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Game of Gods #1
The Kings Game
The Selection meets Greek mythology in this sparkling and enthralling fantasy retelling of Persephone and Hades. Book 1 of a trilogy.
Daphne Hale is dead. Isn’t she?
She thought she was on the road trip from hell, but after the bus carrying her and twenty coeds plunges off a cliff, Daphne might actually be there. Caught somewhere between life and death, Daphne and her fellow travelers find themselves in a mysterious realm with a second chance…if they dare to take it.
At the center of this new existence is the mysterious Essos. The charismatic and fascinating man offers the women a choice—move on to the Afterlife, or stay and compete against each other for a new role—Queen of the Underworld.
The rules are simple. Be yourself. Don’t ask questions. Trust the process. But as strange dreams haunt her nights and new allies make her second-guess everything, Daphne will face a different choice between believing her eyes…and listening to her heart.
Daphne Hale is dead. Isn’t she?
She thought she was on the road trip from hell, but after the bus carrying her and twenty coeds plunges off a cliff, Daphne might actually be there. Caught somewhere between life and death, Daphne and her fellow travelers find themselves in a mysterious realm with a second chance…if they dare to take it.
At the center of this new existence is the mysterious Essos. The charismatic and fascinating man offers the women a choice—move on to the Afterlife, or stay and compete against each other for a new role—Queen of the Underworld.
The rules are simple. Be yourself. Don’t ask questions. Trust the process. But as strange dreams haunt her nights and new allies make her second-guess everything, Daphne will face a different choice between believing her eyes…and listening to her heart.
454 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2022
198 people are currently reading
1652 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Sanchez
12 books215 followersNicole Sanchez can't believe she has the occasion to write an author biography.
She has been writing short stories from a young age, and is excited to be publishing her debut novel, Central Park Collision, a contemporary romance.
She has a lot of tricks up her sleeve, so be sure to hit the follow button to see all she has to offer!
When she's not writing, she can be found training for her next Disney Race or lounging around the parks.
She lives in New Jersey with her adoring husband and two cats, Chip and Harvey.
WEBSITE:
INSTAGRAM:
TIKTOK:
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/22611...
BOOKBUB:
AMAZON:
TWITTER:
She has been writing short stories from a young age, and is excited to be publishing her debut novel, Central Park Collision, a contemporary romance.
She has a lot of tricks up her sleeve, so be sure to hit the follow button to see all she has to offer!
When she's not writing, she can be found training for her next Disney Race or lounging around the parks.
She lives in New Jersey with her adoring husband and two cats, Chip and Harvey.
WEBSITE:
INSTAGRAM:
TIKTOK:
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/22611...
BOOKBUB:
AMAZON:
TWITTER:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
June 30, 2023
DNF at 60%
300 pages of:
"what's going on?"
"We can't tell you"
300 pages of:
"what's going on?"
"We can't tell you"
October 11, 2022
Do you like mythology retellings?
Author: Nicole Sanchez
Series: Game of the Gods
ARC
Rating5/5
This book has everything I love and more.
A tall, dark, mysterious, brooding man. A funny witty lovable and fierce woman. Intrigue for miles.
If you want to play with the Gods , you need to play by the rules. Kinda hard when you don't know what's at stake and nobody tells you the rules of the game.
I was shocked, first chapter a road trip and a bus ride later, everyone is gone. Are they in the after life? NOPE they entered a new season of the bachelor but savage Greek Gods edition and it was game show goals LOL.
Essos needs to find a wife to help him rule the Underworld no easy task as he can't tell the anything or everything he holds dear to his heart is going to get lost forever.
Daphne gets pulled into a game she didn't know existed but Essos is interesting enough that she's willing to play. What she didn't expect was her heart and mind battling each other at every turn.
This book had me hooked form the start, so much so that I took it to work and kept reading. Yes!! I risked unemployment to finish this baby and it was worth every second.
This book is a sizzling hawt but a slow burn and it works perfectly. I wished there was more magic thrown around but in the end the story is so good that I didn't mind at all.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next one. That ending was just wow. I wish I could say more but there's no way without spoiling something so 🤐
The Kings Game is an epic first installment in what I'm sure is going to be a one of a kind trilogy.
Author: Nicole Sanchez
Series: Game of the Gods
ARC
Rating5/5
This book has everything I love and more.
A tall, dark, mysterious, brooding man. A funny witty lovable and fierce woman. Intrigue for miles.
If you want to play with the Gods , you need to play by the rules. Kinda hard when you don't know what's at stake and nobody tells you the rules of the game.
I was shocked, first chapter a road trip and a bus ride later, everyone is gone. Are they in the after life? NOPE they entered a new season of the bachelor but savage Greek Gods edition and it was game show goals LOL.
Essos needs to find a wife to help him rule the Underworld no easy task as he can't tell the anything or everything he holds dear to his heart is going to get lost forever.
Daphne gets pulled into a game she didn't know existed but Essos is interesting enough that she's willing to play. What she didn't expect was her heart and mind battling each other at every turn.
