We are on book 7 now and Katee Robert is still creating fresh, distinct characters and organizing a plot that is absolutely moving - overall, damn Katee you are good!

The bigger plot is now consuming a lot more of the story which may take away some of the flair with the romance but honestly, I think at this point it's okay to take some of the pressure off the romance and let the plot shine. If you've made it to book 7, you are surely interested in the bigger picture.

Now to the couple, I was a little worried how the development would go since there's already drama for Ariadne in the previous book but I really enjoyed this. The thing I thought would be the main source of disagreement between them, wasn't actually that at all and it so easily could have been. Instead, the story was how they get back to each other and choose each other, all while playing the games of Olympus and trying to find people to trust.

The Minotaur not only is obsessed with Ariadne but has been most of his life. If I am thinking big picture, there is no one else. They belong together and the ending was so fitting for what Olympus would need realistically from them. They are outsiders and were never truly protected unless they made it so. I didn't have any trouble rooting for them even if they are the "enemies" because really by now that line between friend, enemy and even lover is so thin, anyone could be any of those things.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Yet another winner from Katee Robert! I was instantly sucked into the story of Ariadne and Asterion (the Minotaur) from the very start of the novel. We will definitely be ordering multiple copies for the collection. Our patrons will love the latest installment from the Dark Olympus series.

This is the upcoming release in Katee Roberts Dark Olympus series. I keep holding out hope that the series will begin to move in a more plot centric fashion, but to this point, I am really disappointed in the arc that the series is taking.

This is Ariadne and the Minotaur, retold through the lens of the setting established by the previous editions in this series and I was really hoping for something more. I felt like we spent so much time focused on the relationship between the two MC's when - at this point in the series, with the threat of Circe, the issue with the boundary wall and the tension rising between Minos and the Thirteen, I was expecting a more narrative driven story.

Don't get me wrong, the spice was top notch, Katee Robert understands sexual tension on a whole other level, but I just feel like we've leaned too far into the sex and away from what made Dark Olympus an interesting re-telling for me.

It was an alright read, the plot thickens with the return of Hermes and the downfall of Icarus (who is teased to be next in the series?!) and so while I enjoyed those pieces, the overall perception of this one just didn't hit the way it the others have for me.

Fingers crossed for the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley & SourceBooks for the Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!

I have really enjoyed this series so far, however these books are starting to feel a little repetitive. The characters, chemistry, and progression of relationship is feeling very similar to multiple past titles in this series. Whilst that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and many readers enjoy a similar formula, it’s just not for me. Especially within the same series

Even though I didn’t read books 4-6, it was still decently easy to remember key players, even with the new additions. This romance was written well, but I wasn’t rooting for them like I was Eros & Psyche. I liked them, but I wasn’t going to be sad if they didn’t end up together.
I really enjoyed the main story, and I can’t wait until we get Hera & Zeus’ book!!!

I have read everything this author puts out. She's an insta buy when one of her books come out. She knows how to catch the emotions these characters feel, and the level of spice is right. I love retellings, and especially what she has done with this Greek mythology retelling.

I love Katee Robert and will continue reading this series but I was a little disappointed in this one! The first few in series were so intriguing and sexy but this one just was not special. It was not terrible by any means I just prefer the first couple on series.

I’m reviewing this under the assumption that anyone reading has probably read the first six books in this series. I’ve read and enjoyed them all, but some just hit harder than others (it’s Electric Idol, I’m still chasing that high). Unfortunately, this isn’t one of them for me. Maybe it’s because it’s the first relationship featuring characters from outside the original society of Olympus that we were introduced to, so they don’t really have emotional ties to any characters we already care about? I actually liked the relationship a lot, but I just didn’t care much about Ariadne or Asterion. At this point, I’m eating these books up for crumbs that will lead me into the chaotic arms of Hera and Zeus’ book. Katee Robert, I love you, please release us from this wait (jk you can do no wrong, take your time, queen…but if you’d wanna drop some teasers…nah nevermind…right?).

Katee Roberts does it again! This series is so incredibly addictive and I am always eager to read more. I love the back and forth between the Minotaur and Ariadne and the way that he wants to do right for her! I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

Katee Robert is one of my favorite authors and Dark Restraint does not disappoint! I wasn't sure I would like the story with the Minotaur given his character in the last few books, but IT WAS SO GOOD. I loved it so much.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the arc! The Dark Olympus series is one of my favourites so I feel very lucky to have received such early access!

