I was extremely excited to read this book – huge expectations, and it did not disappoint. I think this hit the perfect balance between spice and the intricate politics of the larger arc, the threat to Olympus from outside, brought closer by Minos and his entourage.

The TL;DR is this: This book is PAINFULLY spicy, and it is full of political intrigue and a little heartbreak. It will keep you both on the edge of your seat or sighing softly as you relax back into the pillows. It’s a fantastic mix of politics and personal relationships, and features a budding switch, a surprise puppy, and the sexy glue that holds it all together (not THAT kinda glue, get your mind out of the gutter… for now, at least). It is exciting, well paced, really well written, and will leave you wanting more.

This book follows another one of Demeter’s daughters, Eurydice. In previous books we learned that her former lover, Orpheus, had betrayed her to the last Zeus and caused her serious harm in the process. She appeared here and there in the series, and we could see her get a little better: attending Minos’ party with Charon, meeting with Ariadne… and getting a mission from Callisto, the new Hera, that sets Eurydice on the path to carving out a new place in Olympus for herself.

Midnight Ruin finds her in Hades’ club where she regularly spends time. The story picks up where the last book ended, with her trying to set up a meeting with Ariadne. When that falls through, she is approached by Thanatos, breaking one of the rules she is supposed to follow, to watch but not engage. And – as will be the case repeatedly – Charon catches her and things get intense. The process of her learning to trust and also be trustworthy is a recurring theme in the book, which is echoed by other characters struggling with (and starting to overcome) their insecurities and metaphorical demons. Healing is very sexy indeed.

The book circles through more spicy and more political chapters as relationships form and change, and political events speed up. Charon is the fuel to Eurydice’s personal relationships and turns out to not only be a reliable and loyal friend, but a selfless lover in all possible ways. Without spoiling the story, we get to see Orpheus returning into her life and finding a space that makes the lives of all involved better. On Charon’s side, we can see him struggling with the baggage that this constellation brings and we get to enjoy the resolution that brings him a surprising new love. And finally, redemption for Orpheus – and he has to work for it (he loves it, and so do we)!

All in all, the dynamic between the three is so well done and was such a delight to read! Inventive, devious, surprising! I don’t often have such strong physical reactions to books, but suffice it to say that not only did this make me squeal with joy and giddiness but I’m pretty sure I left puddles on my seat because when I say that the spice was SPICY AF… it was ridiculously hot and tickled my brain in the most intriguing and devastating way.

Politics is pretty seamlessly woven into the story, and there is more of it in this than previous installments: the unrest after Hephaestus’ murder and the publication of the assassination clause has been growing. The Thirteen and all legacy families find themselves in increasing danger of being attacked, anytime, anywhere. Everything feels faster and more intense and it’s so well written you can almost feel the claustrophobia and growing feeling of hopelessness as no place remains safe and attacks increase not only increase in number but also hit closer and closer to home. Some things that happen had me gasp and just quietly beg that the worst case was not what was happening… mostly because I fully believe Katee Robert is fearless enough to kill off characters.

They certainly are devious enough to keep us guessing about loyalties and plans within plans. Is Hermes a traitor or not? Where even is she right now? We don’t know. What happens when the barrier finally breaks? Is there still time for diplomacy? We don’t know. Who will survive the larger attacks that are sure to follow? Is there maybe an even bigger villain behind the person who wields Minos and his family? So many questions!

Suffice it to say, I cannot wait for Dark Restraint, which I expect will give us more insight into the goings-on on the side of the attackers (and move everything forward, of course!). The way that future events are teased is another reason you should dive into this series if you haven’t already.

So, to sum up: Go get this book and a good bottle of your favorite beverage and settle in for a good night! Maybe put your phone on silent as well, just saying.

Review for Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hey there, fellow book enthusiasts! I just finished reading Midnight Ruin, and oh boy, I am buzzing with excitement to share my thoughts on this sizzling journey with you all!

From the very first page, this book grabbed hold of me and never let go. Let's dive into the reasons why "Spicy Chronicles" is a must-read for all fans of spicy, interesting, and breathtaking stories.

Firstly, the spice factor. This book spices up the narrative with a perfect blend of mystery, suspense, and unexpected turns. The author masterfully crafted an intricate plot that had me genuinely guessing at every twist and turn. The mix of emotions these characters experienced kept my heart racing, and I felt like I was right there with them on this bold adventure.

Additionally, the overall pace and style of the storytelling were incredibly captivating. The author's vivid descriptions made the setting come alive, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the world of Midnight Ruin. This, coupled with Katee Robert’s ability to create compelling and multifaceted characters, added depth and substance to the story, making it impossible to put down.

