Monday, June 3, 2013

Early Review: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Age of X Book #1
ISBN:   052595368X
ISBN13: 9780525953685
Genre: Dystopian
Review Copy Source: Edelweiss

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 am still not quite sure how I would rate this. Maybe it will come to me as I write. The first part of GAMEBOARD OF THE GODS was boring. I hate to say that but I had to force myself to stay with it. There was a whole section where I had NO clue what was going on, who was who, what was what, and why the heck it was even being done. You know, looking back I honestly still have no clue what that section was all about. OK wait I do kinda remember it now. Are you confused yet? Yeah, me too.

The second part of the book was not as bad. You actually learn a little bit more about the 'Gods' the book is referring to and what each characters place is in the story. The mythology was interesting but not always as clear as It should have been. I enjoyed some of the characters and could have done without some others. There was a great amount of action and I enjoyed learning about Mae. The romance between Justin and Mae is frustrating to say the least. 1 step forward 4 steps back. I could have done without the different POVs. There are only 3 but I had times where I wanted to skip ahead to read another's thoughts.

I did not hate GAMEBOARD OF THE GODS but don't feel like I am glad I read it either. OK thanks for reading this if you got that far, I now know how I am going to rate this and I am not sure if I will read book 2 or not but it is a slight possibility.

I gave it 2.5/5 stars