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sdupont's review
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Another great addition to the Dark Olympus series! I really enjoyed Wicked Beauty. This is has a mix of spice and plot that has you not wanting to put this book down. I loved the alternating POVs between Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus because it really helped you understand each character more deeply and their motivations. I definitely would recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
decklededgess's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
trigger warnings: injury, emotional abuse, murder, toxic relationship, sexual content
I loved this interpretation of the Helen of Troy mythology and it was cool to see the Minotaur and Atalanta's mythologies mixed in there too. The polyamorous relationship between Achilles, Helen, and Patroclus was suuuuuper fun to read and their triad dynamic was hilarious and cute. Achilles is the bane of my existence and I did not like him at ALL but the way the plot handles his nasty little ego issues is beyond perfect so. Vindication etc. Can't wait to see how the world expands with the rest of the books!
I loved this interpretation of the Helen of Troy mythology and it was cool to see the Minotaur and Atalanta's mythologies mixed in there too. The polyamorous relationship between Achilles, Helen, and Patroclus was suuuuuper fun to read and their triad dynamic was hilarious and cute. Achilles is the bane of my existence and I did not like him at ALL but the way the plot handles his nasty little ego issues is beyond perfect so. Vindication etc. Can't wait to see how the world expands with the rest of the books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
marysbookinit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Medical trauma
Minor: Miscarriage
bi_n_large's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Blood, Misogyny, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Murder and Miscarriage
forgottencupoftea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
3.75
I think I liked this one the best, probably for the simple reason that the plot seems to be given more importance. My favourite romances are the ones that have a good plot in addition to good chemistry between the love interests. I will only say that the ending left me a bit unsatisfied, I wish we'd gotten a bit more resolution.
I'd love to know why the author picked Helen as the female character and not Briseis, who looked like the more obvious choice in a mythology retelling involving Achilles and Patroclus. Was it to switch things up? or to emphasize Paris' cowardice? or (simply) to fit her larger narrative?
I'd love to know why the author picked Helen as the female character and not Briseis, who looked like the more obvious choice in a mythology retelling involving Achilles and Patroclus. Was it to switch things up? or to emphasize Paris' cowardice? or (simply) to fit her larger narrative?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
thedevilsivy's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.75
Having read and enjoyed the first two offerings in the Dark Olympus series, it’s not in the least surprising that I thoroughly enjoyed Wicked Beauty. Even the slight change in location can’t detract from the glitz and glory and devious politics of Olympus.
We meet Helen Kasios, a woman on a mission to take back control of her life in the face of Olympian politics. She is beautiful, yes, but she is so much more than a prize to be won, and as she throws her hat into the ring for the fight to become the next Ares she is setting out to prove her worth and find her place among the Thirteen.
Achilles has fought his way up from the bottom, whilst Patroclus’ mothers’ self-exile has branded him an outsider. Together they have become almost unstoppable, and when the position of Ares becomes open it’s finally time for Achilles to ascend to the post.
What follows is the perfect balance of the book’s plot, the wider series plot, and a spicy heap of polyamory, all bound together with effortless representation and inclusivity. It fits in brilliantly with the first two books in the series, with a couple of cameos from those earlier characters. Trope-wise we have a good sprinkling of some of the very best; Enemies-to-lovers, only one bed, prize bride.
If you like romance, mythology retelling, and a good helping of steamy sex scenes then this series is not to be missed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Toxic relationship
katherineguild35's review
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship
ehmannky's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Every story Katee Robert writes feels like a special little treat just for me. I LOVED this book. It's fast-paced, the sex scenes are top-notch, it's super action-y... Gold stars all around.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
marinasslibrary's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
I utterly enjoyed reading this book!
First of all: the representation was soo good! I never read a book that had a character use they/them pronouns. I loved it.
The three main characters had a great dynamic and I loved them together as well as everyone on their own.
The plot would have still worked without spice (which I prefer) but the spice was of course a great bonus!
Don´t even get me started on the spice.. it was +chefs kiss+ 5 stars. Really well written.
Overall I enjoyed the plot as well as the spicy scenes a lot and would definitely recommend the book to every spicy romance reader!
First of all: the representation was soo good! I never read a book that had a character use they/them pronouns. I loved it.
The three main characters had a great dynamic and I loved them together as well as everyone on their own.
The plot would have still worked without spice (which I prefer) but the spice was of course a great bonus!
Don´t even get me started on the spice.. it was +chefs kiss+ 5 stars. Really well written.
Overall I enjoyed the plot as well as the spicy scenes a lot and would definitely recommend the book to every spicy romance reader!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Classism, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
author2223's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders