The Nora Theory

Midnight Ruin is the latest book in Katee Robert’s Dark Olympus series and it did not disappoint. I pre-ordered this book as soon as I finished Radiant Sin, the fourth book in the series. We all know I love a polyamorous romance and Katee Robert has been teasing this one since way back in the events of Neon Gods, the first book in the series.

This story is a retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. In the traditional myth, Eurydice dies and Orpheus loves her so much that he follows her to the underworld, and plays a song on his lyre to persuade Hades to allow her to come back with him. The only catch was that he could not turn to look at her as they ascended back to the land of the living. He couldn’t resist and turned, sending her back to the underworld forever.

Things in this story play out a little differently. Hades is the ruler of the lower city and has been hosting Eurydice under his protection since the events of Neon Gods, where Orpheus sold Eurydice out to Zeus, unaware that Zeus, the ruler of the upper city plans to hurt her.

Eurydice has spent a year in the underworld, under the close watch of Hades’ second-in-command, Charon, recovering from this betrayal. They form a close relationship, and although they’ve never acted on it, there is a simmering sexual tension there that is what this scorching MMF romance opens with.

This is a contemporary romance, so none of these people are actually gods and there is no fantasy here. Instead it’s a ruling oligarchy over a troubled city where the ruling position and side characters are subtly fashioned after their namesakes from the Greek pantheon.

This book, more than any of the others, really called to my love of Greek myth. There are a ton of little details that some might miss that pay homage to the myth in the best ways. Eurydice’s safeword is “lyre”, which was just such a lovely little easter egg.

The best thing about this book is that while it makes it fun, you absolutely do not need to be a complete mythology nerd to enjoy this book. It’s very accessible and easy to read.

As far as the story itself, the groveling is just so good. Eurydice makes Orpheus work for her forgiveness in such a satisfying way. Anyone who’s ever had their heart broken will get some serious joy out of the way this man drops to his knees to scrub the floor on command.

Honestly, this series of standalones has this whole overarching plot going on surrounding the dangers facing the city as a whole, but it’s not what I love about this book. It’s interesting and filled with intrigue, but the interactions between the characters are just so marvelous that it fully overshadows it and I am great with that.

It felt like there were fewer smutty scenes in Midnight Ruin than is usual in a Dark Olympus book, but the ones that are there turned the heat up to 1000, which I actually prefer. I’d rather have a few really hot sex scenes than some half-assed ones every few pages, and these scenes definitely deliver the spice.

On the last page, I found myself wishing this book was longer and craving more of these three and their story. Katee Robert did leave readers with a clear set up for the next book in the series — Ariadne’s story, and I can’t wait to read it.

Spice: 4

Writing: 4

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