Crude Games

by Amanda Allen

They feared the witches. Yet in a kingdom steeped in fae magic and royal deceit, the true threat was the king who destroyed her life with a single command.

Audryn Clair never lived for revenge—until her brother was wrongfully executed. Chosen as one of three women vying for the prince’s hand, she has a month inside the castle to get close enough to bring down the crown from within.

Prince Ryder Sutton needs more than a wife. He needs a weapon. When the mated bond required to inherit the throne proves elusive, he turns to an unlikely source of magic. But some bonds come at a cost and consume everything in their path.

As Audryn draws closer to the prince, she becomes entangled in a dangerous game. Missing jewels, poisoned contenders, and whispers of sabotage turn the courtship into a struggle for crown and heart alike. Secrets unravel. Loyalties fracture. And Audryn must decide which will destroy her first—the vengeance she swore to claim or the prince she was never meant to fall for.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy

307 pages, Paperback

Published February 6, 2026

About the author

Amanda Allen writes romance filled with heart, intrigue, and the belief that love can thrive even in the darkest moments. A romantic at heart, she grew up devouring fairytales and epic adventures, always rooting for love to win. Her books reflect that passion, weaving together characters who must balance desire, danger, and the pursuit of happily-ever-after—whether in fantastical realms or everyday life.


Most of her writing happens long past midnight, when the house is quiet, the cats are curled up nearby, and the world feels a little more magical. Fueled by an endless supply of Diet Coke, Amanda spends those quiet hours crafting stories that invite readers to lose themselves in love, betrayal, and possibility.


She lives in California and shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her writing journey—and sneak peeks of upcoming books—on TikTok and Instagram.


Reviews

[edie-may ౨ৎ [book slump] · Rating 4 out of 5]

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𓂃ೃ࿔* ‎ 4.25 stars .ᐟ


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ — review journal ⸝⸝ 006 ⟡
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ started jan 28 ‎ ⋮ ‎ finished feb 03
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ book release : feb 06 ✓



‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⌗ ⋮ ‎꒰ 💎 ꒱ i. thoughts ⟢ ⸝⸝

‎ ‎ yeah, so this was great. i was honoured to receive the arc for this, now i’m just honoured i read it in general. the writing was easy to digest but also just good in general, which was refreshing. the pacing was even, the characters had depth... i am really looking forward to the second book. i wish i had more to say but i’m a bit speechless. just go get your hands on this, please and thanks.

‎ ‎ ‎ ᯓ thank you so much to amanda allen for sending me this e-arc! ‘crude games’ is out now!



‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⌗ ⋮ ‎꒰🪻꒱ ‎ ii. characters ‎ ⟢ ⸝⸝

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ — audryn clair .ᐟ ⸝⸝
‎ ‎ ‎ • ⋮ what a baddie. i am so invested in her as a character and her storyline overall. i love the way her relationships were explored and the fact that i could feel her inner conflict like it was my own. i really feel like i resonate with her.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ — ryder .ᐟ ⸝⸝
‎ ‎ ‎ • ⋮ i think i’ve managed to find the character that inspired ‘manchild’ by sabrina carpenter! this guy made me so mad, but i really appreciated how well his relationship with audryn was executed.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ — grave .ᐟ ⸝⸝
‎ ‎ ‎ • ⋮ #needthat. end tweet.



‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⌗ ⋮ ‎꒰👑꒱ ‎ iii. series overview ‎ ⟢ ⸝⸝

‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ #1. crude games ; 4.25 ★
‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ #2. crude intentions ; 4.25 ★



‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⌗ ⋮ ‎ . pre-read ‎ ⟢ ⸝⸝

‎ ‎ i’m actually so glad i received the arc for this book because it looks. so. good. i just know i’m about to eat this up, five course meal.



જ⁀➴ ₊˚⊹ ❀

[AndaReadsTooMuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am mad at Amanda Allen. First off, how dare she write such a compelling novel that I literally didn’t move from my couch until I was done. Rude. Second of all, how dare she make Ryder so the best worst guy in the whole realm. Like seriously make my skin crawl and my face sneer when I had to read his pov. I mean. The nerve right? Ugh. And then… then she left me on a cliffhanger so bad that I immediately bought the second book so I could continue reading. Also rude. Does she know who she is?

If the answer is one of my new favorite authors she would be right! The chokehold this book had me in! I wasn’t even 20% into the gifted copy she sent me before A) I bought the paperback as a shelf trophy and B) I also bought book two, Crude Intentions. Did I move from the couch this weekend? No I did not. Is it Amanda Allen’s fault? Yes. Yes it is. Now go get these so you too can be rooted to the couch while you devour them!

Thank you Amanda Allen for the gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[HolleeJane · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)

🌶️ Spice: 1/5

Crude Games by Amanda Allen

I could not put this book down.

From the very first chapter, Amanda Allen pulled me into a world of fae magic, royal deception, and dangerous court politics. After her brother is wrongfully executed, Audryn enters the prince’s deadly courtship with one goal revenge. But as secrets unravel, loyalties shift, and the lines between duty and desire begin to blur, nothing is quite what it seems.

One of my favorite things about this book was the world-building. It was refreshingly simple in the best way possible. The world never felt overexplained or overwhelming, and the magic system was easy to understand without sacrificing depth. Everything flowed naturally, making it incredibly easy to become immersed in the story instead of trying to decipher complicated lore. The writing itself is smooth, engaging, and effortless to follow.

Now… Prince Ryder. That’s all I’m going to say because I refuse to spoil anything, but sir… your time is coming, and I am patiently waiting to see how that unfolds.

And Audryn… sweetheart. I adore you, but I need you to step into the fierce, powerful woman I know you’re capable of becoming. Stop letting these men make your decisions for you and trust yourself. I have a feeling your best moments are still ahead.

As for King Grave… let’s just say I immediately need book two because I have theories, expectations, and absolutely no idea if they’re going to come true. The story could go in so many different directions, and honestly? That uncertainty had me completely hooked. I need to know what happens next.

If you’re looking for a romantasy with political intrigue, unexpected twists, accessible world-building, fae magic, magical creatures, elves, and a slow-burning story that keeps you guessing, Crude Games deserves a spot on your TBR.

