Katee Robert does it again!

I love this world and I really loved this book. The downside of this book is that the characters can get a little annoying as they complain about the same thing throughout the whole book. The spice and the storyline do make it worth it though.

The storyline is kind of like The Hunger Games without the killing. Ares is dead and they have champions where they battle it out during 3 rounds and whoever wins the last round becomes Ares. The challenges were very thought-out and exciting. I honestly looked forward to each one after the last challenge was over. The story starts out kind of slow, but once it picked up, I couldn't put it down and read it almost in one sitting.

Helen is the main female character and I really liked her. She is this bada** character but definitely has a soft spot. Her storyline really shows how much trauma she holds and why she doesn't let anyone in. She isn't a damsel, she is kind of the opposite and she is a boss lady throughout the whole story. She's cunning, strong, and a great MC.

Achilles and Patroclus are great MCs as well. Like in Greek mythology, they kind of fit together like a puzzle piece. Achilles has always wanted power and therefore has dreamed of being Ares for as long as he can remember. Patroclus is the smart cunning piece to his brute and together the plan to help Achilles achieve his dream. The two will do anything they can to help Achilles become a part of the 13.

The spice in this book was like always with Katee, amazing! It was super overpowering but definitely left me happy with how integrated it was in the story. Image its friends to lovers and haters to lovers in the same polyamorous relationship. The character dynamics of the three of them definitely make this relationship one of my favorites.

Jacob or Edward? Peeta or Gale? Arthur or Lancelot? If you are the type of reader who asks “why not both?” then this is the book for you.

So far Robert’s Dark Olympus series has been amazing so I was very excited to get a first read of the series’ third book. This Helen of Troy/Hunger Games mashup is a very clever take on the classic myths. Robert continues to build her world of modern gods with a solid plot, fascinating characters and…”romance” that just might cause your pages to scorch at the corners. I could write for hours about all the greatness in this book, but I won’t spoil the fun for future readers! If you want an action packed thriller AND a polyamorous romance all in one go, this one needs to be on your TBR pile.

3.5 stars
I've read all the Dark Olympus books so far and I'm going to keep reading the series because the worldbuilding, characters, and romance are so good and interesting. That being said I think this was the least favorite of the series so far and why I'm only giving it 3.5 stars.

The book picks up kind of where Electric Idol left off with lots of changes happening to the Thirteen Olympus's ruling class. Ares has finally died and a new one needs to be appointed. However, Ares is not a legacy title or one that can be appointed instead it is a competition with trials of strength and physicality to determine the next Ares. Helen, Patroclus, Achilles, and other Olympians enter the competition but of course, there's a twist. Helen is to be the prize, the wife of the next Ares. Obviously, this complicates everything but Helen does still compete. During the competition, she rooms with Achilles and Patroclus who are together but not exclusive. Helen ends up entering their relationship for an only sex fling while the trials are happening but it ends up as something more. The book is told through alternating perspectives so it's nice to read what everyone is thinking. However, while the spice was good (I mean it's Katee Robert after all) I didn't feel like the romance aspect was super believable. Like one minute they're just having fun during the games and the next they want to make it a permanent relationship? I think it just needed a little more time to develop to make it believable especially with the ending.

The book sets up a mystery to be explored in later books in the series and ends with a HEA (no spoilers though) and was definitely a fun fast read.

I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley.

I LOVED Katee Robert’s newest retelling! Helen is beautiful, but wants people to take her seriously and not judge her for beauty. Patroclus and Achilles are a couple for the ages. When Aries must be replaced, the three meet during the competition and… let’s just say that sparks fly. I am a massive fan of mythology retellings and romance, so this book was right up my alley. Will definitely be recommending to others!

I love this series. It has everything - great world-building, politics, intrigue, romance, spicy, and more. I think what I really love about Katee's characters is that the females are these strong, powerful women who won't back down no matter the cost. The men are equally as amazing because they are RESPECTFUL.
I had just come from reading an Achilles/Patroclus retelling that I didn't love and I was a little weary of this but I loved it. I loved the dynamic and how the characters played off each other. They are stubborn and strong-willed but still listen to each other.
I really hope there are more books to come in this series - I am a huge fan!
Thank you for the opportunity to read this!

