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kb33's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was so good. The HEA was rushed, but I liked the badass heroine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
thaliareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
5.0
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but wow did it exceed whatever expectations I could have set. Such a refreshing take on Helen's story and overall a fun concept. My only complaint is I could have read more and I wish it was longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
The overall premise for this book does involve a physical contest of wit and strength, and therefore people do get hurt and it is graphically described in some cases. This is also a spicy book for those who haven't read the first two. It is very graphic in the descriptions. In addition, Helen does struggle with moving past her childhood where she wasn't explicitly abused physically or emotionally, but she was treated as sub-par and her father did essentially abuse her emotionally. Those who have read the first two books will be aware of the following:justagrlandherdog's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I terms of the series so far this lands right in the middle. I adored Electric Idol but didn’t like Neon Gods. I didn’t hate but didn’t love this one. I liked Helen she was a woman in charge of herself despite others trying to control her. Achilles started out as a total asshole that eventually shifted into a single minded idiot. Patroclus is too nice of a person to be stuck with Achilles. I loved how they understood Helen’s past trauma and respected and helped her heal from it. It was a good book, just not my favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Child abuse
raiderqueen23's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
plumpaperbacks's review
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
[second read, October 2023]
The question I asked going in: exactly how Trionysus-coded is this book?
The answer: EXTREMELY. ❤️🤍🩷
No one else will know what I’m talking about, but that’s okay, because I do and I’m having a grand old time.
That aside, this is definitely one of my favorite Dark Olympus books. The snark, the smut and the story are all top-tier, so as far as I’m concerned, it’s a win.
[first read, August 2022]
I went into this hopeful because I adore Neon Gods, but also tentative because I wasn’t as big a fan of Electric Idol. Katee Robert didn’t disappoint—this was SO GOOD!!! I immediately loved Helen and Patroclus, and (eventually) Achilles grew on me too. I liked seeing the two men as an established couple, and how their dynamic shifted to include Helen, even if their refusal to communicate at first did lowkey drive me up the wall. The three of them had obvious chemistry, and a believable relationship arc that felt well-paced despite the relatively short timespan over which the story took place.
Aside from the initial miscommunication, I don’t think I have any other complaints. This book had an abundance of banter, some action, a couple of surprise plot twists, and much more political turmoil than I was expecting. Everything was well-balanced—the action in particular felt much more consistent in this book, compared to its predecessors—and in general, this was just a delight from cover to cover. I was smiling and cackling and even squealed a couple of times, which, in my humble opinion, means Katee Robert did her job exactly right. We’ve had a few mishaps, but nonetheless, she’s become one of my favorite romance authors. ❤️
Representation:
The question I asked going in: exactly how Trionysus-coded is this book?
The answer: EXTREMELY. ❤️🤍🩷
No one else will know what I’m talking about, but that’s okay, because I do and I’m having a grand old time.
That aside, this is definitely one of my favorite Dark Olympus books. The snark, the smut and the story are all top-tier, so as far as I’m concerned, it’s a win.
[first read, August 2022]
I went into this hopeful because I adore Neon Gods, but also tentative because I wasn’t as big a fan of Electric Idol. Katee Robert didn’t disappoint—this was SO GOOD!!! I immediately loved Helen and Patroclus, and (eventually) Achilles grew on me too. I liked seeing the two men as an established couple, and how their dynamic shifted to include Helen, even if their refusal to communicate at first did lowkey drive me up the wall. The three of them had obvious chemistry, and a believable relationship arc that felt well-paced despite the relatively short timespan over which the story took place.
Aside from the initial miscommunication, I don’t think I have any other complaints. This book had an abundance of banter, some action, a couple of surprise plot twists, and much more political turmoil than I was expecting. Everything was well-balanced—the action in particular felt much more consistent in this book, compared to its predecessors—and in general, this was just a delight from cover to cover. I was smiling and cackling and even squealed a couple of times, which, in my humble opinion, means Katee Robert did her job exactly right. We’ve had a few mishaps, but nonetheless, she’s become one of my favorite romance authors. ❤️
Representation:
- three bisexual protagonists
- MMF main throuple
- multiple queer side characters and side characters of color, with some overlap (includes bisexual, pansexual and asexual rep, as well as a sapphic Black woman and a nonbinary Black person that uses they/them)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Murder
Sex scenes are explicit but always consensual. One protagonist was previously in a toxic, emotionally abusive relationship, and is forced to interact with her ex on-page, though nothing unsavory comes from it. Violence stems from a gladiatorial-style tournament central to the main story, resulting in some blood and various injuries. There are also mentions of one protagonist’s emotionally abusive childhood, and the past, off-page murder of a parent.lupitabaeyongo's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Miscarriage and Child abuse
midnacine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Overall really enjoyed this and the set up for future books at the end, loved the story and characters, but the series is starting to feel a bit formulaic to me. Anyways, still want to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Miscarriage, Abandonment, Bullying, Vomit, and War
shaipanda's review
adventurous
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
4.75
I really really loved this. Idk why I’m surprised cause I also loved pretty much all of the wicked villains series but I wasn’t positive how I’d feel cause I’d heard such mixed things about this series
I haven’t read the first two yet (tho that’s next on my list) but I really really loved these 3
Not quite a 5 star (not sure why exactly) but absolutely loved it and read it so fast lol
I haven’t read the first two yet (tho that’s next on my list) but I really really loved these 3
Not quite a 5 star (not sure why exactly) but absolutely loved it and read it so fast lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Murder, Child abuse, and Miscarriage
ruthlessreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Wicked Beauty is an excellent addition to the Dark Olympus series. Helen is a badass but she also doesn't have anyone she can rely on. So, when she runs into her childhood friend, Patroclus, she's surprised to find that her feelings for him have grown up too. The complication? His arrogant but extremely hot boyfriend, Achilles, is competing for the same title in Olympus as she is: Ares. As these three are thrown into close quarters and must learn how to survive together, we see a polyamorous love that's full of understanding and respect. But who will end up Ares? And will their newfound enjoyment of one another survive the pressure of the Thirteen?
I loved every moment of this book! The trial for Ares was fun and the reader is kept guessing at who will win. There are several excellent contenders! The relationship that develops between Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus was so sweet & incredibly hot. I also loved the overarching plot development that happens after the new Ares is named and can't wait to see what's coming next for Olympus!
I really appreciated the representation of the domestic abuse that Helen suffered at the hands of her ex-bf Paris who did everything he could to tear her down. It was a stark & honest portrayal of emotional abuse and of how an abuser can isolate you before you even realize that it's happened. Seeing Helen open up to her men about this & their kind & understanding response to her was really encouraging.
I loved every moment of this book! The trial for Ares was fun and the reader is kept guessing at who will win. There are several excellent contenders! The relationship that develops between Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus was so sweet & incredibly hot. I also loved the overarching plot development that happens after the new Ares is named and can't wait to see what's coming next for Olympus!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Child abuse and War
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