Richelle Mead starts a new series where the world no longer believes in God(s) but Gods now have something to say about this lack of belief:

In a futuristic world where religion almost destroyed humanity, people now live in a very limited religious upbringing, where people pray to their country and not to some higher being. Justin March was a researcher for RUNA (Republic of United North America) and certain events have lead him to believe in the existence of Gods and the supernatural, so when he finds himself in exile he is not really surprised. He is about to get the biggest surprise of his life when RUNA comes calling for him to investigate mysterious murders that have been occurring throughout the country. They want him to prove that the supernatural is not involved, but the more that Justin uncovers the more convinced that not only is the supernatural involved, that they are gearing up for a major even that will knock everything that RUNA has tried to implement to its feet.

This book had everything going for it. It had an interesting premise and I thought the use of Gods and Goddesses and the "cults" that follow them was done in a unique way. I liked that Mead chose to create a whole new world where the belief was cater to there being no Gods, people were more about respecting and worshipping their country than anything else. As with any change there are always a few that choose to believe in something they are unable to see or quantify but their acts were closely monitored by RUNA and if the following got too big they were no longer allowed to practice. At times it seemed to have a parallel to what has happened in our past of people trying to force one way of thinking on others. As I stated above Mead has an interesting world and concept here.

The characters that Mead chose to feature also had interesting beginning that you wanted to know more about them. I personally was interested in the super soldier Mae and the powers she has been able to obtain as being part of RUNA military. She is so cool and calm under pressure it is downright scary. Justin is her complete opposite so at time their interactions were heated as neither can understand the motivation of the other. However overall other than an interesting beginning I felt that Mead stalled on giving more depth to her character. Maybe Mead did not want to reveal too much in the first book of the series, but I felt like I needed more from both of them. I did think it was interesting how Justin received his Ravens, and honestly the Raven's in his head were one of my favorite parts of the book as they were sarcastic and ever critical of his every move.

As I said before, this book had everything going for it and I should have been on the edge of my seat the whole time, not wanting to put this book down, however it was the complete opposite. This book slow, tedious and at times I was bored. It took me a lot longer to read than I thought it would. There was mystery, a bit action but all of this was extremely spread out and not well thought out where it was places. It seemed like Justin was forever just droning on about something and Mae just sitting there trying to keep her cards close to her chest. These were their endless conversations between them when they are supposed to be investigating murders but really not doing anything about that aspect or at least the reader is never aware of what they are doing as Mead never takes sufficient time to explain the investigation. Everything seems to hang on Leo figuring out how the surveillance cameras were manipulated, but Leo is never a major part of the story. There are also jumps in time where the reader does not know what has occurred in their investigation but all of sudden it is one week left before the next murder is to take place. Well what were they doing for the other three weeks before?

I am on the fence about this book. I found the world building and characters interesting for the most part but I think that Mead had a poor execution of the plot as a whole. There were too many gaps in time, not enough explanation or time spent on the investigation and a lack of entertaining things happening that would keep the reader engaged. I really think that Mead could have had something with the ideas that are expressed within this book, I just wonder if she can do better further in the series and I question whether I want to find out or not.

Cheers!!
 

Despite some of it's problems I did enjoy this.

We start with the worldbuilding, the author treats you as if you know what's going on and then works from there. With the complicated world she has built this is a stretch for the reader, even me, however I liked Justin March and was curious about the Ravens in his head, Horatio and Magnus, and I got a lot of the clues well before he did. Then again I know a lot about a variety of European Gods and Goddesses and had a fairly good idea what was going on with a lot of the issues. The idea of a world where religion was rigidly controled and that one of the investigators had a supernatural episode that caused him to be exiled was interesting and made me want to read more to see how well his life can be messed up by the god war that seems to be looming and how this will change the society he's in.

I also liked Mae, she's a mess, outwardly she's perfect but inside at the beginning she has berserk moments (that no-one seems to notice) but by the end everything she thought she knew is messed up. She and Justin are going to have to do a lot to fix their lives, if they can.

I was caught up by the story, if you need more/any worldbuilding in a story to start avoid like the plague. Even at the end there was a lot I wanted to know about the society and I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of it will remain unanswered.

 

 

It's here! Today is the day you can get the beautiful new bindups of Jennifer L. Armentrout's LUX Series! Are you as excited as we are?

 

 

 

 

Doesn't it look amazing? You don't want to miss these or the bonus content included in each bindup! We have all the information for you below, and a fabulous giveaway for you. Make sure you check it all out and enter for your chance to win!

 

 

 

LUX: Beginnings

 

ABOUT LUX: Beginnings: 

 

Now available together for the first time, don't miss Obsidian and Onyx, the first two books in Jennifer L. Armentrout's bestselling Lux series. Also includes bonus content exclusive to the print edition! "A thrilling ride from start to finish," says RT Book Reviews. Starting over sucks. When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. And then he opened his mouth. Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me. You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don’t kill him first, that is.

 

 

  

 

 ABOUT LUX: Consequences: 

 

Now available together for the first time, don't miss Opal and Origin, the third and fourth books in Jennifer L. Armentrout's bestselling Lux series. Also includes bonus content exclusive to the print edition! "A thrilling ride from start to finish," says RT Book Reviews. No one is like Daemon Black. When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on. But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love. After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever. Together we’re stronger...and they know it.

 

 

  

 

 

 

OPPOSITION Comes out August 5^th! Pre-Order It Now!

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

 

 

Find Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

     

 

Add the LUX Series on Goodreads!

 

LUX: Beginnings Goodreads ** LUX: Consequences Goodreads ** Opposition

 

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Last day of the week and last day at work and only about 5 hours and than I can go shopping, pick up the kids and start my weekend :)

 

Ohhhh Happy dayyy :) 

 

 

I have a lot to catch up reading wise, but that is ok. I have 3 more books to read for my May goal and I hope I will get there. I added two books since I received the ARC for The Immortal Crown I wanted to read that but had to read Gameboard of the Gods first ;) 

Anyways I have to get the kids up for school and get ready , but I wishing you all a great weekend :) 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

 

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 mega successes: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

 

My thoughts:

 

This was a kind if a different book by Richelle Mead I thought but never the less I liked it. It is a sort of murder mystery meets the supernatural.

 

I though the beginning was a little slow but, it picked up about quarter way in the book. I also though the whole “raven” thing could have been explained earlier in the story to make it less confusing.

A good mix between, action, romance and suspense.

I liked the characters a lot. I can’t wait to learn more of them. Easy to follow, fun to read.

Justin is funny, smart, party and playboy. Mae is this super soldier type, smart but she also has a soft side. I also enjoyed Tessa a lot and hope to see more of her in the upcoming books.

Overall I give this book 3 ½ ★ I would have given it a higher rating if the beginning wouldn't have been so slow and some things would have been explained earlier to make it less confusing. But I will for sure read the second book.

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

“I can understand bitchiness in any language.”

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“I can't shut my brain off. It's like a hamster wheel."

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“You're on a roll here, aren't you? Never thought I'd have a heckler while pouring out my heart and soul.” 

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