.Wow... this is one terrific series. Neon Gods, Electric Idol and now wicked beauty... I really enjoy Katee's unique take on Greek mythology.... :) The heat in this book is burning hot and not for everyone obviously. But as someone who enjoys Greek mythology, I really can't say enough about this series! All the characters are amazingly unique. I love how they aren't 2 dimensional.... And lots of chemistry of course... And the action, political intrigue are done perfectly.... fast-paced and twists..... It's the most interesting part of the story for me.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

2.5 stars. Wicked Beauty had the potential to be a great novel. Especially because Neon Gods and Electric Idol were incredible. This one just fell short for me. The competition was plain boring. I had a phase where I was reading novels centered around competitions and this is the most boring out of all of them. Competitions should be fun and exciting and this is really an example of a novel that is centered around smut and not plot. Don’t get me wrong, the smut was great, but I would also like the plot to be great too, because otherwise I have no incentive to read it. I really wouldn’t recommend this book to others, because if you’re interested in smut or Greek mythology, other books do it 10x better. To emphasize how boring it was, it took me ages to read through when I would normally read a book in 1 or 2 days. I had to force myself to finish it for the review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This one took me a second to figure out how I felt when it was all said and done. I absolutely ADORE the story of Achilles and Pactroclus, so I’ll admit to being exceptionally hesitant about introducing Helen into the mix. With that being said, I tried hard to allow KR to sweep me away with her story!

First off- this book has MPOVs from all three main characters. Achilles, Pactroclus, and Helen’s narratives were all so distinct and fully realized. That in and of itself is impressive. I loved the characters personalities. Achilles a brash soldier with an attitude, Pactroclus a thinker and feeler to a fault, and Helen (who steals the show) the perfect balance of the two, ambitions, driven, and so much more than anyone around her gives her credit for.

KR is fantastic at writing Heroines. Her FMCS are truly some of my favorites. Helen is no exception, she’s fierce, she’s strong, she’s multidimensional, and she’s willing to do anything to shape her future into one SHE wants! When everyone around her views her as a commodity, a prize, a pawn, she takes her fate into her own hands with a single minded determination and I love her for that. My only complaint in regards to the characters is in this story it felt like she was allowed the room to shine, and Achilles and Patroclus took the backseat a bit. I enjoyed them, but to me it felt like they weren’t allowed the room to take up space like she was. Unfortunate as this story at the end of the day is about the three of them equally.

Relationship wise this triad (although not something I normally reach for) I felt was well done. All three had some specific growth that needed to happen and be worked though in this story, all three had to let down guards, set aside jealousy and agendas, and grow together into something new and beautiful. I felt like this happened and in a way that felt natural and believable.. even for someone that was hesitant with adding Helen into the mix. At this point these reimaginings are incredibly loose and that’s probably for the best in KRs new Olympus she’s built!

Plot wise, this one was lacking. I have enjoyed KRs new Olympus so far, I like the fresh take, I’ve enjoyed the directions taken throughout the first two books. This one felt like it took a huge backseat and was an afterthought until the end when the door needed to be opened to pave way for the next book.

Ultimately I’m giving this one 3⭐️ I liked it, but I do have some things I felt were less than perfect!

The steam, as always was well written and 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc! I truly appreciated the chance to read this and will be eagerly awaiting the next installment!

This book! This BOOK!! Omg!!

Just written SO beautifully. That’s almost all I can say. Genuinely that’s how floored I am & that does not happen very often.

I had my reservations going in since we weren’t getting another sister’s perspective(I NEED a book about the other two Immediately! Anyone else??), but Katee has me swooning, giggling & FEELING for these three like I never thought I could.
Plus, the concept of the trials…bravo!!!

I literally don’t think I’ve read anything so fast in my life. The author has done it again, this Has to be my favorite series of steamy Greek retellings. Literally could not put this one down, it only took me a couple hours to DEVOUR this. Not because it’s short or anything, but because I needed to know what happened next so badly.

Almost positive that my following thoughts won't reflect the vast majority of readers' feelings for this one. So fair warning.

It's awesome the KR has continued to create her own unique world, but this series has taken too many liberties that I can't call these books retellings anymore. This one specifically just borrows the characters' names, so I guess, if anything, it's a very loose inspiration. I know this won't bother most readers at all, but it KILLED me that this is about Helen instead of Briseis. I understand why - Helen is needed for the connection to Olympus - but still. I personally don't think Helen should have any part of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus.

