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.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy like this, and I really enjoyed it. Was it perfect? No, but it was a lot of fun. This is a crazy mashup of Greek mythology and a dystopian competition that draws clear inspiration from The Hunger Games. With high-stakes action, a richly imagined world, and a heroine who is both relatable and strong-willed, this novel was an entertaining and fast-paced adventure that was hard to put down.

The book is set in an alternate San Francisco and focuses on 23-year-old Lyra, whose family turned her over to the gods to pay off a debt when she was a toddler. Lyra works with a group of thieves as a clerk and has a huge crush on a guy named Boone. The problem is that as part of her family’s payment, Lyra has been cursed by the Gods to never be loved by anyone – romantic or otherwise.

Every one-hundred years, the gods of Olympus stage the Crucible, a deadly contest where mortals serve as champions fighting on their behalf. This year, Hades, the King of the Underworld, has entered the competition for the first time, choosing Lyra as his representative. No one is more confused by this choice than Lyra, but if she wins, Hades may be able to reverse her curse, and then maybe Boone will see her as more than just someone he knows. All she has to do is survive… and not fall for Hades.

I loved the action involved with the trials. They were fast-paced and exciting. The author definitely has a knack for crafting inventive and dynamic challenges that keep the stakes high and the tension palpable. Each trial feels unique, blending elements of mythology with a touch of modern ingenuity. From crazy puzzles to obstacle courses and combat scenarios, the trials test not only Lyra’s physical endurance but also her mind and personal resilience. These moments are where the novel shines, and Owen’s pacing ensures that there’s never a dull moment despite the book’s hefty 500-plus pages.

The world-building was also a lot of fun. Set in a version of San Francisco overseen by Zeus, the story seamlessly merges mythological elements with a contemporary setting. We even get to visit Mount Olympus as well as Hade’s underworld. The presence of the gods we all know from our literature classes was another high point. Each god oversees one of the trials and themes based on their abilities. I loved seeing these classic figures decked out in modern clothing and interacting with mortals.

I also really enjoyed watching Lyra’s interactions with her fellow competitors. While they were the pawns of the gods who chose them, the author treated them like actual people and gave us plenty of insight into who they were outside of the trials, making them seem more real. It also made their wins – and losses – mean something to us.

This is a romantasy, so naturally, there’s going to be a romantic element to the story – this time between Lyra and Hades. Unfortunately, this is where the book stumbles. Their relationship never fully ignites. Hades’ chemistry with Lyra is lukewarm at best, and their interactions lack the depth and emotional intensity needed to make their connection feel believable or compelling. There wasn’t much buildup to their attraction or feelings toward each other. It just kind of happened. It felt unnatural and a little like something you’d find in a YA novel.

The lack of romantic spark is especially noticeable given how much the narrative leans on their relationship. Hades’ protectiveness over Lyra and her growing trust in him are meant to be a cornerstone of the story. This misstep doesn’t ruin the book but does detract from its emotional impact, particularly during key moments where their relationship should heighten the stakes.

That said, the book wasn’t heavily weighed down by romance, and there were really only one or two sex scenes in the entire book, which was a nice departure from the overly long, extra-descriptive scenes that are so common in this genre.

If you are a fan of Greek mythology and The Hunger Games, you might want to check this one out. The exciting story, inventive trials, well-paced plot, and vivid world-building made it a lot of fun to read. While the romance between Lyra and Hades felt awkward, the inventive trials and strong pacing more than made up for it. I look forward to checking out book two.