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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Slow start, but worth sticking with. Enjoyed it and looking forward to the sequel.
Another really good book that took me way, way too long to start. Especially loved our introduction to Mae and Justin, very attention grabbing. I probably would have liked it more if i was more into dystopians, that said it was still a good read.
arc from NetGalley
arc from NetGalley
Oh Ms Mead you have done it again!! You have blown my mind with such an intricate tale that will leave you wanting more. To be honest it took a little bit to finally understand what was going on with some parts of the book but once you get past that it was an absolutely amazing read. Richelle Mead has never once let me down and she definitely did not disappoint with Gameboard of the Gods!!
very different, but damned intriguing. Richelle Mead has created a world I'd like to visit again.
i was dubious about this one. alot of people have read it and hated it. i needed to keep an open mind going in. that being said - i can see why people haven't liked it - the world and character building is so heavy in this book, right til the end. it's hard slog to get through but the storyline was enough to keep me interested and the characters developed nicely as well. i did have some difficultly with the terms but Richelle Meade has a nice glossary on her webiste (why it wasn't included in the book - i don't know!). i'll keep going to see what happens with this series and see if the writing improves.
My feelings for this book shifted a lot while reading the book. At one point, I even debated marking as a DNF. When reading some other reviews, and have a friend encourage me to keep reading on the assurance that it got better, I decided to tough it out until the end. It was rough, but I'm glad I did it.
To start, it was very confusing. I saw some people writing that she set up a great world. Maybe I missed something but after finishing the book, I am still beyond confused on how the world works. Mostly, for me, it was the introduction of words like castral, plebeian and patrician (and what the difference is between these words)and what some of the castes were. Like a lot of things in the book, I just kept reading in hopes that it would be explained later on. I have a vague idea now of what they mean but still nothing concrete enough to try to explain to others. These words may have been discussed earlier in more detail but I may have been too bored to find remember. I did, however, find out who the ravens were (probably one of the only questions I had that was actually answered).
And that's how I would describe the beginning of the book, sadly.... boring. I was bored I think right up until page 200, when some things started to pick up. Once I got to this point, it did start acting like a good murder mystery that fans of Bones and Criminal Minds might enjoy. However, I don't like waiting until I'm half way through a book to get interested in it. I usually give books until about page 100, so I was very generous with this book.
Now this isn't to say the book was all bad. I did give it 2.5 stars so that extra 1.5 stars had to come from somewhere. Once I hit that 200 page mark, like I previously said, things started picking up. Once I started to learn more about the RUNA I found that it was actually an interestingly formed government. Girls placed on birth control at age 14 and take off at age 20, people having no more than 2 kids unless they can prove they can provide for them... it's an interesting society structure.
I also liked reading more about the gods and how they effect Justin and Mae. Once I figured out that the gods are trying to get followers again by choosing certain people to represent them and almost taking control of them. This concept was kind of interesting, especially when you find out what gods are after Mae and Justin.
Finding out more about Justin and Mae (along with the couple Justin/Mae) was more interesting as well. Mead really does very well with characters and their development. I really learned to love Justin, Mae and Tessa and wanting to see how they made it through the murder mystery was a big driving force in wanting to finish the book.
Overall, this book was alright. The beginning was boring, the world set up was confusing... however, it's not all bad. The characters are likeable and were probably my favorite part of the book. Learning about them and witnessing their struggles as well as how they handle them was what made the book somewhat interesting for me. The mystery was interesting but I wasn't really into it, mostly because of how bored I was for the first half of the book. I hear such good things about Richelle Mead so I don't think this is going to deter me from read more of her, just probably not more of this series.
To start, it was very confusing. I saw some people writing that she set up a great world. Maybe I missed something but after finishing the book, I am still beyond confused on how the world works. Mostly, for me, it was the introduction of words like castral, plebeian and patrician (and what the difference is between these words)and what some of the castes were. Like a lot of things in the book, I just kept reading in hopes that it would be explained later on. I have a vague idea now of what they mean but still nothing concrete enough to try to explain to others. These words may have been discussed earlier in more detail but I may have been too bored to find remember. I did, however, find out who the ravens were (probably one of the only questions I had that was actually answered).
