Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead
4/5 stars
Dutton Adult, 2013
460 pages
Adult Science-Fiction
Scheduled to release June 4
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Although I've seen Richelle Mead's name around a lot, I've never been too tempted to pick up her popular YA vampire series-I'm just not that into vampires. However the mythology mentioned for this book really caught my eye so I decided this would be my introduction to her writing. If this is typical of Mead, it seems like I will need to read Vampire Academy sooner rather than later because I really enjoyed it!
It's totally in alternating third-person perspective switching between Mae, a fierce soldier, and Justin, a discredited servitor being brought back into the fold with Mae serving as bodyguard to discover the truth behind a series of mysterious murders. Justin was thrown out years ago and suffers from a god delusion (or is it?) while Mae is recovering from the death of her lover.
I really liked both of these characters who I found to be filled with personality and are still making me smile a week later. Both have their fair share of snarky comments with other characters getting to chime in as well. I especially liked meeting Justin's protege, Tessa, and the ravens in his head (no comment-the reasons behind this are elaborated on).
However I really struggled with the world-building. There are castals and I believe Mae is one of them but that it's not exactly a great thing to be? Also some of the information around how the world reached this point could have been expanded upon. I'm a reader who tends to like getting a lot of information especially in fantastical settings so that probably helps explain some of my disappointment. I am also using this confusion as the reason why I couldn't unravel the mystery behind the murders....definitely that and not the fact that I'm horrid at solving mysteries.
Overall: A very pleasing introduction to the writing style of Mead-I will certainly be back for the second book!
Other Opinions:
Books Glorious Books
Good Books and Good Wine
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics-with giveaway!
I'm very curious about this book. I have her VA series on the shelves, but I haven't got the time to read them yet. I might shove them higher on my pile now.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that the world-building isn't that great, but I love the dual POV and I'm a fan of mythology :D
I've heard so many good things about the VA series-I just don't tend to like vampires so that is what kept me back. Now that I know how much I enjoy Mead's writing, I think I will be pushing them higher as well.
DeleteI loved the Vampire Academy series and I'm enjoying her Bloodlines series but I haven't tried any of her books for adults. I am glad you mostly enjoyed this book and I am planning to give it a try though it does sound a little confusing to me.
ReplyDeleteI hope it makes more sense to you-it didn't help that I was reading an e-copy as I know I absorb the printed word much better.
DeleteVery interested to read your review because I was wondering what I'd think of this book if I'd never read any of Richelle Mead's YA books. It's sort of impossible for me not to look at the books through that lens.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that some of the aspects of the world were confusing and I wanted to know more.
But all in all I enjoyed this one.
You can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics
You are a big reason I've been considering the VA series and having enjoyed Gameboard of the Gods, I'm definitely heading that way!
DeleteI have really liked Mead's YA series, so I am curious about her Adult series. It does sounds like it has some potential and I do like a good mystery. Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
I thought this was a great start and am excited for more!
DeleteI think I would enjoy the characters, but haven't tried to read her adult stuff yet
ReplyDeleteYes, they are good characters, very fallible but easy to root for.
DeleteI saw the book this morning in the library! I didn't pick it because it sounded to me like the movie Cabin in the Woods. I know the book is not like the movie, but the end of the movie was about gods playing and I hated it. I'm glad I didn't check it out.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with that film so can't comment on similarities but I thought this one was really good. Why did you not like the gods part? Do you tend to dislike mythology?
DeleteIf it's still making you smile then I definitely needed to try this one as well. I haven't read any of her stuff though I know April has. She is going to be reading and reviewing this one as well. guess I'll have to buy a copy haha!
ReplyDeleteCool-looking forward to April's review as I definitely want to see what others think of this book.
DeleteI remember when I first read a book by Mead, Frostbite, and how much I loved it! It had an amazing ending, story, Adrian (a character you have to meet(. I'm glad you enjoyed your first entrance into Mead's work despite being sadden by the world building.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review!
I've heard a lot about Adrian and I am eager to meet him now!
DeleteOooh you should definitely check out VA!! I was totally skeptical, but ended up LOVING them. You can check out my spoiler-free series review from a couple of years ago. Hopefully that will completely convince you. ;)
ReplyDeleteRe: Gameboard, I totally liked this one too. I actually thought the world-building was pretty awesome... lots of details, but not in an info-dump type of way. I can't wait to see where the series goes next!
Thanks for the link-will check out your thoughts on VA. Maybe this will be a summer project.
DeleteI cannot WAIT for this one! EEK!
ReplyDeleteIt was really quite good-I hope it lives up to your enthusiasm!
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