The characters came alive with their own unique personalities, and their interactions were as spicy as the title suggests. The author brilliantly wove an intricate web of relationships, creating deliciously tangled dynamics that kept me on my toes throughout the entire book. Each character had their own secrets and motives, making it thrilling to discover who to trust and who to suspect.

Furthermore, this book truly surprised me with its unexpected plot twists. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, bam! The story took a sharp turn, leaving me breathless and craving for more. They do always say that two is better than one. The element of surprise was perfectly executed, keeping the high level of intrigue alive until the very last page.

All in all, "Midnight Ruin" was an unforgettable reading experience. If you enjoy books that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat, then look no further! This spicy, interesting, and toe-tapping adventure will surely leave you wanting more.

So, go ahead and spice up your reading list by grabbing a copy of "Midnight Ruin" when it comes out. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Yours literary,

Femi Adeyemo

Midnight Ruin" by Katee Robert is a scorching modern retelling of the myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, seamlessly blending Greek mythology with a contemporary and magical world. The author's skillful integration of the original myth into a polyamorous, happily-ever-after story with Charon is both captivating and inventive.

The characters, particularly Eurydice, Orpheus, and Charon, are well-crafted, each carrying the weight of their pasts and desires. The story unfolds with gripping twists, seduction, and love, keeping the reader engrossed from start to finish.

Katee Robert's talent for crafting retellings shines through, maintaining the essence of the original myth while injecting a modern sensibility. The dynamics between the characters are complex, with Charon emerging as a dominant and appealing force. The interplay of politics in Olympus adds an additional layer of intrigue, with shocking revelations and power plays keeping the reader on the edge.

While the love story is central, the novel also delves into the intricacies of a precariously balanced world, with mind games and secrets taking up significant space. "Midnight Ruin" is a sinful and immersive read that offers a fresh perspective on a classic myth. Whether you're a fan of Greek mythology or just love a compelling, well-crafted romance, this book is a must-read.

It is with a heavy heart that I give this book the lowest rating of any book in this series so far. The romance for me was very underwhelming, which affected my enjoyment of it. Usually when I look for this authors books I’m looking for a relationship and romance drama with a dash of plot mixed in, this one however was the opposite.

Now, lots of plot isn’t a bad thing, not even a little. I just wasn’t expecting the amount of plot as compared to the romance development (which was lacking). I wish this book was about 69 (pun fully intended) pages longer so we could get a better balance between the characters and the love story, plus a fully fledged plot to go along with it.

I’m sure as this series (sadly) is drawing to a close that there’s more pressure to get plot so the storylines all start to converge and make sense for the final book. I understand this, but I wish there was a bit less of Hades and Persephone in this one. They had their book and it felt like they were overpowering this one and not letting this story stand on its own.

Now don’t get me wrong, even though this wasn’t my favorite I fully intend to gobble up every single book in the series plus anything else the author has up her sleeve. I’m fully invested at this point and I will see Hera and Zeus live out their relationship in the end. Sadly this wasn’t my all time fav, but I can appreciate it for what it was trying to accomplish.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with an arc of this book!

*Light spoilers*
Book 6 in the Dark Olympus series, Midnight Ruin follows the relationship between Eurydice, Orpheus, and Charon. I was excited for this book ever since Radiant Sin, where Eurydice's and Charon's dynamic was first mentioned. So fast paced and filled to the brim with sex-scenes, this was a very quick read. I really liked that Eurydice was beginning to come into her own as a woman, not just with her lovers, but with her family too. Also really enjoyed the political side of this story, and how family members of the 13 are now being targeted. It added some stakes to a rather low stakes romance novel.

That being said, this story really wasn't my cup of tea, which is fine. Everyone has different preferences, and the degradation kink really doesn't do it for me. I also felt like this story was too fast. While the quick pacing can be good at times, I felt that the relationship between the three wasn't earned enough. Both Eurydice and Charon forgave Orpheus too quickly, the friends-to-lovers dynamic between Charon and Eurydice wasn't explored enough, and Charon and Orpheus' bond was honestly not believable. I also felt that the ending was incredibly rushed and incomplete. I didn't resolve any of the problems it had set up throughout the story.

For me, this book was definitely not the best in the series, but it also wasn't the worst. I am looking forward to the next installment in the series!

Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert definitely lives upto the hype and reputation. It's a mastermind of retelling when the author very smartly integrates Greek mythology in a modern day world with some magical parts. It's a gripping tale of twists, seduction and love.

