Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Katee Roberts for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ares is dead which means another seat of power in Olympus is up for grabs. No one believes beautiful, spoiled Helen stands a chance but she longs to make her mark among her family and Olympus. Achilles, supported by his partner Patroclus, has long dreamed to rise to power and has the skills to win the fight. But who will win the day and the title? Lets find out!

Read if you like: Spice (heckin’ spice, MMF), 3 POV, we’re opponents but we’re in this together, found family, we’re stronger together.

Helen’s family is leaving her behind. Her brother is the new Zeus. Her sister is the new Aphrodite. She’s just painfully beautiful. But now that Ares has kicked the bucket, her childhood dream of becoming Ares is fully within her grasp. Until her brother makes her part of the Ares winner’s deal. She’ll never be more than a prize to the over politicked social theater of Olympus. How can she reclaim her fate?

Achilles is an orphan but he always had a clear goal and a straightforward path to greatness and glory. When he met his friend and partner Patroclus, they became an unstoppable team. Achilles will be the next Ares. They’ll have to figure out what to do with his new bride-to-be later.

Whew, I binged the first two books to read this and… I just have to say… where’s the magic?! The literal magic. How do we have barriers but no one is remotely magical?!?! It’s fine… it’s just a giant plot hole. I know the majority of people are probably not here for the plot. As you were.

Helen is distraught. Luckily there are enough chaotic characters to nudge her into full Merida “I’ll be shooting for my own hand” mode. So, she drops her name in the goblet of fire… I mean she signs up with Athena and now she’s off to the Ares championship. Other than her doubters, she has to deal with her mentally abusive ex Paris AND the incredibly hot duo of Achilles 'the bro' and Patroclus a former childhood friend and brainiac. Oh wait! Random, scary AF, outsiders. They seem problematic.
All the usual suspects have arrived. It’s time for the spicy tension.

We have a lovely MM couple who seems like they are missing something (communication, probably) so let’s add someone else for them both to lust over. At least its mutual attraction for all parties, right? Being as this is not my typical choice for a romantic relationship, I thought it was well done. The whole series is basically a fancy, Greek Mythology-esque, vehicle for spice but I thought the plot was interesting. We’re still dealing with Olympus politics but we’re not really dealing the social scene and constant outside pressure from the media like we are in the first two books. So, what you get is action (fighting and trials) and action (spice and romance) in a fairly small and more private space within the larger scope of the world, that will also impact the whole city. So that was fun.

Overall, this wasn’t a favorite pick of mine just because I don’t live for spice. Especially not MMF spicy, spice, spice. And I could have used more of the plot than a very condensed and *ahem* physical version of what I imagine goes into working out a successful throuple. Alas, that’s the counselor in me. I do love the sad boys like Hades and Eros, and would gladly consume more of their ‘I’m loved and worthy’ growth arcs. But it seemed like the addition of another love interest was not the most pressing concern for Achilles and Patroclus. They all needed balance, but did they all need each other? Maybe? KR thinks so. I need more information to be sure.

If you love spice and want a fun framework to take you just a bit out of reality (but won’t get mad about steamrolling Greek Mythology) then you will probably love Wicked Beauty and the rest of the Dark Olympus books.

I absolutely love anything Katee Robert writes. I've devoured her Wicked Villains series and the other books in her Dark Olympus series. This book is has moved into the #1 ranking for books by this author.
This story is a retelling of the Achilles and Patroclus story with Helen added in to the mix. This book is spicy, character-driven with a delightful plot that features a three-event trial to take on the mantle of a god.
Loved the characters, watching them grow and change, and especially loved the SPICY scenes.

Will be picking up a copy when it is published in June.

Thanks, Net Galley for the ARC.

I am so so glad that Katee Robert is getting traditionally published now because I've been recommending her stuff for YEARS. I'm so here for a mmf triad, and Katee just writes all tropes and kinks to absolute perfection. Even if it's a trope or kink I DON"T like, Katee just laughs and says "Ha sure, you like it now." And she's right.
I'm a bit burnt out on Greek Myth retellings, but I saw one review of this book that said " It’s basically the hunger games with a throuple." and I was sold. (As if I needed anything else to sell me on a Katee Robert book)
This is a high heat story...I would almost classify it as erotica. But its fun to see more of the Dark Olympus world and the balance of personalities in the relationship and the overall dynamics was interesting and well written. I can't wait for the next book!