I enjoyed this book, I wouldn’t say it was my favourite of the series but it was definitely amongst some of the better ones! I think what brings it down is my lack of interest for Minotaur and Ariadne, the stacks are high in their love story but it didn’t have me on the edge of my seat as much as I would of liked because I wasn’t really invested in them! I do however always love Katee’s ability to flesh out a character and never have their main characters (especially male love interests) feel like the same person. They are always write interesting characters and unique voices that I feel can be a struggle with series exploring multiple couples throughout.

Despite my thoughts on the main couple, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of this book and how much we got to see of side characters like them that scheme or are in the background but we haven’t interacted with that much. That was really great to see and I enjoyed specifically Hermes and Hera (and am really looking forward to their respective books!)

The smut was also good in this, they were absolutely ravenous for each other! But it never got to the point where you were bored or felt like it was too much. It was the perfect amount considering their obsessive/more dark romance! I also found it to be very tolerable for myself as I am not as into dark romance but didn’t find that it was distasteful, it was the right amount for someone like me!

I will definitely be recommending this book and especially the series overall.

I read the first two Dark Olympus books more for the romantic dynamics of the main characters than the background politicking and as a result, haven't really cared about any of the books since Electric Idol prior to this one. Those two books presented the concept of morally grey heroes finding love and contentment with their partners even as they are part of a fraught political landscape. In the interim, that's all gone and the stories seem to have lost their happy endings and replace them with a happy-with-what-we-have.

Robert gives a quick rundown of the past relationships and their ramifications featured in past books using an update from the in-series gossip site, MuseWatch, and it's just enough to give the reader an idea of where they're standing if it's been a while or they haven't read all of the books so far. Ariadne and her father's fixer, Asterion, also known as The Minotaur, has teamed up with Circe, a former Hera, to bring down the city and the Thirteen. Hoping to avoid the needless bloodshed inherent in her father and Circe's plan, Ariadne defects to Olympus and tells them what she knows in exchange for safety in the form of an arranged marriage to Dionysus. The consequence of this is her father demanding The Minotaur kill her, who in turn, wants to claim the woman who has always been his and get her away from what's coming. The story is multiple cat-and-mouse games with shifting alliances, plans, and loyalties. Everyone has their goals, and not all of them are straightforward. Asterion stalks Ariadne to her new home with her fiance and each time they meet, passion explodes despite Ariadne's fear that The Minotaur is out to execute her father's edict (and thus, her). The stolen moments between them are fantastic, but the strength lies in the pacing and suspense of trying to ensure that everyone gets out safely as war, violence, and change approaches Olympus. I wish there had been more to allow the reader to possibly develop an idea about what's coming rather than needing to be told. The mystery elements are thrown in just enough that you need to be told what's coming.

I was looking forward to seeing Hera and Zeus play out after their reveal in Electric Idol, but I'm not so sure based on the events of Dark Restraint. All in all, a solid tale to move along whatever Robert has planned for Dark Olympus, but I miss the hopeful note on which the first two tales ended.

Katee Robert has done it again in the latest volume of the dark Olympus series. The stakes are rising and Olympus is on the verge of destruction. Ariadne has betrayed her family to escape her father who would use her for his schemes and the Minotaur is hot her heels to either bring her back or silence her.

I swear Katee knows how to get a girl hot and bothered. I am absolutely obsessed with this series, especially the fact that you get cameos of old characters from previous books. If I’m being honest, I definitely think this is the darkest book out of the entire series. I love the it’s always been you trope that was throughout this book. I swear I feel like I get whiplash over all of these twists throughout the series as well as getting a great romance with political situations that intertwined

3.5/5 Stars

I will say that despite Asterion (AKA the Minotaur) and Araidne not being my favorite romance (more on that later), I actually really enjoyed this book!

My biggest complaint regarding Kate’s previous Dark Olympus novels were that they didn’t move the plot along all that much but that is definitely not the case with Dark Restraint. I would argue that this book has some of the biggest plot movements in the whole series and it’s partially a culmination of all the other mini plots Katee has been cultivating in her previous books but it’s also that stuff actually went down this book.