This book had me hooked form the start, so much so that I took it to work and kept reading. Yes!! I risked unemployment to finish this baby and it was worth every second.
This book is a sizzling hawt but a slow burn and it works perfectly. I wished there was more magic thrown around but in the end the story is so good that I didn't mind at all.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next one. That ending was just wow. I wish I could say more but there's no way without spoiling something so 🤐
The Kings Game is an epic first installment in what I'm sure is going to be a one of a kind trilogy.
July 2, 2023
4 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was a pleasant surprise! I’m a sucker for a Hades and Persephone retelling, but this one is one of the most interesting and unique iterations I’ve ever read.
This retelling is very unique. Despite it having a story most of us are familiar with, I’m still not going to say too much about the plot. I will say that the pacing of this story was great, all of the characters, main and supporting, were interesting and had a lot of depth, and the world building, while limited due to circumstances of the plot, was great and interesting.
The spice in this book was minimal. However, based on the type of spice in this book, methinks there will be more 🌶️ in the upcoming books 👀
The only reason I deducted a star from the rating is because the main character had me yelling at my Kindle and writing passive-aggressive and aggressive-aggressive notes about her choices and antics. Let’s just say that this book is a great (albeit fictional) reason why you should never ignore your gut instincts.
With that, I’m going to highly recommend this book and immediately start reading the sequel.
1 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was a pleasant surprise! I’m a sucker for a Hades and Persephone retelling, but this one is one of the most interesting and unique iterations I’ve ever read.
This retelling is very unique. Despite it having a story most of us are familiar with, I’m still not going to say too much about the plot. I will say that the pacing of this story was great, all of the characters, main and supporting, were interesting and had a lot of depth, and the world building, while limited due to circumstances of the plot, was great and interesting.
The spice in this book was minimal. However, based on the type of spice in this book, methinks there will be more 🌶️ in the upcoming books 👀
The only reason I deducted a star from the rating is because the main character had me yelling at my Kindle and writing passive-aggressive and aggressive-aggressive notes about her choices and antics. Let’s just say that this book is a great (albeit fictional) reason why you should never ignore your gut instincts.
With that, I’m going to highly recommend this book and immediately start reading the sequel.
March 21, 2025
If this book was 300 pages shorter and actually honoured the Greek mythology it was supposedly based upon, I might have enjoyed this story. Instead I read the same thing over and over and over again where nothing happens. For a book that’s about a competition there was ONE single scene with a competitive element to it. While the final 4 chapters were actually interesting, it is not enough to draw me into continuing with this series. There’s only so far “trust the process” can go, when nothing happens during the “process”.
March 14, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
October 5, 2022
I NEED book 2! I DEVOURED this book! Start to finish! I usually like more steam in my romances, but I can honestly say, that I DID NOT notice the slow burn.... there were so many things happening that had me questioning EVERYTHING! I just LOVED Daphne and Essos, but even I questioned that a couple times. I really cannot recommend this book enough... AND it's only book 1/3! Definitely a unique Persephone/Hades twist, but I loved it!
October 31, 2022
4.5
Wow… I can’t even explain to you the roller coaster vibes I got from this. It’s been a while since a book made me smile, curse out loud and cry. It got me all in the feels.
I am without a doubt a huge Hades/Persephone Stan. So knowing that there was this new retelling coming out, I was jumping at the choice to get an arc. Nicole thankfully heard my pleas and I am so excited. I devoured it between work and sleep. Reaching out directly to Nicole for the first time after reacting to a moment because I couldn’t hold it in. Lol
This story does not follow Greek Mythology as closely as others I’ve read. However, it didn’t take away from the overall story at all and there’s tons of goodies and Easter eggs through out including one of my favourite myths that shows some humanity in Lord of the Underworld.
Being someone who also writes retellings, I know that people will poke at the smallest difference in it. So, I think it would be best to come into this story not trying to compare it to the myths. Let it be it’s own story, it’s absolutely worth it. I promise.
Only reason it didn’t get a full 5 was just because I found a few narratives dragged out a bit. But otherwise a very easy, enjoyable read that brought out all the goodness.
I started getting Veronica Mars season 2 vibes when I started reading this. I know it started because of the bus scene. But if you know me - this is like the highest compliment for me. There’s other stories that have these kind of events. BUT I loved that season and I knew that after what happened to Daphne I was about to go on some wild mystery that only she could solve. Just like VM.
Essos (our Lord of Darkness) is delicious. While the book does have “spicy” scenes, Essos actions are just as sexy. I would have had a really, really hard time having to share him.
Packed with friendship, drama, questions, emotions, suspicions and loveable characters! I would check for trigger warnings because there is of course, discussion of death and loss in various ways.
While I was right on the main event - I still second guessed myself here and there and there was still other twists I didn’t see.
The cliffhanger for part 2? I’m not sure I’ll survive the year not knowing. It’s a great part one and there were always some big new twist! Can’t wait for the next one!
It will be available on KU/ebook oct 30th. I will def be ordering a paperback when available so I can have it sitting with all of my other retellings and myth books. Cover is gorgeous!!
