If you like this series more for the queer rep and different relationship dynamics then this is a nice instalment to the Dark Olympus series. It also notably has a bit more action than previous books I've read in the series. I didn't much care for the audio because it just didn't click with me. I'm looking forward to more but I honestly will probably forget this by next month.

When we visit Dark Olympus, we have two expectations: really hot sex scenes and a few light references to Greek mythology. This book? We get some weird combination of six figures of Greek mythology (Theseus-Hephaestus-Eris-Aphrodite-Adonis-Pandora) over four characters in the book, a lot of discrete sex scenes, and a ton of "politics." Look, we understand the Aphrodite/Hephaestus pairing, but how do the others get thrown into a relationship? Also, we just don't care about politics in New Olympus or whatever it's supposed to be. We know the original myths and they're way more interesting than whatever we got here.

Basically this one was a letdown :'( ...Here's hoping that MMF Orpheus/Charon/Eurydice can pull this train back on track in a few months.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Bring on the mess! I love a good messy story with all the tropes and a great plot. The spice Katee brings is top notch! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ this can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend that you read the first 4 books in the Dark Olympus series before you read this. All in all a great read. Can’t wait for the next book!

This was a beautifully wild, messy, heart warming story. I honestly don’t know how Katee Robert can make you go from hating characters to loving them in the span of a few pages. The character development is just next level.

Now, I will say I was VERY nervous to read this. The first book I read that had a throuple/poly relationship was Wicked Beauty in the Dark Olympus series. Knowing this book had a 4 person relationship was insane to me. I honestly thought it was going to be a struggle to get through.

But MAN am I glad to say I was wrong!

This book was SO good! Like it was messy in all the best ways. It never really felt like a love triangle (which are the WORST) but rather just a group of people doing whatever they want.

I honestly think this was the spiciest book in the series so far. Our girl did not hold out on the smut. It probably had some of the best scenes in the series so far. There’s one scene that had me like 😦

Anyways, I’m sad I’m caught up on the series because that means I have to wait for the next book but I’m so excited for January!! The politics and romance just keep getting better and better as the series progresses. And knowing the pairings for the next few books, I’m so incredibly ready.

Thank you for Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! This book comes out August 8, 2023 so don’t miss out!

I liked the first few books in this series. But I just feel like at this point this series is getting dragged out. I love Katee Robert. But i don’t think I like this series.

Listen, Katee rules. On numerous occasions, she has managed to make circumstances that I generally do not vibe with entirely understandable. If you gave me a list of tropes featured in this book, with no context, I wouldn't be interested. I straight up hated the Theseus for multiple books and was not enticed by the idea of spending time with him and his romantic life. And yet, Katee Robert pulls off what many writers cannot. I enjoyed all of the narrators but Theseus was my favorite. And the spice is very hot! She can't keep getting away with this...(I mean this facetiously. I am actually dying to read Eurydice/Charon/Orpheus' book.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Source Books for the Arc.

Aphrodite and Hephaestus are locked into a forced marriage. They are set to be a hate to love couple. But they both take an interest in other people, Adonis and Pandora. Their relationship is messy. Yes, there is a lot of spice but I felt like the store line wasn't fully there for me.

This was honestly the first book I have read in the series. There was a lot going on in this book but at the same time I felt like aside from them agreeing to be a couple of four, there really was nothing making me want to continue in the series. I may start with the first book to see if the hype in the first few books is better for me.

This one continues from the last book with all the political drama taking place. I enjoyed this aspect of the plot and how it added a bit of mystery and drama with those higher up in Olympus. This one had tons of spice and great representation of a poly relationship. I sometimes just felt that there was more spice than needed, or just spice for the sake of having spice.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

This is easily my favorite book in this series. Eris, Theseus, Pandora, and Adonis were all a hot mess. BUT they all worked together so well, it really was such an enjoyable ride. Plot wise this felt very much like a bridge book, a lot of set up happened, like the stacking of dominos, but nothing really came of it (Yet). The spice in this was hot. I kinda wish this book were a bit longer so we could get more of the groups dynamic and how they are going to communicate and make everything work in the future. I really wanted to get to know Adonis and Pandora a little more, but that is a small grievance.
All and all this series is fun, I'm super excited to see where the next book takes us.

Another fabulous, spicy mythology retelling by Katee Robert! This book follows Aphrodite and Hephaestus (with a bit of Adonis and Pandora thrown in). Scorchingly spicy - it’s all about jealousy and seduction. Lines get blurred and the consequences for their actions are far reaching in Olympus. Great read!

Katee Robert does it again. I could not put this book down. It's just as gripping and riveting as the rest of the books in the Dark Olympus series. I didn't want it to end.

Another fun Katee Robert book!

This felt like a filler and bridge to the rest of the series, but I enjoyed the ~vibes~!

