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Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1)

by Richelle Mead (Goodreads Author)

3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 · rating details · 237 ratings · 178 reviews

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...more

Hardcover, 464 pages

Expected publication: June 4th 2013 by Dutton Adult

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Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)
by Richelle Mead (Goodreads Author)

Release date: Jun 04, 2013

Richelle Mead, the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Vampire Academy and Bloodlines YA series—whose book…more

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Feb 19, 2013 Zemira Warner is currently reading it

Shelves: adult, can-t-wait, dystopia, urban-fantasy, sci-fi

New Richelle Mead series?

50 likes · like · see review

Jul 10, 2012 Hayden Casey marked it as wishlist

Published by Dutton.
Does that mean it'll come out in hardcover?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

HARDCOVER ADULT PRICES ARE OUTLANDISH AND PREPOSTEROUS!

77 likes · like · see review

Mar 08, 2013 Noémy marked it as to-read

I hate you people for having an arc of this book already !!! no seriously. I'm insanely jealous

EDIT 10.02.2012 : No cover yet but it has an official release date (i've only been seeing it now but maybe the info's been out for a while...?) woot woot ! 3 Richelle Meads books in a year : what more can I ask for ;D ?

I will read ANYTHING Richelle Mead writes - i love her writing so much - and I've been waiting for her to come up with a new adult series since her Succubus books ended :D

Plus, it sound...more

16 likes · like · see review

Apr 21, 2013 Isabella rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, 2013, ebook, to-review, sadistic-comedy, favorites

I've been putting off this review for weeks and, still, I do not know where to start. Gameboard of the Gods was THAT good, yeah, and God knows I need the sequel now and cannot wait until next year. Just the thought of it send me in a frenzy and I start hyperventilating because... I just need it.

This story is different from what all of you are used to. It is set in a futuristic world that is stunningly convincing - it feels real! - and is full of reminders of what our society used to be and what...more

16 likes · like · see review

May 03, 2013 Litchick rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, netgalley, characters-i-d-like-to-kill, dnf, fell-asleep-during, morally-questionable, the-sky-is-falling, uf

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review

There’s no easy way to say it, I didn’t like this book.

I read through some other reviews while trying to put my thoughts together to write my own and mostly it seemed like people were confused by the “world building” and disappointed that Mead was doing something different than she normally does. This really didn’t seem that different or new to me. Mae, the “heroine” was basically an amalgamation of all the things I disliked about Rose from VA...more

15 likes · like · see review

May 03, 2013 Faye (The Social Potato) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1st-in-series, 2013, action, adult, good-hero, good-heroine, multiple-povs, mystery, paranormal, mythological, science-fiction, violent-but-fucking-good, thriller, supernatural, series

VLOG REVIEW:

I've made a VLOG REVIEW of GAMEBOARD OF THE GODS. CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT.

P.S. DO NOT LAUGH. My accent is weird, I know. Sarreh.

WRITTEN REVIEW:

I'll be completely honest here. I totally didn't know what to expect from Gameboard of the Gods, which is kinda bizarre considering Richelle Mead is kind of already a household name with her Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series. I bought her first book sometime ago and read the first 10 pages and was truthfully not impressed; the writing felt...more

8 likes · like · see review

Apr 29, 2013 Shreya (CCReviews) is currently reading it

OMG. O_O. RICHELLE MEAD, YOU ARE MY GODDESS. FOREVER AND ALWAYS!

8 likes · like · see review

May 21, 2013 Nenia Campbell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: x-2013s, arc-stands-for-a-readers-xmas, gorgeous-covers, x-series-bk-1, netgalley, beautiful-words-lets-swim-in-them, heroine-kicks-booty, hero-is-pretty-decent, action-packed, favorite-author, originality-done-right, great-world-building, help-we-are-being-repressed, romance-me-with-your-romance, fantasy, sci-fi

you can read more reviews at my blog, the armchair librarian.

richelle mead is one of those authors who seems to do no wrong in my book. i absolutely love her vampire academy series and even though a lot of other people hate it, her dark swan series, as well. this is why she has made it onto my exclusive "insta-buy-authors" shelf. if i see her name on a book, i grab it.

so naturally, when i saw that she had a dystopian sci-fi-fantasy novel on netgalley, i was all over that like a praetorian on ree...more

