Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus, 3)

Not gonna lie, this one was hard to finish. Frustrating characters to say the least.

** Emotional Spoilers Below**

Honestly, I wasn’t rooting for Helen. Sorry not sorry, I don’t think she should have won. Especially how they portrayed her in the last book. I know the running theme is everyone having a mask but I don’t buy it. Achilles was right 100% on why she wasn’t good for the job.
I really wished it was a stronger female lead going for the role. I would much rather have read about Atalanta.
And for that matter, a competition for Ares? I know this is loosely based…but the ‘God of War’ is decided on who can go through a course or maze the fastest and beat someone up lol. No strategy tested? Leadership skills? She’ll be leading soldiers but let’s not worry about that. 🤔🧐
This throuple I wasn’t rooting for either.
So much unresolved with Achilles and Patroclus. I hated how the first half they were so uncertain about lasting with each other, even after 13 years, and it all felt like cheating.
Over a decade and they are this uncertain? Open relationship but it feels like cheating? I was hoping for a romance between all 3 all meshing with each other. I don’t like reading about cheating themes. Reading the interaction between the men after Achilles slept with Helen was too much cheating vibes. Ruined the whole experience of people finally coming together.
That made me want just Achilles and Patroclus together and to hell with Helen. None of the jealousy talked about initially in the beginning of the book felt resolved or anything by the end. They just decided to forget all the issues? You know this is gonna be an issue again when marriage and kids come around, if it happens.

And don’t get me started on Helen being all upset he didn’t comfort her immediately after she won. Can you give the guy a second? Coming from the girl who said she would hold a grudge and never get over it if Achilles won? 😒 she straight up said if you won I would never forgive it and have ‘enmity’ towards him.
Cause that’s mature. Someone beating you in a competition where they want it just as bad and you’ll hold a grudge cause you weren’t good enough. That made me so mad that she was so certain she would be mad and then was shook that Achilles needed time.
Girl please.
And her brother is 100% right. 3 siblings being Zeus, Ares and Aphrodite?? Yeah they deff look power hungry and that’s really not fair. The open competition was supposed to mean anybody could come up from a lower position in life and get it, like Achilles. But no let’s have the girl who’s related to the 13 win. 🙈
Really didn’t not like this female lead. Did not like the romance. And it didn’t even feel like romance. The smut was hot of course, Robert knows what she’s doing. But as a romance I’m not buying it.

I liked Robert’s first two books, and others I’ve read. This story was just not for me, and that happens 🤷🏻‍♀️
Also I was really hoping the next book was Zeus and Hera or something alluding to Poseidon but no the next book is 2 people who have never been in the story lol. What?? And just found out Zeus is book 9!!😭

Listen we all read Katee Robert’s books for the steam, but I was still disappointed by the plot of this one.

It was kind of Hunger Games-esque which was really cool but the ending so abrupt that I thought that I was actually missing the epilogue in my copy of the book!

Plus, Electric Idol and Neon Gods were sooo good and then to barely get any of those characters featured in this book and have the plot be meh was kinda disappointing.

I mean, will I read Radiant Sun when it comes out? Obviously yes, but this one just left me wanting a bit more and wasn’t the best book by Robert that I’ve read.

WICKED BEAUTY, book 3 in the Dark Olympus series, amps up both the steam and the tension of the series as Helen, Petroclus, and Achilles all vie for the coveted position on the inner circle. Each one has something to lose (or prove, in Helen’s case), and the stakes are high for all. Though in true fashion for this series, what’s a little competition without some romance?! And there was definitely plenty of romance. ⁣
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Fast-paced and filled with plenty of the morally gray and overly-ambitious characters I’ve grown to expect from this series, there was never a dull moment. Readers know that the city of Olympus is ruthless and filled with those who seek power, but this book highlights how cutthroat and dirty people will become to seize that power. Helen, Petroclus, and Achilles all have their reasons for wanting to win the spot in the circle, but they’re smart enough to realize that perhaps teamwork is the way to win, rather than simply competing against one another, and they manage to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that works for all involved. Though whoever wins will have quite the load on their plate because danger has come knocking right on Olympus’s door.⁣
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I listened to the audio version of the book and the performance was perfection on the part of the female narrator. I wasn’t overly fond of the male narrator this time around, and I think it’s because he narrated for two characters instead of one. There wasn’t enough differentiation between the voice he used for Petroclus vs Achilles, and I had a hard time remembering who was speaking.
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⁣All told, WICKED BEAUTY is the steamiest in the series yet, and brought the most tension in terms of storyline and overarching plot. If this book was any indication, things are about to get brutal in the city of Olympus, and I can’t wait to see how that plays out in future installments. Thanks so much to @netgalley and @sourcebookscasa for the alc!⁣

This was my March 2022 review - I have read the first 5 chapters of this book and they are amazing. The long term plot set up is what I have come to expect from Katee Robert. Helen is tired of being the lesser of her siblings and has decided that instead of being the prize awarded to the New Aries, she will be the new Aries. Patroclus and Achilles have a relationship unto themselves and having Achilles win the Aries title will give them the cover and safety they need.