Now to the romance: Potential Spoilers Incoming:

I think part of the reason this wasn’t my favorite pairing is because it relied a LOT on previous history between the characters and I wasn’t even sure if the WHY they liked each other beyond mutual attraction. I audio feel that Dionysus was severely under-utilized and I felt he had better chemistry with both of the pairing than they had with each other. Still their interactions were sizzling so it’s still likable, I just think they should have had more chemistry for a friends(ish) to lovers plot.

Overall Dark Restraint is an excellent addition to the Dark Olympus series and it really set up the next book quite nicely! Looking forward to what comes next!

Thanks to Katee Robert’s and NetGalley for the advanced read of Dark Restraint in exchange for an honest review.

DARK RESTRAINT • Katee Robert • Pub Date: August 6, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Abridged Goodreads Synopsis: Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. She's betrayed her father—and his benefactor—and now she's left to rely on the questionable mercy of Olympus to keep her safe. As with everything in this city, mercy comes with a price. For Ariadne, that means a marriage to Dionysus. She has no choice but to agree, even if there's only one man she's ever wanted—Asterion aka The Minotaur. The Minotaur never had any illusions about Minos's plans, but nowhere in that deal was Ariadne walking down the aisle to a different man. She's meant for him, and he means to have her. Ariadne knows better than to encourage the Minotaur. But when his hands are on her body and his wicked words are whispered in her ear, she might just be willing to let all of Olympus burn…

This was certainly the "darkest" romance in the series thus far (though by no means unpalatable for those who are not familiar with or fans of dark romance). Considering this is book 7 in the series, a change-up was appreciated! Though I'll say what I think we are all thinking...who cares about the Minotaur? I certainly did not, and this story did not change that perspective for me. Ariadne and the Minotaur have been my least favorite couple to-date. Luckily, the overarching plot and politics featured in this story completely made up for this.

This book left me very excited to see what is going to happen next in Olympus. We also received a brilliant set-up for Hera's story, and even Icarus' story. Icarus was another character I did not care much about, but the end of this book changed my mind about him! I am now eager to have a story devoted to him and his potential love interest(s?). And I would be remiss to leave out the little peak into Hermes' storyline that this book gave us.

So all in all, no to the couple but a resounding yes to the set-up this book played in the overall series. You best believe I will be one of the first in line for Book 8.

This seventh entry into the Dark Olympus series definitely reads more « dark romance » than any other title so far. I really enjoyed this novel, but in particular the last 50 pages were impossible to put down. Dark Restraint sets up the next book in the series so incredibly well, and I can’t wait to get my hands on book #8 when it is available. From the get go of the book, these two characters are simply fated to be together, and are willing to do anything for each others safety.

Katee Robert is one of my favorite authors, and I had devoured this series, each book had me wanting more of the story! I’m definitely not ok and this book hangover will last for a while.

In our opinion, Dark Restraint was aptly titled, as this one was a lot darker than the others. The themes were heavier, and the characters more troubled and complex. We love a good "hate the world but love her" vibe, but the Minotar sometimes pushed it to the obsessive extreme.

We actually really enjoyed how plot forward this one was compared to the previous ones. The political drama kept us on our toes and honestly kept us going when we needed a breather from the two MCs dynamic.

All that being said, we eat up these Dark Olympus books like candy. Whatever Katee puts in them is like crack to us. We cannot WAIT to see what else is up her sleeve for this series 👀

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

After the last book, Midnight Ruin, this book felt like a breath of fresh air. Where the last book felt like a plot vehicle exclusively, to me this one felt like the plot and the romance were deeply entwined, and equally compelling. It's a tough story as well; neither of the main characters have had healthy relationships or role models, and their romance is deeply complicated and will make some people uncomfortable at least. That said, it's made me even more excited for the series to progress as we learn more about the city and previously mysterious characters.

For sensitive readers, there are instances of graphic violence, pursuit, abusive relationships, toxic families, dubious/implied consent, offpage pregnancy termination, and graphic sexuality. One character is mentioned to have had suffered endangerment, starvation, and sexual assault as a child though it is not depicted on page.