#Apollo and Cassandra dark Olympus

[blonde-elf-gf]

Peace by Taylor Swift is so Dark Olympus Apollo and Cassandra coded

[potatareads]

➳ favorite books i’ve read in 2023 ·˚ ༘₊·

Radiant Sin by Katee Robert

[beautifulbookishdisaster]

I learned long ago that clothing can change a person's perspective, both the one I have of myself and that of others who look at me. It's a different kind of armor than Ares's soldiers wear but it serves much the same purpose', even if the weapons being sharpened by the upper crust in Olympus are words and ambition instead of guns and knives.

Katee Robert, Radiant Sin

[viscountessevie]

Intro To Dark Olympus by Katee Robert

Welcome to my little review series of Katee Robert' Dark Olympus series! This is in lead up to the latest instalment of the series, Cruel Seduction. I also just felt like taking a trip down the Greek mythology retellings lane.

A general summary of the series: It's set in a modern day city called Olympus with mortals versions of the Greek myth characters. Their power comes in the form of being rich, famous and powerful. It's fairly political in nature and each sector of the city is ruled by The Thirteen - the main thirteen Olympians we're familiar with in the original mythology.

I think what struck me about this series is that it was a hot romance take on myths I loved growing up so much. Katee also has pretty fresh interpretations of the characters and the stories themselves while still keeping true to the beats of the original myths.

So far there are 5 books in the series (including the prequel!) I have enjoyed the first three books in the series, can't wait to reread two of them for these reviews and start on the last two leading up to Cruel Seduction.

Here's an overview and the couples of each book [I'll update this list with links to my reviews here once I post them]:

Prequel: Stone Heart [Medusa & Calypso]

In the city of Olympus, people hardly dare to say Medusa's name aloud. She is Athena's agent, the one she sends when she wants someone to disappear. Medusa owes her life to Athena, and if staining her hands with blood is the only way to repay her debt, it's a small price to pay. Until Athena sends him to find Calypso, the mistress of wealthy politician Odysseus. Calypso has done nothing worthy of a death sentence, and her conflicting feelings only worsen when Medusa first sees the woman behind the name. Calypso is beautiful, cunning and above all ready to do anything to save her life, including seducing her potential assassin. But what begins as a ploy to escape quickly turns into a real attraction. Because Medusa is not the cold killer that rumours suggest, and Calypso is much more complex than it seems... Book 1: Neon Gods [Hades & Persephone]

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade.

With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth... a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed.

Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close… Book 2: Electric Idol [Psyche & Eros]

In the ultra-modern city of Olympus, there's always a price to pay. Psyche knew she'd have to face Aphrodite's ire eventually, but she never expected her literal heart to be at stake...or for Aphrodite's gorgeous son to be the one ordered to strike the killing blow.

Eros has no problem shedding blood. But when it comes time to take out his latest target, he can't do it. Confused by his reaction to Psyche, he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe: he marries her. Psyche vows to make Eros's life a living hell until they find a way out of this mess. But as lines blur and loyalties shift, she realizes he might take her heart after all...and she's not sure she can survive the loss. Book 3: Wicked Beauty [Helen, Patroclus & Achilles]

In Olympus, you either have the power to rule...or you are ruled. Achilles Kallis may have been born with nothing, but as a child he vowed he would claw his way into the poisonous city's inner circle. Now that a coveted role has opened to anyone with the strength to claim it, he and his partner, Patroclus Fotos, plan to compete and double their odds of winning.

Neither expect infamous beauty Helen Kasios to be part of the prize...or for the complicated fire that burns the moment she looks their way.

Zeus may have decided Helen is his to give to away, but she has her own plans. She enters into the competition as a middle finger to the meddling Thirteen rulers, effectively vying for her own hand in marriage. Unfortunately, there are those who would rather see her dead than lead the city. The only people she can trust are the ones she can't keep her hands off—Achilles and Patroclus. But can she really believe they have her best interests at heart when every stolen kiss is a battlefield? Book 4: Radiant Sin [Cassandra & Apollo]

There's nowhere more dangerous than Olympus...and no one more captivating than its golden god: Apollo. Keeper of secrets, master of his shining realm...and the only man I am powerless to deny.

As a disgraced member of a fallen house, Cassandra Gataki has seen firsthand what comes from trusting the venomous Thirteen. But when the maddeningly gorgeous and kind Apollo asks her to go undercover as his plus-one at a week-long party hosted by a dangerous new power player…Cassandra reluctantly agrees to have his back.

On one condition: when it's all over, and Apollo has the ammunition he needs to protect Olympus, she and her sister will be allowed to leave. For good.

Apollo may be the city's official spymaster, but it's his ability to inspire others that keeps him at the top. Despite what the rest of Olympus says, there's no one he trusts more than Cassandra. Yet even as their fake relationship takes a wicked turn for the scaldingly hot, a very real danger surfaces… threatening not only Cassandra and Apollo, but the very heart of Olympus itself.

I can't wait to dig in and let you all know what I think and why yall should read this series if you love romance and Greek myths!

[achaiapelides]

Rip or Ship

... with characters from

Harry Potter

Riordanverse

The Shadowhunter Chronicles

Red, White and Royal Blue

etc.

If you want to leave suggestions and read my opinion about ships, you might want to read this

⬇️

[rulesofdisorder]

i always read about 70% into a katee robert book and then realize that i just… don’t care. like i’m enjoying it a lot and then all of a sudden i cannot be fucked to finish reading it. like i’ll finish it eventually and be like ya ok that wasn’t great and then i’ll buy the next one and the cycle repeats

[two-beagles-and-a-book]

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“It defies some kind of law that it’s always so good with him. It doesn’t make sense. Except it’s Apollo and somehow it was always going to be world-ending with him” —Radiant Sin @katee_robert

#reading #bookstagram #books #bookshelf #fantasybooks #fantasy #romantic #romancebooks #romantasy #apollo #cassandra #kateerobert #read #readingchallenge #book #booklistqueenchallenge23 #nerdybookwormchallengexo #darkacademia

[bookloveravenue]

Dark Olympus (book 4): Radiant Sin by Katee Robert

There's nowhere more dangerous than Olympus...and no one more captivating than its golden god: Apollo. Keeper of secrets, master of his shining realm...and the only man I am powerless to deny.

*A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Apollo and Cassandra that's as sinful as it is sweet.*

As a disgraced member of a fallen house, Cassandra Gataki has seen firsthand what comes from trusting the venomous Thirteen. But when the maddeningly gorgeous and kind Apollo asks her to go undercover as his plus-one at a week-long party hosted by a dangerous new power player...Cassandra reluctantly agrees to have his back.

On one condition: when it's all over, and Apollo has the ammunition he needs to protect Olympus, she and her sister will be allowed to leave. For good.

Apollo may be the city's official spymaster, but it's his ability to inspire others that keeps him at the top. Despite what the rest of Olympus says, there's no one he trusts more than Cassandra. Yet even as their fake relationship takes a wicked turn for the scaldingly hot, a very real danger surfaces... threatening not only Cassandra and Apollo, but the very heart of Olympus itself.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60478017-radiant-sin

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February 8, 2023

My Review: 5/5 Stars

Apollo and Cassandra have had feelings for one another for five years. But there are just a tad too many obstacles in their way to actually admit that. First off, Apollo is Cassandra's boss. He never wants to make her feel like he is taking advantage of her and Cassandra never wants to cross the line and be that person who is dating the boss. Then there is the fact that Cassandra hates everything about the Thirteen when her parents were killed by them. And with Apollo now part of them, she just can't stand the thought of getting closer with that group. All Cassandra wants is to take her sister far, far away from here. And she may finally get her chance. Zeus recruits Apollo and Cassandra to work together to attend Minos's weeklong part. It's time the leaders of Olympus find out exactly what Minos and his family are up to. Cassandra will be rewarded with money and a way out of Olympus if she succeeds. Apollo may not like bringing danger to Cassandra, but part of him is glad to have her at his side. It's time for these two to sort out not only their feelings for one another but solve the mystery that is Minos. Really loved this story! Cassandra and Apollo are a great pair. Their romantic chemistry is fantastic and they just work super well as a team. Both are very intelligent and know they have a better chance of finding out Minos's motives together. They'll just have to survive the parties. Lot of mystery and intrigue and with an ending that will change Olympus once again. Definitely looking forward to the next story!

