THE SECOND BOOK IN THE CRUCIBLE TRILOGY FROM THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES, #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER, THE GAMES GODS PLAY

She has won the games of the gods, can she stand against the titans? Lyra may have survived the Crucible, but now she faces an even more dangerous test – a deadly race against time begins in Tartarus.

The games continue in the thrilling and highly anticipated follow-up to the bestselling romantasy The Games Gods Play. Welcome to Tartarus!

I read the first book in this series earlier this year and really enjoyed it. This sequel drops you right back into the action without wasting a breath. It’s action-packed from the start and it was a little disorienting because I had forgotten a lot of what had happened in book one. A reread probably would have done me well.

The story picks up not long after the first book’s cliffhanger, with Lyra now trapped in Tartarus and forced to endure yet another round of brutal divine trials. She’s the key to unlocking the seven seals that keep the Titans imprisoned, which means the gods are watching her every move. Meanwhile, Hades is breaking every heavenly rule imaginable to save her, even if it means burning the world down in the process. It’s all very operatic in scope, full of fire and ruin and devotion that borders on obsession.

There’s a lot to love here. Owen’s imagination continues to be the star of the show. Her version of Greek mythology feels modern and cinematic, full of gods with messy emotions and questionable morals. Tartarus itself is a great setting. The introduction of time travel gives this installment an extra twist, though it’s also where things get a little murky. Lyra and Hades’ timelines don’t always line up, which adds intrigue but occasionally makes it hard to stay grounded in what’s happening when.

That said, the writing is strong enough to carry the confusion. There’s no shortage of action, and the dialogue keeps things from ever feeling too heavy. Lyra is still as snarky as ever, and it was fun to see her settling into her new power and her new role. Hades willingness to defy the other gods for Lyra gives their relationship a dangerous edge that works well, even when it veers into melodrama.

If I had one major gripe, it’s the challenges. We already spent most of book one watching Lyra face trial after trial, and this book doubles down on that structure. After a while, I found myself wishing we’d move past the constant tests and into something that pushed the story forward in a different way. The stakes are already sky-high (the world could end, the Titans could rise) so the endless gauntlet of physical and magical obstacles starts to feel repetitive.

Even so, there are moments that remind me why this series works. The emotional beats between Lyra and Hades still land. The glimpses of the Titans add real intrigue, especially as the line between villain and victim starts to blur. And the time-travel element, while confusing at times, gives the story a unique spin that sets it apart from other mythological fantasy series.

For me, this one didn’t quite hit the same high as book one, mostly because of the repetition in the trials. But I still closed it feeling excited for what’s next. While I felt it stumbled a bit in its structure, it never loses its sense of momentum. Owen successfully blends action, mythology, and romance into something that’s both familiar and unpredictable. If you enjoyed the first book, you’ll find plenty here to love. Just be prepared for a few mental gymnastics along the way. There’s real magic in this world Owen’s building, and I’m eager to see how she wraps it all up.