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

adventurous dark hopeful slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is a 20's era retelling of a Mayan-Mexican folktale. It is set up as a paranormal romance as well, but if you read this expecting romance norms you will be disappointed. It also doesn't follow the standard format of a hero's journey, but I was okay with that being different. I felt at the end of the book that the main character's story was not done, the book ended kind of on a cliffhanger and I'm frustrated with it now. I love the glossary at the end of the book to explain some unique terms in it. I might have enjoyed it if I'd grown up with the story as a kid and were experiencing a new angle on a familiar story. It is a good story, even though it's not the type I like, so I'm still rating it 3.

When I started reading I was concerned it would be too dark or creepy for me- it is about a god of death- but it's not particularly intense. Check content warnings.

All characters are the same race and sexuality and lack disability, that is not diverse to me.

the entire book they are leading up to her being romantically or friendship connected with him, but instead the author throws that all out the door. It was frustrating to have a romance break up like this- these things happen in real life, but normally not in books!
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