Playing With Lightning

Divine Duelist #1

by Pandora Pierce

Leena lives for the win. Prepared to battle alongside her best friend in a globally televised magical tournament, she’s left alone and betrayed when he drops her to compete with a more popular player. With her fandom dwindling as she hunts for another teammate, she risks it all by pairing up with a handsome stranger wielding a surprisingly dangerous deck. Agon refuses to spend eternity as Zeus’s enforcer. Determined to get fired by throwing the world’s hottest competition, the kind-hearted godling happily joins a woman tumbling down the rankings. But despite his best efforts to crash and burn, he’s shocked when his incredible partner single-handedly starts raking in the wins for the underdog team. As Leena’s bold new playstyle sends her popularity soaring, her determination to prove her skills threatens to trample her growing feelings for Agon. And while their winning streak endangers Agon’s plan, he fears helping Leena in her quest means losing her forever. Can these two defeat their opponents and still win a future together? Playing with Lightning is the first book in the Divine Duelist fantasy romance series. Each book is a standalone romance, but the series is best read in order since there are character crossovers. You can expect a badass heroine, heat, and a happily ever after.

Genres: Fantasy

552 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Pandora Pierce writes cozy fantasy where the monsters are charming, the magic is whimsical, and the adventures are delightfully low-stakes. She has a weakness for slimes, red pandas, and other adorable creatures that inevitably sneak into her stories.

When she’s not writing, she streams as a VTuber, connecting with readers, writers, and gamers in a space as cozy and lighthearted as her books.

Reviews

[Arenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but I want to make it clear to others because it wasn't clear to me: this is card dueling, not like, physical, fighting dueling. Think Magic the Gathering with actual magic. The blurb and the cover made me think it was like a paranormal MMA-type thing, but they actually just sit down and play cards. So like I said, MTG with actual magic. It worked out, I think the idea was really unique, but I went into it with very different expectations.

I really liked Leena and Zelus, both as individual characters and as a couple. They had some really sweet moments and I liked that they both fought for each other at the end. I also appreciated that Kai wasn't a victim of romantic jealousy--it was a nice change of pace since that seems to be so typical in romance.

A nice balance of action, relationship-building, decent world-building (but nothing crazy), and one or two open-door scenes. Really kept me hooked and I definitely found it fun. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paranormal Kiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars - Playing with Lightning has a unique storyline. It's about a duelist competition with the duelist playing against each other with cards that are powered by the Gods. When the cards are played in the duel the cards become animated to battle the other player cards. It made for an interesting storyline.

Leena a duelist, was dropped by Kai, her partner because she wasn't popular enough with the fans. Agon/Zelus is a God sent by Zeus to play the Zeus deck of cards to gain popularity for Zeus. But Agon/Zelus has a hidden agenda that goes against Leena's determination to win the tournament and beat her previous partner.

I liked the story, but I did get a little tired of the bulk of the story being focused on dueling. Also, Leena was so hyper focused on beating Kai, it was like an obsession. I liked her better when she wasn't thinking or talking about Kai. The hero, Agon/Zelus was a charming and endearing character. I wish we had more time with him and Leena without the hype of the duels.

Their Romance has difficulties and obstacles. Will they fight to be together or will their romance flare brightly before burning out?

Overall, Playing with Lightning is a good story with a creative an original plot.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katie Rodante · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a pleasant surprise! I found myself immersed in the intricate world building and captivated by the unanticipated conflicts, which made this book an exciting journey.

First off, Leena is a duelist, which I assumed meant physical battles, but nope—she duels with a set of cards that become animated when played. Leena is frustrated since her previous dueling partner, Kai, left her to battle alone and trashed her name to the public (easy to do when every duel is televised).

The duels were a significant part of the story and were quite fun to read. The secondary characters were enjoyable and contributed to the story, and I'm interested in learning more about them in the upcoming books in this series.

I especially enjoyed the world building, as I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this one (televised card duels! myths! Greek gods! romance!), but the characterization was also spot-on. I liked Leena and Agon a lot, and I’m glad to have read this lighthearted fantasy book that felt fresh and original.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not going to spoil anything but I will say my favourite little scene was in the shop with the mirror. If you've read it, you'll know. Too stinkin cute.
In fact they both are too cute for their own good.
It's a mini emotion rollercoaster, I felt myself pining for relationship elevation, the moments they have are flirty, fun, innocent while being devious at the same time.
It does seem like their equally as fascinated with each other, while both have clear goals and don't want anything to get in the way of them.