I also wasn't a biggest fan of the romance. Not my kind of trope, like at all. But the writing has a quality that is very easy to read, to the point of being bingeable. I mean, even though I knew I wasn't really enjoying the story, the dramatics of it all made me want to finish it.

But in the end, this just made me wish I was reading ‘A Song of Achilles’ instead.

So take this review with a grain of salt, because all of my issues with the book are personal ones. KR still does a good job with her world-building and drama so, if you enjoyed the previous two books in the series, then I think you definitely have something to look forward to with this installment!

Wicked Beauty is the story of what happens when you mix a hunger games style challenge for power with complex family drama, a long term MM open relationship and a single-minded heroine who is used to being totally on her own.

The mixing of all of these components leads to some very explosive chemistry. There was some suspense, intrigue, mega steam, excellent banter, and a few call backs from earlier in the series. I cannot wait to see what comes next and am more than thrilled to recommend this one to friends.

All three of the main characters are complex and well thought out and each had to find their own joy before the throuple could truly be successful. Read this book!

Katee Robert is on of my favorite authors. I've read every retelling she has created and this one is just as good as the first! She weaves characters and storylines, that we know, but in a relatable and modern way. She catches you with the characters, and keeps a hold of you by the spice!

I was super excited to jump into this story of Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus. A steamy three-way relationship between three very famous Olympus - YES, PLEASE! The sex scenes in this book were stellar and left me wanting more. I wish that there was more time to add more depth to their relationship, which I think was a bit difficult to do in 400 pages from three points of view. Their relationships progressed very quickly, which worked really well for the steamy scenes. The HEA for this book was simple but perfect for their story. I would love to see how their dynamic develops in their new roles of power.

This book had a Hunger Games vibe to it and I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of those battles and competitions.

I see that there is going to be a 4th book in this series and I'm looking forward to it. I can't get enough of these modern twists on Greek mythology! They are perfectly steamy and are filled with entertaining drama, politics, and intrigue.

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥½
⚠️: mention of murder, combat w/gruesome injuries

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I will say that I am a little disappointed in this one. I read Neon Gods awhile back, and though I wasn’t blown away by it, it was an interesting premise and the storyline was captivating. I didn’t read the second installment of this series, but I wanted to read Wicked Beauty because it sounded intriguing.

A major reason I didn’t totally enjoy this one is because I didn’t like any of the characters. I know historically Achilles was probably a very difficult, stubborn, and self righteous person, but I very much did not enjoy the way he treated Helen or Patroclus in this story. Helen was also extremely unlikable. Though her story is meant to make you feel bad for her, I just didn’t. Patroclus is the only redeemable character, and even he annoyed me at times. I think the premise had a lot of potential, but everything felt too fast paced with little to no development for how quickly the three of them fell into a relationship together. The steamy scenes were good, which was a plus, but overall I would have liked to have seen more development throughout the story.

If you’re a big Katee Robert fan, I imagine you’ll still enjoy this one, so if you’re invested in the series, please give it a try for yourself!

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.

Let me start by saying I LOVE the Neon Gods series. The first two books in the series are on my favorites shelf, and I've reread them a couple times in preparation for Wicked Beauty. I loved certain aspects of Wicked Beauty, for starters, Helen is an amazing protagonist. The whole premise of her competing for the title of Ares was fantastic and a great backdrop for the story to progress. She's a fierce female character, and a great addition to the story. It was also really fun to catch up with some of the other characters in the series, such as Eros and Psyche.

I enjoyed reading this book, and the spice level was off the charts, which Katee Robert always delivers on. However, I did not find the throuple relationship entirely believable or compelling. It all progressed way too quickly, and I could not sort out how the relationship between the three main characters (Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen) developed. After reading, I'm not sure that Helen should have been a part of Achilles and Patroclus's relationship to be completely honest. My favorite parts of the previous two books was the deep connection felt between the romance leads, and that was lacking in this book between the three main characters.

Throuple relationships are not some of my favorite tropes, but personally preferences aside, Robert's worldbuilding and storytelling is great, and I will return for the next book. And the next, and the next. Hopefully, the Zeus x Callisto story is in the works!

Wicked Beauty is the third installment in the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert. This book is probably tied with Neon Gods for being my favorite in the series, and it is definitely in the lead in terms of spice.

