First let me say how much I LOVE Katee’s Dark Olympus series!

Dark Restraint is the 7th installment in this series and tells the story of Ariadne and The Minotaur. This book was the darkest in the series thus far and I was living for it! There was lots of spice (as always) but also lots of overarching plot and Olympus politics.

This book wasn’t my favorite in the series but I did thoroughly enjoy it and gave it a 4/5 stars. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book!

Thank you to Sourcebooks, NetGalley and Katee Robert for the arc!

Ariadne Vitalis has betrayed her father and his powerful ally, putting her fate in the hands of the treacherous city of Olympus. The price for her safety? A forced marriage to Dionysus. Despite this arrangement, her heart yearns for another—the dangerous and captivating Minotaur, who has been promised her hand in a different deal. He won’t let her go without a fight. Though her engagement with Dionysus is more amicable than passionate, the intense and forbidden desire she feels for the Minotaur threatens to ignite a fiery chaos. As their dangerous attraction intensifies, Ariadne must decide if she’s willing to watch Olympus burn for a chance at forbidden love.

I did not have being more invested in the politics rather than the romance plot of a Katee Robert book on my bingo board for 2024 and yet here we are.

Dark Restraint takes readers even deeper into the world of Olympus as the cracks we’ve seen in its seemingly impenetrable force field slowly but surely crumble altogether. No one is safe and while powerful if unlikely alliances have been formed, nothing seems to be able to stop the world’s (and politics’) inevitable doom.

Now, shockingly for me, I actually didn’t mind that the political landscape of Olympus is front and center in these later installments. We’ve seen the trend of the romances taking a step back in favour of more intrigue, scandal, and power games and in my eyes, this only adds more depth to this riveting series.

Also, let’s be real, this pairing might just have been the hardest to sell and therefore the amount of politics outweighing the romance felt almost a foregone conclusion. With what the Minotaur represented so far in the series, readers were sure to be stumped once they learned he was going to be paired with Ariadne, who—while fierce and headstrong—also has the whole princess locked away in a tower by her horrendous father vibes going on.

And while I agree that this wasn’t my favourite couple to follow along, I think Robert did a great job with redeeming at least some of the Minotaur’s actions of the past. I have an unspeakable soft spot for “I hate everyone but you” narratives and the Minotaur and Ariadne definitely delivered on that aspect. My favourite part for sure was the way they tried to tread carefully around each other and figuring out just how much they were willing to risk to be together—the Minotaur is basically a personification of the “he fell first and he fell harder” trope and I was here for it. As always with a Robert book, you have the trifecta of passion, steam and twists. And while I’d venture that the tension wasn’t as high as it could have been, the steadfastness of Ariadne and Asterion’s feelings for each other more than made up for it.

One highlight for me in these books is also the way we get to see cameos from other couples and those who will undoubtedly become important chess game pieces in future instalments. My heart and soul belongs to Hermes and while I can’t wait to get my hands on her book, I love how we steadily see her journey in glimpses throughout the entire series so far. Similarly, we’ve got some glimpses of Icarus that already have me itching to get my hands on his book (which is up next). Also, I will never not love seeing Hades in all his glory (can you tell he is still my favourite?) and his devotion to Persephone hits hard, even seven books in. Altogether, the upcoming three final books in the series are sure to entrance us all.

Delving into the darker parts of romance and political shifts, Dark Restraint invites readers to return to a world of high stakes, more deception and delectable romance.

3/5⭐️
3/5🌶️

Dark Restraint continues the political world-building of Greek mythology of Olympus while following Ariadne and the Minotaur/Asterion's forbidden romance. I highly encourage reading or listening to the previous six books in the series and not read this as a stand-alone.

Upon revealing her father's plans to Olympus leaders, Ariadne receives protection from Hera and Aphrodite with a forced marriage to Dionysus. Unbeknownst to everyone, The Minotaur has always loved Ariadne and is FURIOUS upon learning of her engagement. To make matters worse, he is ordered by Ariadne's father, Minos, to kill her. Despite being on "opposite" sides, they give into their attraction and attempt to flee Olympus before Circe's plans come to fruition.

The book focused on the political world-building that helped this series push forward. I loved learning of Circe's plans/execution and the secondary characters (Dionysus, Hermes, & Icarus). Unfortunately, with all the world progression, Ariadne and the Minotaur's romance took a back seat leaving me disappointed and wanting more. The easter egg left regarding Poseidon and Icarus leaves me invested in the series

Tropes:
Dual POV
Greek Myth world/politics
Morally grey MMC
He fell first

Thank you to Katee Robert, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a sucker for this series. I wasn't in love with the couple at the very beginning but Ariadne and Asterion (The Minotaur) really grew on me. I am definitely more invested in the political plot line. It ended on such a cliffhanger! I'm feral. Cannot wait for number 8!!

Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. She’s betrayed her father—and his benefactor—and now she’s left to rely on the questionable mercy of Olympus to keep her safe. As with everything in this city, mercy comes with a price. For Ariadne, that means a marriage to Dionysus. She has no choice but to agree, even if there’s only one man she’s ever wanted—a man she’s feared just as much as she desires.

