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Love and Video Games
Ready Player One meets Heartstopper in which a myth-loving video game player discovers there isn't a cheat code to life--or love--while competing in a tournament with his handsome crush and gamer friends.
In the real world, Keegan Thomas is a gay, eighteen-year-old mythology nerd with undiagnosed chronic pain. But in the myth-inspired, online video game world of Pantheonic, he is the glorious and powerful K.Odyssia, slaying legions of enemies and completing quests for honor and glory along with his team, the Epic Hearts. Despite his closeness to his gamer friends--and the secret crush he has on his teammate, Alix--no one knows that he is struggling with the sudden onset of chronic pain in his lower back and fears it will hinder his ability to move to NYU in the fall.
When a quest in Pantheonic turns out to be a secret invitation to an in-person tournament in New York City, Keegan has to battle his fears of concealing and managing his pain so that his team can attend this once-in-a-lifetime event. Competing against six other teams, members of the Epic Hearts must work together to outwit and outplay the others to win the tournament and the hefty cash prize. But can Keegan as K.Odyssia be one of the heroes that Pantheonic needs while he's laser-focused on his own epic battle? Will he be able to level up his relationship with Alix and lead his team to victory? It's time for the games to begin!
In the real world, Keegan Thomas is a gay, eighteen-year-old mythology nerd with undiagnosed chronic pain. But in the myth-inspired, online video game world of Pantheonic, he is the glorious and powerful K.Odyssia, slaying legions of enemies and completing quests for honor and glory along with his team, the Epic Hearts. Despite his closeness to his gamer friends--and the secret crush he has on his teammate, Alix--no one knows that he is struggling with the sudden onset of chronic pain in his lower back and fears it will hinder his ability to move to NYU in the fall.
When a quest in Pantheonic turns out to be a secret invitation to an in-person tournament in New York City, Keegan has to battle his fears of concealing and managing his pain so that his team can attend this once-in-a-lifetime event. Competing against six other teams, members of the Epic Hearts must work together to outwit and outplay the others to win the tournament and the hefty cash prize. But can Keegan as K.Odyssia be one of the heroes that Pantheonic needs while he's laser-focused on his own epic battle? Will he be able to level up his relationship with Alix and lead his team to victory? It's time for the games to begin!
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 2025
8 people are currently reading
3242 people want to read
About the author
Zachary Sergi
11 books52 followersZachary Sergi is the author of several print novels (including Love And Video Games and Major Detours) and nearly a dozen interactive novels (including the Heroes Rise and Versus series). Zachary was raised in Manhattan, studied Creative Writing at Regis High School and the University of Pennsylvania, and now lives in Los Angeles with his husband, where he also writes for television. Learn more at zacharysergi.com or by following @zacharysergi on TikTok or @zacharysergiwriter on Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 23, 2025
I especially loved the gaming aspects, we really do need more nerd representation!!
October 10, 2025
Can the friends you make in online gaming actually become ones you have in the real world too? That’s the question Keegan has been asking and will soon, hopefully, have an answer to in Love & Video Games.
When the company behind the global phenomenon game set in the world of Pantheonic announce an all new update and competition held in New York City, this seems to be a way for their guild/group of online friends (Epic Hearts) to be able to FINALLY come out from behind the screens and meet face to face. Plus the prize is an incredible $800,000 (split between the members), which could be life changing.
Keegan has had a crush on his fellow guild member, Alix for way too long, but now they’ll be sharing a hotel room together, which also only has one bed… cue the music! He doesn’t want to screw up the great friendship they have, but seeing as how Alix is a NY resident and Keegan will be moving there for school in only a few weeks, this is his chance to win a prize… and a boyfriend?
First of all, it was a given that I would pick this up, because it’s gay AF, which is kinda my thing. But there’s non-visible disability rep (in YA? Rarely do we get any, but this is just 👨🏻🍳🤌🏼💋) and the love interest is trans. To top it off, the book is about a gaming competition and mythological gods. Zachary Sergi really did say “Here is everything that will make you fall in love!” And then I did. So it worked out in everyone’s favor.
Thank you to Running Press Kids for a finished copy of the book.
When the company behind the global phenomenon game set in the world of Pantheonic announce an all new update and competition held in New York City, this seems to be a way for their guild/group of online friends (Epic Hearts) to be able to FINALLY come out from behind the screens and meet face to face. Plus the prize is an incredible $800,000 (split between the members), which could be life changing.
Keegan has had a crush on his fellow guild member, Alix for way too long, but now they’ll be sharing a hotel room together, which also only has one bed… cue the music! He doesn’t want to screw up the great friendship they have, but seeing as how Alix is a NY resident and Keegan will be moving there for school in only a few weeks, this is his chance to win a prize… and a boyfriend?
First of all, it was a given that I would pick this up, because it’s gay AF, which is kinda my thing. But there’s non-visible disability rep (in YA? Rarely do we get any, but this is just 👨🏻🍳🤌🏼💋) and the love interest is trans. To top it off, the book is about a gaming competition and mythological gods. Zachary Sergi really did say “Here is everything that will make you fall in love!” And then I did. So it worked out in everyone’s favor.
Thank you to Running Press Kids for a finished copy of the book.
October 4, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for a digital copy of this book!
Keegan is a gay mythology nerd with chronic pain who had a found family he loved in a virtual, mythology themed world. When the game hosts an in person, mega event, Keegan is excited, by stressed. How will he feal with his chronic pain, and his crush on his fellow teammate. Who he had to share a room with. And a bed. Oh dear.
The main plot of the book, the in person game event, was amazing. I wish this game was real, it sounds like a lot of fun. And watching our protag and his friends beat challenges and win games was a lot of fun.
The romance wss sweet, though I will say it felt rushed. There is obviously a long time before the events of the book they were crushing on each other, but in the world of the book, it felt like one second they were just crushing and then bam, dating.
I do have a few grievances. Firstly, the mythology references. The orotag is supposed to be very knowledgeable on these, he wants to go to school to study them and even calls himself "professor Keegan." But some of the references were simply wrong. For one, the description of Hel, as having a beautiful face and rotten body, is wrong. She is split half and half, akin to Two-Face in Batman. The book also identifies Hades's partner as Hecate, which is do glaringly wrong. And these are just the myths I know, not touching on those ones I don't.
Then, there is the chronic pain rep. In the experiecing of chronic pain, it sounds exactly like the way my friend talks about their pain. My issue is with the "if I control my emotions and tell myself the pain is mental, it will stop. This is harmful and will get people hurt. There are many people who experience chronic pain with no clear reason , my friend being one of them. If they could just tell themselves they aren't in pain, they would, but it doesn't work like that. I worry it will convince people to ignore or supress their pain instead of seeking proper care. So the fact the protag talks about it as a magic fix and a great breakthrough that fixed his problem, I worry this rep will cause harm.
Keegan is a gay mythology nerd with chronic pain who had a found family he loved in a virtual, mythology themed world. When the game hosts an in person, mega event, Keegan is excited, by stressed. How will he feal with his chronic pain, and his crush on his fellow teammate. Who he had to share a room with. And a bed. Oh dear.
The main plot of the book, the in person game event, was amazing. I wish this game was real, it sounds like a lot of fun. And watching our protag and his friends beat challenges and win games was a lot of fun.
The romance wss sweet, though I will say it felt rushed. There is obviously a long time before the events of the book they were crushing on each other, but in the world of the book, it felt like one second they were just crushing and then bam, dating.