This is the third book of the Dark Olympus series from Katee Robert and let me tell you how excited I was to get this ARC!! I read Neon Gods and Electric Idol and with each book I’m getting more and more into the world Katee created with all the Gods of Olympus.
In the previous Book, Perseus, Helen’s brother, became the new Zeus. To create stronger alliances, he started a tournament to decide who is going to replace the old Ares that was stepping down. The “little detail” of this tournament is that he offered his sister, Helen, as a bride-prize for the winner. That clearly did not sit well with Helen and she decided to enter the tournament herself.
Meanwhile, Achilles and Patroclus, after serving Athena as second in command, are looking to climb the Olympus ladder and get the title of Ares for themselves. The story unravels with them creating a “temporary alliance” to win the title of Ares while defending themselves from the other contestants during the tournament.

*spoilers ahead*
As you can imagine a relationship will bloom between these characters and they will have to navigate the complicate emotions that develops when you want a romantic relationship while competing for the same objective.

I really enjoyed this book and how all the characters were portraited! Patroclus, although shows insecurities over the affections of Achilles is strong and very smart. He is not someone that needs to be dragged around, as I had the impression from other retellings.
Achilles has an arrogant demeanor at first because of his ambitions, but he is caring and has a funny sense of humor.
Helen, with all her past trauma, is still strong and independent, works through her complicated past in a believable way and go after her desires. For me, her intentions and attitudes make total sense with her character, since she clearly did not want to be a pawn for her brother nor be in a marriage of convenience.

I also loved the representation of abusive relationship Helen had with Paris. His gaslight and condescending tone really unnerved me but the author worked through Helen’s trauma in a well thought way so she could move past it. Although it requires more work to include this in the story without digressing of the main plot, it was so much more powerful than the alternative of resourcing for the guys to “save her”.

Additionally, I was cheering so much through the spicy scenes when the characters were asking for consent!! Not only Helen’s consent but also Patroclus and Achilles! Everyone was in the same page and there was no dubious statements.. it was how it’s supposed to be and let me tell you, that did not make the spicy scenes any less HOT!

Overall, it was a great book with a great mix of action, politics, romance, spice and complex psychological issues that Katee woven perfectly into the story.
Moreover, I’m so excited for the book of Hera and Zeus! Katee sprinkled little parts of it here and there and I think their chemistry is already so good while living the enemies to lovers relationship! Too bad she already announced it would be the last book of the series but I’m here for the ride!

4 sexy stars.

I absolutely love this world Katee has created! I was looking forward to this one and I am definitely not disappointed!

I enjoyed that she threw in a competition to become the new Ares. It provided the book with just the right amount of action, allowed us to see Helen’s BA self, and brought in the rivals to lovers trope that is one of my favorites.

One of my favorite things was seeing the relationship develop between these three and how Achilles and Patroclus helped show Helen that she IS strong and capable and helped her feel safe enough to open up to them.

Katee does it again! Thank you Netgalley for this eARC!

This is the third book in Katee Robert's 'Dark Olympus' series. The first was a Hades and Persephone retelling––isn't it always––and then a retelling of Psyche and Eros. This one is a retelling of Achilles and Patroclus as well as... Helen? I saw many had an issue that this was not Briseis, which sure, but you shouldn't go into this expecting a whole lot of adherence to the mythology.
My bone to pick with this story, prior to and after reading, is that Patroclus and Achilles is such a beloved and prominent romance story, throughout history but especially since 'Song of Achilles'. What you miss out on in this book is the origins of their romance. They simply are already where they are. Helen is then just added in because she is the perfect addition. She felt more like a 'unicorn' than an equal partner in their eventual relationship. Patroclus additionally did not feel as fleshed out as Helen and Achilles, perhaps because his overarching characteristic was 'self-sacrifice'.
All that said, I am not going into these books expecting a perfect retelling/modernization, but more of a fun, sexy romp. This definitely is that, and the Ares competition added another level that I actually found engaging rather than distracting from the romance. I do wish the Ares had been... someone else... a certain t-shirt wearer––you'll see––as I think that would have made more sense within the throuple, and the ending could have been a little more drawn out and cohesive.
Looking forward, I am very interested to see what goes on between Callisto and Zeus, as it seems she may be playing 3D chess. This was fun, but I did like Psyche and Eros's story slightly more.

When I heard who the characters were that this book was going to focus on, I knew I had to read it. Honestly, this is probably my favorite of the Dark Olympus series so far. I love a good triad, and Achilles, Helen, and Patroclus make a great one. I throughly enjoyed how each of the characters begin to realize that together they make each other stronger. They each balance each other so beautifully. The character growth that Helen goes through really spoke to me.

I find that sometimes the pacing with books with the competition trope can be a bit jarring, but Katee Robert really did a great job with the pacing of this book. It’s an easy read that I wish had lasted longer because I enjoyed it so much.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read an early copy!

Wow. This was amazing. I love Katee Robert and her inclusive story telling. If you want a Greek mythology retelling about Achilles and Helen look no further. I loved this so much.

This may very well be my favorite book of 2022. It's the red hot throuple romance that I didn't know that I needed. The dynamics between Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus is melt the words right off the pages hot.

Thanks to Katee Robert and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this, as I knew I would because I’ve loved the series so far. I appreciate the subtle retelling elements without compromising the rich low fantasy/urban setting Katee has developed. It’s fun, spicy, this one has a bit of action too. A great next instalment in the series.

I really appreciate the queer rep. Katee is one of the few authors I’ve found who accurately and respectfully represents queer sex. I will keep coming back to her writing for the diversity.

This book takes place in the illuminating city of Olympus reimagined by Robert. This story focuses on Helen, Achilles and Patroclus but explores the dynamic in a new fun way. Overall I felt like the book was kinda blah and superficial. I rated it a 2.5/3 stars. It stuck me as something straight outta wattpad and lingered/ repeated the same common ideas over and over in a way that didn’t bring any nuance to the book and just prolonged the scenes. The pacing overall was decent but the end felt extremly rushed and unfinished. I know the end of the book gives way for the other installment in this series but, it wrapped up in a way that didn’t feel satisfying. In the last quarter of the book we are introduced to a new “problem” and it’s meant to be something that we care about but in the end it just becomes like a filler plot. I appreciated the characters a lot, they were fun to read and really popped off the page but besides that the book fell flat.

I have loved every single entry into the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert and Wicked Beauty is no exception, it is actually my new favorite in the series!

Katee Robert always knows how to have the perfect combination of spice and plot in all her books but she definitely outdid herself in Wicked Beauty. I loved the journey that these characters went on as much as I loved the sexy times, I could not get enough of both.

I didn't want the book to end because I was so in love with our three main characters. Helen intrigued me from the very first mention of her in the two other books in the series and getting to read her story was so rewarding, it was everything I wanted it to be and then some. Achilles and Patroclus are both so very different and yet so perfect for each other and for Helen. The three of them really make the perfect team and it made me so happy to see them each realize this. Their Happy For Now ending was perfect and I am going to be looking forward to getting crumbs of them in the next books in the series!

I have said it before but I will say it again, the Dark Olympus series is brilliant and unlike anything else out there. I will read however many more books we get in this series!

*A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus that's as sinful as it is sweet.*

a modern retelling of Achilles, Helen & Patroclus. This is a spicy book, the three main characters surly put on a show. i can understand how some readers may not like this book due to the fact that Helen was involved when myths put Achilles and Patroclus together. I think it was just the author's creative pov that she wanted to put the 3 of them together.. definitely 18+ mature fantasy content. if you enjoy Katee's other books you will enjoy this one.. i love books that involve greek mythlogy/retellings.

- mm, mmf, mf romance
- insta love
- enemies to lovers
- spicy scenes

i received this arc from NG and this is my voluntary review.

I love a Greek mythology retelling
Wicked Beauty is dazzling, sexy, and everything I didn't know I needed in this world.