7 likes · like · see review

Mar 30, 2013 ☆Jessie☆ (Ageless Pages Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: supernatural-fiction, arc, netgalley-arc, 2013-reads, 2013-reviews, reviewed, inventive-and-original, pure-entertainment

Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog

4.5 out of 5

My first -- and far from last -- Richelle Mead novel, Gameboard of the Gods could not have been a better or more fun introduction to this popular author. A mix of futuristic science fiction, mystery, old school mythology, dystopia and post-apocalyptic genres, this book is weird and odd, and above all, really, really good. It takes a while to build into the tour de force of awesome it is, but the slow start is more than worth the time and...more Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog

4.5 out of 5

My first -- and far from last -- Richelle Mead novel, Gameboard of the Gods could not have been a better or more fun introduction to this popular author. A mix of futuristic science fiction, mystery, old school mythology, dystopia and post-apocalyptic genres, this book is weird and odd, and above all, really, really good. It takes a while to build into the tour de force of awesome it is, but the slow start is more than worth the time and wait. Gameboard of the Gods is creative, fast-paced, full of action and just plain fun. As the first in a new series, it's a promising beginning and one that leaves the reader eagerly anticipating what else Mead will cook up next for her adaptable protagonists.

The first hundred pages present the hardest challenge - there are a lot of terms, ideas thrown around and this is an author that doesn't believe an infodump of explanations are the way to immerse her readers into a new world. Rather, Mead doesn't immediately lay out her worldbuilding, but slowly reveals it through the characters' dialogue, actions, and inner monologues. And this created world, post-"Decline" - is a fascinating, thoroughly original one. There are still some gray areas left in how the Republic of United North America formed and operates, but with the first in the series, a remarkable amount of information is subtly dispensed to the audience. I have faith and the patience to see how Mead further carries the ideas she's laid the foundation for here with the sequels that are forthcoming.

Character-wise, this book is just as strong as it is in writing and plotting. Lead characters Mae and Justin complement each other very well, despite (or maybe because of) their many differences. They have palpable chemistry, and a complicated relationship that evolves just as much as the two of them do individually. Tjeir interplay and banter are consistently top-notch. I loved the typical-role reversal between the two as well. Usually it's a strong man protecting a brilliant woman, but Mae is the muscle (and has her fair share of brains), with Justin relying on her to protect them as they race to solve a mystery that tests everything both of them have been raised to believe.

If you like a well-crafted mystery, with two likeable and flawed protagonists (with intense chemistry), or if you like mythology with a fresh spin, or if you like well-done and thought-out dystopias with a side of post-apocalyptic world-building, Gameboard of the Gods is your newest best book friend. Great action scenes, a clever mystery and two great characters make this a very involving and compelling book. If this is how the series begins, I am very curious to see what happens next for the praetorian and the servitor. I only hope the next book isn't too long in coming!(less)

17 likes · like · see review

Apr 15, 2013 Maja rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-2013, best-of-2013, incredibly-stupid-choices, just-another-book-crush, multiple-povs, netgalley, open-ending, favorites, reviewed-in-2013

4.5 stars
I’ll start with this: Gameboard of the Gods is a definite step up for Richelle Mead. It is her most ambitious project in terms of worldbuilding and structure, though perhaps not the plot.

Mead’s futuristic world is divided between two great forces: RUNA (Republic of the United North America) and EA (Eastern Alliance). Everything else are the provinces, barbaric in comparison, technologically and culturally inferior. Mead envisioned a world in which religion is considered to be a true da...more 4.5 stars
I’ll start with this: Gameboard of the Gods is a definite step up for Richelle Mead. It is her most ambitious project in terms of worldbuilding and structure, though perhaps not the plot.

Mead’s futuristic world is divided between two great forces: RUNA (Republic of the United North America) and EA (Eastern Alliance). Everything else are the provinces, barbaric in comparison, technologically and culturally inferior. Mead envisioned a world in which religion is considered to be a true danger for the society. It is tightly controlled by people called the servitors, one of them our Dr. Justin March. The RUNA is a glorious country, a place where people can feel safe and protected, guarded by a powerful military force. It is not a dystopian setting; if anything, it’s closer to utopia, based on the Greco-Roman social structure.

The RUNA held three things responsible for the Decline: biological manipulation, religion, and cultural separatism. All of the early genetic mixing had gone a long way to stamp out group solidarity, and the loose Greco-Roman models the country had adopted provided a new, all-encompassing culture that everyone could be a part of.

