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Dark Olympus #7
Dark Restraint
Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. She's betrayed her father―and his benefactor―and now she's left to rely on the questionable mercy of Olympus to keep her safe. As with everything in this city, mercy comes with a price. For Ariadne, that means a marriage to Dionysus. She has no choice but to agree, even if there's only one man she's ever wanted―a man she's feared just as much as she desires. The Minotaur never had any illusions about Minos's plans. He was willing to get his hands dirty as long as the old man kept his word―at the end of this, the Minotaur would be given Ariadne as a reward. Nowhere in that deal was her walking down the aisle to a different man. She's meant for him, and he means to have her. Ariadne knows better than to encourage the Minotaur. Her relationship with her new fiancé might be more friendship than burning passion, but she is all too aware of how much fiery passion can hurt. She and the Minotaur are no good for each other. She can never forgive him for what he's done, and he can never change. But when his hands are on her body and his wicked words are whispered in her ear, she might just be willing to let all of Olympus burn…
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2024
1247 people are currently reading
47166 people want to read
About the author
Katee Robert
172 books36.7k followersKatee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of spicy romance. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over two million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,303 reviews
January 18, 2024
Yes overarching plot and politics
Huge NO to the couple
Huge NO to the couple
August 10, 2024
I’m a sucker for a good Olympus tale, and this series has been a hit for me so far. But when it came to Ariadne and the Minotaur, something just didn’t grab me like the others did. It’s a decent story, but it didn’t quite pull me in the way I was hoping.
August 5, 2024
3.25 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed the captivating blend of politics and intrigue in this book, which had me diving headfirst into the story and eager to follow the plot. while I was pleased with the engaging narrative, I did feel that the characters' pasts and relationship’s development could have been fleshed out further. however, I appreciated the steamy and explicit romantic scenes featuring them together, duh.
overall, I found this to be a quick and engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you're looking for a fast-paced romance with a healthy dose of smut, this book is definitely worth checking out.
many thanks to the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
—————
so SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca granted my wish for this ARC (i honestly thought that netgalley granting wishes was a myth).. here we go!
“no one else matters but us. no one has ever mattered but us.”
I thoroughly enjoyed the captivating blend of politics and intrigue in this book, which had me diving headfirst into the story and eager to follow the plot. while I was pleased with the engaging narrative, I did feel that the characters' pasts and relationship’s development could have been fleshed out further. however, I appreciated the steamy and explicit romantic scenes featuring them together, duh.
overall, I found this to be a quick and engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you're looking for a fast-paced romance with a healthy dose of smut, this book is definitely worth checking out.
many thanks to the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
—————
so SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca granted my wish for this ARC (i honestly thought that netgalley granting wishes was a myth).. here we go!
September 27, 2024
The fact that I read 2/3 of this book in one sitting, put it down, and then didn’t pick it up to finish for nearly a month really says a lot about how bored I was with this one. 2.5⭐️, maybe?
I’ve loved Dark Olympus overall so far, but in a series like this I suppose it’s inevitable that I’ll come across a pairing/dynamic that I don’t like. Well, here we are. The first half of this book is basically a stalker romance which really just wasn’t working for me. I wasn’t invested in either character individually - they’re both rather one-note - and certainly not together. I’d be perfectly happy not seeing these characters again.
A small amount of important plot movement for the overarching series and that’s really all that kept me going. Not that it was particularly interesting from this perspective, but just that I know I need it to get to the next book. If there are any books I’d just skip over in a series re-read, it’ll be this one.
I’ve loved Dark Olympus overall so far, but in a series like this I suppose it’s inevitable that I’ll come across a pairing/dynamic that I don’t like. Well, here we are. The first half of this book is basically a stalker romance which really just wasn’t working for me. I wasn’t invested in either character individually - they’re both rather one-note - and certainly not together. I’d be perfectly happy not seeing these characters again.
A small amount of important plot movement for the overarching series and that’s really all that kept me going. Not that it was particularly interesting from this perspective, but just that I know I need it to get to the next book. If there are any books I’d just skip over in a series re-read, it’ll be this one.
August 8, 2024
… is the titular “restraint” in the room with us?