And that's how I would describe the beginning of the book, sadly.... boring. I was bored I think right up until page 200, when some things started to pick up. Once I got to this point, it did start acting like a good murder mystery that fans of Bones and Criminal Minds might enjoy. However, I don't like waiting until I'm half way through a book to get interested in it. I usually give books until about page 100, so I was very generous with this book.
Now this isn't to say the book was all bad. I did give it 2.5 stars so that extra 1.5 stars had to come from somewhere. Once I hit that 200 page mark, like I previously said, things started picking up. Once I started to learn more about the RUNA I found that it was actually an interestingly formed government. Girls placed on birth control at age 14 and take off at age 20, people having no more than 2 kids unless they can prove they can provide for them... it's an interesting society structure.
I also liked reading more about the gods and how they effect Justin and Mae. Once I figured out that the gods are trying to get followers again by choosing certain people to represent them and almost taking control of them. This concept was kind of interesting, especially when you find out what gods are after Mae and Justin.
Finding out more about Justin and Mae (along with the couple Justin/Mae) was more interesting as well. Mead really does very well with characters and their development. I really learned to love Justin, Mae and Tessa and wanting to see how they made it through the murder mystery was a big driving force in wanting to finish the book.
Overall, this book was alright. The beginning was boring, the world set up was confusing... however, it's not all bad. The characters are likeable and were probably my favorite part of the book. Learning about them and witnessing their struggles as well as how they handle them was what made the book somewhat interesting for me. The mystery was interesting but I wasn't really into it, mostly because of how bored I was for the first half of the book. I hear such good things about Richelle Mead so I don't think this is going to deter me from read more of her, just probably not more of this series.
I decided to give this book a try because I've really liked everything else I've read from Richelle Mead, VA and Bloodlines. Well she does it again. She creates these multidimensional characters that are both light and dark and you are drawn to them. I really like her character development - it is critical for me. Once again she has a strong female lead and I think it is awesome. I can't wait to see how this series develops.
Justin is in exile until Mae approaches him and he discovers RUNA want him back for one job, a job which suits his particular talents. The outcome of this job may decide his future - and he only has a month to solve several murders and stop the next one from happening. He also has to fight his attraction to Mae for reasons known to himself (and those who have finished the book - no spoilers!) and look after a 16 year old with talents similar to his - the power of observation.
I liked Mead's Vampire Academy series but not her adult series (the succubus one) so I was both looking forward to and wary of this one - I'm glad to say it was worthy of looking forward to status. I really enjoyed the world she's written in this book and also the characters. Both Mae and Justin are fun (although Justin can be a tad egotistical and obnoxious at times - he kind of has his reasons), but I did like Mae more. I think it's the whole kick-ass woman thing - I can't help it, it's a big seller to me.
Big recommendation to any Mead fans and also to any dystopian & god-based-book fans. It seems to have a place for all gods, not just ones of a particular mythology. Can't wait to read the next one.
I liked Mead's Vampire Academy series but not her adult series (the succubus one) so I was both looking forward to and wary of this one - I'm glad to say it was worthy of looking forward to status. I really enjoyed the world she's written in this book and also the characters. Both Mae and Justin are fun (although Justin can be a tad egotistical and obnoxious at times - he kind of has his reasons), but I did like Mae more. I think it's the whole kick-ass woman thing - I can't help it, it's a big seller to me.
Big recommendation to any Mead fans and also to any dystopian & god-based-book fans. It seems to have a place for all gods, not just ones of a particular mythology. Can't wait to read the next one.
I wanted to like this book so much. Richelle Mead writes some of the best series out there - quick, fun reads with characters that you fall in love with for their warmth, personality, wit, and perseverance. Above all the characters feel real. Unfortunately that is what is missing from Gameboard of the Gods. While I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the plot, it was hard to like the majority of the characters - the exception being Justin March who was full of faults, conflict, and dubious habits.
I'll read the next in the series because i want the two main characters to hook up, but the world-building in this book was pretty shitty.