Wow… I can’t even explain to you the roller coaster vibes I got from this. It’s been a while since a book made me smile, curse out loud and cry. It got me all in the feels.
I am without a doubt a huge Hades/Persephone Stan. So knowing that there was this new retelling coming out, I was jumping at the choice to get an arc. Nicole thankfully heard my pleas and I am so excited. I devoured it between work and sleep. Reaching out directly to Nicole for the first time after reacting to a moment because I couldn’t hold it in. Lol
This story does not follow Greek Mythology as closely as others I’ve read. However, it didn’t take away from the overall story at all and there’s tons of goodies and Easter eggs through out including one of my favourite myths that shows some humanity in Lord of the Underworld.
Being someone who also writes retellings, I know that people will poke at the smallest difference in it. So, I think it would be best to come into this story not trying to compare it to the myths. Let it be it’s own story, it’s absolutely worth it. I promise.
Only reason it didn’t get a full 5 was just because I found a few narratives dragged out a bit. But otherwise a very easy, enjoyable read that brought out all the goodness.
I started getting Veronica Mars season 2 vibes when I started reading this. I know it started because of the bus scene. But if you know me - this is like the highest compliment for me. There’s other stories that have these kind of events. BUT I loved that season and I knew that after what happened to Daphne I was about to go on some wild mystery that only she could solve. Just like VM.
Essos (our Lord of Darkness) is delicious. While the book does have “spicy” scenes, Essos actions are just as sexy. I would have had a really, really hard time having to share him.
Packed with friendship, drama, questions, emotions, suspicions and loveable characters! I would check for trigger warnings because there is of course, discussion of death and loss in various ways.
While I was right on the main event - I still second guessed myself here and there and there was still other twists I didn’t see.
The cliffhanger for part 2? I’m not sure I’ll survive the year not knowing. It’s a great part one and there were always some big new twist! Can’t wait for the next one!
It will be available on KU/ebook oct 30th. I will def be ordering a paperback when available so I can have it sitting with all of my other retellings and myth books. Cover is gorgeous!!
October 19, 2022
Daphne Hale, a young woman who finds herself, along with friends, caught in a stage between living and dead after their bus goes off a cliff. They are given a choice: they can choose to go on to their afterlife, or they can stay and compete against each other, with the prize being married to the mysterious Essos, and being crowned Queen of the Underworld. The rules are simple: trust the process. Go with the flow. Don't ask questions, because the answers will be given when they are able. But as Daphne is plagued by strange dreams and memories, she doesn't know what to do or believe. Does she believe what she is seeing, or trust in her gut, and her heart?
Before I start, I would like to thank Nicole Sanchez for sending me an ARC of The Kings Game, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When I saw the synopsis and cover for this book on a reading group I'm a part of on facebook, and a call for applicants to review this book, I was immediately interested. That is not always the case. I am careful when I select arc's to apply for, because I want to give the author a fair shot. I'm careful to stick to genres I'm interested in. One thing about me: I'm a sucker for a Hades & Persephone retelling. Pretty much any romance that centers around myth retellings, I'm game to read. Did I think my intense interest in mythology when I was a teen would lead to me reading romantic retellings of it? No. Am I glad it did? Yes. Because it led me to apply for an arc of this truly interesting book.
The King's Game is marketed as a mix of Greek Mythology and The Selection. Now, I haven't read the Selection, but I know the gist of it. And while I'm generally not a Bachelor/Bachelorette fan, I found this book captivating. Without spoiling you, while there is competition, it doesn't come off that way. Whereas on those shows you get a lot of cat fights, and women pitted against each other, it doesn't feel this way in the book, which I appreciate. Of course, there are moments of jealousy and insecurity, but Nicole didn't write another book pitting women against each other, and I appreciate that. Daphne is a relatable character, and if sometimes her decisions frustrated me, I also understood why she made those choices. Essos is a teddy bear so I immediately rooted for him. The side characters are wonderfully written and well-developed. This is where a lot of authors fall short in my opinion, but I think Nicole did an amazing job making her side characters very dimensional. In the end, my only problems with the book were some clarity issues - sometimes I couldn't figure out how or when Daphne comes to the conclusions she comes to - and I was able to predict the outcome early on. Despite figuring out what was going on though, it didn't ruin it for me. I found myself excited for work breaks, or my commute to get to the next part.
While I think there needs to be some tweaking here and there, The King's Game was a refreshing, and enjoyable read for me. It's been a while since a book truly hooked its claws in me, and The King's Game did that for me. I couldn't put it down, and it was hard to adult when I knew I had this gem on my kindle to get back to. If you are looking for a unique and modern spin on the Hades & Persephone trope, I truly think you will enjoy this book. I can't wait for the next one!
Check out my review on my website http://www.theramblingbooknerd.com on Oct. 29th!
Before I start, I would like to thank Nicole Sanchez for sending me an ARC of The Kings Game, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When I saw the synopsis and cover for this book on a reading group I'm a part of on facebook, and a call for applicants to review this book, I was immediately interested. That is not always the case. I am careful when I select arc's to apply for, because I want to give the author a fair shot. I'm careful to stick to genres I'm interested in. One thing about me: I'm a sucker for a Hades & Persephone retelling. Pretty much any romance that centers around myth retellings, I'm game to read. Did I think my intense interest in mythology when I was a teen would lead to me reading romantic retellings of it? No. Am I glad it did? Yes. Because it led me to apply for an arc of this truly interesting book.
The King's Game is marketed as a mix of Greek Mythology and The Selection. Now, I haven't read the Selection, but I know the gist of it. And while I'm generally not a Bachelor/Bachelorette fan, I found this book captivating. Without spoiling you, while there is competition, it doesn't come off that way. Whereas on those shows you get a lot of cat fights, and women pitted against each other, it doesn't feel this way in the book, which I appreciate. Of course, there are moments of jealousy and insecurity, but Nicole didn't write another book pitting women against each other, and I appreciate that. Daphne is a relatable character, and if sometimes her decisions frustrated me, I also understood why she made those choices. Essos is a teddy bear so I immediately rooted for him. The side characters are wonderfully written and well-developed. This is where a lot of authors fall short in my opinion, but I think Nicole did an amazing job making her side characters very dimensional. In the end, my only problems with the book were some clarity issues - sometimes I couldn't figure out how or when Daphne comes to the conclusions she comes to - and I was able to predict the outcome early on. Despite figuring out what was going on though, it didn't ruin it for me. I found myself excited for work breaks, or my commute to get to the next part.
While I think there needs to be some tweaking here and there, The King's Game was a refreshing, and enjoyable read for me. It's been a while since a book truly hooked its claws in me, and The King's Game did that for me. I couldn't put it down, and it was hard to adult when I knew I had this gem on my kindle to get back to. If you are looking for a unique and modern spin on the Hades & Persephone trope, I truly think you will enjoy this book. I can't wait for the next one!
Check out my review on my website http://www.theramblingbooknerd.com on Oct. 29th!
October 25, 2022
This fantasy retelling of Hades and Persephone completely drew me in by the first chapter, especially its similarity to a mythical Bachelor. Sooo much intrigue, and a slow burn to keep me needing more. After a bus crash, the story continues from Daphne's POV, and keeps you invested as Essos gives the girls in the story a chance to go on to the afterlife, or a chanve to stay and compete to be his wife, and Queen of the Underworld. However, it is hard for Daphne as she wants all of the answers to her questions immediately, but Essos and the other gods and beings are limited as to what they can tell them, and when. So Daphne has to decide on going with her heart, or her brain. So suspenseful, and a wonderful slow burn. 5 star read for me! And I cannot wait to see where the story goes next with that epic cliffhanger!
November 12, 2022
I am over here NEEDING book two!!
This book was an amazing mix between the bachelor and Greek mythology.
12 girls enter the underworld and they find out they are to win the heart of the God of the Underworld.
This is such a great and refreshing taking on the Hades and Persephone story that I haven’t seen. I also like that their names are not Hades and Persephone so it doesn’t feel over done.
Nichole really had me drawn into the story and I was eating it up!! The spice is in the perfect spot but does not over take the plot that is in this book.
The Queen of the Underworld is back and ready for revenge
This book was an amazing mix between the bachelor and Greek mythology.
12 girls enter the underworld and they find out they are to win the heart of the God of the Underworld.
This is such a great and refreshing taking on the Hades and Persephone story that I haven’t seen. I also like that their names are not Hades and Persephone so it doesn’t feel over done.
Nichole really had me drawn into the story and I was eating it up!! The spice is in the perfect spot but does not over take the plot that is in this book.
The Queen of the Underworld is back and ready for revenge
October 30, 2022
I am not normally a massive fantasy reader but this book captivated me from page one! It was such a different take on Hades and Persephone, perfect mix or fantasy and modern world. The entire book I was guessing what would happen next and often I had to slam my book down and be like WHAT!
Daphne was a character I instantly felt connected to and her strange dreams, her instincts and her loyalty to her friend made her an instant favorite character for me.
Essos was AMAZING and I cannot wait for the next book!!! Is it next year yet????
Daphne was a character I instantly felt connected to and her strange dreams, her instincts and her loyalty to her friend made her an instant favorite character for me.
Essos was AMAZING and I cannot wait for the next book!!! Is it next year yet????
July 24, 2023
Persephone and Hades but call them Essos and Daphne? Yes please!!
I knew Galen was gonna be a SOB! I KNEW IT!! I was surprised to see Zara wasn't in on anything, but glad she was a friend. Cat and Finn are A1 best friends.
This book is screaming trust your gut and heart. Sis knew, she knew Galen was trouble and felt her love for Essos and still fell for the trap. I hope she roasts Galens maniacal ass.
I knew Galen was gonna be a SOB! I KNEW IT!! I was surprised to see Zara wasn't in on anything, but glad she was a friend. Cat and Finn are A1 best friends.
This book is screaming trust your gut and heart. Sis knew, she knew Galen was trouble and felt her love for Essos and still fell for the trap. I hope she roasts Galens maniacal ass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2024
A nice Greek retelling with 🌶️.
I move that the whole story is based on friendship. You can definitely tell that the FMC would do everything for her friends.
But I can understand that people felt quite annoyed that the story didn’t really progress until the end. The FMC wasn’t allowed to know anything but that really dragged the story. But it also gave the backgroundstory without it being too much.
I move that the whole story is based on friendship. You can definitely tell that the FMC would do everything for her friends.
But I can understand that people felt quite annoyed that the story didn’t really progress until the end. The FMC wasn’t allowed to know anything but that really dragged the story. But it also gave the backgroundstory without it being too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2023
i love dave
July 3, 2023
3.5⭐️
October 19, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The whole “bachelor meets gods” theme was a fun read! I love Essos and Daphne and their banter. I love the friendship that Daphne has with Cat. I think their friend ship is honestly my favorite amongst the plethora of character friendships I’ve read. Finn was a fun character and I’m quite hoping he gets a love interest in the next book. In all seriousness though, Dave stole the whole book as the star character and is my absolute favorite. There’s quite a few pop culture references which I giggled at every time. I am really excited for the second book but I’m sad I have to wait a year!
July 5, 2023
I went into this pretty much blind. It had tropes I don’t really like, but somehow it was still so ADDICTIVE which I feel really shows how good the writing/characters are. Like honestly I might read the next in the series, I DEVOURED this book
July 10, 2023
This book was pretty good BUT the last five chapters pissed me off. Not in a SJM kind of way either, like boo anyone with a brain could have seen what one of the characters was doing and she walked into it and then blames everyone else for her poor decisions. I May or May not read the second book.
October 30, 2022
Daphne is thrown into a seemingly unknown world after the shock of her life. Her friend's and her must trust the process, follow the rules and play the game. But how do you know who to trust? What happens if you trust wrong? What an adventure we are taken on throughout Daphne's journey!! I truly enjoyed this book and could not put it down! Ready for book 2!
August 5, 2023
Oooh! This was an interesting concept. 👀 The secrets got me so curious. It felt a little flat towards the end and I feel like there are many questions that are still left unanswered. Looking forward to book 2 tho!
December 16, 2022
3.5 - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐💫
"'To bring some light into your dark world.'"
The King's Game is a New Adult Fantasy Romance which is a reimagined retelling of Hades and Persephone. In this novel we follow the character Daphne after she and 20 co-eds meet their tragic end when their bus crashes over a cliff. Yet instead of death they receive an unlikely offer to join The Calling, a competition to decide who will stand at the side of the God of the Underworld as his Queen and Wife. Yet while the powerful Essos allures Daphne, she finds herself at a crossroads as dreams threaten the secrets in place during this competition. Daphne must decide to trust herself or the others around her to find her true place in the afterlife.
When I started this book it had all the hallmarks of my favourite cheese style romances. A young women in a strange world looking to unlock the secrets, a tight friendship to help her process her journey, and a dark and elusive man who we are dying to learn about. I felt Daphne was a little clueless at times but she was easy to read, her dialogue was strong, and I found myself easily falling into her journey. Essos, on the other hand, was absolute perfection. He was the perfect combination of brooding and mysterious. He always had really great one liners I highlighted and I really got to see the struggle he was under as he physically was unable to share the truths he wanted.
The addition side characters also really helped build this story for me from Daphne's best friend who was a voice a reason (if only Daphne listened), her dance partner Finn who was another confident that really build the plot, and even the animals (the dogs were absolutely adorable!). The banter between the side characters just felt sincere and funny to move along the story.
This is a slow burn romance bu the sexual tension was so smooth. There were beautiful one liners, almost kisses, long glances, and casual touches. We get some spicy scenes from her dreams but it won't be until the last 80-90% and I also felt it was too quick after all that build up because the book ended soon after.
"'You undo me,' he says with a laugh. 'I am King of the Underworld, and the sight of you drives me to my knees.'"
The pace of the plot was good as I found the reading to be easy and light. There isn't a lot of world building and the loose adaption of the mythology was altered by renaming all the gods. I would hope the next book might expand the world even more because this book felt like a holding space to get to the true heart of situation. As such, I would say this is a character driven book.
My one critique for this book I didn't like how the climax of the book centered around Daphne making poor choices. It was very easy to see overarching secret of this book within the first 15% of the novel and I was hoping for a happily ever after as a result. Instead this is a cliffhanger book. It becomes really frustrating in the last 20% when everyone, even the side characters, know Daphne is making poor choices but she refuses to see reason. I want to shake her at multiple points thinking, "You are screwing things up!" I was right, by the way.
That said I know there are a lot of people who enjoy books where the main conflict is on the part of the main characters struggling to make right choices so don't let me dissuade you unless you're like me and prefer your plots conflicts to be more external.
