Crown of Olympus

by Kate Asher

Thirteen powerful champions. Twelve deadly trials. One golden crown. And a prophecy that could ruin them all.

For the second time in history, the throne of Olympus sits empty. With only one way to appease godly egos and negate a civil war, a brutal tournament is announced.
The champions are chosen. The arenas are set. Olympus is waiting.

Nyssa is Death's daughter. She is powerful, fierce, and feared by the living.
Caelus is the King’s son. He was forged for power, and born to rule.

She enters for reasons wrapped in grief and vengeance; to defy the Olympians who dared to look down upon her, and ensure that the fate written for her doesn’t end in disaster.
He enters to claim his birthright, to prove he is more than a mirror image of his father, and to get close to the woman threatening to steal more than his crown.

Olympus demands a victor. Fate demands a price.

It’s not just about a crown – it’s about who survives long enough to wear it.
And whether they’re willing to pay the cost in blood.


Fans of The Games Gods Play (Abigail Owen) and Blood of Hercules (Jasmine Mas) will devour this series.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Mythology, Romance, Found Family, Dragons, Enemies To Lovers

470 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Hannah Lee]

preread
I've never seen this book before in my LIFE, but I somehow added it to my short list?? And it actually looks really good so I'm intrigued! I looove a good trials book 🤞🏽

[purlpur · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
уф, як можна не спокуситися на ще одну історію кохання та інтриг улюблених давньогрецьких богів⚡️
це такий собі персі джексон, тільки для дорослішої аудиторії. з усіма цими смертельними випробуваннями, за перемогу в яких обіцяють корону олімпу та трон зевса, якого вбили уві сні. от не пощастило діду, навіть прокинутися не встиг 🌚
а під фінал завезли ще й сімейні інтриги та баталії, нямка. є відчуття, що з цієї причини друга книга може бути кращою, але це не точно 🫣

⚔️ сюжет. смертельних випробувань вийшло забагато для такого об'єму книги. їх 12, від кожного олімпійця. деякі дійсно цікаві й підкреслюють особливості бога-організатора, з усіма цими відсиланнями до міфів (коли їх знаєш, то спостерігати за діями та вибором героїв ще цікавіше). а деякі - просто пшик для кількості. занадто легко, ніби це задачка для підлітків, а не серйозна перевірка для прадавніх богів. та й загалом змагання могутніх богів та їхніх молодих нащадків - такий собі варіант. між ними не відчувалося різниці у віці, досвіді чи мудрості 🫩
фінальні сюжетні повороти і драма були дещо передбачуваними, але в мінус це не записую і рада, що такі ходи були. вони відповідають характерам богів, тому можна здогадатися, хто там зрадник, і хто веде власну гру. це ж олімпійці: вони снідають амброзією, а обідають й вечеряють зрадами та інтригами 😈😎

👫 персонажі. гг в нас: каелус- син зевса та гери. нісса - донька аїда та персефони.
нісса перші 10% книги мене конкретно підбішувала. 30-річна богиня, така напищена й ледь не сильніша за всіх багатотисячних богів. чого це раптом вона - гроза всього пантеону і її всі бояться, якщо майже в кожному наступному випробуванні вона ледве живою вибирається і її періодично рятують? ну, ці страждання хоч трохи згладили враження від жгг, а завдяки подальшим відкриттям я вже норм ставилася до цієї чітерши 🤓
про каелуса хз що казати. милий, турботливий, захисний, пахне карамеллю - принаймні солодкий відступ від вічної хвої та деревини в кожного другого героя. і в прямому сенсі обісрався під час одного з випробувань. от який гумор в авторки про могутніх богів. разом з жартами про маленький член посейдона 🙃

💘 і оскільки це романтичне фентезі саме любовна лінія мене тут не зачепила.
між ними не було очікуваної динаміки «від ворогів до закоханих». так, номінально вони суперники в «обряді сходження», плюс батько каелуса вбив матір нісси - ніби є всі підстави для неприязні, але її тут від початку не було. натомість каелус якогось біса сходу має великі почуття до нісси, бо бачте побачив її в дитинстві. і шо, закарбувався як джейкоб? 😅 я думала далі розкажуть, що в них була якась історія в минулому, але ні. вони за ці 30 років не розмовляли і не бачилися, та й по ходу сюжету в них теж не було достатньо часу для розвитку почуттів. тому його дії, особливо у випробуванні з мойрами викликали у мене багато запитань. типу, чувак, wtf? я розумію - симпатія з першого погляду, але він буквально своє життя не раз готовий за неї віддати. так вразила донька смерті 💃
тому їх почуття та жертви під фінал для мене виглядали трішки притягнутими за вуха. хоча разом вони мила і тендітна пара, просто хотілося кращого, поступового розвитку їх лл 🥰
мені більше імпонували загравання ароса, хоча і ясно, що вони базувалися на жартах та пристрасті. але такої поведінки я і очікувала від нащадка бога війни 🔥

