Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Dulton Adult
Number of Pages: 448
Format: Hardback
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In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.
When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.
Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.
I was a little hesitant to read this since I heard a lot of people gave it bad reviews and didn't like it. Not to mention I had forgot about the book, but I had saw it in Books a Million for half off, which I didn't take as a good sign for it to be marked that low so soon after it's released. But I love Richelle, and haven't found a book by her I didn't like.
If you've noticed I've tagged this book both as sci-fi and paranormal. Is that even possible? I couldn't decide what genre this book would fall under. At first it seems sci-fi, but as you get deeper in it, there's some paranormal aspects to it. Hence I put in both.
Right off the bat, this book is completely different from Mead's other works. It doesn't read like anything she's written, and it's in the third person. It had me wondering if the negative feedback was because the book was so different, fear of the unknown? I do have to say there was a scene where Mae is remembering how she met her ex, it felt outplace and like it was just stuck in placement.
I really enjoyed the book. The world it is set in is interesting, and has more of a dystopian feel to it. The humor that is presented in all her other books was missing in this one. She keeps strong characters, and even a kick ass heroine.
I wouldn't say this is her best work. I didn't love it. But I really did enjoy it. And curious on how things will play out. More curious about Mae and her past. And I can't help but shipping her and Justin.
Rating: 4/5
I've really wanted to read this book, but some of the reviews have scared me off as well. I am going to pick it up soon, though. Glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Hmmm.... this is exactly why I haven't read it yet! I'm nervous! I am a huuuuge Richelle Mead fan, so when I started seeing some negative feedback I decided not to read it yet! I WILL read it though... eventually. :) I think you are right... people are probably so used to the style of her other series that something different causes some automatic negative feelings! No one likes change when they love something the way it is already is!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I've seen a lot of mixed reviews about this one.... But a lot coming back positive lately! I definitely still want to pick it up at some point because it does look pretty interesting! Glad you enjoyed it. I'll go into it with an open mind! :)
ReplyDeleteYes when you go to read it keep an open mind. And don't expect anything similiar to her other series. It's very different, but I still liked it and was intrigued by it.
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