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paigehf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Moderate: Murder, Gaslighting, Blood, and Gun violence
emmaprobasco's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
This was my first fantasy book and I really enjoyed the theme of living in Olympus and having the characters be modern greek mythology but when I was actually reading the book I got a little bored in the middle because there were a lot of “spicy” scenes/chapters. I also feel like most of the book was just leading up to the ending that was only two pages long (if that makes any sense) Even though it was kind of slow in the middle it picked back up again in the end and the ending made me really happy :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Murder, Gun violence, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Death, Violence, Abandonment, Bullying, and Gaslighting
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Well, I liked this second book better than the first. Though I can say a lot of that probably comes down to my own personal preferences for reading types of romance and sex, rather than any major difference in the writing itself.
Persephone’s younger sister, Psyche, is center stage for this book. After a throwaway meet-cute (on her end, anyways) with Eros that is caught on camera and posted on tabloids, Aphrodite’s well-known jealousy comes out and she sends Ero (her son and fixer) to “take care of” Psyche. Instead, he hatches the only plan he can come up with to save her from his mother’s wrath: a fake marriage. Faced with no other options, Psyche says yes. But their ploy takes some major turns with they start to develop real feelings for each other, from sexual pull to the protectiveness born of love, they throw everything on the line to protect each other from Aphrodite’s wrath and cold-hearted parenting and revenge.
I enjoyed seeing the world of Olympus developed more here, with cameos from some first-book-favs (looking at you Hermes), as well as greater development of some other side characters, like Demeter and Aphrodite and the new Zeus. Plus, the overall inter-god/goddess machinations, a central part of Greek mythology, are all strong here.
The romance itself though was much more insular, as the effects of the relationship this time were more intra-family, as opposed to having effects on the whole of the “world” (as Hades and Persephone’s did). This book is hyper-focused on the internal struggles of Psyche and Eros – their transition into the limelight with “non-traditional” beauty and being raised by the cold and emotionally-manipulative Aphrodite, respectively – and how they have to work through those issues, separately and together, to make their connection work. I do love a “he falls first and harder” story, so that was really sweetly done here. And some combo of that type of relationship and their personalities more broadly, but this was just overall a more light/wholesome romance vibe. That being said, the steaminess factor was still high AF, and so good. Not really any kinks here, just more straightforward sex, but well-written and (once we got there) a lot of it.
There are some attempts so far to be inclusive in these romances. Some are less impressive to me, like the bit mentions of previous non-hetero relationships/attractions that feel more like checking a box. And some are more pervasive, like Psyche’s plus-size figure, in this case. Not sure how successful the overall impression is, and I recognize the work.
Very solid second book – quick and sexy and a little bit sweet here – exactly the vacay vibes I needed. And now I’m on the long hold-list for the third book. Cool.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence
jessiereads98's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
3.25
Good, not great, but still worth reading. I really enjoyed the further exploration of Olympus politics which is what brought me back to this series. Eros and Psyche are likeable characters, especially Eros, even if they are a bit straight forward archetypes. Katee Robert’s writing is at times too simplistic and they have a tendency to repeatedly beat points over your head unnecessarily, rather than writing them in a way that feels natural. There’s also some places where there’s excessive or unnecessary detail such as every outfit a character wears, and every single thing they do including the car that gets them from point A to B. Overall, a compelling story with good fat representation that I think could’ve been crafted a bit better. I’ll continue with the series because Robert’s world building and concept of the city of Olympus and it’s politics is fascinating and well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Violence, and Medical content
tiana_king's review
dark
emotional
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
4.5
This instalove I was less on board with in the beginning, compared to the last book, but by the halfway point of the story I was rooting for them. I liked that Psyche was an expert game player compared to Persephone. What world do they live in? Is there magic of some sort? Who the fuck knows lol A thrilling romance with a good enough plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
margaritaflower's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
kbairbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.25
Loved this, ate it up, so good. We have now heard about 2 of the 4 sisters this series revolves around and I’m guessing I know who comes next. Katee is such a brilliant writer and storyteller. I’m so impressed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Bullying, Gun violence, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent and War
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, and Fatphobia
author2223's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Child abuse
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Okay, so Eros is a book boyfriend that would make any woman practically feral. He hits all the spots, murderous, but soft and tender for Psyche. Psyche is pretty badass too. I wish we had gotten to see more of what their lives were like before they found each other, but really there would be no room for that among all the sex. The sex in here is top-notch and copious.
It has been a long time since I felt myself get so invested in the overarching plot of a romance series. Katee clearly has a plan for Olympus and love-matching up the Thirteen. This book did a lot to both move that overarching plot along and make the reader deeply invested in the plot.
It has been a long time since I felt myself get so invested in the overarching plot of a romance series. Katee clearly has a plan for Olympus and love-matching up the Thirteen. This book did a lot to both move that overarching plot along and make the reader deeply invested in the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship