5/5 stars — a brand new folk tale and a coming-of-age story wrapped in Jazz Age glamour

Have you heard the story of the young woman who met twin gods of death and became salvation to one and irritation to the other? Probably not, because Silvia Moreno-Garcia just wrote it! Gods of Jade and Shadow is the story of Casiopea Tun, who dreams of poetry and automobiles even as she resigns herself to a life of servitude in her grandfather's house. When she wakes the Mayan god Hun-Kamé from imprisonment, linking their fates and setting in motion his plan to regain his throne in the underworld, she lands in the midst of a centuries-long feud between gods.

I relished every word of this book. If you read many of my reviews, you'll know I'm a fan of atmosphere and prose that makes good use of few words. Moreno-Garcia delivered both, along with an inspired premise, unique worldbuilding, and much-appreciated commentary on matters like sexism and colorism. Above all, though, it was her characters that made this one of my favorite books of the year. Casiopea especially represented so many things I love in a protagonist: bravery, assertiveness, and unshakeable kindness.

Can I also add how much I appreciated the use of Martín's role to discuss the entitlement of masculinity? While we experienced the effects of his actions through Casiopea, his POV sections allowed insight into his thought process. There was overt misogyny in passages like "It all started with Eve and ended with Casiopea, according to him," but also parts that pointed out more insidious fallacies like "As a man he already saw himself as worthy of praise," and "How could he be kind when she was willful?" Sometimes you read a book and know that the author just gets it.

Martín's parts also brought colorism and classism into focus as they influenced his view of the world and particularly Casiopea. His mother described Casiopea by saying she "might be a full Indian girl if one did not know any better. Shameful," and Martín absorbed and applied that scorn. These prejudices were especially interesting in juxtaposition with the way wealthy Mexican citizens in the cities mimicked French and American cultures while the Mexican and Mayan cultures were reduced to aesthetic trappings to draw tourists to hotels and casinos.

Despite acting as an obstacle to Casiopea and Hun-Kamé, Martín was actually the lesser of the two main antagonists. The true driving force behind most of the story's misfortunes is Vucub-Kamé, Hun-Kamé's twin, who killed him and usurped the throne of Xibalba. He's a terrifyingly well-constructed villain, the kind who initially seems like stark raving evil but whose motivations become increasingly relatable as you learn his history.

This could easily have been the tale of Hun-Kamé versus Vucub-Kamé—a classic tale of two immortal brothers locked in opposition. However, Casiopea holds the spotlight with her steadfast refusal to back down from men (and gods) who try to intimidate her. In fact, my favorite aspect of Casiopea's personality is the way she holds her ground when Hun-Kamé is initially rude to her. It shouldn't feel as novel as it does to see a female main character meet a dark and sexy bad boy's attempts at intimidation with irritation and snark, but it's so refreshing to read that here.

And it only adds to the gratification when Hun-Kamé, tempered by Casiopea's humanity, becomes her love interest.

My favorite quote from Gods of Jade and Shadow is one I think encapsulates Casiopea as a character and also the magic Moreno-Garcia worked with this story: "She had a knack for quiet insurrection." In the end, that's what shaped the narrative and determined the outcome of Casiopea and Hun-Kamé's quest.

Also? This wasn't a "good, kind woman brings about a heartless man's salvation" ending. True, Casiopea's mercy toward Martín inspired a similar act from Hun-Kamé toward his brother, but the book ends with Hun-Kamé returning to his throne in Xibalba while Casiopea, with the rewards she earned, has the freedom to live out the adventures she wanted all along.

I highly recommend Gods of Jade and Shadow to readers who enjoy myth-based fantasy and fairy/folk tales. If you're after historical fantasy with a magical twist and a hint of romance for good measure, look no further!

** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. **