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Athena's Gambit

Not yet published
Expected 24 Nov 26

Win a free kindle copy of this book!

26 days and 02:00:47

100 copies available
U.S. only
Rate this book
"Witty and clever with delightfully amusing characters, Athena's Gambit is like The Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson. I loved it to the very end and can't wait for more books in the series." -Mary Ellen Bramwell, bestselling author of When I Was Seven

Death was supposed to be the end. For Diomedes, it's just the beginning.

Reincarnated into a deadly tournament where Greek and Roman gods pit mortals against each other for entertainment, Dio must choose a divine patron and fight for his afterlife. While others seek the favor of mighty Zeus or seductive Aphrodite, Dio makes an unexpected choice-Athena, Goddess of Wisdom.

Transported to a world of ancient magic and mythological monsters, Dio discovers the tournament's true stakes run deeper than divine amusement. When he's sent as bait to the cave of the legendary Gorgon sisters, he does the unthinkable-he befriends them. Along with a pack of rebellious Hounds of War, this unlikely team must navigate shifting alliances, corrupt gods, and challenges that could destroy them all. In a world where immortals hold all the power, sometimes the greatest weapon is refusing to kneel.

Athena's Gambit pits mythology against itself with humorous and gripping results.

2026 Maxy Awards Winner - SciFi/Fantasy

366 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 24, 2026

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Charlie Keller

2 books10 followers

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5 stars
24 (57%)
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16 (38%)
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1 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Kelsey Calver.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 18, 2026
Review of advanced copy received by author!

Loved this book!
I laughed,swore and felt every emotion for/with the characters. The premise was fun and interesting to follow.
The characters were well thought out and I truly enjoyed how much mythology was explained/showcased in so many little ways.
Great read. Can’t wait to see what is next!
Profile Image for Stacey Labissiere.
302 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 30, 2026
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review!

First, I want to give a huge thank you to Charlie Keller for reaching out and sending me this ARC!

As someone who reads A LOT of fantasy, I am always excited when a book brings something fresh to the table, and this was such a fun take on Greek mythology. When this book was described as Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games, they were not lying. And as someone who loves both, you already had my attention!

What I really enjoyed was how quickly this story pulled me in. From the first few pages, I was invested. We have humor, drama, and Greek gods and goddesses who will have you questioning their intentions because, respectfully, WHAT are y'all doing?! The way they're written makes them feel surprisingly real, but that doesn't mean I wasn't side-eyeing some of them HARD. Then again, Greek mythology wouldn't be Greek mythology without gods being messy and making it everyone else's problem.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read, and I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing where this series goes next. There is definitely a lot of potential here, and I'm excited to see how everything unfolds.

If you get the chance, definitely check this one out!
Profile Image for Nena Taylor.
718 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 9, 2026
First I wanna thank author Charlie Keller for reaching out to me ans letting me read and review for him

Wow!!! This book was fantastic. I dont know anything about Greek mythology, but I had a fun time reading this one. My favorite side characters were the Gorgan sisters. And Athena!!! I loved all the funny banter between them and and out MMC. I koved that he and S had a competition on the way back to Athenas territory and all the crazy bets they were making. This book had played characters, amazing plot, and lots of layers and depth. I absolutely loved the eorld building. I seriously had so much fun reading this book!!! This is one of my top reads of the year. I highly recommend
Profile Image for MayaRose.
30 reviews
November 1, 2026
Review of an ARC given to me by the author.

The premise of this book was strong - a contest between the gods using mortals as their warriors. Dio is chosen as Athena’s champion and he goes through a number of trials, making friends along the way. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the story as gripping as I would have liked. Possibly because I didn’t engage with the characters; it felt like they needed more depth. The story did show a reasonable knowledge of Greek/Roman mythology as there were characters in there I’d never come across before! I feel that this was geared more towards the YA readers than older ones. Overall, a pretty good story.
Profile Image for angsaysroar.
31 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 4, 2026
Ten Gods, Two Hundred Dead Fighters, and One Goddess Who Bet Everything on a Single Assassin

I didn’t know what to expect when I decided to read and review Athena’s Gambit by Charlie Keller. I knew it centered on mythology, Gods, and a tournament, but beyond that, I went in blind.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Number 155 wakes up in an endless white hallway with no name, no memories, and a sheet of paper he can’t read. Behind the fifth door on the right, two hundred dead fighters brawl in a coliseum while ten Greek and Roman Gods watch from granite thrones. The Gods are bored. Mercury explains the rest: every contestant gets drafted onto a God’s team, dropped into a new world, and told to survive. No rules. Last team standing wins a wish.

