This book is the third in the Dark Olympus series and while they can all be read as standalones I recommend reading them in order to get a better feel for the world in which these stories take place. Wicked Beauty is the story of Helen, Patroclus, and Achilles. The title for Ares is up for grabs and each of these characters decide to enter the competition. Achilles and Patroclus are already in an established relationship and are competing with the goal of having Achilles named Ares. Helen enters the tournament to prove she is more than just a prize to be won. I really liked that there was an interesting plot surrounding the steamy scenes and it was fun switching POVs to see how each of the characters felt about how their relationship was becoming a triad. The resolution at the end felt a bit rushed but overall this was a fun steamy read and a great addition to the series.

An incredible addition to the Dark Olympus series!

Wicked Beauty is the third book in the Dark Olympus series. While I consider this a standalone, I highly suggest reading the first two books in the series, or at least the first book, Neon Gods, to get an idea of the Greek mythology retelling.

This book centers on Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus. In this story, the three of them enter a competition for a coveted role important to this city for different reasons, which makes it a compelling read. The three of them have known one another as they had run in similar circles but finally learned about one another more as the competition heats up. I do enjoy the pacing of this story. I like that the book delves into all three characters equally regarding their feelings for one another. It delivers a satisfying character development for all three. They are all pretty bad-ass, but Helen is really what makes this book an exciting story for me. Her struggles are relatable, and you commiserate with her being misunderstood and belittled and underestimated time and time again.

It’s steamy yet emotional. You can’t help but root for all three of them to have what they desire.

Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, for the advance eARC.

This series has had me hooked from the very beginning and Katee Robert continues to kill it with this third book about Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus.

First of all, the world she has created by modernizing and putting her own twist on the myths is always intriguing. Second, Katee Robert writes some of my favourite multi POV romance books. She just does it so well. Third, this book was so freaking sexy and I just love her version of Patroclus. Lastly, Helen is bad ass and I love Katee Robert's female leads, especially when they come from myths that make them the prize like Helen.

My only feedback on this one is that I felt like Helen's and Achilles' backstories could have been fleshed out a bit more and I felt like the story was rushed a bit, so the resolution of all of their backstories felt a bit unfinished.

I am so excited for this series to continue and to get to see the character's that have been teased throughout the series so far.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the digital ARC!

This book was so fun! I mean all the books in this series are but DANG. This one takes the cake. I don’t blush reading books but this one was sexy and blush worthy. I loved Helen. I found it so fun to see her in one POV through Eros’s eyes but it was completely different experience getting to see her through perspective

Bottom line, this is a must read! The only reason I will say it’s not 5 solid stars. I wasn’t as invested in plot as the last two books. I felt the ending felt a touch rushed from the point of Achilles not handling Helen as Ares to the resolution.

But overall I recommend! Instagram and Tiktok review to come shortly. Thanks to Netgalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for the digital ARC!.

(Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.)

After loving Neon Gods & not getting to Electric Idol book yet 🙈 I’m slipping back into the Dark Olympus series with the positively scintillating Wicked Beauty.

It’s high action, high heat, high everything it does because this book is not tame. I *definitely* picked that up as soon as Helen & Achilles have wild hate sex 😅.

Eventually this is a book about a couple becoming a throuple as someone in the book says, with Helen becoming part of a relationship that Achilles & Patroclus already have & forming something new.

But it’s also about more than that, as Helen tries to wrestle control over her destiny & transform herself from the “prize” of a tournament to its victor. To the next Ares of Olympus.

With Wicked Beauty Katee Robert writes something so hot. Does it even need to be said? Let me just tell you that I was engaged.

It’s an interesting story too, as Helen navigates the cutthroat world of Olympus & tries to forge a new place for herself.

Where it falls a little short for me is in emotions. First of all, I wasn’t expecting the tension that develops between Achilles & Patroclus & how Achilles potentially threatens that beloved relationship by his actions with Helen. It gave me partnership in trouble vibes & not in a good way.

And second I always want the romance, the declaration, the big words, & maybe that’s not what this story is about but I wanted more of that anyway 😅.

This is a lot of fun & I’m so glad Katee Robert is writing it. Now I have to go back for Electric Idol!

4 ⭐️ . Release date: 06/07

Please consider checking out CWs for this one! My notes weren’t extensive enough so I’m not including any in this review.


[ID: a white woman wearing a cream linen dress with multicolored vertical stripes holds ebook while standing over a wood floor.]

