What do you think?
Rate this book
Cleric of Aphrodite
I wanted to escape my problems by playing a video game. I didn't expect it to become my new reality.
Hi, my name is Lauren and my life gets more depressing by the day. My job stresses me out. My car's on its last legs. My ex-boyfriend's a mooch. My mom? It hurts to talk about her right now.
So, I do what any gamer girl would do when life gets me I escape into a brand-new, super-hyped video game inspired by Greek mythology. Except, I actually do escape. Like, I'm inside the game. Now that I'm here, all I want to do is get back to the real world, even if I've stumbled upon a romance I never knew was possible.
Unfortunately, it seems I'm breaking the game.
And it's trying to break me back.
*NOTE TO This book includes a lot of swearing and a smidgeon of spice. It's also LGBTQIA and polyamorous. It contains mentions of death, grief, and suicidal ideation. If any of that sounds like it's not for you, you may want to skip this book.
Hi, my name is Lauren and my life gets more depressing by the day. My job stresses me out. My car's on its last legs. My ex-boyfriend's a mooch. My mom? It hurts to talk about her right now.
So, I do what any gamer girl would do when life gets me I escape into a brand-new, super-hyped video game inspired by Greek mythology. Except, I actually do escape. Like, I'm inside the game. Now that I'm here, all I want to do is get back to the real world, even if I've stumbled upon a romance I never knew was possible.
Unfortunately, it seems I'm breaking the game.
And it's trying to break me back.
*NOTE TO This book includes a lot of swearing and a smidgeon of spice. It's also LGBTQIA and polyamorous. It contains mentions of death, grief, and suicidal ideation. If any of that sounds like it's not for you, you may want to skip this book.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2025
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
A.R.K. Horton
11 books41 followersA.R.K. Horton is a small woman made of round shapes and long sighs. Children and animals surround her in her Florida home. Her vice is hoarding responsibilities, and she has the tired eyes to prove it. They still have a sparkle, though, seeing the next project ahead.
She began writing as a child when she became obsessed with learning about the most obscure fairytales, folktales, and myths. Now, she blogs extensively about them and uses them as inspiration for her novels.
She began writing as a child when she became obsessed with learning about the most obscure fairytales, folktales, and myths. Now, she blogs extensively about them and uses them as inspiration for her novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 31, 2025
3.75 out of 5 stars
Lauren, after breaking up with her boyfriend of 11 years, starts to play the game Legends of Sacrifice. Everything is going well until the game crashes. When Lauren goes to pick up new pieces for her computer she somehow walks into a forest, and she has no clue how she got there. After an injury and wearing only leggings and a bra, she runs into a strange man living in a hut who keeps repeating the same phrases, and she doesn’t understand why. Nothing makes sense until she runs into a group of people who let her know she is in the game.
Lauren joins this band of players who help her complete her missions and appease her goddess Aphrodite. But Lauren keeps breaking the game and the NPC’s are no longer acting like NPC’s. Along the way, Lauren makes friends and finds a new love... or two.
This book was a fun introduction to the litRPG world for me along with it being my first m/f/f book. As someone who isn't a gamer, I don't typically read books about gaming or games, but this book was easy to understand, and it helped explain NPC and other gamer terminology in a digestible way.
The things I liked about the book were the world-building and how it explained the spaces the players were entering and what quests they were given. I also loved the issues the players faced being level 1 and not having a staff, proper armor, etc. There were also enough "real world" stakes happening to keep the plot moving and allow the characters to stay motivated. I enjoyed the romance but it felt a little unbelievable that a character who is a virgin and not at terms with her queer identity would jump into a 3-some with absolutely no issues. I felt, as the reader, that the characters didn't have enough relationship-building and grappling with their identities for 2 of the characters in the M/F/F pairing to move that quickly. It was also a bit instalovey. I think the characters went very quickly from their first sex scene to being in love.
What I would have loved from this author was 2 or 3 books in this series. I think there were many places, especially in the last 3rd of the book where the pacing and the writing felt rushed. Where some ideas were brought up that I feel should have been given more time in the progression of the plot, which was solved in a few pages.
That being said, I enjoyed this read, it moved quickly, and it was fun. There wasn't a moment I had to put it down because the plot became slow or I became uninterested. I would recommend this first and foremost for the gamer girls who love romancing NPC, those who might feel more at home in their body or their identity in games, and those who would like a fun video game-based romance where one of the love interests is a tall, scary, hot fighter.
Thank you, booksirens and A.R.K Horton, for an advanced copy of this book.
Lauren, after breaking up with her boyfriend of 11 years, starts to play the game Legends of Sacrifice. Everything is going well until the game crashes. When Lauren goes to pick up new pieces for her computer she somehow walks into a forest, and she has no clue how she got there. After an injury and wearing only leggings and a bra, she runs into a strange man living in a hut who keeps repeating the same phrases, and she doesn’t understand why. Nothing makes sense until she runs into a group of people who let her know she is in the game.