When Mercury reads 155’s sheet aloud, every God raises a hand. Aphrodite offers her bedroom. He picks Athena, the one Goddess who can’t offer him a sword, because she offers him information instead. She spends her entire draft on him. Every other God fields dozens of fighters. Athena fields one. The choice pays off before he even lands: he’s the only contestant who knows the new world is a modified ancient Greece, while everyone else gets dropped in blind.

The setting works because it has rules you can track. The country is laid out like a daisy, with the Adventurers Guild at the center and ten territories fanning out like petals, each belonging to a competing God. Guild quests climb by floor, from errands for the rich on the third to monster hunts outside the walls on the fourth. Athena also hands Dio a secret no other contestant has: Mercury can bail out each team once, and five contestant kills recharge him. Updated standings show up as slips of paper in Dio’s pocket. And to the citizens who know nothing about the tournament, a contestant’s kill is still murder. Those details turn a death match into a strategy game, and Dio plays it like one, scouting, recruiting, and building a web of contacts one territory at a time.

While I understand the premise is about dying and coming back into a new life, I felt disconnected from Dio because we never learn his past. His memories return the moment his sheet is read, and we get a snippet: how he died and his final moment. Nothing beyond that. A little backstory would help readers connect with him. It would also close a gap I couldn’t get past: an assassin used to working alone suddenly drops his isolationist lifestyle and extends his feelings, protection, and care to teammates he’s never had before. I believed the found family. I didn’t fully believe how fast he took to it.

Heads up: there’s no romance on the page. The relationships here are friendship and found family. Violence is frequent and sometimes graphic.

Content Warnings: graphic violence and gore, death, references to past torture, a drugged captive, a mythological reference to sexual assault, animal injury, and alcohol use.

Tropes: found family, morally grey hero, assassin hero, second chance at life, death game, tournament, misfit crew, banter, snarky deity

Overall, I enjoyed the story. The characters are humorous and witty, but I wanted a little more. I can only hope the next book fills in some of the gaps.

Verdict: Pick it up for the crew, not the carnage. Sandra’s sass, three teammates who never say a word, and a Goddess who answers insults with one-word letters make this a fun, fast read, even if Dio’s past stays locked behind that sheet of paper.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Elle.
4 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
November 2, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley for providing this arc!
Please note I DNF'd this book at approximately a quarter through, so my reviews only applies to that portion.

This book had a really creative premise, very unique and not something I have seen before! Unfortunately, the writing style was just not for me. The language choice of each of the characters felt identical - if not for the dialogue tags, I would not be able to differentiate between who was speaking, which I feel refers to underdeveloped characters. Additionally, some of the speech felt unrealistic, as in I wouldn't have expected immortal beings such as Athena and Hermes to speak like teenagers.
The stakes never felt genuine, which led to any conflict or tension falling flat, and I was overall uninvested in the main character's situation at any given time. The overall execution felt rather ridiculous at times, and the story struggled to convince me to take its characters or conflicts seriously. Ultimately, what could have been a very unique way of exploring mythology felt underdeveloped and lacking the depth, maturity and narrative tension needed to make it engaging. I understand this was written to be funny, witty and humorous, which may explain why to me it felt a little unserious and difficult to take seriously.

Overall, a very engaging concept, just this one is not for me!
Profile Image for Clinton Grider.
4 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 15, 2026
The book and premise hooked me from the beginning and was a book I just couldn't put down. It's been a while since I didn't sleep to read just a few more chapters that turned into too many, but this book hit all the highlights for me. Greek mythology, check. Isekai elements, check. An interesting protagonist with excellent supporting characters, check. Character development arcs, check. Flawed but aspirational characters that are grounded, check.

I love how the author pays homage to the Greek mythological characters but creates his own version of them that makes immediately recognizable but unique.

I am looking forward to seeing the next arc of the series. This is a book I will be immediately recommending to friends and adding to my physical bookshelf upon release.

I was fortunate enough to receive an early copy for review, which did not affect my opinion of the book in anyway.

8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
October 24, 2026
I am a huge fan of mythology, especially Greek myth, so this was a must-read for me! Athena is my favorite goddess, so it instantly hooked me. I am happy to say I was not disappointed by this book.
I came for the Greek mythology but stayed for the character development and world-building. I love a good sassy protag, and this book certainly delivered. I love Dio as a character; I cannot wait to see how he keeps developing in future books. I love the way Keller put his own spin on myth; it was recognizable yet unique, and it did not feel like something you have seen dozens of times in other books and media. I am so excited for the rest of this series; I cannot wait to see more. I have not been this excited about a Greek Myth book since Percy Jackson, and this book has quickly reached that level of god-tier Greek Myth adaptation for me.
Profile Image for Leah Miles.
Author 13 books87 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 24, 2026
Death was just his job. Now it's his beginning.

