This would have been an automatic 5 star review because I was so happy to FINALLY get this couple's story, and I think most other readers who've hung in there for this long will be too, but while I loved their dynamic and what we got to see of their relationship, I felt like their story in this book was like an act shorter than it needed to be for what should have been a more climactic resolution for them. I also feel like perhaps I should have waited to read this and the final book together, because it ends on kind of a weak cliffhanger--like Perseus and Callisto have admitted they're in love but then it's like "and now we all head into the final battle", and that's it--which was unsatisfying, because it didn't give us enough to be more satisfying in terms of their romance in *this* book AND it didn't give us the drama of a serious true cliffhanger. Like, if they're going to realize they're in love and quite possibly about to die, then show us that on the page and leave us there with all their desperation and hope and yearning and angst! Or again, give us a real third act with either more time spent on relationship resolution or better plot (or preferably both). But either way, choosing one of those options would make for better drama than trying to have it both ways when plot constraints mean a more traditional HEA/HFN ending is off the table. (In that regard I actually thought the previous book ended better, because Icarus leaves and he and Poseidon end the book apart for the time being, but their romance feels more resolved and at least there was a better action climax to the book... whereas plot-wise this book was too much set-up for the next book and weaker for it.)

Also while I'm on the subject, all of our protagonists being less ineffectual in terms of the plot would have been good too, and yes, I'm including the Hermes interludes in this. Admittedly I wasn't expecting as much from Perseus as from Callisto here just based on previous books, but then Callisto, who's supposed to be so sharp and cynical, just takes Circe at her word and lets her manipulate her for half the book without thinking "maybe I should share this relevant information with the people potentially most affected by it"? I think Hades even says something like this almost word for word at one point so I was like oh good, I'm not the only one who noticed! The author could and should at least have given Callisto some better plot-based reasons for this, like for example something as simple as establishing that everything except in-person communications had truly been compromised, but doesn't bother.

But all of the above notwithstanding, I still really enjoyed this penultimate installment and am seated for the final chapter of the Dark Olympus saga!

That was ... not worth the wait.

Unpopular opinion, but the overarching plot of this series should never have been introduced and these books should have all remained companion standalones. Nine books in, there are just too many characters and way too many things going on that there was barely any time for Callisto and Perseus to have any actual development in their characters or relationship. They were too busy dealing with 15 other things that weren't very interesting. And that was so disappointing to me. I actually stopped reading this series after book 6 because it got so tedious, but I waited and waited for Zeus and Hera like everyone else because those little glimpses of them were so tantalizing. Thankfully there was a solid recap so I didn't have any trouble figuring out what happened in the two books I skipped, but it doesn't really matter when there was so little for me to really sink my teeth into here. Those glimpses in previous books had more heat than this book did. Even the steamy scenes were kind of boring and bland, which I did not expect from this author. Their story didn't even feel finished!

I honestly don't know if I'll finish this series. There appears to be one left but this disappointment has left me not caring to know anymore.

2.5 rounded up to 3

Tender Cruelty is the book we’ve all been waiting for! The wait for Zeus and Hera was long (and honestly a little rude), but absolutely worth it. With the series edging closer to its finale, I’m thrilled to see how everything is coming together. Zeus and Hera’s story feels especially powerful because of the buildup in the earlier books—you really need that context to appreciate where their journey begins and where it ends here. I can’t wait to dive into the next one!

If you love hate sex, this is the book for you. Truly was unclear if Hera and Zeus would ever move beyond that stage of things, which is delicious as a spin on the enemies-to-lovers trope. But another great installment, and neatly (but not too neatly) bringing all the characters from the series back into play and into the resolution. Robert just always hits.

Title: Tender Cruelty
Author: Katee Robert
Series: Dark Olympus #9

What to expect:
*Greek Gods retelling
*Enemies-to-Lovers
*Traitorous family members

Pros:
The story of Zeus and Hera did not disappoint!! A true enemies to lovers storyline from Katee Robert, the story we have all been waiting for!

Several times in the beginning of the book I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the main characters, they both had so much resentment and hatred towards each other. Thankfully this author never leaves us hanging for long!

It is time for the thirteen to pick a side because Circe is coming for each and every one of them. The final book in this series is going to be epic!

Safety:
No real OW/OM drama, some jealously on both parts. No cheating or third act breakup.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: Hera (FMC) & Zeus (MMC)

Katee Robert does it again—Tender Cruelty is dark, addictive, and impossible to put down. The mix of sharp tension, smoldering chemistry, and emotional depth had me hooked from the start. It’s bold, twisted, and utterly captivating in the way only Robert can deliver.

I am officially dnfing this book series. I have hated books 5 through 9 and so now Im officially done. This series just lost the plot for me and I got so bored and annoyed.

✨Book Review✨

📚 OH MY GOSH. This series has me in an absolute chokehold. I read this book in a single weekend and kept thinking, “KATEE, I need MORE pages before the end of this book.” Katee is a master at unfolding a series arching plotline while still giving expert attention to the subplotline within each book. Zeus and Hera’s story is no exception to this. The tension is so thick you’d need an axe to make any headway… and yet Katee manages to do just that in a believable way. And the overarching plot is gripping. We moved the needle on the ending, but we’ve still got waiting and watching to do.

🌟 Do NOT sleep on the Dark Olympus series. We are ONE book away from a completed series. Shattered Gods is coming out in 2026. Start reading this series now so that you can wait with the rest of us for the epic conclusion. Start with Neon Gods. (If you’re already waiting for Tender Cruelty, which comes out in December, then rest assured, the wait is WORTH it.)

Special shoutout to _ & _ for this advanced reader copy. I cannot express my gratitude enough, I’ll be recommending this series FOREVER, because I want people to yap about it with.

More about: Tender Cruelty, Katee Robert

📖 It’s no surprise that Zeus and Hera have a loveless marriage. Their union was one forged out of necessity: political support for Zeus and protection for Hera and her family. They both agreed to the terms but no love is lost between them; though sex isn’t off the table since Zeus needs an heir. Hera has openly been plotting against Zeus and he’s allowed it. Now that danger (read Circe) is infiltrating the city of Olympus they’ll have to decide who they want to be and how far they’ll go to survive.


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|| Dark Olympus, Dark Romance, Contemporary Olympic Reimagining ||

Stars: 5