Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

2013, Dutton Adult

Series: Book 1 of Age of X

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Rating

Synopsis: In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

The Good: I loved everything Gameboard of the Gods ended up being. I absolutely loved all the secrets revealed and the hidden things uncovered. I enjoyed Justin's work with Mae just as much as his home life with Tessa and his sister. I thought the complex look at religion in a society was brilliant and loved how it worked in with other aspects of this future world.

The Bad: Gameboard of the Gods started out slow. Not ho-hum slow, but more wondering why I possibly wanted to read this slow. It was confusing and nothing was explained early enough. It picked up a lot and paid off nicely, but the first third of the book will make a lot of readers give up.