Gameboard of the Gods

*Book source ~ NetGalley

Title ~ Gameboard of the Gods

Series ~ Age of X, #1

Author ~ Richelle Mead

Publisher ~ Dutton Adult

Published ~ 4 June 2013

Genre ~ Sci-Fi | Dystopian

Pages ~ 472

My Rating ~ 4 bites

What happens when, in a dystopian world where religion is strictly regulated, the old gods begin to return?

I had a hard time with some of the terminology and plot in this story. That’s not to say it isn’t interesting because it is. Religious extremists brought about The Decline, a dark time in the world’s history, so now all religion is strictly regulated by servitors. If they show any sign of gaining ground then the servitors find a way to revoke their license and shut them down. There is also policy in place to make people as genetically diverse as possible since having ethnic groups banding together against other ethnic groups also contributed to The Decline. The people are truly a melting pot. Except for the rich who were exempt from the mandates. Of course. Typical.

The story revolves around Mae Koskinen, a praetorian (elite military force), and Dr. Justin March, a servitor of some renown, who was exiled for mentioning the supernatural in one of his reports. But they want him back to solve a series of ritualistic murders and it’s during this investigation that things of a supernatural nature are brought to light, something the New World Order doesn’t want to believe. But the old gods don’t care what the government believes. They’re coming back and they’re pissed about being banished.

An enjoyable and interesting read, but I’m not chomping at the bit to continue the series. If that makes sense at all.