The worldbuilding is of the sink-or-swim variety, fascinating and in many ways almost visionary, but a bit overwhelming at times. Mead is an expert at showing rather than telling, but perhaps she took it too far at times. Her world doesn’t lack structure; the lines are very clear and there’s an abundance of details, but some (admittedly smaller) parts I simply failed to understand.

I mentioned at the beginning that there were some minor problems with the plot. A murder investigation is at the center of the plot, but it takes a back seat to character development and the paranormal element. The murder mystery itself is painfully neglected throughout the novel, serving mostly as a reason for the two main characters to work together.

The paranormal element is very present – this is Richelle Mead we’re talking about, but it’s always hidden beneath the surface, dampened somehow and rarely talked about. The RUNA is not a great place to discuss such matters, but both Justin and Mae, our two protagonists, are undeniably tied to something otherworldly.

Aside from being brilliant, Dr. Justin March drinks a lot, takes all the drugs he can get his hands on, sleeps with a different woman every night, and is generally a poor (albeit handsome and charming) excuse for a human being. Mae Koskinen is no prize either. A genetically altered elite soldier, a castal girl of pure Nordic descent, desperately afraid of any kind of commitment, haughty and often overcome by a darkness that brings out her violent side. The two have nothing in common, except for the loneliness their superiority brings with it.

The two start by sleeping together under wrong assumptions and their relationship goes downhill from there. They are forced to work together on a string of cult-related murders, Justin as a brilliant investigator returned from exile for that very purpose, and Mae as his unstoppable bodyguard. If you expect a breathtaking romance from Justin and Mae, you might end up disappointed. There is a lot of delicious sexual tension between them, but the night of their first encounter is always a looming obstacle. Besides, being with Mae means a life-long servitude to an unknown god for Justin, and he is not one for blind obedience to anyone, not even a deity.

Mead could never be accused of lack of imagination, but with Gameboard of the Gods, she outdid herself in more ways than one, and for the most part, she held a tight control over all the bits and pieces. It was only at moments that the worldbuilding became too big for her and confusing for the reader. There is nothing more important to me than character development, and Mead’s thorough approach to it left me in awe. While Gameboard of the Gods could prove to be a bit challenging for less patient readers, it was a great read according to my taste and a promising start to an exciting new series.

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May 17, 2013 sydney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013faves, 5stars, beautiful-cover, favorite, favorites, fantasy, ill-read-it-again-and-again, mythology, swoony-worth-guy

Finally a well written dystopia book.
After the onslaught catastrophe debut of dystopian books. I had given up on reading this genre but every once and a while you'll come across with a book that will prove you wrong. And Gameboard of the Gods is this book!

After being involved in a gruesome brawl Mae Koskinen was given a mission to bring back the exile Justin March to Runa. And when they were assigned to work together they unravel some horrifying things that go against in everything what they bel...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 12, 2013 Audrey marked it as to-read

I’m officially a masochist.
(I must thank Mrs Mead for giving me more insight into the true meaning of “frustration”.)

After the superficial main protagonist in VA and the frustrating ending to the Dark Swan series I’m still waiting for this book with anticipation.

I swear, after reading the end of Shadow Heir I went totally berserk! Headed for my desk, formed some great secret plans to boycott RM books, wanted to start a revolution, sow chaos everywhere etc. You know the usual. But I slept on it a...more

6 likes · like · see review

May 12, 2013 Rose marked it as on-hold

GUYS! GUYS! I got this on NetGalley. ZOMG!

Okay, yeah, maybe I'm having a little too much enthusiasm over this, but seriously, I'm excited!

5 likes · like · see review

May 10, 2013 Stuti rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews, sci-fi, fantasy-pr-everything-untoward, myth-mix, dystopia-post-apocalyptic

Long review ahoy!

There are some things you need to savor. Slowly. Lemon tarts, Jonah Griggs and Revelry .

Gameboard of the Gods isn't one of them. It's a one-swallow book, IMO.

Everybody's already said it so I'm gonna join the parade-
Richelle Mead is aiming for the stars. This world of hers is truly ambitious.

Now I'm gonna rain on the parade-

It has baseless foundation.

I do know how that sounds.