наостанок маленький приємний плюсик - репрезентація глухонімого аполлона. взагалі люблю міфи про цього бога, і тут він не розчарував. моє сонечко 🥹☺️

[Pandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly - how is this a debut?! This book was freaking amazing. It drew me in from the very start and I knew I would absolutely love it.
From Greek mythology to deadly trials, slow burn chemistry and pining, and emotional devastation - this book has it all. There was even a moment in the book I had to put it down (temporarily) because I was scared to continue. Holy heck. No spoilers but the last few chapters are action packed and intense, prepare yourself!
I will be waiting not so patiently for the next book which I already cannot wait to read and see what happens next.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crown of Olympus is Kate Asher's debut novel and what a debut indeed! If this book is just the beginning, I can't wait to see what she does next.

Nyssa is the daughter of Hades and Persephone, after the death of Zeus she is called to Olympus and must compete in a series of trials for the Crown of Olympus.

I was in love with Nyssa's character from the start and the development of her character throughout the story is so well written. Did I mention she's the morally grey shadow momma in this story?! And Caelus is such a perfect, yearning MMC.

The side characters stole the show for me. Aros is cheeky and flirty and Charon is the supportive best friend and I am here for them both!

This has all your favourite tropes
- Enemies to Lovers
- Trials
- Prophecy
- Slow Burn
- Sarcastic Animals
- Greek Mythology
And so many more!

This book was a 5 star read and then the last few chapters, the plot twists, the emotional damage, made this an absolute 6 star read for me. The set up for the next book is amazing and I am so looking forward to seeing where this story goes from here

[Rach Stacpoole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to be a beta reader for this book and I cannot accurately express how phenomenal this book is. I laughed, I sobbed, I screamed and squealed. I cannot wait to read it again as an ARC reader and then again when it officially comes out.
Kate, you are brilliant and I love to hate you for it. The way you have written the villains in this story, the visuals you provide in some of the most stunning scenes. I am so excited to read this series time and time again.

[Bakingbookdragon (Kinsey) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate that I am writing the lowest review so far because I did enjoy it, but this book just missed for me. There's nothing inherently wrong with it. The characters are interesting, the trials were entertaining, and the twists were good. The banter was good and there were some great moments that had me laughing. The animal companions was an interesting twist that I enjoyed and the ending of the book sets up well for the second in the series. I honestly just had a hard time connecting to the main characters and the romance wasn't for me.

If you enjoy Greek retellings, deadly trials, banter, and spice this book is for you.

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Deadly trials
Animal Companions
He falls first
Banter

I received this book as an ARC and these are my honest opinions. I wish the author the best.

[Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

It was a fun ride. There were some things that seemed familiar to other things I've read but uniquely itself.
I liked the characters but didn't feel any emotional ties to them. There was a lot trials and twists and the love triangle was weirdly solved. But not awful give it a try

[Joy Metzger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super fun. My petty reason for 4 stars and not 5… Charon wanting to “break out the popcorn” and then much later his chef’s apron (though cute, I just could not 😂).

I just the finished another Greek fantasy with deadly trials last week so I’m really trying not to compare the two against each other, but how can I when one FMC is named Lyssa and this one is Nyssa 😭🫣

I loved this story and these characters. I particularly love the found family aspect, go Team Heroes! Nyssa is a badass shadow mommy and daughter of Hades. When Zeus is murdered it leaves his throne up for grabs. The gods or their chosen champions compete for the Crown of Olympus. Her biggest competition is Caelus, son of Zeus and Hera. Now, I typically do not like instalove/lust but here.. let’s call it insacrush. The relationship that develops between these two unlikely allies was, dare I say, cute?

I didn’t realize book two isn’t out yet. Bummer 😑

[Girlzgottaread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirteen champions. Twelve brutal trials. One crown—and a prophecy that could ruin them all.

