Scan barcode
writingbugtop's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Blood, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Violence
whut_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Emotional abuse
crustyplush's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Toxic relationship and Murder
frantically's review against another edition
- 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
I love, love, love Helen, Patroclus and Achilles' relationship in this — it's tender, it's years in the making, it's brand new, it's achingly sweet and so fucking hot at times and I devoured all the scenes of them just together.
The plot was interesting enough but I have to say the reactions to who became Ares in the end didn't really make sense for me in the context of the book — it just felt really iffy?? Idk. But let's be real, none of us are here for the plot, okay.
I'm excited to see what's next in the Dark Olympus universe (maybe a bit more plot actually?) and the developments with the 13 are so fun!! I love drama 😈
(Also: have a really toxic and unhealthy crush on Perseus. Send help. Or a book about him)
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Murder, Abandonment, Medical content, Miscarriage, and War
agnesbebon's review
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Death, Murder, Classism, Cursing, Body shaming, Body horror, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Violence
kloughlin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Murder
mypatronusisajedi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Violence, and War
kbairbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Blood, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Classism, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Violence, and War
raiderqueen23's review
- 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
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
- 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
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)
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.