Hades Descendants

Games of the Gods, Book 1

By: Nikki Kardnov, Cadence Price

Narrated by: Bridget Bordeaux

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

A powerful orphan, a sinfully sexy warrior, and a forbidden desire as cruel as the gods.

Once I was an unwanted child of Olympus, but now I’m fighting for my immortality in the competition of a lifetime. Up for grabs is a spot among Hades’s elite inner circle. All that stands in my way is one sexy prince of Hades’s House who loves to torment me.

Haven Knightfall is the legacy pick everyone expects to win, but he’s never come up against a power like mine. No one has. If only I could make it work when I need it most. Even more annoying? My bad habit of running into Haven in the dark. Every time I leave him, my stupid body wants more, but I can’t yield to him or his cruel lips.

There’s something off about this year’s competition though, a danger whispered about deep in the halls of Hades’s House. Turns out Haven isn’t my only enemy. In fact, he might just be my greatest ally, because there are worse monsters lurking in the shadows.

If Haven and I don’t work together, we might lose more than our immortality, we might just lose our lives.

©2020 Nikki Kardnov (P)2020 Nikki Kardnov

An Emotional Rollercoaster Ride

Having listened to all the books in the Blackwell Djinn series and loved them all I couldn't wait to listen to this new series by Nikki Kardnov and Cadence Price, an author I've not read before. I wasn't disappointed. Cruel Descendants - Hades House is Book One is a Greek Mythology Romance, it's the first part of a trilogy, so this book does end on a cliffhanger, which would normally put me off but this story is so good I just had to carry on listening and now will have to be patient and wait for the next book to reach audio to find out more answers.

Although you don't have to know anything about Greek Mythology to enjoy this book as the authors tell you everything you need to know, if you are someone who has an interest in it you will certainly not find the story lacking The world-building was is very well done and the descriptions given make it easy to visualise everything.

Both the characters are very different but they are also very well drawn which makes them totally believable. Haven is a trained Warrior with a Family Legacy to live up to. Whilst Ana, short for Anastacia, is an Orphan with at first at least an unknown power who never expected to be chosen to represent her house. Her power is unusual and at times frightening and one wonders if she will learn to control it better.

The emotions evoked whilst listening to Bridget Bordeaux narrate this book were many and varied - she brought a whole to level to this emotional rollercoaster ride. I'm now eagerly awaiting the release of the next book and hope that the narrator remains the same.

I was given this audiobook as a gift and am voluntarily writing my review.

competition

Anastasha is an orphan, that is raised in Hestia’s house but gets picked by Hades as a competitor of Hades house. In order to be picked by a god you have to be related to them in one form or other.

Great Read

I love Olympus and myths and other weird tales . kept my attention from start to finish. waiting for the rest of the series. will put this on my must listen.

Exciting Listen

This is an excellent book! From start to finish it was riveting. If you are interested in Mount Olympus, gods, and adventure this is a good choice for you. The story is easy enough to follow along but intricate enough to keep it interesting. I am really looking forward to the next 2 books in the trilogy.

a twist on mythology

I really loved this new mythology read. The story of self awareness and growth is amazing. Well written and leaves you wanting more! Narration was very well done, the story line flows smoothly and I love that Kardnov gives us a modern twist on the traditional mythological gods we think we know about. This read focuses on Ana and Haven - Ana who is an orphan and looking to find who she is and who she may belong to and Haven who is a favored character but gives Ana mixed signals thru the Mt Olympus trials. I am completely hooked on these characters and the wonderful world Kardnov has created for us on this read. I can't wait to learn more and see how the fates work this out!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Outstanding start!

As with every book I've read by Nikki Kardnov, this one starts with a bit of excitement and just keeps getting better and better. The Gods have a competition every five years pitting descendants against each other. The prize is to survive and claim for a place in their Gods palace. Ana is an unclaimed orphan in Hestia's house but chosen by the Fates as a competitor of Hades house. Straight from lightness and nurturing to darkness and power. Haven Knightfall is a direct descendant of Hades and the bane of Ana existence. This book captured my focus and held my attention tightly from beginning to end. This is going to be a thrilling series for sure. Be sure to check out this fascinating story of the Gods and their descendants.