Crown of Olympus by Kate Asher is her debut novel but it sure doesn't read like it. This book grabs your attention—and holds it! This story is fierce, ambitious, and surprisingly funny, yet what makes it unforgettable is the heart beneath all the blood and battle.

Nyssa | Our fmc is the daughter of Death himself. She’s powerful, vengeful and she's carrying the weight of everything she’s lost.
Opposite her is Caelus | the heir to a crumbling throne, desperate to prove he’s more than just his father’s shadow. Their chemistry together is electric. And as much as the trials are the stage, the real tension comes from the way these two lives tangle and unravel against each other.

The majority of the book plunges us into the arenas, and those trials are deadly, unpredictable, and high stakes. But the soul of the story, for me, wasn’t in the crowns or the combat. It was in the found family. Watching Nyssa—who has lived her life isolated, feared, untouchable—slowly gather her people amidst all the chaos hit me harder than any twist. There’s a surprising warmth here: witty, sarcastic creatures, Olympians who are both larger-than-life and familiarly human in their flaws. The humor, especially, in this book balances out the brutality and I loved it.

The ending was complete chaos. The last fifty pages were one twist after another, each one more devastating than the last. That cliffhanger was masterful and a little cruel. It made me want to throw the book and then immediately hug it back to my chest.

This is Greek mythology reimagined with grit, emotion, and a cast of characters you can’t help but love—even when they’re breaking your heart. If this is Asher’s debut, then we’re witnessing the start of something big.

[Mauireadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so listen up: I really wanted to adore the shit out of this book. I'm a huge sucker for Greek mythology and this book sounded so very promising. However, I did not know this book was going to be a little smutty too and while I don't mind smut in books, I'm not a big fan of this kind of romantasy smut in Greek mythology books. So completely my own fault for not doing my research. I just dived in because it sounded so great and it's Greek mythology.

Anyway, on to the actual review. I feel very mixed about Crown of Olympus. We have a great set of characters. The main characters are interesting and seeing all the Greek gods interact was so cool. Then there's the trials, which are all very cool and well thought-out. The whole plot was really original and I did truly enjoy that ending and how it sets the reader up for the rest of the series.

However, while all the elements were there, I just didn't feel it and I can't really explain why? I do feel like the instalove was uninteresting because the main characters are just very attracted to each other but they don't really spend that many meaningful moments together. It felt a little forced to me and I just didn't feel it. I feel so bad for not liking this as much as I thought I would but I do believe there is an audience for this book. It just isn't me unfortunately.

[Eliza Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am blown away by how much I LOVED this book.
I DEVOURED it.

Firstly, the characters.
Our FMC is 30!!! She is my favourite FMC I’ve read. She knows her worth, she’s funny, witty, sarcastic. She has excellent banter.

Our MMC is the most gorgeous fictional man I’ve ever come across I am GRIEVING finishing this book I miss him (do I need to reread already??😂).

This book wasn’t just dominated by the FMC and MMC but instead you come to absolutely love, (and hate) some of the characters.
I genuinely felt SO attached to them.

Secondly, the trials. These trials were so diverse and interesting. Some were violent, some were hilarious crying with laughter types, some were devastating.
I was thoroughly impressed.

Thirdly: Greek gods. Need I say more?

Fourthly: bonded animals I ADOREEEEEE THIS.

YOU WILL LAUGH OUT LOUD. YOU WILL GASP, SCREAM, CRY. YOU WILL SWOON. Get ready to experience every emotion under the sun.

And finally, the romance.
The yearning. The desire. The tension. The respect. It was literally just fkn perfect.

I could not have asked for a better romantasy to finish 2025 on. READ THIS BOOK!!

[Jessica Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely incredible. I've always been obsessed with everything to do with Greek Gods and Godesses so I was excited to be given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of COO. It had everything in it you could possibly want. Trials, love, betrayal, heart ache, battle, shocks and more. I need the next one so badly. This book was like The Games Gods Play, but it delivered WAY more! I highly recommend this one.

[Kilikina]

DNF/pausing at 23%

Vibing with the premise & characters but not the writing style at all. Not sure I’ll come back to this or not

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Asher’s debut feels anything but—her writing is sharp, emotional, and completely addictive. From the first page, I was pulled into a brutal tournament for the throne of Olympus, where gods and their children battle for power, legacy, and survival.