I do have a few grievances. Firstly, the mythology references. The orotag is supposed to be very knowledgeable on these, he wants to go to school to study them and even calls himself "professor Keegan." But some of the references were simply wrong. For one, the description of Hel, as having a beautiful face and rotten body, is wrong. She is split half and half, akin to Two-Face in Batman. The book also identifies Hades's partner as Hecate, which is do glaringly wrong. And these are just the myths I know, not touching on those ones I don't.
Then, there is the chronic pain rep. In the experiecing of chronic pain, it sounds exactly like the way my friend talks about their pain. My issue is with the "if I control my emotions and tell myself the pain is mental, it will stop. This is harmful and will get people hurt. There are many people who experience chronic pain with no clear reason , my friend being one of them. If they could just tell themselves they aren't in pain, they would, but it doesn't work like that. I worry it will convince people to ignore or supress their pain instead of seeking proper care. So the fact the protag talks about it as a magic fix and a great breakthrough that fixed his problem, I worry this rep will cause harm.
July 31, 2025
Dust off your best headset and level up your stats, because we're going on a MMPORPG adventure! 'Pantheonic' is hosting a live event that only the best players will be invited to, and you really don't wanna miss out. Neither do the Epic Hearts, a four-player team known for being one of the most chivalrous pantheons in the game. After they manage to snatch one of the nine spots for the live tournament, all the team can think of is how exciting it'll be to have a chance of becoming a part of the next chapter of the Pantheonic history. But competing against eight of the game's other strongest teams won't be easy, and switching from an online friendship to real life might pose challenges that neither of them saw coming.
While this was my first Zachary Sergi book ever, it won't be my last, because the best way to summarise my thoughts about "Love & Video Games" is as easy as admitting to having loved it to bits. Tournament dynamics are my favourite thing ever, so if you add a dash of queer romance and a spoonful of coming-of-age? Count me in! Even though the book focuses on the main characters and their growth as they tackle the "Pantheonic" tournament one round at a time, it nonetheless felt like a love letter to all the games we've grown up with. Sergi's "Pantheonic" felt like a multi-mythology version of "Genshin Impact", and I often found myself thinking about what my own character would look like if I were able to play the game.
(If the author or the publisher are ever interested in launching "Pantheonic" in real life, I hereby extend my interest in being a beta player!)
Another thing that won me over in this book was the beautiful diversity, which didn't feel forced in the slightest. If Gamergate taught us anything, it's how hostile gaming spaces can be for women, people of color, queer folks and other marginalised communities. We still have a long way to go in regards to this as a society, sadly, but "Love & Video Games" shows us how beautiful things could be if we collectively shifted our mindset into an accepting one. This story features a rather colourful cast, and every single person's identity is celebrated rather than singled out or frowned upon. Seeing disabled, queer people in the spotlight, where they had their time to shine as unique individuals without being reduced to their labels, made me truly happy. It makes me have a lot of hope for the future to know that young people will be able to grow up reading books such as this one, because I, for one, struggled to come to terms with who I was largely due to never having seen anyone like me in the media I consumed.
It wouldn't be fair of me to not highlight two of the most outstanding cases of nuanced representation in this story, which are Keegan's chronic pain and Alix' trans identity. While they're complex people with a whole lot of things on their plate that don't have to do with them existing as disabled and/or queer, the latter are still important parts of who they are. The depiction of Keegan's struggle to live with chronic pain was excellent, and made me really feel for him; whereas hearing Alix discuss his journey, and seeing him be accepted and celebrated just as he is, felt nothing short of cathartic. Reading a cisgender gay young man's explicit statement that his feelings for Alix weren't going to change or falter because of Alix' transgender identity was downright healing, in a world that keeps growing more and more transphobic by the day.
Overall this was an incredible ride, as well as a poignant and heartwarming read. Please grab a copy and read it ASAP!
While this was my first Zachary Sergi book ever, it won't be my last, because the best way to summarise my thoughts about "Love & Video Games" is as easy as admitting to having loved it to bits. Tournament dynamics are my favourite thing ever, so if you add a dash of queer romance and a spoonful of coming-of-age? Count me in! Even though the book focuses on the main characters and their growth as they tackle the "Pantheonic" tournament one round at a time, it nonetheless felt like a love letter to all the games we've grown up with. Sergi's "Pantheonic" felt like a multi-mythology version of "Genshin Impact", and I often found myself thinking about what my own character would look like if I were able to play the game.
(If the author or the publisher are ever interested in launching "Pantheonic" in real life, I hereby extend my interest in being a beta player!)
Another thing that won me over in this book was the beautiful diversity, which didn't feel forced in the slightest. If Gamergate taught us anything, it's how hostile gaming spaces can be for women, people of color, queer folks and other marginalised communities. We still have a long way to go in regards to this as a society, sadly, but "Love & Video Games" shows us how beautiful things could be if we collectively shifted our mindset into an accepting one. This story features a rather colourful cast, and every single person's identity is celebrated rather than singled out or frowned upon. Seeing disabled, queer people in the spotlight, where they had their time to shine as unique individuals without being reduced to their labels, made me truly happy. It makes me have a lot of hope for the future to know that young people will be able to grow up reading books such as this one, because I, for one, struggled to come to terms with who I was largely due to never having seen anyone like me in the media I consumed.
It wouldn't be fair of me to not highlight two of the most outstanding cases of nuanced representation in this story, which are Keegan's chronic pain and Alix' trans identity. While they're complex people with a whole lot of things on their plate that don't have to do with them existing as disabled and/or queer, the latter are still important parts of who they are. The depiction of Keegan's struggle to live with chronic pain was excellent, and made me really feel for him; whereas hearing Alix discuss his journey, and seeing him be accepted and celebrated just as he is, felt nothing short of cathartic. Reading a cisgender gay young man's explicit statement that his feelings for Alix weren't going to change or falter because of Alix' transgender identity was downright healing, in a world that keeps growing more and more transphobic by the day.
Overall this was an incredible ride, as well as a poignant and heartwarming read. Please grab a copy and read it ASAP!
April 6, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was a sweet, quick read!
As a mythology nerd with chronic pain, I loved reading Keegan's journey. The game is fun, and I really enjoyed Epic Hearts's friendship throughout the story. It feels very found family (which is my favourite trope ever, so that aspect of the game really worked for me). I couldn't connect as much with Alix, but the romance was very cute regardless, and I absolutely adored Britni. Overall, it was a really heartwarming and fun!
This was a sweet, quick read!
As a mythology nerd with chronic pain, I loved reading Keegan's journey. The game is fun, and I really enjoyed Epic Hearts's friendship throughout the story. It feels very found family (which is my favourite trope ever, so that aspect of the game really worked for me). I couldn't connect as much with Alix, but the romance was very cute regardless, and I absolutely adored Britni. Overall, it was a really heartwarming and fun!
October 12, 2025
Character- 3/5
Plot- 3/5
Pacing- 2/5
Entertainment- 2/5
Rating- 2.5/5
First thanks to the publisher for the copy of the book, I always ensure that I give a fair review and so I'll be honest with my thoughts on this book.
Firstly the initial idea of this book I absolutely love, having grown up as a 'gaymer' myself, and also being a big fan of fantasy in general, I had high hopes. But the delivery is just not there, too many elements are just not gelling well together, and your stuck with something that just isn't achieving its goals.
This book has a few pain points, but by far the worst of them is the pacing. This book is marketed towards LGBT+ youth, but its kinda boring throughout most of it and could see young people struggling to stay engaged with it. A great deal of time is spent flushing out complex character backstories and trying to discuss various different themes around sexuality and gender, but its all delivered in a way that comes across as informational and expository. Not to mention that this book is short and we simply don't have the time to be delving this deep with our characters without having something else to keep the plot running organically.
