Wicked Beauty

"The woman is a princess in a tower, and what's a princess good for except bait?"

I was really excited for this one because it just felt like it was going to be so different from the other's in the series. And really it did not disappoint. I liked that while the politics of Olympus was still important, this time we had like a Hunger Games equse fight to win the title of Ares. I really enjoyed that I had no idea who was going to win until they did. It was an intense part of the story that I really enjoyed as a side to the romance. It was hard not to like the Helen we get in this book, she simply is tired of being a pawn and wants to have the control over her life that she's lacking and so she enters the tournament. I think she is show more constantly underestimated until Achilles and Patroclus and that is why they work so well.

So the romance in this one is probably the best of the Dark Olympus series so far. I mean Achilles and Patroclus are adorable and perfect and sweet and cute and all the things. They balance each other and have this dynamic that just works so well... and then enters Helen, who complicates things for a minute but ultimately adds strength to the duo making an incredible trio who are hard to beat. I loved that they all became so protective over each other so quickly, and both Achilles and Patroclus offer Helen very different things. I really enjoyed how real the characters and romances felt in this book. I was really invested in the outcomes because they felt so relatable. So yeah this one is by far my favorite of the series so far. Be prepared to be on the edge of your seat for the outcome of Ares and the fate of this relationship... because you will be haha. show less

How am I just now discovering Katee Robert?!? Wicked Beauty knocked me for a loop with its spicy take on Helen of Troy, along with Achilles and Patroclus. Greek mythology retellings are a weakness of mine, but add that spice? Hot damn! I will now make it my mission to read the previous two novels in the series and any others to come.

Wicked Beauty is a dark retelling of Helen, Patroclus and Achilles. A battle for Ares position. I really like this set up with the the history Helen and Patroclus have. I enjoy all the references to her beauty being the type to start wars. This is a really fun set up, the established Achilles and Patroclus who are both super into her. I also like how it ends can't wait to read the next book!

I read a why choose the other day and it didn't feel like they had anything to talk about when their *assets* weren't out and I was dreading this one for the same reason. That's absolutely not what I got here. Achilles and Patroclus were freaking solid. They have been together for years and the way they refer to the other in their thoughts even was lovely. They had their squabbles but their relationship was based on a foundation of actually talking to each other respectfully even when angry that I liked. When Patroclus wasn't able to communicate because he was upset, he asked for space to cool off before he did harm with his words.

Helen didn't really fill in any missing gaps between them or anything but added a new dimension with them show more that benefitted everyone. They all had goals to achieve and realized that they work better together than separate. I'm looking forward to book 4. show less

The amount of stress that ran through my body when I was reading this is insane I loved the plot, the characters, and the relationships so much. I usually know how Katee Robert's books work but still, I was so tense when reading certain parts It also didn't help that I was having flashbacks to Songs of Achilles. I was not having fun re-living those parts at all. I can't wait to read more of this series and her books.

Hunger games meets the Illiad meets PornHub. Move over, Achilles -- Patroclus is the true star of the show here. (And I really think that no matter the story, dudes named Paris are always the worst.)

I loved all three of these characters, but I definitely feel as though I could have used more story; both in all of them coming together (besides just through sex) as well as any extension of the end which felt rather abrupt. The feels weren't really there as much as I'd hoped, and I think it was probably due to the action-focus of the trials to become Ares. The couple of Achilles and Patroclus becoming a throuple with Helen definitely worked, but again I just wish that I saw more inside all of them especially Helen as honestly I didn't feel as though there was enough development with her (like it's still in the author's head and didn't make it to the page properly). I do love this series though as the world she's created is fascinating.