Gods of Jade and Shadow

5/5 stars

I picked this as one of my add-ons in my August Book of the Month Box, and I’m so glad I did. I will admit, the cover drew me in first and I was a little unsure of the story since I typically do not read historical and fantasy fiction (except for Harry Potter of course).

I really loved this book. This is a wonderful story that examines morals, family, loyalty, and independence. It follows a feisty and independent protagonist, Casiopea, who meets a death lord trying to reclaim his rightful throne.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia transports you to Mexico in the 1920s for a world filled with fantasy and myth. It’s Cinderella story that had me rooting for Casiopea as she grapples with family loyalty and her own independence.

The vivid imagery and character development had me falling in love with the story and even the most unlikeable of characters. By the end, I was truly sad that the story was over. I wanted so much more, not because the story was lacking, but because I missed the world Moreno-Garcia created.

I am not sure how, but I am hoping Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes a sequel or turns this into a series. I absolutely need more of the world she has created. At the very least, I could easily see this as a movie.

This is an incredible fantasy that will let you forget reality and enter the intriguing world of death and gods.