Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle MeadMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Synopsis:
"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." -Goodreads.com
Review:
Gameboard of the Gods is a funneling scope of events that lead down to one thing: the gods have chosen their elect and now the games are on to win them back. Justin March an exile of SCI, gets reinstated in his job with Mae Koskinen as his Praetorian bodyguard, to find more information on the strange murders throughout society and put a stop to it. Are this deaths tied to illegal testings, paranormal activities, or something more sinister?
*"'The truth is, when you banish the gods from the world, they eventually come back-with a vengeance. Humans can't stay away from gods, and gods can't stay away from humans. It's the natural order of things.'" (6031)
That much I got out of the book, and I'm proud of myself for getting that far. I came to really enjoy this book as things started coming together and making more sense. Starting a book in the middle of an event was the trigger to my initial confusion as many characters were introduced with little background stories and descriptions, while simultaneously introducing other side plots and characters (no doubt in place for future books) made me want to give up on the book after the first few chapters or so. I kept reading and thank goodness it got better, as far as understanding went. I like the main mystery plot of Justin March looking for whoever did these strange killings and how it developed into something greater than mere humanity. Both Mae and Justin have their secrets, but little did they know they're more alike than they think as their secrets intertwine between what they believe and what they are.
*"'The beginning doesn't matter. Where you are now is what counts.'" (loc.4794)
In all, the book may have started complicated, but it progressed towards an interesting plot of mythological mystery and intrigue. I would recommend this book for those who like a mixture of sci-fi, fantasy, mythology and of course mystery.
*First Line: "Mae dealt out death regularly." (loc. 20)
*Last Line:"'I look forward to working with you.'" (loc. 6265)
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Galley provided by NetGalley via PENGUIN GROUP Dutton
*Quotes are from uncorrected advanced galleys and may change before going to press. Please refer to the final printed book for official quotes.
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Expected publication: June 4th 2013 by Dutton Adult
ISBN: 052595368X (ISBN13: 9780525953685)
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