September 5, 2024
I don’t know why I keep reading these but I will not be stopping
July 24, 2024
3,5⭐️
can't believe I'm saying this, but the plot was better than smut😅
I didn't really vibe with Ariadne and Minotaur, especially at the beginning, but true stars of this book were Hera, my queen, and Hermes, they made me scream and I need their books for yesterday
the smut was okey, honestly nothing special, but the plot finally started coming somwhere and I hope in the next book we'll finally see some real action
still I'm curious about Icarus and Poseidon and with whom Hermes will be, but most important - I need Hera's book asap and you're not ready for the person I'll become when her book comes out
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
can't believe I'm saying this, but the plot was better than smut😅
I didn't really vibe with Ariadne and Minotaur, especially at the beginning, but true stars of this book were Hera, my queen, and Hermes, they made me scream and I need their books for yesterday
the smut was okey, honestly nothing special, but the plot finally started coming somwhere and I hope in the next book we'll finally see some real action
still I'm curious about Icarus and Poseidon and with whom Hermes will be, but most important - I need Hera's book asap and you're not ready for the person I'll become when her book comes out
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
January 10, 2024
this series really went soo downhill i would describe this book as horrendous. going from giving the first 4 books in this series 4 and 5 stars to giving number 6 and 7 only 2 and 1 star respectively….
May 10, 2025
DNF @ 50%. I can’t do this anymore. I know this toxic possessive behavior does it for a lot of people. But not for me. Y’all stay safe out there tho!
July 28, 2024
Love how the macro-plot is developing, not so sure how I feel about the couple.
Dark Restraint is well into the Dark Olympus series, this time following Ariadne and the Minotaur. He is very possessive of her and while they're drawn to each other, they are also both so deeply traumatized it doesn't seem like it's actually a healthy relationship. Attraction sure, but an HEA? Eh, I don't know about that. That said, I do appreciate how this handles the question of abortion with care and nuance. There are some major developments in the larger world that have me excited to see what happens in the next book. I suspect readers who like this kind of darker, more possesive dynamic in a romance will get on better with this book that I dd. The audio narration is with the same narrators as the rest of the series so if you like them, you'll like this too. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
Dark Restraint is well into the Dark Olympus series, this time following Ariadne and the Minotaur. He is very possessive of her and while they're drawn to each other, they are also both so deeply traumatized it doesn't seem like it's actually a healthy relationship. Attraction sure, but an HEA? Eh, I don't know about that. That said, I do appreciate how this handles the question of abortion with care and nuance. There are some major developments in the larger world that have me excited to see what happens in the next book. I suspect readers who like this kind of darker, more possesive dynamic in a romance will get on better with this book that I dd. The audio narration is with the same narrators as the rest of the series so if you like them, you'll like this too. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
August 27, 2024
Seven books in, and the worldbuilding of Olympus is still my roman empire. Simple comments like “There is no such thing as magic” (direct quote from this book) have me questioning my reading comprehension.
My newest addition to my collection of ridiculous worldbuilding nonsense from this series is that we find out that Olympus has a *special internet* that is separate from the rest of the world that is also blocked by this (supposedly) non magical barrier, but not even hacker-extraordinaire, Ariadne, can explain why or what it means:
“Our internet is on its own server of sorts. With the barrier keeping it walled away, it’s reached almost mythological status to the rest of the world." ohiseewhatyoudidthere
Also I have completely lost the plot as to when The Barrier ™ switched from just separating the upper and lower cities to a thing that separates Olympus from the whole outside world.
Other than that, the romance is wrapped up by the halfway point to save room for tons of plot intensive barrier shenanigans that I was not emotionally invested in. But my god, the communication is SO bad between them. The “He’s definitely going to kill me since he was ordered to kill me”/ “How could she think I’m going to kill her, I’ve only really recently killed dozens of people and left some of their corpses in front of her door to send a message” which went back and forth the entire first half was so stupid.
At least the next few couple pairings that were announced for the next few books make a lot more sense based on where things are left here.
My newest addition to my collection of ridiculous worldbuilding nonsense from this series is that we find out that Olympus has a *special internet* that is separate from the rest of the world that is also blocked by this (supposedly) non magical barrier, but not even hacker-extraordinaire, Ariadne, can explain why or what it means:
“Our internet is on its own server of sorts. With the barrier keeping it walled away, it’s reached almost mythological status to the rest of the world." ohiseewhatyoudidthere
Also I have completely lost the plot as to when The Barrier ™ switched from just separating the upper and lower cities to a thing that separates Olympus from the whole outside world.