[alexis:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. With this book, my fantasy slump is cured. I haven’t read fantasy in a while because, quite frankly, I’m exhausted from it and often disappointed. This one though???? Oh. Oh!!!!

Audryn, the FMC is determined to get revenge for the execution of her brother. Her desire leads her into the heart of the kingdom, warring for the prince’s hand in marriage against two other women. Except, of course, nothing goes right, and to top it off, Prince Ryder screams red flag.

This book had me gasping left and right. I wish i was exaggerating, but you can ask my husband, the poor man had to leave the room bc i was interrupting his studies.

The writing is incredible. I love when authors do stuff like this: “Her words cut like a dagger, penetrating into a tender piece of my flesh. My body tensed, fingers piercing into the skin of the tomato I’d been holding. The juice dripped through the webs of my hand, mimicking my blood oozing out from its skin.” Amanda Allen, I hope one day i can write like you.

I was gripped on the edge of my seat the entire time. I finished in a day, another thing I haven’t done in a while. This was the definition of “show, don’t tell.” I was never overwhelmed with any new information, I never had to reread anything in confusion. This book flowed so naturally and easily, which is rare for fantasy. Fantasy is exhausting sometimes! But not for this book. It was effortless.

Also?? I was giggling the whole time. Audryn isn’t a helpless soft FMC, this girl has a backbone, she’s funny, sarcastic, and stubborn. So many conversations were making me laugh out loud. Here’s a silly quote for example with no spoilers:

[ryders pov]
“May I have a dance with you?” I extended my hand, bracing for the warmth of her skin against mine. But she didn’t take it and instead plucked a grape from its stem.
“Maybe when I’m done eating,” she mumbled through a mouthful of food.
“Excuse me?” I was in shock.
“Oh, I said,” her voice slowed to enunciate each word, “maybe when I’m done eating.”

I loved this book, thank you Amanda Allen for allowing me to beta read this. I love you I love you but also mad at you bc now I have to wait for book2. Still love you tho❤️

[Wezoo ✧₊⁺⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely devoured this.

[Ahana M Rao (Heart’s Content)]

You can find this review of Crude Games on my blog, Heart's Content!

A big shout out and thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of Crude Games in exchange for an honest review!

Everyone’s experience with a book is personal. It’s a journey that’s specific and special to them and everyone takes away and is touched by something different. For me, the aspect that stayed in the forefront of my mind while reading Crude Games was: foreboding. Foreboding is such an interesting emotion to choose to evoke, only because it closely resembles addictive interest. It doesn’t let you look away even when you know the worst thing is going to happen in a bit. It keeps you reading/watching, even as you’re filled with inescapable dread through every moment of the experience.

When it’s a real life experience, there’s rarely any relief at the prospect of your foreboding amounting to anything—even as an observer. We only pray it doesn’t result in what our lizard brains are warning us will happen. However, when it comes to a book, foreboding takes on a very different role. It makes you feel very vindicated at the end when what you predicted will happen, actually happens. As readers, we thrust our fingers at the innocent walls of our bedrooms and yell “Ha! I knew it! I knew it, but no one listened to me! I just knew it!” Then we turn our noses up in the air because we’re the Royalty of all Know It Alls known to exist and forget that the author likely laid the road and painted the scenery for us to experience this very moment.

Now that I’ve expended my thoughts over two extraordinarily long paragraphs, I’d like to move on to the actual review of the book.

There’s always one aspect to a story that’s extremely compelling; the one thing that keeps you glued to the story.

Crude Games toes the line of a very risky venture, because it doesn’t hide from showcasing the uglier, harsher, unjust sides to life. The writing is thus (and quite evidently based on the above two paragraphs) the most important and influential element in Crude Games. Crude Games balances a thin line between an easy and a very difficult read. The way CG is delivered to the reader is easy enough to consume, however the themes and content in this story are not easily palatable. I don’t mean this in a negative way, I mean they’re very difficult themes and the author has done true justice to them by showcasing how they can, and do, twist the people with the best of intentions into ugly, cruel versions of themselves and the consequences of that on a victim and their mentality is also portrayed true to its nature. Please, please be cautious while diving into this story; it is not an easy one.

This book tackles a familiar theme, seen since ACOTAR, and delivers an adulterated and distilled version of it. CG doesn’t heal, it hurts, but given the nature of the theme the author has chosen to address in this story I will say there is hope of healing. ::crosses every finger and toe::

But please do expect everything to go wrong first, and walk into the book with a mind space that can handle the downward spiral of events.

The world in this story, in my opinion, still requires a lot of building. I’m not 100% sure if this was intentional or not on the author’s part, but I personally felt there was a lot more focus on the characters and the progression of the connections and relationships between them, than the world. I personally feel it was intentional and supportive of the plot, because of how it was written and what it represents. There are some important glimpses into the class system and socioeconomic struggles within the kingdom, along with the magical repercussions of power and influence and the consequences of abusing both. I’m curious to see how the author will expand on and resolve all these threads along with the more evident emotional aspects of the story.

The plot, similar to the world building, only gives us a peek into the many aspects of the world, the characters and the story built by the author. However, a large part of the focus of the book that the author herself doesn’t let us look away from, is the immediate happenings on page. As mentioned above, there are multiple elements and themes whose presence has been established, but need to be further explored, addressed and resolved and I’m curious how the author plans to do this given the circumstances that book one ended with. Alternatively, I wonder if the circumstances are precisely what allow those elements to be explored. ::mysterious music plays::

The characters in this story… ::rubs forehead::. To say I was stressed by them is to say the least. I’ve seen reviews speaking about how there are defenders out there for some of the characters in this book and I realized even halfway through the book that there was no defender in me. I was the person screaming “RUN. RUN AWAY. NO NOT TOWARD—! AWAY, AWAY! OPPOSITE DIRECTION DAMMIT!” I had one eye covered the whole time I was reading this book. It was truly like watching the main characters in this book heading for a head-on collision that no one could see… save for one character. I have to say that that one character was the saving grace for me in this whole book. Again, ::furrows brows:: I’m pretty sure that was likely intentional on the author’s part. God, the stress though. ::practices calm breathing::

All the intentional stress this book has fraught in my life… ::massages temples::

The pace in this book is extremely even—but my god the tension is so high and the stress is even higher—that it doesn’t always feel that way. I have to say there was no one more pleased than me to turn that last page of the book. I needed a break. It was too much.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I struggle quite a bit with books that read heavily like others. I understand that sometimes it’s a great way to draw readers in and be able to tell one’s own story from there, but I personally still struggle with it only because its clear where the book is going to go—the how may be a little different, but the where remains the same. But again, this might just be me. I’m sure there are lots of people out there who love to relive similar themes and stories (just like how I’m drawn to some tropes over other). This one’s for you ❤️.