Here's the thing- I'm not a reader who goes into the background much. I accept weird things that have no...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 14, 2013 AH rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-edelweiss, blue, fantasy, dystopian, first-in-series, magic, read-mar-2013, urban-fantasy, babr-reviews

Gameboard of the Gods is something entirely different from author Richelle Mead. No vampires, no succubi, no fae. Instead, the reader is treated to a fast-paced mystery thriller with some supernatural elements.

The world is intriguing: a sort of post-apocalyptic world devastated by a virus that wiped out half the population. The remaining survivors suffer from all sorts of genetic woes: poor fertility, asthma, damaged hair and skin. In this world, organized religion is banned. Only state approve...more Gameboard of the Gods is something entirely different from author Richelle Mead. No vampires, no succubi, no fae. Instead, the reader is treated to a fast-paced mystery thriller with some supernatural elements.

The world is intriguing: a sort of post-apocalyptic world devastated by a virus that wiped out half the population. The remaining survivors suffer from all sorts of genetic woes: poor fertility, asthma, damaged hair and skin. In this world, organized religion is banned. Only state approved religion and churches are allowed to exist. The state is the higher authority.

On a more sinister side, genetic manipulations have been made in order to counteract the effects of the virus. Each citizen is given a genetic rating based upon their genetic background. The higher the number, the more likely that person could reproduce a genetically healthy offspring.

The story focuses upon two characters. Mae is a Praetorian, an elite soldier with a special implant that gives her speed and strength. Mae does have a dark side to her, and it is quite scary. Justin is a Servitor who has lived in exile in the south. Justin has a few demons of his own, and he hears the voices of two ravens in his head. (loved them!) Mae and Justin are assigned to solve a serial murder that appears to be ritualistic and occurs every full moon.

I really enjoyed this story, probably because Vancouver was the capital of the Republic of North America. It’s so much fun to see my hometown in books! I found the world absolutely fascinating, especially how the state tried to thwart religion and replace it with its own authority. I loved how the author incorporated folklore about the gods into the narrative.

Gameboard of the Gods is a solid start to an original series. Fans of Richelle Mead’s adult books would enjoy this book. My only criticism and it is minor – I was left wanting more! I can’t wait for the next book which does not yet have a publication date.

Check out the author’s webpage for more information on Gameboard of the Gods. She has a glossary of terms, and all sorts of background information here.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Dutton for a review copy of this book.

Review posted on Badass Book Reviews.
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12 likes · like · see review

Mar 28, 2013 Kelena marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2013, paranormal, desperately-anxiously-waiting

NEW SERIES!!!!!
description

Richelle Mead
Shared her overview with fans!
Believe it or not, there's more going on in Richelleland than the movie and The Fiery Heart. No, really. And, it's happening sooner than those two. On June 4, Gameboard of the Gods (my twentieth novel!) comes out. Gameboard is the first book in my new adult series, Age of X. Yup, adult. There's been some confusion about whether it's YA, so just be advised there's some "content" in there. Of course, I was reading Clan of the Cave Bear and Harlequin novels when I was a teen, so who am I to advise? I grew up to write about succubi, so it looks like it all worked out.

Anyway, I'm super excited about Gameboard because it's a new project for me, which is always cool for an artist/author. I guess the best genre to put it in is "futuristic paranormal." So, you have sci-fi things like automated cars and genetic manipulation mixed with supernatural things like shapeshifters and magical talking ravens. And of course, it has all the other things I like to write about: dysfunctional romances, caffeine, mental health, mythology, mojitos. There are no 1980s references, sadly, since it takes place one-hundred years in the future. Maybe for the next book I'll work in 80s music as a high brow classic art form.

Over the next couple of months, I'm going to give you even more background about Gameboard of the Gods, such as primers on the world and characters, as well as excerpts. Today's post is just an intro, plus a refresher for those who've missed the official descriptions. There's a couple of them:

A brilliant but bitter exile, plagued with an addictive personality and a troubled past. A beautiful super soldier whose true nature holds more danger than anyone realizes. In a futuristic country that's turned its back on religion, these two unlikely partners find that a series of ritualistic murders are just the beginning of supernatural forces slowly attempting to reclaim the world...

Age of X is Richelle's newest adult series, mixing paranormal and near-future genres.(less)

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Apr 25, 2013 Skyla marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Please let me win this GR I want to see the gay husbands.

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May 16, 2013 Lexxie (un)Conventional Bookviews rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-releases, adult, fave-author, kindle, look-forward-to, pre-ordered, edelweiss, arc, review-books

ARC received on March 22nd 2013 - and I'm really excited to start this book very soon!

