Happy Friday!
Today I have another great giveaway -- and it's open internationally :)
Gameboard of the Gods
by Richelle Mead
To be published by Dutton Books
on June 4, 2013
Note: this is an adult book with explicit content. Giveaway is open to those 18 and up.
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.
US winner will receive an ARC copy of the book, to be mailed as soon as I receive the winner's mailing address. International winner will receive a paperback copy of Gameboard from the Book Depository after it is released on June 6. (US winner can choose this option too if they don't mind waiting.)
My take: I've read Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series and the first three books in her Bloodlines series, but I've never read any of her adult books, so I was not sure what to expect. *coughSEXcough* Okay, yes. After reading so much YA, it was a bit of a shock to find, right on page 40 or so…
But I adjusted -- ha! And I did think the new story world that Richelle Mead set up was interesting and imaginative. No info dumps here -- you have to pick up bits of information as you read. There's the post-apocalyptic element of the virus, a complicated mix of ethnic groups and government groups, and then, under the surface, some paranormal and mythological stuff. If you want more of an orientation right off the bat, Richelle Mead has been running some posts on her blog about Gameboard's story world.
I didn't connect to the two main characters nearly as much as I've come to love all those characters in the VA world and its spin-offs. Mae is a pretty cool customer -- she has all of Sydney Sage's steely self-discipline without Syd's nerdiness and self-consciousness to balance it out. Mae has Rose's toughness but not her passion.
What about Justin? Well, I know that no one compares to Adrian, but I thought Justin did have some Adrian-ish (Adrian-esque?) moments. He definitely has some of Adrian's self-deprecating sense of humor and self-destructive tendencies. He also has two imaginary birds that follow him around and talk to him, sort of the angel on one shoulder/devil on the other idea. Seriously. It might sound super-weird, but once I got used to that part of the book, I loved it. And, you know, I'll definitely give Mae and Justin a chance. Richelle Mead is an author who slowly and skillfully draws you in to her world over the course of several books. Then you're hooked!
In this first installment of the series, Mae and Justin are forced to work together to solve a string of mysteries, which take them around the world and set up the framework for an interesting story to come.
Interested in reading this? Great. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below. Winner will be drawn on May 23.
I liked this book a lot but I really struggled with the world-building. I'm still not sure I entirely understand castals and all. Of the reviews I've seen, they've been from fans of the VA series and they remind me that I need to give that one a chance as it seems likely to produce more enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think she builds her stories slowly over a bunch of books, and you just have to keep reading...
DeleteI'm excited to read this book!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one. I love Richelle Meads books and am really looking forward to this new series!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
It was so interesting for me to read a book by her set in a completely different world. I enjoyed it!
DeleteI just started this one. Aww I'm kind of sad to hear that Mae has some of Sydney and Rose's qualities but not the best ones. I think I'm going to love Justin though. I also haven't read any of Mead's adult books until this one, so I'm interested to see if I like the difference (which I guess is mostly the coughSEXcough :D). Great review!
ReplyDeleteThere is not as much of that as you might think -- curious to hear your take!
DeleteI'm a little 'iffy' on this one, so I'm not going to enter this time. You always have great giveaways though! :)
ReplyDeleteSabrina @iheartyafiction
You're soo lucky to have gotten an ARC of this book! It sounds awesome and I'm so glad you loved it! Hopefully I will too! :) I've already read all of Richelle's adult books, so yeah... *coughsexcough* definitely! Especially the succubus series. *shudders* Yeah, after reading a lot of YA, it's very shocking to read books with... Ah, explicit scenes. XD But really, I can't wait to meet these new characters!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to read any of Mead's books. I've been curious about her VA series for awhile, but never got around to it. This one sounds good too.
ReplyDeleteI loved her Georgina Kincaid series! It is about a succubus so of course there is lots of sex. But I like that in my adult books lol It is nice after YA to finally get things moving and get some steam. I have her other adult series on my shelf but just haven't had a chance to read it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this is really my thing, I read bloodlines recently which was okay, and I'll probably continue with that series :)
ReplyDeleteThe fact that this is adult actually makes me way more excited to read it. O.o I have this from NetGalley and I'm starting it this week!
ReplyDelete