Ebook The Sacrifice Game A Jed de Landa Novel Brian D'Amato 9780451415646 Books

Product details Series A Jed de Landa Novel (Book 2) Paperback 656 pages Publisher Berkley (June 4, 2013) Language English ISBN-10 0451415647

The Sacrifice Game A Jed de Landa Novel Brian D'Amato 9780451415646 Books Reviews

• Sacrifice Game is a sequel to Courts of the Sun by Brian D"Amato. I found the first book to be interestingly original and creative. From the minute you started reading the first few pages you could not put it down. The story was fast paced and kept your attention. At the end I realized that it was the first book of three. So I anxiously awaited for the sequel, The Sacrifice Game, to come out in digital form for my . So naturally when it was ready for pre-order, almost a little over a year later, I jumped on it and ordered it . At first I thought I was going to have to skim over the first book since it had been a while since I had read it, but the sequel takes you through a brief review of your characters from the first story that you are able to continue. The book quickly jumps to the meat of the storyline and keeps you wanting to read without putting the book down. If you happen to know some history of the Mayan culture, the book could stand on its own pretty much without reading the first one, but there are 2 storylines that are going on at the same time that it would be a shame if you didn't read the first book. The author is able to keep you on track with both storylines without confusing you and brings history to life. The characters are personable, interesting and unique. Storyline is original and fast paced. The author brings the story to life that you can actually see the scenes in your mind and visualize the details. It's Doomsday, time travel and past and future all mixed in together. I can hardly wait for the third installment, I just hope it doesn't take as long as the second book to come out. Definitely good reading.
• Just finished reading this. I had come across Vol. 1 (In the Courts of the Sun) in a public library back in 2011.
  
  First, it hardly needs to be mentioned that reading Vol. 1 is pretty much a prerequisite to appreciating this volume.
  
  Second, this volume made it out with little time to spare. For a few days there, as I was reading it the real calendar date was the same date as events taking place in the novel. Next year (2013), this "future novel" will be set in the past. As it stands, some very current events & cultural icons made it into the novel. Both of these situations will serve to date the book as time passes, likely diminishing its appeal.
  
  How about the book itself? Very good. If you liked D'Amato's style and premise in Vol. 1, then you'll love this one. That said, I did downgrade my rating one star because I thought the middle section ran a little long, enough to try my patience. Maybe a symptom of overdose on D'Amato's style. However, things pick up toward the end and D'Amato prongs us with some thrilling twists (enough said!).
  
  My big question upon reaching "End of Book II" could there really be a Book III in the works?
• It helps to have read the first in this projected trilogy. Jed Landa is a nerd, self-deprecating but very smart and very, very tough. His personality is transferred into the body of a Mayan ball player in the classic period. The plot involves a sinister Disney-like company who in modern times hopes to capitalize on a Mayan divination game. The book may be offensive to Mormons or Disney fans, and does describe some very grisly torture. Jed is complex, reminds me a litttle of Bob Howard in Stross's Laundry Files novel. Mr. D'Amato has a great knowledge of Mayan culture and this book is largely but not exclusively set in the Mayan world, not the present or near future. The quest is in part to discover what the significance of 12/21/12 is, end of the world or a new era. I won't spoil it. This is brilliant, visceral speculative fiction and does not readily fall into a catagory.
• This was a stellar follow up to The Courts of the Sun-- albeit long awaited, I conversed with Brian here and there about the progress, and being the masterful penman that he is, didnt want to rush on perfection. He picks up with Jed where the Courts left off, and plunges you headlong into the total immersion of the Mayan culture. You feel like you are there with Jed and Lady Koh, feeling all the excitement and adrenalin as they countdown to the epic culmination of their strategy. The use of the language is masterful as well as the compelling draw to see exactly what will happen next and what twist and turn the journey will take you on.
  If you havent read Courts yet--put this one down and read it first . I havent quite finished it yet, but it is like a drug that is so addicting you only want more and more-- Anxiously awaiting the 3rd in the trilogy.
  Brian has done it again, only with the icing on the cake as well. Well Done!