Gods of Jade and Shadow characters

Appears from the start

A young woman living as an unpaid dependent in her wealthy grandfather's house in Uukumil, Yucatán, during the 1920s. Intelligent, restless, and tired of yielding to her relatives, she longs to see places beyond her small town. Opening a forbidden chest binds her fate to an injured Maya death god and gives her the first real chance to leave home.

Appears from the start

Casiopea's prosperous, domineering grandfather and head of the Leyva household. He treats her mother and her as poor relations, expects obedience, and favors his grandson Martín. His rules keep Casiopea confined to domestic work while the rest of the family enjoys its privilege.

Appears from the start

Casiopea's cousin and Cirilo Leyva's indulged heir. He is vain, resentful, and accustomed to using his secure place in the family to belittle Casiopea. The household's unequal rules have taught him to treat his status and authority over her as natural.

First appears in chapter 3

The rightful Lord of Xibalba, the Maya underworld, discovered imprisoned and dismembered inside Cirilo's locked chest. A fragment of his bone lodges in Casiopea's hand when she frees him, linking their lives. Weakened and forced into a nearly human body, he requires her help to recover what was taken from him.

First appears in chapter 5

Hun-Kamé's twin brother, who overthrew him and now rules Xibalba. He favors fear, sacrifice, and an older order in which mortals serve the gods without question. Once Hun-Kamé escapes, he works through supernatural servants to stop his brother's return.

First appears in chapter 8

A demon who has adapted comfortably to modern Mexico City, conducting supernatural business amid fashionable human life. Urbane, amused, and attentive to his own advantage, he supplies Hun-Kamé and Casiopea with information and practical help without pretending to be selfless.

First appears in chapter 12

A beautiful and dangerous spirit associated with the forest, whose glamour draws men toward destruction. Casiopea and Hun-Kamé must approach her as part of their search for the god's missing pieces. Her encounter with Casiopea tests nerve and sympathy as much as force.

Also known as The Sorcerer

First appears in chapter 18

A powerful practitioner who can take on a monstrous goatlike form. Bound to Vucub-Kamé's side of the conflict, he is one of the supernatural obstacles sent against Hun-Kamé and Casiopea as they move north.