Scan barcode
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
bbykeen47's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
4.25
Very much a fast paced book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Violence
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
More...