. There is a harshness to him that must come with godhood but there is also kindness deep within. We see his many faces as we move throughout the novel and I found myself loving every part of him. I really enjoyed the dynamic between him and Casiopea. The relationship that blossomed between them was so beautiful and left me aching. By the end of this novel I was in tears.

The writing in this book was exceptional. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has such an amazing way with words. There are so many lovely descriptions and beautiful lines in this novel that tugged at my heartstrings. This story was very well crafted and the world that was created was so rich. It was extremely easy to become lost within these pages.

It is rare that I find a novel in which both the plot and characters are excellent but Gods of Jade and Shadow has done it. This has instantly become one of my favorites and I know it will remain in my heart for the rest of time.
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