Dark Restraint by Katee Robert

e-Audio, 09:11:49
Narrated by: Zara Hampton-Brown & Alex Moorcock
Release Date: August 6, 2024
Published by: Dreamscape Media
Read from: August 5-6, 2024
Dark Olympus, #7
Source: Netgalley (I received a copy of this e-audio from the publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Violence, Death, Abortion, Child Abuse, Murder, Confinement, Eating Disorder, Hate Crime
For Readers Interested In: Romance, Greek Retellings, Adult, Fantasy

       Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. She’s betrayed her father―and his benefactor―and now she’s left to rely on the questionable mercy of Olympus to keep her safe. As with everything in this city, mercy comes with a price. For Ariadne, that means a marriage to Dionysus. She has no choice but to agree, even if there’s only one man she’s ever wanted―a man she’s feared just as much as she desires. The Minotaur never had any illusions about Minos’s plans. He was willing to get his hands dirty as long as the old man kept his word―at the end of this, the Minotaur would be given Ariadne as a reward. Nowhere in that deal was her walking down the aisle to a different man. She’s meant for him, and he means to have her. Ariadne knows better than to encourage the Minotaur. Her relationship with her new fiancé might be more friendship than burning passion, but she is all too aware of how much fiery passion can hurt. She and the Minotaur are no good for each other. She can never forgive him for what he’s done, and he can never change. But when his hands are on her body and his wicked words are whispered in her ear, she might just be willing to let all of Olympus burn…

*MY THOUGHTS*

As soon as I saw this pop up on Netgalley I knew I had to have it. Because her books are always so good and they get me out of slumps. But this one was just ok? Idk. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Ariadne and the Minotaur.

Being honest, I’m not a huge fan of the actual legend itself, so maybe me not fully liking this was my own doing? I went into this thinking it would be the same and I was prepping myself for not liking it before I even started. Come to find out, it was a very loose retelling anyway. But unfortunately it still wasn’t what I was looking for.

The reason behind it I think was the world-building. I wanted so much more out of the world building. Like I wanted to be able to tell you what the minotaur looked like. Was he all man and that was just a nickname? Was he REALLY a minotaur? She wasn’t very clear about all of this. I mean I think I just wanted her to do some more showing vs telling. All of them have been the same way lately. Nothing at all like the beginning of this series.

The plot of this was just ok. Again, they spent the whole time running because this was the maze story. The politics were great, but other than that? I just wasn’t intrigued. Idk it just didn’t hook me other than that lol

Their relationship was ok, but I wasn’t completely sold. It was mostly her saying she doesn’t like him and cussing him out but in the same breath, they got down to business lol Idk, that’s weird to me. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again…… I’m a Scorpio. This is too hard for me to do lol But basically, I didn’t hate it, but it was ok.

Idk I wasn’t exactly a fan of this one, but I still have so much love for this series. I really can’t wait to see more from Katee. I know this isn’t the end, so I can’t wait to see who’s next. Maybe I’ll like that myth more.

Overall, I give this