There are times when you enjoy a book despite its apparent flaws. This is one of those instances. Gods of Jade and Shadow is my first book by the author, and I had no real expectations from it.

The book should have been marked YA dark fantasy or NA fantasy, but NA doesn't get the same traction as YA or adult.

The writing is mostly 'tell'. Yes. Some dialogues are stilted and even funny. Yes. There isn't any suspense or tension. Yes. The guest begins to feel monotonous after a while. Yes. Even the writing feels monotonous in places. Yes again.

And yet, I enjoyed the book. For me, it wasn't slow. It wasn't boring, either (not much). The
decision to tell the story works for this plot. If readers already found it slow, 'showing' would make it slower and add another 50-70 pages. It wasn't necessary. There is enough information to visualize the setting without any 'showing.

Casiopea's actions seem contradictory at times. But then she is a young girl wanting to break free and trying to make the best of the given situation. The contradictions made her more real to me.

Martin's character was well-etched. I enjoyed reading his POV and the arc. Hun-Kamé, the God of Death, gets a flatter arc, which I felt was necessary for the plot. He blends right in instead of standing out and taking the story away from Casiopea. He might be a God, but this book is not his. He has to play the second lead.

I had no issues with the fantasy or mythological aspects. They are right in my zone, even if I don't know the original version. That probably comes from being a pagan. It feels like a part of me.

The ending did make me sad (I swear by happy ever afters even if I don't write them myself). But I also know that the ending is perfect for the story. Can we get a sequel, please (with a happy ending)?

I am glad that this is my first book by the author, and I could read it without being influenced by her other works (I gather from the reviews that those will have a different style and execution).