Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Slavery, Violence, Death, Generational trauma, Racism/bigotry
Heart's Gambit
by J.D. Myall
Book 1 in Heart's Gambit
Time-traveling Black families, a magical duel to the death, and two competitors who absolutely should not be falling in love. If you love star-crossed lovers and want fresh fantasy romance led by a Black author, this debut is the one to grab.
goodreads 3.65/5 264 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length326 pages
Series statusOngoing series
Spice1/5 · Sweet / tender
PacingMedium
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Enemies to lovers
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- Slow burn
- Low
- Sweet / tender
- The swoon
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- Scholar/intellectual
- Rivals to lovers
- Tension / anticipation
- Tension finally satisfied
- Morally gray
- Forbidden love
- Longing glances
- Earned hope
- Reluctant hero
- Love/hate tension
- Slow burn with late spice
- Perspective shift
- Star-crossed
- Tension
- Mutual pining
- Anticipation
- Academic rivals
- Ear whispers / breath on neck
- First time/virgin romance
Fantasy promise
- Ya fantasy
- Competition / games
- High fantasy
- Witches/wizards/warlocks
- Manor house / estate
- Alternate history
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- Low fantasy / secret magic
- Secret relationship
- Fairytale retelling
- Magic bond
- Competition romance
- Games/trials romance
- Star-crossed lovers
- Time travel romance
Reading experience
- Dual POV
- Medium
- Magical
- Lyrical
- Moderate
- Witch/mage
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- Black MC
- Romantic
- Warm
- General badass
- Black love interest (LI)
- Yearning
- Earnest
- BIPOC MC
- Atmospheric
- BIPOC love interest (LI)
- Dramatic
- Lush
- Dreamy
- Character-driven
- Intense
- Hopeful
- Deadly trials
- Forbidden desire
- Cursed bloodline
- Tournament arc
- The long game
- Bargain with consequences
- Page turner
Similar stories
Similar in ways that matter
Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
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Similar because
Academic rivals · Dreamy · General badass
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The Crown's Game
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Similar because
Star-crossed · Star-crossed lovers · Romantic
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Immortal Consequences
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Similar because
Academic rivals · Reluctant hero · Ya fantasy
Different because
A longer read (512 vs 326 pages).
Book details
- Length
- 326 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book