Other than that, the romance is wrapped up by the halfway point to save room for tons of plot intensive barrier shenanigans that I was not emotionally invested in. But my god, the communication is SO bad between them. The “He’s definitely going to kill me since he was ordered to kill me”/ “How could she think I’m going to kill her, I’ve only really recently killed dozens of people and left some of their corpses in front of her door to send a message” which went back and forth the entire first half was so stupid.
At least the next few couple pairings that were announced for the next few books make a lot more sense based on where things are left here.
August 20, 2024
Dark Restraint by Katee Robert
Dark Olympus series #7. Dark mythology Fantasy romance retelling with erotica elements. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Ariadne Vitalis grew up with a strict and cruel father. She defies her virginity required destiny, aka political manipulation and has a steamy encounter with the Minotaur she’s always wanted. Complications and betrayal plus political maneuvers had Ariadne engaged to Dionysus.
The Minotaur was promised Ariadne and he will do whatever is necessary to have her. She’s meant for him. And while she knows her father has ordered the Minotaur to kill her, she cannot resist the passion they share.
Very Dark and super steamy. Political games intensify setting up the next story. The Minotaur is violent except with Ariadne, but he is very possessive of her.
Nothing, in capital letters, in this book is on my preferred troupes list, yet I continue to be compelled to indulge.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley as Wish Granted on release day.
Dark Olympus series #7. Dark mythology Fantasy romance retelling with erotica elements. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Ariadne Vitalis grew up with a strict and cruel father. She defies her virginity required destiny, aka political manipulation and has a steamy encounter with the Minotaur she’s always wanted. Complications and betrayal plus political maneuvers had Ariadne engaged to Dionysus.
The Minotaur was promised Ariadne and he will do whatever is necessary to have her. She’s meant for him. And while she knows her father has ordered the Minotaur to kill her, she cannot resist the passion they share.
Very Dark and super steamy. Political games intensify setting up the next story. The Minotaur is violent except with Ariadne, but he is very possessive of her.
Nothing, in capital letters, in this book is on my preferred troupes list, yet I continue to be compelled to indulge.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley as Wish Granted on release day.
August 12, 2024
This love story is BARELY consensual and it's certainly not safe or sane. Genuinely disappointed in Katee Robert for this one. I thought she was better than this but this was a MAJOR let down.
This book had the potential to be a really interesting slow burn with a redemption (for the mmc) and self worth (for the fmc) arc, but both of those were sacrificed halfway through for some cheap smut.
They have absolutely no chemistry for the first half and then suddenly they're completely different characters and totally in love and everything is fine.
The Minotaur is an abusive piece of shit. He emotionally manipulates her and demonstrates absolutely no care for her autonomy or worth as a person. They hint at this to the Minotaur, but never follow through. He goes on and on about how Ariadne LEFT HIM 😱 but that he was gonna track her down and prove that she loves him even if she doesn't know it yet because she belongs to him. Icarus tells him that this will choke the life out of her if he continues to treat her that way. The Minotaur notes that she is absolutely certain that he's going to kill her and that she doesn't come to him when she's upset and that maybe he's seeing things that aren't there. Maybe he's hurting her.
And then out of fucking nowhere she folds and goes to him and tells him she loves him after he anticipates her needs ONE TIME. He is nice to her for the duration of ONE MEAL and suddenly the abuse is never worth mentioning again. He doesn't have all the gross manipulative and possessive tendencies that he did at the beginning. He's just an entirely different human being. But most importantly he never apologizes, never learns this lesson they seemed to want to teach him.
But I was much more disappointed in the Ariadne plot because they tell you over and over again in the beginning how useless Ariadne feels. How she feels like she has no power. How she's being controlled (and HAS ALWAYS been controlled) like an inanimate object by her father and the thirteen and even the Minotaur who claims to care about her. She feels like absolute shit at the beginning mostly because of the Minotaur, but he's nice to her once and she realizes that he isn't actually going to kill her or harm her physically so he obviously must love her. But she never claims control of her life again. There's never a moment where she decides to take matters into her own hands and reclaim her autonomy. There's never a moment where she tells the Minotaur off for the way he treated her. Where she cries and confesses how she wants to love him but in the end he's no better than her father.
Then we could finally get the moment of the Minotaur realizing this and coming to terms with what he's done, apologizing and agreeing to work harder and acknowledging that in reality he's just as much hers as she is his and that he wants to be better for her.
But no. Instead we get this sorry excuse for a book where Dionysus tells Ariadne to try things out with an obvious abuser because "what if it ends well?". Instead we get this genuine affront to feminism. Like she has no agency and you try to pretend like she does which is worse than her having none at all. Instead we get the biggest let down of the series. This book ruined my day. And I'm beginning to lose all my faith in this series.
Honestly could've been a novella (which is like the book form of an email I guess lmao)
This book had the potential to be a really interesting slow burn with a redemption (for the mmc) and self worth (for the fmc) arc, but both of those were sacrificed halfway through for some cheap smut.
They have absolutely no chemistry for the first half and then suddenly they're completely different characters and totally in love and everything is fine.
The Minotaur is an abusive piece of shit. He emotionally manipulates her and demonstrates absolutely no care for her autonomy or worth as a person. They hint at this to the Minotaur, but never follow through. He goes on and on about how Ariadne LEFT HIM 😱 but that he was gonna track her down and prove that she loves him even if she doesn't know it yet because she belongs to him. Icarus tells him that this will choke the life out of her if he continues to treat her that way. The Minotaur notes that she is absolutely certain that he's going to kill her and that she doesn't come to him when she's upset and that maybe he's seeing things that aren't there. Maybe he's hurting her.
And then out of fucking nowhere she folds and goes to him and tells him she loves him after he anticipates her needs ONE TIME. He is nice to her for the duration of ONE MEAL and suddenly the abuse is never worth mentioning again. He doesn't have all the gross manipulative and possessive tendencies that he did at the beginning. He's just an entirely different human being. But most importantly he never apologizes, never learns this lesson they seemed to want to teach him.
But I was much more disappointed in the Ariadne plot because they tell you over and over again in the beginning how useless Ariadne feels. How she feels like she has no power. How she's being controlled (and HAS ALWAYS been controlled) like an inanimate object by her father and the thirteen and even the Minotaur who claims to care about her. She feels like absolute shit at the beginning mostly because of the Minotaur, but he's nice to her once and she realizes that he isn't actually going to kill her or harm her physically so he obviously must love her. But she never claims control of her life again. There's never a moment where she decides to take matters into her own hands and reclaim her autonomy. There's never a moment where she tells the Minotaur off for the way he treated her. Where she cries and confesses how she wants to love him but in the end he's no better than her father.
Then we could finally get the moment of the Minotaur realizing this and coming to terms with what he's done, apologizing and agreeing to work harder and acknowledging that in reality he's just as much hers as she is his and that he wants to be better for her.
But no. Instead we get this sorry excuse for a book where Dionysus tells Ariadne to try things out with an obvious abuser because "what if it ends well?". Instead we get this genuine affront to feminism. Like she has no agency and you try to pretend like she does which is worse than her having none at all. Instead we get the biggest let down of the series. This book ruined my day. And I'm beginning to lose all my faith in this series.
Honestly could've been a novella (which is like the book form of an email I guess lmao)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2025
3.5 ☆
a man who listens to your concerns and changes to make you more comfortable??? HOT. seriously though, this man was OBSESSED with her. I was here for the balance of possessive overprotectiveness and nurturing tenderness that we got from him. And we’ve seen a little bit of Ariadne’s rebellious side from previous DO stories, but being a hacker was not on my bingo card. I’ll be honest. This book felt much more connected to the entirety of the series, and I kind of like the direction we’re heading plot wise.
All around another delight from Katee.
NOW GIVE ME HERA AND ZEUS IMMEDIATELY PLSSSS
a man who listens to your concerns and changes to make you more comfortable??? HOT. seriously though, this man was OBSESSED with her. I was here for the balance of possessive overprotectiveness and nurturing tenderness that we got from him. And we’ve seen a little bit of Ariadne’s rebellious side from previous DO stories, but being a hacker was not on my bingo card. I’ll be honest. This book felt much more connected to the entirety of the series, and I kind of like the direction we’re heading plot wise.
All around another delight from Katee.
