Book Review: Gods of Jade and Shadow

Gods of Jade and Shadow

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

5/5

So you've awoken an ancient god who is desperate to get vengeance upon the brother who betrayed him and now your fates are tied, what do you do? Go on a series of quests to retrieve his stolen body parts and help him reclaim his throne obviously. Casiopea is used to men pushing her around, her grandfather and her cousin have lorded her inferior status as a poor relation over her since her father died and her and her mother were forced to seek refuge. When she finds out that her grandfather's fortune was built on the capture of a god and that she has to help him, she doesn't really have a problem doing so. 

Casiopea is one of those unique protagonists who just makes intrinsically good choices. She doesn't know all the answers, but she's good to her core and that reflects in everything she does. She seems like the perfect person to take along with her on a quest and she really fulfills that realistic heroine role. She's facing things she's never faced before, while she fears them and speaks on this fear she really does what she has to do. 

Now some spoilers, I'm a big fan of HEA. I tend to read stories where the romantic pair ends up together, though I pepper in a few tragedies here and there. This is a unique book because it's not a tragedy, it's not some horrible breakup or something. It's a simple matter of being realistic. Two people who care deeply for each other and are willing to give up everything for one another but put it aside because of their consciousness of their duties and their disparities in life. I think it was a beautiful story of growth and forgiveness and aside from the beautiful setting it really just deserves the five stars for that alone. 

Yeah I'm recommending this book a hundred percent. It's set in Mexico in the 1920s, a unique blend of historical fiction and mythology that give it a sort of gritty romanticism. I loved it and I can't wait to read more by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.