Many thanks to Katee Robert and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

No one writes intrigue like Katee Robert and the relationships between her characters are *chef’s kiss*. The tension could be cut with a knife, it is so good and captivating, while the heat generated by her characters is out of this world. In her third installment of the Dark Olympus series, Ares has died and Olympus must hold a competition to choose who will takeover the role. The competition is open to everyone and Achilles has his sight set on the top. He and Patroclus have a plan and spoiled little rich Helen isn’t part of it. But Helen has plans of her own and she is not a prize to be won.

OMG I love this book so much! This is hands down my favorite of the Dark Olympus series. What I wanted more of in the first two was more plot (only due to loving Katee's writing and being SO interested in the story outside of the relationship/spice). This one, with the setting of the Ares competition, delivers. The plot was so intriguing, with each of the trials. Now, does it make total sense that the ruler of Olympus’ armies is decided based off a few competitions and not off past military experience? Not necessarily. Do I care? Not one bit. The trials were so entertaining and had me on the edge of my seat. I also really enjoyed the “downtime” moments as well, between the trials. These parts were where we really got to see the characters developing their feelings and relationship and it was done so well and was just as intriguing as the action of the trials! The pacing of this book was perfect, in that we had relationship, plot, and spice all done really well and it never felt like anything was dragging on or rushed. And when we talk about spice, WOW, Katee knows how to write her stuff and this book DELIVERED. I love everything she did and I will read any and every bit of smut she's ever written.

The characters were some of my favorite in the series to date as well. I love them so much. We got to see a different side of Helen that we didn’t get in the first books. When we've met her in the past, she's a kind of beautiful, vapid party girl, but we learn here that it's just a mask she puts on for the public. She is such a bad-ass fighting for her future. She's spent her life not being able to make her own choices, and by entering in the competition to become Ares she gets to try to have control. She’s not just a prize to be won at the end, or someone’s wife. She really wants to have the seat at the table herself.

Achilles and Patroclus are fascinating as well. I love their relationship that they have before and how they both complement Helen in different ways. This book is a true MMF style book, so fair warning to those who aren't interested in polyamory or a full coming together of the thrupple. I however, LOVE that. Getting to have all three POVs worked seamlessly, and I really enjoyed getting into all of their heads and seeing each perspective. Katee is amazing at writing in a way that makes you truly connect with the characters.

I have to take a moment to praise the way Katee Robert writes inclusively. She writes characters of all shapes, colors, sizes, genders, sexual orientations, and it is easily accepted and normalized in this world. For example, in this book we have a nonbinary character, but Katee doesn't point this out directly or describe them in a way that largely points it out. She just uses they/them pronouns. Their identity is just a part of them, without it being the sole part of their story. Its just something about them, like their hair color, instead of being the main thing that defines them. She has done this throughout the series for all kinds of characters and I greatly appreciate seeing these characters normalized and not some fetish or box to check for diversity points. Thank you for getting this right!

If you are expecting a book for hot, explicit sex, you will love it. If you are looking for a great plot, this is good but not exceptional. Unfortunately I didn't notice this was classified as Erotica - I skimmed the blurb and saw Mt. Olympus and a retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles and Patroclus and grabbed it, so this was kind of a shock for me.

All the Greek gods are present in the book and are ruling Mt. Olympus. Zeus is in charge, of course, but the land is ruled by a group of thirteen gods. The plot is mostly focused on a competition for the role of Ares, who will have a place at the table. Helen, Achilles and Patroclus are all contenders in the competition and there are many power plays going on. There is also subplot with the politics and threats going on in the land. Mostly there is sex.

The writing flows easily and drew me in and the story kept my attention. My favorite character was Patroclus, who seemed to have his act together better than the others. I felt bad for Helen who had been mistreated by her family.

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 7, 2022.

