This week we've got a beautiful fairytale and killer mermaids.
Title: Gods of Jade and Shadow
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Gods of Jade and Shadow was a dazzling Cinderella-esque tale of growth, finding your own way, and love. Using Mayan lore and with a critical eye on the effects of colonialism, Moreno-Garcia wrote a fantasy quest that will have your heart from page one and bring you to tears - while simultaneously smiling - on the last. Casiopea grew up being hated by her family who judged the native blood than ran through her veins and treated her no better than a servant. When she awakened a sleeping god a death, she agreed to help restore him to power as the two tracked across Mexico and encountered fantastical creatures and myths. As the two journeyed together, they found healing, understanding, and an opportunity to change their outlook on life. This book is downright beautiful and I hope more people get to experience it!
Title: Into the Drowning Deep (Rolling in the Deep #1)
Author: Mira Grant
Source: Library
Rating: 4 Stars
My rating for this book is a bit complex. If there is a sequel I give this book a solid 4 stars; however, if a sequel is not in the works (or is planned), I'd give it 3.5 stars. Into the Drowning Deep was a unique take on the mermaid/siren lore. Seven years ago, a research vessel at sea went missing and none of the passengers were ever found. The voyage was meant to prove the existence of mermaids and the only footage from the doomed ship's course was that of people being murdered and chased. There wasn't anything definitive to say that mermaids did it, and a new research vessel was ready to find out what happened seven years later. Into the Drowning Deep was told from multiple perspectives and it was interesting to see what drew everyone to the voyage and its promise of mermaids. If you've read anything by Mira Grant before, you know that a lot of work goes into the building of the story and its characters. The all-out clash between man and mermaids didn't happen until 80% of the book, but I enjoyed the little tidbits we learned about mermaids and the first journey up until that point. I will say that the last 10% was absurdly rushed with some loose ends that I expected to be wrapped up. This book is up your alley if you'd like to get to know your characters before blood-thirsty mermaids ruin everything.
Have you read any of the above?
What are your favorite non-European fairytales?
Killer mermaids???
Labels: 4 stars, 4.5 stars, Gods of Jade and Shadow, Into the Drowning Deep, les petites revues, mini reviews, mira grant, Rolling in the Deep, Silvia Moreno-Garcia
