Games Gods Play

Darci's Review

If you’re looking for an urban fantasy featuring deadly trials, trifling Greek gods, and scorching tension, you need to pick up The Games Gods Play.

As a fan of Greek mythology (mainly due to the intense hold Rick Riordan and his Percy Jackson series had on me as a tween), Abigail Owen has finally satiated the gaping hole in my fantasy lover’s heart. Within the Greek mythology genre, many retellings have been written, with authors like Jennifer Saint, Claire North and Madeline Miller adding profound modern twists to these well-versed tales. Owens takes this a step further in The Games Gods Play, adding contemporary elements and creative plot choices to make the story jump out at readers and thrive.

The Games Gods Play is set in a modern-day San Fransisco, with the addition of Greek god temples scattered across the world in ‘patron’ cities. Through the main character Lyra Keres’ perspective, Owens introduces the Crucible - a deadly set of trials known as the 12 Labours in which patron gods nominate a mortal to fight on their behalf to be King of the Gods. Lyra Keres, abandoned at three years of age, was cursed by Zeus to be unlovable. In a fit of rage, Lyra decides to violate one of Zeus’ sacred temples, but none other than Hades himself prevents her from making the mistake. Lyra is then surprised when Hades, for the first time ever, has entered the Crucible by nominating herself. As Lyra is slung into the world of temperamental gods and untrustworthy competitors, she finds the only one she can trust is Hades, even though she knows he is hiding the true reason for his resurgence. As tensions run high, Lyra finds herself undeniably attracted to Hades and worries that he might feel the same. But that couldn’t be true, as she’s cursed to be unlovable by humans …

Alongside the exciting plot and gripping action, Owens entwines a thrilling romance, which builds in tension to the very last page. The Games Gods Play is a creative and well-written contemporary and urban fantasy which will have you sitting on the edge of your seat the whole way through. A great contemporary addition to the Greek mythology genre, which I highly recommend.

Publisher's Review 

The No 1 New York Times bestseller, a dazzling romantasy epic from award-winning author Abigail Owen. A Court of Thorns and Roses meets Percy Jackson in an alternate contemporary world where the gods of mythology never died.

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's 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.