Overall, I think The King's Game is a good book. The writing and dialogue is smooth and effortless, the sexual tension is perfectly, and I loved the nods to Greek mythology while still infusing her own style. The last 20% was the part I struggled with because it just wasn't my vibe for conflict in a book.
"'To bring some light into your dark world.'"
The King's Game is a New Adult Fantasy Romance which is a reimagined retelling of Hades and Persephone. In this novel we follow the character Daphne after she and 20 co-eds meet their tragic end when their bus crashes over a cliff. Yet instead of death they receive an unlikely offer to join The Calling, a competition to decide who will stand at the side of the God of the Underworld as his Queen and Wife. Yet while the powerful Essos allures Daphne, she finds herself at a crossroads as dreams threaten the secrets in place during this competition. Daphne must decide to trust herself or the others around her to find her true place in the afterlife.
When I started this book it had all the hallmarks of my favourite cheese style romances. A young women in a strange world looking to unlock the secrets, a tight friendship to help her process her journey, and a dark and elusive man who we are dying to learn about. I felt Daphne was a little clueless at times but she was easy to read, her dialogue was strong, and I found myself easily falling into her journey. Essos, on the other hand, was absolute perfection. He was the perfect combination of brooding and mysterious. He always had really great one liners I highlighted and I really got to see the struggle he was under as he physically was unable to share the truths he wanted.
The addition side characters also really helped build this story for me from Daphne's best friend who was a voice a reason (if only Daphne listened), her dance partner Finn who was another confident that really build the plot, and even the animals (the dogs were absolutely adorable!). The banter between the side characters just felt sincere and funny to move along the story.
This is a slow burn romance bu the sexual tension was so smooth. There were beautiful one liners, almost kisses, long glances, and casual touches. We get some spicy scenes from her dreams but it won't be until the last 80-90% and I also felt it was too quick after all that build up because the book ended soon after.
"'You undo me,' he says with a laugh. 'I am King of the Underworld, and the sight of you drives me to my knees.'"
The pace of the plot was good as I found the reading to be easy and light. There isn't a lot of world building and the loose adaption of the mythology was altered by renaming all the gods. I would hope the next book might expand the world even more because this book felt like a holding space to get to the true heart of situation. As such, I would say this is a character driven book.
My one critique for this book I didn't like how the climax of the book centered around Daphne making poor choices. It was very easy to see overarching secret of this book within the first 15% of the novel and I was hoping for a happily ever after as a result. Instead this is a cliffhanger book. It becomes really frustrating in the last 20% when everyone, even the side characters, know Daphne is making poor choices but she refuses to see reason. I want to shake her at multiple points thinking, "You are screwing things up!" I was right, by the way.
That said I know there are a lot of people who enjoy books where the main conflict is on the part of the main characters struggling to make right choices so don't let me dissuade you unless you're like me and prefer your plots conflicts to be more external.
Overall, I think The King's Game is a good book. The writing and dialogue is smooth and effortless, the sexual tension is perfectly, and I loved the nods to Greek mythology while still infusing her own style. The last 20% was the part I struggled with because it just wasn't my vibe for conflict in a book.
October 7, 2022
The bachelor but make it gods edition. This was a fun read! I was intrigued from the beginning and liked that it was unique. Through the whole book I was guessing and changing my opinions on things. The only reason this isn't 5 stars is I'm sad we didn't get more world building and description of magic. Regardless this was fantastic and I'm keen to see where book 2 takes us (also I'm sad book 2 isn't out until October 2023!)
October 2, 2023
I really hated the galen angle, like, really, hated it. I won't finish the trilogy hated it.
Yup, no, the ending was complete bs. Hell no, are you effing kidding. & really, how stupid is she that she wouldn't trust her gut & go along w/galen, like come the bell on. & to drag it out that long. & just like I said earlier, I will not be finishing this trilogy. I'm not going to stick around & read about her marriage to another dude & her murder for an entire 2nd book. Eff no. Then she's probably going to be full queen by the end & dethrone his ass in like the last 5%of book, which will mean major time will have gone by. Then in 3rd book, tmshe & essos will get back together but it will be odd & awkward. & all their chemistry will be lost. She'll be the only queen. He will have lost everything & basically become her lucky while they have Medicare sex. She'll be a bitch, arrogant & stupid, which will just annoy me because I really hate when they write women characters like drill sergeants thinking that's how they have to be just to be the boss, but then she'll over compensate in the opposite direction & be a "benevolent" which will just make me roll my eyes & give the femal character enought whoopsie daisy to look the other way & find more trouble. Or She'll just walk straight into it, like a well know trap as before & eff things over again. Whatever, yeah, I'm not reading crap like this. Sucks too because the begging of this was a such a great story. Then it was effed up by bringing galen into it. Ugh
Yup, no, the ending was complete bs. Hell no, are you effing kidding. & really, how stupid is she that she wouldn't trust her gut & go along w/galen, like come the bell on. & to drag it out that long. & just like I said earlier, I will not be finishing this trilogy. I'm not going to stick around & read about her marriage to another dude & her murder for an entire 2nd book. Eff no. Then she's probably going to be full queen by the end & dethrone his ass in like the last 5%of book, which will mean major time will have gone by. Then in 3rd book, tmshe & essos will get back together but it will be odd & awkward. & all their chemistry will be lost. She'll be the only queen. He will have lost everything & basically become her lucky while they have Medicare sex. She'll be a bitch, arrogant & stupid, which will just annoy me because I really hate when they write women characters like drill sergeants thinking that's how they have to be just to be the boss, but then she'll over compensate in the opposite direction & be a "benevolent" which will just make me roll my eyes & give the femal character enought whoopsie daisy to look the other way & find more trouble. Or She'll just walk straight into it, like a well know trap as before & eff things over again. Whatever, yeah, I'm not reading crap like this. Sucks too because the begging of this was a such a great story. Then it was effed up by bringing galen into it. Ugh
May 15, 2022
Had the chance to read this book in Beta version. Great story! Nicole Sanchez hits her stride in this retelling of Hades and Persephone with a modern, bachelor-type twist. The characters are gripping and the story pulls you in from page one. Highly recommend!
