By far my favorite Katee Robert book to date! I have been in a major book slump and this baby right here brought me back full force!

I thought Patroclus, Achilles, and Helen complemented one another fantastically. If you think you know Helen, baby you got another thing coming! For me Patroclus balanced these two head strong, stubborn and fierce people out. He is there for both of them and the three of them together were unstoppable.

This is by far such an amazing story and I think everyone needs to grab it asap!!

Rating: 3.5

Wicked Beauty was a decent MMF romance book. It is a modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles and Patroclus. It is the third book in the Dark Olympus series as well, so there are a lot of crossover characters and storylines. So I would just recommend reading the prior books first for more context and backstory.

It is multiple POVs of all three main characters and there is the force proximity trope, which I enjoyed. I do also suggest checking the content warnings before reading just in case.

The overall pacing of the story was quite slow. While the tournament aspect was quite entertaining and a bit action packed, a lot of it didn’t occur until 40% into the story. So again, just a very slow paced plot.

The romance was also quite slow and just not the strongest in my opinion. While I loved the tournament aspect I think it overshadowed the romance quite a lot. Their overall romantic development and connection between them just felt a bit forced.

I also really wasn’t a fan of the jealousy and emotional conflict between Achilles, Patroclus and Helen in the start of their romance. There just wasn’t enough communication between them to resolve those issues.

I will say though, the spice was absolutely incredible and definitely the main highlight of the story. I also really loved Patroclus and how soft he was with both Helen and Achilles, he definitely balanced them out.

I was also able to listen to the audiobook at the same time and I have to say that the narrators did a fantastic job and made me enjoy the story a lot more.

While, I loved who won the tournament at the end, everything else felt rushed and wrapped up too quickly. I would have liked just a short epilogue. Overall, still a good read with some amazing spice.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve always loved Greek mythology and this author creates the most compelling, beautiful stories. Each one has been wonderful and this triad was amazing and I couldn’t put it down. It’s a must read.

I'm a big fan of Katee Robert and I love the world that she is creating in this series. "Wicked Beauty" did not disappoint. It was spicy but also had a good storyline. I highly suggest reading Neon Gods and Electric Idol before reading this ine so that you have the full story but I don't think it would be hard to catch on if you didnt know it was part of a series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert.

I loved Neon Gods and I didn’t read the second story so I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the plot, but there were no problems. I was a bit unsure because it because the love story is about Achilles and Patroclus as well as Helen of Troy. I liked the idea of Helen being able to fight for her own destiny. The story is action packed and full of steamy scenes. I will definitely have to go pick up the second book in this series.

4.5 stars.
While this started off a bit slow for me it really picked up and I ended up reading the last half all in a single sitting.
I adore Patroclus the most but all three of the main characters felt distinct and exciting. I love how the throuple felt like they each had something to offer both of the others in the relationship.
Besides having a slow start the only other thing that I didn't completely love is the ending. It felt very abrupt and seemed like there could have been another chapter at least.

My Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐.5/ 5

18+

This is the 3rd installment to Katee Robert’s Neon Gods series. It’s a modern retelling of the ancient story of Helen of Troy, Patroclus, and Achilles. Similar to the first books, the ancient Greek mythology ends there, in name only. Helen covets the title of Ares, but her brother Zeus (Perseus) doesn’t agree. Instead there will be a competition amongst warriors to earn the title, and also win Helen’s hand in marriage. Helen also enters the competition to win her own hand and get the title for herself despite the dismay of her family and friends. On the other hand, Achilles (mostly) and Patroclus also vy for the title but they both seem to not keep their hands off Helen. Despite all the steaminess, Helen has to figure out if they both mean to be with her if she is Ares, or if it was just a scheme to get her to lower her guard.

This one is definitely much better than the first one, Neon Gods. Katee Robert is a master at the steamy scenes, and they all have insatiable chemistry. I didn’t read the 2nd book Electric Idols, and found that I still had no problem catching up. The competition reminds me of Hunger Games meets Harry Potter’s triwizard tournament - minus the fun clues. The story is predictable, but that’s not why you are reading this. The dialogue is lacking and slightly cheesy, and I wished there was more to their names than just that. Also, the timeline really irks me when they go from hating each other to being madly in love.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Tropes: enemies to lovers; lbgtq+romance; poly, forced proximity


Spice Level: 4/5

Wicked Beauty is an interesting book in that it's a traditionally published romance book featuring an on-page, open-door poly relationship. Which is fantastic to see. Katee Robert knows how to write a fast-paced, enjoyably spicy romance book, and the Dark Olympus book have all been thoroughly enjoyable.

