drpschmidt's review against another edition
5.0
Mesmerizing piece of historical-fantastical-fiction set in the 1930's. Romantic and heartbreaking to see Love and Death as characters among an inter-racial couple and a same sex couple.
rcaivano's review against another edition
In Seattle in 1937 two seventeen-year-olds, Henry, who is white, and Flora, who is African-American, become the pawns in a game played by Love and Death. The game ends when they either choose to be together, which is the difficult route in those times, or stay apart. If they choose love, they live. If they part, they die. Flora was a bit obstinate, and I didn't understand her choices all the time, and Henry wasn't making great choices either, especially where school and family life were concerened, but I guess that was the point. I'm not sure if I actually liked this book, but I was happy with the ending.
zoeemerald's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVED this story
After about a month of being let down by hyped up books (Ava lavender, night circus, children of blood and bone...) I thought I'd pick something from my tbr that isn't as well known and, of course, it should be SO MUCH MORE WELL KNOWN.
Or maybe not, because maybe then I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much.
I loved the premise, the setting (1930s america with race relations and Hoovervilles? GCSE history me was alive), Ethan and James, Love and Death as imperfect, human characters, Ethan and James, the magical realism and imagery that lent itself to a really romantic atmosphere, Ethan and James, and the gorgeous writing. And Ethan and James.
It gave me most of what night circus never did, in the sense of two greater forces orchestrating a game between two young people who were therefore star-crossed lovers - the game was definitely a lot clearer, and the story of Love and Death themselves was a treat (I enjoyed their characters, especially Love's, sometimes more than the main duo). It didn't let down from its premise, basically.
But there were a couple of things that derailed the story at times, and let it down in other parts: first off, the romance between Flora and Henry was not as heart-exploding as it should have been, given the storyline and its promise. It was so tame and vanilla that I actually forgot they'd even kissed earlier on as we got closer to the ending. the love just kind of petered out, to such a point that the only evidence of it was other characters or the narration pointing out that they were meant to be, blisteringly in love...etc. I think this was mainly due to those two characters not being completely fleshed out, I often didn't get Flora. I didn't believe in her love for Henry, or her general feelings about anything other than flying.
Also, don't think there were enough obstacles. Death could have DEFINITELY been more vindictive and harmful. And the end with the Love/Death resolution could have been a lot more convincing.
These cons could have destroyed the book for me, but it was generally a really absorbing story. I was close to weeping for Ethan, he deserves his own damn story. It was really just a great historical YA romance with magical realism and an awesome Love-Death relationship subplot.
(Ok i got my progress update pages wrong ignore them)
After about a month of being let down by hyped up books (Ava lavender, night circus, children of blood and bone...) I thought I'd pick something from my tbr that isn't as well known and, of course, it should be SO MUCH MORE WELL KNOWN.
Or maybe not, because maybe then I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much.
I loved the premise, the setting (1930s america with race relations and Hoovervilles? GCSE history me was alive), Ethan and James, Love and Death as imperfect, human characters, Ethan and James, the magical realism and imagery that lent itself to a really romantic atmosphere, Ethan and James, and the gorgeous writing. And Ethan and James.
It gave me most of what night circus never did, in the sense of two greater forces orchestrating a game between two young people who were therefore star-crossed lovers - the game was definitely a lot clearer, and the story of Love and Death themselves was a treat (I enjoyed their characters, especially Love's, sometimes more than the main duo). It didn't let down from its premise, basically.
But there were a couple of things that derailed the story at times, and let it down in other parts: first off, the romance between Flora and Henry was not as heart-exploding as it should have been, given the storyline and its promise. It was so tame and vanilla that I actually forgot they'd even kissed earlier on as we got closer to the ending. the love just kind of petered out, to such a point that the only evidence of it was other characters or the narration pointing out that they were meant to be, blisteringly in love...etc. I think this was mainly due to those two characters not being completely fleshed out, I often didn't get Flora. I didn't believe in her love for Henry, or her general feelings about anything other than flying.
Also, don't think there were enough obstacles. Death could have DEFINITELY been more vindictive and harmful. And the end with the Love/Death resolution could have been a lot more convincing.
These cons could have destroyed the book for me, but it was generally a really absorbing story. I was close to weeping for Ethan, he deserves his own damn story. It was really just a great historical YA romance with magical realism and an awesome Love-Death relationship subplot.
