Kindle
$1.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$15.20
Paperback
$12.37
Buy new:
-16% $15.20
FREE delivery Thursday, May 16 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon
Sold by: STARTREKBOOKS
$15.20 with 16 percent savings
List Price: $17.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Thursday, May 16 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Wednesday, May 15. Order within 17 hrs 9 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$15.20 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.20
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Sold by
STARTREKBOOKS
Sold by
STARTREKBOOKS
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$12.10
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, May 18 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Wednesday, May 15. Order within 17 hrs 9 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$15.20 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.20
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Martha Brockenbrough
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Game of Love and Death Hardcover – April 28, 2015

by Martha Brockenbrough (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 193 ratings
Editors' pick Best Young Adult
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$15.20","priceAmount":15.20,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"15","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"20","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"pztULPPfO8w9dJ%2F8PRDVfgXj0DrPOESuVQ%2F%2FDkosHbfjhUmigdUYbwiRUzzGD6N3n%2B%2FtCvo7Uj46QM42HpiwxRqFNtC8sHhWfYT4%2F0rh2V88V%2FqGyhNFjIF%2FNkZsr3s3JB%2BZErIb5Oi7ANYA68iWVJPed1Q%2FqeRKj3Hn9ewpX8aoUS9AnN9%2B3eCS4gEwHXX1","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$12.10","priceAmount":12.10,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"10","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"pztULPPfO8w9dJ%2F8PRDVfgXj0DrPOESu6KaymFQU%2FdfzUQDb7kDNSNwTlee8SPEVZKfjXf5MvzPabFEpioktrxUyb870FFpqoMFJY9v114kcDnA92WhRg3BOBModv%2F4B9afcA2UHSwFSKhG2cuTE3jU2dq2W9jDwcYqDbDxfwL50To11vt%2Bncimbd6GXurnR","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Not since The Book Thief has the character of Death played such an original and affecting part in a book for young people.

Flora and Henry were born a few blocks from each other, innocent of the forces that might keep a white boy and an African American girl apart; years later they meet again and their mutual love of music sparks an even more powerful connection. But what Flora and Henry don't know is that they are pawns in a game played by the eternal adversaries Love and Death, here brilliantly reimagined as two extremely sympathetic and fascinating characters. Can their hearts and their wills overcome not only their earthly circumstances, but forces that have battled throughout history? In the rainy Seattle of the 1920's, romance blooms among the jazz clubs, the mansions of the wealthy, and the shanty towns of the poor. But what is more powerful: love? Or death?
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    12 years and up
  2. Print length
    336 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    7 - 9
  5. Lexile measure
    710L
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  7. Publisher
    Arthur A. Levine Books
  8. Publication date
    April 28, 2015
  9. ISBN-10
    0545668344
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0545668347
  11. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Buy it with

The Game of Love and Death
$15.20
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by STARTREKBOOKS and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
The Ballad of the Sad Café: Carson McCullers (Little Clothbound Classics)
$13.43
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—Set in 1930s Seattle, this work tells the story of two teenagers whose destinies are being manipulated by powers far beyond their control. An orphan from a poor African American family who works as an airplane mechanic by day and a jazz singer at night, Flora dreams of being the next Amelia Earhart. Henry lives just a few blocks away, but he is white, and his adoptive family is wealthy. A bright future of college and a career lies ahead of him, but he is distracted by his love of music and, from the moment he first lays eyes on her, by Flora. What Flora and Henry don't know is that they have been chosen as pawns in a game between the immortal entities Love and Death. If they choose each other, then Love wins and they both survive, but if they don't, then Death wins and Flora's life is forfeit. Love and Death take on various guises and wreak havoc on the lives of their players at a deadly cost to both of their families. Though the writing is often beautiful and evocative, the story is sometimes weighed down by its many side characters and plot twists, and attempts to use Love and Death to explore larger philosophical ideas lack punch. Still, romance lovers will find themselves rooting for the ill-fated couple, and the historical setting and African American characters—particularly strong-willed Flora—bring some much needed diversity to the YA scene. VERDICT An interracial YA romance with weighty themes.—Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

Review

"So beautiful I wish I'd written it myself."
--Elizabeth Wein, author of Printz Honor Book CODE NAME VERITY


" I read this book with my heart in my throat..."
-- Judy Blundell, author of National Book Award Winner WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED


"Smart, haunting, and entrancingly magical..."
--Ruth Ozeki, bestselling author of A TALE FOR THE TIME BEING


"...The kind of book you never forget."
--Nancy Werlin, New York Times best-selling author of IMPOSSIBLE.



"An exquisitely nuanced novel."
-- Andrea Davis Pinkney, New York Times bestselling author of THE RED PENCIL

Kirkus Reviews (starred)
A lovingly realized Depression-era Seattle becomes the field of play for the latest round in the titular, age-old game. In February 1920, Love and Death choose their newest pawns as infants: Love's is Henry, a white boy of privilege; Death's is Flora, the soon-to-be-orphaned daughter of African-American jazz musicians. Brockenbrough's precise, luscious prose cuts back and forth among the four protagonists. Race, class, fate and choice... join Love and Death to play their parts in Brockenbrough's haunting and masterfully orchestrated narrative.

Publishers Weekly (starred)
Brockenbrough (Devine Intervention) never sugarcoats the obstacles facing Henry and Flora's love--whether human prejudices or supernatural manipulations--in this inventive and affecting novel, and the ending in which Flora, who has seen too many people die, realizes how love and death intertwine, is beautiful.

Booklist (starred)
This sophisticated novel is filled with breathtaking prose and nuanced characterizations. Secondary characters pulled into the game by virtue of their associations with Henry and Flora are as richly drawn as the lovers. Love and Death, equally enigmatic and maddening, are the moral core of the story, despite the callous premise of their game. This original novel is a thoughtful exploration of courage, love, and the price we pay to live.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arthur A. Levine Books (April 28, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0545668344
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0545668347
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 710L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 193 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Martha Brockenbrough

Martha Brockenbrough

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Martha Brockenbrough is the author of many books for young readers:

- Frank & The Bad Surprise (Levine Querido)

- Into the Bloodred Woods (Scholastic)

- I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story (Little, Brown)

- This Old Dog (Levine Querido)

- Unpresidented: a biography of Donald Trump (Feiwel & Friends)

- Cheerful Chick (Scholastic)

- Alexander Hamilton: Revolutionary (Feiwel & Friends)

- Love, Santa (Scholastic)

- Back to School with Bigfoot & Bigfoot Wants a Little Brother (Scholastic)

- The Game of Love and Death (Scholastic)

- Shark Week (Feiwel & Friends)

- Finding Bigfoot (Feiwel & Friends)

- The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy (Scholastic)

- Devine Intervention (Scholastic)

She teaches at Vermont College of Fine Arts and founded National Grammar Day. She has worked as a newspaper reporter, a high school teacher, and as editor of MSN.com.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
193 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Janet C. Carey
5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant High-stakes Story
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2015
Verified Purchase
I just finished Martha Brockenbrough’s brilliant novel, THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH. It’s all I hoped it would be and rightfully deserves every starred review. The characters are all players, though only Love and Death know the high-stakes game to begin with. We meet Love and Death as they choose the male and female infants who will grow up to play their haunting Game. Love chooses Henry Bishop. Death chooses Flora Saudade. The players come from different races, different classes, different sides of town. On the surface Flora and Henry are opposites, yet as we come to know them, we see beyond all surfaces to the music that runs through their veins, the strong temperaments that set them apart, that make them bound to meet and catch fire.