This book is so hard to rate simply because I think it was intended to be a difficult book (emotionally), so do I rate my experience or do I rate the author for delivering the experience as intended? I have no idea.

As mentioned before, please, please check trigger warnings before entering this book. There are themes and content in this book that can be very difficult for some. Happy reading!

[Dunrovien Farmstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I beta-read this and from the first sentence I was strapped in like it was a rollercoaster with no brakes. Audryn, our revenge-fueled queen? Her backstory hit hard. No spoilers, but let’s just say if grudges were currency, she’d own that entire kingdom.
Then there’s Ryder. Prince, drama magnet, and walking red-flag factory. His family dinner nights must’ve been wild as a kid. I’m over here eating cereal in my pajamas, relating to a literal royal’s daddy issues. The choices he makes? Questionable. The vibes? Chef’s kiss. You’ll yell at him, then defend him in the same breath.
The world? Regency parties crash-land into high fantasy and somehow it works—think Bridgerton if the duke could summon wind … wait, is that the prince’s power? Who even knows yet! Zero info-dumps, just seamless “oh, that’s how magic works, cool.
It’s fast. Like “forgot to eat, missed my appointment, blamed the book” fast. Ended on a cliffhanger I almost threw my Kindle at the author. Catch, though hopefully you got some fire magic to incinerate it before it hits you!
If you like your romance spicy, your stakes sky-high, and your main characters problematic, cancel plans. Book two can’t come fast enough, I’m ready. 10/10, no notes, just vibes and vengeance. Must read !!!

[VeroniCanRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐ #gifted Review

🌷 For Fans of:
- fantasy romance
- relatable FMC
- swearing
- he falls first, she can’t stand him
- short chapters
- multiple pov
- lowkey love triangle?
- magical powers

✏️ Spoiler-Free #Gifted Review
I wasn’t sure how I felt about the romance in this book until I realized OH MY GOSH that’s the WHOLE POINT and the author revealed a huge plot point that changed everything!!!

Basically, an annoying prince wants the badass peasant girl to go to his ball because he needs to get married. She refuses because, ew. He’s salty so he asks her in person. She goes but only so she can kill his daddy, the king. She doesn’t get to kill him but now the prince wants her to stay with him as he dates her. She goes (so she can kill the king, duh) but then realizes she kinda likes him? But also needs to find out who killed her brother? And also there’s this other prince visiting who is kinda hot? Oh, and did I mention the princes are playing mind games with each other over her?

The FMC was so relatable and responded to the ridiculous situations and annoying prince in the BEST ways.

I actually laughed out loud multiple times while reading this book because of her responses. In fact, here’s one of my favorite quotes just so you can get the vibes:

📖
“F*ck, I’m sorry,” I said, dipping into a deep bow. “Your Majesty.”
📖

Not only is Audryn (FMC) hilarious, but her point of view versus the other men in this book really provides a perfect picture of what’s going on behind the scenes. In fact, as the story unfolded, I found myself piecing together the secret plans and wondering how it might all come together. Then, at the end of the book, I had my mouth GAPING OPEN because it ends in such a way that I am SO ready for book two.


🖤 Thank you to author Amanda Allen for the gifted physical copy!
As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary.

📚 Book: Crude Games by Amanda Allen
📅 Release Date: OUT NOW (2026)
⭐ Rating: 4.25 out of 5

[Nikki Bogard · Rating 4 out of 5]

They taught the kingdom to fear witches. Meanwhile, the king was the real monster all along.

Audryn enters the castle with revenge burning in her veins after her brother is wrongfully executed by the crown. She isn’t there to find love or win a prince—she’s there to destroy everything responsible for her family’s suffering. But revenge becomes far more complicated when the prince she’s supposed to hate starts feeling like the one person she can’t walk away from.

This story thrives on tension. Every chapter is filled with political maneuvering, dangerous secrets, and the feeling that one wrong move could cost someone their life. Between poisoned contenders, missing jewels, hidden magic, and shifting loyalties, there was never a moment when I felt comfortable predicting what would happen next.

Audryn is exactly the kind of heroine I love reading about—strong, determined, and driven by grief that feels painfully real. Her struggle between vengeance and forgiveness gives the story its emotional weight, while Ryder brings layers of complexity that make him impossible to dismiss as just another fantasy prince.

The romance burns beneath the surface of a story already packed with intrigue, making every stolen moment feel significant. Watching their relationship develop while surrounded by lies, betrayal, and impossible choices made it that much more compelling.

This is the kind of romantasy that reminds you that the greatest threats aren’t always the monsters people fear—they’re often the ones sitting on the throne.


“I came for the revenge plot and stayed for the emotional damage.”

[nooked_ina_book · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are instances in a reader's life when they come across a book that feels tailor made for them, though it be rare, it happens. I opened the pages of this story and felt seen, felt heard, felt understood, felt validated.

The story elements stand firm all on their own: the magic system is drafted with familiar elements with unique conditions, class system differences highlight humanity themes, fantasy elements are woven in woth personal connections to the characters, the multiple POV sheds lights into the plot progression and enriches the story, and the characters are complex, humanly flawed, and face difficulties relevant to their choices and experiences.

This is a story for survivors of abuse, this is a story for those fighting to get out, this is a story for those who can't see the way out, this is a story for everyone who questioned why a person would tolerate it, it truly captured the experience, the small and little things. It provides the light that combats that darkness. it provides the path to hope within survival, the reward when the victim takes one more chance with a battered heart and spirit and learns to accept others, to accept themselves.

If there was ever one book I would recommend a person to read, it would be this one.

