Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus, #3)
By: Katee Robert
My Recommendation: 👍👍👍👍👍 - (Out of 5 👍)
Helen Kasios is looking to establish her own niche amongst the ruling elite of Olympus. She wants to be known for more than her beauty, more than the daughter of the old Zeus and sister to the new Zeus. She wants to earn her way into the core circle of the Thirteen based on merit. Helen's father was overly demanding, controlling of every aspect of her life, and he only saw his daughter as a pawn to be played and used to advance his agenda. After her father died Helen had hoped her brother would rule differently but he does not. Upon the death of Ares a competition is announced for Ares replacement. Helen sees this as her chance to break away and become more. Unfortunately, her brother sees this as an opportunity for himself as well. The night the champions throw their names in to the hat to compete for the title of Ares, Zeus announces the winner will receive as an additional prize Helen's hand in marriage.
Helen is not the only person in Olympus who sees the role of Ares as an opportunity to rise above their station. Achilles Kallis has lived a hard life. Orphaned as a baby he has fought many battles to earn his current position as Athena's second in command. His partner Patroclus Fotos has lived somewhat of a charmed life. His mothers raised him on the outskirts of Olympus, far away from the scheming, meddling, and politics of the Thirteen. Patroclus will do anything for Achilles, including entering his name in the competition so he can watch Achilles back and double his lover's chances at winning the title of Ares.
I received and Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
This is the third installment of Katee Robert's 'Dark Olympus' series and I easily and energetically give the whole series thus far a 5 out of 5 thumbs up. 'Wicked Beauty' was on my to be read list and it did not disappoint. I love a well written and original retelling of any mythos and Roberts has gone above and beyond to create a unique world with well developed and thought out character backgrounds. If you were to remove the well known Greek Mythological titles these tales would still stand on their own as entertaining and engaging stories.
Understanding the true story of Helen of Troy, her relationship with Paris, the battle Hector took on to save his brother, and Achilles and Patroclus' role in the battle of Troy I found it difficult to put aside my already developed bias towards certain characters. Helen's beauty was so well known it launched a thousand ships filled with warriors to come battle on behalf of her defense. One can't help but feel a little bit of hate for someone that beautiful, ok maybe more than a little. I already had preconceived thoughts of Paris as a spoiled brat who demanded to get his way or else. He was always the rash little brother and Hector was the brave older brother cleaning up the messes and standing up to the defend his family and country. Hector took this on even if he wasn't one hundred percent behind the actions Paris had taken. Putting all of these thoughts aside, Robert's writes Helen to be not only beautiful on the outside but someone to take notice of on the inside as well. Her whole life Helen has had to project a public persona that appears shallow and self serving in order to survive against the ravages of life in Olympus. Somehow she has not let that falseness consumer her. Achilles initially comes across as cocky and full of himself. I wanted to hate him but once that exterior came down I realized that was a hard protective shell he had had to develop to survive. Patroclus is the sweetheart of the group that pulls the triad together; he is the lovable glue. By the end of 'Wicked Beauty' I loved all three so much and understood each's potential to lead as Ares that I wasn't sure who I was rooting for to win the title of Ares!
This book is currently available for pre-order and will officially be released on June 7, 2022.
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