*I received a free ARC of Gameboard of the Gods from Dutton Adult via Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review*

This and other reviews can also be found on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews.

Gameboard of the Gods is about a world where religion is all but forbidden, after religious extremists almost destroyed all humanity. Mae and Justin need to work together to make sure a religious war won’t happen again. The...more
ARC received on March 22nd 2013 - and I'm really excited to start this book very soon!

*I received a free ARC of Gameboard of the Gods from Dutton Adult via Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review*

This and other reviews can also be found on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews.

Gameboard of the Gods is about a world where religion is all but forbidden, after religious extremists almost destroyed all humanity. Mae and Justin need to work together to make sure a religious war won’t happen again. The premise holds so much promise, with a very strong woman, both physically and mentally, different mythologies, a gruesome murder mystery as well as family drama. I went into this story with pretty high expectations – I love the author, usually adore her books, and I really looked forward to reading an adult mystery with lots of mythology.

Sadly, Gameboard of the Gods didn’t really do much for me, and if I had used half-stars on my blog, it would have gotten 2.5 stars, but I rounded it up to three. I never connected with Mae, whom I found to sometimes act like a petulant child with superpowers. Mae ran away from home after her mother informed her that she was marrying her off to one of the neighbors in order to enrich the family. This sounds so feudal in a society that is in a more or less distant future that I had trouble suspending disbelief. Especially because this happened in Sweden, and even today, Scandinavian countries are very good when it comes to equal rights, it would be very strange if that somehow became backwards after religions got banned.

Also, I thought it was very strange that Mae didn’t really think about the fact that she wears a micro-chip. This chip is supposed to give her superior strength, releases different kinds of hormones and endomorphisms (and adrenaline etc – but where does it all come from??) so she doesn’t need sleep, cannot really get drunk, but eats a whole lot. It seems as if Mae only sees the positive she can get from the chip – the strength and not needing sleep – she never thinks about the fact that it may very well be used to track her. And Mae is a smart woman on most accounts, but she has an almost blind belief in her superior.

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May 20, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book in the newest series from Mead. I have read and truly enjoyed both her teen and adult novels and this one does not disappoint. This one seems to take place in the future and is about Mae who works for the government in the military. After being reassigned, she meets Justin March who has been kicked out of the country due to a report he filed for his job. Religion and supernatural beliefs are frowned upon In this new world, but Justin seems to believe otherwise. After m...more

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May 17, 2013 Melinda (Paranormal Kiss) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, free-review-copy, science-fiction, dystopian

Review first posted on Paranormal Kiss

3.5 Stars

Gameboard of the Gods is the first book of the Age of X series by Richelle Mead. It is a very interesting novel that leaves you curious for more. The world she creates is fascinating and the information about this world is given gradually throughout the book. I liked that it was written this way because it keeps the reader from being inundated with too many details at one time. Gameboard of the Gods is set in a futurist world but felt more like a pa...more

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May 13, 2013 Mei rated it 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis
Mae is the the perfect government enforcer, following the rules and stamping out religion whenever it pops up. However, all of this changes when she is assigned to protect Justin, an investigator that was exiled after he found a secret that the government wanted hidden. Will Mae and Justin be able to uncover the cause of a string or mysterious killings? Or will they just become pawns between a religion hating government and the gods that are tired of being ignored?

Review
I was so excited...more

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May 03, 2013 BookHookup rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was originally reviewed on The Book Hookup.

**I received an ARC from the publisher but that did not influence the review**

First Thoughts: Wow, this book was so complex, yet so easy to follow, and I’m pretty sure we only scratched the surface in this installment. Sci-fi, dystopian AND mythology all in one!

The Plot, Pacing, and Style: Slow and steady world building which was executed so well – I couldn’t help but turn the pages to see what would happen next. Richelle fed us one tid-bit at...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Doug Harris rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'd never heard of Richelle Mead before, but came across a review copy of this at my work. The premise sounded interesting so I started reading it.

