Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Published: July 2019
Genre: Historical Fantasy

Winner of the 2020 Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic, Gods of Jade and Shadow, is a spectacular combination of 1920s Mexico and the Mayan mythological text, Popol Vuh. The fourth novel from author, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Gods of Jade and Shadow introduces us to Mayan Death Gods and a cinderella-esque protagonist, Casiopea Tun. Living with her mother in the “drab” town of Uukumil where they tend to and serve their wealthy relatives, she is forced to submit to her spoilt cousin and loathsome grandfather, “a bitter man, with more poison in his shriveled body than there was in the stinger of a white scorpion.” She keeps her secret dreams of living in the city and adventure stashed away in a unassuming tin away from her unwanted relatives.

Popol Vuh – A narrative of the creation myths of the K’iche’ people originally passed down through oral tradition.

Quite by accident (or maybe quite on purpose), Casiopea unlocks a chest in her grandfather’s room containing the bones of one of the Lords of Xibalba, a Mayan Death God named Hun-Kamé. Upon her freeing him from his prison, the god reassembles save for his left eye, finger, ear, and a jade necklace – she becoming spiritually linked to him in the process. Hun-Kamé, Lord of Shadows and Supreme ruler of Xibalba, has been betrayed and imprisoned by his twin brother, Vucum-Kamé, and the duo must set out to find his missing body parts and reclaim his standing as the ruler of Xibalba before it’s to late for both of them.

The first few chapters of Moreno-Garcia’s work follows the typical Cinderella troupe, a tale many are familiar with. Moreno-Garcia livens up that well known fable with gods of death and rich Mayan folk-lore. Without her spin on this tale our interest in Casiopea Tun would very likely wane, for while we all might enjoy a classic tale there isn’t much to surprise us. The book comes alive the moment Casiopea becomes entangled with Hun-Kamé and they must learn to rely on one another while navigating a world of mortals, gods, and demons. Throughout the story they develop a complex and shifting relationship that deepens as their paths become more enmeshed. Their story is not merely that of a mortal woman who redeems and captures the heart of an immortal god, however, nor a simple tale of an oppressed girl finding her strength and purpose once escaping a dire situation. Moreno-Garcia takes this typical European fantasy and thrusts the reader into a vivid world of Mayan mythology, magic, and a truer look at love and devotion than one would expect from such a classic tale.

What makes their relationship so interesting is the bond created between the two during Hun-Kamé’s resurrection. Spiritually linked, he draws on her humanity and life essence to stay within the realm of men. This drains her mortal life force, slowly killing her, while making him less of a god of death and more a mortal man. She has some of his immortality, while he acquires more of her humanity. The give and take and undulating aspects of themselves flowing and ebbing between them is a unique aspect to Moreno-Garcia’s tale.

Gods of Jade and Shadow does not shy away from the traditional landscape of Xibalba, a place of blood sacrifice, despair, and haunting beauty. Nor does it offer simple, easy answers. Instead it shows a mix of Pre-Columbian magic and the roaring 1920s jazz age that seems entirely plausible. Despite this dazzling setting, one of the common drawbacks of the quest narrative is its narrow focus and predictable path. From early on, it’s very clear where Casiopea and Hun-Kamé will end up in their physical journey. What isn’t clear is how Casiopea will close this saga and her relationship with Hun-Kamé. At the end of any quest, the protagonist (hero or anti-hero) must make a choice. Typically a selfish or selfless choice where they must decide between two sides of a coin – love or power, money or family, safety or vulnerability. As Casiopea and Hun-Kamé’s relationship deepens we hope their journey can continue forever, but with every quest, the “evil” must be overcome or let to pass.

Moreno-Garcia’s book is a beautiful universe full of vibrant color and memorable characters. She reminds readers that a good story doesn’t need complex plots with twists and turns and layered sub-plots. A good story is one that invites the imagination and inspires the reader to see more than the words on the page.

~Steph

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