REVIEW: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Title: Gameboard of the Gods
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Age of X #1
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Published Date: June 4, 2013
ISBN:  978-0525953685
Buy It Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Rating: 2 1/2 stars

Synopsis: The first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series has all the elements that have made her bestselling Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.
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.

Review: I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. 

Honestly, I didn't like this book. It was very close to being a Did Not Finish book. This was the first of Richelle Mead's books that I've ever read, and I was hoping it would be like my experience with Julie Kagawa, where I completely fall in love with her books. Sadly, that didn't happen. I'm sure Richelle Mead fans all over are at their screens right now reading this review in disbelief. 

I didn't really care for any of the characters. If Horatio and Magnus were supposed to be moral support, or comic relief, they failed utterly in both respects. I wanted to ignore Justin the entire time, and Mae was just plain aggravating. I found all of the characters except perhaps Tessa, to be very 2 dimensional, flat, and boring. The story line dragged on...and on...and on. I kept checking my Kindle to see how much more I had left of the book to finish.

The only real reason why I finished this book was because I felt compelled to. I made a promise to Net Galley, and I was going to complete it. I was very disappointed, and now I'm not sure if I will even try the author's other series.