The Games Gods Play

Written by Abigail Owen

Narrated by Piper Goodeve

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891782150

Abigail Owen

Multi-award-winning author Abigail Owen writes adult and 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, MBA, and chocoholic. Photo Credit: Ashley Ball Photography

Reviews for The Games Gods Play

[acevedoceleste02 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love love loved this read !!! I can’t wait to read “The Things Gods Break” ?

[vanjamicev · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed it and cant wait fornseries to continue.

[Kimberly Frost · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sorry if you hear barking in the distance, it’s just me expressing my love for this book. ?

[6k4nqpnpfb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Got me out of a book slump. Love mythology and games and this was done in a way that didn’t feel played out!

[Naiara Cinque · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book, full of games, betrayal and love, always love

[Saphirakay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this book. I just hope the next one is just as good and doesn't contain love triangles they ruin books for me..

[hopskipandajumpjumpjump · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ugh, I cannot wait for the next book! This one had me captivated for dayssss.

[tylerflood201 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book couldn’t put it down. Character were very well written

[Jessica Cardona · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the different trials from the Gods and the slow burn was perfect!!

[bal.jennifer71 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was only given 10 chapters of this book it still has over 100 chapters left not good and it took my credit

[stevenpalmer251 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing!!! Words cant describe how wonderful. I want more.

[Mayra Liz Rivera · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Did not expect it to be sooooo good .. Next please !!!!!!!

[ms.geraldineesteban · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If a six-star rating is available for this book, I will not hesitate to give it that score. This is a must-read book with a roller coaster of emotions and all the plot twists! I can't wait for the second book!

[Chelsey Richards · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book! Wish I could read it for the first time all over again!

[Callee Moore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This has IT ALL! Fantasy, romance, found family, emotional trauma/healing, overthrowing of power!!!

[amanda hager · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Couldn’t put it down. Definitely recommend. Loved this versions of the Greek gods.

[Allison Weser · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was the MOST amazing book! I loved every minute of it. The humor and high stakes was worth every minute.

[Raquel Carvalho · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For fans of ACOTAR. If you have a book hangover this is the one.

[al.grisham227 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I didn’t read, I devoured! Can’t wait for more of Hades & Lyra

[haileybegnaud · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Omg so good! Like I’m speechless! Give me more of this!

[emilyjo.reads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don’t even know where to begin. This was an incredible story. I loved the narrator, she did a phenomenal job!

[jbertot-838578 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this read. It was a very entertaining story with a Hunger games Vibe. The Characters are very engaging and you will find your favorite in no time. I am looking forward to book 2. Abigail has found a fan reader in me. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed the Hunger games series.

[briandrewz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lyra Keres was cursed by a god at her birth. Twenty-three years later, she is chosen by Hades to be his champion in the Crucible, a contest which sees the winner's patron become King of the Gods. What Lyra can't figure out is why Hades has chosen her and why she is drawn to him in ways she can't understand.

This book absolutely grabbed me from the first sentence. I binged/devoured this. It's Percy Jackson for adults. It's very quest-related. If you're at all into that sort of thing, or Greek gods, you are going to love this. I loved the dynamic between Lyra and Hades. As others have said, the side characters (particularly Aphrodite/Boone/Charon/Cerberus) were such a joy to read.

This is easily on my list of top reads for the year. I am SO looking forward to the next book. That cliffhanger had me wanting to immediately dive in. I'm sad I have to wait a bit for the next installment to come out.

[madison_fairbanks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The games gos play

[tip44 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

hunger games with a bit more romance and, of course, greek gods

[Wu Elaine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cute story, a bit too woke though. The narrator sounds like AI generated.

[audreyl123 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hunger Games but make it Greek Gods

[spiritedstardust · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

1.5

this is NOT a Hades & Persephone story - Persephone is like “a daughter” to him in this