*SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!*

Strong 4 stars!

For me, this is by far the best of the Dark Olympus books thus far. It had more of the Wicked Villains feel to it than the first two books did, which I liked a lot.

I think there are three reasons that I liked this one SO much more than the first two:

1. There is virtually no world building, this is 100% characters and relationships. It touches on some of the politics from the world, but the whole premise is that Ares has died, so there is a competition for the new Ares. This requires little to no backstory or anything, it's just about the people who are competing for the position. What small bit of other story there was was just to set up the next book, which I'm fine with. And there wasn't a lot of time spent on it, so great.

2. The story of Helen of Troy is the one that I probably know best from these Greek gods myths. I've read The Iliad, I've watched the movies (and not just that garbage one with Brad Pitt), I KNOW this story. I love how it all played out, I love the roles each of the main characters played, as well as the side characters. I LOVE that Paris is a terrible person, because I've always disliked him.

3. This is a super queer story. I'm so happy that KR has written this relationship the way she has, because it's great. And it's not just the main characters, Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus, but it's there throughout the whole book.

I kind of can't get over how different this book felt to the first two. I also really liked that during the sex scenes that everyone was continually checking in, getting and giving enthusiastic consent. I love to see that normalized.

Really enjoyed this one, hoping book 4 brings this same kind of energy!

🔊Song Pairing: Young & Beautiful - Lana Del Ray

💭What I thought would happen:

More steam and high expectations after Neon Gods and Electric Idol

📖What actually happens:

Helen is tired of living under her father and now brother who is Zeus. Ares is dead and someone must take their place. There will be a tournament (as there always has) and Helen goes all Katniss Everdeen and volunteers as tribute for her shot at Ares. The problem? Zeus as offered up Helen as the prized wife for the next Ares…oh hell nah

Helen’s ex Paris is competing, the man who gaslit her until she was nothing but low self esteem. Not unexpected that Achillies, the golden warrior is also shooting his shot, Patroclus along for the ride 😉 The unexpected, that Helen would enjoy Achilles and Patroclus’ company so much…

🗯Thoughts:

In no way was I let down with this third instalment. You don’t have to read the first 2 to enjoy this one but I always highly encourage it!

Helen and the boys was the throuple I needed in my life. It was seasoned to my spicy delight. The men allowed Helen to rise to her prime physical power and they all encouraged and respected each other (eventually).

I don’t think anyone in Olympus will ever be better than my girl Psyche and the stone cold killer that is Eros. 👅

Pretty much the only thing I enjoyed about this was the MFM romance, as I absolutely love queer relationships and think the poly community needs more rep in mainstream fiction! Unfortunately, I just wasn't a fan of any other aspect: it was super plotty compared to Robert's other books, and I just wasn't a fan of the writing style at all. The writing style is super on the nose, with little finesse, which isn't enjoyable for me to read at all, especially given the setting/characters of Greece.

As for the narration, I definitely enjoyed the narrator, and thought they did great jobs at bringing this story to life. While the story was just unfortunately boring to me, I did really enjoy listening to their narration.

Another hot one from Katee Robert. Sign me the fuck up for a hot throuple. Helen/Achilles/Patroclus were great. I’m not sure if I liked this more than I liked Electric Idol or not but I definitely did like it.
I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of plot there is in this book. We are clearly headed towards some kind of war in Olympus or invasion or something. Excited for the rest of the books for all of that. I think she has like 7+ books planned and I will read every single one.
The 🥵🔥🌶 steam and spice is there just like you expect from a KR book. The first scene where all 3 parties were present, well fuck me. Achilles can boss me around anytime he wants to 🤣. I think there are 4 or 5 scenes total? Definitely frequent.
I really loved Helen. She was a bad ass and really just took control of her life. Excellent heroine. She’s my fave of the 3 books so far.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advance copy of this book! Release date is 6/7! I would suggest reading the books in order if possible but they can be read standalone. You will just miss some of the world building and background plot if you read out of order.

