REVIEW: Electric Idol by Katee Robert

In Electric Idol (Dark Olympus #2) by Katee Robert, Ever since her mother became Demeter and they moved to the city of Olympus, Psyche’s played the game just like everyone else, only letting people see the version of herself she wants them to. But it gets old fast. As does Psyche and her three sisters having bullseyes on them thanks to her mother’s political machinations. So when she becomes the target of Demeter’s enemy Aphrodite’s ire, Psyche honestly isn’t surprised. But the fact that Aphrodite wants her heart on a platter–literally–sending Eros, Aphrodite’s son, to do the job, she has to think quickly on her feet. A plan is soon hatched between Psyche and Eros. One that should keep her safe and alive. If she can trust Aphrodite’s handsome-as-sin fixer, that is.

‘The heat in Eros’s eyes is something like obsession, and being this man’s sole focus is dangerous in a way I’m not prepared to deal with.’

Eros figured out some time ago that his mother–his only family–uses him to carry out her vendettas. As much as it makes him a monster, he knows no other life. So he continues to do her bidding. But this latest supposed slight against Aphrodite is one step too far. Psyche might be Demeter’s daughter, but she is nothing like the cold woman who is one of the Thirteen in Olympus. The only thing Psyche did wrong was to show a bit of kindness to Eros. And for that, he refuses to kill her. The only way to salvage the situation as far as he can see it is to get married. And while he will keep Psyche safe, one way or another, he knows she’s too good for the likes of him. Something his heart is refusing to accept.

‘I don’t deserve Psyche’s trust. With anyone else, it would just be a tool to leverage against them if the situation ever arose. With this woman? I want to earn it.’

Katee Robert’s Dark Olympus series is only getting better and more complex with each new smartly written book. And in this installment, Electric Idol, the combination of enemies to lovers and a marriage of convenience equaled one steamy, exciting story.

“I’m not yours.”
“That ring on your finger says otherwise.”
“By that logic, the ring on your finger makes you mine.”
“Yes.” He sounds far too satisfied with that. “I’m yours, Psyche. What will you do with me?”

I’m still wowed with Katee Robert’s ability to take Greek mythology and present it to us in a modern retelling that totally works. The characters, the setting, the power plays and subterfuge…it’s all there in its complicated glory. In Electric Idol, the majority of it focused on Psyche, Eros, their mothers Demeter and Aphrodite, respectively, but Psyche’s sisters, as well as Zeus, Hermes, and Helen all had parts to play. And what a twisting, turning plot this ended up having. It was so interesting trying to figure out how Eros and Psyche would defeat Aphrodite’s mission to ruin and/or kill Psyche, taking Demeter–her enemy–down a peg or two in the process.

I was a little surprised by how much I grew to like (okay…love) Eros. I mean, he started off as his mother’s “fixer”, set out to literally bring Psyche’s heart back to Aphrodite. Not cool, right? But his backstory showed a completely different side of him. One that showed who Eros potentially could have been had his mother not interfered–and who Psyche fell for when she uncovered the good guy hidden beneath.

I thought Psyche and Eros made an adorable couple. Sounds weird: a supposed cold hearted killer and a beautiful, curvy social media Influencer. But Psyche had hidden depths as much as Eros did. And they balanced each other out in a way that not only let them have their independence but they also made a great team. Eros and Psyche had a similar way of going about things, both very intelligent in their planning and manipulative when they had to be. But what I enjoyed most was how they showed kindness and tenderness to each other–which was (sadly) a new concept for Eros. It was oh so sweet, with some touching and even funny moments. And I think readers will love how protective Eros was of Psyche (and vice versa) once they let their guards down.

QOTD: In addition to marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, and a retelling of Greek mythology, this was also a playful spin on Beauty and the Beast. Are you a fan of any of these tropes/elements?

Book Info:

Published January 18th 2022 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Dark Olympus #2

He was the most beautiful man alive. And if I wasn’t careful, he was going to be my death.

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.