Author: Abigail Owen
Published: September 3, 2024 by Entangled: Red Tower Books
Format: Kindle, 645 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The Crucible #1
First Sentence: Preface. “F” the gods. I got so close. So damned close to finally reaching my goal, finally seeing my curse broken, and maybe, just maybe, finally feeling the love of the one man I long for.
Blurb: Every hundred years, the gods toy with us mere mortals. And we let them.
The gods of myth are alive and well.
Once every century, they select a new ruler in a cutthroat competition, pushing mortal players to the limit. But this year, Hades is done sitting on the sidelines. And he’s picking a champion no one expects—in this modern mythic romantasy, she’ll fight for her life… for the god of Death.
My Opinion: The Game of Gods is reminiscent of The Hunger Games, with mortals as pawns in the Greek gods’ ultimate power play. Perhaps those with a deeper knowledge of Greek mythology might navigate the book’s many deities more easily. Still, I often found myself diving into rabbit holes to look up each one mentioned.
The protagonist, Lyra Keres, is a 23-year-old mortal cursed from birth to never be loved. Bartered by her parents at three years old to pay off a debt, she grows up to become a skilled thief. Lyra's life takes a dramatic turn when Hades selects her as his champion for the Crucible—a twelve-trial game to decide the next ruler among the gods. A game where survival is not guaranteed. It's worth noting that snark seems to be the only way to catch Hades' attention—a humorous twist that adds flavor to the story.
The book’s humor and intensity keep the pages turning. Owen excels in world-building and creating vivid characters. The twelve challenges of the Crucible are progressively complex, maintaining the book’s thrilling pace. As Lyra navigates these trials, readers stay engaged, trying to anticipate which abilities will lead her to victory, who will fall, and who will reach the finish line.
This book offers a bit of everything. It's not a typical enemies-to-lovers story, but rather a business arrangement that gets spicy. The side characters are integral to the plot, making you both love and mourn them. The promise of a sequel is exciting, as there’s clearly much more story to be told.
Despite not being a typical rereader, I found myself contemplating a reread to catch nuances I might have missed the first time. The Game of Gods is an intense, brutal, and unforgettable read.
The Game of Gods is a gripping tale that intertwines the intensity of mortal challenges with the whimsical nature of Greek mythology. Its humor, depth, and complex characters make it a standout novel, leaving readers eager for more. If you're a fan of high-stakes games and intricate world-building, this book is a must-read.
Blurb: Every hundred years, the gods toy with us mere mortals. And we let them.
The gods of myth are alive and well.
Once every century, they select a new ruler in a cutthroat competition, pushing mortal players to the limit. But this year, Hades is done sitting on the sidelines. And he’s picking a champion no one expects—in this modern mythic romantasy, she’ll fight for her life… for the god of Death.
My Opinion: The Game of Gods is reminiscent of The Hunger Games, with mortals as pawns in the Greek gods’ ultimate power play. Perhaps those with a deeper knowledge of Greek mythology might navigate the book’s many deities more easily. Still, I often found myself diving into rabbit holes to look up each one mentioned.
The protagonist, Lyra Keres, is a 23-year-old mortal cursed from birth to never be loved. Bartered by her parents at three years old to pay off a debt, she grows up to become a skilled thief. Lyra's life takes a dramatic turn when Hades selects her as his champion for the Crucible—a twelve-trial game to decide the next ruler among the gods. A game where survival is not guaranteed. It's worth noting that snark seems to be the only way to catch Hades' attention—a humorous twist that adds flavor to the story.
The book’s humor and intensity keep the pages turning. Owen excels in world-building and creating vivid characters. The twelve challenges of the Crucible are progressively complex, maintaining the book’s thrilling pace. As Lyra navigates these trials, readers stay engaged, trying to anticipate which abilities will lead her to victory, who will fall, and who will reach the finish line.
This book offers a bit of everything. It's not a typical enemies-to-lovers story, but rather a business arrangement that gets spicy. The side characters are integral to the plot, making you both love and mourn them. The promise of a sequel is exciting, as there’s clearly much more story to be told.
Despite not being a typical rereader, I found myself contemplating a reread to catch nuances I might have missed the first time. The Game of Gods is an intense, brutal, and unforgettable read.
The Game of Gods is a gripping tale that intertwines the intensity of mortal challenges with the whimsical nature of Greek mythology. Its humor, depth, and complex characters make it a standout novel, leaving readers eager for more. If you're a fan of high-stakes games and intricate world-building, this book is a must-read.