Readers who have been following Katee Robert's Dark Olympus series will enjoy this latest installment which finds Helen competing for the Ares title. Lots of action (both physical and - ahem - romantic) and an interesting polyamory storyline which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has read books by this author before. Sexy twist on another classic Olympic Gods story. A fun & steamy summer read!

If you're looking to dive into Wicked Beauty for the smut, well, Katee never fails in that aspect so be ready for some incredible smut and off-the-charts tension. Some of these scenes had me looking over my shoulder and the chemistry between Helen, Patroclus, and Achilles was definitely felt through my kindle.

While, I definitely loved the smut and chemistry aspect, I can't deny that this felt a little lacking in the plot department so while I did love and melt at all the steamy scenes, it fell a little short for me. However, this world Katee has made is one so unique and captivating that I just can't help but want more. Plus paired with her expert smut writing? this book is definitely one you should pick up if you want a hot steamy read set in such a unique world with a bit of Greek mythology thrown in.

Another great, dirty love story by Katee. I’ve enjoyed every book in the dark Olympus series and they just keep getting better.

We follow Helen going against her brother’s wishes and entering the contest to become the next Ares. Up against many formidable opponents and constantly underestimated we watch Helen persevere in her push to the top. Achilles and Patroclus have their relationship and pact to get through the trials but they did not expect Helen Kasios. After much push and pull between the three and unlikely alliance occurs; in more than just the competition.

I love the writing from Katee and especially love the poly aspect of the book. Helen has had to fight to be observant and cunning in this world where Achilles has been strong and stubborn and Patroclus completes their three by being a ground for two very strong personalities. The chemistry and spicy scenes in this book were *chef’s kiss* and the action of the trials kept you on your toes waiting to see what would happen next, cannot wait for Radiant Sin!! Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel. All opinions remain my own.

This series holds a special place in my heart, I am such a fan of each of these books but this one was everything I could have ever wanted. It was sexy, queer, poly, competition, greek mythology? What more could I ask?

Helen is such an interesting character. She is so strong and I found that the way she reacted to the abusive situations she was faced with was very accurate. She felt real. Like a fully fleshed out person with motives that made sense.

Achilles, oh my sweet Achilles. He and Patroclus have such a beautiful bond and relationship. I loved their open communication and how honest they all were about their feelings. Also finally a healthy beautiful portrayal of a poly relationship.

The plot was just as strong as the romance for me, the entire thing felt very high stakes.

I wish I could give this book about 500 stars. Katee Robert, just take my bank account number and charge me accordingly because this blew me away.

*sigh* Why? That was the question I kept asking myself. Why is Helen with Patroclus and Achilles instead of Paris? Why is Achilles a terrible person? Why am I reading this? Why does this world make no sense? Why do the characters say one thing and then act a completely different way? Why am I subjecting myself to this?

Basically--I'm done with this series. Initially I thought there was magic in this world and there kind of is...? I'm pretty sure it alluded to Hades having some control over shadows and the barrier to Olympus is definitely magic. But the characters act like magic doesn't exist. The titles (Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, etc) are actually just an elaborate mafia situation...? Because they don't BELIEVE THE GODS ARE REAL. Achilles says so in this book. So why do they have the names of the gods? They fight and talk like mafia book characters so that is what this series is to me now.

Besides the plot and world that make no sense, there were 3 different POVs in this book but there may as well have been one because ALL THE CHARACTERS SOUND THE SAME. And they all tell you the same information over and over and over. They also say they hate one another but then sleep together. If my eyes could roll out of my head, they would have while reading this book.

Robert was trying to do an enemies to lovers thing in this book but it doesn't count when one of them LITERALLY SUCKS AND IS VERBALLY ABUSIVE. Like get away from me with that. You can't erase what someone said by making the other person want to sleep with them.

Basically this was a hot mess and I will be giving up on this series/author.

I received an electronic ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Wicked Beauty is the first book I have read by this author. This was a modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus. It was an ok read for me, I had a hard time really getting into most of it. Helen is looking to become the next Ares and also both Achilles and Patroclus are also entered into the tournament . I did like reading about that, gave me Hunger Games Vibes! The chemistry and steamy scenes between Helen, Achilles and Patroclus were sizzling.

As much as I love Katee Robert’s books, this one wasn’t doing anything for me. I wasn’t invested in the three main characters and it didn’t grip me like the first two.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel!

