This is the 3rd book in the series and the 3rd in order I've read them. My first in the series was Electric idol and I loved that one. I loved the characters and how they got and stayed together. Then I read Neon Gods and loved that one as well. Wicked Beauty reminds me a lot more of the Wicked Villains series by Katee Robert. In that series there are more love triangles and a lot more competition. In Wicked Beauty I didn't like the competition aspect as much (I detest competition shows, frankly competition in general) and though I liked the characters it really bothered me how Helen was treated by her family and her ex, Paris. So the storyline and relationship between Helen, Achilles and Patroclus I ultimately liked, but the background of the competition kept me from liking it as much as I liked the previous Dark Olympus books. I feel like the previous two were more "romantic" and I loved that about them. If you're a Katee Robert fan and especially if you like athletic competitions, you'll enjoy this installment of the series.

I think they missed out making the female Briseis, but I do understand the perpetuation of the character relationships within the established world of the author’s. This was my first throuple book and I still felt like there should be… more? It felt like insta-love when it came to welcoming Helen into Patroclus and Achilles’ relationship and I am not such a big fan of insta-love.

Katee Roberts Spicy Mythology takes on Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen in her latest romance. When the title of Ares is up for grabs, Achilles and Patroclus enter the competitive trials with every plan to win. However, when Helen is blindsided by her Brother, the new Zeus,and offered up in marriage as part of the prize, she has her own plans to enter the competition and to win. There is plenty of intrigue and the usual chaos of politics, but also a story about how the heart wants what it wants. The trio compete for the title and also for the future they want together as a throuple. A good summer read!

**I was given this book by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review **

Okay. Alright. Wow. WOW. I loved this! I loved the previous two books, and was so excited to hear about the third one. And then to get approved for the ARC?! Yesssss 🥳 I can't wait to read more of these!!!

The storyline in this one as SO FUN. I mean an Intense competition, tons of chemistry, and a thrupple?! ✅✅✅ Sign me up for all of it.

Helen was a badass and I loved her so much! All of these stories set in the world of Olympus are so fun to read. I love this amazing series Katee Robert is writing and I CANT WAIT to read more!!!

Thank you SourceBooks Casablanca for this e-ARC! This book is due for publication 6/7/22 and I definitely recommend it!

Zeus may have decided Helen is his to give to away, but she has her own plans. She enters into the competition as a middle finger to the meddling Thirteen rulers, effectively vying for her own hand in marriage. When I started reading I couldn't put it down. Katee Robert is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

This is the third book in this series and follows a retelling with characters from the Trojan War with the main characters being Achilles and Patroclus who are in an open relationship at the start of the book, and Helen (of Troy). The book is centered around a competition to become the next Ares, a title that allows anyone living in the city of Olympus to compete for a chance to win the title. During the course of the three challenges Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus get closer and eventually become a triad (even if they are not given that official label until the end of the book). Tension around the competition to become Ares is the main conflict in the book, particularly between Achilles and Helen who both want the title for different reasons. Patroclus is competing for the title to help Achilles, but does not want the title for himself, instead wanting to support his boyfriend as he aims to achieve his goals. Other characters and homages to the original Trojan War story and other Greek myths are found in this book with Paris and Hector (other competitors for the title and brothers) appearing, along with Theseus and the minotaur, Atalanta, and more.

Some content warnings for this book: explicit sexual details, mention of emotional and mental abuse and trauma, childhood trauma, and parental abuse.

