Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus 3) by Katee Robert-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 7, 2022

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?

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REVIEW:WICKED BEAUTY is the third instalment in Katee Robert’s contemporary, adult DARK OLYMPUS erotic, romance series-a modern retelling about the gods of Olympus. This is Achilles Kallis, Patroclus Fotos, and Helen Kasios’ story line. WICKED BEAUTY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE:WICKED BEAUTY is a reverse harem story line with M/F/M, MM and MF sexual situations.

Told from three first person perspectives (Achilles, Patroclus, Helen) WICKED BEAUTY follows the search for a new Ares. Modern day Olympus is run by the gods; Thirteen gods and a new replacement for Ares is to be decided by a competition ala the Hunger Games style, and our heroine, Helen Kasios is determined to win the coveted seat but all is not well in Olympus-the barrier between Olympus and the rest of the world is collapsing, and the in-fighting within the inner circle is threatening all peace or amicable solutions. Not only are Achilles and Patroclus declaring themselves contenders for the position of Ares but outside competition is about to upset the balance when Zeus declares Helen as the ultimate prize. Refusing to back down, Helen finds herself the target of an unknown assailant, and Achilles and Patroclus declare themselves guardian and protector. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Achilles, Patroclus and Helen, and the potential fall-out when sacrifices are made to save the life of one of our story line heroes.

Helen and Achilles have always had a love/hate relationship but throwing them together in competition for the position of Ares is about to pull the trio together to protect one of their own. Patroclus is in love with Achilles, and both men have fallen in love with our story line heroine. Achilles, with the help of Patroclus, is determined to become the next Ares but all three are in the direct line of fire as Olympus begins todo battle with itself.

The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus has already been established but a one-night stand between Achilles and Helen forces Patroclus to reconsider his own future with Achilles. Helen is a strong-willed, independent young woman who knows who and what she wants, and our heroine wants both Achilles and Patroclus by her side when she takes over as the next Ares. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and often troubling secondary and supporting characters including Zeus, Athena, and a large number of gods, as well as the introduction of Helen’s ex Paris, his brother Hector, the Minotaur, and Theseus- there is a war on the horizon for control of Olympus.

WICKED BEAUTY is a story of power and control, influence and administration, determination and competition, friendships, relationships, family and love. The action packed premise is captivating; the romance is passionate and sensual; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Neon Gods
Electric Idol

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy