Gameboard of the Gods

Age of X, Book 1

By: Richelle Mead

Narrated by: Emily Shaffer

Length: 16 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's 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.

©2013 Richelle Mead (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"After years of YA, the author has finally returned to her adult roots with an ambitious (and sexy!) sci-fi outing." (EntertainmentWeekly.com)

"This brilliant book is a miracle. Think American Gods with the romantic heart of Vampire Academy. What's the point of world-building if you aren't building something and someone to love? I'm in love with every character in this book. How do I know? When I got to the last page I turned to the first and started again, thinking this is why I read." (Margaret Stohl, New York Times best-selling author of Icons)

"Vivid world-building, whip-fast pacing, and a layered plot combine to make Gameboard of the Gods a riveting read!" (Melissa Marr, New York Times best-selling author of The Arrivals)

Tried really hard to love it...

What was most disappointing about Richelle Mead’s story?

The story was very confusing. I usually love Richelle Mead's books and I am used to her "info dumping" so to speak, but I feel like she just throws you into this new world and I didn't feel I got any sufficient answers til midway through the book. Also I felt no strong emotional connection to any of the characters, which was disappointing, because it is that aspect that draws me most to her books.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Emily Shaffer is what I disliked most about reading this book. Now, she's not terrible, but she also narrated part of the Vampire Academy series and all of the Bloodlines series. Now this. It's too much. It was fine previously when she was working with a spin-off, but reading this, all I could think about was- oh that's the voice of so and so, oh wait, no this is a new series. But considering this is a more mature novel, I was hoping for more mature narration. Sad face.

Mead's best since Succubus series

While the story started off a bit slow, it grew in intensity and character development. The narrator was excellent. I'm looking forward to the next in this series!

Great read!

I always like R. Mead's writing . The story was. overall really good and I. enjoyed the reader. She always pulls you into the story and chose sides even if it's believable or not.

A really good story, BUT!

Would you listen to Gameboard of the Gods again? Why?

I would read the story again (in a year or so) but not listen to it. The narration was a real buzz kill. This is another one of those cases where there should have been a coed performance. While Emily Schaffer was OK for the females, she does awful male portrayals. There just wasn't enough of the sample to judge. And also, as I've mentioned in other reviews, the samples should be taken from character interaction.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mae was my favorite. I like strong kink-ass heroines.

What didn’t you like about Emily Shaffer’s performance?

As I wrote before, Ms Shaffer does not do male voices well, especially Justin's (the main male character). From his description from the blurb from the book, he is suppose to be good looking and seductive. As always, I already had him pictured in my mind before I even started reading. Shaffer's Justin was high-pitched and whiny. JUST so not my Justin or a Justin I could visualize. I was so disappointed and I couldn't adjust. She also confused several characters' voices on occasion. I got 25% of the way in and had to delete the narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was so preoccupied with the whiny Justin that the actual content passed me by. I could appreciate the story but was not moved by it. I think I may wait a year, then read the book, without narration.

Any additional comments?

I see the 2nd book in the series is out with the same solo narrator. I'll probably buy the book after reading the first again later down the road but definitely not the narration. Oh! Guess what! Audible has this great new feature called "Our Great Listen Guarantee" where if you buy a dud you can exchange with no questions asked. I am a long Audible customer and have several hundred audiobooks. I going to do just that.

Loved it!

Narrator did a great job and I always love Richelle's characters. Looking forward to the next part of this story.

Good story but some issues

What did you like best about Gameboard of the Gods? What did you like least?

The world building is innovative and enjoyable.

Would you recommend Gameboard of the Gods to your friends? Why or why not?

This one could go either way, I would only recommend this to a subset of friends

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator is good - I have no issues with her

Was Gameboard of the Gods worth the listening time?

It was worth the time spent but with so many books I'm not sure that it is the best use.

Any additional comments?

Good book and could have been 5 stars except for 2 major sins:
1) Really, with all the personalities in the world we had to reuse Rose and Adrian?
2) As someone who read D&D books 25 years ago I apparently have a better understanding of gods and myths than a man with a PhD in the subject

Wasn't what I expected.

I really struggled to finish this book. The two main characters seems to act like teenagers. Nothing really happenens throughout the book until the end, and then it ends on a cliffhanger. Not interesting enough to read the second book in this series in my opinion.

Never make a deal with a god

I truly enjoyed this book. If you like complex stories with interesting characters this is a good choice.

It starts with a man conversing with 2 ravens that seem to be inside his head. The unknown world he inhabits is built as he goes through a night at a gangsters' party.

The story switches between him and a female super soldier at a funeral where we learn more about this post apocalyptic America.

The story and the world building evolve together. The story wraps up the mystery of this first book and sets the characters up to step into the next book.

Great Story but Lackluster Performance

I own this book and wanted to brush up on it before listening to the rest. The story was as great as my first time reading it, but Emily Shaffer’s voice and characterization was bland. The fact that she voiced everyone basically the same just dragged on me. There was no variation in tone or inflection. Her attempts at male voices was atrocious. Emotions fell flat and fight scenes were read in a terrible sensationalist tone. The only change was the one girl with the Spanish accent and even that made me cringe. All the other characters were read in the same voice regardless of age. It may have worked for some people, but I’m dreading having to listen to her do the next one.

Great Read!!

What did you love best about Gameboard of the Gods?

I loved being back inside of a Mead world. Even though her stories are other worldly, I always feel like I can insert myself into the story; the world has a realness that draw you in...Gameboard of the Gods did not disappoint!