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decklededgess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
trigger warnings: parent death, death, murder/assassination, physical indury, bdsm, bondage, sexual content, alcohol, emotional abuse, sexism
Oh man okay book 4 in the Dark Olympus and the book politics and world building are really ramping up in the best way possible. The events of the books are starting to bleed into each other, the conclusion of one impacting the beginning of the next. I love how the time just between Wicked Beauty (#3) and Radian Sin is about three weeks meaning the events of the trials are fresh. While the characters from Wicket Beauty aren't active participants of this book, their presence is there as we see the political drama unfold in the background of the romance between Cassandra and Apollo. And yes, the romance is still squarely the forefront of the story but the drama adds some delightful spark and mystery to the story.
I loved how the myth of Cassandra was adapted for this story. It's not adhering to the original myth of her becoming a clairvoyant whom no one believes but aspects of that story are relevant to the plot. No more on that because if you're familiar, you'll definitely be able to figure out the story. Other characters like Minos, Theseus, the Minotar, Ariadne, and more are part of the story in some minor capacity which makes for a fascinating concoction. Most of the characters are lined up in future books meaning their stories get more prominence there but it was cool to see how the seeds of those upcoming stories were planted not only in this book but back in the first book as well.
Yes these books are primarily smut and romance, a delicate balance that makes the romantic erotica subgenre, but the incredibly well thought out and planned world building and greater series plot makes this series INCREDIBLE. Can't wait for the rest of these books.
Oh man okay book 4 in the Dark Olympus and the book politics and world building are really ramping up in the best way possible. The events of the books are starting to bleed into each other, the conclusion of one impacting the beginning of the next. I love how the time just between Wicked Beauty (#3) and Radian Sin is about three weeks meaning the events of the trials are fresh. While the characters from Wicket Beauty aren't active participants of this book, their presence is there as we see the political drama unfold in the background of the romance between Cassandra and Apollo. And yes, the romance is still squarely the forefront of the story but the drama adds some delightful spark and mystery to the story.
I loved how the myth of Cassandra was adapted for this story. It's not adhering to the original myth of her becoming a clairvoyant whom no one believes but aspects of that story are relevant to the plot. No more on that because if you're familiar, you'll definitely be able to figure out the story. Other characters like Minos, Theseus, the Minotar, Ariadne, and more are part of the story in some minor capacity which makes for a fascinating concoction. Most of the characters are lined up in future books meaning their stories get more prominence there but it was cool to see how the seeds of those upcoming stories were planted not only in this book but back in the first book as well.
Yes these books are primarily smut and romance, a delicate balance that makes the romantic erotica subgenre, but the incredibly well thought out and planned world building and greater series plot makes this series INCREDIBLE. Can't wait for the rest of these books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Grief, Sexual content, Murder, Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Violence
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