The premise of Athena’s Gambit grabbed me right away. An alternate world created by the gods for their own entertainment. Each god has a territory, and they collect a group of recently dead souls as their champions for a competition to the death. Think Hunger Games meets Greek mythology.

While the other gods stack their rosters, Athena picks just one champion. A former assassin with a sharp blade and a sharper mouth. He was a killer in life, now our hero in this story. The best part of the book is the family he collects as he navigates this strange magical world.

This is fantasy adventure at its best. The quests move fast, the banter crackles, and Athena's team is easy to root for. I loved this book. Bring on Book Two.
Profile Image for Armando Ramirez.
327 reviews26 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 8, 2026
Athena’s Gambit by Charlie Keller was such a fun read! As a huge Greek mythology fan, I loved seeing all the characters come together and watching how they interacted in the unique setting of a competition. It made the story feel so interactive, and the fast pace kept me flying through the pages.
The Hounds of War were easily my favorite part. I loved that they were given their own unique perspective, it was a take on them I hadn’t seen before. They’re the most feared creatures, but somehow also cuddly, lovable beasts, and that contrast made them such a highlight for me.
This was a playful, entertaining read that brought together so much of what I love about Greek mythology while giving it a fresh twist. I had a great time with it!
70 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2026
This is a really interesting play on Greek and Roman mythology seen through the lens of a reincarnated man from what seems to be present day. The premise of the competition he finds himself in, essentially hunger games overseen by the gods, is well handled feels original. The characterizations of the gods and various mythological monsters was fun and often humorous.

The main characters were funny and formed an engaging misfit crew. Sandra and the wolves especially were highlights. I wish there was more depth to their characterization and dialogue, I likely would have felt a bit more invested, but this did not stop me from enjoying the journey.

Thank you NetGalley, Charlie Keller, and Black Rose Writing for this E-ARC.
127 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 29, 2026
The author reached out to me and asked if I would read and review a digital ARC. I'm not familiar with the author, but I have always loved Greek mythology so I agreed. I was afraid the book was going to be something I couldn't get into, but I was pleasantly surprised. I was able to get right into the book and I really liked the competition aspect as well as the different God/Goddess personalities. It was fast paced with no lull in the storyline. The only critique I really have is that Stheno/Sandra the gorgon sister speaks and acts like a pre-teen girl rather than a centuries old monster. I felt like the way the other characters spoke better reflected them. I would definitely read the next book and I recommend this to anyone who would like a Greek mythology storyline with quests and epic battles.
7 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 5, 2026
The best way I can describe this book is a video game that has come to life.

The gods are bored and have created a game to the death. The main character Dio is not only a trained killer but exceptionally smart as well. Not only does he have to watch his back from the other contestants but he also has to worry about monsters and the gods meddling.
The team he creates are relatable as a family that are always quarrelling but have your back no matter what. The interactions and smart ass comments make you laugh and think back to your childhood.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, I can see that this can quite easily turn into a series of books that will end up on my book shelf.
Profile Image for Amanda.
8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 5, 2026
I received an advance review copy of Athena's Gambit by Charlie Keller for free, and am super thrilled to be leaving this review!


This book had me in a chokehold after Chapter 2. The way the Gods were introduced is nothing short of clever and hilarious! I appreciate the short chapters, as you can easily pick the book up and read to your heart's content, without feeling like you are stuck in a chapter. The character development is slow, but stable. The secondary characters definitely add in the welcome comedic relief. If you are looking for a tounament-style fantasy, filled with humour, Gods, monsters and humans, this may be the book for you!
Profile Image for Erin Masura.
154 reviews31 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 15, 2026
If you're a fan of Hunger Games and Greek Mythology, drop everything and pick this one up. The MMC definitely stole the show for me with his mouthy assassin self. But it's not just the character carrying this one. The world building is genuinely gorgeous. You can tell it was clearly thought out, immersive, and layered in a way that made me want to stay in this universe long after I finished the last page. The plot moves at a great pace too, balancing action with just enough breathing room to let the world and characters land.
Highly recommend and Team Athena all the way!
Profile Image for Hannah Smith.
26 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 25, 2026
Review of advance copy!!!!

