'Gameboard of the Gods' by Richelle Mead Review and Giveaway

"The truth is, when you banish the gods from the world, they eventually come back---with a vengeance."

PLOT SUMMARY:

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March is a former investigator of religious groups who was sent into exile after a failed job, a fate that has left the brilliant servitor bitter and free to indulge his addictive personality. Suddenly, Justin is sent home to the Republic of United North America (RUNA) with a peculiar assignment--to solve a string of ritualistic murders steeped in seemingly unexplainable phenomena.

Justin's unexpected return comes with a even bigger shock: His new partner and bodyguard, Mae, is a praetorian, one of the elite and deadly supersoldiers of the RUNA. Her inexplicably perfect beauty and aristocratic upbringing pique Justin's avid curiosity--and his desire--though her true nature holds more danger than anyone realizes. 

As their investigation unfolds, Justin and Mae find themselves in the path of terrible danger. Mysterious enemies and powers greater than they can imagine have begun to assemble in the shadows, preparing to reclaim a world where humans are merely gamepieces 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.

Gameboard of the Gods is now available at:

Mysterious Galaxy

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

For more about Richelle Mead and her books, go to:  Richelle Mead

My Thoughts:

I honestly picked up Richelle Mead's Gameboard of the Gods blind. But, after meeting her and listening to the Q&A discussion on June 6, 2013, I was intrigued. I have not read any of her adult or YA books, so I had no reference to go by regarding her writings.  I am actually glad that I haven't read any of her books yet, so I could read her new adult novel with fresh eyes. After reading this, Richelle Mead has amazed me with the story of a very vivid futuristic world and the layered details of her characters. It was definitely an ambitious novel intertwining sci-fi, theology, supernatural elements and a mystery all together. 

I loved it!!! Richelle Mead did an amazing job in world-building and character-building. With every turn of the page, I was pulled in to their world as if I was also following them on their investigation. The relationship between Justin and Mae is often strained, but yet, funny, as they walk the thin line between desire and denial.

Gameboard of the Gods takes place about 100 years after the Mephistopheles' devastation, which was a virus that nearly destroyed earth's population. And, in that time, new governments rose to power to rebuild civilization and to control and prevent the practice of religions to any deities. A mandate enforced by the governments to prevent the destruction mankind...again. Two major governments seem to rule over the world and maintains a check on the practice of religions, the Republic of United Northern America (RUNA) and the Eastern Alliance (EA).  

A string of peculiar murders has stirred up concerns among the high officials of the RUNA requiring the need for an expert investigator to solve this mystery; hence, their decision to retrieve investigator-in-exile Justin March. Even more intriguing is the need to have a praetorian to retrieve said exile.  Mae, the praetorian, was assigned to Justin March after an unfortunate incident that is frowned upon among her superiors. Despite the unapproving need to be paired together on this urgent matter, Justin and Mae is put on a whirlwind of mysterious circumstances and supernatural occurences. As the investigation moves forward, more details of Justin and Mae's "partnership" is revealed, be it not in a straightforward revelation but in more riddles. Many things come to light as they get closer to solving the murders, and the incredulous revelation of how much Justin and Mae are tied in with it.

Gameboard of the Gods will definitely make any reader think, especially with regards to thoughts on religion and science.  It honestly made me go...hmmmm. This is an adult novel that I could not put down. After each chapter, I had to know what else Justin and Mae realized and revealed with their findings. Richelle Mead astounded me with the whirlwind events that took place to solve this mystery and more.

I certainly hope to be reading Book 2 of the Age of X soon. I definitely want to know what else is in store for Justin and Mae. 

Check out my post on the Richelle Mead event at Mysterious Galaxy San Diego on June 6, 2013, check it out here:  

Richelle Mead Talks Gameboard of the Gods 

THE GIVEAWAY

1 winner will receive a signed copy of Richelle Mead's Gameboard of the Gods
U.S.entries only

a Rafflecopter giveaway