At the heart of the story are Nyssa, the fierce daughter of Hades, and Caelus, the ambitious son of Zeus. Their clash of vengeance and duty makes for a tense, explosive dynamic that had me hooked. What I really loved was the banter. The hilarious back-and-forth between them had me laughing out loud more than once, a perfect counterbalance to the dark intensity of the trials. (Taser-boy🤣).

The book perfectly balances dark themes of vengeance, betrayal, and prophecy with flashes of humor and heart. The trials themselves are thrilling, unpredictable, and often left me gasping. And that ending? Absolutely explosive—a whirlwind of twists and heartbreak that has me desperate for the next book.

Crown of Olympus is an epic start to a series that blends mythology, power struggles, and emotional depth into a true page-turner. And that ending, that was cruel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐thank you for allowing me to read this ARC

[Bethany Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this ARC in 8 hours. Review coming as soon as I recover from that ending. Definitely a top read for this year. 10/10 will recommend always.

UPDATED:
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Wow. Any book centered around Greek mythology is an immediate add to cart for me, but this book still managed to take me by surprise. The new take on some of the gods was absolutely refreshing. I was immediately sucked into the story by the first three lines, and I couldn’t put it down. The characters were compelling, real, and hilarious. The plot was full of trials and games, magic, and some amazing banter. I didn’t want the book to end. The MMC is the best example of non-cringey yearning. I ate that UP. Nyssa is also a brutally strong and fierce FMC and seeing her character blossom through the book was so beautiful. The cliffhanger took me OUT! I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait until the next one releases. Easily a top read for 2025 for me.

[Laura Brinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

You think you know who Hades is until you read this book!!

I was honored to receive this book as an ARC by the talented author and am leaving a voluntary honest review.

For being a debut romantasy, this book crushed it! The first lines will grab your attention and keep you pulled towards the FMC. She is strong, a bit sassy, has vulnerable moments but never annoying. She puts her whole heart into the trials and meets some unexpected side characters. I liked the dual POV, checking off the major tropes, unique magic system and unique world setting. It's clear that Kate has done tons of research into Greek mythology and she pulls it together. Oh, and her inner dialogue will make you laugh. No spoilers here........... I think it would be best for fans of Greek mythology, light vs. dark, forbidden love, strong FMC and of course the darkest shadows of the underworld. 🤭🖤🖤🖤

[Shazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend to those who enjoy trials, games and Greek gods. It is an enemies to lovers, lots of action within the trials and the banter is written extremely well.

I absolutely fell in love with the FMC Nyssa who is a kickass strong FMC with a sassy and quick witted mouth. This girl doesn't back down and as the daughter of Hades, well you would expect that.

I am looking forward to reading more by Kate Asher as her writing style flows well, the characters are likeable and also hateable lol and the plot and world building is easy to follow.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
LOVED THIS!!! This was such a cool fantasy, I loved the premise and the cast of characters and the magic. The trials were so interesting and the book was action packed. The ending had me sobbinggggg 😭 my only issue was that there were too many characters and it was a bit hard to keep track of who was who.

I loved the FMC and the MMC so much, the slow burn was real and I loved the chemistry between them. Loved how sassy the FMC was, some of her one liners had me cackling 🤭 Can’t wait for book 2!!

[Kate groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so also had this one sitting in my TBR since it came out. Well while I’m sad I was sitting on such an EPIC read- I’m happy I waited until the next book comes out. I know this one gets classified as severely underhyped in TikTok and boy o boy are they right! This is high fantasy where our FMC is the daughter of Hades. All of the characters in this were fantastic- a lot of visual imagery- Hera is a bitch like normal. All good things lol this was a 5 ⭐️ read for sure. If u have it on ur TBR I highly suggest moving it up!

[Danielle Akron · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Nope, not dealing with that lust bucket right now”

“We had come so close to being free of dick-stick junior.”

Just a couple of my favorite quotes from this book! This was our November book club book and I absolutely loved it which is somewhat surprising because there was not much smut! However there was YEARNING that edged the fuck outta me! Plus all of these characters were hilarious, I laughed so much! I can’t wait to see where Nyssa’s story goes in book two!

[Erin Auci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. And boy, oh boy! With prophecies, politics and ever shifting power dynamics all wrapped up into a series of deadly trials to claim the crown, this Greek mythology reimagining was everything I hoped for and more.

