We grow strong or we die.

On her way to school, teenager Eve Redding responds to an appeal for help from a youth in an alley and is instantly overpowered by a man and a woman, who inject her in the back of her neck and leave her, unconscious, to make her own way home. The school contacts her mother about her non presence that day and Eve is examined by a doctor and put to bed. Three days later, when she fully regains consciousness, Eve discovers that she has been recruited as a player in a game, but must tell no one about it, and she must fulfil certain tasks set by her handler, a male voice in her head calling himself Bunny. Success with these brings attractive prizes. But there is also a downside: periodically group texts are initiated, nasty and brutal. And to fail in them is to die.Sent

Sent in a non specified future time and location, the book has hints of the Hunger Games in the brutality of some of the tasks. And it is not really LitRPG, given that the events are occurring in real life with the appropriate consequences resulting from failure (and success). But there are all of the gaming elements with different attributes and levelling up, etc. As the book develops, the character of the main protagonist, who is also telling the story from her own point of view in first person present, also changes in response to the situations encountered. It is unfortunate that she is an unlikable character from the beginning and most others are giving very little character dspth. The world building for the sets of the trials is good, but that of the home town background is somewhat sparse, leaving big gaps in credibility such as how can numerous children become part of the game without their absence or distress becoming increasingly obvious?

A fascinating beginning which, although remaining exciting, turned into a more conventional fighting and survival gore fest as the novel proceeds, with too much self pitying justification. Shorter would have been better. However, the narration was excellent, with Natalie Duke giving distinctive and separate voice to all of the numerous protagonists as well as infusing the text with emotion, where appropriate. Her reading was clear, well paced and intoned, her voice pleasant to hear. A fine performance that certainly assisted the ongoing of the novel.

I was very fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of Gods of Blood and Bone by the rights holder, after I requested it via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. I did enjoy the book, for the most part, and am curious to discover what will happen in book two, Gods of Rust and Ruin. The mix of S.F., fantasy and a small helping of horror made for an intriguing story even if it did seem overly long and characterisation under achievsd. But i would happily recommend this for the young adult audience and think it would also make an exciting film.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Game lit for Hungar Games Fans

Other reviews complain that it loses its way but I enjoyed this story from start to finish the trails are grueling and help move the plot along in interesting ways but the author manages to balance action mainly, the trails with drama between characters. I enjoyed the main characters struggle between maintaing her family relationships with her new life. I enjoyed the character development of the whole cast and the author doesn't inflict long lists of stats and numbers when a character levels so it's easier to listen to than others of this genre. The narrator makes the story a pleasure to listen to. I cannot recommend this book more for the new girls to the gamelit genre.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Well written and well performed

This book is not what I expected and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Well written and well performed I would definitely recommend it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Teenage TV series in book form.

Seems like the author is hoping for a TV deal, no one can blame them, for it to be made into a series that will run and run.
ok I guess but I'm not from that age group.
Narrator does a fine job.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!