[T || · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to @olivepresspublishing & @amandaallen for this ARC.
✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
Crude Games starts by introducing the FMC Audryn Clair, who is out to seek revenge against the MMC Prince Ryder Sutton! It was refreshing to have a super strong FMC, one with a stubborn backbone, funny and in my option sometimes severely sarcastically 🤣 .. all round 1 epic kick ass Female.
Ryder tho seemed to be an ass, HUGGGGE REDFLAG DRAMATICS. But i found myself full rage mode at the MMC one moment, then being like uh uh dont do that to Ryder defending him in the next 🤯🤣 exhausting!!
The world building & character building was done awesomely, the depictions were great for visualisation & made me want to jump into the fantasy world myself (if only).
And the ultimate cliffhanger from hell.

[Sara D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crude Games by Amanda Allen
Chronicles of Crofea book 1
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well that was beyond good! I finished this book in a few hours. I literally could not stop reading it. I haven’t felt like this reading a book in a long time. This is the kind of fantasy I’ve been missing in my life.

Our FMC is driven by revenge. Her motivations bring her to the heart of the kingdom and into the castle itself. But her heart is quickly torn between what she thought she went there to do and the Prince she now finds in her company. Throw in a possible love triangle from a rival kingdom, I am sold!

Great world building and story telling! I am sat for book 2

Thank you to The Nerd Fam and author Amanda Allen for the gifted book!

[Tonje Lien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe I have never, NEVER, been as infruriated, pissed, mad, raged and frustrated at a character in a loooong time!!!

Amandas writing just dud not let me put the book down until I was finished!! I just don't have words to express how mad I became and the level of rage that git hotter and hotter in me as the book progressed!

She knows how to write a person good abd bad incredibly well. So well infact, I believe that's one of the reasons I got so mad 🤣

I ofcourse had smiley feelings too but... Oh my god!!!! And the ending?? I just really liked it even if it was a cliffhanger!!

Go read this.. Maybe not if you're already angry.. Or msybe that's when you absolutely should read it🤣

Thank you for the gifted book!

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. I absolutely devoured this book!! Had me right from the beginning to the very end!! The FMC is a strong FMC who is seeking revenge against her brother’s executioner. She is lead straight to the heart of the castle. This book was a roller coaster ride with high and low emotions!! I cant wait to read the next book to see what happens next!!

“They feared the witches. Yet in a kingdom steeped in fae magic and royal deceit, the true threat was the king who destroyed her life with a single command.

Audryn Clair never lived for revenge—until her brother was wrongfully executed. Chosen as one of three women vying for the prince’s hand, she has a month inside the castle to get close enough to bring down the crown from within.

Prince Ryder Sutton needs more than a wife. He needs a weapon. When the mated bond required to inherit the throne proves elusive, he turns to an unlikely source of magic. But some bonds come at a cost and consume everything in their path.

As Audryn draws closer to the prince, she becomes entangled in a dangerous game. Missing jewels, poisoned contenders, and whispers of sabotage turn the courtship into a struggle for crown and heart alike. Secrets unravel. Loyalties fracture. And Audryn must decide which will destroy her first—the vengeance she swore to claim or the prince she was never meant to fall for”

[Jaime Totten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Crude Games by @amanda.allen.author and can I just say… 10/10 FIVE STARS, I LOVED IT! I forgot how much I truly enjoy fantasy. I will read any genre but find me a book with a castle and I’m sold!

Audryn has been searching for the person that executed her brother. Those records are kept locked up, as she isn’t a royal she has no access to the castle.
But Prince Sutton needs something from his people, a wife.
Audryn joins two other women as they compete for the Prince’s heart. One month in the castle to try to find the answers she seeks.
Secrets start to unravel, jewels go missing and someone is poisoned.
Audryn has to decide what is more important, avenging her family name or the prince she has fallen for.

Thank you to @olivepresspublishing for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Jamaris Ileana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I DEVOURED THIS BOOK AND IMMEDIATELY PURCHASED BOOK TWO. i’m in need of book three as soon as the author is finished because I need to know what happens next. I have so many unanswered questions.

[Liz Bench · Rating 5 out of 5]

GIRL!!!!! Tell me where there's a part two because I'll happily sign up to read the second book. This book will forever have a chokehold. The writing was splendid and you can easily see the characters feelings. But Ryder will be on his death bed if he was an actual person he might be the king but I'm so pissed at the mfer anyways good book. I highly recommend.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok

I literally could not put this down and finished it in one day. From the very first page, this book hooked me and turned into a full-on page-turner!

I loved the FMC. Audryn is fierce, strong, and refuses to let anyone walk all over her. She’s driven by revenge for her brother’s death, and the only way to get it is by getting close to Prince Ryder—who just happens to be searching for a wife so he can claim the throne. Naturally, he’s immediately drawn to Audryn and her wild, take-no-nonsense attitude. She gives him hell from the start, and I was here for every second of it.

What really surprised me, though, was how none of the characters are exactly what they seem. I was constantly staring at my Kindle with my mouth wide open. Even Prince Ryder’s sister—who I could not stand at the beginning—ended up completely winning me over by the end. And the banter? Incredible. Audryn’s sarcasm had me laughing out loud more times than I can count.

The ending took a completely unexpected turn and left me with a wild cliffhanger. I need book two immediately.


‎‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧

➳❥ Book 1 / Romantasy
➳❥ Forbidden Love
➳❥ Banter
➳❥ Forbidden Magic
➳❥ He Need A Wife
➳❥ She Wants Revenge

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼

“Her name wasn't a question, but a lyric for the most beautiful song.”

“I didn't need to choose a dozen women. There was only one I was interested in. Her.”

“I suppose some believe knowledge poses a hazard, but I would assert it is knowledge that diminishes threat. For if all were given information equally, perhaps people would make different choices."

“I let a smile slip; women were always superior negotiators.”

[Kerri-louise Whitham Your_bookish_fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

**𝓝𝓞 𝓢𝓟𝓞𝓘𝓛𝓔𝓡𝓢**
⚜️𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- Crude Games

𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 the Nerd Fam
𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐢𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.