NOW GIVE ME HERA AND ZEUS IMMEDIATELY PLSSSS
April 22, 2025
when you have a character called the minotaur and then somehow the most boring story of all time.
ariadne desperately needed to get several restraining orders filed and legally disown her father. instead of helping her do that, minotaur man just breathes heavily and watches her suffer (and actively makes her suffer, too).
anyways, creepy stalker minotaur man needed to be sniped or have birds crap on him everyday. i think the second one would piss him off most.
ariadne desperately needed to get several restraining orders filed and legally disown her father. instead of helping her do that, minotaur man just breathes heavily and watches her suffer (and actively makes her suffer, too).
anyways, creepy stalker minotaur man needed to be sniped or have birds crap on him everyday. i think the second one would piss him off most.
April 2, 2024
Katee Roberts is the queen of filth. That being said, I was not a fan of the couple but loved the smut and loved the politics and the ongoing story of Olympus.
Ariadne seems like a sweet and brilliant girl who grew up with a cruel father who only saw her as an asset to be advantageously married off. The Minotaur grew up alongside her and is a trained assassin who is OBSESSED with her. Yes it is clear the Minotaur loves her as best he can, but I’m not convinced his best is good enough. Ariadne deserves a fully fresh start.
Overall I am looooving this series and cannot wait for the next books to find out what happens in Olympus. Really looking forward to Hera and Zeus’s book.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ariadne seems like a sweet and brilliant girl who grew up with a cruel father who only saw her as an asset to be advantageously married off. The Minotaur grew up alongside her and is a trained assassin who is OBSESSED with her. Yes it is clear the Minotaur loves her as best he can, but I’m not convinced his best is good enough. Ariadne deserves a fully fresh start.
Overall I am looooving this series and cannot wait for the next books to find out what happens in Olympus. Really looking forward to Hera and Zeus’s book.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2024
Thank you Sourcebooks Casa for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I am so sad to say I was disappointed by Dark Restraint. :/ This book and the last book felt more like filler than the romance books of the earlier Dark Olympus titles. I was not invested in Ariadne or the Minotaur's relationship. In my opinion, this was the weakest romance of the series this far. On the other hand, I do appreciate the political maneuvers Katee is trying to accomplish and I hope she can pull it off in the final stretch of this series.
I am so sad to say I was disappointed by Dark Restraint. :/ This book and the last book felt more like filler than the romance books of the earlier Dark Olympus titles. I was not invested in Ariadne or the Minotaur's relationship. In my opinion, this was the weakest romance of the series this far. On the other hand, I do appreciate the political maneuvers Katee is trying to accomplish and I hope she can pull it off in the final stretch of this series.
August 19, 2024
Ok that wasn’t as heinous as I thought it’d be. I didn’t really care for anyone in this? Ariadne was.. slightly annoying ? But not in an arrogant way her personality just didn’t like win me over. It’s cool she has computer skills though? And Asterion uh.. big beefy guy who gives touch her & die vibes. This one really has me on my kneeesss begging for Hera & Zeus book to come quicker cause 🙃 there have been developments. But as far as the overarching plot things are DEFINITELY hitting the fan now. Excited to see what Circe brings to the pot .
pre read:Almost time to pick back up my guilty pleasure series 💀 NOT excited for this coupling though but I must persist for the overarching plot 😅
pre read:Almost time to pick back up my guilty pleasure series 💀 NOT excited for this coupling though but I must persist for the overarching plot 😅
September 24, 2024
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f dark romance
-morality chain
-childhood crush
-it's always been you
-one single act of kindness and now i'm feral for you
Probably the darkest romance in the series so far. Araidne was like a princess locked away in her tower most of her life and she finally escapes, but its not into safety, instead being thrown into politics and intrigue. The Minotaur is assigned by her father to kill her, but little does anyone realize, including Araidne that he's loved her their entire lives.
I loved the contrast of how soft the Minotaur really was about Araidne but just pure violence to the rest of the world. Slightly stalkier, I loved watching these two figure out their feelings and what they were willing to risk to find their happiness. The sexual tension, the exploration, the risk of it all.
I love all the twists and turns of this series, the glimpses at the other characters and just the great romance mixed with the political intrigue wrapped up in a Greek mythology retelling.
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f dark romance
-morality chain
-childhood crush
-it's always been you
-one single act of kindness and now i'm feral for you
Probably the darkest romance in the series so far. Araidne was like a princess locked away in her tower most of her life and she finally escapes, but its not into safety, instead being thrown into politics and intrigue. The Minotaur is assigned by her father to kill her, but little does anyone realize, including Araidne that he's loved her their entire lives.
I loved the contrast of how soft the Minotaur really was about Araidne but just pure violence to the rest of the world. Slightly stalkier, I loved watching these two figure out their feelings and what they were willing to risk to find their happiness. The sexual tension, the exploration, the risk of it all.
I love all the twists and turns of this series, the glimpses at the other characters and just the great romance mixed with the political intrigue wrapped up in a Greek mythology retelling.
Want to read
November 7, 2024Neon Gods: Hades & Persephone
Electric Idol: Eros & Psyche
Wicked Beauty: Helen & Achilles & Patroclus
Radiant Sin: Apollo & Cassandra
Cruel Seduction: Aphrodite & Hephaestus & Pandora & Adonis
Midnight Ruin: Charon & Orpheus & Eurydice
Dark Restraint: Ariadne & the Minotaur
September 2, 2024
Definitely my least favorite of the series so far. The overall story, while is interesting, I think is dragging out too long and this couple needs a good therapist... not a relationship. This is insta love to the inth degree.
February 21, 2025
My, I do love a devoted man.
August 5, 2024
The politics of this series have my soul in a choke hold!!!!!!
August 9, 2024
You’re telling me I waited 7 months from the last disappointing book for an even bigger letdown??? Usually I can muster up some interest in either the pairing or the plot but both were big misses here. Ariadne and the Minotaur both felt so one dimensional and boooooring AND THEN LITERALLY NO POLITICS HAPPENED. How are there 3 more books??!? We could’ve wrapped this up 2 books ago easily
November 29, 2025
I can pretty much copy/paste my review for Cruel Seduction... I know nothing more about these characters and I don't care about them at all. I usually even start these reviews with a sexy quote...
...because usually at least there's that to look forward to, but again, like Cruel Seduction, with no clue who these characters are, I don't even remember or care about the smut. I won't - probably ever - drop my review to 1 star for a KR book, but this one is even lower in my regard than Cruel Seduction for a bunch of reasons.
Things I didn't like
I believe KR assumed we'd know these characters based on their mentions in other books or based on mythology and that would just be good enough... It wasn't. If at the end, I was left with that fuzzy, satisfied feeling, then fine, but I wasn't. Ariadne is only a damsel in distress (even Eurydice in Midnight Ruin fought to take care of herself and her men), Minotaur is only a brute. I am intensely angry we didn't get to know Dionysus more. He was ALWAYS such an enigmatic character and even in this book, he continues to be enigmatic... but it's a book with him as a [supposedly] main character! We should have gotten to know him or seen what he was doing at least a little bit!!
Things I didn't like
Of all the conflicts... I was so angry at the number of times Ariadne said 'he doesn't love me, he's got orders to kill me' and the number of times Minotaur said 'she doesn't trust me, she thinks I'm going to kill her.'
Just have a conversation!!
Things I didn't like
At this point... please stop trying to put other plot points in. I beg of you! There was a whole side story about Hera/Callisto trying to stage a coup... Hermes is back... Some people want the barrier down... Some want Dodona tower down... Sometimes those are the same people, sometimes not............. It was way too much when it was clear character development wasn't even a consideration. That said - well, this is a double edged sword - I'm just going through the motions at this point so, fine, move the plot forward and let's see how the chips fall... I guess.
TL;DR
That's all the time I'm willing to take on this. This one was a dud. BUT, I will, of course, keep reading, always. This series is never not a little fun. There was also this one cheeky line about the barrier NOT being magical but a mechanical entity, but that it would always seem a little like magic. So, yet again, a little bit more of the mystery behind this world unravels, and I do truly want to continue, but this one was truly meh.
Book 1, Neon Gods: Review: ⭐⭐⭐
Book 2, Electric Idol: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 3, Wicked Beauty: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 4, Radiant Sin: Review: ⭐⭐⭐
Book 5, Cruel Seduction: Review: ⭐⭐
Book 6, Midnight Ruin: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 8, Sweet Obsession: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 9, Tender Cruelty: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
...because usually at least there's that to look forward to, but again, like Cruel Seduction, with no clue who these characters are, I don't even remember or care about the smut. I won't - probably ever - drop my review to 1 star for a KR book, but this one is even lower in my regard than Cruel Seduction for a bunch of reasons.