Lauren joins this band of players who help her complete her missions and appease her goddess Aphrodite. But Lauren keeps breaking the game and the NPC’s are no longer acting like NPC’s. Along the way, Lauren makes friends and finds a new love... or two.
This book was a fun introduction to the litRPG world for me along with it being my first m/f/f book. As someone who isn't a gamer, I don't typically read books about gaming or games, but this book was easy to understand, and it helped explain NPC and other gamer terminology in a digestible way.
The things I liked about the book were the world-building and how it explained the spaces the players were entering and what quests they were given. I also loved the issues the players faced being level 1 and not having a staff, proper armor, etc. There were also enough "real world" stakes happening to keep the plot moving and allow the characters to stay motivated. I enjoyed the romance but it felt a little unbelievable that a character who is a virgin and not at terms with her queer identity would jump into a 3-some with absolutely no issues. I felt, as the reader, that the characters didn't have enough relationship-building and grappling with their identities for 2 of the characters in the M/F/F pairing to move that quickly. It was also a bit instalovey. I think the characters went very quickly from their first sex scene to being in love.
What I would have loved from this author was 2 or 3 books in this series. I think there were many places, especially in the last 3rd of the book where the pacing and the writing felt rushed. Where some ideas were brought up that I feel should have been given more time in the progression of the plot, which was solved in a few pages.
That being said, I enjoyed this read, it moved quickly, and it was fun. There wasn't a moment I had to put it down because the plot became slow or I became uninterested. I would recommend this first and foremost for the gamer girls who love romancing NPC, those who might feel more at home in their body or their identity in games, and those who would like a fun video game-based romance where one of the love interests is a tall, scary, hot fighter.
Thank you, booksirens and A.R.K Horton, for an advanced copy of this book.
April 28, 2025
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5
Spice: 🌶️.5 / 5
This was my first LitRPG story and I found it a rollicking good time! Horton has an irreverent and casual narrative style, which makes for an easy read. In the dedication, it’s clear this book was written to prove a point about the genre and its stereotypes, a theme that recurs throughout the story. The feminine rage is strong with this one, from the relationship our lead ends in the opening scene to the quests that focus on liberating different female characters.
Horton tackles themes around self-belief, empowerment, letting go, and trust. They also confront societal norms, faith, and power dynamics, wrapped in a fantasy Greek environment explored via quests from the gods. Woven through the game-speak (there’s plenty of that, which may be challenging for other genre newbs who don’t game, like me) are moments of introspection, humor, and romance. It’s an enjoyable and engaging read overall.
Because I enjoyed it, I forgave some of the stumbles. At times, Lauren (our lead and sole POV) felt immature or one-dimensional. Girl shouted a lot, more than she needed to. Some of the conflicts felt rushed and not fully fleshed out. It was also a little heavy-handed with some themes, and battled with favoring idealism vs. realism in turn.
Horton created an intriguing world in the game Legends of Sacrifice. The story draws you in from the first page and takes you on quite the journey with twists and turns alongside the sweet romantic subplot.
Recommended for fans of gaming, Greek mythology, and undercurrents of feminine rage.
📚Fast facts📚
✨ Adventure-first w/ romance subplot
✨ Curvy, confident FMC
✨ Moving on from past relationship
✨ LitPRG w/ loose Greek mythology inspo
✨ Only one bed
✨ Found family
✨ Closed door w/ brief mentions
✨ Contemporary FFM
✨ First person, single POV, present tense
I am grateful to the author to have received an eARC of this story (even though this review is late)! This is my honest and unbiased review.
Spice: 🌶️.5 / 5
This was my first LitRPG story and I found it a rollicking good time! Horton has an irreverent and casual narrative style, which makes for an easy read. In the dedication, it’s clear this book was written to prove a point about the genre and its stereotypes, a theme that recurs throughout the story. The feminine rage is strong with this one, from the relationship our lead ends in the opening scene to the quests that focus on liberating different female characters.
Horton tackles themes around self-belief, empowerment, letting go, and trust. They also confront societal norms, faith, and power dynamics, wrapped in a fantasy Greek environment explored via quests from the gods. Woven through the game-speak (there’s plenty of that, which may be challenging for other genre newbs who don’t game, like me) are moments of introspection, humor, and romance. It’s an enjoyable and engaging read overall.
Because I enjoyed it, I forgave some of the stumbles. At times, Lauren (our lead and sole POV) felt immature or one-dimensional. Girl shouted a lot, more than she needed to. Some of the conflicts felt rushed and not fully fleshed out. It was also a little heavy-handed with some themes, and battled with favoring idealism vs. realism in turn.
