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Yun's Reviews > Gods of Jade and Shadow
Gods of Jade and Shadow
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Even though I'm all grown up, I feel like I'm always looking for that magical fairy tale, the one that speaks to the kid in me while still appealing to the adult I am. And I found just that in Gods of Jade and Shadow.
Casiopea and her mother have been living with relatives ever since her father unexpectedly passed away. Because the two of them don't have money of their own, they are treated like servants, ordered to do menial tasks for the family. One day, Casiopea accidentally opens a chest full of bones, and what follows is the adventure she has always dreamed of.
Casiopea is my kind of heroine. Life dealt her an unfair hand, but she works hard and stays true to herself. Though her family treats her badly, she doesn't let that turn her bitter. She keeps dreaming of a better life. And when the opportunity to go on a grand adventure presents itself in the form of a request from the God of Death, she seizes it without hesitation. Then throughout the journey, she remains brave and smart and kind, even when great sacrifices are demanded of her. Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better main character.
Then there is Hun-Kamé, the God of Death. He's the perfect companion for Casiopea. He starts out all rigid and uptight, but as he spends more time around Casiopea and starts to unbend, he becomes likable and interesting. It was joyful to follow along as their sweet but improbable relationship unfurls and takes them both by surprise. The kindness and trust that they show each other is moving and magical, especially given how fragile and fleeting that first love is.
I also really enjoyed all the Mexican and Mayan folklore and mythology in here. It's all brand new to me, and it was fascinating to read this interpretation of the God of Death.
The story kept me in its thralls from the very first page. I wanted to stay curled up and reading, firmly entrenched in its magical universe. It's always a thrill when a book hits all the right notes: terrific cheer-worthy characters, a grand quest, a heart-rending love that could never be, and a showdown between good and evil. I can't believe it's taken me so long to get to this book, but I'm glad I finally did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
Mexican Gothic
Velvet Was the Night
~~~~~~~~~~~~
� Connect with me � �
Casiopea and her mother have been living with relatives ever since her father unexpectedly passed away. Because the two of them don't have money of their own, they are treated like servants, ordered to do menial tasks for the family. One day, Casiopea accidentally opens a chest full of bones, and what follows is the adventure she has always dreamed of.
Casiopea is my kind of heroine. Life dealt her an unfair hand, but she works hard and stays true to herself. Though her family treats her badly, she doesn't let that turn her bitter. She keeps dreaming of a better life. And when the opportunity to go on a grand adventure presents itself in the form of a request from the God of Death, she seizes it without hesitation. Then throughout the journey, she remains brave and smart and kind, even when great sacrifices are demanded of her. Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better main character.
Then there is Hun-Kamé, the God of Death. He's the perfect companion for Casiopea. He starts out all rigid and uptight, but as he spends more time around Casiopea and starts to unbend, he becomes likable and interesting. It was joyful to follow along as their sweet but improbable relationship unfurls and takes them both by surprise. The kindness and trust that they show each other is moving and magical, especially given how fragile and fleeting that first love is.
I also really enjoyed all the Mexican and Mayan folklore and mythology in here. It's all brand new to me, and it was fascinating to read this interpretation of the God of Death.
The story kept me in its thralls from the very first page. I wanted to stay curled up and reading, firmly entrenched in its magical universe. It's always a thrill when a book hits all the right notes: terrific cheer-worthy characters, a grand quest, a heart-rending love that could never be, and a showdown between good and evil. I can't believe it's taken me so long to get to this book, but I'm glad I finally did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
Mexican Gothic
Velvet Was the Night
~~~~~~~~~~~~
� Connect with me � �
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Gods of Jade and Shadow.
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Reading Progress
May 2, 2020
–
Started Reading
May 2, 2020
– Shelved
May 6, 2020
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 156 (156 new)
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Elizabeth
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May 06, 2020 04:49PM
This is such a lovely review :) It was a tentative one for me to add (i'd read a few lukewarm reviews here and there), but I think you've convinced me that I should add it to my upcoming queue!
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Very interesting review, Yun. Happy Reading :)
Elizabeth wrote: "This is such a lovely review :) It was a tentative one for me to add (i'd read a few lukewarm reviews here and there), but I think you've convinced me that I should add it to my upcoming queue!"Thanks, Elizabeth, appreciate your kind words! I'm glad I convinced you to add this to your upcoming list. If you end up reading it, I look forward to seeing your thoughts! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :)
Michelle wrote: "Very interesting review, Yun. Happy Reading :)"Thanks, Michelle! :)
This sounds interesting!! Outstanding review, Yun!! 💖
Julie wrote: "This sounds interesting!! Outstanding review, Yun!! 💖"Thanks, Julie! 🌸
Terrific review, Yun! Glad you enjoyed it. I have been wanting to read Mexican Gothic by this author. I was declined but I want to read this one now.
Mary Beth wrote: "Terrific review, Yun! Glad you enjoyed it. I have been wanting to read Mexican Gothic by this author. I was declined but I want to read this one now."Thanks, Mary Beth! Ooh Mexican Gothic looks interesting... adding that to my tbr! Awesome that I've grabbed your interest for this book. If you end up reading this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :)
Great review Yun! I have had this on my list for awhile and now I really want to read it.