Intriguing retelling of the story of Achilles, Patroclus and Helen, Wicked Beauty is a mishmash of Greek Mythology and Hunger Games where there is a competition of three trials to determine who will step up into the role of the new Ares on the court of the thirteen rulers of Olympus.

There’s plenty of intrigue, drama and hot steamy sexy times. If threesomes and rough sex is your style then this is the book for you. While it’s not my reading preference, this is a well written story that kept me drawn into this world.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is a solid 4.5. I think this is my favorite one out of the series so far. Electric Idol was cute but this was steamier than Neon Gods if you can believe it. I also liked the scenes outside of the steam (some would call it the plot 😆) And we also get a bigger peak into the overarching arch of all the books which I am excited about.

This was my first Katee Robert book and I really enjoyed it! It was a bit confusing at first as I hadn't read the previous books in the series - I really dislike how Zeus is both a name and a title, and they still have their real name - but it was good once I got the hang of it. I'm sure I'd get a richer sense of the world if I hadn't jumped in mid-series, but I find it very intriguing and wish there was more on-page worldbuilding. Though I can't be too mad because, let's be honest, nobody is REALLY reading the book for the intricate world - it's all about the SPICE.

And this was hot - hot - hot! So refreshing to see and read about a MMF throuple (?) in a book that's going to sell A LOT of copies. They all felt like unique characters and their entire romance felt believable. The end was a bit rushed for me, but overall good.

3 stars!

Man, Katee Robert did it again!
She blew it out of the water and managed to top the first two books in this series. Having read the other books I had high hopes for this book and was intrigued by the polyamorous relationship, which is not something the first two had.
Robert builds Helen’s character in a way that showcases her strength from a completely new way. Her childhood trama and never ending battle field of an environment leads too betrayal by someone she loves. This was genuine and is so relatable to how many women in our society are treated today. No one knows they are being abused till it’s too late and leaving doesn’t leave like an possibly.
Achilles and Patroclus are partners and mean the world too each other. Their chemistry in this book is steamy and unbelievably real. Achilles is the strong hot head while Patroclus is the cold and collected ones, opposites who fit together perfectly.
Helen and Achilles are fighting to be Ares, each for their own personal reasons and neither wants to surrender. Oddly enough, I was rooting for both of them the more I got to know them. Robert is just that good at having you root for two people even though we know only can win! The ending was both a surprise but not at the same time.
There was never a dull moment in this book, from the steamy scenes to the action and political world in Olympus. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series.

DNF
thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I could not bring myself to continue reading this book.
I enjoyed the premise a modern city of Olympus where the positions of the gods are represented by political players. However I found my enjoyment ended there.

The adult characters behave like bratty hormonal teenagers, unable to control their feelings and selfish whims. The book is also filled with cursing, which definitely has place in books if used correctly, but I found it was over used.

Additionally this book is very smutty, lots of sexual acts written in detail. I’m not a prude in any way shape or form but I found this over done and unnecessary.

2/5 stars as I loved the idea of the setting and modernising of characters but my enjoyment ended there.

Thanks to NetGalley and SourceBooks Casablanca for the ARC.

I've also loved reading about Archilles and Patroclus. And this modern retelling of the duo that features their relationship with Helen of Troy did not disappoint. It is the right blend of steamy and adventure. I enjoyed reading this.

This is the third book in the Dark Olympus Series and follows Helen who we met in the previous book. Prior to reading this book we don't know a lot about Helen other than she is the sister of the new Zeus and Aphrodite, and she is willing to help her friends when they need it.

The book starts off with the announcement that there is going to be a new Ares and the person becoming Ares will have to win a competition in order to claim that title. Many people step up in order to compete for the title including Achilles and Patroclus, Patroclus being an old friend of Helen's. Helen herself has every intention of stepping forward to put her name in for the competition until her brother Zeus says that the contestant that wins Ares will be married to Helen. Helen decides to put her name in for the competition because it was her goal to become Ares and make a name for herself in the Thirteen. During the competition Helen runs into some trouble, which forces her to accept help from some unlikely competitors.

