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caramiaculpa's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Abortion
Minor: Torture
frantically's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Fun addition to the series!
I'm impressed by how Robert managed to redeem Eurydice and Orpheus' relationship – never would've imagined I'd like them together again. This is a poly relationship with Charon, too, but Charon and Eurydice only start dating at the beginning of the book as well which makes it all a bit too unstable for me, there's a lack of foundation with Charon and Eurydice's relationship which makes it hard to believe that they're the stable couple here, the couple Orpheus yearns to be a part of. This was probably done to not copy the Patroclus x Achilles x Helen relationship but I don't think I would've minded a repeat of that! The latter seemed a lot more natural imo.
I've not been quiet about the fact that I'm primarily here for the romance, not for the politics. I still don't think it was necessary to turn a series that started as "Modern!Hades has a sex club lol" into "Here are the intricate politics and diplomacy involved in trying to run a Modern!Olympus". I love scheming just as much as the next person but please Katee, this isn't ASOIAF. All that to say, I've had my suspicions on who the Big Bad was for some time now and I'm both elated at the reveal and a bit disappointed that this is the route we're going for when this is supposed to be this great feminist retelling. Hope that resonates with someone and I'm not alone!
Loved seeing more of Hades and Persephone again, they remain the best couple in this series for me (with the best book as well) and it's great to see how Persephone's grown into her role as Hades' partner. With Charon as an MC we really return back to Hades' realm and it felt like coming back to my favourite dysfunctional home.
As much as the pet play was advertised for this book, it didn't play that much of a part! Didn't think I'd be into it (and I'm still not really lol) but it was fun and even if the actual play didn't have that many scenes there were loads of dog puns that I chuckled at.
Like other reviewers have said, I'm too far in to stop now – let's see how Roberts manages to fit BDSM into a more and more complex political story next...
I'm impressed by how Robert managed to redeem Eurydice and Orpheus' relationship – never would've imagined I'd like them together again. This is a poly relationship with Charon, too, but Charon and Eurydice only start dating at the beginning of the book as well which makes it all a bit too unstable for me, there's a lack of foundation with Charon and Eurydice's relationship which makes it hard to believe that they're the stable couple here, the couple Orpheus yearns to be a part of. This was probably done to not copy the Patroclus x Achilles x Helen relationship but I don't think I would've minded a repeat of that! The latter seemed a lot more natural imo.
I've not been quiet about the fact that I'm primarily here for the romance, not for the politics. I still don't think it was necessary to turn a series that started as "Modern!Hades has a sex club lol" into "Here are the intricate politics and diplomacy involved in trying to run a Modern!Olympus". I love scheming just as much as the next person but please Katee, this isn't ASOIAF. All that to say, I've had my suspicions on who the Big Bad was for some time now and I'm both elated at the reveal and a bit disappointed that this is the route we're going for when this is supposed to be this great feminist retelling. Hope that resonates with someone and I'm not alone!
Loved seeing more of Hades and Persephone again, they remain the best couple in this series for me (with the best book as well) and it's great to see how Persephone's grown into her role as Hades' partner. With Charon as an MC we really return back to Hades' realm and it felt like coming back to my favourite dysfunctional home.
As much as the pet play was advertised for this book, it didn't play that much of a part! Didn't think I'd be into it (and I'm still not really lol) but it was fun and even if the actual play didn't have that many scenes there were loads of dog puns that I chuckled at.
Like other reviewers have said, I'm too far in to stop now – let's see how Roberts manages to fit BDSM into a more and more complex political story next...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Toxic relationship, Gun violence, War, Death, and Medical content
ka_ke's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: War, Classism, Gore, Grief, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
singingshooter's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: War, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Gun violence
dearhaleynicole's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
'Midnight Ruin" honestly was such a fantastic, spicy read! I went in not realizing what the relationship dynamic for this one was and was honestly very happily surprised with it. I have recently read a few other poly, MMF relationship stories and absolutely loved reading this relationship dynamic represented on the page in such a healthy way. It felt so natural to see the way our three MCs were drawn to each other, too. Oooh and the kink play was well done! Love the way Katee writes kink in books in such a safe, approachable way.
I will say... this is only the second book in the Dark Olympus series that I've read thus far (I know, I've gotta catch up!!) But it has officially converted me and I will now be reading the entire lot of them (past and future books to come). The other book in the series I had read prior to this one was "Neon Gods," so this was actually in so many ways the perfect follow up read for me since I had already met Eurydice, Orpheus and Charon as characters in that book. Of course, I missed a good year of the overarching political plot, so it's harder for me to comment on how well the plot progressed in comparison to other books in the series. However, I will say that it didn't significantly affect my reading experience to have not read the four books in between so it was a solid stand-alone read for me in most ways.
I also have to shoutout the audiobook narrators, Zara Hampton-Brown & Alex Moorcock, because I think they did a FANTASTIC job! I'm grateful to have received this book in this format because that's how I read "Neon Gods" originally, as well. I was happily surprised to hear familiar voices for this book too, but was also impressed that the VAs did such a commendable job with changing the the characters voices from Hades/Persephone to Orpheus/Charon/Eurydice. Each felt distinct with their own flair and personality shown through.
