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Tabuleiro dos Deuses

(Age of X #1)

Richelle Mead (Goodreads Author),

Guilherme Miranda (Goodreads Author) (Tradutor)

3.93 · Rating details · 15,161 ratings · 2,076 reviews

Justin March, um investigador de religiões charmoso e traiçoeiro, volta para a República Unida da América do Norte (RUAN), após um misterioso exílio. Sua missão é encontrar os responsáveis por uma série de assassinatos relacionados com seitas clandestinas. Sua guarda-costas, Mae Koskinen, é linda, mas fatal. Membro da tropa de elite do exército, ela irá acompanhar e proteg ...more

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Paperback, Brazilian Portuguese, 424 pages

Published January 30th 2014 by Paralela (first published June 4th 2013)

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3.93 ·

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· 15,161 ratings · 2,076 reviews

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Mar 04, 2012 hayden rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-favorites

Wow. I love me some Richelle Mead.

The fact that her name is on the cover let me know I was going to like this no matter what. I'm sorry to see so many one-star reviews on here, but I can clearly see why there are. Gameboard of the Gods is one of those books that you have to stick around for. If you like all your answers in front of your face when things are introduced, this won't be your book. Mead commonly brought things in without solid explanations (Justin's ravens, RUNA, etc.) and waited unt ...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Stacia (the 2010 club) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, science-fiction, urban-fantasy, hybrid-multiple-genre, futuristic

2.5 stars. I swear, I am not pulling one of those out-of-touch fan moments like when a person would want to know why The Casual Vacancy didn't read like Harry Potter part deux. I swear it. If there's one thing I've always admired about Richelle Mead, it's that she doesn't sit on her success and write the same formulaic characters and worlds over and over like so many other popular authors today tend to do when they find something that works for them. It's admirable to see any author pushing them ...more

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Apr 24, 2017 ~Poppy~ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

“I’m sad because you remind me of home.” He dropped his hand from her and sighed. “Because you’re beautiful and bright and dynamic and a whole lot of other things I haven’t seen for a long time…and won’t see again any time soon.”

Mae was my favorite character. She is a badass, amazing, independent soldier-woman. I loved her :P

I didn't like Justin in the beginning. But the more I read about him the more I understand him. I liked him a lot and I liked the connection between him and Mae :) I hope th ...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Emily May rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-uf, 2013, dystopia-utopia

I've been a fan of Richelle Mead for a few years now and her latest novel - one which differs quite a bit from her previous work - still manages to shine through with Mead's trademark humour, sexiness and morally questionable characters. Despite the rather average rating, I do see a lot of potential in this series and I'm fairly certain I will be returning to see what future installments will present us with. The reason for my not so great rating is entirely to do with the plot and the way this novel of nearly 500 pages had so very little of it for the most part. But more about that in a second.

This is definitely Mead's most ambitious work to date. Never before have I seen her delve into such complex world-building and deep character development. In this wild and exciting futuristic setting, two great powers split the world - RUNA (Republic of the United North America) and EA (Eastern Alliance). Other areas are merely the provinces, looked down upon and seen as barbaric and backwards in comparison. Mead deserves some applause for the way she seems to have thought out every aspect of this future society, incorporating many different elements and exploring the effect they would have: religion, education, the status of women... it's absolutely fascinating, if a little mind-boggling in its density at times.

The characters are exactly the kind I would expect Mead to create, but I don't mean that as a negative and I'm not saying she constantly produces exactly the same. What I am saying is that Mead always seems to deliver characters that are flawed, badass and almost unlikeable if it wasn't for the fact that they're simultaneously charming and hilarious. Dr Justin March is a heavy-drinking, drug-taking, womanizing guy who gets laid first and asks questions later. Mae Koskinen is not much better: often mean, occasionally violent and always afraid of commitment. I'm sure in real life I would run in the opposite direction from the individuals Mead likes to write about, but in her novels these characters make for one interesting show. Nothing has changed on that front here, apart from the fact that there are more central characters than she usually has. And a lot more character development than plot.