It's set in a not-too-distant future after a good chunk of humanity has been wiped out by some nasty disease. The result of this is a world with new governmental structures and a mix of places that are very rigidly controlled and "provinces" that are lawless and dangerous -- it's sort of between the worlds of Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash and The Diamo ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Niki Hawkes rated it 5 of 5 stars

Via www.nikihawkes.com

Anything Richelle Mead does is golden, and this book is another example of why she is my favorite author! From the prologue all the way to the last page, I was completely entertained by the story, the world, and the character development. Set as a futuristic urban fantasy, which is original in itself, the novel draws from worldwide mythology, making it one of the most unique books I’ve read in a while. Top that off with crime-solving detective work and just a touch of roman...more Via www.nikihawkes.com

Anything Richelle Mead does is golden, and this book is another example of why she is my favorite author! From the prologue all the way to the last page, I was completely entertained by the story, the world, and the character development. Set as a futuristic urban fantasy, which is original in itself, the novel draws from worldwide mythology, making it one of the most unique books I’ve read in a while. Top that off with crime-solving detective work and just a touch of romance, and you have yourself a killer novel! I always appreciate Mead for her originality and creativity, and I think she might have outdone herself here.

A few weeks ago I criticized an author for switching perspectives and having too many things going on at once for me to feel invested in the story and the characters. Gameboard of the Gods is a shining example of how to weave multiple storylines without losing any momentum. Each perspective was intertwined with the main plot and they were introduced in a way that allowed me time to develop a sense for each person and their inner demons. Every protagonist directly added to the building of the plot, which is the best way to keep readers from becoming distracted when the perspective switches.

I thought the character development was one of the strongest elements of the story. I always marvel about how she can make flawed characters so likable. Maybe it’s because they come across as real human beings, rather than ideal figments of the author’s mind. Right from the beginning, we know a bit about what drives these characters and the inner conflicts they face. The prologue where we meet Mae was incredibly powerful; my only wish is that Mead would’ve represented the physical representations of her flaws a bit more throughout the book. In any case, I won’t be forgetting these characters any time soon.

Overall, the storyline was fantastic – plenty of intelligent plot decisions, the perfect amount of complexity, and a snowballing momentum that will keep you up all night. It was truly a well-conceived book, and I am doubly excited to see where she takes it next!

Other books you might like:

Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead (my favorite of her works)
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Survival by Julie E. Czerneda
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison(less)

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Feb 24, 2013 Glennis rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. New series by a writer that I have sampled a few of her series but not read everything. Set in an indeterminate future on Earth after a virus that seems to prey on people of only one type of ethnic background. Many countries have merged into mega states and the ones that haven't are technological backwaters and looked down upon by the others. There are still conflicts and there is now a super soldier to take care of them. Mae is one of these and she has been suspended for fighting at a funeral o...more

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May 16, 2013 Tellulah Darling rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was a late convert to Ms. Mead's writing. I was introduced to the VA series last fall and basically tore through it. I even kept going with Sydney in Bloodlines, although she's not the kind of character I generally enjoy. But Mead got me on board with her as well. That was until book 3 in that series, which I was so disappointed in, because it just felt like filler.

Having just finished book 3 of Bloodlines, I don't know if I went into this with low expectations, especially since once again, he...more

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May 01, 2013 Marsha rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was provided to me by netgalley.com for an honest review. I've been a fan of Richelle. Mead since reading her YA Vampire. Academy. series; so I was excited to discover she was writing an adult series. "Gameboard of the Gods" is truly a remarkable read created in a totally unique and creative world. The characters are imaginative and thought provoking.

Mae is s member of an elite military force that is both respected and feared for their deadly skill. She is also a very beautiful woman w...more This book was provided to me by netgalley.com for an honest review. I've been a fan of Richelle. Mead since reading her YA Vampire. Academy. series; so I was excited to discover she was writing an adult series. "Gameboard of the Gods" is truly a remarkable read created in a totally unique and creative world. The characters are imaginative and thought provoking.

Mae is s member of an elite military force that is both respected and feared for their deadly skill. She is also a very beautiful woman who is constantly being underestimated by pompous arrogant men who treat women like possessions rather than people. Upon attending a memorial service fir a former lover, she is verbally attacked by one of hid former comrades. Mae takes town her opponent with the grace and ease of a trained assassin. For this dishonor, she will lose the right to wear her uniform and is assigned to protect an exiled servitor in Panama.

Justin is a servitor in exile who has been used as a show horse for the elite in Panama. After four years he is desperate to return to civilization and the glory of his former life. At a party he meets a beautiful woman who wears a cloke of sadness similar to his. They spend an incredible night together ( By the way Mead writes one of the most sensual love scenes I've read in a while) .