The Minotaur never had any illusions about Minos’s plans. He was willing to get his hands dirty as long as the old man kept his word—at the end of this, the Minotaur would be given Ariadne as a reward. Nowhere in that deal was her walking down the aisle to a different man. She’s meant for him, and he means to have her.

Ariadne knows better than to encourage the Minotaur. Her relationship with her new fiancé might be more friendship than burning passion, but she is all too aware of how much fiery passion can hurt. She and the Minotaur are no good for each other. She can never forgive him for what he’s done, and he can never change. But when his hands are on her body and his wicked words are whispered in her ear, she might just be willing to let all of Olympus burn…

Kate Roberts has delivered a sizzling, high-stakes romance with Dark Restraint. The tension between Ariadne and the Minotaur is electric, with their forbidden desire simmering just beneath the surface. Roberts excels at building a world where love, betrayal, and power intertwine, creating a story that’s impossible to put down.

The characters are well-developed, with Ariadne’s internal conflict and the Minotaur’s relentless determination adding depth to their dynamic. The setting of Olympus, with its dark and dangerous allure, serves as the perfect backdrop for this intense tale.

Roberts’ writing is both captivating and evocative, drawing readers into the drama and passion of Ariadne’s world. The pacing is impeccable, with each twist and turn keeping you on the edge of your seat. Dark Restraint is a must-read for fans of dark romance, offering a blend of thrilling suspense and steamy romance that will leave you breathless.

Overall, Dark Restraint is a compelling and addictive read. Kate Roberts has crafted a story that will linger in your mind long after the final page. If you’re looking for a romance that’s both intense and beautifully written, this book is an excellent choice.

Ariadne betrayed her father and is now at the mercy of the elite of Olympus. To keep herself in their good graces, she agrees to marry Dionysus. The Minotaur has always known that he and Ariadne belong together, and now he'll do anything to prove it to her, to make her see what he already knows.

Dark Restraint is the seventh book in the Dark Olympus series, so the political intrigue has been building towards the events in this book for a while. Because of this, this is a pretty plot-heavy book, which unfortunately wasn't what I wanted to read right now. The cast of characters is getting to be a lot to balance, and I don't love how the Minotaur acted - I'm not a fan of gratuitous violence, and he isn't afraid to murder anyone for any reason. If you're in this series for the plot as much as the spice and romance, you're going to love this. My library will definitely be purchasing to continue the series, and we'll be recommending it to those who want to complete the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Katee Robert for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

If you're all in on the Dark Olympus series- then there's really no review to write- you're in. You're going to read this book. It's required reading in the series.

I enjoyed this installment in the series. Especially after Cassandra & Apollo's story where we met Minos' "family" -this was another inside look at what Minos' rule had done to his people. The ending perfectly lead us into the next book, Sweet Obsession- featuring Icarus and Poseidon.

I'm not as intensely interested in the political narrative of this series as I think I would need to be for it to be a slam dunk for me, but Robert is obviously smart and daring. Love to see an abortion included in a romance and think that Robert is a trailblazer as far as not assuming gender goes--while a lot of queer-inclusive works will have nonbinary characters, Robert uses they/them pronouns to broadly disavow assuming anyone's gender, down to minor characters. She's miles ahead of the game on that.

e-arc provided by Netgalley

I would say this isn't the best in the series, there was a lot of overarching plot for the ongoing conflict that's connected to the rest of the books in the series although I will say that it felt like we kept going around and around in circles the whole book. I liked the romance even though it didn't feel as prominent in this one.

3⭐️ 3🌶️ 5🎧

I’ve been waiting for Ariadne and the Minotaur’s story for what feels like ages now! I love a good forbidden romance with mutual pining. But I have to say I was a little underwhelmed.

In the previous books the MCs were often treated as pawns by others only for them to find their own power, even if they ultimately abandoned it. This book was interesting in that both Ariadne and Asterion were Midas’ pawns but they had zero desire for power. Only the desire to be together and out from under Midas’ thumb. Ariadne’s just wanted to travel the world with Asterion and read fanfics. He just wanted to be with her.

I feel like I was left hanging when it comes to these two more than any other characters in this series and I can’t decide if I’m disappointed by that or if I even care enough about them to want to know more about their future. This felt a bit like a filler book with filler characters. Very little happened that these two characters were needed for. Yes something massive happened, but in the end it probably could have been accomplished without either of them.

However each book makes me more and more excited for Hermes’ book and Zeus and Hera’s books.

The highlight of this book was the beautiful narration by Zara Hampton-Brown and Alex Moorcock. I love these two so much! Zara brings such sweetness to the FMCs and Alex is amazing at brooding growling MCs. I think I would have been even more disappointed in this story if I hadn’t been listening to their amazing performance.

This is probably the darkest romance so far in this series, but Roberts pulls it off pretty well. I especially enjoyed the extra insights into the personalities of Dionysius and Hermes, and I'm looking forward to the next volume.