Once I started, I just could not put this book down. It is the perfect blend of heroine’s journey and a slow burn romance that leaves you holding your breath with every turn of the page. Not to mention a cast of characters - both new and familiar - that will have you deeply invested in every interaction and how the story will finally play out.

As a debut novel, Kate has woven 400+ pages of pure magic.

I cannot wait to read more and find out how Nyssa, Caelus and the rest of “team heroes” will shape the future of the realms.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released called, Crown of Olympus. This was about Nyssa, she is the daughter of Hades. And Olympus is suddenly searching for their next king/queen. Twelve trials are to be held to see who is deserving of the crown, and each god can either compete themselves or choose a champion to compete on their behalf. Nyssa enters the trials because she is tired of being looked down on and disrespected by the other gods. She can hold her own in battles of the mind and of strength, but a battle of the heart she was not prepared for. Caelus is the son of Zeus, he has been trained to one day take his father's place and rule Olympus. Caelus enters to show he is more than just his father's son, to forge his own path, and to get closer to Nyssa despite her wanting nothing to do with him. These aren't just trials, it's survival.
This book had me on the edge of my seat from the first chapter and didn't let me go until the verrry end! I was completely captivated by this storyline, the characters, the twists, the trials, the emotions, all of it! I absolutely loved this!! I cannot believe this is the author's debut novel, it was absolutely incredible and I will be anxiously awaiting book 2! 💜📚

Thank you to the author and the publisher for this ARC of Crown of Olympus, in exchange for an honest review.

[Alyssa Biggerstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book owned me. The world of Olympus is brutal and intoxicating, and I was hooked from page one. The trials? Absolutely savage. The politics? Deliciously messy. And the tension between Nyssa and Caelus? Unreal. Nyssa is everything I love in a heroine, her grief and vengeance hit hard, and every move she made had me holding my breath. And Caelus? The perfect mix of ruthless and soft, torn between legacy and love. This story is bloody beautifully written, and full of gods, fate, and fire. If you love morally gray characters, high-stakes competition, slowburn tension, and jaw-dropping twists read it. This is one of those stories that stays with you long after the final page.😍

[Dhia Yana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the Arc copy and this is my honest review, ehem

I CRY! WDYM HE'S GONNA DIE (iykyk)
Okay fuh, I'm calming down. Okay first of all this is my first time I read about Greek mythology. I don't really know about them so for me I'm quite confused because there are so many names. Second, I love the pronunciation at the early pages as I, English is my second language can properly pronounce the names without have my tongue twist. Third, I fear I'm feeling quite bored in the middle because it seems to me that trials never end (this may be only me tho). Fourth, I laughed so hard when at Aphrodite trials and I love that 😂. Fifth and last, I literally sobbing at the last few chapters 😭. I'm shocked, angry and flabbergasted with all those happening in the last few chapters. I really want to kill Hera very much 🤬.

So the conclusion is, I thought I want to give 4 ⭐ but with I'm sobbing and the ending of course I have to rate this book as a 5 ⭐ read for me.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me at Greek mythology. But kept me at the beautiful cover, the first two sentences of the book (and the last - and all those in between) the depth of the characters, the plot, the deadly trials, and scheming gods and goddesses. The slow burn and then add in the animals who you can't help but fall in love with 😍

This book is the first book published by an Australian author and I am so grateful I was privileged to read an ARC of it, I just know that this book will be a huge hit and already I can't wait for book 2!

[J.M. Dain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good time. Don't expect anything terribly deep or wordy. There are numerous cliches, but it feeds the masses who read these books, and we're here for it. It's fun and much like a Marvel movie in some regards. 🤭 It moves super quick. And then, just when you think you're safe, you get hit with a triple whammy. What the crap!? And yes, I'm going to read book 2....because, obviously.

