Gameboard of the Gods - Richelle Mead

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

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

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

-Goodreads

Opinion
So far I had read The Vampire Academy series and the Bloodline series by Richelle Mead, but I had never read one of her adult books before. At first I was a little bit worried that I wouldn’t like it as much as her other books because it’s an adult book, but I turned out that I didn’t need to be afraid of anything. This book had everything I had seen in her previous books, a kick-ass heroine, a charming guy, a somewhat naïve girl and mythological elements. But at the same time Gameboard of the Gods was a lot different than her previous works. It was far more complex as it was a mix of dystopian, sci-fi, romance and a lot more. I have to admit that at first it was very hard to comprehend all the terms she used in this book, but Richelle made a very helpful list on her site with the explanation of some terms she uses in this book. After it all became clear the book was easy to follow and I had to keep reading chapter after chapter, because I desperately wanted to know what would happen next. It was as if you were solving the mystery yourself. I also loved that this book was about gods. Gods of all sorts of cultures have always fascinated me, so I was happy that she made use of a lot of different kinds of god worshiping in this book.
As I mentioned before this book god a kick-ass heroine, Mae Koskinen. Mae is a praetorian, an elite group of soldiers that are very lethal. At first you would think that she’s a very cold person who doesn’t care about anything, but as the book continues you’ll find out that she’s actually is a very kind women who cares about others. Justin March is the handsome man, he has some drank, drug and women issues and he seems very superficial and egocentric at first. But just like Mae he cares about the people he loves and he’s also very smart. Tessa Cruz at last is a sixteen year old who didn’t grow up in the RUNA (Republic of United North America) but in Panama. Because of this she has an entirely different view on many things that will looks ordinary in an original citizens eye. This is at the same time her weakest and her strongest asset. There are many other remarkable character in this book, so Richelle definitely did a good job.
So I really loved Gameboard of the Gods and I can’t wait to read the next one in this series.

Extra
Author: Richelle Mead
Publication date: June 4th 2013
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Pages: 448 (Hardback)
Genre: Adult, dystopian, sci-fi

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