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Book Review of Gods of Jade and Shadow: A Novel

Gods of Jade and Shadow: A Novel
reviewed on + 1452 more book reviews


The blurbs about this book that I found so intriguing that I ordered it through our library. It's a most interesting read about Mayan mythology, life in Mexico for a poor young woman and so much more. The heroine is Casiopea, who finds herself trapped in a life waiting on her wealthy grandfather and taunted by her cousin, Martin. Then one day, frustrated by her life she finds a wooden box on her grandfather's shelf which she opens and releases a god whose existence becomes linked to hers when a splinter enters her hand. The god had lost his throne to his brother who imprisoned his bones within the box. So the story begins.

The god, Han-Kami, searches for his missing parts but because of the link between Casiopea and himself, she must accompany him. As the search progresses he becomes more and more human while Casiopea becomes weaker and weaker as his life force is absorbed by Han-Kami, the Lord of Shadows, one time ruler of Xilba. Of course, the brother works to inhibit the return of Han-Kami.

Set in the 1920s the reader learns of life in a small town in Yucatan, the reader travels with the two on their adventures. History, culture and the mythology of the Mayans blend into a story so well written one cannot help but be amazed by the author's talent. Time to sheck out other books by this author. This one certainly merited reading.