Gary wrote: "Great review Yun! I have had this on my list for awhile and now I really want to read it."Thanks, Gary! All right! Well when you get to it, I hope you enjoy it! I look forward to seeing your thoughts. :)
Izzy wrote: "Glad you liked it!"Thanks, Izzy! :)
I was under the impression that this is bit of a violent read for mythological fiction. But it appears to have its tender moments too, I think I am going to pick this up soon :) Another compelling review Yun!
Oh, I'm intrigued by your review! I do enjoy folklore and I'm due for a change of genre. Great review Yun!
Bidisha wrote: "I was under the impression that this is bit of a violent read for mythological fiction. But it appears to have its tender moments too, I think I am going to pick this up soon :) Another compelling ..."Thanks, Bidisha! I didn't find it too violent, at least not compared to any other mythology story (which are all a bit violent haha). I'm glad I convinced you to add it to your tbr. When you get to it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I look forward to seeing your thoughts. :)
Holly wrote: "Oh, I'm intrigued by your review! I do enjoy folklore and I'm due for a change of genre. Great review Yun!"Thanks, Holly! I found this to be different from my usual reads, and enjoyed it that much more for it. If you get around to this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :)
Sounds like a wonderful, magical read ......... loved your review Yun!
Richard wrote: "Sounds like a wonderful, magical read ......... loved your review Yun!"Thanks, Richard, it really was! :)
Fantastic review Yun - I’m so glad you loved it 🌈❤️🌈
Wonderful review, Yun!
Ceecee wrote: "Fantastic review Yun - I’m so glad you loved it 🌈❤️🌈"Thanks, Ceecee! 🌷
Nenia ❤️� I hate everything you love ❤️� wrote: "Wonderful review, Yun!"Thanks, Nenia! :)
Amazing review, Yun and I love stories that involve the ancient myths either directly or indirectly. This one sounds brilliant. :):)
Peter wrote: "Amazing review, Yun and I love stories that involve the ancient myths either directly or indirectly. This one sounds brilliant. :):)"Thanks, Peter! I really enjoyed it! :)
Fantastic review, Yun! This sounds fascinating! So glad you found a book that was magical!
What a wonderful review Yun! And that cover 😍 Thanks for putting this on my radar.
Nice review. I like a good showdown between good and evil in a book too.
Meredith wrote: "Fantastic review, Yun! This sounds fascinating! So glad you found a book that was magical!"Thanks, Meredith! I really enjoyed it. It was the perfect reading for right now. :)
JanB wrote: "What a wonderful review Yun! And that cover 😍 Thanks for putting this on my radar."Thanks, Jan! Yes, isn't the cover beautiful? Hehe glad I could help! :)
Laura wrote: "Nice review. I like a good showdown between good and evil in a book too."Thanks, Laura! Yes, me too. :)
Melanie wrote: "Wonderful review Yun. 🙂"Thanks, Melanie! :)
Fabulous review Yun! Glad you enjoyed this one!💜
eeek!!!! This sounds awesome!!! Really lovely review Yun!
Kaceey wrote: "Fabulous review Yun! Glad you enjoyed this one!💜"Thanks, Kaceey! 🌺
Dita wrote: "Glad this was a good one!"Thanks, Dita! :)
Kelli wrote: "eeek!!!! This sounds awesome!!! Really lovely review Yun!"Thanks, Kelli! Yes, I really enjoyed it!! :)
Awesome Yun! Happy to hear this one did have likable characters and hit all the right notes :D
Federico wrote: "Awesome Yun! Happy to hear this one did have likable characters and hit all the right notes :D"Thanks so much, Federico! :)
Sounds like a perfect little iso read! Wholesome characters and adventure! Thanks for the review, Yun!
Laura wrote: "Sounds like a perfect little iso read! Wholesome characters and adventure! Thanks for the review, Yun!"Thanks, Laura, it was! And the fact that it was different from anything else I've read made it extra fun. :)
Wonderful review, Yun! I'll definitely add this to my ever growing to read list.
Michelle wrote: "Wonderful review, Yun! I'll definitely add this to my ever growing to read list."Thanks, Michelle! Ha, sorry to add one more book to that long list! If you get around to reading this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :)
I already have this one on my wishlist and I hope I will like it as much as you did. Terrific review, Yun. ❤❤
Constantine wrote: "I already have this one on my wishlist and I hope I will like it as much as you did. Terrific review, Yun. ❤❤"Thanks, Constantine! When you get to it, I look forward to seeing what you think! 💖
I'm now thinking I need to pick this one up next month to read. Your review makes it sound more interesting than I originally thought it was and had been putting it off.
Christi wrote: "I'm now thinking I need to pick this one up next month to read. Your review makes it sound more interesting than I originally thought it was and had been putting it off."Hi Christi! I partly really enjoyed this book because it isn't like any other I've read. Sometimes I read so much chick lit, romance, thriller, mystery that they all start to blur together. This one was a breath of fresh air, if you're looking for something a little different. If you do pick it up, I hope you enjoy it! :)
Beautiful review, Yun! I've always been intrigued by mythology and this sounds just wonderful even though it's so different from what I typically read lately.
Donna wrote: "Beautiful review, Yun! I've always been intrigued by mythology and this sounds just wonderful even though it's so different from what I typically read lately."Thanks, Donna! I do hope you get a chance to read this, and that you totally love it! :)