Horton created an intriguing world in the game Legends of Sacrifice. The story draws you in from the first page and takes you on quite the journey with twists and turns alongside the sweet romantic subplot.
Recommended for fans of gaming, Greek mythology, and undercurrents of feminine rage.
📚Fast facts📚
✨ Adventure-first w/ romance subplot
✨ Curvy, confident FMC
✨ Moving on from past relationship
✨ LitPRG w/ loose Greek mythology inspo
✨ Only one bed
✨ Found family
✨ Closed door w/ brief mentions
✨ Contemporary FFM
✨ First person, single POV, present tense
I am grateful to the author to have received an eARC of this story (even though this review is late)! This is my honest and unbiased review.
May 21, 2025
Since I love LitRPG, playing RPGs, and Greek mythology, I was so excited to receive this eARC for my honest review!
Horton's story is somehow both heartwarming and heartbreaking, with the main theme of choosing between idealism and realism. The characters were familiar, but not cookie-cutter, and having an outspoken woman as the single narrator was a great change from LitRPGs I've read in the past! It was the type of book that once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down, even when I could barely keep my eyes open!
Cleric of Aphrodite has a unique premise and surprises that keep the plot from being too predictable or boring. The character interactions are snappy and fun, the romantic subplot is close to perfection. The world of Legends of Sacrifice is gorgeous and well thought out, with great attention to details from both the video game perspective and the mythology.
I really enjoyed the story, which means I forgive some of the struggles the book has, but it's important to note them in case they are dealbreakers for other readers. My main point of dislike is that it felt like conflicts (both battles and character's internal struggles) received a proportionate amount of build up, but then the resolutions were rushed, almost to the point of being glossed over. And that includes the main climax of this story, which felt almost anti-climatic? But the ending and the epilogue make up for it.
Thank you ARK Horton and BookSirens for the opportunity to read an eARC and give my honest review!
Horton's story is somehow both heartwarming and heartbreaking, with the main theme of choosing between idealism and realism. The characters were familiar, but not cookie-cutter, and having an outspoken woman as the single narrator was a great change from LitRPGs I've read in the past! It was the type of book that once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down, even when I could barely keep my eyes open!
Cleric of Aphrodite has a unique premise and surprises that keep the plot from being too predictable or boring. The character interactions are snappy and fun, the romantic subplot is close to perfection. The world of Legends of Sacrifice is gorgeous and well thought out, with great attention to details from both the video game perspective and the mythology.
I really enjoyed the story, which means I forgive some of the struggles the book has, but it's important to note them in case they are dealbreakers for other readers. My main point of dislike is that it felt like conflicts (both battles and character's internal struggles) received a proportionate amount of build up, but then the resolutions were rushed, almost to the point of being glossed over. And that includes the main climax of this story, which felt almost anti-climatic? But the ending and the epilogue make up for it.
Thank you ARK Horton and BookSirens for the opportunity to read an eARC and give my honest review!
April 21, 2025
Lauren’s life is mundane-- she has a customer service job she hates, she supports her deadbeat boyfriend who sits around gaming and eating snacks all day, she’s constantly broke (see deadbeat boyfriend previously mentioned), and her mom’s health is declining rapidly. All she wants is to escape into the game she’s been eagerly awaiting—Legends of Sacrifice— but she never expected to be thrown into the game.
With hilarious rapid-fire dialogue, harrowing quests, a motley crew of bad ass characters and plenty of spice The Cleric of Aphrodite is compulsively readable, and I hated to see it end. It is the perfect read when you want to escape all of the noise and stress and have fun. This was my first LitRPG, but thanks to A.R.K., it won’t be my last. Please write more!
I received a free eBook of The Cleric of Aphrodite for review purposes; all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
With hilarious rapid-fire dialogue, harrowing quests, a motley crew of bad ass characters and plenty of spice The Cleric of Aphrodite is compulsively readable, and I hated to see it end. It is the perfect read when you want to escape all of the noise and stress and have fun. This was my first LitRPG, but thanks to A.R.K., it won’t be my last. Please write more!
I received a free eBook of The Cleric of Aphrodite for review purposes; all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
June 11, 2025
I absolutely ate up this book!!
Cleric of Aphrodite is an effortlessly written LitRPG, with casual flow, engaging plot, and a diverse cast of interesting characters. The story follows Lauren as she's transported into the video game she is currently playing, navigating the Greek inspired world of Peripeteia. She soon finds herself amidst a band of fellow players, slowly finding familiarity (and love) with them as the story progresses.
I picked up Cleric of Aphrodite as part of my Pride Month reading, as this story explores both bisexuality and polyamory. I especially adored these parts of the story, I felt it was extremely well-written representation.
Other things I enjoyed: diverse body representation, women who swear, and challenging misogyny.