Dark Restraint by Katee Robert is part of the Dark Olympus series. The plot of this one was very suspenseful and the scenes with Asterion and Ariadne were spicy indeed. The characters of Hermes and Dionysus were some of my favorites, hopefully we will find out what happened with them in a future installment.

In this seventh volume of the Dark Olympus series, war is on the horizon. Imminent, as Hermes says. With the upper and lower city blocked form one another, it needs to be all together or not at all. Ariadne, after a hasty abortion, agrees to a marriage of convenience with Olympus' most coveted bachelor, Dionysus. Asterion has known his whole life that Ariadne is his and he is hers. If it takes some murder, spying and covert operations to get her to realize that, so be it.

This book managed to balance plot and romance beautifully as the stakes get higher and higher. I wasn't as huge as fan of Asterion to begin with but I appreciate how he treats and loves Ariadne unconditionally. The rising action amongst the plot felt really stunning and it was a delight to follow. This romance wasn't my favorite (not for lack of spicy scenes) but still a wonder to read.

Well paced, action packed and steam filled, Dark Restraint is an excellent step towards the end of this series.

This is another great book in this series. I was a bit hesitant about this pairing when it was first announced. But I ended up loving both of them and their interactions. This whole series is drawing me in and I can't believe that we are nearing the conclusion. I love how each book is a stand alone, but they still weave together an amazing background story! I look forward to more!

4 stars
3 spice

I am just not a fan of where the series has went. I was really looking forward to this couple but it started out rocky and didn't get any better. I miss feeling like the romance was front and center. I don't feel like there was enough character growth to make me believe their love story.

I also don't care for the politics of Olympus anymore. I didn't mind it when it was the undercurrent, but now it just feels like it's beating me over the head. It's hard to want to move on from this series but I think I'm just not connecting anymore.

I enjoyed this book, I wouldn’t say it was my favorite of the series but it was definitely amongst some of the better ones! I think what brings it down is my lack of interest for Minotaur and Ariadne, the stacks are high in their love story but it didn’t have me on the edge of my seat as much as I would of liked because I wasn’t really invested in them! I do however always love Katee’s ability to flesh out a character and never have their main characters (especially male love interests) feel like the same person. They are always write interesting characters and unique voices that I feel can be a struggle with series exploring multiple couples throughout.

Despite my thoughts on the main couple, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of this book and how much we got to see of side characters like them that scheme or are in the background but we haven’t interacted with that much. That was really great to see and I enjoyed specifically Hermes and Hera (and am really looking forward to their respective books!)

The smut was also good in this, they were absolutely ravenous for each other! But it never got to the point where you were bored or felt like it was too much. It was the perfect amount considering their obsessive/more dark romance! I also found it to be very tolerable for myself as I am not as into dark romance but didn’t find that it was distasteful, it was the right amount for someone like me!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

THE PLOT REALLY THICKENS HERE. There's always been an underlying plot of something happening to Olympus, someone from the outside coming to attack them AND IT'S HERE. IT'S HAPPENING!! I was so nervous this entire novel because Ariadne and Asterion were literally FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES TO BE TOGETHER. I'm almost sad that Dionysus didn't have more of a roll in this novel because he really did seem to care for Ariadne in is own way (even if it wasn't romantic). I didn't expect Asterion and Ariadne to leave but I guess it makes sense. I'm just now very worried for Icarus. I always loved reading the OG Icarus myth (even if it's really sad) and I used to imagine that when Icarus fell, Poseidon tried to protect them. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM IN THE ENXT BOOK TOGETHER. But what I'm more excited for is Zeus and Hera which I'm almost positive is book 9!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for granting access.

I have been a fan of the series from the beginning, but I now want to know how it ends. Maybe I top out at 5 books in a series if there's an overarching plot. So I'm torn on where this book falls. I like that the plot advanced! I don't care about Ariadne or The Minotaur. In general, I tend not to enjoy books where the protagonists were antogonists in prior stories. It can work, but even if I think it a good book and story, that is a setup I am unlikelly to love. So the basic structure and existence of this book mean it starts with a couple strikes against it before I start reading.

I did enjoy it and I intend to read the full series. But I will reread Neon Gods and Electric Idol several times before I come back to Dark Restraint.

For completists. And probably those who like "dark" more than I do.

While I absolutely love the Dark Olympus storyline, I will not be leaving a detailed review of this book since I was not able to finish this title. I unfortunately did not love the relationship dynamic of this book.

I wasn’t too excited about this couple BUT I ended up enjoying their insight about Minos, Circe, and the plan to takeover. Especially since Ariadne was hesitant from the beginning and Asterion is only doing this for Ariadne. Not my favorite book from the series but I loved that the action really picked up in this book. We finally get to see more from the overarching plot and finally are getting to the huge conflict.

I am still eagerly waiting for the Zeus and Hera book. And after some crazy things we learn from Hera in this book I need their story asap!