⚜️ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
(out of 5 stars, my rating scale is at the end)
* 📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
* 🌡️ 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲🌶🌶 / 5 -𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
* Which books have I also given this same rating? (𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛)
5⭐️ Fourth wing / Bound by inked flame / Anathama / The Lies of Lena / Of silver and Curses
4.5⭐️ Bitten / The Female / Quicksilver / Bride / Lights Out / A Bargain so Bloody
4⭐️ Spellcaster / One Dark Window / From Blood and Ash / Phantasma / Butcher & Blackbird
3⭐️We Who Will Die / The Wolf King / Daughter of No Worlds / The Ex Hex


⚜️𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
* Genre- Fantasy romance
* 📖 307 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
* 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 multi 𝗣𝗢𝗩
* 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲- 6 Feb 2026
* 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 or 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 driven? 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉ℯ𝓇
* 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 & 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼- The Chronicles of Crofea Book 1
* 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on 𝗞𝗨? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈.
* 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲-𝓂ℯ𝒹𝒾𝓊𝓂 & 𝓌ℯ𝓁𝓁 𝓅𝒶𝒸ℯ𝒹 𝒻ℴ𝓇 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓈𝓉ℴ𝓇𝓎
* 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? ❌𝒮𝒶𝒹𝓁𝓎, 𝓃ℴ, it’s 𝓊𝓃𝒾𝓆𝓊ℯ ℯ𝓃ℴ𝓊𝑔𝒽, 𝒾𝓉𝓈 𝓌ℯ𝓁𝓁 𝓌𝓇𝒾𝓉𝓉ℯ𝓃 too 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒹𝒾𝒹𝓃𝓉 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒹 ℴ𝓊𝓉 ℯ𝓃ℴ𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝒻ℴ𝓇 𝓂ℯ 𝓉ℴ 𝓇ℯ𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝒶𝓎 6 𝓂ℴ𝓃𝓉𝒽𝓈 𝓉𝒾𝓂ℯ.
* 𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? (Disability, plus size, mental health etc...)❌
* ℳℴℴ𝒹𝓈; 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒚, 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍,𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍, 𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆, 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒚, 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈
* 𝒟𝒾𝒹 𝒾 ℯ𝓃𝒿ℴ𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈?✅
* 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓃ℯ𝓍𝓉 𝒷ℴℴ𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈ℯ𝓇𝒾ℯ𝓈?✅
* 𝒲ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 ℯ𝓁𝓈ℯ 𝒷𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓇?✅


⚜️𝕊ℙ𝔼ℂ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝕀ℕ 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕐:
🧙‍♀️𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔰
🧝‍♀️𝔽𝕒𝕖
✨𝔇𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫𝔰

⚜️𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕤:
🔥𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧
🙏𝐻𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡
🗡 𝙀𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨

⚜️𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
😈𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 & 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕒𝕝𝕤
👑𝓡𝓸𝔂𝓪𝓵 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓾𝓮
⚜️ℋℯ𝒾𝓇 𝓉ℴ 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓉𝒽𝓇ℴ𝓃ℯ
🕯️𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕓𝕚𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕟 𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔
🧩𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
🧨𝕊𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕪 𝔽𝕄ℂ
🥃No virgins


🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
I went into this blind and really enjoyed it, I didn’t expect the twists and the ride was thrilling! And the ending…
I love the story and the pacing throughout made it an impeccable read! The authors writing style was smooth and easily pulled me into the world of laws and rules and uprisings. The world building was simple, effective and truly suited the story. From the beauty of the landscape to the class differences all the way to the flaws and problems in the kingdom, it was so well detailed and every one of those details kept me unbelievably hooked and unable to stop reading for more than a toilet break!


🧝‍♂️ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
I absolutely love the firery independent FMC!
She was everything I dream to be, kind, loyal, fiercely protective, friendly, intelligent and had such strong morals and values it was a pleasure to read her story!

I really enjoyed the journey that the prince went on also, I was surprised though by the twist, not only was I not expecting it but I also didn’t really think it was needed- not as in the author shouldn’t have wrote it- but as in it felt like he jumped the gun a bit a came to the wrong conclusion too early on like the impatient, impetuous, arrogant prince he was. His character was fun to watch, one minute I love him, then I’m shocked, then I hate him, then I love him and so on… I’m annoyed at soooooo many of his decisions and just want to slap him around the face because if he only saw what he had….

I was a little thrown off by her casual lovers, I thought that there may be something more to the story there, jaspar was given a good amount of attention what with his uprising connections and I expected there to be a twist with him or just something more.. I liked that she was free and open and was not prudish, I just thought we were being lead somewhere with it.

😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
I got annoyed at character choices and some parts/choices felt unbelievable.

🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
The moment I finished this I grabbed book 2! It’s addictive and cruel, dark and steamy, and this story has an incredibly fiery FMC who is strong and independent


𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;

𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
https://www.tiktok.com/@your_bookish_...

IᑎՏTᗩ
https://www.instagram.com/your_bookis...

 

***********************

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF

⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but  it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands

⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!

🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!

 SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action

🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times

🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more dark / taboo fantasies and realities.

[Lexi Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! You NEED to read this book! This was my first fantasy romance, and I’m officially obsessed. I’ve mostly been reading thrillers, but I wanted to try something different, and this was such a page-turner. It completely lived up to everything I hoped a fantasy romance would be. I wasn’t sure if fantasy would be my style, but now I can’t wait to read more in this genre. Counting down the days until the next book comes out!

[Lost in the pages with B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crude Games by Amanda Allen pulled me out of one of the longest fantasy slumps I’ve ever had, and instead of devouring it in a frenzy, I did something rare for me: I slowed down. I read deliberately, savoring each moment. Because I knew the moment it ended, I’d never get to experience it for the first time again… and I wasn’t ready for it to end.
*This is the kind of fantasy romance that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place.

The premise is deliciously tense - a deadly marriage competition, political manipulation, fae magic humming beneath the surface, and a kingdom rotting from the crown down. Audryn enters the court with one goal, revenge for her brother’s wrongful execution, but nothing inside the castle is as simple as it seems. Missing jewels. Poisoned contenders. Sabotage. Every chapter tightens the stakes. The writing deserves its own crown. It’s poetic without being heavy, sharp without being confusing.