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Don't plead to the gods (they won't answer anyway)

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/SsRiPDF by Auiak Hades sends Nico to investigate a man who's been escaping death for centuries. Unfortunately for him, the mission makes Nico realize something -- something his father would never approve of. He can get Jason back again -- if he can manage to avoid the League of Assasins, the wrath of the gods, AND the Justice League all at once, that is. ---------- "You kept my brother and sister from me?!" The princess of Themyscira glared at her father. "I never thought you'd do something so cruel, yet here we are. And now due to your negligence, one of them is DEAD!!" "Diana-" "NO! You forced children to fight YOUR wars!" She snarled. "You are all selfish cowards, making children fight in YOUR wars. They became war veterans before they even graduated high school!!" Diana had admired her father, once upon a time, but now all she could feel was disgust. With a final scoff, she turned around and left, ignoring Zeus' sputtering and attempts to justify himself. She has better things to do than entertain her father's foolishness — namely, an entire society's worth of demigods to help. She refuses to let these children go through any more of this. Words: 3704, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Series: Part 2 of Gotham Demigods!! Fandoms: Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson and the Olympians & Related Fandoms - All Media Types, The Heroes of Olympus - Rick Riordan, Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics), Justice League - All Media Types Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: Gen Characters: Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson), Jason Grace, Piper McLean, Leo Valdez, Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Thalia Grace (Percy Jackson), Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, Stephanie Brown, Barbara Gordon, Cassandra Cain, Talia al Ghul, Sally Jackson (Percy Jackson), Alfred Pennyworth, Ra's al Ghul, John Constantine, Zatanna Zatara, Diana (Wonder Woman), Clark Kent Relationships: Annabeth Chase/Percy Jackson, Nico di Angelo/Will Solace, Nico di Angelo & Jason Grace, Nico di Angelo & Hazel Levesque, Nico di Angelo & Jason Grace & Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Jason Grace & Piper McLean & Leo Valdez, Jason Grace/Piper McLean (one-sided), Nico di Angelo & Percy Jackson, Piper McLean & Leo Valdez, Jason Grace & Thalia Grace, Jason Grace & Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake & Jason Todd, Dick Grayson & Jason Todd, Stephanie Brown & Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown & Cassandra Cain & Barbara Gordon, Apollo & Jason Grace, Talia al Ghul & Jason Todd, Tim Drake & Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake & Damian Wayne Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Crack, Lazarus Pit Side Effects (DCU), Lazarus Pit (DCU), Jason Todd Takes Care of Crime Alley | Park Row, BAMF Nico di Angelo, Powerful Percy Jackson, The Gods Are Bad Parents (Percy Jackson), Nico di Angelo Needs Therapy, Cursed Gotham City (DCU), Canon-Typical Violence, Hera and Jason Grace Have a Complicated Relationship, Zeus Being an Asshole (Percy Jackson), Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, Good Parent Talia al Ghul, Complicated Relationships, Talia al Ghul is Not a Rapist, Talia al Ghul is the Demon's Head, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Communicating, Bruce Wayne is So Done, Percy Jackson is So Done, Dark Nico di Angelo, Dark Magic read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/SsRiPDF

[an-indecisive-mess]

My Hercules Headcanons

Saw people making some of these a while ago. Thought I'd make some of my own. These are just general headcanons, they don't include Aria, but they do include characters from the TV series.

The Olympian gods stop aging when they reach a certain point in their lives, but they still feel that specific age even after a century has passed.

Cassandra’s actually older than Hercules and Icarus. Being 18 before the demigod went to Prometheus Academy. The reason why she’s 18 and still in high school? Icarus tried to ask her to the Aphrodesia Dance one year and accidentally burned down on of the classrooms. Cassandra was found at the scene and was accused of starting the fire. Being expelled for the year and having to repeat her junior year with Icarus.

This is also part of the reason she can’t stand Icarus.

Icarus has apologized for this many times, but Cass refuses to accept his apologies.

