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 boards.

I’ve been reading Richelle Mead’s work for about five years now, thanks to a friend who introduced me to her Vampire Academy series, which led to me reading and then buying all of those books, and continuing with her Bloodlines series. I attempted her Succubus Blues series, but never got into the style or the topic. So, I decided to try again with Gameboard of the Gods when I saw it on Netgalley, and I am so glad I did.

One of the reasons I love Mead’s writing is because of her extensive world building, and she did not disappoint me in this, although as usual in the first novel in a series, I craved to know more about their world. I really REALLY want to know what Cain actually was, and why the blamed religions for the Decline, not to mention what the Decline actually entailed. I could have done with more details as regards to that, but otherwise I really loved the novel. As it’s the first in a series, it definitely piqued my interest. Oh, and also what on earth was going on in Europe that Justin wouldn’t even run there? I want to know!

Mae, Justin and Tessa all had extremely different viewpoints on the things that were going on, which was very refreshing to read. I loved learning about the praetorian lifestyle and how Mae dealt with the changes between her normal, apparently pampered lifestyle to that of a warrior who is always ‘on’ and ready for whatever might come. That was actually another thing I wanted more information on – what is this implant, what is it attached to, and how does the science work?

I loved that while religion was partially the villain in this, the characters all recognized that the religion was not at fault – it was the practitioners’ misinterpretation of their goddess’s lore and taking it to an extreme that most of its practitioners generally would not go to.