If you're a fan of MMOs, RPGs, or even isekai anime, I definitely recommend this book!
Cleric of Aphrodite is an effortlessly written LitRPG, with casual flow, engaging plot, and a diverse cast of interesting characters. The story follows Lauren as she's transported into the video game she is currently playing, navigating the Greek inspired world of Peripeteia. She soon finds herself amidst a band of fellow players, slowly finding familiarity (and love) with them as the story progresses.
I picked up Cleric of Aphrodite as part of my Pride Month reading, as this story explores both bisexuality and polyamory. I especially adored these parts of the story, I felt it was extremely well-written representation.
Other things I enjoyed: diverse body representation, women who swear, and challenging misogyny.
If you're a fan of MMOs, RPGs, or even isekai anime, I definitely recommend this book!
September 3, 2025
I loved reading Cleric of Aphrodite. Lauren is almost painfully relateable from the first page with her former gifted kid malaise and social anxiety. And she only gets better as a character as the story goes along. I found the other characters in the book equally well written. The story is engaging, with a nice balance of humor and more serious moments. The relationships between the characters feel genuine, and I loved reading them as they developed. The world building is also well done. It's at that nice level where I can visualize everything, but it's not excessive or thrown at you in large blocks. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy LitRPG with a female protagonist, and who enjoy well rounded characters and an immersive story woven into the LitRPG elements.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 25, 2025
This was a fun, irreverent read. I'm a huge fan of RPG video games, but this is my first LitRPG book. I've had a few different examples of the genre sitting in my queue for a while, but when I heard this one had been written out of spite (as explained in the author's social media and the book's preface), I knew I had to read it immediately. And it was great fun! The story gave me echoes of Tron and The Guild, but was still very much it's own thing. I now want to read other popular LitRPG works for comparison, but I have a feeling this one will definitely hold its own. Recommended for fans of obscure 70s fantasy cartoons, outspoken FMCs, and doing all of the side quests before tackling the main storyline. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
April 7, 2025
First RPG book I've read, but not the last! Loved the addition of the Greek mythology themes but also that it poked fun at video games and how they don't always stick to the lore authentically.
If you play video games, RPGs, like Greek mythology, or are looking for a book that is about finding your true self, this book is for you!
If you play video games, RPGs, like Greek mythology, or are looking for a book that is about finding your true self, this book is for you!
April 12, 2025
Lauren life seems beige in every way, until she enters a game world. Then things become action packed.
I enjoyed the building of relationships and friendships in this story. Guy and Cait are great romantic interests. Even Doug the ex gets to be a guy.
A very enjoyable tale.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the building of relationships and friendships in this story. Guy and Cait are great romantic interests. Even Doug the ex gets to be a guy.
A very enjoyable tale.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 12, 2025
Such a great adventure!! This was my first LitRPG and I'm glad it was, because it was so good! I am so glad that Guy is not a bad guy and I loved how the main character paid attention to things and did stuff her own way. Lots of surprises along the way and bittersweet in places with a lovely ending.
November 5, 2025
This was my first foray into LitRPG, and it will not be the last! Cleric of Aphrodite has so much of what I love in a book—strong characters, great humor, a love triangle that’s an ACTUAL triangle. The end also had me in tears, both from intense emotion and joy that these characters get everything they want and deserve. Do not skip out on this book!
April 23, 2025
I loved this book! It was a totally different premise than I have read before, and it kept me interested from page one until the very satisfactory ending. I don't know as much about video games (which didn't really matter to enjoy this) but I did really appreciate the Greek mythology. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the world building. It also had great pacing. An absolute reread and I will recommend to anyone!
April 14, 2025
Have you ever finished a book in the evening and woken up the next day sad because the book was over?
That's how I felt when Lauren's story ended.
LitRPG books are always a fun read, but A.R.K. Horton's take on the genre is fun, sassy, and decidedly feminist. A.R.K. writes characters that are likeable, a little flawed, and her dialogue is snappy and fun. It's clear that an incredible amount of research into Greek mythology was part of her writing process; she does an admirable job being true to the mythological elements and interweaving them with the video game environment she created. The romantic plotline was well-done and satisfying, and the twists and turns kept me turning pages well after my bedtime.
Can't wait to see what A.R.K. will bring us next!
That's how I felt when Lauren's story ended.
LitRPG books are always a fun read, but A.R.K. Horton's take on the genre is fun, sassy, and decidedly feminist. A.R.K. writes characters that are likeable, a little flawed, and her dialogue is snappy and fun. It's clear that an incredible amount of research into Greek mythology was part of her writing process; she does an admirable job being true to the mythological elements and interweaving them with the video game environment she created. The romantic plotline was well-done and satisfying, and the twists and turns kept me turning pages well after my bedtime.
Can't wait to see what A.R.K. will bring us next!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews