"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 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. ( )

🌶🌶🌶🌶I love the relationship dynamic between Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus. They balance each other's srtengths and wekness perfectly. And the hate effing? Hot as hell. I always love a strong female lead, who continues to outwit and out maneuver those around her. I will sat my favorite was the three chapter long threesome. An absolute masterpiece.

I preferred Electric idol over this, but this was much better than Hades and Persephone. I have noticed a trend in Robert's writing that does take me out of world. I feel like the characters just randomly decide that they want each other sometimes which prevents me from being truly invested in thier relationships. ( )

Helen in this is giving Taylor Swift in the "...Ready For It" video. ( )

Helen in this is giving Taylor Swift in the "...Ready For It" video. ( )

Wow this one is a hot page turner. Review to come.

The third book in this setting has the competition to fill Ares position. Helen has decided that she will compete for it in order to be under no one’s thumb but before she can tell her siblings, her brother the current Zeus tells everyone that Helen will be an extra prize to whomever becomes Ares. Achilles, Athena’s second in command wants to win and with the help of his friend and partner Patroclus they enter the fight as well. Helen’s former boyfriend Paris has entered along with 2 candidates from outsides Olympus. With three stages to the challenge only five go to the final round. While they are sequestered away someone tries to kill Helen. Now the three of them form an uneasy alliance in to keep Helen alive until they figure out who is behind it, and of course the sparks begin to fly. There is already a solid relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, but both can feel the heat building between Helen and them. Very quickly everything comes to a boiling point and out of the series, this must be the hottest book yet. I enjoyed the book and now to wonder who the next book in the series will focus on.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
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