There is a real issue maintaining a well flowing plot, and it seems to be a missed opportunity when it comes to integrating these important conversations into the high stakes action and active story elements that keep the reader engaged. I mean for the first half of this book we barely get any gaming at all, and that's a problem for a book that it presenting itself as being 'heartstopper' with gaming.
There is also an issue with the way that characters speak to one another in this book, it simply does not feel real and authentic, at times it can actually feel like watching one of those 'educational' videos in school they pulled out in Sex ed class. I apologise if that comparison comes across as harsh, but honestly its the best way I could describe the way the dialogue comes across in this.
And yet there are elements of genuinely good writing in this book, if feels competent for large parts of it, but there's clearly an issue with maintaining focus and with structure. I like the ideas in this, but it just needs some better guidance so the vision can be delivered in a way the author wants. Yeah I'd be interested to see what else the author has to give as I don't feel like this was a good representation of his writing style or potential.
Plot- 3/5
Pacing- 2/5
Entertainment- 2/5
Rating- 2.5/5
First thanks to the publisher for the copy of the book, I always ensure that I give a fair review and so I'll be honest with my thoughts on this book.
Firstly the initial idea of this book I absolutely love, having grown up as a 'gaymer' myself, and also being a big fan of fantasy in general, I had high hopes. But the delivery is just not there, too many elements are just not gelling well together, and your stuck with something that just isn't achieving its goals.
This book has a few pain points, but by far the worst of them is the pacing. This book is marketed towards LGBT+ youth, but its kinda boring throughout most of it and could see young people struggling to stay engaged with it. A great deal of time is spent flushing out complex character backstories and trying to discuss various different themes around sexuality and gender, but its all delivered in a way that comes across as informational and expository. Not to mention that this book is short and we simply don't have the time to be delving this deep with our characters without having something else to keep the plot running organically.
There is a real issue maintaining a well flowing plot, and it seems to be a missed opportunity when it comes to integrating these important conversations into the high stakes action and active story elements that keep the reader engaged. I mean for the first half of this book we barely get any gaming at all, and that's a problem for a book that it presenting itself as being 'heartstopper' with gaming.
There is also an issue with the way that characters speak to one another in this book, it simply does not feel real and authentic, at times it can actually feel like watching one of those 'educational' videos in school they pulled out in Sex ed class. I apologise if that comparison comes across as harsh, but honestly its the best way I could describe the way the dialogue comes across in this.
And yet there are elements of genuinely good writing in this book, if feels competent for large parts of it, but there's clearly an issue with maintaining focus and with structure. I like the ideas in this, but it just needs some better guidance so the vision can be delivered in a way the author wants. Yeah I'd be interested to see what else the author has to give as I don't feel like this was a good representation of his writing style or potential.
October 3, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
0/5 stars. DNF at page 233. I just couldn’t muscle through the last 50 pages.
As a gamer who struggled with mysterious chronic pain and symptoms that doctors couldn’t explain for over a decade, I was cautiously excited for this. Boy was I wrong. A lot of the emotion in this review is tempered by years of frustration and exhaustion and despair, but I also have qualms with the writing style and pacing here.
So, first things first. The main group feels like one-note cliches. Britni is the beauty who wants to be a beast. Mo is the exuberant one. Alix is the love interest. And Keegan is basically every romantasy lead ever, complete with clumsiness and literally falling into his crush’s arms.
Secondly, Pantheonic is way too complicated for the purposes of this, I think. It feels like someone who pitched a game idea, got shot down, and then decided to write a book featuring it. Way too much game lore and not enough story happening. The game felt like an unholy amalgamation of every myth you can think of, with no unifying factor. The amount of unnecessary detail about the game meant that the pacing was way off. The actual plot (the tournament) doesn’t start until more than a third of the way through the book.
Thirdly, related to number 1: depth to characters outside the main 4. Of course the “enemy” team is the only cis, white, straight, mostly male team. I hate the toxic masculinity aspect of pro gaming. I think a lot of times, it can be a cesspool of gross guys objectifying women and bullying/harassing anyone who doesn’t fit into a cookie cutter. I also think it’s incredibly boring to have that be the enemy team while literally every other team is a rainbow of everything ever. They literally say, “We’ve offended the snowflakes. No surprises there.” The team screams HATE ME I’M BAD THERE IS NO NUANCE TO ANYTHING. They may as well be Bond villains stroking white Persian cats while they guffaw.
Finally. The chronic pain. When you have chronic pain, especially unexplained chronic pain when all your test results and scans are completely normal, you will have people recommend books to you. These books often are about mind/body connection, which in theory is, I believe, a real thing. But oh my god, the number of times I was told to think my way out of pain? To reason with it? To go on with my normal activities because of it? Uncountable. I think a huge majority of people who have/had chronic pain would say the same thing. Thinking your way out of pain is almost NEVER the answer. But oh no, big back pain doesn’t want you to know this one trick!! It’s called “have you tried just not feeling it?” And APPARENTLY IT WORKS. That was when I had to put the book down and not pick it up again. I’m legitimately angry because people like to think that chronic pain is something in the mind you can think your way out of. It’s an idea that I had to struggle with and feel like a failure because of FOR YEARS. This could be genuinely damaging to people who identify with Keegan’s chronic pain and then get hit with this reveal??? I can’t. I just can’t. Genuinely furious. It feels like my entire trauma surrounding my pain has just been thrown in my face with a dash of inadequacy to boot. Goddamn.
0/5 stars. DNF at page 233. I just couldn’t muscle through the last 50 pages.
As a gamer who struggled with mysterious chronic pain and symptoms that doctors couldn’t explain for over a decade, I was cautiously excited for this. Boy was I wrong. A lot of the emotion in this review is tempered by years of frustration and exhaustion and despair, but I also have qualms with the writing style and pacing here.
So, first things first. The main group feels like one-note cliches. Britni is the beauty who wants to be a beast. Mo is the exuberant one. Alix is the love interest. And Keegan is basically every romantasy lead ever, complete with clumsiness and literally falling into his crush’s arms.
Secondly, Pantheonic is way too complicated for the purposes of this, I think. It feels like someone who pitched a game idea, got shot down, and then decided to write a book featuring it. Way too much game lore and not enough story happening. The game felt like an unholy amalgamation of every myth you can think of, with no unifying factor. The amount of unnecessary detail about the game meant that the pacing was way off. The actual plot (the tournament) doesn’t start until more than a third of the way through the book.
Thirdly, related to number 1: depth to characters outside the main 4. Of course the “enemy” team is the only cis, white, straight, mostly male team. I hate the toxic masculinity aspect of pro gaming. I think a lot of times, it can be a cesspool of gross guys objectifying women and bullying/harassing anyone who doesn’t fit into a cookie cutter. I also think it’s incredibly boring to have that be the enemy team while literally every other team is a rainbow of everything ever. They literally say, “We’ve offended the snowflakes. No surprises there.” The team screams HATE ME I’M BAD THERE IS NO NUANCE TO ANYTHING. They may as well be Bond villains stroking white Persian cats while they guffaw.
Finally. The chronic pain. When you have chronic pain, especially unexplained chronic pain when all your test results and scans are completely normal, you will have people recommend books to you. These books often are about mind/body connection, which in theory is, I believe, a real thing. But oh my god, the number of times I was told to think my way out of pain? To reason with it? To go on with my normal activities because of it? Uncountable. I think a huge majority of people who have/had chronic pain would say the same thing. Thinking your way out of pain is almost NEVER the answer. But oh no, big back pain doesn’t want you to know this one trick!! It’s called “have you tried just not feeling it?” And APPARENTLY IT WORKS. That was when I had to put the book down and not pick it up again. I’m legitimately angry because people like to think that chronic pain is something in the mind you can think your way out of. It’s an idea that I had to struggle with and feel like a failure because of FOR YEARS. This could be genuinely damaging to people who identify with Keegan’s chronic pain and then get hit with this reveal??? I can’t. I just can’t. Genuinely furious. It feels like my entire trauma surrounding my pain has just been thrown in my face with a dash of inadequacy to boot. Goddamn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!
There is a really really good book in here somewhere. As it is, this book is... fine.
The writing as a whole feels kind of underdeveloped. I know this is an ARC, so this book might go through further editing, but there were certain lines that came off a little awkward, and the dialogue in general didn't feel natural.
I also had an issue with the way the stakes and pacing. Most of the plot and climax hinges on this game the characters are playing, but it's hard to care about the plot of the game or the outcome, as there are basically no stakes. Yes, there is the prize money that the protagonists want, but they don't need the prize money, nor do they desperately want to win this game. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; a lack of high stakes doesn't mean there are no stakes. I do enjoy low-stakes stories, but the way it played out here felt unsatisfying. Our protagonist, Keegan, has 3 main goals (that are established by him literally writing them down in his journal lmao). He wants to confess his feelings to his crush, form closer bonds with his teammates, and figure out a way to manage his chronic pain. Nice! However, I feel like he achieved these goals too easily. No spoilers, but he never has to work for any of his goals, like it's all just handed to him. He does struggle with an internal conflict of whether or not to reveal his chronic pain to his teammates, and I do appreciate the growth it takes to open up to them. Other than that, he achieves all his goals and all conflicts get resolved relatively early on, so when the big climax comes, it feels kind of nothing-y, especially since I, as a reader, still don't care about the outcome of this game.
I do appreciate the representation in this book. Our main team is a diverse mix, as are the other competing teams in the tournament. It might be a little unrealistic, but it's appreciated. There is a brief moment of misogyny, but other than that the characters don't face much in the way of discrimination.
I also will say that this book is a very easy read. Towards the end I skimmed over the gaming portions, but other than that, I found it entertaining.
While, I do have my issues with this book, I don't necessarily think it's bad, more so that this book just isn't for me.
There is a really really good book in here somewhere. As it is, this book is... fine.
The writing as a whole feels kind of underdeveloped. I know this is an ARC, so this book might go through further editing, but there were certain lines that came off a little awkward, and the dialogue in general didn't feel natural.
I also had an issue with the way the stakes and pacing. Most of the plot and climax hinges on this game the characters are playing, but it's hard to care about the plot of the game or the outcome, as there are basically no stakes. Yes, there is the prize money that the protagonists want, but they don't need the prize money, nor do they desperately want to win this game. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; a lack of high stakes doesn't mean there are no stakes. I do enjoy low-stakes stories, but the way it played out here felt unsatisfying. Our protagonist, Keegan, has 3 main goals (that are established by him literally writing them down in his journal lmao). He wants to confess his feelings to his crush, form closer bonds with his teammates, and figure out a way to manage his chronic pain. Nice! However, I feel like he achieved these goals too easily. No spoilers, but he never has to work for any of his goals, like it's all just handed to him. He does struggle with an internal conflict of whether or not to reveal his chronic pain to his teammates, and I do appreciate the growth it takes to open up to them. Other than that, he achieves all his goals and all conflicts get resolved relatively early on, so when the big climax comes, it feels kind of nothing-y, especially since I, as a reader, still don't care about the outcome of this game.
I do appreciate the representation in this book. Our main team is a diverse mix, as are the other competing teams in the tournament. It might be a little unrealistic, but it's appreciated. There is a brief moment of misogyny, but other than that the characters don't face much in the way of discrimination.
I also will say that this book is a very easy read. Towards the end I skimmed over the gaming portions, but other than that, I found it entertaining.
While, I do have my issues with this book, I don't necessarily think it's bad, more so that this book just isn't for me.
November 10, 2025
⭐️: 2.25/5
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
As a gamer myself, this was such a fun concept and I was immediately drawn in by that vibrant cover, but sadly, this book missed the mark for me.
💫 My thoughts 💫
🎮 There was so much LGBTQ+ and disability representation, and our main character, Keegan, also suffered from chronic pain, so it was wonderful to read about a diverse cast of characters like this
🎮 The game sounded fun and it was lovely to see how it brought the group of friends together. I want more books centred around gamers and video games!
🎮 However, the writing felt like exposition most of the time, which made it a struggle to stay engaged as I was reading. The characters also often said things that didn't sound believable, especially for people their age
🎮 The game lore was also unnecessarily complicated and I struggled to stay focused
🎮 The romance plot between Keegan and Alix developed way too quickly and felt rushed. Because of this - and other plot points that weren't fully explored either - the stakes in the book were pretty low, so I didn't feel compelled to keep reading
🎮 I don't have lived experience of chronic pain, so can't say if this is fully accurate or not, but the fact that Keegan read one self-help book with a 'magic' cure for his chronic pain (basically telling him to think away the pain) didn't sit right with me? It felt like this would potentially invalidate people's actual experiences with chronic pain
✨️ What to expect ✨️
🖱 Story centred around video games
💜 YA romance
💬 Mythology themes
🫂 Found family
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ characters
💖 Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press Kids for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
💌 Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at @jodierosereads
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
As a gamer myself, this was such a fun concept and I was immediately drawn in by that vibrant cover, but sadly, this book missed the mark for me.
💫 My thoughts 💫
🎮 There was so much LGBTQ+ and disability representation, and our main character, Keegan, also suffered from chronic pain, so it was wonderful to read about a diverse cast of characters like this
🎮 The game sounded fun and it was lovely to see how it brought the group of friends together. I want more books centred around gamers and video games!
🎮 However, the writing felt like exposition most of the time, which made it a struggle to stay engaged as I was reading. The characters also often said things that didn't sound believable, especially for people their age
🎮 The game lore was also unnecessarily complicated and I struggled to stay focused
🎮 The romance plot between Keegan and Alix developed way too quickly and felt rushed. Because of this - and other plot points that weren't fully explored either - the stakes in the book were pretty low, so I didn't feel compelled to keep reading
🎮 I don't have lived experience of chronic pain, so can't say if this is fully accurate or not, but the fact that Keegan read one self-help book with a 'magic' cure for his chronic pain (basically telling him to think away the pain) didn't sit right with me? It felt like this would potentially invalidate people's actual experiences with chronic pain
✨️ What to expect ✨️
🖱 Story centred around video games
💜 YA romance
💬 Mythology themes
🫂 Found family
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ characters
💖 Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press Kids for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
💌 Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at @jodierosereads
October 19, 2025
Lowkey the main relationship in this was wild. There was barely any build up and then suddenly these kids are acting like they’ve been dating for years 😭😭😭
Also way too much emphasis on the “queer” part. Like yall it’s an outdated term why did I see it every other page it’s turning me homophobic. I swear, people ain’t looking THAT deep in media for gay people. They will make people gay without their consent. This book was tryna hit every quota it could and as much as I enjoyed some parts, it felt all over the place. Also the mixing of mythology like that??? Ain’t nobody but some autistic son is gonna be able to keep up that fast 😭 and know every single one and every little detail???? It’s not realistic at all. As someone who loves mythology (and not just the Greeks and Roman’s 🙄) it would’ve aided them to focus more on a theme than trying to get every single thing in there.