Overall, had a great time reading this installment in the Dark Olympus series! Can't wait to back and catch up on the other books already currently out in the series, as well as future books from Katee.
I will say... this is only the second book in the Dark Olympus series that I've read thus far (I know, I've gotta catch up!!) But it has officially converted me and I will now be reading the entire lot of them (past and future books to come). The other book in the series I had read prior to this one was "Neon Gods," so this was actually in so many ways the perfect follow up read for me since I had already met Eurydice, Orpheus and Charon as characters in that book. Of course, I missed a good year of the overarching political plot, so it's harder for me to comment on how well the plot progressed in comparison to other books in the series. However, I will say that it didn't significantly affect my reading experience to have not read the four books in between so it was a solid stand-alone read for me in most ways.
I also have to shoutout the audiobook narrators, Zara Hampton-Brown & Alex Moorcock, because I think they did a FANTASTIC job! I'm grateful to have received this book in this format because that's how I read "Neon Gods" originally, as well. I was happily surprised to hear familiar voices for this book too, but was also impressed that the VAs did such a commendable job with changing the the characters voices from Hades/Persephone to Orpheus/Charon/Eurydice. Each felt distinct with their own flair and personality shown through.
Overall, had a great time reading this installment in the Dark Olympus series! Can't wait to back and catch up on the other books already currently out in the series, as well as future books from Katee.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Abortion, and Toxic relationship
bangiebangs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5*
Spice: 5/5
I was extremely excited to read this book – huge expectations, and it did not disappoint. I think this hit the perfect balance between spice and the intricate politics of the larger arc, the threat to Olympus from outside, brought closer by Minos and his entourage.
The TL;DR is this: This book is PAINFULLY spicy, and it is full of political intrigue and a little heartbreak. It will keep you both on the edge of your seat or sighing softly as you relax back into the pillows. It’s a fantastic mix of politics and personal relationships, and features a budding switch, a surprise puppy, and the sexy glue that holds it all together (not THAT kinda glue, get your mind out of the gutter… for now, at least). It is exciting, well paced, really well written, and will leave you wanting more.
This book follows another one of Demeter’s daughters, Eurydice. In previous books we learned that her former lover, Orpheus, had betrayed her to the last Zeus and caused her serious harm in the process. She appeared here and there in the series, and we could see her get a little better: attending Minos’ party with Charon, meeting with Ariadne… and getting a mission from Callisto, the new Hera, that sets Eurydice on the path to carving out a new place in Olympus for herself.
Midnight Ruin finds her in Hades’ club where she regularly spends time. The story picks up where the last book ended, with her trying to set up a meeting with Ariadne. When that falls through, she is approached by Thanatos, breaking one of the rules she is supposed to follow, to watch but not engage. And – as will be the case repeatedly – Charon catches her and things get intense. The process of her learning to trust and also be trustworthy is a recurring theme in the book, which is echoed by other characters struggling with (and starting to overcome) their insecurities and metaphorical demons. Healing is very sexy indeed.
The book circles through more spicy and more political chapters as relationships form and change, and political events speed up. Charon is the fuel to Eurydice’s personal relationships and turns out to not only be a reliable and loyal friend, but a selfless lover in all possible ways. Without spoiling the story, we get to see Orpheus returning into her life and finding a space that makes the lives of all involved better. On Charon’s side, we can see him struggling with the baggage that this constellation brings and we get to enjoy the resolution that brings him a surprising new love. And finally, redemption for Orpheus – and he has to work for it (he loves it, and so do we)!
All in all, the dynamic between the three is so well done and was such a delight to read! Inventive, devious, surprising! I don’t often have such strong physical reactions to books, but suffice it to say that not only did this make me squeal with joy and giddiness but I’m pretty sure I left puddles on my seat because when I say that the spice was SPICY AF… it was ridiculously hot and tickled my brain in the most intriguing and devastating way.
Politics is pretty seamlessly woven into the story, and there is more of it in this than previous installments: the unrest after Hephaestus’ murder and the publication of the assassination clause has been growing. The Thirteen and all legacy families find themselves in increasing danger of being attacked, anytime, anywhere. Everything feels faster and more intense and it’s so well written you can almost feel the claustrophobia and growing feeling of hopelessness as no place remains safe and attacks increase not only increase in number but also hit closer and closer to home. Some things that happen had me gasp and just quietly beg that the worst case was not what was happening… mostly because I fully believe Katee Robert is fearless enough to kill off characters.
They certainly are devious enough to keep us guessing about loyalties and plans within plans. Is Hermes a traitor or not? Where even is she right now? We don’t know. What happens when the barrier finally breaks? Is there still time for diplomacy? We don’t know. Who will survive the larger attacks that are sure to follow? Is there maybe an even bigger villain behind the person who wields Minos and his family? So many questions!
Suffice it to say, I cannot wait for Dark Restraint, which I expect will give us more insight into the goings-on on the side of the attackers (and move everything forward, of course!). The way that future events are teased is another reason you should dive into this series if you haven’t already.
So, to sum up: Go get this book and a good bottle of your favorite beverage and settle in for a good night! Maybe put your phone on silent as well, just saying.
(This review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel with thanks to NetGalley.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death, War, Pregnancy, and Grief
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