- Format: Kindle Edition
- File Size: 2009 KB
- Print Length: 353 pages
- Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0525620753
- Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books (23 July 2019)
- Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B07P8R6BLQ
Synopsis
The Jazz Age is in full swing, but it’s passing Casiopea Tun by. She’s too busy scrubbing floors in her wealthy grandfather’s house to do anything more than dream of a life far from her dusty, small town in southern Mexico. A life she could call her own.
This dream is impossible, distant as the stars – until the day Casiopea opens a curious chest in her grandfather’s room and accidentally frees an ancient Mayan god of death. He offers her a deal: if Casiopea helps him recover his throne from his treacherous brother, he will grant her whatever she desires. Success will make her every dream come true, but failure will see her lost, for ever.
In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed only 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 Xibalba, the Mayan underworld.
Review
I only started reading fantasy books at then end of last year with The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness and The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Aden. I loved these books so much that when I found out about Gods of Jade and Shadow I knew it was a book I just had to read. Set in 1927 in Mexico, this book mixes historical fiction with Mayan Folklore and fantasy. Cassiopeia has to work in her grandfather’s house as a maid, whilst her aunts, grandfather and cousin Martin are intent on making her life a misery. In her grandfather’s room is a chest, the key always around his neck, until one day he leaves it behind and curiosity gets the better of Cassiopeia who opens the chest and finds herself on the journey of a lifetime. Hun-Káme, the god of death, gives her an opportunity she can’t pass up, a chance to travel and change her life if she will help him regain his throne. This is a colourful and magical, look at Mayan myth and folklore with an amazing cast of characters and plot that will take you on an unforgettable journey.
As most readers of my blog know, historical fiction is my favourite genre and Silvia Moreno Garcia seamlessly blends this with folklore and the ancient religion of the Mayan Gods. The detail in this book, historically and descriptively is absolutely amazing. The 1920’s was the era of the flapper girl, Jazz, the Charleston and cocktails. Silvia Moreno Garcia brings this exciting period off the page with her writing and puts in social and cultural context by including the books, music, art and politics of the period. There is also the divide in Mexico between the conventional and traditional Yucataán peninsular where the Jazz age has passed them by and the bigger cities where it is fully embraced. As well as building a picture of the period, there is also the imaginative description of Xibalba, the Mayan Underworld, where the Gods of Death live; the Jade Palace, the skeleton birds and wonderful creatures.
Cassiopeia is a young woman who feels life is passing her by. She dreams of a life away from her home town of Ukumil, her grandfather and cousin. She wants to be in the city, to cut her hair short as is the fashion and have a better life for herself. Whilst she may be treated like a maid, she is not one to simply obey her orders, she is feisty, strong and more than able to stand up for herself even when she knows it will get her in more trouble. On her journey with Hun-Kamé, she shows courage and determination even if it may cost her her life; she sees this as her chance to get away and has nothing to lose. Hun-Kamé, is a God of Death, who has been imprisoned in the chest by his twin brother Vucub-Kamé, also a God of Death. His life becomes entwined with that of Cassiopeia as he searches for four items that will restore his strength. As they become almost one person, we see Hun-Kamé have the human traits and take pleasure in the simple things of life, making him more personable. There is a supporting cast of fantastic characters including demons. a spirit who lures men to their deaths, and a sorcerer.
Gods of Jade and Shadow is as colourful read as the cover implies. Full of magical characters and wonderful places, in this world and the underworld, this book has everything a fantasy book should have. This is an immersive read as you travel with Cassiopeia and Hun-Kamé through Mexico moving ever forward with apprehension to the final showdown between Hun-Kamé and his brother Vucub-Kamé that sees brother against brother, God against God and cousin against cousin. This book will take you on a journey that you won’t want to end. Historical Fantasy at its best; simply stunning!
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