I am obsessed with retellings. For me, a retelling is successful only when it has all the components of the original story and yet seamlessly transforms into a modern one. This is retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice's tragic tale. But it doesn't end in a tragedy, rather a polyamorous happily ever after with Charon.I would suggest you read the original myth first to understand how the author excelled the retelling.


Can you read it as standalone? Technically yes. I have jumped into this one right away. Though I am more obsessed with Hades and Persephone and need to read ASAP...I am not lost. Orpheus, brother of Apollo and son of Calliope, is a playboy artist from Upper City who broke Eurydice's heart and put her in danger. She has taken shelter with her sister and brother in law in lower city. Hades' right hand man Charon is in love with her but knows she needs space to heal. But she cannot stop loving Orpheus despite all the betrayal. And the truth is, Orpheus is deep in grief and self hatred. Together it's a mess.

Eurydice has matured into the more affirmative and bolder version with Charon and she will make Orpheus pay his penance. Charon is the driving force in this dynamics. He is undoubtedly the dominant piece. Protective. Edgy. Dangerous for enemies. Possessive. All the delicious alpha appeal! Orpheus is somewhere in between. He is the softer and prettier side but well he has his moments too. It was sinful in a way only Katee Robert can do. It is also full of lots of politics in Olympus. So many twists. Secrets coming out. Enemies coming closer. Shocking revelations shake this already precariously balanced world. I was sucked right in. I felt the mind games and power plays take up a lot of space, putting the love story somehow in the back.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

This is an honest review of an ARC copy.

3.75 stars.

I really enjoyed this and was really getting into it and then it's just ended. No wrap up of anything not even really a cliff hanger just.... Ended.

I did like the relationships involved and the idea of the storyline, just a she of how it ended.

I wanted to like this one more, as I love the author's writing and I am a Eurydice girlie. The idea of Eurydice and Charon was so intriguing to me and I feel really torn because, while I enjoyed his narration, Orpheus' place in the story wasn't my vibe. It's still good and, as usual, I am on board for the overarching political plot. Will recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Copy of this title!

This is definitely a fun, fast paced, spicy read with all the Greek Mythology characters you could possibly want. I got through the book in just one day, and was intrigued the entire way through. I thought it was only going to be about Charon and Eurydice, so when Orpheus became more central to the story, I was surprised and excited to see where it all went.

I love Hades and Persephone together, so Neon Gods will always hold a special place in my heart, but after watching Hadestown in New York last year, I've been obsessed with stories and retellings involving Orpheus and Eurydice. This one was special because it wasn't just them, but Charon thrown into the mix.

Even though there was definitely some spice thrown in throughout the book, I enjoyed that the plot and politics of their world was also an important part. It didn't only focus on the growing chemistry between the three main characters and their unique relationship dynamics, but also the increasing problems and danger happening in the lower city.

I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys retellings with characters from Greek Mythology, spice or romance with more than two people involved, and the politics of impending war!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me an e-arc of this book!


Yet another Dark Olympus book, and yet another one that I devoured. A great edition to the series as a whole. I think though that despite how quickly I read these, the series may be going on a little long now. I just don't know how much else of the same plot I'll be interested in. The series is starting to get darker and more intense as it goes on, but it's hard to care as much when each book is a different character. It makes me not feel as desperate to see how it plays out because I may not see it play out through the eyes of the characters I really care about. It's hard following so many different main characters, because I finally start to feel connected to some and then they're gone and only mentioned in passing.
While I enjoy the books at the time, I need to force myself to truly take a step back after finishing and calm down from the high of finishing a new book. I need to think to myself - do I really need more books in the series that already has 6?

In this book itself, I really enjoyed the dynamic and the relationship between Eurydice and Charon. I could tell they truly loved each other and cared deeply for one another. Orpheus is when it began to fall flat for me. We are led to hate him in all of the previous books and now suddenly both of these people are falling in love with him and *doing* him out of nowhere. It just felt too unrealistic at times because of that.

I most likely will continue to read all of these though because they're quick and fun, and the spice is top notch.

I love this series and am invested in the outcome of the end of this storyline. Eurydice is the last sister, and we've been waiting for her story for a long time. In the first book, she has been through a lot with her ex, Orpheus.

Since then, she has dropped Orpheus and is helping to figure out the newcomers' mystery and the other plan. She has a new bodyguard who means more to her than she has let on all this time. Charon

These three get into a relationship that. It brings healing and love.

In this book, we get some answers on what is happening and what will happen. There isn't that much that is developed on that aspects.

I do love a threesome relationship, but I don't love humiliation, and there is a little of that in this book. It felt out of character for all the people involved.
Since the last couple of books were a threesome or foursome, I feel like this shouldn't have included Orpheus and should have involved Eurydice moving on with a new man and finding love with herself and him without adding in the third or if there was a third make it someone else.