Thank you to Katee Robert, Netgalley, and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Katee Robert never disappoints. I love all of the Dark Olympus books but this one felt different. I liked the pacing and how it felt like it was a political drama just as much as it was a romance. My only critique was that I wish it was a bit longer so that the story could continue! I can’t wait to read the next book in the Dark Olympus series!

The fifth book in Robert's "Dark Olympus" series, Cruel Seduction brought me right back to why I enjoyed this series in the first place. With enjoy spice and story to keep me hooked, I binged "Cruel Seduction in 2 days. For fans who didn't like the throuple angle of "Wicked Beauty" I implore you to at least try with "Cruel Seduction". The 4 characters are, in my opinion, way more intriguing than Helen and her boys (though they do make a reappearance in this book). My only complaint is that I feel this book's ending was a bit abrupt and knowing that the author tends to only cover the current couple in her titles, I will admit that I wish there was more to the ending since we won't see the detailed dynamic again.

This book was astounding. Forced marriage, enemies to lovers, Polyamory, "my wife".

I loved every second of it and it definitely is in my top 3 of this series so far. I am shook on how Katee Robert has developed this series and the ongoing plot from book to book. I think that this book and Wicker Beauty are one of my favorites because there are SO many things that happen that change the course of the story dramatically. It is just chaos but like a good kind haha!! Katee starts off letting us know that this is messy and they did not like. But this mess, is delightful in every day. The relationships between Eris, Adonis, Theseus, and Pandora are so unique and they work. They all know each other on different levels and have different relationships with each other that intertwine and it works. Can it get messy? Yes i am sure, but they know that and the communication is top tier. It is really beautiful! and it is also SUPER SPICY!!! the spice in this book was just wow amazing. did not disappoint, but Katee never really does. I CANT WAIT FOR THE REST OF THIS SERIES!

Aphrodite will do anything to protect Olympus, even if it means breaking Adonis' heart and marrying the enemy. Theseus will do anything to keep Pandora safe and Minos' plan moving along. What happens when this groups' interests get tied in knots and nowhere is safe?

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. I think it could've been a little longer and slower paced (something I rarely complain about) but overall, wonderfully did enjoy. Eris (much like her siblings) is ruthless and cunning. Pandora: perfect. Adonis: perfect. Theseus had the most growth in this story, the most ability to learn and come back different.

The poly-knot aspect was really interesting but we only got one or two really good scenes to explore that. Otherwise it was all potential murder tension.

Book 5 in the Dark Olympus series has not disappointed…I could not put this down. I was literally reading it on the treadmill at the gym.

Things are really starting to heat up now in Olympus with the politics and the games starting to get JUICY. Cruel Seduction is the story of Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Adonis, and Pandora. Yes, it’s polygamous and yes, it’s glorious because Robert is the #1 at inclusivity and diversity in romance.

I found this to be the book that has finally shifted the series away from just the romance aspect and is now looking at the wider world-building and political turmoil coming to Robert’s Olympus.

Whilst undoubtedly 🔥, what sets the book apart from the others so far is its ability to create even more mystery surrounding Minos’ plans, who his mystery benefactor is, and also the insight into their family dynamics.

Having chapters from Theseus’ point of view was also a delight and dare I say he might be one of my new favourites? 👀

Thank you to Casablanca, and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In "Cruel Seduction," Katee Robert weaves a gripping and sinister love affair that will leave readers breathless. The story introduces us to a compelling protagonist whose complexities make her an intriguing and relatable character. Set amidst an intoxicating blend of passion and danger, the chemistry between the main characters crackles with tension, keeping readers engrossed as they navigate through a web of deception and desire. Robert's writing style is spellbinding, and her skill in creating characters with hidden depths adds richness to the narrative. As secrets unfold and betrayals emerge, the story takes unexpected turns, leaving readers eager to uncover the truth until the heart-stopping climax. With its masterful blend of romance and intrigue, "Cruel Seduction" is a must-read for fans of steamy and suspenseful tales.

I've read and enjoyed Katee's entire Olympus series so I was really excited for this one. Unfortunately, I was relatively disappointed.

I think because of how ambitious the story/relationship dynamic was there was simply too much going on and therefore too little when it came to the relationships themselves. This open knot poly relationship could have worked well but we would have needed way more time and depth with each dynamic.

The pairings also were moving way too fast in my opinion. Eris and Adonis made sense – they'd loved each other for years – but the others were just really going from 0-100 in like 2 chapters. Plus, with the underlying plot going on sometimes there was information I didn't care about/need that made things feel like they were droning on.

Overall, I appreciated the representation and loved the idea, but the execution unfortunately just didn't work. I did enjoy it enough to finish, however, and will continue this series as Katee drops new additions.

Cruel Seduction took me a little while to get into. After reading the other books in the Dark Olympus series, this kind of felt like a slow build in the beginning.

When it did pick up though, it was a heck of a ride and I couldn’t put it down! The stacks are at an all time high and the twists at the end really surprised me. And I’m a hard person to surprise!

All in all, Robert really gave us some messy characters that we could fall in love with and made me beg for the next book.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this amazing installment!