Icarus has trouble seeing things as a side effect of flying too close to the sun. The boy refuses to wear glasses to improve his vision because he wants to embrace his weirdness rather than hide it away.

Artemis and Orion are exes.

Apollo and Calliope are currently dating.

With this, Orpheus isn’t their biological son (for obvious reasons) and was instead an orphan boy Apollo took in and raised as his own son. Calliope helped teach Orpheus how to use epic poetry as songs.

The other four muses, Euterpe, Urania, Polymnia, and Erato, are not currently on Olympus and have been traveling around the world bringing inspiration to various scholars, poets, and musicians.

Hercules is a bit of a momma’s boy when it comes to Alcmene.

Which is part of the reason why he wears the shawl she gave him as his hero cape. So, he’ll always keep her close to him.

Helen used to attend a Trojan school before moving to Athens and attending Pro Ac.

Tempest sometimes cooks with her dad and often enjoys the time they spend together when her mother isn’t forcing her to be a negative feminist stereotype.

Cassandra has predicted the events of basically every other Disney movie/story that had yet to happen, but she shakes it off because she highly doubts any of them seem plausible.

If this were modern times, Icarus would love Minecraft and would build the coolest redstone farms. ‘Nuff said.

Meg is the same age as Hercules

This is because her being ten years older than him seems very unlikely, and I’m 98% sure somebody made it up as rage bait.

The reason why everything is so mythologically inaccurate is because, during the Titan War, Hera went to the Fates and asked to see what the future would be like when the war ended and was horrified when it was revealed that Zeus would be disloyal to her and would set her down a dark path. Fearing what she would do to hundreds of innocent children, she begged the Fates to make Zeus loyal. They obliged, but under the condition that Hades would rule the Underworld.

Hera regrets being so selfish during that time and now carries the burden of her actions. Especially after finding out Hades was the reason her son was kidnapped and turned mortal.

NSFW Warning for Below because this Headcanon is DARK.

Various gods and goddesses were "taken advantage of" by mortals who wanted to parent/give birth to demigods and have access to power and fame. Those mortal partners would drug the immortals who would wake up the next morning without clothes and no memory of what had happened to them the night before.

Hermes was one of those unfortunate immortals, and felt even more betrayed when many of the mortals who hurt him refused to let him play a role in his children's lives.

After many of these crimes, Zeus made a law stating that no god shall have any romantic relations with a mortal. Only when an arranged marriage would be involved, would this law be considered an exception.

[greenconverses]

Recently read: Well, well, well. Look who accidentally did a pink theme for the last books of February. 

Radiant Sin is the fourth in Katee Robert’s Dark Olympus series and features Apollo/Cassandra as the main pairing. I was pretty excited for this book initially, but god, was it a slog. The romance was tied into a weak house party/murder mystery plot to further the overall plot of the series which I absolutely could not summarize for you in any way other than rich people power struggle problems. It felt like filler and the smut wasn’t even good. SIGH. The only thing this series is good at is inspiring me to finish up the Roman!AU tbh (★★.5)

I’ve finished all of the current books in Julie Anne Long’s Palace of Rogues series and I am very very sad. You Were Made To Be Mine was supremely delightful, with the build up from the previous books adding for some truly great moments with the extended cast. I think this romance is the weakest of the five books, but it was still very good overall. (★★★★)

If the plot of The Roughest Draft is any indication of how Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegmund-Broka write their books... lol. This book started off strong and I liked the angle of co-authors reuniting to find the magic for another book after parting on bad terms, but oh my god, I was so tired of their “we’re writing about our ~real feelings for each other BUT NOT REALLY” shit by the middle of the book. Throw in some clear emotional cheating and the constant whiff of infidelity throughout the book, and I was skimming by the final third. This book could not be more up its own ass about the ~magic~ of ~truth telling~ in writing fiction, I swear. (★★)

It Started With A Dog by Julia London was an adorable palette cleanser. Conflict that was resolved through communicating like adults? AMAZING. I love contemp romance novels that take the time to properly build up their main conflicts and keeping them as a central plot of the story. It was also a nice little subversion of the business rivals-to-lovers trope which can get pretty bland without some effort behind it. (★★★★)

[authorunpublished]

Book Review: Radiant Sin

Title: Radiant Sin [Dark Olympus 4] Author: Katee Robert Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Mythology Re-telling Rating: 5 Stars Description/Synopsis: As a disgraced member of a fallen house, Cassandra Gataki has seen firsthand what comes from trusting the venomous Thirteen. But when the maddeningly gorgeous and kind Apollo asks her to go undercover as his plus-one at a week-long party hosted by a…

[beautifulbookishdisaster]

If you know me as well as you say, then you'd know I wouldn't feel obligated to do shit.