Also the one bed trope sucked in this. It was awkward. It was weird. It literally had no meaning to it plot wise.
The art on the cover of the book was well done. Probably the only well put together thing in this book.
Also way too much emphasis on the “queer” part. Like yall it’s an outdated term why did I see it every other page it’s turning me homophobic. I swear, people ain’t looking THAT deep in media for gay people. They will make people gay without their consent. This book was tryna hit every quota it could and as much as I enjoyed some parts, it felt all over the place. Also the mixing of mythology like that??? Ain’t nobody but some autistic son is gonna be able to keep up that fast 😭 and know every single one and every little detail???? It’s not realistic at all. As someone who loves mythology (and not just the Greeks and Roman’s 🙄) it would’ve aided them to focus more on a theme than trying to get every single thing in there.
Also the one bed trope sucked in this. It was awkward. It was weird. It literally had no meaning to it plot wise.
The art on the cover of the book was well done. Probably the only well put together thing in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
Really glad I finally got to this YA coming of age romance about a gay gamer dealing with chronic pain who gets chosen to compete in a big tournament with his online gamer friends. Fun, fast paced and a great look at gaming culture and queer found family. Recommended for fans of books like Roll for love by MK England. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 4, 2025
Thank you Running Press for the ARC!
Love and Video Games is perfect for anyone who likes games, mythology vibes, and is looking for a story with a diverse cast. This story has predominantly characters that are LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and/or characters with physical disabilities. I was amazed by the range of representation and how normalized it all was! I feel that a lot of stories tend to overexplain these aspects of characters. Almost as if giving the reader a lecture. But Love and Video Games typically just introduces each character and then moves on. That being said, the few times that these characters do speak more about their identities or disabilities, its so that they can connect with another character. Which is a wonderful way of doing it!
On the topic of disability representation, our main character suffers from chronic lower back pain, which makes sitting and lying down painful. Because of this, the book also touches on a number of aspects related to living with a disability, most notably, in cases where a formal diagnosis cannot be reached. Some of the most compelling scenes were ones where Keagan talked about his struggles when it came to doctors and nurses not taking his pain seriously.
Another theme in the story is that of self-perception. One of the take-aways from the story is that traits you might not like about yourself are actually features that others might find charming or that they wish they had instead. It's such an important message for those struggling with their self-image. Another part of the self-perception theme is that these characters model their game characters after an idealized version of themselves. Keagan also makes note in the story that his character serves as motivation to grow in a what-would-K.Odyssia-do? way. Which I find to be very cute.
While I did find Love and Video Games to be sweet, I didn't really care for heavy-handed the story was at times. Whether it be how unsubtle some of the usernames were, to the fact that the main party was written to be pure and righteous, and a number of the competing teams to be mean and cruel. I feel that this could have been done better if the author had been a little more subtle, as it would make the rivalries a bit more realistic and compelling.
Lastly, I was a little taken-aback on how much world-building they do for the game. ESPECIALLY in the beginning of the story. This might have been an oversight on my end, but just thought I would mention for other readers.
Overall, if you're looking for a quick, sweet read. Then I would suggest giving Love and Video Games a try!
Love and Video Games is perfect for anyone who likes games, mythology vibes, and is looking for a story with a diverse cast. This story has predominantly characters that are LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and/or characters with physical disabilities. I was amazed by the range of representation and how normalized it all was! I feel that a lot of stories tend to overexplain these aspects of characters. Almost as if giving the reader a lecture. But Love and Video Games typically just introduces each character and then moves on. That being said, the few times that these characters do speak more about their identities or disabilities, its so that they can connect with another character. Which is a wonderful way of doing it!
On the topic of disability representation, our main character suffers from chronic lower back pain, which makes sitting and lying down painful. Because of this, the book also touches on a number of aspects related to living with a disability, most notably, in cases where a formal diagnosis cannot be reached. Some of the most compelling scenes were ones where Keagan talked about his struggles when it came to doctors and nurses not taking his pain seriously.
Another theme in the story is that of self-perception. One of the take-aways from the story is that traits you might not like about yourself are actually features that others might find charming or that they wish they had instead. It's such an important message for those struggling with their self-image. Another part of the self-perception theme is that these characters model their game characters after an idealized version of themselves. Keagan also makes note in the story that his character serves as motivation to grow in a what-would-K.Odyssia-do? way. Which I find to be very cute.
While I did find Love and Video Games to be sweet, I didn't really care for heavy-handed the story was at times. Whether it be how unsubtle some of the usernames were, to the fact that the main party was written to be pure and righteous, and a number of the competing teams to be mean and cruel. I feel that this could have been done better if the author had been a little more subtle, as it would make the rivalries a bit more realistic and compelling.
Lastly, I was a little taken-aback on how much world-building they do for the game. ESPECIALLY in the beginning of the story. This might have been an oversight on my end, but just thought I would mention for other readers.
Overall, if you're looking for a quick, sweet read. Then I would suggest giving Love and Video Games a try!
December 17, 2025
it’s cute but even FOR a YA novel the writing is horrible like… why are these teenagers talking like 30 year olds in HR… zero interpersonal issues whatsoever… everything tell not show… i didn’t give a shit abt the video game and his relationship with alix had 0 stakes
October 28, 2025
Love and Video Games - 4.5/5 stars
*This was sent to me by Running Press Kids and Zachary Sergi via Netgalley for an honest review; thank you so much for the opportunity*
Trigger/ Content Warnings
Grief over death of a friend
Mention of overdose
Chronic pain
Descriptions of anxiety
Misogyny including objectification of prominent female character
Review
I think it fitting to begin the titular "Love". The relationship between our main character Keegan and Alix is truly a beautifully queer teen experience that felt perfectly fluffy and interesting. Whilst those hoping for a steamy romance will be disappointed, those of us who want another couple similar to the like of Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper will be happy with this book for filling that need. Alix being a trans man is handled very well in my opinion, however I am a queer cis woman so please bare that in mind in terms of my review. I did find the descriptions of Alix to be sensitively written and made him a compelling love interest for our main character. It is clear from the start how much Keegan has already fallen for Alix before the events of the novel and it's lovely to see a trans man seen as a perfect match for a cis man, especially in this era of heighten transphobia. My only complaint is that we don't get to see enough of the romance as it would have been nice to see an epilogue detailing Keegan's move to New York and how their relationship has bloomed since the Pantheonic competition.
Then for the titular " Video Games". Pantheonic is an amazingly crafted game that genuinely felt like a real game along the same lines as World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Runescape and so many others! It was so clear to me that the author truly enjoyed crafting even the smallest of game mechanics as the whole game felt fully fleshed out. From the extensive character customisation to the game's lore revealed through the tournament, the world of Pantheonic felt grand and complex in all the best ways. I would genuinely love to read another book about this game, even if it followed a different set of characters, as it felt like there was much more to explore in the game's lore and how it ties in to real world mythology.
Speaking of mythology, I am by no means an expert so I cannot critique the accuracy of the depictions of certain Gods and creation myths etc. However I will say that I was pleasantly surprised to see that the game and the tournament seemingly spent an equal focus on Western mythology like Greek and Norse to Eastern like Japanese and Indian as well as the Americas and African. It was lovely to see seemingly the whole globe represented and combined to create the greater Pantheonic lore and I'm sure a mythology nerd like the main character Keegan will love to see how all these real world mythologies tie into one another.