This book gives us a deeper look at a character we met several times in Electric Idol, Helen Kasios. Daughter to the late Zeus and sister to the current one. Helen is determined, strong, brave, and all around just a bad ass. In addition we meet Achilles and Patroclus, who have formed an alliance based on their friendship and relationship. All three of our main characters are battling to become the next Ares.

This book is everything I never knew I wanted from a Helen of Troy retelling. We get action, we get character development, we get spice, and we get some poly romance and I am here for it. I finished this book in one day because it was just an entertaining easy read. If you enjoyed the other Dark Olympus novels you will definitely enjoy Wicked Beauty.

Imagine if Catching Fire were horny.

I love what Katee does with these characters. The Dark Olympus world has me invested, and I am always excited to read the next one. I always want more! I liked this one a lot more than Electric Idol. The trials were fun to read, and the conflict felt very real. Helen is great, very tough, and I love Patroclus' narration. He's such a sweet and solid man. I'm not interested in polyamory in real life, but these three made an intriguing case for it. This is not the first time Robert has gotten me on board with something I wasn't expecting to vibe with...she's just GOOD. The chemistry that the leads had with one another were all unique, and all hot. Once again, I can't wait to read more from this series and am elated there there are so many planned installments.

I seem to be stuck in a pattern with Katee Roberts' books. I thought Neon Gods was OK, loved her Eros and Psyche retelling and am not really sold on Wicked Beauty. I like all the characters individually but I always had this disjointed feeling when it came to Helen/Achilles/Patroclus. They didn't really feel like a trio, rather two couples interacting and engaging in sexy times. I liked the idea of the trials and the role of the antagonists but this didn't live up to the expectations I had for it.

3.75⭐️ Rounded up
This third installment in the Dark Olympus series follows Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus as they vie for the title of the new Ares. The story wasn’t really a re-telling, but that didn’t bother me so much.

I loved the competition/trial aspect of this one. And I really loved seeing all three perspectives of folding in Helen to the Achilles and Patroclus relationship, as well as the dynamic of the relationship between each of them.

It has so many things I love, like enemies to lovers, queen bad bitch energy, high stakes competition, and of course a super hot threesome.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC!

Another winner by Katee Robert! I have loved the world of Olympus that Katee has created and this book dives further into that world and deeper into the Kasios family aka Zeus' family.

As Helen, daughter of the former Zeus and sister to the current Zeus, competes to become the next Ares she much overcome three challenges, the other competitors, and something she never could have predicted - Achilles and Patroclus. She's learned to never trust anyone, even her family, but can she trust these two?

The Dark Olympus books are hot and streamy and this book is no exception. In fact, I think this book brings it to the next level and one of the things I love most about Katee's books are the clear consent and communication between partners. I love how it's not glanced over but directly addressed in a healthy and clear way.

I can't wait for the next!!

I LOVED Katee Robert’s newest retelling! Helen is beautiful, but wants people to take her seriously and not just judge her for beauty. Patroclus and Achilles are my new favourite couple and when Aries must be replaced, the three meet during the competition and… THE CHEMISTRY!!! I am a massive fan of mythology retellings and romance, so this book was right up my alley. Will definitely be recommending to others! This series has my whole heart!!

I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley.

This was a very good continuation in this world of Greek mythology and a great mix of action and romance. I loved the 3 different trials mixed in with the spicy ménage scenes. There are a few parts that seem rushed and aren’t quite filled out is my only complaint. I am definitely looking forward to the next book!

Well well well, what can I say when it comes to this book?
The first 10% of the book I was very mad seeing how everybody treated Helen like an idiot princess, like a pawn whose dreams didn’t matter because there was always a “bigger picture” however…. This book is one of my favorite reads of 2022. I think Katee Roberts dis an outstanding work on writing the love triangle between Helen, Patroclus ans Achilles. As the book progress sure I was a little mad at Achilles but we must admit the chemistry between the three of them was chef’s kiss!!

Definetely a 4.5 ⭐️ !!

WOW. Every new book in the series has become my favorite but THIS one is the winner. I don't think another will top it. I loved all three characters so much, each gave me a feeling of having known them for years. They are so real with their flaws making me love them. Kattee Robert just writes in a way that is easy to read and still so enticing.

The main difference between this book and the previous two is that this one truly felt more centered with a plot that wasn't dependent on the romance. We could have had the same book minus the spice (but let us be honest, the spice is fantastic) and it would hold up. The same can be said about spice standalone.

5/5 already bought the physical copy for my library :)