Katee Robert, Radiant Sin

[viscountessevie]

ARC/Reviews Masterlist

ARCs

Reviews can also be found on my StoryGraph

COMING SOON: Unladylike Rules of Attractions by Amita Murray In the highly anticipated sequel for Unladylike Lessons, comes Anya Marleigh's book! Anya is Lila Marleigh's second sister and the musically inclined heroine of this book. She is a court singer and sitar player in Queen Charlotte's royal court. Anya soon comes into a large inheritance which has her involved with the executor of her new fortune, Lord Damian Ashton. Lord Ashton's banter with her is the least of her problems when she becomes embroiled in a murder case.

2023 ARCs

Unladylike Lessons in Love by Amita Murray Release Date: 30th May 2023 A realistic historical women's fiction centred on a really cool Indian heroine who runs a gambling hall. The book gives a deep dive into the working class and immigrants of the Regency era with a side of romance

Clytemnestra's Bind by Susan C. Wilson Release Date: 15th June 2023 A Greek Tragedy in every sense of the word that will have you sobbing - a prequel to Clytemnestra's story in the Trojan War.

A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales Release Date: 27th June 2023 A murder mystery set in the Regency era that's a parody of itself and the Austen-universe, so much so that you can match each character to their Austen counterpart. It has a side of romance with a dashing Indian detective.

An Upper West Side Story by Rachel Cullen Release Date: 6th July 2023 A modern chick-lit/coming of age for 20-somethings set in 2004 and follows a group of four neighbours whose lives intersect together in various ways.

I Do, I Don't by Joy Argento Release Date: 11th July 2023 A contemporary sapphic romance novel about a reality show producer and her programmer for the show who unexpectedly has to step in as a lead.

The Wrong Family by Ellery Kane Release Date: 30th August 2023 A mystery novel a 30-something orphan woman gets involved with a rich family in Lake Tahoe after trying to find her father. Things start to go awry as soon as she arrives and the family's fingers start pointing to her.

Roomates by Ola Tundun Release Date: 20th September 2023 A debut novel about a roommates to lovers pairing with a seemingly perfect girl whose life is really a mess and a playboy who has to change his ways when the perfect girl comes crashing into his apartment with an offer he can't refuse.

Hunt on Dark Water by Katee Robert Release Date: 7th November 2023 A contemporary romance novel set in the fantasy world of Threshold. Tensions rise between a witch named Evelyn and sea Captain Bowen as they journey across realms and find out secrets that have them questioning everything.

2024 ARCs

The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore Release Date: 26th March 2024 A contemporary queer retelling of Pretty Woman involving Cole Vivien, the CEO of their version of OnlyFans and Teddy Hughes, a botanist who has lost both his husband and his business. The two meet on a fateful night in New York and come up with a proposition to be a faux couple to satisfy what they each need.

Reviews

Paused: The Dark Olympus by Katee Robert [Edited: 28th Dec 2023 - Paused indefinitely for the time being]

Stone Heart - Medusa/Calypso Neon Gods - Persephone/Hades Electric Idol - Psyche/Eros Wicked Beauty - Helen/Patroclus/Achilles Radiant Sin - Cassandra/Apollo

[empyreanwritings]

May Book Review

Happy Place - Emily Henry: Now I came to be horny, and I was instead incredibly SAD. I always expect a little angst when we are looking at exes to lovers, but MAN this was not exes that are gentle enemies to lovers - this was yearning and pain and miscommunication that hurt. Yes it ends horny and happy but STILL I was not emotionally prepared. Overall Rating: 9/10

