Gods of Jade and Shadow
The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark, one-of-a-kind fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore.
“A spellbinding fairy tale rooted in Mexican mythology . . . Gods of Jade and Shadow is a magical fairy tale about identity, freedom, and love, and it's like nothing you've read before.”—Bustle
NEBULA AWARD FINALIST • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • Tordotcom • The New York Public Library • BookRiot
The Jazz Age is in full swing, but Casiopea Tun is too busy cleaning the floors of her wealthy grandfather’s house to listen to any fast tunes. Nevertheless, she dreams of a life far from her dusty small town in southern Mexico. A life she can call her own.
Yet this new life seems as distant as the stars, until the day she finds a curious wooden box in her grandfather’s room. She opens it—and accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, who requests her help in recovering his throne from his treacherous brother. Failure will mean Casiopea’s demise, but success could make her dreams come true.
In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City—and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.
Praise for Gods of Jade and Shadow
“A dark, dazzling fairy tale . . . a whirlwind tour of a 1920s Mexico vivid with jazz, the memories of revolution, and gods, demons, and magic.”—NPR
“Snappy dialog, stellar worldbuilding, lyrical prose, and a slow-burn romance make this a standout. . . . Purchase where Naomi Novik, Nnedi Okorafor, and N. K. Jemisin are popular.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“A magical novel of duality, tradition, and change . . . Moreno-Garcia’s seamless blend of mythology and history provides a ripe setting for Casiopea’s stellar journey of self-discovery, which culminates in a dramatic denouement. Readers will gladly immerse themselves in Moreno-Garcia’s rich and complex tale of desperate hopes and complicated relationships.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
- Pages
- 338
- First published
- July 23, 2019
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
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Shelved by 10 Litcadians
Reviews
Finished April 23, 2025
“She longed. Not for one specific thing but for everything; she had longed for a long time” ~ I wasn’t sure how to rate this one. It’s not my usual type of book so it’s not something I was sucked into and unable to put down. But at the same time it was so well written and it’s nice to go out of your comfort zone sometimes and read something new. One thing I really enjoyed about this book is how the gods talked, their speech patterns and ways of thinking were so unique and matter of fact, which suited the story so well. I liked following the progress of the female lead and seeing her grow. It’s not something I would have found myself reading if it wasn’t a book club pick but I did enjoy it and it was fun to read as a group. I highly recommend the audiobook or a combo read for this book.
Finished April 21, 2025
*❝ The things you name do grow in power, but others that are not ever whispered claw at one's heart anyway, rip it to shreds even if a syllable does not escape the lips. ❞* ❥ My thoughts This was not my usual type of read and mythology rarely appeals to me, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this. Moreno-Garcia's prose is beautiful, even dream-like while being utterly matter of fact. The POVs were whimsical, having this tall-tale or storybook quality of storytelling as if Gods greater than the Gods themselves were watching it all unfold. While the mythology and folklore is all a bit over my head, I loved the atmosphere it created. I loved the symbolism between the characters and their surroundings alike. While there is romance, it's not a romance that is all-encompassing or emotional. The romance, as it is mentioned in the book, "was a quiet sort of love, full of phrases left unsaid, laced with dreams." Highly recommend this read if you love mythology, folklore, or fairytales that aren't quite so soft. ❥ Trigger warnings Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Death Moderate: Violence, Animal death, Misogyny Minor: Death of parent, Racism, Colonisation [❥Connect with me on instagram❥](https://www.instagram.com/inkstainedemotions?igsh=aTh6eTZ6dGwxMXpy&utm_source=qr)
Started April 15, 2025 · Finished April 21, 2025
What a fun "Mummy Coded" themed book club read! This reads like a love letter, poetic and dreamy in its simplicity. I really liked the MCs and the quest for Xibalba. Casiopea was so stubborn and direct, and the narrator was really awesome. I don’t normally read mythology books, its not that they don’t interest me, I think i struggle to get into them, at times they can feel predictable or to slow. This was not a book I was able to sit down and read in a few sittings, it took me several days just to follow along with the lore and register the information of the story as it was unfolding, but I’m glad I did take the time to get into it because I enjoyed it and would recommend to others. 🌶️ 0/5 – A little bit of pining and some kissing later, but not spicy. 📚 Reading Between the Vines: 📚 Click Here to Join a Fun Discord Book Club
Finished April 17, 2025
Started April 22, 2025 · Finished April 30, 2025
- adventurousMedium-paced
Finished April 22, 2025