If you're looking for something a bit different then give this a go. There's magic, tension, gods, humans, other magical creatures and a card game played in the gods honour.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenny Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book encapsulates geekdom perfectly.

As I read this story, I flashed back to my uni days many moons ago, flat-sharing with LARPers, spending many an evening developing characters for cosplay and playing table top and card based role play.

As the story progresses, it merges the gameplay and the spirit of a female player who has been wronged by her scoundrel of an ex (team mate). Throw in some Greek gods and it takes you on a journey of self discovery of inner strength, with epic game battles and a spattering of romance in a stand alone story.

(Re)Awaken the geek in you and have a read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this first book of the divine Duelist series, Playing with Lightning, which is so imaginative and a wonderful story of Fantasy, Gods and Mortals.
MFC Leena is about to compete in a magical tournament when her partner dumps her for another more popular player.
When Zeus’ enforcer grumpy Agon steps into the breach with plans of his own things begin to heat up, especially between them.
This was a well written and romantic read with plenty of adventure and intrigue that made this first time author for me a new go to for a perfectly paced immersive read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dogsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

As cute and fun as the prequel. So good I finished it in a day. It's overall a good twist on the usual Greek God and their myths. Keeps things fresh and interesting. Leena and Agon play off each other so well and it feels like the author had fun building their realtionship. The author keeps things light hearted through the whole book. I wish there was a little more about Agon's power as it seems intriguing to be glossed over. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rachelle Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK so this book was a bit different for me. I was really interested in the card game dynamic behind the base of the book. I found it was well written, with everything you usually look for in a book, secrets, hidden pasts, love interest, funny side characters and rivals. But for me i couldnt give it a 5 atar rating as it was too young adult for my liking and opinion. I found the depth a little lacking and it was a little too teen feeling if that makes sense. But I do recommend giving it a go if that checks all your boxes

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC book. This book was an absolute joy to read it had the HEA but getting there was a blast. The story line is fresh and new I’ve never read anything like it. The characters were conflicted and had been hurt and damaged but they managed to work their way thru it all to find each other. I really enjoyed the secondary characters as well and would love to see them again as maybe the protagonists next time. I will def be looking for what comes next and can’t wait to read more of this world.

[Andi Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was action-packed and kept me hooked until the very end! It's well-written and the perfect mix of fantasy and romance.

The world-building makes it really easy to immerse yourself in the story.

Leena, the FMC, was super relatable and I loved Agon! The spicy scenes were chef's kiss!

The Greek mythology vibes and all the duels were so fun to read too!

I definitely can't wait until the next one comes out!

[Cathryn Tipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives me Pokémon with Greek Mythology vibes and I am living for it. The story follows Aleena as she tries to raise herself among the ranks of the duelists in a new Mythological based game. Zelus is sent by Zeus to gain popularity and they end up partnering. There are so many twists and emotions in this book it was hard to put down. I would recommend this book to someone who loves a cinnamon roll hero, a great plot and a little romance on the side.

[Tracey Cashman · Rating 4 out of 5]

.. I loved the fast pace of this. And the introduction to the characters
A quick enjoyable read excellent for those times between heavier novels.
Looking forward to the next instalment..

Thanks for the opportunity to read


Ps sorry this review is lat but I got the book late and I thought I had reviewed. Sorry again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marilyn Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked me quickly!

To be honest, when this book was recommended to me, I thought the synopsis sounded cheesy. I was very pleasantly surprised that it really wasn't. It's well written with characters that have depth. The story pulled me in right away and I can't wait to read the next. I definitely need more of these characters!

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written with plenty of adventure, intrigue and a dash of romance. Nicely paced read. Couldn't put it down. Loved the MFC.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Francillia Cherubin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world conceptualized in this book is amazing. I did not love the selfishness and last minute epiphany of the FMC, but I absolutely loved the MMC. The book was well written, but the execution and character development was just a tad below my expectations. Otherwise, excellent read

[Gail Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story so much. It was full of action from start to finish. It was so descriptive that I could easily visualise the whole story. Great characters all round. Can’t wait for the next book.