This was such an amazing read. To be honest I was completely nervous regarding picking up this book to read especially after the events of the ending of the previous book. I wanted desperately to find out what was going to happen next, but I was also completely nervous about what exactly the author had installed. And the Ben definitely didn’t disappoint, especially with the way that the story and plot developed even further. I still loved the authors writing style and with the way he had developed this book was amazing. The many twists and turns that had occurred throughout the book had definitely surprised me, as I was unsure of which direction that they were going to go in. Robin, Duncan and Erix, are such interesting and amazing characters which developed very cleverly. And all three of them had to face many challenges, and definitely touch decisions. With the ending of this book I am absolutely amazed and extremely happy with the ending. I finished reading the book, and I nearly did cry, because this ending was absolutely amazing. And I definitely would read more books by this author.

I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity to read this ARC and give my honest thoughts. This is my first ever book from Ben Alderson.
This being the 4th and final book in this series I was able to follow it well there it enough backstory to pick it up if you wanted to, but I will be going back and reading this series from start to finish.
I want to know more about the characters then just how their story ends.

Are you looking for a finished series to binge read?
Or have you been waiting for years for the conclusion to the Realm of Fey series? It's good news either way, as A Game of Monsters by Ben Alderson is out now!

This is one of those series that I've been invested in for years, so I'm equal parts happy to have finally found out how it ends and sad to have finished my journey with these characters. I'll be back for a re-read before long, no doubt!

After the events of A Deception of Courts, a new era of stability dawns for the realm. But Robin Icethorn knows differently: his lover Duncan Rackley has become the host of the demon god Duwar and poses a threat to the world.
With the help of his ex-lover Erix, Robin sets out to save Duncan and the world, but he soon finds himself at the centre of a game of the gods...

A Game of Monsters is packed with relentless action as the story hurtles towards its conclusion. Robin Icethorn is once again stubbornly heroic and self-sacrificing, and I love him for it, but also want to shake him at times. The relationships between Duncan and Robin, as well as between Robin and his former guard and ex-lover Erix are brought to a sizzling conclusion.

The wait was worth it! I'm sad this series has come to end but the journey was worth it. Nobody was safe in this book and the tension was on another level. It was the perfect book for the end of the series with a great ending that was well deserving of the characters.

Robin was tested to his limit, all the character development of the previous books really brought out his best side in this book, even with his impulsive nature. Duncan's story was tragic, the same with Erix given all they've been through. And I love the triad that came out of such tragic circumstances.

Overall, I'm going to miss this world and thank you Ben for creating it!

This really nailed the Big Finale assignment. Stakes were insanely high and prices were paid that had my heart actively hurting, but seeing the growth in the characters and their relationships and how they handled what was thrown at them since we met them all in book 1 (and 2) healed it right back up. The way the love triangle resolved into a Why Choose was also surprisingly satisfying (I normally don't vibe with Why Choose). Basically, if you've enjoyed the series up til now, you will not be disappointed with how Ben Alderson wrapped it up!

Rating: 4.5/5

Tropes:
-Fey
-Why Choose (MMM)
-Demonic possession
-Monsters
-Political intrigue
-Epic finale stakes
-Found family

Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced copy.

After book three's epic cliffhanger, I was dying to know what happened next! Thank you to Ben, Angry Robot and NetGalley for the review copy!

A Game of Monsters is a beautiful example of ending a series. It ties up all the loose ends while adding to the story as a whole. The truth behind Duwar is revealed, we learn more about the Nephilim, and gain even more insight into the history behind everything.

I loved learning more about the world and its characters, as well as discovering jaw-dropping secrets. The characters grew and evolved in this book, and I loved every second of it. The twists and reveals were all exceptionally well-timed and well-written. And we finally find out whether Robin chooses Duncan or Erix 😉

I'm so sad that this story is over, but it ended in such a fantastic way! I can't wait to read more from Ben in the future. This entire series was amazing, and I loved each book more than the last. If you like MM fantasy with elemental magic and a why-choose romance, this one is definitely worth checking out!

This is totally A Court of Thorns and Roses, but make them gay men. The conclusion you have been patiently waiting for. On the heels of already lush world building and dynamic composition of characters, this one really brings home the angst. With the aid of his ex-lover, the MMC goes on a quest to save his true love and band his allies together to prevent an all-out war. The tension! It is a beautiful answer to the question – what would you do if the love of your life is taken away from you?

Throughout the quest, our MMC embarks upon a true-life journey of made family and learning what truly matters. The spicy scenes are smutty but true to the romantic aspect of the story.

The conclusion to this series somewhat satisfying. I had to reread a few recaps as it had been a while I had read the previous books.
The beginning of the book was slightly difficult to get in, but it started to pick up the pace and I was curious on how certain things would solve themselves.
There is a fair amount of growth found here. The only issue I had was some plot feeling rushed especially when you can predict they outcomes. That being said, it still kept me reading as I personally enjoy Alderson's prose. The love scenes aren't too farfetched or over the top which is still a nice surprise in a romantasy. (Still not a fan of the chosen one trope, but if you can keep me reading and enjoying, you've won already.)

This is one author I am looking forward to have new work in the future to read from.

Thank for NetGalley to allowing me to read an ARC copy.

While the novel is rich in action and fantasy elements, it’s the emotional resonance that leaves a lasting impact. Alderson doesn’t hesitate to challenge his characters—and readers—with heart-wrenching decisions and unforeseen twists. The conclusion is both satisfying and poignant, providing closure while acknowledging the sacrifices made along the journey.

Ben Alderson’s A Game of Monsters is an epic, emotionally charged fantasy that fuses high-stakes adventure with deeply personal dilemmas, all wrapped in a richly magical world teetering on the edge of celestial war. In this sweeping continuation of Robin Icethorn’s journey, Alderson explores love, loyalty, and the weight of power in a realm where gods play games with mortal hearts.

Robin, once a reluctant hero, now finds himself the only one aware of the looming threat: his beloved Duncan, possessed by the demon god Duwar, is a ticking time bomb beneath the fragile peace newly established. With the unexpected reappearance of Erix—Robin’s former flame—the emotional tension ramps up, complicating a quest already fraught with danger and divine manipulation.

Alderson shines in crafting morally complex characters. Robin’s devotion to Duncan is both heartbreaking and noble, and his conflicted feelings for Erix add a compelling layer of vulnerability and introspection. The dynamic between the three isn’t a love triangle in the traditional sense, but rather a nuanced exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the question of whether one can ever truly go back.

The worldbuilding is immersive and expansive, drawing on mythological elements and celestial hierarchies that make the stakes feel truly epic. From the haunting presence of the Nephilim to the manipulative whims of the gods, A Game of Monsters captures that perfect balance between grand fantasy and intimate character study.

Alderson’s prose is lyrical yet propulsive, moving readers swiftly through battles, betrayals, and moments of tender reckoning. While the plot twists keep the momentum high, it’s the emotional core—Robin’s determination to save Duncan, even at the cost of his own peace—that anchors the narrative and gives it soul.

A Game of Monsters is an emotionally charged and satisfying finale to the Realm of Fey series, bringing Robin Icethorn’s journey full circle with heartache, sacrifice, and celestial stakes. The story masterfully balances epic battles and intimate emotional turmoil, especially as Robin navigates the pain of Duncan’s possession and the complicated reemergence of Erix. Ben Alderson deepens the lore and politics of the realms while keeping the focus on Robin’s struggle to reconcile love, duty, and the burden of fate. While some plot twists feel slightly rushed, the high tension, romantic complexity, and bittersweet resolution make this a worthy and gripping conclusion to the series.

very good ending of the series. Again full of twist and turns. It keeps you guessing what's gonna happen next. Keep saying since we got this know him. But Duncan is my boy. Love him so much.

Very excited to read more of this author's books.

A Game of Monsters by Ben Alderson is a gripping, blood-soaked fantasy that blends deadly trials, dark magic, and slow-burn romance into a fast-paced, emotionally charged tale. Set in a world where survival depends on cunning and courage, this book leans into morally gray choices and high stakes with style.

The protagonist is fierce and vulnerable in equal measure—a survivor hardened by pain, yet still reaching for connection and hope. Alderson’s writing is vivid and visceral, with just the right touch of angst and atmosphere. The deadly competition at the heart of the plot is well-executed, keeping the tension high without losing sight of character development.

Some of the twists were a little predictable, and a few side characters could’ve used more depth, but the emotional payoff—and the beautifully queer love story woven through the danger—made this a standout read.

Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games meets The Witcher, but gayer and more emotionally devastating. I’ll definitely be reading the next one.

From the very first page, this book had me by the throat. If you love morally gray characters, and high-stakes games where losing means death then this is the book for you! Trauma coded from page one Roth really has been through it and there is a suprisingly fiece but beautiful dynamic within the character and how he interacts with others in the book. While I didn't read the others in the series the book itself offered enough context and clues to help me put together what I was missing. I really enjoyed it and will be going back to fill in the blanks! Thank you netgally for letting me review a copy of this book!

An amazing ending to a n action packed but finely crafted story. After the cliffhanger from book 3 I was terrified of what would happen in the conclusion!

Robin is still trying to convince the rest of the world that danger is looming but it's almost like he's speaking into the void! The action comes thick and fast and the story moves at a fair clip.
The locations change throughout the story, showing how his allies and foes are faring in other parts of the world. Once again the fear is very real cos I love some of these characters hard and I just knew some weren't going to make it to the end.

The love between Robin and his two great loves - Erix and Duncan, was a magnificent triumph. I've gone from cheering R & E, to R & D and now it's a R D E lovefest! This changed the dynamics of the plot so much and I really enjoyed the way the story matured into a mm Why Choose.

There are only a few spicy scenes throughout the book and they fit so well, they just intensify emotions without getting in the way of the plot. Althea, Gyah and Co are still some of my favourite secondary characters and I'm actually quite sad to leave them behind now.

Magic, politics, demons, monsters, epic adventure and an intense MM/MMM love for the ages!

Robin Icethorn cannot control everything, even though he so desperately wants to - no, needs to. This final installment of the Realm of the Fey series is a whirlwind of a why-choose. Following the events in A Deception of Courts, Robin is trying to save his friends, his kingdom, and the two men he loves most in the world. Unraveled his plans may be. He has nowhere to go but up, but so do the people around him. Have their plans unraveled? or have they just started now that Robin needs them the most?

I have always enjoyed The Realm of the Fey series, and I am so happy to see that Robin is fighting for himself and his people now more than ever. I love that Erix is back, even more now that he's challenged with the task of winning Robin back from Duncan. I love the pacing of this book as well. It truly felt like the finale of a wonderful series put to bed. The fight scenes, however somewhat tedious, are necessary to reflect the gore and the pain it takes for the kingdom to come to a win or lose against the gods.

I highly recommend not only this book but the entire Realm of the Fey series, whether you're in it for the romance, smut, or action. This series has it all! Especially - A Game of Monsters.

What to expect:

- Good ole MMM smut
- Why choose? I wouldn't...
- Fantasy Action fueled by Fey powers and Muscle born daddies

I will admit, I have a really terrible habit of just jumping into a series out of order. Sometimes I will read a particularly interesting synopsis and I can’t help myself. Such is the case with this book. A Game of Monsters is book four in Ben Alderson’s Realm of Fey series. While I have read some of Alderson’s previous works, and I would consider myself a fan of his, this particular series is not one I have picked up before—so why not just cold start my way into it?
First and foremost, I will say that while you can absolutely read this book on its own, or start with it as I have, I am near positive that the experience of reading it is likely enhanced by reading the previous three books. The novel itself gives just enough backstory and context clues for the events of the plot and the world building to make sense, but a thing I have noticed about Alderson’s writing in general, is that he excels at developing extremely engaging and believable characters and character relationships. As such, while you don’t necessarily need to know what happened in the previous books, you will likely want to because you will want to spend more time with Robin, the protagonist of the series, as well as some of the other recurring characters.
I am hesitant to say too much about the narrative of this book, because I am concerned it would spoil something, however I do appreciate that A Game of Monsters is a story about what comes after—what happens behind the scenes after the kingdom is saved.
Personally, I really enjoyed this story and I would certainly recommend it, but I would advise doing the smart thing and starting with book one, A Betrayal of Storms, without reading the synopsis for any of the other books in the series, as they do contain spoilers. Now that I have finished A Game of Monsters, I do plan on rereading it after exploring the rest of the series in order.

As the dust settles in the new era Robin is the only one that knows the truth of what exactly happened. Duncan has become the host of a powerful demon god named Duwar. If anyone finds out everything they have worked for will fall apart. He embarks on a journey to save the one he loves and learns that things are not what they seem.

A good conclusion to the series. Everything wrapped up really well and felt like everyone got an ending and not just the main characters. The action was really good, once it started it did not stop. Robin is willing to do anything for the ones he loves and he really does show that.

I tend to love most books Ben writes, so I was very excited to get to read this final installment in the Realm of Fey series. This book was non-stop action, but the characters were still lush and well-developed. I was surprised by how things wrapped up, but it was satisfying to see how things ended for Robin and crew. This book has everything!

I just finished A Game of Monsters, and I’m still sitting with all the emotions it stirred up. As the final book in the Realm of Fey series, it delivered on almost everything I hoped for—and left me feeling both satisfied and a little heartbroken (in the best way).

What stood out most for me was the deepening relationship between Robin and Duncan. Their bond has always been the emotional heart of the series, but here, with Duncan being consumed by Duwar, things felt more intense and fragile. Watching Robin try to hold onto love while the world around him threatens to crumble was genuinely moving. I also really appreciated how Alderson gave more space to Robin’s personal growth and his role as king. He’s grown so much since book one.

The pacing was a bit uneven in the middle—some of the political maneuvering dragged for me—but the final third more than made up for it. The twists were bold, and I was surprised by how Alderson explored the theme of monsters: not just the physical kind, but the emotional and moral ones we carry inside. There were moments I had to pause just to sit with a line or a scene that hit a little too close to home.

This series has always felt like a love letter to queer readers who grew up wanting magic, danger, and romance in their fantasy. And in A Game of Monsters, Alderson really leaned into that promise. It’s raw, emotional, and beautifully messy.

If you’ve followed Robin’s journey this far, this book is absolutely worth the ride.