What I liked:
Key elements of Katee Robert books were included, which was a bonus: consent being normalized, empowering women, and diverse characters. These are not always the norm in romance books, but are a guarantee in books by this author. Overall, I would recommend this title if I knew someone was into books of this nature, meaning books that are modern myth retellings and are sexually explicit, as that is not everyone's cup of tea. The homages to the original myths/stories was great and clever, especially during the final challenge with Paris and Achilles. The fact that Helen didn't have to compromise who she was or what she wanted by the end of the book was spectacular and the fact that she was the one to handle the situation with Paris instead of needing a man to rescue her was also fantastic. It was also very nice to read a book where the main characters were so unapologetically themselves and found partners who could appreciate them just as they are. The fact that Patroclus and Achilles were such opposites but found a balance with Helen made the relationship between the three very intriguing and made me want them to end up together. I also liked that even though Patroclus and Achilles had different strengths, neither was ever undermined and at no point did it seem as though Achilles was not as strong because he was impulsive and more brute strength, and it never seemed like Patroclus was weak because he was more brainy. The love that these characters had for one another was also so clear and never in question, another great aspect. Finally, the casual diversity and normalization of different types of relationships, a Katee Robert specialty, was perfect. It's not often that you find a book that celebrates diversity so well and normalizes it, but Robert does not disappoint.

What I didn't like:
I still find there to be some confusion about the universe these books take place. I was confused after reading the first two books in this series, but more so after this title, as there was more information at the end about Olympus and how the city functions. More clarity as to where this city exists and why it functions as a separate entity would be great. Also, explanations behind if there is magic would also be appreciated as it is clear that the Thirteen are all mortals, however, things like the barrier between Olympus and the outside world make it unclear as to whether there are magical elements that keep people out of Olympus. I also think there should have been more of a conversation between Achilles and Patroclus over their obvious insecurities about whether the other would want to continue the relationship long-term. While they sort of started to have that conversation, it never felt like a resolved issue and it seemed like they came to the unspoken conclusion that adding Helen to the relationship was the solution, which, as a reader, was unclear as to why they would think such a big issue would be solved by adding another person to the relationship. Another minor issue, is that Achilles and Patroclus had an open relationship, however, by the end of the book there was never a conversation over whether they would continue to have an open relationship among the three of them, or if they would be an exclusive relationship. That's a minor thing but it was something I was curious about once the book ended, also because it was something that Patroclus suggested, before Helen came into the relationship, that he did not like about his relationship with Achilles.

Overall, this was a good book, and I would recommend it to someone if I knew they were into this type of book. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars because there were some aspects of the book that were a bit confusing, as mentioned above, and some things I was not a big fan of and would have liked more clarification on. I hope to see more of this triad in the next book and am curious about whether Perseus (Zeus) and Calisto (Hera) will get a book as theirs has been a story readers have been getting teasers about since book 2 in the series. There were also some minor typos, but they did not detract from the reading experience or takeaway the ability to understand what was occurring in the scene. I think this book is for sure a must-read for any romance lovers.

Wicked Beauty is the third steamy and suspenseful paranormal romance with a plotline that reminded me of an adult Triwizard Tournament from Harry Potter.

This book is a little different from the first two books in the series, in that it doesn’t feature an MF couple, but an MMF couple. Achilles and Patroclus have been together for over a decade. Achilles wants nothing more than to become the new Ares, so when the current Ares dies and trials are set up to appoint someone to replace him, he’s eager to prove that he’s the best for the job. The problem is that anyone can enter these trials, including non-Olympians. Patroclus also enters the competition as an ally for Achilles, so that he can help him as far along as he can. But what they don’t bank on? The beautiful Helen Kasios entering the trials, especially when part of the prize is supposed to be her hand as a wife.

Helen is the sister to the new Zeus and her other sister is Aphrodite, and she’s tired of being a pawn and viewed as nothing more than an object because of her extreme beauty. She wants to become Ares–not just to prove herself to her family and everyone else in Olympus, but because she wants to have a meaningful impact on the city she loves.

I loved the dynamic between Helen and the couple, though I did get a little bit of whiplash and feel weird about it at first, because Achilles and Patroclus have been a couple for so long, and their jealousy of each other and Helen gave me cheating vibes. Fortunately, that clears up rather quickly, and all three of them end up becoming the perfect throuple. However, the book does end rather abruptly, and it might have benefited from either an epilogue or a scene set a little while after the end of the main events of the book to cement their relationship as a success.