The pacing of the book was alright although I do agree with some reviewers who felt the pacing of some scenes were broken up by over-describing side characters. However, this could also just be personally preference as I personally didn't care much about the other teams and focused more on the main team and the overall world building of the game.
Now lets talk about the elephant in the room, and the reason I could not give this book a 5 star rating, the depiction of chronic pain.
Overall
Overall, this book is a cute and nerdy read that is perfect for all open and closeted geeks alike. The queer representation is lovely and so prominent throughout the whole book through, not only the main characters but most of the side characters too which is great to see in a young adult book. Whilst I was disappointed in the chronic pain representation, I would definitely still recommend this book for its world building and story telling in terms of the game Pantheonic which is as much as focus as the main romance.
My Links!
Instagram | TikTok | Blog
"This really is starting to feel like our very own creation myth in the making."
*This was sent to me by Running Press Kids and Zachary Sergi via Netgalley for an honest review; thank you so much for the opportunity*
Trigger/ Content Warnings
Grief over death of a friend
Mention of overdose
Chronic pain
Descriptions of anxiety
Misogyny including objectification of prominent female character
Review
I think it fitting to begin the titular "Love". The relationship between our main character Keegan and Alix is truly a beautifully queer teen experience that felt perfectly fluffy and interesting. Whilst those hoping for a steamy romance will be disappointed, those of us who want another couple similar to the like of Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper will be happy with this book for filling that need. Alix being a trans man is handled very well in my opinion, however I am a queer cis woman so please bare that in mind in terms of my review. I did find the descriptions of Alix to be sensitively written and made him a compelling love interest for our main character. It is clear from the start how much Keegan has already fallen for Alix before the events of the novel and it's lovely to see a trans man seen as a perfect match for a cis man, especially in this era of heighten transphobia. My only complaint is that we don't get to see enough of the romance as it would have been nice to see an epilogue detailing Keegan's move to New York and how their relationship has bloomed since the Pantheonic competition.
Then for the titular " Video Games". Pantheonic is an amazingly crafted game that genuinely felt like a real game along the same lines as World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Runescape and so many others! It was so clear to me that the author truly enjoyed crafting even the smallest of game mechanics as the whole game felt fully fleshed out. From the extensive character customisation to the game's lore revealed through the tournament, the world of Pantheonic felt grand and complex in all the best ways. I would genuinely love to read another book about this game, even if it followed a different set of characters, as it felt like there was much more to explore in the game's lore and how it ties in to real world mythology.
Speaking of mythology, I am by no means an expert so I cannot critique the accuracy of the depictions of certain Gods and creation myths etc. However I will say that I was pleasantly surprised to see that the game and the tournament seemingly spent an equal focus on Western mythology like Greek and Norse to Eastern like Japanese and Indian as well as the Americas and African. It was lovely to see seemingly the whole globe represented and combined to create the greater Pantheonic lore and I'm sure a mythology nerd like the main character Keegan will love to see how all these real world mythologies tie into one another.
The pacing of the book was alright although I do agree with some reviewers who felt the pacing of some scenes were broken up by over-describing side characters. However, this could also just be personally preference as I personally didn't care much about the other teams and focused more on the main team and the overall world building of the game.
Now lets talk about the elephant in the room, and the reason I could not give this book a 5 star rating, the depiction of chronic pain.
Overall
Overall, this book is a cute and nerdy read that is perfect for all open and closeted geeks alike. The queer representation is lovely and so prominent throughout the whole book through, not only the main characters but most of the side characters too which is great to see in a young adult book. Whilst I was disappointed in the chronic pain representation, I would definitely still recommend this book for its world building and story telling in terms of the game Pantheonic which is as much as focus as the main romance.
My Links!
Instagram | TikTok | Blog
April 16, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Running Press Kids for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Zachary Sergi’s “Love and Video Games” is an emotionally rich, quick-paced YA book examines the connection between the magic of mythology and the high-stakes thrill of competitive gaming all while depicting the quiet resilience of living with chronic pain into one unforgettable journey. It’s sweet, fun, and brimming with heart—perfect for fans of found family stories and soft queer romances.
In the real world, Keegan is an 18-year-old mythology nerd navigating undiagnosed chronic pain and the anxiety of leaving home for NYU. Online, he transforms into K.Odyssia—a powerful hero in the mythologically inspired game Pantheonic, where he slays monsters and leads his team, the Epic Hearts, through virtual quests. But beneath the avatar is a teen trying to balance his epic online life with the very real challenges of his body, identity, and future.
When a seemingly ordinary in-game mission turns into an invitation to a secret IRL tournament in New York City, Keegan and the Epic Hearts are thrust into a new kind of battle—one that tests not just their gaming skills, but their bonds, resilience, and personal growth. The prize? A hefty cash reward and a chance to prove themselves on a massive stage. But for Keegan, the real struggle is internal—coping with pain, opening up, and learning how to ask for help.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is its cast of lovable, complex characters. The Epic Hearts team exudes strong found family energy—supportive, quirky, and sometimes messy, but always rooting for each other. It’s that dynamic that gives the story its emotional punch. Britni, in particular, is a standout—sharp, warm, and endlessly endearing. The team’s camaraderie is believable and touching, with the kind of inside jokes and support systems that make you wish you could join the group chat.
The romantic subplot between Keegan and his teammate Alix is gentle and sweet, though a bit underdeveloped. I wasn’t really able to connect deeply with Alix, but their dynamic still adds an extra layer of vulnerability and hope to Keegan’s journey. It's more about emotional intimacy than sweeping declarations, which suits the story’s tone.
Sergi does a fantastic job bringing mythology into the gameplay world of Pantheonic, creating a setting that’s both fantastical and emotionally grounded. For mythology buffs, it’s a fun nod to the classics; for gamers, it captures the addictive camaraderie and adrenaline of team-based RPGs. The way the in-game quests mirror Keegan’s real-life challenges is smartly done—it's not just fantasy escapism, but a lens through which he processes his reality.
At the heart of the book is a nuanced, compassionate portrayal of chronic pain. Keegan’s struggle is raw and real—he’s not “fixed” by the end, and his pain doesn’t define him, but it does shape the decisions he makes and how he learns to advocate for himself. It’s a quiet kind of bravery, one that deserves the spotlight it gets here.
Overall, “Love and Video Games” is the literary equivalent of a healing potion—warm, affirming, and quietly powerful. It’s a celebration of the connections we forge both online and off, and of the strength it takes to show up for others and for yourself. Whether you’re a mythology nerd, a gamer, or just someone who loves a good underdog story with heart, this is one quest you’ll be glad you joined.
Zachary Sergi’s “Love and Video Games” is an emotionally rich, quick-paced YA book examines the connection between the magic of mythology and the high-stakes thrill of competitive gaming all while depicting the quiet resilience of living with chronic pain into one unforgettable journey. It’s sweet, fun, and brimming with heart—perfect for fans of found family stories and soft queer romances.
In the real world, Keegan is an 18-year-old mythology nerd navigating undiagnosed chronic pain and the anxiety of leaving home for NYU. Online, he transforms into K.Odyssia—a powerful hero in the mythologically inspired game Pantheonic, where he slays monsters and leads his team, the Epic Hearts, through virtual quests. But beneath the avatar is a teen trying to balance his epic online life with the very real challenges of his body, identity, and future.