It Happened One Summer - Tessa Bailey: This is only my second Tessa Bailey book, but I knew I was in for a treat when I saw it was not only slightly enemies to lovers but also grumpy x sunshine. One thing I really appreciate about Tessa Bailey is that she builds up to the angst really well so you always know it's lingering there and something is going to happen, but she does not make you suffer long. If I had suffered long, knowing how hard Piper tried to see Brendan in the end but he didn't know that, I would have sobbed blood frfr. Overall Rating: 10/10 and cannot wait to read the sister book to it

Secretly Yours - Tessa Bailey: Now I am convinced Tessa Bailey books are the reason my standards are so high. I want someone to talk to me the way Julian talked to Hallie - I will not settle for anything less at this point. Everything about this story was so good - I love seeing a structured man get so disheveled over one person. I literally gobble it up every single time. And I won't lie - while the story was wonderful, the smut was what really fucked me up. Absolutely recommend for the smut alone, but it was still enjoyable nonetheless. Overall Rating: 20/10

Radiant Sin - Katee Robert: One thing I really enjoy about Katee Robert is the fact her books all build upon one major plot, but you never feel a story is unfinished because of it. Every relationship is fulfilled while still building on the major plot that you know will continue throughout the rest of the books and I LOVE it. Apollo and Cassandra are definitely one of my faves in the Dark Olympus series. I wouldn't say they are my top bc that spot is being held by my throuple in the last book, but their story was still delicious. VV light D/S vibes and forbidden relationship bc he is her boss. Obsessed. Overall Rating: 9/10

Hook, Line, and Sinker - Tessa Bailey: NOW THIS BOOK I WAS SO READY FOR. After reading It Happened One Summer, I knew I wanted to see something happen with Hannah and Fox. There is something I love about seeing a man with a bad reputation absolutely change all of his ways for one woman and not even realize she is why. He is a Simp - through and through, and I love it. I devoured this book in less than a day bc I could not put it down. There were definitely some parts that made me emotional bc as the youngest sibling, I relate to how Hannah views herself and wants to change things, and her journey was written so well. This and It Happened One Summer are definitely going to be on my reread list once I make it through my TBR. Overall Rating: 10/10

Practice Makes Perfect - Sarah Adams: I will be real and say this book took me awhile to finish. I can partly blame being on vacation, but I wasn't as into it as I wanted to be. There were a lot of heartwarming moments, and I love the grumpy x sunshine trope, but this one definitely reminded me of old school Wattpad fanfic days. I'm pretty sure if you replaced Will with Harry Styles, no one would bat an eye because it was definitely that type of vibe. I do think it was a super cute story, and there as minimal spice if spice isn't something you always want to read. I don't want to not give this book credit bc it was definitely romcom worthy, I think I was just hoping for a little more,,,something. I'm not entirely sure what. Overall Rating: 7/10

[harmonyspopculturecorner]

‼️SPOILER WARNING‼️

I have been waiting months for this book to come out! Katee Robert's 'Dark Olympus' series has easily got me hooked...combining my love of mythology and some good, steamy romance. This book takes the story of Cassandra and Apollo to the dark politics of Olympus within this 4th book. While it's overall more slow paced than the first 3 books, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of the drama that's been hinted at before starts to take deeper effect here. I now fully understand the authors point that to continue the rest of the series, this book needs to be read first. It sets up so much of what is sure to come. Of course, though, knowing Katee Robert, plenty of twists will still come.. even if you think you know what will happen. Now for the characters... Cassandra is definitely up there in the ranking of my favorite female characters in this series. Her dedication to her sister and willingness to sacrifice her own happiness is beyond relatable. Her co-star in this story, Apollo, is just as loveable as I expected. He's charming and strong willed..and had the PERFECT dichotomy of 'good boy in the streets and dominate in the sheets'. But even with that, he deeply shows he cares for Cassandra, always pushing her to stand up for her own needs and desires. Making sure she chooses herself in some of the decisions she makes, which eventually she does. Overall, this book is very good! It got me surprised at certain twists, even if I thought I had an idea of what was coming. I can't wait to see what comes next in this story.