And we arrive at my main problem with this book. There's a murder mystery going on here and occasionally I remembered to remind myself of that fact, but most of the time I thought this book was about a group of characters doing various small things that were a really great "show not tell" of who they are and the part they play in this world... but contributed nothing to the overall plot. The overly dense world-building and character development could easily have been forgiven if it had been well-balanced out with a dynamic and exciting plot. As it was, there were huge parts in the middle that were a struggle to get through. In the past I have devoured Richelle Mead books in a day, two at the very most, but I've been inching through this at a snail's pace since the release date.

Maja's excellent review said it plain and simple what a reader must have to fully appreciate and enjoy this book: patience. I find mine comes and goes. ...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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

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 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.

...more

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Jun 14, 2013 "That's All" Ash rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: horrible, i-need-more-synonyms-for-horrible

So.

What you’re telling me is…

Is that the same author that wrote the kickass “Vampire Academy” series wrote THIS?

Whelp.

In THAT case…

*** Dear Richelle Mead, ***

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Apr 29, 2012 Zemira (Kylo Ren fangirl) Warner rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, dystopia, urban-fantasy, sci-fi, get-to-the-point-already, glad-its-over, yawn, youve-got-to-be-kidding-me, disappointed

New Richelle Mead series?

Also posted on YA Fanatic.

*after reading*

Eh, what a disappointment this book turned out to be. I'm really upset. As you may know, Richelle is my favorite author. I would read anything she writes. Well, the only exceptions were Dark Swan series and Age of X which is the title of this new series. They just didn't click with me the way that Succubus, VA and Bloodlines did.

When I found out I got approved for this egalley I was ecstatic and I started reading it right away. ...more

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Feb 22, 2014 Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Rabid Reads-no-more rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopian, favorite-secondary-characters, jerk-of-my-dreams, mythology, science-fiction, urban-fantasy, rabid-reads-reviews, netgalley, superheroes-superhero-like-powers, cover-whore

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

I love Richelle Mead. Everything that I’ve read of hers–Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, even Vampire Academy (though I still haven’t read the last book of that series)—I’ve, at a minimum, REALLY liked. But for some reason, I held out on reading this new series until now. The initial reviews were kind of MEH, and I’ve gotten leery of Mythology-based UF (fad = crap).

Silly me.

Gameboard of the Gods is one of those genre-crossing books that often turn into my favorites. It’s part ...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Tatiana rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: abandoned, dystopias-post-apocalyptic

This is virtually unreadable. Some authors overestimate their writing abilities and fail to bank on their strengths. There is nothing (so far) in this book that made some of Mead's books so enjoyable in the past - charismatic, even though at times annoying narrators, snappy dialogs and brisk pace. This new novel of hers is so dense, so long, so info-dumpy, so boring, so over-complicated and so awkwardly and unpleasantly written!

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Apr 05, 2015 Lindsey Rey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015, science-fiction

[4.5 Stars]
Loooooove!

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Jan 21, 2013 ♥Rachel♥ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Being a long time fan of Richelle Mead’s I was eager to get my hands on a copy of Gameboard of the Gods. While it was slow for me in the beginning, I did eventually settle in and from there on out I didn’t want to put it down. Had it not been for work, I would’ve burned right through the near 500 pages of this book.

We are introduced to a futuristic world where the Republic of United North America, the RUNA, is in power, put in place after the Decline. In this shining, new, wonderful world the t Being a long time fan of Richelle Mead’s I was eager to get my hands on a copy of Gameboard of the Gods. While it was slow for me in the beginning, I did eventually settle in and from there on out I didn’t want to put it down. Had it not been for work, I would’ve burned right through the near 500 pages of this book.

