What would you do if you opened Pandora’s box and were faced with the God of Death? Would you help him or her or run away screaming?

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is about a young girl, Casiopea Tun, who lives in Mexico during the Jazz Age. Her family treats her more like Cinderella than an actual family member. One day she was mending some of her grandfather’s shirts when a mysterious box caught her attention. So of course Casiopea opens the box.

Before she knew what was happening, the Mayan God of Death, Hun-Kame’ was standing before her. He demanded that she help him reclaim his throne from his brother, Vucub-Kame’. She was not especially willing so he placed a shard of his bone in her hand. By placing the bone in her hand, they become linked. Eventually, she will be drained of life unless he removes it.

Casiopea decides that she will help Hun-Kame’. Her life at home is less than desirable. Her cousin, Martin, is jealous that the grandfather favors Casiopea in some way. Martin is a bully and makes her life miserable whenever he can. He even ends up working for Vucub-Kame to destroy Hun-Kame. The cousins, Casiopea and Martin, are pitted against each other in a race which determines the winner.

I chose this Book based on the description given by NetGalley. The book is a surreal fairytale. Anyone who likes mythology will love this book. I don’t know very much about the Mayan Gods but after reading this book, I’m curious to learn more.

• I was given this free ebook by NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. Obviously.