Wicked Beauty is a fun, sexy read about beautiful Helen fighting (quite literally) to more than just a pretty prize to be won. The role of Ares has recently been vacated and there will be a challenge held to determine the next person to hold the title. Helen enters in the hopes to win her independence. An unplanned entanglement with Achilles and his best friend, Patroclus, has Helen wanting more than just a title.

I adore Helen and how far she is willing to go get freedom. I'll admit Achilles drove me nuts but somehow I never completely disliked him. Props to Katee Robert for keeping him just on the right side of likeable. Patroclus quietly stole the show with his big brain and big heart.

Strongly recommend wearing contacts when reading. Your glasses will probably fog up from all the steam coming off the page.

(2.5) Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book. I think it is fair to say that I am not a fan of Robert's writing. I actually did enjoy the story, and I liked reading about the trials that Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus endured. However, in an effort to distinguish voices among the three characters, the writing just went downhill. In the beginning of the novel, Achilles mentioned that Helen was involved with gymnastics as a kid "or some shit like that." I'm sorry, but I just do not want to read a book where the characters sound like 10 year old boys who just realized they could swear. The steam was steamy of course, and that's probably what you're looking for if you pick up this book, but I just didn't think the three major scenes made up for the rest of the book.

I've been a fan of Katee Robert's work since last year and the dark olympus series is one of my favorite things by her, so i was very excited to get to read the third book.

This one focus on Helen, Achilles and Patroclus and i really enjoyed the dynamic created between the three of them. Achilles and Patroclus are two characters from greek mythology that are very well loved by readers, especially because of previous stories centered around them, and it was very interesting to see Katee's take on them with the delightful addition of Helen.

Wicked Beauty is a romance that also focuses a lot on the characters' dreams and ambitions and how far they're all willing to go in order to achieve their goals, and i liked that the romance between the three main characters didn't take away from that. Each of them has their own struggles and are striving for something important to them as individuals, and it was refreshing to see them stick to those dreams and not have to give them up in order to be happy.

The backdrop of Olympus and all its inner politics and scheming takes the story to another level and adds a deeper layer to it that keeps the reader on their toes and wanting more.

As is the usual in Katee's books, the romance felt very authentic and kept me reading for hours just to get more scenes of the characters together. That being said, it was probably my least favorite out of the three books in the series so far, which does not mean i didn't enjoy it. I love to read about poly relationship dynamics and rooted for Helen, Achilles and Patroclus throughout the entire book. It's very interesting to see how they fit together in many different ways and what each of them brings to the relationship with their personalities and history.

I'm already so excited for book 4! This is a series that i'll definitely look forward to reading more of every year until it ends.

Wicked Beauty is a devastingly vulnerable and wickedly heartrending masterpiece that is truly a gold standard of this genre. This story has it all with its decadent passion, heartbreaking struggles, and fierce determination. However, you cannot leave unsaid the deadly beauty and heady danger that lurked within each page. Nothing is as it seems, and winning one goal only leaves you wrapped a little tighter in the sleek and steel spider web that holds this world together.

Helen has come to desire just one thing in life. She needs to become the next Ares of Olympus. Nothing can distract and no one will derail her from this goal. Even her heart has no place when it comes to this competition. She is brutally focused. Achilles has the same goal in mind, but for very different reasons. He wants to prove that his life has real meaning and a grand purpose from his very meager and disgraceful beginning. When these two collide, the force of their passion and connection is enough to change the very heart of Olympus. Can these two find a way to be the refuge and support they both need, or will their lethal ambition destroy their burgeoning relationship?

This story has so many decadent layers that you will find your head spinning in no time. I savored the raw honesty between them, and I longed for them to be real with the other in order to let them through their walls of steel. Their growing love was such a breathtaking sight to behold. I truly couldn't get enough of it, or how their personalities perfectly complicated the other. This is what a relationship should strive to become.

I haven't read many books by Katee Robert, but she blew my mind with this wonderful work of art. This is what I like for in stories. I look for something so real, you can practically touch it. Oh, what a true joy this story is! Whatever you do, do not miss out on experiencing it all.