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A review by jordanreedsbooks
The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
4.0
I just finished The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did—especially since a lot of books from Red Tower Publishing have been misses for me lately. But wow, this one absolutely delivered!
The story follows Lyra, this sarcastic and cursed mortal stuck as an office clerk, who suddenly finds herself chosen by none other than Hades to compete in a deadly contest called the Crucible. The gods, instead of fighting for Olympus’ throne themselves, use mortals as their champions, which sets the stage for an intense, high-stakes adventure. Lyra isn’t your typical “chosen one,” though—she’s messy, reluctant, and carrying a curse that makes her choice even more intriguing.
What surprised me most was the way Abigail Owen weaves humor and emotion so seamlessly. One moment I was laughing at Lyra’s sass, and the next, my heart ached for her struggles. And Hades? Let’s just say he’s everything a romantasy fan could want mysterious, powerful, and with just enough vulnerability to make you root for him.
The book feels like a mix of The Hunger Games meets Throne of Glass but with Greek mythology at its core, which I loved. The slow-burn romance was so well done—there’s tension, chemistry, and just enough payoff to leave you wanting more. Plus, the twists kept me guessing, and I couldn’t put it down even though it’s almost 600 pages. It didn’t feel long at all!
I also appreciated that the world-building was vivid and easy to sink into without being overwhelming. The modern-day Olympus, combined with the chaos of the gods and their mortal champions, felt fresh and dynamic. By the end, I was fully invested in Lyra and Hades, and now I’m counting down to book two because the cliffhanger was intense.
If you’ve been let down by other Red Tower books, I get it but trust me—this one is worth your time. It’s got everything: action, suspense, romance, and incredible writing. Give it a shot!
The story follows Lyra, this sarcastic and cursed mortal stuck as an office clerk, who suddenly finds herself chosen by none other than Hades to compete in a deadly contest called the Crucible. The gods, instead of fighting for Olympus’ throne themselves, use mortals as their champions, which sets the stage for an intense, high-stakes adventure. Lyra isn’t your typical “chosen one,” though—she’s messy, reluctant, and carrying a curse that makes her choice even more intriguing.
What surprised me most was the way Abigail Owen weaves humor and emotion so seamlessly. One moment I was laughing at Lyra’s sass, and the next, my heart ached for her struggles. And Hades? Let’s just say he’s everything a romantasy fan could want mysterious, powerful, and with just enough vulnerability to make you root for him.
The book feels like a mix of The Hunger Games meets Throne of Glass but with Greek mythology at its core, which I loved. The slow-burn romance was so well done—there’s tension, chemistry, and just enough payoff to leave you wanting more. Plus, the twists kept me guessing, and I couldn’t put it down even though it’s almost 600 pages. It didn’t feel long at all!
I also appreciated that the world-building was vivid and easy to sink into without being overwhelming. The modern-day Olympus, combined with the chaos of the gods and their mortal champions, felt fresh and dynamic. By the end, I was fully invested in Lyra and Hades, and now I’m counting down to book two because the cliffhanger was intense.
If you’ve been let down by other Red Tower books, I get it but trust me—this one is worth your time. It’s got everything: action, suspense, romance, and incredible writing. Give it a shot!