The next day, after receiving a summons to meet his former boss, Justin discovers that the woman he spent the night with had Bern assigned to protect him as he takes on a major murderer investigation. They are both horrified. Justin is able to reconnect with his family, take on a Panamanian ward, and open doors that will lead to revelations about himself and question everything he holds dear.

Mead creates a rich world steeped in various mythologies. including Greek and Norse. The attributes of the characters ensure for a great read. The character flaws are numerous as their personalities are complicated. It is one of those reads that if you blink you might missed something important. One thing to note is that Mead reveals the character's secrets and abilities slowly. So, if you are the type of reader who does not enjoy slowly learning what is going on in a book you might be irritated by this.

I loved this book and truly look forward to additional installments in the series. This book has all the makings of what could become a new favorite series for me. Check it out. It truly is amazing!(less)

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Feb 23, 2013 Gigi Hudson rated it 4 of 5 stars

My initial idea of this book was that it was about gods, and that the main characters somehow worked as bounty hunters or something similar to that, hunting down religious extremists.

Well. I was kind of wrong about that. The book was nothing like I expected; though not in a bad way. From the first page I was hooked, which was partly down to the overall sassiness of Justin to the *spoiler* voices in his head.*spoiler* Characterisation has always been one of Mead's strongest points and it's easy...more My initial idea of this book was that it was about gods, and that the main characters somehow worked as bounty hunters or something similar to that, hunting down religious extremists.

Well. I was kind of wrong about that. The book was nothing like I expected; though not in a bad way. From the first page I was hooked, which was partly down to the overall sassiness of Justin to the *spoiler* voices in his head.*spoiler* Characterisation has always been one of Mead's strongest points and it's easy to see why; she writes interesting characters that feel like people. Real, genuine people. not the cardboard cut-outs of many novels today. They aren't always likeable, they aren't always good and they often have many, many flaws but they are interesting. It's one of the reasons I love her novels, she always writes about characters I have to know more about.

And I like Justin, despite his many moral shortcomings he's a brilliant narrator due to the sceptic sarcasm he has. Right from the first chapter I was given a really good idea about his character, with hints about a past, various traits and habits and a fairly good idea of his character. The progression of the novel developed all of this further and I loved reading about him. Witty, arrogant, brilliant and kind of in the grey area of morality, he's become one of my favourite characters.

Mae however, was not a character I instantly warmed to. I disliked her from the first chapter from her POV and it took a few more chapters for me to start liking her. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with her so much as she doesn't seem to have very many emotions, and the ones she has she keeps under a lot of control. She seems aloof and icy most of the time, even in her own POV so it is difficult to connect with her and empathise.

That being said, by the end of the novel I did understand her and empathise with her, but it annoyed me that it took the majority of the novel to reach that point. Unlike with Justin, I couldn't really understand or see much of her character. It makes it slightly more difficult to enjoy the book when I'm constantly wondering why she isn't reacting to stuff, or having more emotions. I didn't dislike her, I just couldn't empathise with her that much. Although like I said, I could by the end of the novel, which means that in the sequel I won't have this problem which really was my only problem with the book. Really, it was a slow progression throughout the novel where I eventually warmed up to her.

That out of the way, I loved this book. Like, I really loved it. For me it was a dystopian type novel that I could really enjoy, the first one ever to be perfectly honest. It's set in a new type of world, slightly more futuristic and technologically advanced (driver-less cars, phones that do EVERYTHING), and I felt that all of this was integrated really well into the novel in a way that felt smooth and natural, unlike some novels where it feels strange and like the author is only adding in unusual things to show "Hey! Look! It's the Future!" The world building was brilliant, and even though I became a little confused at times by the caste system (plebians, patricians, provincials, castals), it didn't really have any effect on the book or my overall enjoyment of it. It's also a very minor thing that when I read the next book won't be a problem as I'll have become used to the terms/their meanings. (It could also be that I tend to focus more on the action and less on the politics.)

There were a lot of subplots in this and it seemed like there was no overall plot, until the end *spoiler* when it all connected up and made sense. There were still subplots, which I'm imagining will be explored in the next novel, such as Dominic, Kavi's slow healing, Geraki, the ravens, ect, but they were interesting subplots that didn't distract from the main plot threads. *spoiler* That being said, it's a very full book. There is never really a lull in action or drama and it keeps it entertaining and interesting. I'm not really a fan of books that have page after page of filler moments and this book certainly didn't disappoint. To be honest I can't actually remember a single filler moment. Which makes me pretty happy.