This is the first time I have read a polyamorous book—the dynamics were interesting to me! I began the book really disliking Achilles for his personality, I just wanted him to go away—but over the course of the novel, seeing how he treated his partners, he began to grow on me. I knew that the novel would begin with Achilles and Patroclus being in a relationship, and Helen being incorporated into that relationship. I was worried it would feel forced, but the transition was actually very smooth and gradual. I also spent a lot of the novel worried Patroclus would follow the fate of the original, but I won’t be getting into that spoiler territory.

This book had a lot more action than the previous novels and moved at a much faster pace, so once I got into the groove of reading, it flew by.

I loved the premise of woman battles for her own hand in marriage (you go, Helen!). Doing something out of spite is something I can relate to and root for. Similarly, I loved that they painted Helen's skill set as valuable to the Ares position in a way that most people vying for the title would not be able to see or thrive in.

I loved that Paris was more of an antagonist in this novel than “the one who got away.” I thought Katee Roberts did a good job of depicting the reality of that relationship dynamic post breakup. I think something this series does as a whole is use the original cast of characters in interesting ways, while still semi-acknowledging their history in some kind of narrative role. Also, hate Hector on principle for supporting his abusive brother.

My main compunction with this novel was that the end was a tad anti-climactic. It seemed the ending of this novel was trying more to set up the coming conflict for the next few books (which makes sense, given that the fourth book will feature a spy element).

I think by the fourth of fifth novel in this series I might have a more clear idea of whether there is magic in this world. We are now three books into this series and it still hasn’t been explicitly stated or described. Please—just tell me what the magic system in this world is.

I am a little disappointed to see the next in this series will be Apollo/Cassandra—but only because I am EAGERLY awaiting Perseus’ novel. I can understand why that will probably in the last in the series, but I am impatient. I am sure I will enjoy the fourth novel when it is released.
Looking forward to the continuation of this series!

I am in love with this series.

I first want to say that I love love love this series, I have read the first book (Neon Gods) four times so far. While Neon Gods is my all time favorite so far in this series, this one the steam and heat jumps off the pages. I like the change in the story by having it be three characters, and adding in the tournament element of the story. I enjoyed how strong Helen is, which Ms. Robert's is so wonderful at creating, and how she has flaws too that she needs to work on along the way. The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is good, but I liked how Patroclus knew Helen before they both joined into the rush of Olympias.

**Please see Content/trigger warnings at the end of this review**

I really enjoy this series, it's a fun time. This is the latest (and first polyamorous relationship) in the series. It starts with a competition to become the next member of the ruling 13 on Olympus. Zeus has decided that his sister, Helen, is going to be the prize. Helen is of course NOT ok with being ordered into matrimony and sneaks into the competition to compete for herself. She's badass, but the only thing anyone ever notices about her is her beauty. The 3 trials required are basically all physical which doesn't make sense reading it as a modern audience (it would be like having the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff getting his job by running an obstacle course), but do make sense in the vein of ancient Greek trials.

Achilles is the man who is hell-bent on winning and raising himself up in the eyes of Olympus. He has complete blinders on any consequences that this might cause. His partner, Patroclus, is joining him only to help knock out the competition. Patoclus has know Helen since they were kids and always liked her and Achilles immediately gets jealous.

What I had a hard time with was actually the relationship between all 3 for about the first 50%. Achilles and Patroclus have been together for about 10 years and ostensibly have an open relationship without problems. But, as soon as Patroclus shows an interest in Helen, Achilles gets VERY jealous and acts like a jerk to the other two. When Helen enters the picture it very much feels like cheating/almost getting back at other person (between the guys). And I didn't dig that. It may not have been "technically" cheating but that's very much what it felt like, and this is not a theme I enjoyed at all.

Once they decide to become a ménage it does get over that hump of feeling not right and I did enjoy them figuring out their relationships although it isn't smooth going.

The competition causes a lot of drama and there are many things that have to be resolved because of it. Achilles has a lot of growing to do and was probably my least favorite character but he does have some growth that I appreciate.

**CW/TW: toxic past relationship with emotional abuse and gaslighting, attempt at forced marriage, attempted murder**

Thank you to Neutrally and the publisher for allowing me access to an e-arc copy of Wicked Beauty in exchange for an honest review!

Wicked Beauty is the third book in Katee Robert’s Dark Olympus series. This is is a modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus. The story follows Helen who is looking to free herself from her family and become the next Ares. But when the night comes to join the competition to fight to become Ares, her brother, Zeus, makes her the prize.

