Wicked Beauty

Starred review from April 11, 2022
The outstanding third entry in Robert’s Dark Olympus series (after Electric Idol) returns to the gritty, futuristic city of Olympus and its ruling council of 13 “gods” for another deliciously erotic modernization of Greek myth. Legendary beauty Helen, sister of Zeus, is determined to serve as the council’s next Ares and prove that she’s not “a piece to be moved around on someone else’s board”—even as her brother plots to marry her off without her consent. Achilles also hopes to become the next Ares with the help of his decade-long lover, Patroclus. Who gets the role will be decided by a series of increasingly difficult battlefield tests. As the competition begins, both Achilles and Patroclus fight their mounting desire for Helen, but after an assassin tries to eliminate Helen and the men come to her defense, their attraction blossoms into real feelings and all three give in to their chemistry. As the trio attempts to catch the assassin, they work to balance their passion and their ambition—all while indulging in some red-hot sex scenes. Robert’s smart, savvy plotting and nuanced characters draw readers in immediately, and her juxtaposition of mythology and modernity remains pure gold. Fans and new readers alike will eagerly devour every word. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary.