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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
katiew221's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
relaxing
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
3.75
Spicy. Not the best of the series but it’s pretty good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
ehmannky's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A really good installment--we got the overall plot moving forward and the relationships between Eurydice, Charon, and Orpheus unfolded so well. I actually like that Orpheus didn't have to grovel, it felt like a more realistic approach to forgiveness than if groveling had been the whole book. I really liked the sex scenes, though I can see why some people weren't into them. I do think it's funny that Charon and Orpheus kept emphasizing that "oh we can see ourselves falling in love with each other but we're not there yet" as if this whole series isn't full of characters falling in love within 2 weeks.
Also, I think it's so interesting that the further we get from Neon Gods, the less I actually care for Persephone as a character. She's getting on my nerves. But I'm so excited that Hera/Callisto is going to be more prominent in the next book (I want her and Zeus/Perseus's book soooooo badly, it's gonna be so good).
Also, I think it's so interesting that the further we get from Neon Gods, the less I actually care for Persephone as a character. She's getting on my nerves. But I'm so excited that Hera/Callisto is going to be more prominent in the next book (I want her and Zeus/Perseus's book soooooo badly, it's gonna be so good).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Abortion
kaetheluise_nckl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I identify with Orpheus. That’s it. That’s the review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Abortion and Pregnancy
Minor: Medical content and Confinement
descent to the underworld, the whole book is grovel, MMF why choose romance, Eurydice is a switch, fuckboy turned good man, oh shit I came too fast because it feels too good, everyone is queer, paying sexy penance, kinky body paint, shame kink, praise kinkflyingryndeer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Pregnancy
ta2dlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Eurydice finally gets her story told in the Dark Olympus saga. She's fled the upper city of Olympus to nurse her wounds with Charon, Hades' second in command. She's forgotten about Orpheus and ready to move on until Charon goes and invites Oroheus to the lower city, because reasons. In the mean time the secret nemesis behind the assassinations of the 13 is revealed and tries to draw out Hades.
It took me a minute to get into the story because Robert's characters all sound so vapid and similar. The bedroom scenes were kind of spicy but over all this threesome wasn't that memorable or unique.
It took me a minute to get into the story because Robert's characters all sound so vapid and similar. The bedroom scenes were kind of spicy but over all this threesome wasn't that memorable or unique.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual 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
vbaker13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
booksandteatime's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, War, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Blood, and Death