The only thing that bored me was Tessa's chapters. So far I don't see what relevance she has/what she provides in terms of plot. Her chapters were less interesting to me and certainly felt as though they had kind of filler moments. That could just be me, but I felt like with less chapters from Tessa the book would be better. That was my main reason for not giving it 5 stars, and is pretty much the only real fault I could find. However she may have more significance to the plot in the next book, so I can;t really moan too much.

Really, it was a great book. It's the first in a series and did the job of introducing me to that world and those characters amazingly. It had me hooked from when I first started reading it and although my interest waned slightly in the middle, it recaptured it at the end. The really surprising last few chapters were probably the best part for me and literally had me saying "N FUCKING WAY!" out loud. Which is always a good sign by the way. It was really different from Mead's other novels, but not in a bad way. It feels like she's going for a new direction and it's one I definitely like.

Would I recommend this; Yes, and to pretty much anyone as it has something in for everyone.

(This copy was provided for me by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)
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Apr 06, 2013 Kiana rated it 4 of 5 stars

You will be horribly disappointed and then ADDICTED

*A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

For those of you who adore Richelle Mead, you may be a bit surprised by this book. I adore vampire academy, bloodlines series and the Georgina Kincaid (Succubus Blues) series. I even listen to the audiobooks while swimming. Her female characters are strong, the antagonists are typically fun/entertaining/add to the story and the romance doesn't make up the whole story. For th...more You will be horribly disappointed and then ADDICTED

*A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

For those of you who adore Richelle Mead, you may be a bit surprised by this book. I adore vampire academy, bloodlines series and the Georgina Kincaid (Succubus Blues) series. I even listen to the audiobooks while swimming. Her female characters are strong, the antagonists are typically fun/entertaining/add to the story and the romance doesn't make up the whole story. For those of you who have come to expect this from Mead, do not expect this from Game Board of the Gods... at least the first third.

Review For the First 33% of the Game Board of the Gods:
I have to warn you, the first 33% of this book is boring and dull. I typically read books incredible fast, but it took me a while to get through that first third of the book. It was strange to go from never being able to put down a Mead book to not really wanting to pick it up. It was confusing and at times aggravating at times.

Justin... just a horrible character. I couldn't relate or even want to relate. His behavior was obnoxious and he was written as an incredibly intelligent man... genius even. Nothing that Mead wrote made me believe this. Perceptive, perhaps... and not even consistently.

Mae/Maj and Tessa are enjoyable characters. Every time the perspective left Tessa I became disappointed. This book transitions between the main characters through out the book.

Review For the Remainder of the Game Board of the Gods:
Holy crap Mead... you amazingly talented genius of a womyn. The book suddenly is no longer confusing, no longer annoying and becomes addictive. I have to admit, I pre-ordered this book; however, once I started reading it I got a refund. After I got past 50% of the book, I re-pre-ordered the book. Not a kindle e-book... a freakin' $15 hardcover. I keep either a paperback or hardcover copy of all my favorite books/series. This not-so-easily became one of my new "I have to have the next book the day it comes out" series.

Fortunately this series isn't a "read the first couple books and then it gets good" series. Unfortunately, you do have to read a third of the book before it becomes good and then get to 50% before it becomes addictive. While this is not the norm for Mead, it is still a good book. I urge all of you to persevere through the first part as I do not think you will be disappointed in the end.
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Mar 15, 2013 Ana Cat rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: r2r, reading-challenge-2013

Unique and very intriguing story. This is one of the story that won't let you stop until the end. At first, it's confusing where Mae and Justin fits in the story. But as the story goes, I realized that they do not just fit in the story, but it actually revolves around them, being the pieces in the gameboard of the gods.

The story is really big, from the lives in the Runa, to the lives in the province such as in Panama, to Mae's character, to Justin's history and to Tessa's future. This story is e...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Succubi, Vampires...: * Gameboard of the Gods (Book 1)	8	20	May 13, 2013 01:41pm
Is this a young adult novel or an adult one?	2	18	Apr 24, 2013 05:18am
Can´t wait!	1	19	Feb 10, 2012 05:12am

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About Richelle Mead

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away f...more

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