Things I didn't like
I believe KR assumed we'd know these characters based on their mentions in other books or based on mythology and that would just be good enough... It wasn't. If at the end, I was left with that fuzzy, satisfied feeling, then fine, but I wasn't. Ariadne is only a damsel in distress (even Eurydice in Midnight Ruin fought to take care of herself and her men), Minotaur is only a brute. I am intensely angry we didn't get to know Dionysus more. He was ALWAYS such an enigmatic character and even in this book, he continues to be enigmatic... but it's a book with him as a [supposedly] main character! We should have gotten to know him or seen what he was doing at least a little bit!!
Things I didn't like
Of all the conflicts... I was so angry at the number of times Ariadne said 'he doesn't love me, he's got orders to kill me' and the number of times Minotaur said 'she doesn't trust me, she thinks I'm going to kill her.'
Just have a conversation!!
Things I didn't like
At this point... please stop trying to put other plot points in. I beg of you! There was a whole side story about Hera/Callisto trying to stage a coup... Hermes is back... Some people want the barrier down... Some want Dodona tower down... Sometimes those are the same people, sometimes not............. It was way too much when it was clear character development wasn't even a consideration. That said - well, this is a double edged sword - I'm just going through the motions at this point so, fine, move the plot forward and let's see how the chips fall... I guess.
TL;DR
That's all the time I'm willing to take on this. This one was a dud. BUT, I will, of course, keep reading, always. This series is never not a little fun. There was also this one cheeky line about the barrier NOT being magical but a mechanical entity, but that it would always seem a little like magic. So, yet again, a little bit more of the mystery behind this world unravels, and I do truly want to continue, but this one was truly meh.
Book 1, Neon Gods: Review: ⭐⭐⭐
Book 2, Electric Idol: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 3, Wicked Beauty: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 4, Radiant Sin: Review: ⭐⭐⭐
Book 5, Cruel Seduction: Review: ⭐⭐
Book 6, Midnight Ruin: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 8, Sweet Obsession: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 9, Tender Cruelty: Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 9, 2024
Read the first two books in this series then DNF’ed, but I just read this synopsis and had to say something. I don’t care much for erotica or monster romance, but I don’t find anything wrong with it. What I do have problems with, however, is that this book is Ariadne x Minotaur erotica. I don’t care if you bend parts of the OG story in your interpretation, but dude, they are half-siblings!? I need to know if that’s addressed in this book, but I also refuse to read it.
August 8, 2024
Spicy and dramatic!
This installment features family drama, a complicated love affair, a bizarre marriage arrangement, and pure chaos all around..
It’s entertaining, but not my favorite in the series.
This installment features family drama, a complicated love affair, a bizarre marriage arrangement, and pure chaos all around..
It’s entertaining, but not my favorite in the series.
September 12, 2024
I enjoyed this one. The political movements made it more than the FMC & MMC.
# Dark Restraint
# 9/11/2024 ~ 9/12/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0
# Dark Restraint
# 9/11/2024 ~ 9/12/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0
August 15, 2024
NEXT BOOK NOW!!!!! I NEED GAY STOCKHOLM SYNDROME!
August 6, 2024
I had a fun time listening to this one!! We got the chance to read the first chapter in the previous book and I’ve been DYING to read it ever since!
This is one of my favorite series and I can’t wait until we get them all!!!
Ariadne is so sweet I could just squeeze her!! The fact that she is down bad for a big ole brute of a man (the Minotaur) is fun and wild, but they’re so cute together 😭
The politics of this book didn’t make it as great as all the other books in the seri sbut I’m so intrigued to see how everything plays out! ONTO THE NEXT!!!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
It’s always been you
Opposites attract
Forbidden romance
This is one of my favorite series and I can’t wait until we get them all!!!
Ariadne is so sweet I could just squeeze her!! The fact that she is down bad for a big ole brute of a man (the Minotaur) is fun and wild, but they’re so cute together 😭
The politics of this book didn’t make it as great as all the other books in the seri sbut I’m so intrigued to see how everything plays out! ONTO THE NEXT!!!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
It’s always been you
Opposites attract
Forbidden romance
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