January 22, 2022
I love love love Greek mythology and this take on the story of Hades and Persephone is amazing. It sucked me in from the beginning and just kept upping the ante. And THE END...aaah!!!
October 26, 2022
This is the first time I have read this genre and it won't be my last.
Daphne and her sorority sisters are traveling, by bus, to a volleyball match and the bus was involved in an accident. Daphne and her "sisters", which includes her best friend Cat, are then taken to a mansion on the beach. There they meet Sybil and Essos.
Then the fun, ahem the Game begins. Essos has to find a queen and he then explains to them what happened with the bus accident. At first, I thought oh it's The Bachelor but in book form, and after reading the other reviews, I was not alone in thinking this.
You will then meet Finn, Galen, Xavier, Helene, and others from the Underworld. Plus, can't forget about Dave!!! I have some thoughts on Dave but will wait to see if it is addressed in Book 2.
Daphne has quite the back story. She was in foster care and then eventually adopted by some great parents. Daphne thought that those times were tough, and just wait and see the decisions she has to make.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the story:
"There is nothing to be ashamed of in being asked to leave. There is shame in breaking the rules."
"I’ve never had such a strong reaction to someone, a bone-deep need to be in their presence, and I don’t understand why it’s happening now."
"I’ve seen what kind of life all-consuming romantic love can bring you, and I want it
so badly for myself."
"You deserve better, and the best things are worth waiting for. I would wait a thousand lifetimes for you.”
"He walks over to me like he wants to kiss me, but instead he tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear." *swoon*
"How do I balance this man who has done his best to protect me. . . . "
"Every easy smile from Essos makes my heart dip at the deception— not only his, but mine."
"I cry for the life that was stolen from us and for this blessing of a second chance to know them."
"Straddlinghim right now to kiss the daylights out of him is not an appropriate thing to do"
"I said you had a heart of darkness; don’t go and ruin it by backing down now.”
“I will find you across time. There is no force in the universe that will keep me from you. You are my sun,” he vows"
“You will learn to love me,”
"You don’t realize how much you miss hearing I love you until you don’t have it."
Have these quotes sucked you in? I hope so!!!
Thanks to Nicole for sending me an advance copy to devour!!!
Daphne and her sorority sisters are traveling, by bus, to a volleyball match and the bus was involved in an accident. Daphne and her "sisters", which includes her best friend Cat, are then taken to a mansion on the beach. There they meet Sybil and Essos.
Then the fun, ahem the Game begins. Essos has to find a queen and he then explains to them what happened with the bus accident. At first, I thought oh it's The Bachelor but in book form, and after reading the other reviews, I was not alone in thinking this.
You will then meet Finn, Galen, Xavier, Helene, and others from the Underworld. Plus, can't forget about Dave!!! I have some thoughts on Dave but will wait to see if it is addressed in Book 2.
Daphne has quite the back story. She was in foster care and then eventually adopted by some great parents. Daphne thought that those times were tough, and just wait and see the decisions she has to make.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the story:
"There is nothing to be ashamed of in being asked to leave. There is shame in breaking the rules."
"I’ve never had such a strong reaction to someone, a bone-deep need to be in their presence, and I don’t understand why it’s happening now."
"I’ve seen what kind of life all-consuming romantic love can bring you, and I want it
so badly for myself."
"You deserve better, and the best things are worth waiting for. I would wait a thousand lifetimes for you.”
"He walks over to me like he wants to kiss me, but instead he tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear." *swoon*
"How do I balance this man who has done his best to protect me. . . . "
"Every easy smile from Essos makes my heart dip at the deception— not only his, but mine."
"I cry for the life that was stolen from us and for this blessing of a second chance to know them."
"Straddlinghim right now to kiss the daylights out of him is not an appropriate thing to do"
"I said you had a heart of darkness; don’t go and ruin it by backing down now.”
“I will find you across time. There is no force in the universe that will keep me from you. You are my sun,” he vows"
“You will learn to love me,”
"You don’t realize how much you miss hearing I love you until you don’t have it."
