**Full review will be posted on my blog (pagesandpostcards.com) and Goodreads on July 23rd, exactly two weeks before the release date**

Gods of Jade and Shadow is a beautiful, lyrical historical fantasy novel set in 1920's Mexico. In it, a Mayan death god and a girl who dreams of adventure team up for a quest that will determine the fate of the world.

Casiopea is merely a servant to her esteemed family. Seen as a mixed-race bastard child, she is isolated and mistreated, receiving the brunt of the abuse from her cruel and arrogant cousin, Martín. That all changes one day when she discovers a chest full of bones and unknowingly unleashes a long-trapped death god. By freeing him, she is now bound, and is forced to accompany him on a quest to reclaim his full power and his throne in the underworld of Xibalba. Their journey takes them throughout Mexico to the darkly beautiful Mayan underworld. They encounter many magical beings and intriguing characters along the way as they race a ticking clock. With each passing second, the death god grows more human, Casiopea draws nearer to death, and the usurper to the throne plots to stop them from succeeding in their quest.

This book transported me to Mexico during the glitzy Jazz Age, a time when the customs of old were clashing with Americanization and the changing cultural landscape. I absolutely adore the unique setting, as it was a breath of fresh air to read fantasy with a non-Western focus. The main characters begin in a conservative, primitive town and journey to Mérida, Mexico City, Tijuana, and many other places throughout Mexico. 

The mythology is woven into this novel seamlessly. Being unfamiliar with Mayan folklore, it was interesting to read about Xibalba, the World Tree, and the Hero Twins, among many others. There are malicious ghosts, wicked sorcerers, and mischievous demons. Xibalba, the underworld, is especially dark and creepy, but beautiful and full of magic.

The point of view in this book is third-person omniscient, revolving primarily around Casiopea but occasionally jumping to Hun-Kamé, the death god, Vucub-Kamé, his throne-stealing brother, and Martín. I love Casiopea as a character. She is independent, strong-willed, and brave, but she has just enough fear and self-doubt to make her relatable. Throughout the novel, she battles internally with her traditional upbringing and her growing fascination with flappers and automobiles. Hun-Kamé has interesting character development throughout the course of the book as he shifts from an stoic god to something more human. Martín, who begins as a completely unforgivable character, somehow redeems himself toward the end. There is a thread of romance, but it is handled very well and perfectly integrated into the story.

Ultimately, this is a book about life and death, the meaning of sacrifice, and the gray area between right and wrong. The writing is lyrical, the setting is beautiful, and the story ticked off all of my boxes. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and fairy tales.

Another great novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia! I am a huge fan of The Beautiful Ones and was not disappointed by Gods of Jades and Shadow.

Casiopea has spent the better part of her life subdued and serving her grandfather hand and foot. She is treated cruelly by her cousin, Martin, who is secretly jealous of her spirit and any affection their grandfather gives. By chance, Casiopea unleashes Hun-Kamé, a dark lord of Xibalba, and the two set off on a quest to restore his throne. Along the way, they must recover pieces of his essence as her health slowly declines and Hun-Kame becomes more human.

Moreno-Garcia does an incredible job of painting the Yucatán peninsula and Central America in the 1920s. I recently traveled to Mexico City and I could almost feel the magic in cobblestone streets of Condesa. She also spares no details for the Mayan mythology. The black road to Xibalba and the tension was almost palpable in the end. The romance was tasteful and I dearly loved the conclusion.

A message that I took from the ending is that it is not about the conclusion but the journey. This is a great metaphor for life as well - many people work toward achieving specific life goals (great job, great house, get married, have children) but don't stop to appreciate the journey getting there. I also appreciated the duality of the two rival pairs. Martin was cruel to Casiopea but Hun-Kamé, our quasi-hero, has also been cruel to his brother which spurred his rebellion. Our heroine finds that she has a lot in common with the villain, reminding the reader that not everything is black and white.

5 Stars for Gods of Jade and Shadow!

The premise promises a story of mayhem and magic, but the execution falls short. With writing that relies heavily on telling and a whiny protagonist, this book pulls the reader out of the story at the most climatic moments. However, the diversity and originality shine.