Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno Garcia

10/10

In Gods of Jade and Shadow, Silvia Moreno-Garcia demonstrates her remarkable ability to inhabit and reinvent genre. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1920s Mexico, the novel follows Casiopea Tun, a young woman living a life of servitude in her grandfather's house. Her accidental release of Hun-Kam�, the deposed Mayan god of death, triggers a cross-country quest that is as much a spiritual awakening as it is a mythological adventure.

Moreno-Garcia's prose is elegant and evocative, capturing the shifting landscapes of Mexico - from the dusty heat of Yucatan to the glittering, cosmopolitan energy of Mexico City. The novel's greatest strength lies in its grounding of the fantastic in the historical. The author seamlessly integrates the "Popol Vuh," the sacred Mayan text, into a narrative that feels like a classic fairy tale but carries the weight of ancient history.

The relationship between Casiopea and Hun-Kam� is masterfully handled. Rather than a standard romance, it is a complex exchange of humanity and godhood. As Hun-Kam� becomes more mortal through his proximity to Casiopea, she in turn gains a divine perspective on her own agency. Their descent into Xibalba - the Mayan underworld - is a standout sequence, rendered with a chilling, dreamlike quality that avoids the clich�s of Western hellscapes.

Ultimately, this is a story about the power of choice and the transition from old worlds to new. Casiopea is a refreshing protagonist: pragmatic, determined, and deeply self-aware. Moreno-Garcia has crafted a "sophisticated" mythic journey that honours its cultural roots while delivering a timeless coming-of-age story. It is a lush, enchanting, and intellectually satisfying work that stands as a highlight of modern mythological fantasy.