A review by booksjenrecs
The Kraken Games by Lilith Stone

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

As a fan of all the previous titles in the Motham City Monsters series, I was not expecting this fifth book to be so steamy! This is definitely the spiciest romance in the series, and with a kraken as the main character, it's easy to see why. 

There was so much more to this story than just a monster romance, and I thought Stone did a wonderful job at balancing Luna and Kai's backstories with their present circumstances and their romantic plot. There was plenty of actual substance in this story; it was far from just spice for spice's sake. 

I loved how complex both Luna and Kai were. Luna was seeking answers and retribution from the kraken; Kai, likewise, had his reasons to be distrustful of humans. They were natural enemies with different endgames, but their chemistry sizzled on the page from their very first interaction. I enjoyed their journey before, during, and after the Kraken Games tournament, and truly loved how their lives came together. After spending fifteen years searching, both Kai and Luna were able to find the answers they needed as well as their happily ever after.

Obviously, with Kai's tentacles involved, this was a spicy read. Stone didn't hold back, and this book ended up being a lot faster of a burn than the previous books in this series. I thought the spicy scenes between Luna and Kai were well done; even with tentacles involved, there was too much character development for these scenes to ever come across as over-the-top fan service. 

With lots of character development, The Kraken Games turned out to be one of my favorite romances from the Motham City Monsters series so far. Stone really expanded on her plot and spice, and it made for a fun and meaningful read.