Let’s start with Audryn Clair, because WOW. Revenge-fueled, knife-wielding, tattooed, tall queen with a heart of gold? Yes. Please. Immediately iconic. She’s not just angry, she’s justified. Her brother’s wrongful execution sets her on a collision course with the crown, and watching her enter a deadly marriage competition with vengeance tucked neatly behind her ribs was deliciously tense. And what I loved most? Her humanity. She’s flawed. She misses red flags. She rationalizes things she shouldn’t. And honestly? That made her feel real. Still a badass. Compassionate. And the kind of FMC who gives her food to a starving child even when she doesn’t have much to spare herself.

Now… Ryder Sutton.
Sir. Your red flags have red flags.
He started intriguing - morally conflicted, burdened, complicated - but by the end? Walking cautionary tale. The kind of man you want to shake while simultaneously yelling, “WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?” His choices are selfish, his control issues are loud, and yet… the chemistry? Infuriatingly good, (but is this real or conjured.?). Amanda Allen has mastered the art of making you hate a man and still feel the pull. Respectfully.

And then there’s Grave.
EXCUSE ME WHILE I SCREAM.
Every scene with him felt like a promise. The quiet intensity. The mystery. The first time they met, the library scene (I am not okay). “Unless you purchase my footwear, I don’t see why it’s of any interest to you what I do with my feet.” If he’s not her true mate, I will be taking that personally. Add in his sister Amalee, whom I already adore, and I am feral for whatever comes next.

The world-building is seamless, no info dumps, no confusion, just a natural unfolding of magic, politics, and court life that feels elegant and deadly all at once. The pacing is perfect: gripping without being overwhelming, immersive without being exhausting. This book felt effortless to read, which is something fantasy rarely manages.

The dialogue shines: sharp, witty, and laugh-out-loud funny. Audryn’s sarcasm is lethal. One moment that will forever be iconic:

“It appears they mistakenly added an H to your name. You really should get that fixed.”
Guard C. Hunt deserved it. Every time.

The side characters add so much heart - Benton has my loyalty, justice for Jaspar, and while Maris is definitely a brat, I can already feel her future favorite potential brewing.

The dedication page deserves special mention. Raw, vulnerable, and dark. It hit me right in the chest. You can feel how much of herself Amanda Allen poured into this story, every emotional wound, every sharp edge, every ounce of effort to give readers something unforgettable. She didn’t just write a book; she bled onto the page.

The romance is a slow burn packed with tension, the spice lands perfectly, and the ending? A CLIFFHANGER. The kind that makes you stare at your Kindle like it personally betrayed you.

Crude Games is vengeance, forbidden love, political pressure, dangerous magic, and emotionally messy characters done right. It didn’t just break my fantasy slump; it reminded me how magical reading can feel when a story is written with heart.

Amanda Allen, thank you for this masterpiece. I adore you, I admire your dedication, and I am so grateful for this journey. Bring on book two!

If you like:
• Badass FMCs
• Marriage competitions
• Fae courts and royal deceit
• Slow-burn tension with explosive chemistry
• Books that ruin your plans and your sleep schedule

Cancel everything.
Read this. Savor it. Let it consume you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Simone | simonesbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 4.5 Stars

✨ The Vibe
Deadly court politics, witches, fae magic, revenge, manipulation, suspiciously attractive men, and a heroine who refuses to let anyone walk all over her.

This is one of those fantasy books that completely hooked me from the beginning and somehow never let go.

📚 What the Book Is About (No Spoilers)
After her brother is wrongfully executed by the crown, Audryn Clair finds herself with a chance to get close enough to the royal family to seek justice.

Selected as one of three women competing for Prince Ryder Sutton's hand in marriage, Audryn enters the castle with revenge on her mind.

What she doesn't expect is becoming tangled in a dangerous web of political schemes, sabotage, hidden agendas, and feelings she never planned for.

As secrets begin to unravel, Audryn must decide whether vengeance is worth sacrificing everything else she holds dear.

🖤 My Reading Experience
One of the first things that stood out to me was just how easy this book was to read. And I mean that as the highest compliment. Fantasy can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are complicated magic systems, endless worldbuilding details, unfamiliar terminology, and moments where you need a notebook just to remember who everyone is.

Crude Games was the complete opposite. The writing is incredibly accessible while still feeling polished and engaging. Everything unfolds naturally. There are no giant information dumps, no confusing explanations, and no moments where I found myself rereading entire paragraphs trying to understand what was happening.

The worldbuilding, politics, and magic are woven seamlessly into the story, which makes the reading experience feel effortless.

And then we have Audryn. I absolutely loved her. She's sarcastic, stubborn, funny, determined, and fully capable of standing up for herself.

Most importantly, her grief feels real. Everything she does is shaped by the loss of her brother, and the struggle between vengeance and forgiveness gives the story so much emotional depth. I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning.

Some of her dialogue genuinely made me laugh out loud, and I loved how she was borderline rude towards everyone (but the ones she likes).

We need to talk about Ryder. Listen, I tried. I really did. For a while, I kept hoping he would prove me wrong. I kept hoping he would become something more than a walking red flag. Instead, the deeper I got into the story, the darker that shade of red became.

And honestly? I think that's intentionally done by the author, and even though he frustrated me more than I want to admit (yes, I'm easily emotionally involved), what impressed me most wasn't necessarily Ryder himself, but how his manipulation was written.

The story does a fantastic job of showing how even strong, intelligent people can become trapped in unhealthy relationships. It explores how manipulation can slowly chip away at someone's confidence and make them question their own instincts. There were multiple moments where I felt genuinely frustrated and heartbroken for Audryn.

If you've experienced emotional abuse or manipulation in the past, I think parts of this story may hit particularly hard.

And yes. Ryder absolutely gave me Tamlin vibes at times. The similarities aren't perfect, but that same combination of possessiveness, anger, and control was definitely there. To be clear, understanding someone's trauma doesn't excuse harmful behavior. This book does a good job acknowledging that.

Meanwhile... GRAVE. Hello, sir.

Every single scene with Grave felt important. The mystery surrounding him. The quiet intensity. The library scene. His protectiveness. The fact that he consistently treated Audryn with respect. Every time he appeared on the page, I was immediately invested. At this point, if Grave is not Audryn's true mate, I will be filing a formal complaint.