(Ok i got my progress update pages wrong ignore them)
zoesnicholson's review against another edition
3.0
Combine the well-researched historical settings of [a:Elizabeth Wein|52320|Elizabeth Wein|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1206789548p2/52320.jpg], the stunning and unique narration of [b:The Book Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390053681s/19063.jpg|878368] and the exquisite writing of [a:Nova Ren Suma|2741432|Nova Ren Suma|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1315521193p2/2741432.jpg] and you'll be somewhere in the ballpark of what to expect of Martha Brockenbrough's second novel. The Game of Love and Death is a whimsical love story with extremely clever personification and intelligent narration.
Someday, everyone you love will die. Everything you love will crumble to ruin. This is the price of life. This is the price of love. It is the only ending for every true story.Love and Death have a deal. Every century, they choose two very special children. If, once the children turn teenagers, they fall in love, Love wins the game and the teens survive. If the teens fail to fall in love, Death wins and they die.
Antony and Cleopatra. Helen of Troy and Paris. Romeo and Juliet. Each time, Death has won. Now it's Flora and Henry's turn, and, this time, Love is determined to keep them alive.
Flora is an aspiring African-American pilot who dreams to follow in the footsteps of Amelia Earhart. Henry is a white boy living in the luxury of a well-to-do adoptive family. Their romance was where I was actually a bit ambivalent. I never truly felt the chemistry between them; I never saw what they saw in each other or completely understood why they liked each other so much.
The story's strength is in the form of Love and Death.
Death is the finest teacher. The finest, and the most cruel.Love and Death are two of the most complex and wonderfully written characters I've ever read about. They both have flaws and strengths, and they were written in such a realistic and intricate light. In fact, they're written so well there are moments where it's easy to forget they're personified.
This is an exquisitely written story with an amazing and imaginative portrayal of Love and Death. While I wish the romance between Henry and Flora and the historical setting itself had a bit more development, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this.
janabanana's review against another edition
3.0
This was not what I expected the audio book was made with a lot of care. I wish the story had been more engaging overall.
kgrace_s's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Gorgeous. Never have I ever read such a beautiful love story. Achingly beautiful and so sweet. I will remember this one forever.
stenaros's review against another edition
3.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
Many of the members of the book group were bowled away by this book, especially the writing. I found the story to be serviceable and interesting and that it did not grab me, perhaps because Love and Death were manipulating our lovers. (Thanks to Deborah for bringing up that point.)
Many of the members of the book group were bowled away by this book, especially the writing. I found the story to be serviceable and interesting and that it did not grab me, perhaps because Love and Death were manipulating our lovers. (Thanks to Deborah for bringing up that point.)
baronessekat's review against another edition
5.0
I'd give it a 4.5 so I rounded up.
What an absolutely beautifully haunting story. It was lovely and grotesque. Sad and happy. Frustrating, and hopeful. Uplifting and depressing. And if I had not been at work when I finished listening to this book I would probably be weeping at the ending. And I have to say that I don't know if it was the author's story or the narrator's voice but dayum.
For millennia Love and Death have played a game. Each generation or so they pick the players, they role the dice and set the rules and then wait to see who wins. Death has always won. In 1920 they pick their players for the next round of the game. Love picks Henry, a white boy born into privilege. Death picks Flora, an African-American girl born to a struggling family. The question is... despite everything, can Love finally win?
Like I said, haunting, beautiful, moving. On top of the main story of the Game, there are wonderful subplots that deal deeply and frankly with Race, Class, sexuality, power and privilege. This will be a book that haunts me for a while and one that I will tell people they should read.
What an absolutely beautifully haunting story. It was lovely and grotesque. Sad and happy. Frustrating, and hopeful. Uplifting and depressing. And if I had not been at work when I finished listening to this book I would probably be weeping at the ending. And I have to say that I don't know if it was the author's story or the narrator's voice but dayum.
For millennia Love and Death have played a game. Each generation or so they pick the players, they role the dice and set the rules and then wait to see who wins. Death has always won. In 1920 they pick their players for the next round of the game. Love picks Henry, a white boy born into privilege. Death picks Flora, an African-American girl born to a struggling family. The question is... despite everything, can Love finally win?
Like I said, haunting, beautiful, moving. On top of the main story of the Game, there are wonderful subplots that deal deeply and frankly with Race, Class, sexuality, power and privilege. This will be a book that haunts me for a while and one that I will tell people they should read.
estocchetti's review against another edition
4.0
**4.25 stars**
The Game of Love and Death is a beautifully crafted story about, well, love and death. In this novel, Love and Death are people, and every so often they play a game that involves them choosing two players to fall in love. If these players complete whatever it is that Love and Death have put them up to, Love wins the game and the players live on happily. But, if Death wins, she gets to claim the life of her player. And so, Love chooses Henry Bishop and Death chooses Flora Saudade, and as the novel plays out, the characters must choose to be courageous in love, or Flora will die. Of course, Henry and Flora do not know what they are a part of, and must choose right without knowing just what exactly they are a part of.
The premise of this book is exactly what I love to read (besides fantasy haha), and it really did not disappoint. Brockenbrough crafts a beautiful story with lovely writing. She did do more telling rather than showing, which could be improved upon. But I still love what her book had to say about life and death and love.
The characters were all great (except Mr. and Mrs. Thorne), and I really loved the personification of Love and Death. While this story is Henry's and Flora's, I felt that it was equally Love and Death's. I saw in other reviews that people felt Henry and Flora's love was "insta-lovey," but I did not feel that way. While the characters often acted solely on intuition, and only that, I ultimately loved every character and their growth.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the setting: the 1930s. I happen to love the kind of music described in this book, which only added to my reading experience!
This review is kind of all over the place, and I did not intend for it to be this long. It was simply a lovely book that I kind of want to share with everyone, but I also just want to keep it to myself for as long as possible.
The Game of Love and Death is a beautifully crafted story about, well, love and death. In this novel, Love and Death are people, and every so often they play a game that involves them choosing two players to fall in love. If these players complete whatever it is that Love and Death have put them up to, Love wins the game and the players live on happily. But, if Death wins, she gets to claim the life of her player. And so, Love chooses Henry Bishop and Death chooses Flora Saudade, and as the novel plays out, the characters must choose to be courageous in love, or Flora will die. Of course, Henry and Flora do not know what they are a part of, and must choose right without knowing just what exactly they are a part of.
The premise of this book is exactly what I love to read (besides fantasy haha), and it really did not disappoint. Brockenbrough crafts a beautiful story with lovely writing. She did do more telling rather than showing, which could be improved upon. But I still love what her book had to say about life and death and love.
The characters were all great (except Mr. and Mrs. Thorne), and I really loved the personification of Love and Death. While this story is Henry's and Flora's, I felt that it was equally Love and Death's. I saw in other reviews that people felt Henry and Flora's love was "insta-lovey," but I did not feel that way. While the characters often acted solely on intuition, and only that, I ultimately loved every character and their growth.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the setting: the 1930s. I happen to love the kind of music described in this book, which only added to my reading experience!
This review is kind of all over the place, and I did not intend for it to be this long. It was simply a lovely book that I kind of want to share with everyone, but I also just want to keep it to myself for as long as possible.
sf_23's review
2.5
I love magical realism, loved night circus, but this just wasn't it for me. The graphic racism and homophobia from a main character we were supposed to have sympathy for was both triggering and not cool. It seemed like it was just for effect? The key plot points that came from those instances could have been written in many other ways, or at the very least- revisited as "lessons learned" later in the book- instead they were never addressed.
It really felt like this book didn't hold up when it comes to emotional logic. Which is fine for a light-weight romance novel but was a bit disappointing. In particular, I wish there was a bigger emphasis on different types of love besides romantic.
However, I will say I loved the way music was woven into the narrative. The author's descriptions and the way it's the central part of the novel definitely did it justice and I got goosebumps more than once. As a musician myself, I truly felt seen in those parts and loved the jazz club backdrop.
It really felt like this book didn't hold up when it comes to emotional logic. Which is fine for a light-weight romance novel but was a bit disappointing. In particular, I wish there was a bigger emphasis on different types of love besides romantic.
Spoiler
Ultimately, Flora chose flying over Henry... so she did chose love? while I get that wasn't the point of the book, the subtle messaging that a white man she just met is worth more than her biggest passion was.. not for me.However, I will say I loved the way music was woven into the narrative. The author's descriptions and the way it's the central part of the novel definitely did it justice and I got goosebumps more than once. As a musician myself, I truly felt seen in those parts and loved the jazz club backdrop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia