Loved it! I requested this book before I realized that it's technically the third in a series, so I used the opportunity to go back and read the other two before I dove into this one. It is absolutely not for people who don't enjoy some really descriptive sex scenes (that generally have nothing to do with the plot), but that's something I think a lot of readers want more of in their books! I love the twist of setting this series in the world of Mount Olympus, and when recommending them to my friends I'm sure to refer to it as the "sexy gods series." Big fan!

Katee Robert is a GOAT. This is an excellent series. I usually get very tired of the old- let me write a book from everyone's viewpoint- but Katee makes interesting choices as to which character she chooses. Helen was a great choice for this one, and to keep back filling on the story of The Thirteen has kept me interested.

I read Neon Gods at the end of last year and ever since then, I’ve grown to enjoy Katee Roberts as an author. I’ve read some of the Wicked Villains series as well as Neon Gods. Now that I’ve read Wicked Beauty, I can confidently say I loved WB way more than NGs.

I loved all three protagonists equally and how their poly relationship developed throughout the book. I even enjoyed reading about Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship (without the tragedy of course); I also loved their bantering and them acting like an actual couple (again, without the Trojan War looming over them).

However, I had a hard time telling the difference between the two in their respective POVs as their voices sounded extremely similar. On a slightly more positive note, Helen was also a great character and I loved getting to know her more through this retelling. We love reading about a badass female lead.

As for the sex scenes: THEY WERE SO FUCKING HOT!

The chemistry between the three of them was palpable and amazing and I couldn’t get enough of them.

Overall, I very much enjoyed my time reading this book and would highly recommend it. I for sure want to read more books from this series (definitely going to be reading Electric Idol soon).

Thank you to NetGalley, Raincoast and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a sucker for anything Greek god related. Do Katee’s book destroy my soul, yes they do. In a good way. This book was phenomenal as the first 2 in this series. Loved, loved, loved!

I'm not ashamed to admit that I had to google who Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom would play in this. To ground me, you know?

The thing I like about this series is I know exactly what I'm getting into. Apologies in advance if this doesn't match what others think, but for me these are a trashy, guilty pleasure that will be utterly ridiculous, yet I won't have to think too hard about it. They're enjoyable even though they are far from the best romances I've ever read. However, I'm a little disappointed by this one, and a favourite it was not. Not to mention this stepped very far outside of the definition of a retelling.

I am a sucker for books with competitions in them, so basing how the new Ares is chosen around a competition made this a must-read for me. Especially with how much agency it gave Helen, who is offered up as the prize to whoever wins and decides she'll win her own hand in marriage, thank you very much. Achilles was right there beside her in determination to win, and I really wasn't sure how the competition could end well. None of the options seemed like there could be a happy ever after attached to it. But in the end, Robert twisted it in a way that was absolutely the right thing to do, and I was quite happy with how it panned out.

As you've no doubt gleaned, this is indeed a polyamorous romance. Ménage à trois, explicit, and incredibly steamy. Which, honestly, I expect nothing less from this author. I cannot believe I saw a TikTok that said CoHo was the spiciest author they'd ever read when Katee freaking Robert is right there with just as big a backlist. Embarrassing, really. The romance delves into consent, control, submission, and equal participation with grace and tact. I appreciated how all three supported each other in and out of the bedroom, even though they were opponents in the trials themselves. I'm not ashamed to say that all the way through I preferred Patroclus to Achilles. If you're going to put them both in a room, a sweet soft cinnamon roll and a cocky bastard ... I stand firmly by my choice in that conundrum.

What wrecked this for me was how repetitive it is. I think it's part of Robert's style, but it bothered me a lot this time around because of the three POVs. A lot of the same thoughts and emotions are revisited over and over from each character, and it got a bit tiresome and dragged the plot down hard. I zoned out on multiple occasions or swore that I was reading the same chapter again. I also found that the individual POVs weren't very distinct. Being in first person, the voice of a character needs to stand out, but I often forgot whose head we were in until I saw two separate character names and could use the process of elimination. I couldn't quite click in at times.

I need to say that I have no fricking clue what the book cover is supposed to mean lol Two books in this series so far have gotten generic cover art that makes no sense, even after reading the book. Is the apple supposed to be forbidden fruit? If so, how? Because there was exactly zero secrets here that would make it taboo lol

Am I going to keep reading these? Absolutely. Robert seems to be laying down some bigger political dominos that look like they'll topple through the next few books with consequences and I'm looking forward to it.

An interesting version of a long ago tale.
Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

It is not a by the book who does who instead it is a fun sexy read involving Olympus and competiion. The was a good book and kept me entertained. Looking forward to the rest of the book in the series/group. Author is going on my to buy list.

**I received this book free from Netgalley.

I love this Dark Olympus series! A great story line and red hot romance make this a must read! Highly recommended.

I am obsessed with this series by Katee Robert. I mean this was the perfect trio and I could have continued to read about them forever.

This book features a threesome between Achilles, Petroclus, and Helen, as they all vie for the role of Ares.

I've been meaning to check out Robert's Dark Olympus books for a while and I figured why not start with one that sounded utterly brilliant, I do love a competition! Not to mention the poly rep! I don't think I've come across another book with it at all? That and, of course, as we all know...I'm a sucker for mythology, especially Greek!

The first thing I'll say is that despite me not having read the other books in the series, I didn't particularly struggle with getting to grips with the world of the book. I quickly gained an understanding of how it all worked and a curiosity for the stories of the other couples! I thought it was a brilliantly unique take, as was the idea that Ares can only be replaced by who wins this competition given he's the warrior out of them all.

I enjoyed the competition aspect, it kinda reminded me at points of watching Ninja Warrior or something similar but definitely on steroids! I also loved Helen as a character! She was a badass and perfectly capable of taking care of herself and was quite rightfully kind of pissed at her brother offering her as a prize. Hence why she decided to enter for herself though it was pretty obvious right from the start she was going to win.

I couldn't say how accurate of a retelling this is, given that this is actually the one story I'm not all that familiar with other than the Orlando Bloom movie, but it was definitely interesting to put Helen with Achilles and Patroclus.

I'll also say that the writing is pretty easy to read, like it was so easy to sit and binge read this and the spicy scenes were definitely that. If you're looking for massive amounts of spice, one might even say 'porn no plot' AO3 style, then this is for you. I don't mean that as a bad thing either, for the record! This is super spicy and while there is some plot there, it's not the most complicated or deep.

I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't quite so much focus on the competition, much as I did enjoy what we did get to see. It definitely felt secondary to the spicy scenes, as did the entire plot, but then I suppose that's to be expected with this series from what I've heard about it so I couldn't say I was too disappointed.

I adore Katee’s books. In my opinion, she can’t write a bad book. I loved this and the spice is perfect.

I recently met this author at a Con and she was so sweet. I’ve since read maybe 4-5 books of hers and they are definitely ‘escape’ your reality stories. This book is part of series and based on Greek mythology of Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus. It’s definitely dark romance and MMF relationships. What makes her retelling a bit different is character Helen knows she has to fight her way to the top to secure her own future; instead of being a pawn to be married off by Zeus.

I just don't think that this author is for me. I never really like the romances, which is the main part of her books. They never have much chemistry.

This third installment in the Dark Olympus series had me like 🥵

SUMMARY: A spot has opened up in the ruling Olympians’ inner circle. Achilles and his longtime boyfriend Patroclus enter together to secure Achilles a winning spot. Helen is promised as wife to the champion, but she’s no prize to be won and enters the tournament herself. But things get complicated when she starts spending more time with the warrior couple.

Sometimes you can read romance books in a series as standalones; this is not one of those times. The world building itself is a little complicated: The Olympian names from the Greek myths are titles in what seems to be the governing body (and/or syndicate) of this place… there’s an upper and a lower part to this city. But then there’s also ‘elsewhere’?

Look, I’m not totally clear on the details. And these books aren’t here to present the facts. They’re here to present some fun, contemporary romances plus sexy times. If you haven’t read them and are intrigued, they remind me of mafia romances with loose parallels to traditional Greek mythology.

On a Katee Roberts spice meter, they are surprisingly tame, but on a regular book spice meter, they include descriptive sex scenes, so I’d give them between 3 and 4 🔥🔥🔥.

I was trying to rank which of the three I like best, but I think they’re all fun in their own ways. I’m interested in this world, and look forward to reading more about the couples who inhabit it.

Thanks to @netgalley @sourcebookscasa and the author for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Katee Robert books (but especially the Dark Olympus series) are all instant request titles for me. This series does an amazing job at combining intense plot lines filled with political intrigue, and some the the most well-written spicy scenes I've ever read (and I've read a lot of romance). I loved this book.

HOLY GODS! This book, .. ohh, this book. Let's start off by saying, those Greek gods are crazy! Robert takes these characters and places them in their own world but in current times. It was interesting and captivating. The story of the champions fighting to become Ares was the perfect high-tension backdrop needed for Helen, Achilles & Patroclus to find their unexpected connection. What started as a steamy and raunchy romance, no strings attached sexy time, quickly became a beautiful relationship forming. I didn't know I needed this triad in my life but I did. Their overpowering bond and perfect love for each other took me by complete surprise.

If it's one thing Katee Robert knows how to do, it's writing a spicy book! This is the third book in the Dark Olympus series and she has got me trapped! I will say that this is not my favorite in the series, but it was still an overall good book.

This is the 3rd in the Dark Olympus series is a steamy menage that I would classify as romantic erotica. Like the pervious installments the story is based loosely on mythology. This tells the story of Helen, Achilles and Patroclus who are all fighting be be named the new Ares. Ares is never assigned and the person must complete a series of challenges in order to be named Area.

Helen decides that she doesn't want to be the prize for the challenge, she wants to be the winner. So, she enters the contest to decide her own future. Achilles is confident he will win, but does bring along his lover to assist in making it a reality. The games require strategy and athleticism. The premise of this story is excellent and Katee Robert did an excellent job keeping the story interesting, exciting and a little bit wicked. I loved the relationship between the three characters and found the pacing to be perfect.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sexy, fast paced read,

I was provided an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review of the materials.

This is my second book by this author and I cannot say enough good things about it. I love the writing style and how the characters feel so real. This is the kind of book that makes you want to sit down and read it all at once without breaks. It is not always very popular, but I adore stories with multiple points of view, especially when they are as well done as this novel was. I am also a complete softy for all things Achille's so this was a must read for me. I have read many books over the years about him and this book is definitely in my top five. I cannot wait to see what the author brings in the future.