The trials reminded me A LOT of the Triwizard tournament in Harry Potter, though they were far more vicious and intense. I absolutely loved the intensity of the dynamics between all the candidates and all their rivalries, along with the personal histories that some characters shared. For instance, Helen’s ex-boyfriend, Paris, is competing, and I just loved to hate him. I also appreciated following how all three of the protagonists dealt with the challenges differently. Helen, being physically smaller and not nearly as strong, comes up with clever ways to persevere. Patroclus is a strategist, and sometimes he doesn’t act quickly enough. Achilles is physically strong, but his biggest weakness is not wanting to see Patroclus or Helen hurt.

Just like with the first two books in this series, there’s a lot of political intrigue to get lost in. I love how, while Helen isn’t physically the strongest, her strength lies in her ability to read social situations, figure out people’s motivations and ambitions and act accordingly. She’s a politician at heart. Her skillset perfectly meshes with Achilles’s physical brawn and fight instinct and Patroclus’s ability to always be thinking one step ahead.

All in all, this is another unputdownable installment in the Dark Olympus series!

While the concept and setting of this book are intriguing, I had a hard time becoming invested in the story. Right away, the sheer amount of characters and titles to keep track of was overwhelming. While the format of Greek gods’ names serving as titles for Olympus’ leaders was a cool nod to Greek Mythology, this made the task of keeping track of characters extra difficult. Additionally, physical descriptions often sounded copied and pasted with different adjectives thrown in to differentiate characters. Once the main cast of characters was established, this became easier to follow. Even still, by the end of the book there were still a solid handful of characters whose names I didn’t fully recognize.
One area where this book succeeds is in handling multiple points of view. Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus all had distinct voices and narration styles. Their voices remained unique and consistent throughout the story, which is no small feat. The individual personalities of the three main characters worked well together, and the banter between them was fun to read. While this added depth to the story, each character eventually fell victim to repetitive inner monologues. Thoughts, fears, goals, etc. were mentioned repeatedly.
Personally, the confusion over names and repetitive elements took away from my experience reading this. At the same time, there are certainly fun moments in this book, and I know that this series is loved by many.

Wicked Beauty is book three of the Dark Olympus series. I want to start out by saying that this book gave me major Hunger Games vibes! I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Katee Robert and this book did not disappoint!

I felt heartbroken for Helen for the way she was treated by her family and how everyone underestimated her. She ended up being a total bada$$ and is one of my favorite FMCs! She wasn’t going to sit around and be used as a pawn, she wanted in on the action and wants the title of Ares. Achilles really pissed me off in the beginning of the book but I ended up falling in love with him. And Patroclus is all around lovable!

This book had action, betrayal, great world building, mystery, drama, and so much spice! The one thing I love most about Kate’s writing is her world building. She makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the action! And she knows how to bring the spice! This book had me on the edge of my seat all the way through…if it wasn’t from the action, it was the spice! I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series!

Wow…this book was impressive and I loved it! I was absolutely sucked into the story and the world building Katee Robert did was unbelievable. I haven’t read the first 2 books in the series, but I was able to land in Olympus and easily understand/picture what’s been going on.

This book follows Helen (THE Helen of Troy), Achilles, and Patroclus as they compete for a spot on the Thirteen and their chance to exert some power in Olympus. For Helen, it’s a chance to prove everyone wrong and choose her own path. Achilles has always believed he was destined for bigger things and being part of the Thirteen is as big as it gets. Patroclus wants to support the man he loves. Their journeys and character development are the stars of this show.

There are battles of strength, smarts, and wills. It’s got super 🔥 spicy scenes. Forced proximity. MMF - enough said 🥵 Enthusiastic consent 😍

Helen was my favorite part of this story. She’s strong, smart, powerful, vulnerable, real. I was invested in her story and wanted her to kick everyone’s ass lol I loved how loving Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus were with each other. It was very sweet.