I absolutely loved this book! The plot is very well developed and the world-building is descriptive enough to leave you engaged and not bored. I really enjoyed how the main characters were written, especially how Helen is perceived to be this spoiled women but really its all a cover so she can blend in to the high society that is Olympus. I also enjoyed how there are two love interest Achilles and Patroclus, who are in a relationship with each other, and how both are attracted to Helen but will do anything to put each other first. I also loved how accepting the main characters were of each other, and how the pace of the book allowed for good character/relationship development.

Overall, if you love steamy hot romances with more then two people involved, an exciting fast pace plot with engaging dialogue, a strong female main character who will do anything to achieve her goals, then this book may be for you!

RATING: 5/5

A super steamy retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus.

Helen is fed up with the men in her life using her as a political pawn and thinking her beauty is a weakness. Pushed by her brothers latest antics, she enters the trial for the title of Ares.

Achilles currently works for Athena but has long yearned for the title of Ares and being part of the elite 13. Patroclus, his lover of over a decade and brain behind the operation to win Ares, entered the tournament to help Achilles win. Neither was expecting Helen or the attraction that blooms towards her.

While Helen may be beautiful, she’s smart and fierce too. She uses peoples underestimation of her to her benefit and I loved that she had to over her self-doubt during the trials.

Achilles was an alphahole at first, but I delighted in his and Helen’s banter and came to love him by the end. Patroclus is just a big teddy bear…a veritably hot teddy bear!

I’m only vaguely familiar with Greek mythology and was able to follow the story fine. There’s a unique take on the trials of Olympus that helped me understand the political dynamics of the world. While there’s a happy ending, it’s a happy-for-now ending so my fingers are crossed we’ll see more of this dynamic threesome in another book!

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an ARC.

"We... we make a really good team, Helen. I think we'd make an even better one with you involved."

I would like to thank Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Wicked Beauty will be out in retail stores on June 7th, 2022.

Wicked Beauty is a vast improvement from a disappointment that was Electric Idol, and I definitely enjoyed myself with this book a lot more. Even though the entire series is already a modern retelling of famous Greek mythology couples' stories, this one featured a more twisted relationship between the Trojan War characters, such as Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus who is now being formed into a polyamorous relationship that I didn't realize I would enjoy.

What I absolutely loved about this book was that it focused a lot on Helen's personal growth and watch her rise above the misconceptions about her. It was really thrilling to see her pass through many hurdles throughout the entire book, and watch her reveal both her strengths and weaknesses. She is an absolutely amazing gem of a character. On the other hand, Achilles and Patroclus were just as I expected them to be - a perfect match of opposites. All these characters were highly entertaining in their own ways, but it was even more so when they were all together.

I also liked how this book is a lot more action-packed compared for the first two books. It's always refreshing to see something that is more than just a lot of romance in these types of books, and the added thrill of the competition showcased in this book gave it even more drama that was very much needed.

This book also features a polyamorous MMF relationship between Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus. While it totally deviates from the original story, I still loved how it was portrayed. The smut was hot as hell as I expected it to be, but there were also a lot of tender moments wherein all them understood one another, and it was such a delight to read.

I am still at awe at how much I enjoyed this book compared to the last one. Definitely still worth checking out!

Wicked Beauty reimagines the story of the beautiful and alluring Helen of Troy as she fights a series of trials to compete for the title of Ares, God of War. Doing so would make her a powerful player in Olympus but also prove she is not a prize to be won. But what happens when she finds herself tangled up in the mystery and romance surrounding Achilles and Patroclus? Will she be able to fight for her heart as well as her pride?

This book took me completely by surprise! It was a quick, fun read that hooked me instantly. Our heroine, Helen, started the book off running with her bold and cunning personality, while the competition aspect kept the pace of the novel fast and highly energized. Plus, the romance and political intrigue had me on my toes in anticipation of how everything was going to play out.

Overall, it was a read that reminded me of the competitive spirit of The Hunger Games, and again I just loved being back in the world of Dark Olympus.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I received this through Netgally in exchange for an honest review. Overall, the book was good. The writing was smooth and the author knows how to write believable dialogue. That being said, , I thought the immediate connection with Helen was a little unbelievable. The relationship needed more time to develop, especially given the length of Achilles and Patroclus relationship. It was way too easy and smooth to integrate her. I was also a little confused over this concept of Olympus. The world building could have been developed further, in order to give the reader a little background into the workings of Olympus and more character development with the 13. But overall, it was a light, enjoyable read.