Gameboard of the Gods

YA writer Mead (the Vampire Academy series) tries her hand at adult paranormal fiction with mixed results in the first Age of X episode. On a future Earth, the rigidly secular Republic of United North America (RUNA) government now rules the continent. As an elite praetorian solider, gorgeous Mae Koskinen is proud to defend RUNA’s citizens from “unchecked religion.” Then Mae sleeps with Dr. Justin March, former expert “priest killer” for the Ministry of Internal Security. RUNA needs March’s help to hunt down the religious group responsible for a series of bloody murders and assigns Mae to be his bodyguard. Hardened soldier Mae predictably hates having showed any vulnerability to her charge. Meanwhile, Justin worries that sleeping with her again will fulfill a secret prophecy, forcing him to swear loyalty to some unknown god. Most of the story seems to be setting the stage for later books, leaving characters and the murder investigation to languish. Mead will have to sharpen her plotting to make this series successful. Agent: Lauren Abramo, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (June)