When a seemingly ordinary in-game mission turns into an invitation to a secret IRL tournament in New York City, Keegan and the Epic Hearts are thrust into a new kind of battle—one that tests not just their gaming skills, but their bonds, resilience, and personal growth. The prize? A hefty cash reward and a chance to prove themselves on a massive stage. But for Keegan, the real struggle is internal—coping with pain, opening up, and learning how to ask for help.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is its cast of lovable, complex characters. The Epic Hearts team exudes strong found family energy—supportive, quirky, and sometimes messy, but always rooting for each other. It’s that dynamic that gives the story its emotional punch. Britni, in particular, is a standout—sharp, warm, and endlessly endearing. The team’s camaraderie is believable and touching, with the kind of inside jokes and support systems that make you wish you could join the group chat.
The romantic subplot between Keegan and his teammate Alix is gentle and sweet, though a bit underdeveloped. I wasn’t really able to connect deeply with Alix, but their dynamic still adds an extra layer of vulnerability and hope to Keegan’s journey. It's more about emotional intimacy than sweeping declarations, which suits the story’s tone.
Sergi does a fantastic job bringing mythology into the gameplay world of Pantheonic, creating a setting that’s both fantastical and emotionally grounded. For mythology buffs, it’s a fun nod to the classics; for gamers, it captures the addictive camaraderie and adrenaline of team-based RPGs. The way the in-game quests mirror Keegan’s real-life challenges is smartly done—it's not just fantasy escapism, but a lens through which he processes his reality.
At the heart of the book is a nuanced, compassionate portrayal of chronic pain. Keegan’s struggle is raw and real—he’s not “fixed” by the end, and his pain doesn’t define him, but it does shape the decisions he makes and how he learns to advocate for himself. It’s a quiet kind of bravery, one that deserves the spotlight it gets here.
Overall, “Love and Video Games” is the literary equivalent of a healing potion—warm, affirming, and quietly powerful. It’s a celebration of the connections we forge both online and off, and of the strength it takes to show up for others and for yourself. Whether you’re a mythology nerd, a gamer, or just someone who loves a good underdog story with heart, this is one quest you’ll be glad you joined.
October 26, 2025
Publishing date: 16.09.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
Quickfire likes and gripes //
Mostly sweet
The video game itself sounds fun and like something I might have played IRL
I feel like some of the mythology is wrong?
Disability rep feels harmful (If I tell myself it doesn’t hurt it won’t hurt)
Not enough or heavy enough stakes to keep me interested
Characters //
The characters follow a lot of stereotypes and a single aspect of them make them what they are. This didn’t bother me this time around, but it made them a little flat. One of the characters are also contradicting their singular point, always being absent from calls, mysterious and all, but then just a couple pages later they show up in call … Maybe a miswrite or overlook.
The relationship between them all also could have used a little more obstacles and conflict to feel a little more earned if that makes sense.
Pacing //
The book itself is quick plot wise, but feels slow to read because of the perspective in-game. Also the relationship featured moves a little too fast.
Plot //
“Life changing amount of money, but me and my friends have to achieve something to earn/win it” plot with very black and white villains. Not much more to say. I didn’t find it that interesting. As stated earlier, I wish the stakes were heavier.
How it was to read //
A lot of this book was focused on the video game, naturally so. However, it became a but much and wasn’t really that interesting to me? Which I find weird, since I play videogames as a main hobby in addition to reading. I just didn’t find it that engaging to read.
Audience //
I would place my bets on young adult LGBTQIA+ gamers as the audience, I fit most of it, but I may have become a little too old for this now
Final Verdict //
This book has some good bones for a good story, but some changes would help a lot. More stakes, less POV from the game world, the disability message should be reconsidered (coming from a disabled person also with chronic pain), and the relationship might need a little more time in the oven to feel earned and “real”.
Giving this 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
Quickfire likes and gripes //
Mostly sweet
The video game itself sounds fun and like something I might have played IRL
I feel like some of the mythology is wrong?
Disability rep feels harmful (If I tell myself it doesn’t hurt it won’t hurt)
Not enough or heavy enough stakes to keep me interested
Characters //
The characters follow a lot of stereotypes and a single aspect of them make them what they are. This didn’t bother me this time around, but it made them a little flat. One of the characters are also contradicting their singular point, always being absent from calls, mysterious and all, but then just a couple pages later they show up in call … Maybe a miswrite or overlook.
The relationship between them all also could have used a little more obstacles and conflict to feel a little more earned if that makes sense.
Pacing //
The book itself is quick plot wise, but feels slow to read because of the perspective in-game. Also the relationship featured moves a little too fast.
Plot //
“Life changing amount of money, but me and my friends have to achieve something to earn/win it” plot with very black and white villains. Not much more to say. I didn’t find it that interesting. As stated earlier, I wish the stakes were heavier.
How it was to read //
A lot of this book was focused on the video game, naturally so. However, it became a but much and wasn’t really that interesting to me? Which I find weird, since I play videogames as a main hobby in addition to reading. I just didn’t find it that engaging to read.
Audience //
I would place my bets on young adult LGBTQIA+ gamers as the audience, I fit most of it, but I may have become a little too old for this now
Final Verdict //
This book has some good bones for a good story, but some changes would help a lot. More stakes, less POV from the game world, the disability message should be reconsidered (coming from a disabled person also with chronic pain), and the relationship might need a little more time in the oven to feel earned and “real”.
Giving this 3 stars.
June 13, 2025
This story is definitely a love letter to gaymers and mythology buffs. What a stunning cover! The made up game Pantheonic was a clever mix of WoW and Smite, and it's clear that Sergi put in a lot of work researching various deities among other key details.
I also appreciated the chronic pain representation with Keegan who is a big mythology lover. I especially enjoyed the other members of the gaming team: Epic Hearts who are definitely epic and fit the "queer found family" trope really well. Mo and Britni were my favorite characters of the group, and I liked their interactions with Keegan. Alix was also fun, and I appreciated discussions around his aspirations.
That said, I feel like I can't give this a five stars for several reasons. The biggest one is that the friends-to-lovers romance between Keegan and Alix feels really underdeveloped and not as genuine. I also think that the gaming tournament plot heavily overwhelms the romance to the point that it feels more like a subplot. As much as I enjoyed the incorporation of all the different mythologies it started to feel like one big "melting pot" that I was skimming through just to finish the book.
Finally, I do appreciate Sergi sharing multiple perspectives on chronic pain, but it started to feel like reading a nonfiction piece toward the end which, again, started to override the overall plot. In particular, there's one message he pushes that I'm ambivalent toward given my own experiences with chronic pain, but he does a good job noting how this isn't the case for everyone and I agree it's important for people to at least consider this perspective underneath western medicine.
Regardless, I'd definitely recommend this book to fellow gaymers, lovers of mythology, and inclusive queer YA fans.
Thanks Netgalley and Running Press for the ARC.
I also appreciated the chronic pain representation with Keegan who is a big mythology lover. I especially enjoyed the other members of the gaming team: Epic Hearts who are definitely epic and fit the "queer found family" trope really well. Mo and Britni were my favorite characters of the group, and I liked their interactions with Keegan. Alix was also fun, and I appreciated discussions around his aspirations.
That said, I feel like I can't give this a five stars for several reasons. The biggest one is that the friends-to-lovers romance between Keegan and Alix feels really underdeveloped and not as genuine. I also think that the gaming tournament plot heavily overwhelms the romance to the point that it feels more like a subplot. As much as I enjoyed the incorporation of all the different mythologies it started to feel like one big "melting pot" that I was skimming through just to finish the book.