Have these quotes sucked you in? I hope so!!!
Thanks to Nicole for sending me an advance copy to devour!!!
December 26, 2023
I love the premise of this book. Greek mythology meets the bachelor.
Now look, I was team Daphne. I really liked her until she just decided Galen was the most honest guy in the world without using her brain. Since moment one they’ve been saying not all is as it seems here. And sure everyone’s just doing the “trust the process it will make sense at the end” and home girl wants answers but she’s being dumb af. When she was having visions and dreams of Essos it felt real and like her, but when Galen started feeding her “memories” she said it didn’t feel real. It was like she was watching a movie. Also taking to heart what Zara, your competition and girl who doesn’t like you, says to be truth is stupid. Even though she turned out to be trustworthy- although even Zara said Galen was slimy and she was always walking g away from him. She only spoke to him to get tea. Your BFF is team Essos and gets a bad vibe from Galen but sure ignore her. Also E is always showing you who he is and how he loves you, G has been pumping you full of fake visions of sex and hasn’t shown you his love for you. Dumb dumb dumb girl. Also did she ever think Galen could get around the councils rules because he was lying!!!!???? Did she stop to think Galen was the one playing her? Not once. And Galen is kind of a dick even if you *were* married to him do you want to be again bc yiiiikes he’s a man child. She just didn’t pay attention. God of war. His child is the god of MURDER! Also he had kids & or was confirmed that his wife was MIA. You didn’t stop and think??
So she obviously makes the wrong choice and then gets all of her memories back. I’m hoping that since she’s back to being Queen of the Underworld she’s going to be bad ass and not dumb. And hopefully Galen gets put in his place sooo many times bc I hated him since moment one on this book and I need him to rarely have the upper hand on book two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2022
This is a Hades and Persephone fantasy retelling. Daphne is a fantastic character, but really I liked them all, Essos, Sybil, Cat and Dave are simply fantastic, then we have Finn, Galen, Helene and Xavier from the Underworld. The story was very intriguing and kept me reading it and finishing it before I even realized, now I need to find out what happens next. I didn't know what to expect from this one when I went in blind, and I was certainly surprised and entertained, now I need the next one please!
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November 16, 2022
The Kings Game is exactly what the summary promises, the Selection mixed with a new twist on a retelling of Persephone and Hades. I was so excited for this book and it did not disappoint! The story is told from the point of view of our main character, Daphne. Who has to navigate finding herself in competition after death for the love of the King of the Underworld, Essos. Along the way we get to learn more about the world of the Gods, enjoy some character development, craft some strong female friendships, and a potential love triangle is thrown in for good measure. Also there are pets!! Dave and Waffles, I love you both. The Kings Game is the first in a series and it gives a more unique spin on the Persephone and Hades retellings than I have read before. There is a sprinkle of spice as the story progresses, but it isn’t the main focus of the plot.
Nicole Sanchez keeps you guessing about what is going on, and sprinkles in a bit of the unreliable narrator trope to keep you even more on your toes. The final few chapters had me screaming and wanting to throw my kindle across the room, because DAPHNE!!! And also that cliffhanger!!! I can’t wait for book two to see where this story takes us, and how Daphne handles things moving forward.
Nicole Sanchez keeps you guessing about what is going on, and sprinkles in a bit of the unreliable narrator trope to keep you even more on your toes. The final few chapters had me screaming and wanting to throw my kindle across the room, because DAPHNE!!! And also that cliffhanger!!! I can’t wait for book two to see where this story takes us, and how Daphne handles things moving forward.
May 20, 2024
Hades and Persephone retelling? With a twist that adds a competition like in the Selection? Count me in.
This book was really something else. It was a new spin on the Greek mythology. Daphne and a group of women drive off a cliff in a bus and wake up in the Underworld (or somewhere close to it at least). They find out they died and get to compete to become Queen of the Underworld beside Essos, the King of the Dead.
I really enjoyed this new twist on one of my favorite Greek mythologies, even if Daphne drove me crazy at times by missing how obviously she was being manipulated (I was very emotionally invested and I wanted to hit her over the head a few times). To be fair to Daphne, she went with what she was told instead of trusting her intuition, which is unfortunately close to choices people often make in real life.
This book definitely left me wanting more and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next one. P.S. I'm purposely being vague on what happens, so I don't add spoilers.
This book was really something else. It was a new spin on the Greek mythology. Daphne and a group of women drive off a cliff in a bus and wake up in the Underworld (or somewhere close to it at least). They find out they died and get to compete to become Queen of the Underworld beside Essos, the King of the Dead.
I really enjoyed this new twist on one of my favorite Greek mythologies, even if Daphne drove me crazy at times by missing how obviously she was being manipulated (I was very emotionally invested and I wanted to hit her over the head a few times). To be fair to Daphne, she went with what she was told instead of trusting her intuition, which is unfortunately close to choices people often make in real life.
This book definitely left me wanting more and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next one. P.S. I'm purposely being vague on what happens, so I don't add spoilers.
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