The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen: My Book Review of the Romantasy of the Year

Check out my book review of The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen to see what I think of this must-read romantasy book of the year.

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Games Gods Play Summary:

The gods love to play 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: My Review

Hands down one of the best books of 2024! If you love romantasy, you cannot miss this epic romance that will have you hooked from the very first page. I CANNOT wait for book two!

Every once in a blue moon I read a book that instantly grabs me from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the very end. And considering that this book is over 600 pages, that is really saying something that I fell hard and fast for this romantasy and never wanted it to end. I NEED BOOK TWO NOW!

I honestly feel like Abigail Owen’s life is about to change in the same vein that Rebecca Yarros’ did in 2023 with the release of Fourth Wing. EVERYONE is going to want to read this book whether they are romantasy lovers or not. This book is going to be huge I have no doubt.

First and foremost, any book that gets 5+ stars from me has to be extremely well-written and honestly, Abigail Owen blew me away with The Games Gods Play. I now have to binge-read every single one of her books because she is an incredible writer and storyteller.

I honestly commented on one of her posts on Instagram that I was hooked from the very first page because it is so true. The very first line of the prologue: “Fuck the gods.” set the stage and I was hooked on this epic story of strength, loyalty, and suspense with a feisty heroine at the helm.

Owen’s words just flowed off the page, making me feel like I was in this world with Lyra and battling alongside her. The storyline flowed effortlessly with the best pacing, character development, slow burn anticipation and suspense that made this such a joy to read.

I not only fell in love with her writing but also the amazing characters she created. I’m such a sucker for romance books that weave in Greek mythology and I adored how she created a modern day Olympus with the Greek gods using mortals to battle it out to determine the next King of the Gods.

Owen grabbed all the elements that I loved about The Hunger Games and Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Fourth Wing (even Throne of Glass) in creating the Crucible and the twelve Labors that Lyra was to participate in as Hades’ champion.

And what is it about Hades that we romantasy readers love so much? Sure he’s a bit dark and mysterious but I loved the layers to Owen’s Hades in this one and the ultimate reason why he decided to participate this year.

Lyra and Hades chemistry was off the charts and had the best slow burn until it crested over. This book doesn’t have a ton of steam in it in case that’s what keeps you away from romantasy, but you could just feel what a great match these two are.

Also- one of the best parts about this book is that it reads as a complete story and yet leaves you with an epic cliffhanger that will launch its own continued story in book two.

If you’re looking for a book with action, suspense, a feisty heroine, a hot yet quiet alpha God and a captivating story with the best writing then The Games Gods Play deserves a spot on your TBR list!

Check out my interview with Abigail Owen where we talk about The Games Gods Play on the She Reads Romance Books Podcast!

*I received an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Related Book Lists:

• Best Romance Novels of 2024
• Best Fantasy Romance Books
• Best Romantasy Books of All Time
• New Romantasy Books of 2024 All Fans Must Read

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