Wednesday, July 20, 2022

{Review} Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus #3) by Katee Robert

 

Page count: 400
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published on: June 7, 2022
Genres: Adult romance, mythology retelling, LGBT+
Format: eARC provided by publisher + NetGalley

CW: violence, attempted kidnapping, misogyny, manipulation, verbal abuse

✨ RATING: 3.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

She was the face that launched a thousand ships,
The fierce beauty at the heart of Olympus,
And she was never ours to claim.

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

In Olympus, you either have the power to rule...or you are ruled. Achilles Kallis may have been born with nothing, but as a child he vowed he would claw his way into the poisonous city's inner circle. Now that a coveted role has opened to anyone with the strength to claim it, he and his partner, Patroclus Fotos, plan to compete and double their odds of winning.

Neither expect infamous beauty Helen Kasios to be part of the prize...or for the complicated fire that burns the moment she looks their way.

Zeus may have decided Helen is his to give to away, but she has her own plans. She enters into the competition as a middle finger to the meddling Thirteen rulers, effectively vying for her own hand in marriage. Unfortunately, there are those who would rather see her dead than lead the city. The only people she can trust are the ones she can't keep her hands off—Achilles and Patroclus. But can she really believe they have her best interests at heart when every stolen kiss is a battlefield?

~ ~ ~

Hey, all! I'm back with another review!

I really liked this one, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite.

I wanna start out saying that I love that KR has been able to publish these books. I’m absolutely obsessed with it all. I love the diversity and the retelling aspects of it all. However, this one kinda fell flat in some aspects — at least for me. I know that this book really did it for so many readers and that’s just beautiful. I love that.

I really loved these characters, or rather, I loved what they could be. I really wanted more from these three though. They had a bit of growth, but I just didn’t think the pacing helped them at all. Their relationship was so insta-lovey and it just came together too quickly for me. I didn’t think they had a legitimate emotional connection. It seemed to hinge on their sexual connections.

I wasn’t a fan of this plot either. I don’t think the arena setting or the way everything panned out was as solid as it could have been. Granted, we actually had a pretty great plot! I just don’t think it was executed as well as it could have been? I don’t think that made any sense. I liked that the Ares position was determined by a Hunger Games-esque set of trials, but I didn’t think they were thought out well or executed very well. Especially the last trial.

I guess I think KR’s romance is superb and she writes it so well, but her action scenes need work.

The romance in this lacked spark, but their sexual chemistry was delightful. I love how their three parts of one whole heart. Their dynamic was absolutely lovely and their sexy scenes were hotttt, but the pacing for their trust in one another was too fast. I wish it had been drawn out.

Also! This one didn’t really follow a myth. It borrowed names and took elements from characters’ personalities and roles, but what was that combo? I was really surprised when Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen were paired together. It really should have been Briseis. I would honestly have liked a triad of Helen, Paris, and Menelaos. But also I really don’t want any more of KR’s Paris. What a scumbag!

Paris. What a douche. KR’s portrayal of an abusive, narcissistic, and manipulative man was SPOT ON. Wow. Trigger warning for manipulation, verbal abuse, and emotional pain from said abuse.

This book had so many great elements, but an equal amount of elements that didn’t quite work for me. I can’t wait to read more from KR. She’s quickly becoming a favorite author. Her books are my (not even slightly) guilty pleasure.

Happy reading!




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