annabelledejesus's review against another edition
4.0
This book has a great plot line, and its main characters are so devoted and glamorous. The ending was everything. More people should be talking about this.
My only concern is the fact that Henry literally couldn't live without Flora, and his life fell apart just from a rejection.
My only concern is the fact that Henry literally couldn't live without Flora, and his life fell apart just from a rejection.
megstyas13's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an interesting read, and definitely lived up to what I was hoping for!
FULL REVIEW SOON!
FULL REVIEW SOON!
emilyanddeb's review
4.0
This book was so much different than anything I have ever read before. I've never heard of an author actually literally personify the ideas of love and death. It was a super interesting concept to see how the two characters interacted and created a game out of watching relationships play out. The multiple perspectives made the story flow faster and it was informative to see all 4 different perspectives of the characters. The plot line itself was not the most interesting though, however, which is why I only gave this novel 4 stars. Overall, interesting concept, but mediocre story.
elliot_123's review against another edition
it did not keep my mind happy. the story was really boring. i didnt enjoy it one bit.ill try again another time.
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
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
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.