I loved that Helen was the hero in her own story - a woman forced into a situation by a brother in a powerful position and used as a bargaining chip/prize in a competition that means she has the potential to lose everything... unless she steps up and wins that same competition herself. It's great!

I also liked the dynamic between Achilles and Patroclus - with Achilles being the charismatic front man in their relationship, while Patroclus is deeply aware that he'll always have to share his love. Patroclus was also the link between Helen and Achilles, and that it's Patroclus' interest in her that sparks his own and that gave their relationship/s a very interesting dynamic. We get some great scenes between them - both in couples and in a thruple - as a result. (Although I do wish there had been more on-page time with all three of them together beyond what was included.) What is always clear in this book (and all of Katee's works) is that consent is key.

The way this book added an additional layer to the complicated politics of Olympus and its' ruling leaders was enough to have me turning pages, especially with the stakes so high for Helen in this one, and the way she intentionally complicates her brother's - Zeus' - political machinations. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This series by Katee Robert continues to absolutely delight me! I love this world. Book three, Wicked Beauty, stars Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen. Fair warning on two things- first, it most definitely takes major liberties with the traditional mythology around these characters. Inspired by Greek mythology, but that’s where it ends. And, it’s a threesome. If that’s not your thing to read, skip it. But, IMHO, you’re missing out. I very much enjoyed this story!

Helen is a legendary beauty, the face that launched a thousand ships. Achilles is a powerful warrior and battle strategist. Patroclus is Achilles’ lover, constant companion, and known for his incredible intelligence. In Robert’s reimagined Olympus, Ares the God of war is a rotating ruler who is chosen when the current Ares can’t perform his/her/their responsibilities any longer. The new Ares is chosen through a physical competition that anyone can enter. Athena is in charge of the competition. Helen is the reigning Zeus’s sister and wants to be so much more than a pretty face. She makes up her mind to enter the competition. Being Ares will give her the respect and title she’s always wanted. She’ll have a seat at the table and can help shape the future of Olympus. Achilles and Patroclus also decide to enter, because Achilles wants to be Ares, and Patroclus, while a respectable soldier, is really in it to protect Achilles, and run cover for him.

Helen attends a party where Zeus announces the competition. She’s shocked to hear that the winner doesn’t just get to be Ares, but they also get her as their wife! She’s really ticked off and questions whether she should even compete. After some thought, she decides to push through it and tells Athena that she’s in. On her way back from meeting with Athena, she runs into Patroclus. They’ve known each other for years and grew up together. While not great friends now, they were kind to each in the past. In their meeting, sparks fly and it’s clear that there’s some chemistry between them.

Nothing happens but some sexual frustration. Patroclus heads back to Achilles and this starts the rumbling anxiety with the couple about what makes Helen so special and why is Achilles jealous? The guys have an open relationship, but there’s just something about Helen that puts them off kilter. They are both attracted to her and she’s not really one-night stand material. What to do?!

The dialogue is clever; the world Robert built is original and petty. The word, petty, always bubbles up for me. The Gods and Goddesses are so petty, shallow, and conniving. It’s soooo great! And it is of course, verrrry spicy. Achilles and Patroclus are both worried about the other walking out on their relationship. With Helen in the mix, they lose some confidence in their own love. There are other compelling side characters like Paris, Helen’s past boyfriend. He’s a total tool. And, there are some badass competitors from outside of Olympus who stir things up for our favorite threesome.

This was a quick fun read. Every book in this series is good. The first one remains tops for me, and this comes in second.

✨Review✨
Adding a little spice to my summer reading with this one! Katee Robert is a master at Greek Mythology retellings, with Wicked Beauty being the third in the Dark Olympus series. I was hooked from the start when we are introduced to Helen Kasios, former socialite turned warrior with her sights set on taking on the title of Ares. What she did not expect was finding love with not one but two men, Achilles and Patroclus, during the competition for the title.
I could not get over the chemistry between the main characters, which made this book a total page turner. I enjoyed that there was a good amount of action mixed in with the overall romantic storyline. I highly recommend this steamy summer read and I can’t wait to read the fourth installment of the Dark Olympus series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - It Was Amazing

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC! Wicked Beauty is available now! 🎉

I’m honestly still confused about what is going on in this ‘world’. Is Mount Olympus suppose to just be party of modern day? Do they have any magic?

I had such high hopes for these books but they are just falling flat for me. They are kinda spicy…. There is some plot… but nothing is really grabbing my interest to want to keep going. I’m not sure if I’ll continue this series.

My favorite from this series so far!!! I adored “challenge” of the fight to be free, the chemistry between the main characters. The smut was total perfection. I’ll be impatiently awaiting the next title to release. Thank you for this opportunity.