The plot sizzles with many unexpected twists and turns, but the twists all come from within the characters themselves, from Love, Death, Flora, Henry and from those closest to them who are also burned by the Game. And it’s the character twists that drive the novel to breathtaking heights and depths that make you hold your breath as you turn pages, and barely let it out again. I’ve only whispered hints about the plot in THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH because you must play the Game whose characters make and break the rules. Clever. Heartbreaking. Memorable. Read and experience this masterful work by Martha Brockenbrough.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Denee D. Tyler
4.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying read
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
I was drawn into the story through the excellent writing. The lives of the protagonists seemed a mite too calamitous, but I guess that was part of the game.
Helpful
 Report
Crystal Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars WoW!!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2015
Verified Purchase
I really love this book right from the start your pulled in and your able to feel the 1920's and 30s for how times were . The primance of the book really makes you wonder as you teas whom world you be choose by love or death. This book really challenges the reader to consider the love in there life or the death in there life. In the book we see different forms of death besides the idea of some just dying but how we oddly allow and invite death through thoughts such I as I can't do, this won't happen, etc never really giving life a chance. And we see how easily love is over looked when we are faced with differences. Overall is fun to see the transformation of love and death and Flora and Henry this book is very action packed and a very few slow parts we even get to see times in history of the 30s play out recreated. This is a tear jerker as well however it will make you value what you have and if you have nothing it will inspire to look inside of yourself and see if your playing the game till time runs out or living a life you were made to grow and love in.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Anne Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
The Game of Love and Death is an unexpected, delightful read. It is a thoughtful, beautifully written book that explores several relevant, current themes. It explores the fundamental concepts of life and death as people, interracial dating, and homosexuality. Through exploring these themes, the author weaves a story of a timeless battle between love and death, which are binding forces between all people. The language is rich and vibrant, and the stories are told delicately, yet with deep meaning behind each. This is not a book to skim over while sipping drinks on the beach, but one that needs time and attention to the deeper messages embedded within. The ending had me in tears. Read it. You won't be disappointed.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kate Webb
3.0 out of 5 stars Worth a read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book has a lot of good things going for it. It's set in the 1930's where we meet Love and Death personified. They strike a deal to watch their 2 specific players until a determined date to basically see if love will win out and save their fates.

The setting was so fun to read. We have the Great Depression, we have the Jazz Age and most importantly, we watch our two players, a Caucasian boy and an African American girl, falling in love amidst racial prejudices. This "game" that unfolds shows their interactions as children, then as they are nearing the end of the "game" and meeting again as they are 17. It was fascinating to see how their meetings and friendship developed in this era and a true test of love and faith to want to be together among all of the turmoil in their lives.

I also loved the inclusion of the side character Ethan, who struggled with LGBTQ issues as well as dyslexia. These aren't common topics in YA, but especially not common topics to discuss within this particular time period. Martha Brokenbrough took so much care into crafting this story and loaded it with such important topics that many people deal with at this age. I'm so glad this book exists.

The only fault I give it is that I just didn't find myself clicking with the characters. I felt just a touch removed from the whole thing. The writing was great and the characters have great development, there was just something lacking for me that I can't quite pin down.

I definitely recommend trying this one out! The setting and creativity alone are very worth the read.

[...]
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Nan
4.0 out of 5 stars Love always wins
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
A good read; thought provoking and love inspiring.
Helpful
 Report
Rachel
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a good read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
My son, a 7th grader, read this book for one of his book report assignments (I don’t think he knew what it was about). When he finished it he told me I should read it and gave it a glowing review. I generally read mysteries so this one was very different than something I would have chosen myself but I’m SO GLAD I read it! My son told me that the ending was the most perfect ending that any story could possibly have. While reading the book I had my ideas of how it might end but WOW! He was more right than I could have imagined. Loved this story!
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ariel Gordon
5.0 out of 5 stars you want to read slowly and savor the atmosphere and beautiful writing on every page
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
On one hand, this book is an absolute page-turner because you want to know what happens with the characters. On the other hand, you want to read slowly and savor the atmosphere and beautiful writing on every page. Basically, read quickly the first time and very, very slowly the second. I absolutely loved reading about Flora and Henry and Love and Death and will enjoy it on many re-readings.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly beautiful prose, amazing storyline
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2016
Verified Purchase
Incredibly beautiful prose, amazing storyline, this book had me in tears at times. The definition of love and death and their personification was a perfect representation of these two transgressions, Just so beautiful.
Report