Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog earns a small commission at no extra cost to you from any purchases made through these links. You can read the full disclosure underneath the Privacy Policy.
The Games Gods Play
by Abigail OwenSeries: The Crucible #1
Published by Entangled: Red Tower Books on September 3, 2024
SubGenres: Fantasy Romance
Format: AudioBook, Hardcover
Pages: 509
Narrator: Piper Goodeve
Length: 17 Hours And 57 Minutes
Source: Library - Libby, Purchased
Audience: 18+/Adult
Add to Goodreads
Purchase at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
The gods love to toy with us mere mortals. And every hundred years, we let them…
I have never been favored by the gods. Far from it, thanks to Zeus.
Living as a cursed office clerk for the Order of Thieves, I just keep my head down and hope the capricious beings who rule from Olympus won’t notice me. Not an easy feat, given San Francisco is Zeus’ patron city, but I make do. I survive. Until the night I tangle with a different god.
The worst god. Hades.
For the first time ever, the ruthless, mercurial King of the Underworld has entered the Crucible—the deadly contest the gods hold to determine a new ruler to sit on the throne of Olympus. But instead of fighting their own battles, the gods name mortals to compete in their stead.
So why in the Underworld did Hades choose me—a sarcastic nobody with a curse on her shoulders—as his champion? And why does my heart trip every time he says I’m his?
I don’t know if I’m a pawn, bait, or something else entirely to this dangerously tempting god. How can I, when he has more secrets than stars in the sky?
Because Hades is playing by his own rules…and Death will win at any cost.
The Games Gods Play is the first installment in Abigail Owen’s The Crucible Trilogy. I should have picked this book up sooner, especially since it features Greek Mythology in a fantasy world with a romantic subplot. Something I always enjoy reading because I love it when authors put their spin on Greek Mythology, and Abigail Owen has the Greek Gods choosing mortals to compete in deadly trials to determine which will be the next ruler of Olympus. If you are like me, you’ll despise the Gods for making mortals do the deadly trials for them.
This book reminded me of the Hunger Games books and an adult version of Percy Jackson, which I never got a chance to read, although I watched the movies. It’s a high-stakes fantasy involving heroine Lyra, who is an office clerk for the Order of Thieves, being chosen as Hades’ champion in the deadly trials, something she never expected, especially after only one encounter with him. She’ll face physical and mental challenges, especially since the other champions don’t want her winning due to Hades being her God. The trials Lyra faces are tough and hard to read at times, and I often cursed Hades for making her endure them. She’s not the strongest champion, but she is determined to survive, and I respect her for that. Her interactions with Hades surprised him and impressed me because no one usually gets away with talking the way she did to Hades. She’s truly made things introducing, and I loved her so much.
Not only was she having to endure dealing with trials, but she had been cursed by a God since she was an infant. A curse that I couldn’t believe she was given. Who does that kind of stuff to a baby, and it wasn’t even her fault? The curse affects her ability to find love, leaving her feeling isolated, which is another reason why I felt sympathy for her character. No one deserves to be isolated, but thankfully, she’ll gain friendships even during the trials and with others she’ll meet along the way.
One thing I want to mention is that there will be a lot of characters introduced in this book, including all the Gods/Goddesses and their champions, and others. It was hard to keep up with at times, but I managed. Some characters that stood out to me were Charon, Hades boatman, and his three-headed dog, Cerberus, who were hard not to love. There were other secondary characters that stood out, too, but don’t get too attached because this book is like The Hunger Games, and not everyone is going to live.
The romantic subplot between Lyra and Hades is definitely a slow burn, with chemistry and tension throughout. Hades frustrated me by holding back, but eventually won me over, even after putting Lyra through everything in the Crucible. Hades is definitely that morally grey character, you will either hate or love. In this book, I had more of a hate relationship with him because he was keeping things from Lyra. And don’t even get me started with why he truly picked her.
Overall, I give the first book four stars. I can’t believe it took me so long to read it. I’m eager for book two, especially after Abigail Owen left me with a shocking cliffhanger. No spoilers here, but I recommend having the second book ready. I have it and will be reading it soon. especially with the last installment in the trilogy coming out later this Fall and I’ve already preordered it.
POV: First Person
Cliffhanger: Yes.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you are seeking high-stakes Romantasy featuring a cursed heroine undergoing trials for a God to become the next ruler of Olympus, The Crucible Trilogy by Abigail Owen is a must-read.
(This book is getting passed down to my oldest daughter, who is in college. The second I described the book to her, she immediately knew this book was for her.) =)
Audiobook Recommendation: I borrowed the audiobook via Libby and loved the narrator, Piper Goodeve. She did a fabulous job with all the characters and bringing the story to life. I definitely recommend the audiobook if you enjoy listening to your books.
What to Expect:
💙Enemies to Lovers
💙Chosen One – Heroine
💙Cursed Heroine
💙Touch Her And I’ll ☠️ You
💙Forced Proximity
💙Slow Burn
💙Morally Grey Hero
💙Deadly Trials
Favorite Quotes:
“Quitters never win, and winners never quit. But survivors change the game.”
“If gods could be killed, you’d be the death of me, my star.”
“I want you in the way a storm gathers over mountains only to give in to violent release.”
About Abigail Owen
Multi-award-winning author, Abigail Owen, writes adult paranormal romance & upper YA fantasy romance. She loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of HEAs! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic.
Abigail attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing) and an MBA. However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own swoon-worthy hero, their angelic (mostly) kids, who are growing up way too fast, and 2 adorable fur babies.
Related Posts
My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
- ARC Review: ‘Heir of Ruin’ by Eden Summers - May 28, 2026
- Review: ‘Seeking Vengeance’ by Eden Summers - May 27, 2026
- Book Blitz + Giveaway: ‘The Flames of Soulflare’ by La Kayshal - May 26, 2026