The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen

Every hundred years, the gods descend from Olympus to play their twisted games with mortals. And this time, I've been chosen as their pawn.

I'm just an office clerk for the Order of Thieves, cursed and unnoticed by the divine beings who rule San Francisco from their celestial thrones. Zeus, the patron of this city, made sure my life has been anything but fortunate. My only goal has been to survive in a world where gods meddle in mortal lives on a whim.

That is, until I cross paths with Hades, the most feared god of them all.

For reasons unknown, the King of the Underworld has decided to enter the Crucible—a deadly contest where gods pit mortals against one another to determine who will rule Olympus. And for reasons that defy all logic, Hades has chosen me to be his champion.

I'm no hero, just a sarcastic nobody with a curse that has kept me in the shadows. But every time Hades calls me his, my heart betrays me, skipping a beat despite my better judgment. I'm caught in his web, unsure if I'm just another pawn or something more. Hades plays a dangerous game, one where the stakes are life and death, and the rules are his alone to break.

With each passing day, the Crucible draws closer, and I realize that to survive—and maybe even win—I’ll need to uncover Hades’ secrets before he uses me up and discards me like all the others who came before. But when it comes to Hades, one thing is certain: Death is always the endgame. ❤️📚❤️