The Game of Love and Death in Mock Printz 2026

Nov 26, 2015 Ricki rated it it was amazing

This is such a smart, smart book. I absolutely loved how Martha Brockenbrough weaved mythology and history into the book. I selected this book for my book club, and everyone absolutely loved it. This is the first time this has happened, I think! There was so much to discuss, and we had fun analyzing the characters--their motivations and decisions. One of the women in my book club said, "I have never wanted to step into a story more often than this one. I really cared about the characters!" ...more

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Apr 17, 2015 Sara rated it it was amazing

Impossible to put down. I found myself reading and re-reading as the language was masterful. Transcends categories. Can't say enough. ...more

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Dec 15, 2015 Ann rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adoption-foster-system, young-adult, prejudice, historical-fiction, 1930s, great-depression, washington, lgbtq, forbidden-love, african-american-plus

This was a five star book for me until the ending, which I thought was too pat, and while the author's ending message was beautiful and thoughtful, it wasn't written quite right to give the bittersweet punch it deserved. Up until that point, I was totally sold. The love story and the issues pushing against Henry and Flora felt realistic, and I liked that each had real interests and dreams outside of their relationship with each other. I also really enjoyed the Love and Death characters' perspect ...more

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Jun 17, 2015 Justin rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, young-adult, fantasy, historical-fiction

This is a very interesting mix of historical fiction, sweeping romance, and low-fantasy worldbuilding. The embodiments of Love and Death have played a certain Game for ages: chose two pawns, and manipulate events to see who will claim them by a certain date. Death usually wins, as shown by the pantheon of legendary love affairs throughout history that end in tragedy, but Flora and Henry, young musicians of different races in 1930s Seattle, make for a complicated and potentially unprecedented rou ...more

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Feb 23, 2016 Barbara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: economics, compassion, conflict, urban-life, jobs, social-activists, cultural-identity, social-justice, facing-fears, music

As can be surmised from this beautifully written book's title, for centuries, Love and Death have been playing a game with two humans as their playing pieces. History is littered with the discarded bodies of lovers who tried to defy Death, but still, the two immortals are locked into this eternal game. This time, though, they are focused on two seventeen-year-olds, and Love thinks he just might have a chance to emerge victorious. They each choose players--Henry Bishop, a white boy whose father c As can be surmised from this beautifully written book's title, for centuries, Love and Death have been playing a game with two humans as their playing pieces. History is littered with the discarded bodies of lovers who tried to defy Death, but still, the two immortals are locked into this eternal game. This time, though, they are focused on two seventeen-year-olds, and Love thinks he just might have a chance to emerge victorious. They each choose players--Henry Bishop, a white boy whose father committed suicide during trying economic times, and Flora Saudade, a talented African-American jazz singer who dreams of following in the footsteps of aviators Bessie Coleman and Amelia Earhart. Henry lives with a wealthy Seattle family whose father was a friend of his own father, and his future seems assured with a college scholarship and good grades. Although he loves music, he is constantly reminded that it can't be his career since it won't provide much economic stability. Flora has also lost her parents and lives with her grandmother. She divides her time between the jazz club her uncle runs and the airfield. The two meet when Henry and Ethan, his best friend, stop in to listen to some music. The plot itself is compelling and flows around fascinating, complex characters. But as if the choices made by the characters weren't already complicated by issues of race and class and familial expectations, things are further complicated by the intrusion of Love and Death at various points in the narrative. It's pretty clear from the start that things are hopeless for this pair of star-crossed lovers, but readers will follow along just in case this one time the end will turn out differently. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the story with the exception of Death's theft of Ethan's cousin Helen's identity. While that adds complications to the mix, I wasn't completely sure it was necessary. And since Helen is considered disgraced by her family back east, would she have access to all that money, enough to buy a plane for Flora? Those ending pages seemed a bit rushed to me after all the build up to the climax. Still, this one kept me reading, reading, reading, and thinking, partly because of all the fallout that surrounded this couple and anyone who came too near them. In its own way, this memorable title is just as original as The Book Thief, also narrated by Death, but with an American setting. Like a song that pierces the heart, I simply can't get this one out of my head--or my heart. ...more

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Jul 01, 2015 Debrarian rated it really liked it

Shelves: history-or-ish, book-group-selection, ya-aka-teen, queer-plus, supernatural, discussable, romance

Love and Death mark their human players at birth, set them up for love and danger, and watch to see if they choose each other over all else, or not. Death always wins, but Love keeps trying. This time the time is 1937, the place is Seattle, and the players, Flora Saudade (African American jazz singer and aspiring pilot) and Henry Bishop (quiet white boy with a talent for stand-up bass and a rich, domineering adoptive family) have just met for the first time since childhood. Love helps them with ...more

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Jan 03, 2016 Angela rated it really liked it

I almost gave up about halfway through and I'm so glad I finished. The last pages were beautiful and satisfying.
Not sure the whole conceit worked, but the two main teen characters and the time period/setting won me over. And of course the jazz music. ...more

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