I absolutely enjoyed every bit of this book! It is the adult version of Percy Jackson mixed with some hunger games but 10 times better! An I am so here for it!
The humor, smartassery, the plot, story telling, character development all of it is absolutely amazing and I am way beyond excited to read the next book! This book not only sticks to the facts in history when it comes to the Greek gods and the Roman inclusions but had me cackling so loud I woke up my daughter bc the book and suspense and humor is just top tier!
Profile Image for Lisa.
5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 5, 2026
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was a simple read in there is very little world building and truly very little in character development-that being said it was a truly enjoyable story. Was a great way to cleanse my reading palate. I didn’t quite understand the competition vs the fight with Ares so hopefully that will be delivered in other books. Without giving spoilers I will leave it there but it was a fun read and I loved the animal interaction with the main characters. Brought some humor to the story. Would recommend as an uncomplicated enjoyable read
Profile Image for WindyCityBookMom.
48 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 15, 2026
Review of Advanced Reader Copy

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. Mythology isn’t my usually my standard cup of tea, but I really enjoyed this story. The characters are unique in that they are the standard Greek Mythology characters, with the author’s spin. They are unique, but recognizable. There was great world building. The storyline moved at a good pace and I really enjoyed it throughout. I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you enjoy Greek Mythology and action!
Profile Image for Jessica Ouzts.
36 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 16, 2026
I was one of the few individuals fortunate enough to receive an ARC. This story was absolutely amazing. A blend of Greek and Roman mythology. Games that make your head spin, banter between characters that make the chapters fly because you are having a great time. Gorgons, Hell Hounds, a labyrinth that can make the calmest person go insane... this story has it all. I encourage readers who enjoy adventures and action to grab this book when it is released, you WILL NOT be disappointed!!
Profile Image for Krystal-Lee Sands.
29 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 23, 2026
So I was approached by the author If I wanted to read book as ARC, he mentioned action ,adventure,mythological beast , Greek god , humor and no romance , I was interested to want read .

This book didn't disappoint , world building , action and adventure, The characters were awsum , I am definitely interested in how they will delevop in the next book . I didn't want to put it down.

Highly recommend this comedy greek god and mythological beast fantasy book .
20 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 24, 2026
I received the advanced reader copy of this book, I love mythology and this book did not disappoint. I liked Athena's Gambit its was funny, fast paced and really enjoyable. It kind of reminds me of a LitRPG series I liked. The characters were funny and the story stayed interesting. I love this kind of fantasy book that gives basic descriptions and allows your imagination to fill it in the details. I particularly enjoyed the battle scenes and the sass. Good book would definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Bell.
4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 25, 2026
Great story. No over exaggerated, self doubting internal convo. Trust me those parts get old fast. Main character shows us how we can overcome the negative parts of our past and keep the knowledge and skills we have learned to grow further. The adventures have wonderful twists and turns that have you yearning for the next challenge. Just waiting on you. Recommended for middle schoolers through adult.
Profile Image for Anonymous Wolf.
76 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 26, 2026
Such a unique story.

The author himself reached out to me asking if I would like to read this story. Needless to say it did not disappoint.

The characters and their stories were well put together. The writing overall was unique and well written.

This is the kind of story that once you start the first chapter you want to keep going to the next.

I look forward to the next book in the series. Thank you for sending me an early copy!
7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 21, 2026
This was a fun read, a hunger games style tournament set in an Ancient Greek world for the entertainment of the Gods, what could go wrong?
Dio is an irreverent and witty main character who is pulled into this game as one of the games pieces. Soon he proves that there is more than
he seems, collecting friends team mates and enemies.
It builds slowly as we learn about this new world with Dio, but by the end I couldn't put it down and was sad when it ended. Can't wait for book 2!
25 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 30, 2026
At first I was hesitant to read book with no romance. But what a thrill to not have to deal with that in the midst of all the trials, fights and friendship challenges.

I really enjoyed the greek mythical world and the monsters it contains. Have always been a fan.

Plus who doesn't love an overgrown puppy 😄
Profile Image for Liz rivera.
10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 9, 2026
Im happy that I was asked to review this book. It was a great read. I love mythology and this was right up my alley so to speak lol.
Sandra is my favorite monster in this book. I love the banter between dio and his party. Im rambling but this is a book you don't want to miss. Definitely worth the 5 stars

Thank you Charlie 😊
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 15, 2026
This book had me gripped from the first chapter, it was fast paced and every chapter wss full of adventure.

Each character you loved or hated they are so well written you wanted to know everything g about them.

The book gives off hunger games vibes...but with God's instead of children.

A five star Read for me
30 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 30, 2026
I love greek mythology so when Charlie.reached out I was excited.

I enjoyed this book, the plot is well thought out and I loved how the different myths overlapped in both the characters and story line. Loved the humor, the sass, the action. And I loved the hell hounds!! I am definately keen for book 2
14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 4, 2026
I've read many books that include the God's and their trials. I often can forsee what will transpire long before it happens. I found Athena's Gambit to be rather entertaining. The use of lesser used God's was a nice touch. I felt like the ending was slightly rushed but I wonder if the questions I'm left with will be answered in upcoming books.
18 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 14, 2026
This is the first non romance book in a long time to hook me so quickly!
Loved the characters, loved the plot, and no complaints about the writing style either. I highly recommend reading this one! I cannot wait for book 2.

Thank you Charlie Keller for sharing your work with me!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews