Dark Restraint by Katee Robert

 

Things in Olympus have been heating up for a while now, mostly in bedrooms, playrooms, and other public areas. While the bedrooms (doesn't have to have a bed or be in an actual private room per-say) are still "unspeakably hot" we cannot ignore the politics and threat of war are even hotter...and is mutiny afoot?

Dark Restraint gives us a deeper insight to the plans of the outsider Minos' family and the former unknown brains of the Olympus take down plot (Circe). This is also a reimagining of Ariadne, the Minotaur, and Dionysus Greek Myth.

Quick Greek Myth recap - Ariadne's father King Minos of Crete has a Minotaur trapped in a labyrinth and the people of Athens send 14 people to be sacrificed as meals to the Minotaur as penance for killer Minos' son. The Minotaur is Ariane's half-brother technically in the myth - her mother was forced to fall in love with a bull by Poseidon since Minos did not keep up his end of a bargain with the sea god, and gods are petty. Prince Thesus from Athen is one of the "sacrifices" for the Minotaur, Ariadne foolishly falls in love with him, helps him slay the Minotaur and is supposed to run away with and marry Thesus. Unfortunately, Thesus is a dick and leaves Ariadne alone on an island to perish, then marries her sister to put a truce between Crete and Athens. While on this "deserted" island, turns out it is actually an Island belonging to the god Dionysus and he falls in love with Ariadne and marries her.

Spoilers Ahead.....

Katee Robert Version -
The Minotaur, Asterion street orphan kid gets "adopted" by Minos to become a weapon for him. Ariadne was kind to him as a street kid giving him money and the handmade glove her dead mother made her to help keep him warm. This act of kindness made Asterion fall in love with Ariadne, so when he had to opportunity to join her household, he took it. He continued to carry a torch for her but had to hide it because Minos is awful. Ariadne was none the wiser to his feelings, though she started to develop her own for him, but denied them for years.

Well, they are both adults now and Minos coupe to have 2 members of the 13 killed was only semi successful with his other "adopted" son Thesus killed Hephaestus, but the Minotaur let his target get away. Asterion knows that Ariadne gave intel on Minos' plans to the Olympians and is planning on turning sides to try and save as many lives as possible and Asterion goes where Ariadne goes, so time for him to betray Minos too, just a little more secretly and strategically. Ariadne still cannot see the romantic gesture for what it is, slightly understandable for a girl who has never been good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, etc in her father's eyes. When girlie is actually a computer hacking genius, but her overthinking, self-doubts, and inner saboteur gets in her own way to unlocking her full potential of being a badass.

Through a series of unfortunate events Ariadne finds herself at the mercy of the Olympians, thankfully they plan to marry off to Olympus's most eligible bachelor Dionysus. Dionysus has no sexual interest in Ariadne and can tell she is a good girl in way over her head. While this is the best of a fucked scenario the Minotaur ain't having it! Ariadne is his dream girl and his alone, he just has to get her to realize it too! Oh, and try to go against killing people, which is what Minos raised him to do, get him Ariadne and her annoying also self-sabotaging brother Icarus out of Olympus before the war arrives when the wall comes down. No problem, right?!?! There are so many problems, as one plan after another fails. At least Ariadne has finally given her body over to Asterion, but he is truly after her heart.

Love Letter

Really enjoying the ramp up of the political side to the story, so many pivots in the plans for Ariadne and the Minotaur. Sure Ariadne’s constant doubts became a little repetitive didn’t completely kill the vibes though.

Loved that there was more to the Minotaur than just being a killer, his backstory was hear breaking. Ariadne could have been a better badass, her actions and thoughts fit well especially given the original mythology.

Ratings -

Overall: 8.5/10

Spice: 4/5

Content Warnings

abortion (off-page, historical), elements of dubious consent, non-consensual drugging, biting without prior negotiation/conversation, guns, violence, blood, child abuse and assault (historical, off-page, referenced briefly)

Tropes

Forbidden Love

Tags 

a virgin for all of 2 pages, morality chain, marriage of convenience to everyone’s favorite ace-aro character, just a little light stalking, it was always you, the best kind of toxic relationship, please stop killing people and leaving them on my doorstep, Hera = Queen Shit, I’m mad that you don’t trust me so I’m going to make it everyone’s problem, plus-sized heroine, don't blame me blame Sara Douglass's Troy games

Info from Katee Robert's website - Love her tags, seriously check out her site! 

https://www.kateerobert.com/dark_restraint

Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.