Achilles and Helen are on a crash course from the Fates that will play out both in the competition for the Aries title and in private. Becuase if we know anything about a Katee Roberts book things will get very hot between the three of them. Can they form an alliance for the games and in life...I can't wait to find out when this book is released June 7th.

Reading the whole story!

Princess are meant to be worshiped.... Not their own hero's. Helen is tired of men deciding her fate. She decides to enter into the tournament to become the next Ares instead of the winners wife.

Achilles and Patroclus have a a solid plan. Someone wins Ares and they continue their relationship as normal. They have always had each other backs but this tournament brings out a new competition... For Helen.

When they become unlikely allies in the bedroom it remains to be seen whether they will be able to take the top prize in the tournament or will outside forces take them down.

Katee Robert's version of a slow burn takes off like a wild fire once it is lit. She can make you feel the pain and desperation of all of these characters. It's definitely a 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 for me. The romance 😏 was 🌶 🌶 🌶 🔥 🔥. If you liked Neon Gods and Electric Idol you will definitely enjoy Wicked Beauty!

Greek mythology has always been full of power plays, battle, and romance. Katee Robert has magnificently brought all three of these together in Wicked Beauty, just as she has our three heroes.

I absolutely loved that Helen was strong and independent, and she plans to show all of Olympus that she isn't a pawn in their stupid games. The way that she, Achilles, and Patricolus interact with each other was beautiful. The emotion, the sacrifice, and the wild spin out of everything falling into place were masterfully done. I was so invested in the outcome of Ares, and it felt like I was in it with them.

4.5 Stars

I never thought I would like poly romances, but when Katee writes them, I can't get enough of them. I really enjoyed this story and the balance between heart and spice was so very well done. I love that the three of them together truly made a perfect team. I love that they balanced each other out and brought strength to each other.

My only complaint about this particular book was that I wish they had all communicated with each other a little more, especially Achilles and Patroclus as they had known each other for so long. At the same time, I get why the communication between them wasn't at it's best. It did have a purpose in the story, which make it easier for me to cope with.

Neon Gods is still my favorite of the series, but I've really enjoyed every moment I've spent with this series and I cannot wait to read more. If you enjoy any of the following, you should definitely check it out.

✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ He Takes Care of Them
✔️ MMF Romance
✔️ Open Relationship
✔️ First Person Multiple POV

Bought for my oldest. She loves these.

4.5 stars

Another great read from Katee Robert. There wasn't anything that I necessarily disliked about this but I just didn't love it like I did Electric Idol so it's getting a 4.5 stars. Great relationship dynamic and I really enjoyed their relationships. Also found the trials interesting and fun. I did get frustrated with Achilles a few times but that is good character growth moments for him. They all work so well together and bring something important to the relationship.

Spice: 4/5
This is so hard but I have to say that this book is so far my favorite in the series. This book is about Helen, Achilles and Patroclus who have a connection together but are trying to claim the seat of Ares. When it comes to this series, I always think that the book I read is going to me by favorite of the series but I’m so wrong because it’s this one. This book was so good that I couldn’t stop reading. I was a little nervous that this book was not going to be it but I just loved everything about this especially the characters. The setting is still great especially if you read the first two. The pacing is well done and is fast with amazing scenes. I had absolutely had no problem with the writing and loved it.

The main characters in this book are Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus and all of their povs are in this book. I enjoyed each MC in this book but I felt connected to Helen in some ways. She is such a badass, powerful women that she doesn’t let a guy take her down and stands up for herself. She is a great role model. There are many side characters in this book some from previous books and some new ones. The romance was of course the best part of this book as its a three way romance between all of them and it’s very steamy. I love how they all understand each other and work together.

The ending was well done and I’m super excited to see what Robert will come out with next. She is an incredible writer and doesn’t disappoint at all. I have of course no problem with this book as you can see and I totally recommend you read this book. If you haven’t read the first one, I recommend starting from there just because you should get a taste of all the couples and the world to know the story better.

Well this was HOT. It was set up as a challenge to take the seat of one of the 13. It is all big scary men and then, Helen. Love how these have a great story and plot to go with the spice.