ARC Review: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Publisher: Dutton Adult
Series: Age of X #1
Pages: 464 Pages (Hardcover)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Summary:

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.

Rating:


Review:

I had pretty high expectations for this one. Mead is a really good writer and I love everything I read from her so far.  THIS actually did exceed my expectations. Gameboard of the Gods is rather different from Mead's usual paranormal adult and young adult books. I was taken aback how much Mead has honed her craft since her first Vampire Academy book. Don't get me wrong, I think they are good, but this is seriously good stuff. Even while reading Gameboard I took note of it, but once I finished and all came together it was undeniable. In my opinion this is one of Mead's best works.

Mead mixed sci-fi, dystopia, mythology and mystery to make up a fast paced intricate plot, that kept me guessing and hoping at once. It's a Mead book so its fast and kick-ass, just what I like about her. But at the same time, there is depth to it and it made me think for a bit after. The first half or so has quite a bit of technical terms in it, being a geek I really enjoyed them though.

The character building is superb, I think Mead has always been good at this probably my favorite part of her writing. I happily would read her books even if they would be totally character based. To my amazement she manages to improve with each piece she write on this aspect. And in Gameboard she came up with faceted intriguing and captivating characters. The two MC's Mae and Justin are flawed, likable and extremely different, at least on the surface. They have palpable chemistry and I loved seeing how their relationship evolved just as much as the two characters. The support characters though were extremely well written as well and I think they highlighted the different aspects of the MC's superbly. As example Justin's relationship with Tessa on the one end highlights how protected and naive she is (Justine being the opposite) but it also shows that Justin has a generous and sweet side to him.

The world building is incredible! Mead created a post-apocalyptic world made up with pieces of the  world we know today, old school mythology and great sci-fi. It's so well done that it is totally believable and more importantly it's fresh and exciting and unique. I just must say, I loved the ravens!

Mead's prose was always beautiful and really great, and she does deliver another well written book. While this is really different than her previous books, it still is recognizably her style.  Her descriptions of the characters feelings and their relationship with others left an impression on me, that stayed with me for days and made me think about it. Which in means that Gameboard of the Gods will probably made it into my favorite books and definitely is one of my favorite releases in 2013 so far.

My only minor criticism- the lusting for each other but cant have each other romance. It's kinda Mead's MO i guess and to be honest she does it so well, that I didn't mind too much.

Fabulous action scenes, well crafted mystery, fascinating world building and likable interesting character left me wanting more! I'm looking forward where Mead will take this exciting and fabulous new series.



ARC was provided by Publishers through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Carved in Darkness by Maegan Beaumont

Carved in Darkness by Maegan Beaumont

Publisher: Midnight Ink
Pages:  408Pages (Paperback)
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: May 8, 2013
Summary:

Past horrors bleed into a present day nightmare

Fifteen years ago, a psychotic killer abducted seventeen year old Melissa Walker. For 83 days she was raped and tortured before being left for dead in a deserted church yard... But she was still alive.

Melissa begins a new life as homicide inspector, Sabrina Vaughn. With a new face and a new name, it's her job to hunt down murderers and it's a job she does very well.

When Michael O'Shea, a childhood acquaintance with a suspicious past, suddenly finds her, he brings to life the nightmare Sabrina has long since buried.

Believing that his sister was recently murdered by the same monster who attacked Sabrina, Michael is dead set on getting his revenge--using Sabrina as bait.

Rating:


Review: 

I don't read a lot of mystery/thrillers. Mainly because I usually figure it all out before the end of the 2nd chapter and end up bored with the story. Although I did figure this one out it took a bit longer and had a lot of interesting twists and turns that had me second guessing myself a few times. I enjoyed the search and the journey to find this despicable mad man. That part of the story I enjoyed very much.

Had the character betrayals been as promising as the twist and turns this would have been a hands down 5 stars! Unfortunately that wasn't the case. In my opinion Ms. Beaumont needed to delve a bit deeper into the characters to make me feel something for them. I had no insight to Melissa/Sabrina other than the horrible tragedy she suffered and the fact that now she is a feeling-less cop. The same goes for Micheal. I get he was suppose to be a cold heartless killer but these two main characters just felt flat for me. Not to mention that the Sabrina hasn't let herself feel anything in 15 years now she suddenly (with out any explanation or growth between the two) she is in love with Micheal within a weeks time. That just annoyed me.

There are a few things that also bothered me with the set up of Melissa/Sabrina's character. I know the attack happened when she was a minor and the files sealed and what not. This woman who is now a Homicide investigator would have had to have had a physical exam and a psych test done before ever even becoming a cop to begin with. Which brings me to my problem. She has screws and plates in her face which would have had to be explained to a doctor and proof of said injuries would have been investigated. Not to mention the scar carved into her stomach reading MINE. Not only would a doctor be seeing some red flags so would a psychiatrist. So how does nobody know what happened to her. A police department doesn't just say "Oh you changed your name. That's alright, no big deal." They are going to look into it. Again someone would know and it would be in her file.

Believe it or not I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it to someone who is easily able to overlook the flaws and still see the basic structure of a good story.

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