Title: Among the Veils (Paper Thrones #1)

Author: Bret Alexander Sweet

Genre: Fantasy

Published: August 21, 2013

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The story is about Egyptian deities fighting for power in modern times.

The story started with a scene the reader sees three times from three different points of view. The author was trying to be cryptic and not give too much away too early. For a good portion of the book I was left wondering how much Clay, the main character, actually knew. He would have vast knowledge of what was happening then the next page he would need to have everything explained to him. There was a lot of description where after reading it I was left thinking I didn't learn anything.

Almost every conversation in the book ended up feeling like a classroom lecture. I realize I committed to reading the story, but I didn't necessarily go into a book half expecting to be graded on an essay. I feel like I should be describing the potential impact the story could have within our world.

I will admit the action sequences were very well done. Honestly, I think this is the first time I have ever thought this, but I think this would have been a better movie than book.

There were quite a few characters I really liked. Clay's boss Xochi was fantastic. The four teenagers, who were very comfortable with violence, were an interesting mix. I liked the scene with Clay's cats, how they were able to say duh to him and still be feline about it.

There were a lot of culture references. I will admit to being excited about the oblique West Wing reference, but for all the ones I did pick up on I know there were many I didn't. I just don't have the life context to pick up on them all.

Overall I gave this book 2 stars out of 5.