by Katee Robert
Spice Alert - Check the author's website for trigger warnings.
I started this series because I received an eARC of Wicked Beauty from NetGalley and Casablanca in exchange for my honest review. Lucky you, now you get to read about all three in an omnibus review.
Neon Gods - Book 1
Just another modernized Hades and Persephone retelling? Not quite. What makes this one different? Let’s find out.
Read if you like: lots of spice (really not kidding), more of a mythological flavor than a retelling, grumpy/sunshine, ‘who takes care of you?,’ dark romance, ay yi yi spice, Dual POV.
Olympus stands separated from the rest of the world by a magical barrier. However, it has equally modernized to present day and is now ruled by extreme political and social theater. The gods are no longer present, and now the 13 Olympians are figureheads of power who operate under the gods’ names of old. Zeus is little more than a tyrant with a past of violence which leads to the role of Hera being vacant.
Persephone finds herself in the middle of one of her mother’s schemes and before Demeter can wed her to Zeus, she runs to the River Styx only to be scooped up by Hades. The biggest problem now, (besides a heckin’ cranky Zeus) is that the Hades seat was thought to be vacant and the Lower City a place of terror. Persephone gets a big wakeup call when she realizes that Hades and his half of the kingdom might be her greatest salvation. But only if they can thoroughly ruin her reputation so Zeus finds her undesirable. Little does she know that Hades has a room that can be particularly helpful with this goal, and it doubles as his throne room.
Hades is a dark, broody cinnamon roll with a tragic past and a fix you complex. Luckily, Persephone is good at fixing things, too. Together they create their own spicy and sweet love story that kept me engaged and waiting to see how they would overcome Zeus’ threats.
This was my first book by Katee Robert. (I received an eARC for book 3 and there’s no way I couldn’t go to the beginning.) I did no research, aside from thirsty people’s social posts, and had no idea what to expect besides spicy Greek-mythos related content. Holy Cannoli! What did I stumble into? I was not prepared for the spice. So much chapters. Much chapters. And its Greek Mythology infused. It has the essence but not the whole story, not even close. It’s honestly a Fifty Shades of Grey retelling more than Death and the Maiden. Despite that, their sweet relationship was a nice balance to all the ‘dark romance.’
Overall, if you’re looking for a luxury vehicle for your BDSM spice to ride around it, this book might be for you. It was a quick read and I’m off to see what happens in Electric Idol.
Electric Idol - Book 2
When Eros’ is asked by his mother, Aphrodite, to take Psyche’s heart, things go really, really wrong. How can they get themselves out of this mess? Let’s find out!
Read if you like: OMG spice, plus-size rep, Greek Mythology inspired, grumpy/sunshine, morally gray men, smart and stylish women, scandals everywhere, this is the only way, forced proximity, dual POV.
Olympus is in shock after the death of Zeus and the unveiling of the totally-not-dead Hades who just happened to save AND MARRY Persephone in a dark and decadent whirlwind of a romance. Psyche now has to shoulder the attention of her mother, Demeter, now that her older sister is married to the King of the Lower City. But who is she kidding, no one in Olympus would want to marry someone of her size? As she attempts to escape the grueling political and social pressure she runs into Eros. And he’s looking rough. Against her better judgement, she helps Eros (ooh chemistry?) and as they are going their separate ways a reporter snaps a pic of them looking rather cozy. Bad for the children of political rivals. Neither Demeter or Aphrodite will be happy about this.
Eros has been his mother’s fixer for years. Nothing gets to him anymore. Nothing. Except Psyche. She showed him kindness for no other reason than she is truly good and kind and he can find no evidence to otherwise support her pure nature. Even two weeks later, the gossip sites won’t drop reporting about the unfounded romance and between this and Demeter’s match making meddling Aphrodite wants the problem solved. The solution. Take Psyche’s heart.
In the second Dark Olympus book we have what seems to be a whole lot less going on than in the first installment. It’s not war. But it is personal. So, our duo decides to get hitched to give themselves some ‘social’ security and hope that the rabid fans of Olympus love can keep them safe from their scary moms. But of course, ‘it’s not that easy in Olympus.’ And ‘that’s the way is it with the thirteen.’ And basically, any other mundane, yet seedy, political goings-on that keep them from being able to be upfront about their situation. All that, now repeat it 5 more times.
In case you missed it, Psyche is plus-size. Don’t forget it. It will be mentioned everywhere possible. I did like the rep and the critique of clothing designers. But we didn’t get the amount of validation we needed for all the mentions. Eros says stuff internally, but use your words pretty boy. Of course, their absolutely electric physical attraction won’t let them leave each other alone. And if only what’s happening ‘in truth’ can be reality for both of them. I also like their ‘selfishness’ in contrast to the performance nature of the last book. Also, spicy, spice, spice. Repeat that 5 times as well.
I wanted to like it more, but the repetitions were killing me. I love a recap. We don’t need them every chapter. I wanted more ‘taking her heart’ references too… oh well. Onward to Helen and her famed face in Wicked Beauty.
Wicked Beauty - Book 3
Again, thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Katee Robert 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…
We’re back in Olympus… 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.
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