Overall, I thought this was a good book and the story is very different from the previous two books in the series. Although the book follows the same group of people we do not see many of the characters from the previous books due to most of this book happening during the competition where the competitors are away from the general population. I enjoyed learning more about Helen because I could tell in the previous book that there was more to her than meets the eye and this book succeeded in showing that. I would recommend this book to anyone that has read the previous two Dark Olympus books or anyone that likes Greek Mythology retellings.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book before publishing.

Katee Robert is so versatile in her writing. She's got me obsessed with vampires, villains, and now greek myth!
I will give all of her books a try, and there are a lot of them! Keep publishing them!

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 3 Stars
Publication: June 7, 2022
Series: Dark Olympus #3
Number of Pages: 400

“Wicked Beauty” is a first time read by Katee Robert, new author to this reader. I’ve TBR’d a few books by this author to read but decided to introduce myself with this novel as it appeared to be a good read based on description.

Ares now deceased has a title up for grabs and as part of the competition to win the title, Zeus has included his sister, Helen’s hand in marriage to the winner. What he did not count on is his sister entering the competition which puts her brother on ends. A nice retelling of Achilles and Helen that was entertaining. My only drawback was that too much emphasis was placed on the heated/steamy. At times I did find it hard to connect to some characters and envisioning parts of the story. Although I did understand the plot, for me it went too hard on the steamy intimate scenes and could have developed the characters a bit more. Having not read the others in this series, I might be at a disadvantage if they were written along the same caliber. Was it enjoyable? I can agree it was and will need to do some catching up to this third to really get the background I might be missing.

genuinely enjoyed this one from katee robert. at times it felt a bit like the hunger games but with a throuple. i loved the dynamic between the three and omgggg was it spicy

e-are provided by Netgalley

I really enjoyed this, I have been devouring KR's books lately so I was stoked to get this Arc. This isn't my fav of this series (my heart will always be with Hades and Persephone) but it's still very good!

The sexiness continues.

The title of Ares is up as a prize in a competition. Also, Helen's hand in marriage is a prize to the winner. Helen, already wanting to be Ares, decides to compete anyway. During the competition, she meets Achilles and Patroclus. As the competition goes on, the feelings the three have for each other start changing, and Achile and Patroclus start wondering if a third can be added to their relationship.

To be frank: instead of a love triangle, we get a throuple. And a throuple is far superior to a love triangle. It’s also hot as hell and sweet as candy. In between the steamy sex scenes, there is character development and advancement of Olympic politics.

I read the Dark Olympus series for the sex scenes and politics. And they were both on beautiful display.

The only disappointment I felt was finding out through Katee Robert’s website that the next book will not be about Perseus and Callisto. Wicked Beauty made me want a book about them.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

So I missed out on the first two of the series (Dark Olympus), but this is a fun read nevertheless. At first, because of coming in late, I was a little confused, but that was quickly overcome by how hot this book is! A modern retelling of Achilles, Patroclus and Helen of Troy that is delightful and sexy. The competition for the new Ares is about to begin, with all three putting their names in the pot. But plot twist, Helen’s brother plans to offer her as a prize to the winner. Little does he know she has no intention of being anyone’s prize. Over the course of the tournament, the three come to realize they can only trust each other, and their triad is not only working but it might just be what they all need.

Quick and seriously sexy, Wicked Beauty is a fun read. Nothing serious and definitely a new take on this classic myth, this one is sure to please.

Miss Robert...you know how to write S-M-U-T, my lady.

Did I love this one as much as Neon Gods and Electric Idol? Not really at all, honestly. I was sad we didn't to get to see much of the two previous couples.

Achilles, I didn't really like him until the 75% mark.
Helen was an acquired taste.
Patroclus, love you pal.

I appreciated the plot and world building we got in this one. I thought the trials to become Ares was really interesting and reminded me a bit of the trials in Divergent.

This is very open door in typical Roberts fashion. RH is not really my go-to but I have to admit I didn't hate it in this one. Achilles sure has a mouth on him.

However, the inner monologues of our three main characters were incredibly repetitive and I found it to be kind of annoying. I didn't feel a close connection to any of our characters so this one did not hit as much.

Also, I WANT CALLISTO AND PERSES' BOOK NOW!

Thank you NetGalley and Source Casa books for the eARC.