SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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Gods of Jade and Shadow
Group Reads Discussions 2019
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"Gods of Jade and Shadow" First Impressions *No Spoilers*
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Given that disclaimer, all I'm going to say here is I'm enjoying the fairytale feel of it, it's very refreshing having just finished Green Mars.
I'm halfway through and it's generally enjoyable. It's been interesting to see so many Spanish words, very few of which I know and many that my Kindle doesn't have in the dictionary. But I can usually identify the meanings from context.
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I like the way it starts out and the quality of the prose. It's an enjoyable reading experience.
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I tried this but it felt too young for me. I wanted to like it so much because of the different setting but like Hank, this was a miss.
I read it for Hispanic Heritage month. I was afraid that it might be too dark for me, but I ended up loving it.
I loved the mythology, but I would've enjoyed it a lot more without that woe-is-me heroine.
Ryan wrote: "I'm halfway through and it's generally enjoyable. It's been interesting to see so many Spanish words, very few of which I know and many that my Kindle doesn't have in the dictionary. But I can usua..."There's a terminology at the end of the kindle book; too bad there aren't linked references, though I think I understood from context.
Interesting premise, great location, dazzling period! The ingredients are there - just waiting to see if it gets cooked right. Intrigued thus far.
Just started it and so far a Mexican Cindirella "Everyone owed her" meet the title of the book. 10% into story it is ok if a little YA (which can change later)
Please remember that this thread is for first impressions only. If you've finished the book, do wait for the spoiler thread to open before posting your thoughts. I'd especially like to remind that posting "Finished, hated it" is not only not a first impression, but may ruin the experience for someone.I know how tempting it is to jump in and tell what you thought of the book, but this really isn't the right place for that. You only have to wait one week for the spoiler thread to open. Thanks for understanding!
So far it’s really boring and I’m not loving the writing style. I agree it feels a bit YA, too simplistic, cliche and predictable, it doesn’t add anything new to the scenario. I’ll continue, though, and hope it surprises me.
The writing style is... okay, I guess, for what it is. It's definitely a lot weaker in some aspects though, descriptions primarily.
I've read the first chapter on the 1st of November and stopped. I decided to read this one after I've found somewhere the author's disclaimer that she doesn't write YA books. Hmm... That first chapter made me suspicious about it. There is a YA vibe in narration and choice of characters and an obvious Cinderella's motive too. After reading some books in this genre, I think it's going to be my junk food reading, good for my guilty pleasure cravings but not something I want to read daily. Yet, I've just decided to give it a chance.
Aga wrote: " found somewhere the author's disclaimer that she doesn't write YA books. "It is here on GR on author's page in readers' Q&A for this book:
Hey, Goodreads Community, can we please stop classifying this book as YA or MG? It is neither, and the author herself has identified it as an Adult book. Miscategorizing books that are not meant for kids can be quite harmful.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia Thank you! Yes, this is an adult novel, as are all my other novels and novellas. SFF by women seems to be automatically classified as YA, which is where the error comes from.
I think she’s embraced a fairy tale vibe in her approach, and I can understand why that might seem like it could be geared to younger readers, but having read the first two chapters, I’m enjoying the style. I’m finding it refreshing.
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Definitely a discussion I am looking forward to having in the spoiler thread.
I started this last night, and am enjoying it so far. It's very different than the other books I've read by the author. The writing style isn't outstanding, but it's also not distracting me from the story.
Just a little ways in and I like the premise and what we've seen so far, but I'm waiting for some more energy to grab me.
I've been reading some of this out loud to my husband, and it's a very pleasant book to read that way. I think it's the fairy tale style, which is nice to hear spoken. A few more chapters in and the story is catching me more as well.
Kaa wrote: "I've been reading some of this out loud to my husband..."My husband read this aloud to me as our bedtime reading for most of September. I agree: it is a good read-aloud-&-share style story. :-)
Oleksandr wrote: "...It is here on GR on author's page in readers' Q&A ....."Thank you for that, Oleksandr. Seeing just glimpses of discussions, I'm finding myself feeling desperate and sorry for the labeling this book seems to get subjected to / bring up against author wishes.
I enjoy the short chapters. It makes it easier to read on a frantic schedule.
About halfway through. It's okay so far .
I have a massive latin american crush so looking forward to starting this one.
I have a huge weakness for the history, culture and mythologies of indigenous civilizations and tribes of both Americas, so I find this book exciting right from the beginning.On the other hand, it does feel a bit YA, even if the author claims that it's an adult book. And it's not about fairy tale tone, because I read some works based on fairy tales which clearly had adult audience in mind. It's more about characters: an innocent and naive heroine versus overdrawn "villains".
Looking forward to how the story will unravel and hoping it will get more mature.
I'm feeling the YA vibe too. I think it is just the protagonist being a adolescent. And the basic Cinderella set up except in Mexico. I'm liking it though. I'm really excited about the setting and once the god showed up it became a lot more interesting to me.
I'm about fifty pages in and am enjoying GoJaS. I like the folk tale aspects of it and wonder how MC is going to win against a god.
Partway through Chapter 2. I am reading an ebook and also (like @Ryan above) like being able to look up things I don't know: sasquab, henecen, Cristero Rebellion, cenotes...
Thanks for mentioning the glossary in the back.
Did Casiopea attend school back when her father was alive?
If all these parties inform us that the book is not YA, okay, I believe you it's not YA. However if there is lots more dialogue like this, it is understandable some GR readers shelve it as young-adult!
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“Mother,” Casiopea said. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s a difficult situation for me too, Casiopea.”
“I know it’s hard for you. But Martín is so mean! Sometimes I wish he’d fall down a well and break his back,” Casiopea replied.
Remember, this is our "temperature taking" entirely spoiler-free post, so please avoid specifics regarding plot, dialogue, character growth etc. If in doubt, it's likely best to be cagey about it--the full spoiler thread goes up by the 7th!