Commentary (potential spoilers):
• Karen! 🤣🤣🤣
• Hera did it. 🤭
• Sir Bruce 😆
• Poseiden is short! That's great! Lolol
• Artemis's daughter is Diana? Uhm, ok...? (If you don't know, Diana is the Roman name/equivalent of Artemis.)
• This book is moving at a good clip. Nice!
• Er...follow the sun? Due west?
• Lol lust-bucket
• "...and promptly shat my pants." 🤣🤣
• "Hermes' son...Typhoid, maybe?" 😆
• Overgrown taser, lol
• Don't trust the white wolf!!!!!! 😉😆 IYKYK
• Silver One? *looks around* Violet here?
• Ghidorah!!! 🤣
• No! It's that two headed troll creature thing from Willow!!
• Ooo is Charon Hercules' son in this universe?
• Whiskers lol
• Whiskers is hereby voiced by Cate Blanchett. I hath spoken.
• Wind! Its fucking wind! I win!
• Ope. Wrong. Dammit. Guess I'd be dead 😬
• Mort!!
• It's the Room of Requirement. She hopped universes. Awesome
• "Fucking Diana." Lmao that's funny to me, for obvious reasons. Sounds like something Finn or Oke would say. 😉
• Rufus 🤣🤣
• "Aros pushed the heavy wooden doors open..." Aragorn entrance!!!!! You know the one I'm talking about. 🤭
• She take Diana's medallion? 😆
• Seaweed brain 🤣
• "Life always finds a way." No. Nooooo. That's Ian Malcolm's line!
• Vel is like a seagull from Finding Nemo. "Mine."
• Dick-stick junior 🤣
• Helm of invisibility? That's gonna be brought into play later, right? Right?
• Call him Archie!!! 🤭
• Nightbreaker... 🤨😮‍💨
• Awww Apollo ❤️ him my bestie in this series
• Kill that little water prick, Caelus! Ugh!
• "His scars blazed to life in violent, jagged branches and his eyes glowed with the brilliance of a lighting strike." *Immigrant Song plays in the back of my head.* Yeaahhhhhh
• Barnacle boy lol
• "Fuck it." Fist pump! Wooooooo!
• Nooooo....he better be ok. Stab that sea monster!
• Neat shadow trick
• "That was your out-loud voice..." 🤣
• Aphrodite's challenge was fun. Lol
• Awww, Archie 😞
• I knew it!
• Hera 🤣 "YOU DID WHAT!?" *cackles*
• I DOUBLE knew it!
• Karen's apron 🤣🤣
• "Lightning rod" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
• 😮 what??
• NO!
• DOUBLE NO!
• TRIPLE NO! WTF!
• "...and minded my feet..." 🥹
• This bitch needs to die
• Ooo he's Thanos now with the finger snap? 😆
• Ohhhh, that's not good...

[Inês · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
I was given a chance to read an advanced copy of this book and these are all my thoughts. Thank you so much Kate for the gifted ARC! 💕
This was a great read, and an AMAZING debut… you have found family, you have games and trials, Greek Mythology… need I say more? ✨
The games and trials are definitely the highlight here, not only are they really original, there are 11 of them… where usually you’d have 3 or 4, here they just keep on coming.
I really liked the modernish speech in these gods and goddesses context, specially because you could see the difference between the way the newest and oldest generations of gods interacted.
I love Nyssa so much 😫 a lot of times dark and brooding FMCs can be a bit of a downer or too full of themselves in a way that isn’t empowering, it’s just annoying? That was NOT the case here… immediately it felt like she was a marshmallow wrapped in a cracker, tough exterior but cozy on the inside, with her demons, with her struggles, and above all that with her lovely friendship with Charon 🥹 But boy oh boy is this girl a badass, she is the most powerfully goddess girlie out there and she knows it and I lovedddd it.
Caelus is yummy but I need another book where we have more of a chance to see him interacting with Nyssa, I felt like this was an introduction, a little taste of what is to come from him…
Love Aros deeply, I feel like there’s a little arc developing there for him and I’m desperate to see how that evolves in the story to come…
The personalities of the Gods are so cool, specially seeing how Apollo, Athena, Hera, Ares, Poseidon and Aphrodite are represented, it feels like depth was given to these characters despite the fact that we already know them.
The spice level was low on this one, 🌶️/5 but you can TELL it’s going to go up from here and I can’t waitttt 🤭
Also, some of the plot twists had me gagged, the last trial was insane, saw some of the twists coming but was completely thrown by others, I mean WHAT??? iykyk
Final review, it’s a great book, it feels really original inside of a genre and theme that have been used and abused, so that’s really saying something… I will absolutely be reading the next one and I can’t for it 🥰💗

[Doris| ItsYourBookBestieDee · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW WOW WOW

I went into this book completed blind but highly recommended and it did not disappoint. I’m not sure I can cohesively put together at the moment the words that this story deserves but it is gut wrenchingly phenomenal!