We are introduced to a futuristic world where the Republic of United North America, the RUNA, is in power, put in place after the Decline. In this shining, new, wonderful world the three things the RUNA hold responsible for the Decline: biological manipulation, religion, and cultural separatism, are mostly against the law. Justin March used to be at the center of this world when he was the much revered servitor, an investigator of “religious groups and supernatural claims” with brilliant deductive skills, and enough charm to seduce the truth out of anyone. Justin was exiled from the RUNA four years ago, but when a chance comes up to get back into the fold, and back into his beloved country, Justin jumps at it. He’s brought in after a series of troubling murders hint at supernatural and religious involvement, his area of expertise.

Mae was born into the privileged castes, but is now a member of the elite Praetorian Guard known for their lethal skills and enhanced abilities. When a loss of control lands her in hot water, part of her punishment is to retrieve Justin from his exile in the provinces and bring him back for duty. Mae is a staunch believer the RUNA’s ideals. She doesn’t believe in gods or anything supernatural. But as the investigation goes on Mae makes discoveries about the world and even herself, that shake up everything she’s was raised to believe.

Beginning Gameboard of the Gods was something that required patience. I spent some time getting acquainted with the world and its dynamics, and had some trouble keeping everything straight at first. There was no tutorial explaining A or B, and as a reader you’re sort of dumped into the middle of things having to piece it together as you go. Slowly things started to come together and I felt the suspense and intrigue amp up little by little.

I loved Mae from the beginning. I connected with her character, and felt like I fully understood her motivations. She was hard working, loyal, fierce, and everything to admire. Of course there’s a romance between Mae and Justin but it is fraught with trouble. However, none of it is her fault, AT ALL! (I kind of sound like a scorned woman, right?)

Justin, oh Justin…..*sigh* I have conflicted feelings about him. He has a mind reminiscent of a modern day Sherlock Holms, complete with vices. He’s extremely observant, ferreting out crucial information through scant details, and coming to conclusions that never fail to impress everyone around. He’s charming, and that combined with his good looks is a potent combination for the opposite sex, something he takes full advantage of. Mae is different to him, but there are problems. Richelle Mead never makes romances easy, does she? Think back on Dimitri and Rose and their history. Justin and Mae have some heated connections; here are a couple of samples:

"I tie an excellent knot. And then I'll drag things out as long as I want, do whatever I want. You don't beg much, do you? But you will...you will, and you'll love it."*

“You know, the first time I saw you—before the alley—my whole world came to a stop. Everything else in that room faded to nothing, and there was only you, with your beautiful neck and your winter sunlight hair and eyes that commanded the room.” *

Still, Justin is nothing like the noble Dimitri. His womanizing grated on my nerves, and while I understood the issues with Mae, it still bugged me. In the end it seemed like all the fighting against the inevitable was pointless, but I guess we’ll see in the next book.

The mystery of the Patrician Murders is solved and so that part of the story is wrapped up nicely, but we are left with unanswered questions and a whole new world for both Mae and Justin as far as their beliefs and assignments. I can’t wait to see how things progress between these two as well. For my part, if I were Mae a nice frying pan over his head would’ve made me happy!

A copy was provided by Dutton in exchange for an honest review.

*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.

You can read this review and more at The Readers Den.
...more

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Oct 23, 2012 Isabella rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, 2013, 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

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May 05, 2013 Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, alternate-universe, boring-main-character, jericho-fucking-barrons, did-not-finish, dystopian, mystery, high-school, on-hold, sci-fi

I have a great deal of respect for an author who chooses to go outside of his or her comfort zone, particularly when the tried and true formula has been so ridiculously successful in the past. Richelle Mead's previous winners (and there have been many) have all featured strong, confident heroines who sardonic and sarcastic at times, but vulnerable and---the key word here--eminently likeable. The supporting casts tend to be no less memorable bunch, and the world building is clear and well-explain ...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Jessie (Ageless Pages Reviews) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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 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! ...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Kaye Snifeld marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: incomplete-series

This was me yesterday,

I CANNOT BELIEVE I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS!!!

But that only makes this that much more exciting!!! :D :D :D YAY!!!

CANNOT WAIT!!!!

HAPPY DANCE!!!!

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Mar 12, 2013 Scarlet rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Richelle Mead fans who have tons of patience.

Shelves: didnt-quite-get-it

I'm not sure if this is Mead's best book to date but it's definitely her most ambitious.

Now that I've finished all 464 pages of Gameboard of the Gods, I can tell you that I liked this book. While reading though, I wasn't so sure. It was a constant now-I-love-you-now-I-don't situation.

I'm going to divide the book into 3 parts and give a rundown of what I felt about each of them.

First one-third:

Confusing, because Mead gives no introduction, no preamble. You're simply dropped in the thick of action ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: my-library-catalogue

Via www.nikihawkes.com

[4.5 stars] Anything Richelle Mead writes is golden, and this book is another example of why she is one of my favorite authors! 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 Via www.nikihawkes.com

[4.5 stars] Anything Richelle Mead writes is golden, and this book is another example of why she is one of my favorite authors! 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 ...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Sue (Hollywood News Source) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite, ill-read-it-again-and-again, mythology-folklore

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

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Jul 17, 2012 Noémy is currently reading it · review of another edition

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

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Apr 24, 2013 Faye, la Patata rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1st-in-series, 2013, action, adult, good-hero, good-heroine, multiple-povs, mystery, paranormal, mythological

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

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Oct 24, 2012 AH rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-edelweiss, blue, fantasy, dystopian, first-in-series, magic, zzread-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 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.
...more

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Jun 07, 2013 Ferdy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: religious-elements, manslut-hero, blah-romance, boring-crap-hero, dystopian, wtfery, wtf, slow-paced, rubbish-worldbuilding, powers

2.5 stars - Spoilers

I was tempted to give this 3 stars but I decided not to since the worldbuilding (especially in the first half) was such a mess. It did improve somewhat in the latter half but it was a case of too little, too late. I do still want to read the sequel because there was potential, and I have to say that by the end I did find myself invested in the story and characters (well, some of the characters).

-The worldbuilding was a massive let down. I had no idea what the hell was going ...more

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Feb 09, 2012 Wendy Darling rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-urban-fantasy, adult, 2013-publication, june, penguin, huge-disappointments, read-2013, skimmed-or-unfinished

What a snooooozefest.

Maybe a 2 if this were another author, but Richelle Mead is capable of so much more.

This is probably my favorite review of this book, btw: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

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Jan 21, 2013 Booknut rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: to-die-for-book-covers, good-hearted-bad-boys, bodies-bones-and-psychopaths, can-t-get-enough-of, books-i-love-dearly, cliff-hanger-endings, dystopian, heartbreak-and-loss, heartwarming, mystery-and-sherlocking

'I am a soldier of the Republic. I do not serve my own will but that of my country. Those words were echoed by her mother's, spoken so many years ago: You can ignore the rest because you're better than them. Empty yourself of all feeling because if they can't see it, then they can't use it against you.'

Richelle Mead's story-weaving genius comes to life in her new series Age of X. Be prepared to fall head first into her futuristic world, filled with mystery, violence, stunning technology and tens ...more

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May 25, 2017 Elise (On The Bookshelves) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I looked forward to reading this because first of all it's Richelle Mead and second, who doesn't love a book about deities? Anyway, this book could have been freaking amazing except about half of the pages and plot felt utterly pointless and so drawn out! I already have the second book so I am hesitant to read it but the ending of the book was intriguing... Those feels when good plots are written poorly :(

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Feb 16, 2012 Nina ♥ marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: to-be-released

REALLY? *-*

squee

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Oct 23, 2012 Siiri (Little Pieces of Imagination) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2013, arc_rc, dystopia, first-of-the-series, mythology, romance, adult, sci-fi, mystery, shipping-these-dorks

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

I have read 3 series by Richelle Mead and have yet to read a book by her that would be a disappointment. Seriously! I know I have given two stars to Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) for instance, but it was just a rating based on how I felt it being a little weaker than the rest of the books in that series. If I didn’t delve on those things, I’d give them all 5 stars since her books seriously never disappoint. Gameboard of the Gods is the first b An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

I have read 3 series by Richelle Mead and have yet to read a book by her that would be a disappointment. Seriously! I know I have given two stars to Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) for instance, but it was just a rating based on how I felt it being a little weaker than the rest of the books in that series. If I didn’t delve on those things, I’d give them all 5 stars since her books seriously never disappoint. Gameboard of the Gods is the first book in one of my newest favorite series.

"We're pieces on a gameboard, Dr. March, and some of us are more powerful than the others. You. Me. Her. We're the ones that gods want. We're the ones they're fighting over." – page 443 of the ARC.

The story. In a futuristic world, Mae Koskinen is a praetorian – a fierce Nordic soldier who is a part of the RUNA’s military. What makes her so special is that she is a gorgeous, flawless castal. Castals aka pure bloods have suffered from different illnesses, but Mae’s beauty is untouched. Justin March is a servitor in exile. He is called back by his former bosses to investigate mysterious, unsolvable religious murders. He is a plebian aka a normal, mixed-blooded person. Along with them we have another MC – Tessa Cruz – a teenage girl who is an outsider from a province.

My thoughts. First of all, it was a beast! 464 pages full of action. I’m usually not that keen on third person POVs, but Ms. Mead really made it work. Through Tessa’s eyes we see the true colors of RUNA and thanks to her, we learn the most about RUNA as she’s in the same position as we are – a newcomer. We get this futuristic society in its complex world of religion and atheism, advanced technology and fake smiles. At first it all felt very complicated to me, especially since I’m not a native English speaker, but as the novel progressed, the more at home I felt in this world. I liked how the technology advancements were new and intriguing, but not completely incomprehensible to grasp for our minds. Also, the further I read, the more the mythology part came into the picture.

We have an excellent cast of characters and they are all so very different, flawed and difficult to crack. (I didn't care for Tessa as much as I cared for Mae and Justing though.) I was a big fan of how Richelle managed to keep me invested in the mystery and keep the wheels spinning in my head, yet I didn’t figure it all out beforehand, especially who the god bidding on Justin was. That, I should have figured out sooner! I also loved how the romance between Justin and Mae was there, but they’re so proud and stubborn to admit their feelings (even to themselves) that we’ll have to have them fight their feelings for quite some time in this series. Maybe Justin and Mae's POVs, regarding the tone and the thoughts, melted together for me a little, but I still enjoyed them thoroughly.

To sum up my thoughts, I’d say that if you’re looking for a read full of mythology, suspense, mystery, character-built and well-written plot with a touch of romance, pick this up! Richelle Mead has a way of writing books that suck you in like no other and don’t let go until you’ve devoured all of it with your nails bitten. I am eagerly anticipating what’s next to come in this crazy world where humans are the pawns of gods in this intriguing dystopian gameboard. This book is surely not to be missed!

Original thoughts before reading: Holy smoke! O_O I got my first ever Dutton arc. Whoop, whoop! Oh, did I mention it's freaking Richelle Mead? ~~I feel nothing.~~ I feel everything. (Sorry, I just finished Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.) ANYHOW, my friend SpongeBob SquarePants knows exactly how I feel;-)

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Jan 20, 2013 ♥ Becky 22 rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: comes-out-in-2013, dystopian-post-apocalyptic, 2013

★★★☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ 3.5 stars, but only because the last 20 pages were kickass.
I LOVE the concept, but this book was way, way too drawn out.
This review is spoiler-free!
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

What it’s about, in one sentence
Justin has been exciled from his home country (the RUNA) for mysterious reasons, but is brought back at the beginning of the story, because they need him to investigate a murder case that may, or may not involve supernatural element ★★★☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ 3.5 stars, but only because the last 20 pages were kickass.
I LOVE the concept, but this book was way, way too drawn out.
This review is spoiler-free!
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

What it’s about, in one sentence
Justin has been exciled from his home country (the RUNA) for mysterious reasons, but is brought back at the beginning of the story, because they need him to investigate a murder case that may, or may not involve supernatural elements. (It's a bit more complicated than that, but there you go.)

My thoughts
Gameboard of the Gods is complicated, and too drawn out for my taste, but it is also original and super interesting. This book has about 500 pages and with the amount of things that happen in it, it could be 100 pages shorter. I struggled through the middle, but I never wanted to not finish the book, because the mystery the story is set around, is really, really captivating.
So when things did happen, they were very intense, and I felt myself getting sucked into the story again.

The world this story is set in is SO well thought out. I’ve read a lot of dystopian novels, but I don’t think I’ve ever come across a world this detailed and thought through.

The story is told from the switching 3rd person POVs of Justin, Mae (his praetorian bodyguard. Praetorians are scary as shit. They have this implant that gives them superhuman strength and they don’t need to sleep. They freak me about a bit.), and Tessa (a 16-year-old girl from one of the Provinces. She’s the only one who can see the RUNA for what it is, because she didn’t grow up there).

Justin was easily my favorite character, and, as a matter of fact, he was the only character I really liked. Tessa was meh, and for some reason I couldn’t stand Mae for the better part of the book. (But those are just personal opinions. You might love them all!)

This is not a quick, fun read. This is a pay-close-attention-while-you’re-reading-otherwise-you’ll-be-totally-lost-in-the-world-of-the-RUNA kind of book.
Despite its flaws I enjoyed this book and I will probably be reading the next one in the series.
...more

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Dec 04, 2015 Maria Angelica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: tenho, lido-2016

Adorei esse livro. O começo foi um pouco difícil, mas depois da metade engrenou e não parei mais.
Os dois personagens principais são muito interessantes, mas confessou uma quedinha maior pelo Justin que pela Mae. Ele é bom e altamente falho ao mesmo tempo. A sua resistência em se entregar para o destino é admirável, mas sabemos que eventualmente isso acontecerá. A Mae ainda é um mistério. Ela tem alguns momentos em que sentimos que é bastante humana, mas rapidamente ela retorna para o seu estoic ...more

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Jul 07, 2016 Nata rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, otp, prekvapenie

4,5*
Toto bolo tak geniálne! Justin mi prišiel ako Sherlock a Mae ako vraždiaci stroj :3 Dokonalá kombinácia. Navyše ich vzťah ma vytáčal, doslova. Takže mám nový ship, ktorý zbožňujem! :3 Pre mňa určite lepšia ako Sukuba a VA. Jednoducho originálne, nesmierne zaujímavé a tak ako ma sklamala Sukuba a z časti už aj VA, tak tým to si to u mňa Richelle napravila.

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Adult, near future SF/Fantasy; MC works for government to regulate religions. [s]	3	26	Jan 18, 2019 02:12AM
YA Buddy Readers'...: Age of X by Richelle Mead -Starting with Gameboard of the Gods (#1) on Nov 15, 2018	1	5	Oct 28, 2018 01:10PM
YA Buddy Readers'...: Gameboard of the Gods, by Richelle Mead. Restarting July 20th 2018	53	170	Jun 23, 2018 03:27AM
A Million More Pages: 1 - Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X): Apr 21	14	26	Jul 01, 2015 02:38AM
Crazy for Young A...: Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead → Start Date: March 14, 2015	45	61	May 05, 2015 06:02PM
Spells, Space & S...: Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead	16	24	Apr 08, 2015 06:58PM

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About Richelle Mead

Richelle Mead

61,106 followers

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