This is the third book in the dark Olympus series. In the story there is even more setting up for the rest of the series. Much of the book seems to look at how the politics of dark Olympus not only come in to play but also how the participants must maneuver in order to stay on top of everything. Ares has died and therefore they will now have a tournament to see who the new Ares will be.

Achilles and Patroclus who have both been working for Athena throw their hat into the ring with the idea that Achilles will win and Patroclus will help him. At the same time Zeus has decided that whoever wins will marry Helen. But Helen has had the idea that she will compete and become the new Ares because she is tired of being at everyone’s mercy.

During the competition everyone in dark Olympus starts to learn that there is a new enemy and this is just the beginning of seeing the enemy in action. While the tournament is going on Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen start at first just a physical relationship but as time goes by they realize how perfect they all fit together.

As usual Katee Robert writes a book that you cannot put down. There is romance but there is also political shenanigans and it just makes the book more entertaining. As usual it’s fun to see how all the other titleholders of dark Olympus are acting and I cannot wait for all of their stories as well.

Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

And honestly, I just don't think this was for me. I wanted to give it a try to see if I would like this one, but I think it was too much for me! I didn't like the relationship and the whole drama was interesting but not for me.

3 stars.

🍏Wicked Beauty 🍏

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫/5 (4.5 Stars)
Steam: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 (multiple extremely detailed steamy scenes throughout)

No spoiler review 👇🏻

This was a really fun read! I enjoy Katee Robert books and I really like the Dark Olympus series!

This is the third book in the Dark Olympus series. A modern retelling of Greek mythology. This book follows Helen of Troy, Achilles and Patroclus. This book starts with a competition to be the next Ares. A leadership role in Olympus. Anyone can enter and Zeus makes Helen the prize for whoever wins. Helen is furious so she enters the competition as she wants to me more than a prize….that’s where she meets fellow competitors Achilles and Patroclus who all soon form a connection.

I like the plot a lot in this one. The trials to become ares was fun and interesting. I’ve also never read Throuple romance before so that was new. I really enjoyed it. It was extremely steamy! (Probably the most I’ve ever read, not for the faint hearted!) but also so sweet. I loved Achilles and Patroclus relationship and how they both loved each other and fell for Helen. They saw her as strong and it was just really cute at moments.

This book has LGBT rep! And it was just so enjoyable. Half a star off because some of the trials felt rushed for the steamy stuff, but otherwise just a fun, romantic and very steamy read!

CW: past abusive relationship, violence

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review

Another great addition to the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert. I loved this one. It was different than the other two, Neon Gods and Electric Idol. This one is about Helen, Patroclus, and Achilles; while the first two were about Demeter's daughters. I think that even though we took a step back from one family, this was still incredibly good. It had a different vibe to it than the other's did. But the romance was amazing, and hot! The love that these three have was incredible. I can't wait to see where Katee takes the series next!

4 stars. I loved this triad and I loved that all three main characters were fully formed. At one point the trials had my interest more than the romance which I count as a good sign. I am a fan of this series and definitely want more.
I also love how Robert handles race in this series. I don’t really see white authors calling white characters white and I am here for it. I believe she does this across the board.
Also! The world building and connection to her villains series. Yesss. I can’t wait to read more

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert is the third installment in the Dark Olympus series and follows the relationship between Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen as they battle for the title of Ares and to become one of the Thirteen in Olympus.

TW: Domestic abuse, mental abuse (alludes too)

I will be honest, I finished this book last week and have been thinking of this book and how I would review it ever since. I loved the idea of the relationship between Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen but I found that there was something missing. They are supposed to be a throuple but I find that there was no actual relationship building but instead they just jump into the spicy parts.

I loved the idea of the world but found that the world building was missing. I found that there was a lack of coherent setting descriptions which made it hard as a reader to really imagine the world that the characters were in.

However, the hardest part for me was that this was a retelling that deviated greatly from the actual history. I can admit that this is probably a biased statement, especially as a history major, but I felt that the book deviated too much from the history of Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen.

Overall, the story is an easy read but I felt that it was lacking in the realtionship and world building and missed the mark as a retelling. 3.5/5 stars.

Thank you to #netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC in exchange for the honest review, all opinions are my own.

Is it just me or do these books just keep getting better and better? This book is absolutely sinful and I couldn't put it down! The prize is not only the title of Ares, but whoever wins gets to marry Helen. She's done being a pawn in the Olympus games so she enters the tournament herself. Helen, Achilles and Patroclus are all competing to become the new Ares. And competing for each other's hearts as well. And that ending! Gah! I LOVE IT!

I absolutely loved Wicked Beauty! It's a scorching hot take on the Helen myth with a power seeking Achilles and a Patroclus who only wants happiness for everyone. The story is fast paced, compelling, full of political intrigue and gives us more insight into the world of Olympus.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.