I’ve done a review on the past on the first book in the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert called Neon Gods, but I never got around to reviewing the rest. Or rather, giving full reviews as I gave mini-reviews during my monthly wrap-ups. So, I figured I might as well come back and do an review overall of the series. This series is a collection of standalone books, though there is an overarching plot that connects each of the books, that each are inspired by different Greek Mythology tales.
The books in this series are Dark Romance, so each book has it’s own trigger warnings. And the main plot that ties the books together doesn’t really kick off until Wicked Beauty, though the first two are the starting point that set the whole thing in motion. I recommend reading these books in order if you’re going to read this series. Otherwise, you may be confused as to what is happening.
Note: I’ll update this post with each new release once I have gotten the chance to read them, as there are still many more books to come in this series.
Books in the Series
I’m including all books in this list that are slated to be released even the ones that we don’t have names for, as Katee Robert has given sneak peek on her social media regarding what the couples should be in each of the books. Will they continue to be that? I don’t know. But I did tentatively put in what had been announced previously.
- Neon Gods
- Couple: Hades and Persephone
- Themes: Fake dating, hurt/comfort, BDSM, exhibitionism, and grumpy/sunshine.
- Trigger Warnings: Abuse, parental death (historical, off-page), assault/attempted assault, guns, and blood.
- Published: June 1, 2021
- Rating: 3 stars
- Electric Idol
- Couple: Eros and Psyche
- Themes: Marriage of convenience, fake relationship, and forced proximity.
- Trigger Warnings: Abuse (emotional and financial), body shaming, murder (off-page), and guns.
- Published: January 4, 2022
- Rating: 3.5 stars
- Wicked Beauty
- Couple: Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus
- Themes: Enemies to lovers, MMF, arena competition, forced proximity, only one bed, poly romance and open relationship.
- Trigger Warnings: Abusive parent, assault, attempted murder, blood, abusive ex, and miscarriage (side character, off-page, historical).
- Published: June 7, 2022
- Rating: 3.5 stars
- Radiant Sin
- Couple: Apollo (Linus) and Cassandra
- Themes: Fake dating, old school faux-historical house parties, boss/employee, miscommunication, one bed, bondage, and dom/sub relationship.
- Trigger Warnings: Body shaming (referenced briefly, historical), murder, blood, guns, and boss/employee relationship.
- Published: February 7, 2023
- Rating: 3.5 stars
- Cruel Seduction
- Couple: Hephaestus (Theseus), Aphrodite (Eris), Adonis, and Pandora
- Themes: MMFF open poly knot, open relationship, marriage of convenience, hurt/comfort, and enemies to lovers.
- Trigger Warnings: Attempted murder, murder, violence, blood, child abuse (historical, non-graphic), and attempted sexual assault (historical, off-page).
- Published: August 8, 2023
- Rating: 3.25 stars
- Midnight Ruin
- Couple: Eurydice, Charon, and Orpheus
- Release Date: January 16, 2024
- TBA
- Couple: Minotaur and Ariadne
- TBA
- Couple: Poseidon and Icarus
- TBA
- Couple: Hera (Callisto) and Zeus (Perseus)
- TBA
- Couple: Hermes and [REDACTED]
Thoughts on the Dark Olympus Series
Dark Olympus takes place in a city that’s secluded from the world in that there is a barrier preventing anyone from leaving or entering. There’s also a barrier between the upper city (ruled by Zeus) and the lower city (ruled by Hades), and only those with invites to the lower city are permitted to enter. The city overall is ruled by thirteen individuals, who take on the titles of the Greek gods: Zeus (legacy role and leader of upper city), Hades (legacy role and leader of lower city), Poseidon (legacy role for import/export), Hera (spouse of ruling Zeus), Aphrodite (alliances), Hermes (communication), Hephaestus (inventor), Dionysus (entertainment), Demeter (supply lines), Athena (Special forces), Artemis (huntress), Ares (security), and Apollo (lore). How each position obtain their roles vary. Some achieve their positions by accomplishing some feat, some are chosen by their predecessor, and others are won through competition. Then there are the three legacy roles, that are passed down through the generations. However, there is a hidden clause that if you murder someone using your bare hands, you gain the position of the individual you murder.
The city of Olympus might be rich in the Upper city, but they are all cutthroat. Everyone has to have a persona in order to survive or the media and citizens will chew you alive. Not everyone is made out for it. As someone is always watching and rooting for someone’s downfall. Many individuals have learned how to manipulate the media for their advantage, which plays into the plot of several books in the series.
Some of these books I do think are better than others with the way the relationships are handled along with their overall plot. The ones where sex propelled the plot like Neon Gods and to some extent Cruel Seduction, I wasn’t a massive fan. Like don’t get me wrong the book is still good, but there’s just wasn’t much outside of the smut going on. At least in Cruel Seduction, outside of them figuring out the four way relationship, there was a plot. Which was the main plot that overshadows the entire season.
So, what is the plot that takes place throughout the series?
The city of Olympus has reached a breaking point following the quick succession of multiple roles. Zeus for being killed in the Neon Gods, then Aphrodite being banished in Electric Idol and Ares being up for grabs following the death of the previous (natural causes). It’s during Wicked Beauty where the plot really sets in motion. A group of outsiders compete for a chance to become one of the ruling members of Olympus and they are not above killing individuals to do so, even when the competition does not call for murder. Helen manages to become Ares, but the family lead by Minos is not backing down. The new Zeus ends up allowing them citizenship providing they give information pertaining to the main barrier of the city faltering. And considering how isolated the city has been, if anyone brings true war to Olympus they are not prepared to face it.
However, that decision wasn’t exactly the best plan as Minos gives almost no information before deciding to invite half of the Thirteen to an old-fashion house party complete with games (Radiant Sin). Only Minos has other ideas including using the assassination clause to put one of his foster children, who failed to become Ares, into power. In the end, they manage to enact the clause which sends the already unstable city to destabilize further as citizens with a lust for power try to kill the Thirteen (Cruel Seduction). Granted, they don’t know the details that would actually get the clause to take affect. But it leaves the Thirteen fighting a losing war on all sides: they can’t go out without fear of death, they can’t mention the faltering barrier or they would have full chaos, and Minos is working behind the scenes to set someone else up as the new ruler of Olympus.
Overall, I enjoy this series.
Would I call it the best series I’ve ever read? No.
Have I returned to reading these books or segments of these books multiple times? Yes.
If you like Greek Mythology retellings or tales inspired by the characters with hints to the mythology, then check out this series. It is an adult romance series, so there is explicit sexual content.
Love ya,
Mae Polzine
Join the Howl of the Pack today by subscribing! To stay updated on everything I’m doing, follow me on Twitter as that’s where I post quick updates. Or join our Discord server. Also, if you like this post, let me know in the comment section, it really helps me figure out what content you guys appreciate. Don’t be shy I would love to hear from you!