You will feel EVERY emotion and you will feel them deeply! I don’t think I’ve laughed this much with a book in a while, Kate Asher is witty and the humor flows effortlessly it’s not forced or cringey in any way, that’s not always easy to execute especially in a fantasy . In the same vein, you feel anger and sadness just as profoundly. I’ve cried in books but this one took it to another level. I literally had no idea where it was going as I read it.

Every character you meet from the main characters to the side characters have you hanging on their every word.
Nyssa (Daughter of Hades) the badass FMC that isn’t insufferable for a single moment and you’re rooting for the whole time, to Caelus (Son of Zeus) who is powerful but equally soft and down bad for his goddess, to Aros ( Son of Ares) I love this character so much he is hilarious and everything you want in a side character he’s loyal to a fault, Charon (the ferryman) and Nyssas best friend is that person you grow up being inseparable with that would go to the ends of the earth for you, the type of platonic love we all deserve in our lives, to Aphrodite, Apollo, Archimedes all supportive and fun with their own quirks and loyalties! Honestly, I would devour a side story for each of them because they leave you wanting to know more. To me, that’s a well written story when there are so many layers to keep you invested.

I had such a good time with this story and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crown of Olympus had the potential to be a compelling Greek mythology based fantasy novel, but it ultimately falls flat in its execution.

The story follows the Greek gods after Zeus is murdered, prompting a series of trials to determine who will be crowned the new ruler of Olympus. The narrative alternates between two perspectives: Nyssa, the daughter of Hades and Persephone, and Caelus, the son of Zeus and Hera.

Each of the primal gods designs a trial for the contestants, resulting in twelve trials in total. Unfortunately, many of them blur together, and some feel entirely inconsequential. Instead, Asher might have benefited from concentrating on three or four well-developed trials, using the remaining space to deepen the characters and their relationships.

Nyssa and Caelus’s romance is, unfortunately, instalove. While their chemistry is electric (and yes, the irony of Zeus’s son having “spark” is noted), their relationship feels unearned. They spend very little meaningful time alone together. Readers are given a single flashback from Caelus’s perspective to explain his obsession with Nyssa, but it isn’t enough to justify the intensity of his feelings.

Because their romance lacks development, the ending fails to deliver the emotional impact it seems to aim for. Instead of feeling powerful, it falls flat.
Additionally, Crown of Olympus would have benefited from more thorough editing before publication. There are a concerning number of typos, including a stray underscore next to an em dash.

Overall, Crown of Olympus presents an interesting premise rooted in Greek mythology, but uneven pacing and underdeveloped relationships keep it from reaching its full potential. With stronger character development and more focused storytelling, it could have been a far more impactful and memorable fantasy novel.

[Liisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe this was a debut. This book owned me from page one and broke me by page 466. Brutal doesn’t even begin to cover it—the trials are savage, the politics razor-sharp, and every victory comes laced with danger. The slow burn between Nyssa and Caelus? Utterly delicious. And the banter between the found family? Chef’s kiss.

I now know Kate Asher is one of those authors—the kind who lures you in with a richly imagined world, characters you adore, and a story that wraps around your heart… and then, with unholy glee, smashes it all to smithereens. This is one of those books you press into people’s hands with the warning: It broke me, and you need to read it. 👏👏👏👏👏

The final chapters are a relentless cascade of betrayals, devastating reveals, and impossible choices. After the deadly trials of this first book in The Hades Trial series, Asher delivers an ending that unravels every thread and spills every secret, leaving you desperate for more. This is a realm where chaos reigns, grudges run deeper than the Styx, and even gods are powerless against their own hubris.

Told in two POVs—Nyssa, Hades’s daughter with vengeance in her veins, and Caelus, Zeus’s son determined to claim his birthright—the story brims with tension, mythic intrigue, and unstoppable momentum. The “Crown of Olympus” itself is almost a character: an artefact that chooses rulers for reasons no god can truly fathom.

If you love Greek mythology, brutal tournaments, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension, fierce found family bonds, and heroines who step into battle armed with nothing but defiance and fire in their hearts, this will be your next obsession.

Special mention to the pronunciation guide and map at the start—absolute treasures in a world this richly imagined.

Thirteen champions. Twelve trials. One crown. Olympus demands a victor, but fate demands a price. This was phenomenal.

📅 Out 1 October 2025.
Thanks to BookFunnel and Kate Asher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.