I really loved this one. Political intrigue, a gladiator-style tournament, and a forced proximity trope that was just too good.

I loved the subtle nods to the Trojan War while also flipping it completely on its head by matching Helen with Achilles and Patroclus. The three of them fit so well together and their chemistry was fantastic.

Katee Robert has done it again! Can't wait for the next Dark Olympus book!

The narrators were fantastic, as well! They really did well with the story

Third in the series and with a key focus on Helen Kasios sister to Zeus and she’s fighting to be the designer of her own destiny. I was a little worried that this one would follow the same pattern that both Neon God’s and Electric Idol did but this book takes an entirely different path and it is so good.
The title of Ares is open for all applicants and the prize is not only entrance into the thirteen but also Helen’s hand I marriage and she wants none of that. She wants to be a part of the thirteen herself as well as choose who she ends up with…with romance, fighting, and even some more conspiracy one has to keep wondering who will take up the title at the end of the challenges.
Personally, I was hoping to stick with the Dimitriou sisters and get Callisto’s story with Zeus but hopefully that’s coming!!

Review will be posted to @literarylu_ on 5/20

So out of the three books in this series thus far, I think this is my least favorite.

Pros: I think this book has the strongest plot of the three (there actually is one... HA) and obvs the steam was off the charts.

Cons: I just didn't fully buy into this MFM romance and how quickly they all immediately fell for each other.

Overall, definitely an entertaining, quick, and steamy romance, but wanted more from it!

Rating: 3.5 stars

Dare I say it, this has been the best book yet of the Dark Olympus series! A 100 out of 10 for me! It has an amazing, thrilling plot along with some of the hottest spice I’ve ever read.

Helen has decided that it’s time for her to finally end her being a puppet to the 13 and become one of the 13 after her brother, Zeus, offers up her hand in marriage to the winner of the upcoming competition to fill the open spot in the 13. She say fuck that and enters the competition herself! YESSSS women power!

Also competing in the competition is Achilles, a stubborn alpha type and his partner, Patroclus, the smart and thoughtful type. I’m sure you can guess where this is going….
Yep! We’re getting some MMF action!

If you didn’t know my favorite tropes are enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, and badass female MCs and this book has ALL OF THEM! Oh and there’s also forced proximity which always leads to fun things! But the spice definitely doesn’t overshadow the plat as we’ve got a ruthless fight to win the competition, an assassination attempt, and more!

Honestly a stunning read and a great ending! You’d be doing yourself a favor by checking out this new release coming June 7th!

I don’t know how to review or rate this book. I did particularly enjoy it, but its not a retelling. It’s just a story using names and loosely inspired by the myth. If we take that into account and remember its supposed to be a fun Olympus-themed romance.. Its good! I really liked the aspects of this book, the spice/smut/chemistry/competition portions were great. If you want a fun quick read and you like rivals to lovers ,MFM romance, forced proximity and a fun modern greek mythology retelling, this ones for you!

Thanks to netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for goodreads!

First of all, I just found out that this Dark Olympus series is to be SEVEN books long and the fourth one has a title - Radiant Sin ! EEEEEK! I am SO happy!

Katee Robert definitely strikes again with this incredible addition to the series! Wicked Beauty is the retelling of Helen, Achilles and Patroclus and pheeewie, I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT. ALL.

The competition is on for the contestants who must show their strength to claim a spot within the Thirteen rulers. There is only one winner, who will win and claim a spot among the high and powerful ?!

I absolutely loved the storyline in this one! It almost has a hunger games type vibe to it that I wasn't at all expecting! The spice level is off the charts, which I wouldn't expect anything less from this author!

So far this whole series has been incredible so far. Electric Idol still holds my #1 spot, but I did enjoy Wicked Beauty more than Neon Gods! Absolutely cannot wait for Radiant Sin!