Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert
Erotic Science Fiction & Fantasy
June 7, 2022
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Dreamscape Media, LLC

Review by Jen

This series by Katee Robert continues to absolutely delight me! I love this world. Book three, Wicked Beauty, stars Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen. Fair warning on two things- first, it most definitely takes major liberties with the traditional mythology around these characters. Inspired by Greek mythology, but that’s where it ends. And, it’s a threesome. If that’s not your thing to read, skip it. But, IMHO, you’re missing out. I very much enjoyed this story!

Helen is a legendary beauty, the face that launched a thousand ships. Achilles is a powerful warrior and battle strategist. Patroclus is Achilles’ lover, constant companion, and known for his incredible intelligence. In Robert’s reimagined Olympus, Ares the God of war is a rotating ruler who is chosen when the current Ares can’t perform his/her/their responsibilities any longer. The new Ares is chosen through a physical competition that anyone can enter. Athena is in charge of the competition. Helen is the reigning Zeus’s sister and wants to be so much more than a pretty face. She makes up her mind to enter the competition. Being Ares will give her the respect and title she’s always wanted. She’ll have a seat at the table and can help shape the future of Olympus. Achilles and Patroclus also decide to enter, because Achilles wants to be Ares, and Patroclus, while a respectable soldier, is really in it to protect Achilles, and run cover for him. 

Helen attends a party where Zeus announces the competition. She’s shocked to hear that the winner doesn’t just get to be Ares, but they also get her as their wife! She’s really ticked off and questions whether she should even compete. After some thought, she decides to push through it and tells Athena that she’s in. On her way back from meeting with Athena, she runs into Patroclus. They’ve known each other for years and grew up together. While not great friends now, they were kind to each in the past. In their meeting, sparks fly and it’s clear that there’s some chemistry between them. 

Nothing happens but some sexual frustration. Patroclus heads back to Achilles and this starts the rumbling anxiety with the couple about what makes Helen so special and why is Achilles jealous? The guys have an open relationship, but there’s just something about Helen that puts them off kilter. They are both attracted to her and she’s not really one-night stand material. What to do?!

The dialogue is clever; the world Robert built is original and petty. The word, petty, always bubbles up for me. The Gods and Goddesses are so petty, shallow, and conniving. It’s soooo great! And it is of course, verrrry spicy. Achilles and Patroclus are both worried about the other walking out on their relationship. With Helen in the mix, they lose some confidence in their own love. There are other compelling side characters like Paris, Helen’s past boyfriend. He’s a total tool. And, there are some badass competitors from outside of Olympus who stir things up for our favorite threesome. 

This was a quick fun read. Every book in this series is good. The first one remains tops for me, and this comes in second. 

Grade B+

Amazon * Audible * Goodreads