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The Games Gods Play
Abigail Owen

The Games Gods Play

Quick Answer

Start with "The Games Gods Play" to begin the The Crucible. It is the essential series starter and provides the necessary foundation for the rest of the books.

Quick Verdict

✅ Safe to read now (Series Entry Point)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: This is the essential series starter that introduces the Abigail Owen's core world and character arcs. It is required reading for all new fans.

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2024592 ppSeries Starter
<p><b>LIMITED FIRST PRINT RUN―featuring spray-painted edges with a stenciled design, as well as gorgeously detailed endpapers. This breathtaking first edition is available for a limited time and while supplies last in the US and Canada only.</b><br><br><b>THE INSTANT #1 <i>NEW YORK TIMES</i> BESTSELLER<br></b>HOLT Medallion award winner for Speculative Romance of 2025<br>Goodreads Choice Awards Romantasy nominee of 2024<br><br><i>“This story is my latest obsession.”</i> <b>—<i>USA Today</i> bestselling author, Devney Perry</b><br><br><b>The gods love to play with us mere mortals. And every hundred years, we let them...</b><br><br>I have never been favored by the gods. Far from it, thanks to Zeus.<br><br>Living as a cursed office clerk for the Order of Thieves, I just keep my head down and hope the capricious beings who rule from Olympus won't notice me. Not an easy feat, given San Francisco is Zeus' patron city, but I make do. I survive. Until the night I tangle with a <i>different</i> god.<br><br>The <i>worst</i> god. Hades.<br><br>For the first time ever, the ruthless, mercurial King of the Underworld has entered the Crucible—the deadly contest the gods hold to determine a new ruler to sit on the throne of Olympus. But instead of fighting their own battles, the gods name <i>mortals</i> to compete in their stead.<br><br>So why in the Underworld did Hades choose me—a sarcastic nobody with a curse on her shoulders—as his champion? And why does my heart trip every time he says I’m <i>his</i>?<br><br>I don’t know if I’m a pawn, bait, or something else entirely to this dangerously tempting god. How can I, when he has more secrets than stars in the sky?<br><br>Because Hades is playing by his own rules...and Death will win at any cost.</p>

Series Order Complete! 🎉

You have reached the latest record for this series guide.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for The Crucible conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Games Gods Play?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read The Games Gods Play before other books in the series?

Yes, The Games Gods Play is the first book in the series and is the ideal starting point for new readers.

Is The Games Gods Play required reading for the The Crucible?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after The Games Gods Play in the reading order?

Currently, The Games Gods Play is the latest entry listed in our database for this series guide.

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