Overall, I enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next one.

3.5⭐️
Book 6(!!) in the Dark Olympus has us returning to the Lower City and Hades and Persephone’s (Electric Idol) inner circle with Charon, Eurydice and Orpheus. Eurydice, Persephone’s younger sister, has been living in the Lower City since the early events of Electric Idol when she was attacked on the old Zeus’ orders. Charon, Hades number two and head of his security, and Persephone have become friends in the year she’s spent living in H & P’s house. What Persephone fails to see is that Charon is also in love with her. When the opportunity presents itself, Charon makes his intentions known but Persephone feels the need for closure with her past boyfriend Orpheus- who unknowingly sent her in to danger in Electric Idol. Orpheus has spent the last year self flagellating himself over his part in what happened to Eurydice- he’s stopped painting, stopped being Olympus’ golden boy, been cut off from his family by his brother Apollo and is just mopey AF. Charon visits Orpheus in the Upper City and tells him to come give Eurydice some closure because they’re “endgame.” Orpheus crosses the River Styx into the Lower City only to find E & C f*c*ing in the back seat of his car. They invite him home with them and Orpheus’ need for “penance” takes on the form of degradation and praise —— this does include “puppy play.” The example Katee uses on her Instagram is: Less “bark like a dog” and more “If you really want to make things up to me… Crawl, Orpheus. It’s what good dogs do.” So no real role play. But something to be aware of as that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Outside of the developing relationship between the 3 of them is the continuing destabilization of Olympus that’s been going on for several books now. We finally find out who’s backing Minos courtesy of his daughter Ariadne. Her betrayal of her father and the reasons for it set up the events in the next book.
The beginning of the book felt abrupt- like we jumped in mid story and it took me a second to reorient myself. This whole book takes place over the course of a very short period of time- a week, maybe. And it does feel if not rushed then somehow unfinished. The book felt a little flat in comparison to some of the other books in the series. I still enjoyed it and will continue to read the series, especially now that we know the sins of the past are coming back to affect the future of Olympus.
With war clearly on the horizon and the future of Olympus hanging in the balance, things have never been so precarious. Hades decision at the end of the book seems like it will have far reaching implications going forward and I’m excited to see how it plays out. Will the 13 manage to work together to defeat an enemy bent on revenge? I can’t wait to find out!
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher.

Eurydice has spent almost a year recuperating from Orpheus’ betrayal in the Lower City with Charon as her constant companion while giving her the space needed to get back on her feet. When Eurydice attempts to strike out on her own, it brings things to a head with Charon and in order to move forward together, there needs to be closure with Orpheus. Thus begins Orpheus’ penance whilst Eurydice comes into her own and Charon along for the ride. Despite navigating new relationships, all is not well in Olympus - the Thirteen are not the only ones in danger - the stakes are high and everyone is a target.

The latest installment of Dark Olympus is action packed and full of intrigue, pawns are being moved and things are about to get hot.

As someone who immediately one-clicks anything with Katee's name attached, I'll admit I had high hopes for this book. More so because it was kinda built up from book 1.

And....Katee did not disappoint.

(Well, okay, maybe a little bit bc I wanted more smut looool but they made up for it with advancing the overarching plot of there being trouble on the horizon. FINALLY we find out who Minos' anonymous benefactress is.)

4.5 stars bc I still don't understand the barrier situation. Is it magic? Is it something else entirely? Same for the bridges.

(Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC; my review is honest feedback.)

This book follows Eurydice, Charon, and Orpheus who were previously featured as side characters in the other books. Eurydice is still unable to move on from Orpheus's betrayal earlier in the series, but she wants to be with Charon. This book has such a great throuple, and the spiciness was great. I also loved how it still had a strong plot, and was able to keep me intrigued through-out the book. Who are these people attacking the lower city? What is the reasoning behind this? We finally get to see Eurydice become comfortable in her own skin and become her own person. We finally get some answers in this book, while also being left in the dark about some things. I think it will be interesting to see how the rest of this series plays out.

3.5 stars
I appreciate/hate Roberts commitment to ending all the books in their series on a cliffhanger. At least it keeps things interesting! Minor spoilers ahead.

The 6th installment in the Dark Olympus series this one centers around Eurydice little sister to Persephone, Psyche and Hera (Callisto). She's been a background character since the first book but her friendship with Charon was clearly hinted to be something more. Honestly their relationship was giving me sort of Azriel/Elaine vibes from ACOTAR.