Finally, I do appreciate Sergi sharing multiple perspectives on chronic pain, but it started to feel like reading a nonfiction piece toward the end which, again, started to override the overall plot. In particular, there's one message he pushes that I'm ambivalent toward given my own experiences with chronic pain, but he does a good job noting how this isn't the case for everyone and I agree it's important for people to at least consider this perspective underneath western medicine.
Regardless, I'd definitely recommend this book to fellow gaymers, lovers of mythology, and inclusive queer YA fans.
Thanks Netgalley and Running Press for the ARC.
June 13, 2025
Thank you Running Press and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I read this so quick! I loved both Keegan’s world and the world of Pantheonic! Keegan’s never had much connections in the real world but that’s ok because in the world of Pantheonic he has his best friends and teammates Alix, Mo, and Britni, together they make up the Epic Heart’s. Keegan is also harboring the biggest crush on Alix, who lives in New York and in a few short weeks he’ll be headed there for school. This could be the opportunity for the two to be more, but there is no way Alix is into him, after all he’s extremely hot and a future designer while Keegan is decidedly not. Things change when the group is given the opportunity to keep in a new version of the game that mixes in augmented reality. The 4 will finally meet in New York to compete for the $800,000 prize. Will Keegan have the same connections to them IRL that he has with them in the game? It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and a chance for them to learn secrets about Pantheonic that nobody else knows but they’ll have steep competition, and when they’ve only ever played to have fun can they compete with pro-level teams? On top of this there’s the chronic pain that Keegan deals with, which none of his friends know about. Can he play without being incapacitated by his pain? And will being in close quarters with Alix finally give him the opportunity to tell him how he feels? Or will the pressure of the money and game drive them apart? I love that Zachary Sergi creates a whole mythological world that’s every bit as exciting and thrilling as it is for Keegan and his friends! I also love that it’s easy to follow and enjoyable even for those who aren’t gaymers and familiar with this type of thing! Sweet and compelling, I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommend especially if you enjoy mythology and video games!
dnf
July 6, 2025DNF at 73 pages.
Thanks to Goodreads for the giveaway copy of this arc but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me.
The style itself is not my favorite: it feels a little more formal than I like for YA - probably because we have a very “studious” main character. He’s also not my type of MC. I don’t like the judginess he sometimes uses in terms of the game - it feels like he holds his knowledge above everyone else around him (besides his friends).
I did like the chronic pain rep and I always love lgbtq friendly gaming, but I don’t like the story enough to keep going. I was mainly holding out to see what Britni was like and see them meet. But it didn’t influence me enough to want to continue.
I didn’t really like that the qualifying mission for this $800K tournament was to simultaneously strike 1 pillar. … So hundreds of teams were cut because they didn’t reach a pillar in time. That’s not a monster or a puzzle. It’s not strategic. It’s using your eyesight to find a shining golden pillar. 😐 I know this is ya, but at least make me believe these kids deserve to beat out hundreds of professional gamers for this. I needed something cooler. And the one girl’s significant other’s team also qualified? 😅 And they’re also a bunch of casual gamer 18yo’s?
Hoping this book reaches its audience and finds its readers! Unfortunately, that’s not me.
Thanks to Goodreads for the giveaway copy of this arc but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me.
The style itself is not my favorite: it feels a little more formal than I like for YA - probably because we have a very “studious” main character. He’s also not my type of MC. I don’t like the judginess he sometimes uses in terms of the game - it feels like he holds his knowledge above everyone else around him (besides his friends).
I did like the chronic pain rep and I always love lgbtq friendly gaming, but I don’t like the story enough to keep going. I was mainly holding out to see what Britni was like and see them meet. But it didn’t influence me enough to want to continue.
I didn’t really like that the qualifying mission for this $800K tournament was to simultaneously strike 1 pillar. … So hundreds of teams were cut because they didn’t reach a pillar in time. That’s not a monster or a puzzle. It’s not strategic. It’s using your eyesight to find a shining golden pillar. 😐 I know this is ya, but at least make me believe these kids deserve to beat out hundreds of professional gamers for this. I needed something cooler. And the one girl’s significant other’s team also qualified? 😅 And they’re also a bunch of casual gamer 18yo’s?
Hoping this book reaches its audience and finds its readers! Unfortunately, that’s not me.
April 27, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley & Running Press for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
What a cozy and sweet story! I haven't read anything quite like this yet--the author certainly put a lot of care and love into the characters and the world. Sergi is definitely a gamer first and foremost and put all the accurate terms for video games in the story but still explained it well enough that I think non-gamers will understand.
My only issue is that I wish the book was a tiny bit longer and expanded on the other 3 gamers in the protagonist's team, but I get it's YA and any longer the book would be less appealing to teens, lol.
Still, it's a very sweet YA romance and found family book.
What a cozy and sweet story! I haven't read anything quite like this yet--the author certainly put a lot of care and love into the characters and the world. Sergi is definitely a gamer first and foremost and put all the accurate terms for video games in the story but still explained it well enough that I think non-gamers will understand.
My only issue is that I wish the book was a tiny bit longer and expanded on the other 3 gamers in the protagonist's team, but I get it's YA and any longer the book would be less appealing to teens, lol.
Still, it's a very sweet YA romance and found family book.
September 17, 2025
I really wanted to love this one. As an avid gamer and someone with chronic pain, I was excited for this story, but the execution fell a little flat for me in some areas. There were almost immediately contradictions (Britni supposedly never joins voice chats, but then she's almost immediately shown to be in a voice chat with the rest of the team). There was a missed opportunity with anxiety rep here. Though I definitely understood his frustration about struggling with finding a cause for Keegan's pain.
That all said, I love the diversity of the characters. The worldbuilding was cool (and reminded me of Smite), and I adore queer stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
That all said, I love the diversity of the characters. The worldbuilding was cool (and reminded me of Smite), and I adore queer stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
September 19, 2025
Loved the mythology aspect of this book. The cast was very diverse which was great to see. Someone dealing with chronic pain is not representation I have seen a lot in YA books and I think this book handled it well. The found family aspect was also great, I am a sucker for this trope. This book will resonate well with those who enjoy playing video games whether they are a causal player or a hardcore gamer. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC copy.
October 13, 2025
The summer between high school and college is different for everyone, but I think many people try to figure out who they want to be when they meet new people. While these four might have been online friends, meeting IRL was a series of connections and them trying to figure out who they now were as individuals and as friends. Taking place in NYC for a special gaming trial, these friends overcome the obstacles to grow into supportive friends.
July 19, 2025
Okay, I had no idea gaming would be 85% of the book. It was a lot. And I had to skim some of it because it was too much after awhile. That being said I loved Keegan and his teammates. Overall, the story flowed well and the romance was cute. If you love gaming you will love this book. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.
September 17, 2025
“Can I get an omen?”
What do you get when you mix mythology with video games? This book! With an incredible game system, a cast of adorkable characters, subtle messages about crafting your personal mythology, and the importance of communication, this is such a powerful and timely read! (The only thing that would make it more perfect is if Pantheonic was a real gaming system!)
What do you get when you mix mythology with video games? This book! With an incredible game system, a cast of adorkable characters, subtle messages about crafting your personal mythology, and the importance of communication, this is such a powerful and timely read! (The only thing that would make it more perfect is if Pantheonic was a real gaming system!)
September 15, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this fun book.As a person with chronic pain myself I loved how the author uses games as a way to escape from pain.
September 25, 2025
It was fine. For some reasons all the gamer tags and npc names just kinda took me out of it…also… weirdly slightly ableist?
Read
October 20, 2025dnf @ 17% too bland YA writing, my bad for not clocking that from the synopsis
November 10, 2025
3.5 stars
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