I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a story that follows a woman who both kicks ass, but is not afraid to be real and vulnerable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katee Robert, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC. The opinions stated are my own.

It took a little longer than usual, for me to finish this book.
I don't really know why, or to pinpoint what was missing at the beginning, but the book wasn't holding my attention for long.

I'm glad that i insisted though, cause the trials for Ares, and the trouple that was formed between Helen, Achilles and Patroclus became something else, and I started to enjoy my time with them after the middle of the book!

Helen was determined, Achilles was cocky and Patroclus was the Switzerland!
I don't know how, but they completed each other in a way that Helen felt like she could be vulnerable with them, and they felt like she was one of them, not just a spoiled little princess.

I loved how it ended... Who ended up winning the title and how they all react to said winner.

I just wish that their doubts and other small things wasn't so repetitive in the story, and that the end would be more closed up to their own story. It felt rushed and I know this is an open series, but there wasn't even a single day of their HEA... It was like the story was cut short and is still missing an epilogue!

I liked the story, but i still feel like there's something missing.

Wicked Beauty is the third installment to the Dark Olympus Series. A seductive dark re-telling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus in modern society. As fast pace as its predecessors, Wicked Beauty picks up from what happen previously in Eletric Idol. Ares is dead and his position is vacant. In spirit of Ares, the new god is determine by trial –hunger games style. The victor will be the new Ares. Among the competition, Achilles has ambition. He knows he can be a great Ares and with Patroclus by his side they are a sure to win. Helen wants to be more than a puppet, she wants to be heard. Entering the games secretly, she plans to be the best. Who will be Ares?

WOW the tension and romance is on another level. I haven’t read an MFM book that I have liked as much as this book. Their personality play off each other very well and I love how they equally love each other. I said Eletric Idol was my favorite but Wicked Beauty easily trumps in the number one spot now.

Definitely a book to pick up this summer for those eager to see what happens next in this series. If you like twist on mythology retelling this is the book for you! I would not necessary say this is a “dark” book though.

Reviewed Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert provided by NetGalley. #NetGalley

I devoured this book so quickly. It was delicious, fast paced and absolutely steamy. I am familiar with other retelling of Patroclus and Achilles but this one takes the cake.

Wicked Beauty is a steamy retelling, told from three perspective - Helen, Patroclus and Achiles. Each with their own set of views in the world of Olympus. The chemistry between the three was amazing and I couldn't have asked for more. The power balance between them all was not lack luster. Each one brought something to the table. Even in a high-tension situation, they still brought humor and tenderness to the story.

I would definitely recommend everyone to read this book, even as a standalone. I cannot wait for the next one!

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Katee Robert for the advanced copy of this book via Net Galley.

I should preface this with the fact that I have the softest spot in my heart for Patroclus, and Achilles by extension.
There were times reading this book that my heart physically hurt. And there were times I was grinning like a fool.

This world Katee has been building in her Dark Olympus series has me wanting more. I finished this book and immediately was curious who the next book would focus on, and what else is happening in the city.

Helen, who we met briefly in Electric Idol, has strength, ambition, and despite the trauma she has experienced (which honestly hit a bit close to home) shes a fighter. Its so admirable to see this version of Helen fighting for herself vs other versions of Helen of Troy who is stolen and fought for -- not that there aren't still people fighting for our Helen.

We get the POV of all three leads. We get to see the obstacles set in front of them by themselves, and others, and we get to watch how they try to overcome them.

There are other familiar characters, both from previous books in this series, and from the Helen of Troy stories, but the focus really is on our triad.

It gets *steamy* -- and your girl here *loves* a throuple.

But can Achilles and Patroclus's relationship survive Helen? Can the throuple survive the challenges the tournament sets before them, and what comes after?

I loved Neon Gods & Electric Idol but Wicked Beauty is by far my favorite. As soon as I realized this book had three POV's I knew I would love it. I love the twists this author spins on greek mythology, especially how the gods can have different genders. Like, a female Ares? Hell yeah! However the competition for Ares/the plot felt really lacking in this or too easy. But I loved the romance and the spice. If you like greek mythology or spicy romance I'd recommend!

Another book in the Olympus world of Gods and Goddesses and those who want to be them. This one features Helen 'Of Troy', Achilles and his BFF Patroclus. It is a MMF romance so if that's not your jam, you may want to skip this one. It's a bit of enemies to lovers. The guys and Helen don't really get a long with each other. They think she's just an entitled little Princess, and she's made it her mission to prove them, along with everyone else in their world, wrong. The three are competitors in a fight for a title that they each want with a passion. Of course everyone laughs in her face, as Helen has always been just another pretty face. She is trophy wife material, not a champion. While they may not get along, there is sexual chemistry like you wouldn't believe. And these people aren't afraid to give in to the temptation. So, yeah, it's pretty steamy. There is some angst there too. The characters are brilliantly written and feel real. This is another wonderfully written story that is loosely based of the Greek mythology. This is book three in the series, but each book can be read as a stand alone, though there may be spoilers to the previous books. (Each features a different couple/trouple.) Intended for mature readers. Alternates between POVs.

I'm not sure I understand precisely what's going on among the Thirteen of Olympus, but this book was a blast to read! Plenty of adventure, intrigue, and drama, and if the chapters describing the three trials fell a bit flat, the super spicy and surprisingly sweet romance between Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus more than made up for it. I will absolutely be reading the rest of the series and enthusiastically recommending this book to fans of poly romance and stories inspired by Greek mythology.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Delicious and fast-paced. I knew I needed to read this after loving the second book in the Dark Olympus series and I was not disappointed. I am familiar with other retellings involving Achilles and Patroclus, but this one is definitely unique. It turns out I’m a sucker for their love and passion for each other. Throw in the stunning and fierce Helen and this was a wonderfully delicious (and steamy) story of power, love, and determination. I loved it! I hope there will be more in the series.

The coveted role of Ares, one of the powerful Olympus Thirteen, is up for grabs, but it won’t come easily. Competitors will have to go through 3 tough challenges in order to win. The powerful and driven Achilles is determined to win and brings along his friend and lover, Patroclus. But neither of them expect the ever stunning Helen, princess of Olympus, to be part of the prize of winning. Nor did they expect to both feel a fire when their paths cross hers. Uncertainty is high in Olympus, and they must all look out for themselves, but what happens when emotions run high?

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for early access to another Katee Roberts title!

It’s wouldn’t be a Katee Robert series without a triad relationship at some point! I loved her take on these three beloved characters. Their dynamic really worked. My only complaint was that this entry into the series didn’t have enough interactions with the rest of Olympus. I need those fun side characters!

Wow… ok so apparently this series just keeps surprising me. In my review for Electric Idol I had accepted that this series was going to be more “soap opera” like with each book having a *tidy* ending and not being Mass like in the whole Olympus setting. I apparently now need to take that back. This series just keeps getting better. I’m now fully invested into the whole world of Olympus and the politics and what’s going to happen next. I’m honestly not sure how on earth I’m going to wait until 2023 to know where things are headed.

I’d liken this particular book and portion of the storyline to a mash up of: Hades (steam + triad romance + security world ) meets the slightest bit of ACOTAR (Olympus keeps reminding me of the Night Court) with a dash of Hunger Games thrown in (there’s a series of trials/competition for the Ares successor to be selected. It’s not a mandatory dystopian competition, but more like Roman times/ a duel?) + Scandal and Oliva Pope. Our love story: enemies to lovers + 2nd chance/childhood friends. Was great. The chemistry was off the charts, and the banter was fantastic.