Adding to the tension is Orpheus, Eurydice's ex who after being a massive jerk is now on an apology tour. Eurydice clearly has some unresolved feelings and Robert explores Orpheus's past behavior and his growth into a real human with emotions. However, instead of being a classic love triangle Roberts makes them into a throuple and there's a lot of spice to go with that. The external drama is also less about their relationship and more about Olympus as a whole. Someone is threatening Olympus and the Thirteen and the big bad is from an island called Aeaea. Hmmm....

I am excited to see how the next book plays out...

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

Hadestown Enthusiast here! I saw the musical earlier this year and will never forget the ending scene of Orpheus and Eurydice and I was so excited to read their story told by Katee Robert. I have been a major fan of the Dark Olympus series and love this world. Each book focuses on a different set of characters. Since Neon Gods ( the first in the series) I have been chasing the high of that book! To me it is the ultimate urban fantasy and love the Greek mythology setting. Midnight Ruin just moved up to being nearly as perfect as Neon Gods! I loved this one with my whole heart! The tension...the spice( very high spice/kink)... the high stakes plot! I was rooting for these characters. I also loved that Hades & Persephone were bigger characters in this book and we got to revisit the lower city. From Chapter 1 I was hooked, the tension was phenomenal! This is by far one of my favorites in the entire series--add it to your list!

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc! Release January 16th*

Midnight Ruin follows the thruple of Eurydice, Orpheus and Charon. Katee Robert always provides us with the spiciest and kinkiest of spice as well as a lot of character diversity, this book is no different. I really appreciate the inclusion in her books. She doesn't shy away from the different pronouns either. This book is a great follow up to her other books in the Dark Olympus series.

She gives us more politics, more plots, more development in the world. It's very spice heavy, as one would anticipate but it does not take away from developing the war that's brewing between the city proper and the lower city. I appreciate the sneak peaks of the characters from the previous books and getting to see what has become of them and their relationships. If you loved the other books, you're definitely going to love this one.

There have been some amazing entries in the Dark Olympus series, and there have been some duds. I'd say that Midnight Ruin falls somewhere in the middle. In the first book, Orpheus abandons Eurydice to a fate engineered for her by Zeus; she is taken into the "under city" and taken under the protection of Persephone and Hades. In recent entries in the series, she has taken a more active role in Olympian politics. She's also been hanging out with Charon a lot. But, she can't seem to stop thinking about what might have been with Orpheus...

As this series has continued, the less the stories have to do with Greek mythology and the more they lean into Olympian politics. Sometimes this works (I absolutely loved Radiant Sin, which was almost unrecognizable as the Cassandra/Apollo myth) and sometimes it doesn't (Cruel Seduction... what even was that?). At this point, the shift away from Greek mythology means that the names of the characters are really just random names. Orpheus? He's a painter! Eurydice? She was in love with him! If you thought that he was going to cross into the underworld (under city) to get her and be given a task to complete before he could get her out ... you're wrong. He does meet up with her when Charon tells him to, but like I said ... that's about it. Do not go looking for deeper connections because they're just not there.

All that said, I have been eagerly awaiting this entry in the series, because I generally love what Katee Robert does with MMF triads. This one I didn't love, but I can't really blame her for my own preferences. Here, she leans in on the degradation kink in this one, which I was not expecting. Orpheus feels he has to atone for his sin of abandoning Eurydice. He does this by cleaning Charon's kitchen floor, servicing both Charon and Eurydice sexually, and basically being their "good dog." (Sadly, Cerberus is an actual dog-character, because I do think it would have been funny to see a name change or something.) While Robert's work is generally on the kinkier side, this went even further on the spectrum. Just keep that in mind when you pick this one up!

If you're really into the politics of Dark Olympus, I think you'll lean more towards liking this one. If you just wanted MMF, Katee Robert-style, make sure you know what exactly you're getting into!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Loved it. All of these books are fantastic and I will say that there are some that are better and worse through the whole series. This one definitely ranks high up there! There is a content warning for "puppy play" but Katee does an amazing job not making this too much for someone who is just beginning to read about BDSM and it was really well written. The romance was the best part of the book and I think that Orpheus redeemed himself well! It does end on a little bit of a cliffhanger with a couple open ended questions in the relationship and with the overarching plot that has followed all of the books.

My biggest complaint, and the reason that I am only giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that the main plot that is following all of these characters, is getting confusing. There are obviously so many characters that we know and that are involved and it becomes a little tedious keeping them all straight. I definitely skimmed over some of the more plot heavy chapters because I wasn't sure what was happening. I know the gist but that is about it. This to me, doesn't deter me from the series though. This was a fun read and I recommend this series all the time to people! So I wouldn't let that stray anyone from reading these books.