Adding Amalee into the mix only made me more obsessed with whatever is happening on that side of the story.

I need answers. I need book two (and I ran to Amazon to get it, so excuse me while I'm reading Crude Intentions right freaking now, thank you).

💭 What Didn't Fully Work for Me
My biggest critique would probably be Marit. I didn't dislike her inclusion, but I wasn't entirely convinced she was necessary. The story already has so many moving pieces, political tensions, betrayals, and interpersonal conflicts that her role occasionally felt a little redundant.

She definitely created drama, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Audryn put her in her place, but I don't know that the story would've lost much without her.

I also finished the book with a handful of lingering questions. The ruined dress. The poison. If you've read it, you know exactly what I'm talking about. And if you haven't? You'll probably end up asking questions too.

🔥 Tropes & Elements
- Revenge plot
- Court politics
- Competition for the prince
- Fae magic
- Slow-burn romance
- Morally questionable prince
- Protective mysterious man
- Found family potential (but not really too?)
- Who is the real villain?

💔 Emotional Impact
Emotional damage level: 8/10.

Mostly because I spent half the book yelling at Ryder and the other half waiting for Grave to appear again.

🫶 Final Thoughts
This book completely surprised me. The writing is smooth, the pacing is fantastic, the worldbuilding unfolds naturally, and the characters are compelling enough to keep the pages turning long into the night.

Audryn is exactly the type of heroine I love reading about, and while Ryder left me increasingly frustrated, I think that's a testament to how effectively the author wrote his character.

Most importantly? The second I finished this book, I immediately bought book two. Which honestly tells you everything you need to know. I need answers, more Grave, and I need to know where Audryn's story goes next.

📢 Disclosure: Thank you to The Nerd Fam for providing an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Casie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride! Mild spoilers ahead.

Audryn’s journey from street merchant to being forcefully thrust into constantly changing & deadly court politics was completely captivating. While navigating political games, a forced mating bond, and a dying king with a petulant prince on the throne, Audryn is driven by grief and vengeance after the devastating loss of her brother and mother.

Fueled by vengeance against King Sutton for the execution of her brother and subsequent death of her mother, she reluctantly accepts an invitation at the palace, if only to get closer to the king to exact her revenge and to find the executioner responsible.

Audryn and two other women are to be courted by the prince. Unbeknownst to her, the Prince cannot take the throne unless he finds a true mating bond. And he is willing to do what ever it takes to secure his throne before his sister does.

Rival King and anti hero, Grave , steps into the picture with resources that the prince so vitally needs. But grave isn't willing to give up those resources without a price and his price might just be the one woman that Prince Ryder will do anything to have.

This book delivers everything I love: razor-sharp banter, a fiercely unapologetic FMC with a zero-tolerance policy for nonsense, and morally gray men who make you question your loyalties. I found myself laughing one moment and absolutely feral with rage the next on Audryn’s behalf.
Mild spice turn this book up a notch with pearl clutching scenes.

Amanda Allen writes characters with real depth, full of flaws, hopes, and ambition. They felt alive. From the very first line, I was hooked, and by the end I was completely enthralled. I genuinely could not put this book down.
I spent the entire story rooting for Audryn to claim the justice she deserves, wanting to personally obliterate Prince Ryder, and desperately hoping King Grave would finally step up and own his role as the dark anti-hero we know he can be.
And that cliffhanger? I am SAT.
I cannot wait for book two to see how Audryn survives and reshapes her ever-changing fate!!

[kingdoms.of.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Crude Games. The strong FMC and the red flag MMC were well written and were compelling. The side characters added additional depth and variety. As a reader, I was invested in their storyline. The plot was exciting and I felt the pacing was perfect.

There are dynamics between two main kingdoms, Rivale and Kuroden and the main characters from each kingdom. Treaties need to be negotiated and both kingdoms are desperate for specific materials/items to keep their kingdoms strong.

FMC Audryn - strong willed, bold, lovable, a strong magic wielder (but magic is prohibited), and fierce. She is stubborn and crass and strong-spirited.
The Crown is responsible for killing Audryn's brother. Her goals are to kill the King and her brother's executioner. If she can gain access to the castle, she can kill the king and uncover her brother's executioner.

MMC Prince Ryder - shackled with a burden to find a mate and marry so he can ascend the throne. Red flag dynamics. He exhibits a dual nature so the reader questions his true nature. Is the prince just like his evil father king?

What is Audryn's connection to the resistance? Will a bond or relationship with royalty enslave her? Will Audryn change herself, and bow, to fit in with Ryder's demands? Will she become a bargaining chip? Will she ever be a queen, and if so, for Rivale or Kuroden?

Aspects a reader encounters: Dynamic personalities and situations, emotional battlefields, suspenseful outcomes, macabre magic,forced bonds, twisted bonds creating intense emotional fluctuations, sculpted hair (IYKYK), gryphons, wyverns, a carriage ride (IYKYK), sabotage, and a huge cliffhanger.

Favorite quotes:
"He says he has all he needs. It's just a game for him...a crude game."
"My name was like a sugary venom on her lips."

[Krista Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loveee when a FMC has a backbone and goes for what she wants, not because she’s super powerful, but all that life has thrown at her has made her stronger. I am so ready for the next book, especially since I now have a new MMC crush to see in his own kingdom.

You follow Audryn, a FMC with powers that help her grown plants and use her magic of the land to keep herself and her crippled father fed after her brother’s execution. She rightfully blames the king and his rules for her brother’s death and vows to find his executioner and kill him herself. When she’s selected by the Prince to join in a month long trial at the castle to find his wife, she begrudgingly takes him up on the offer, if only to get the answers she needs and after he forces her hand. She must play the delicate game of balancing between pleasing him enough to stick around while also not falling for him herself, especially after another king comes into the mix and sees her for her secrets she’s been hiding.

I really enjoyed the love triangle vibes and how much Audryn tries to stick up for herself but as the prince slowly looses his cool, the other king and MMC follows his own urges to protect and care for her. What seemed to start as maybe a blossoming romance quickly morphed into something much darker and shows how quickly a relationship can change, and I can’t wait to see how the author works this all out in the next book! I loved how ferocious and protective the FMC is of those she cares for and how she’s willing to do almost anything to get the revenge she deserves. Also so excited to hopefully get more wyverns in the next book! Overall my rating 4.7/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[Chaptersxchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had EVERYTHING I want in a romantasy. Revenge plots, royal court drama, dangerous magic, forced proximity, and a romance filled with tension and betrayal. I was hooked almost immediately.

Audryn was such a strong FMC because even though she enters the palace with one clear goal of getting revenge for her brother, you can constantly feel the emotional conflict building as she gets closer to Ryder. I loved that she wasn’t naïve or overly soft. She was angry, determined, and fully willing to play a dangerous game to get justice, which made her so much more interesting to follow.

And Ryder??? Exactly the kind of morally complicated prince I eat up every single time. The whole needing a wife but actually needing power aspect added such a dark edge to the romance, and the tension between them just kept escalating the deeper the story went. You never fully know who’s telling the truth or what someone’s true intentions are, which made every interaction feel layered.

The court politics and mystery elements honestly made this even more addictive because there was constantly something happening. Poisoned contenders, sabotage, hidden magic, secrets unraveling everywhere. It gave the story such a tense atmosphere where nobody felt fully safe.

I also really liked the darker tone throughout the book. The romance feels emotional and dangerous at the same time, which worked perfectly for the whole vengeance versus love storyline.

If you love romantasy with morally grey characters, revenge driven heroines, royal court intrigue, fae magic, and messy emotional tension, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vengeance, Valour, and Volatile Chemistry

​Crude Games, the gripping first installment of The Chronicles of Crofea, is a tension-soaked fantasy romance that masterfully blends political intrigue with a high-stakes marriage competition.

The story follows Audryn, a revenge-driven protagonist who enters the royal court under the guise of a suitor to uncover the truth behind her brother’s execution. What begins as a calculated mission for vengeance quickly evolves into a complex struggle between her family loyalty and her growing attraction to Prince Sutton, a protective yet morally conflicted "walking red flag" whose own hidden agendas keep the stakes dangerously high.

​The narrative excels in its pacing, offering a seamless "show, don't tell" approach to its world-building that avoids dense info-dumps while maintaining a rich atmosphere of wyverns, magic, and Regency-inspired court life.

The writing is both poetic and accessible, driving a 24-hour read that culminates in a heart-pounding cliffhanger. With a 3/5 spice level that enhances the slow-burn tension without overshadowing the plot, this novel is a must-read for fans of forbidden romance and shifting loyalties.

It is a sharp, polished debut that delivers earned emotional payoffs, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter of Audryn’s journey.

​Content Warning: This story contains themes of grief, the execution of a family member, poisoning, and physical violence. Readers should also be prepared for a high-tension cliffhanger.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC READ** POTENTIAL SPOILERS

Soooo umm can we just talk about how much of a baddie Audryn is? & that she's actually my height and not a short girl.... she know's how to use knives, has tattoos and just isn't afraid to speak up! I'm just obsessed that she's tall.

Let's talk about Ryder... do I have permission to just knock him out!? It just seemed so obvious at the beginning that they had a connection, but Ryder just had to be selfish and screw it up and how his payment is most likely why he's angry now. I have a feeling his dad did the same thing...

Now Grave... if he isn't her true mate then I'm going to be pissed! Every time I read about him I wanted more. Like ummm hello, this scary man is going to be the biggest softy surely. But the library scene!! **internal squealing** he is just giving!

Don't even get me started in the spicy scene (just read it and you'll know).

This book did make me feel annoyed at times, because why couldn't Audryn just play the part most of the time? The whole reason she went there was mostly pushed aside and also WHERE IS JASPAR!

On another note, I believe there needs to be justice for Jaspar because he just spilled his heart out and that hurt me way too much.

I have so many questions and I need answers ASAP! I'm a theories gurl so my mind is going non-stop over this.

FAV QUOTE
Chp 1 - Audryn
"It appears they mistakenly added an H to your name. You really should get that fixed." I smiled
(the name C.Hunt)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and I am so glad!

My feelings towards these characters were all over the place but I am obsessed with the world and the story!

Audryn at the beginning is a little feisty, independent woman on a revenge mission. I do believe she would have fallen in love with Ryder without any interference. She is kind of a mess but I love it! I feel like her and I both had the same range of emotions with Leanna, Ryder, and Grave.

Ryder is a typical rich, power hungry royal. I do think he means well but instead of letting the relationship happen naturally, he rushed things with magic and I do feel like it ruined him and his relationships, particularly with Audryn. I hope he has a redemption arc in future books because I really do think he’s a good person deep down.

I HATED Leanna at the beginning. She was stuck up and down right rude to Audryn. She did change her toon when Ryder confronted her but I don’t trust her. I want to believe she cares but I don’t see it. I also think she might be the one sabotaging all the girls I just don’t know why.

Grave…. Oh grave. He’s giving me Rhysand vibes. He’s going to steal her away from her abusive partner and make her fall in love with him. I’m not mad about it though! Grave makes me giggle. I love how unserious he is at times.

I don’t think we got many answers in the book but I am so hooked and I cannot wait to read book 2!!

[David Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crude Games surprised me in the best way.

Audryn is a strong, dynamic female lead, intelligent, capable, and fiercely independent. What Amanda Allen does so effectively is show how strength does not equal immunity. Through Audryn’s relationship with Ryder, who functions as both love interest and antagonist, we watch a gradual, unsettling shift. A woman who begins grounded and self-assured slowly starts apologizing, making excuses, and justifying behavior she would never have tolerated before.

That progression is handled with care and realism. It’s not sensationalized, and it doesn’t rely on caricature. Instead, it highlights how manipulation and abuse can quietly take root, even in the strongest people. It’s an important story, especially for women, but honestly for anyone—because it reinforces the uncomfortable truth that trauma and control don’t discriminate based on strength or intelligence.

Beyond that central theme, the novel delivers a compelling revenge arc as Audryn seeks justice for her brother’s death, along with an intriguing mystery surrounding her mother, her family, and the magic woven into their history. Those threads kept me invested and eager to keep turning pages.

This book balances emotional weight with plot momentum, and it left me genuinely excited for what comes next. I’m very much looking forward to book two and can’t wait to see where Audryn’s story goes from here