My Summary
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
I wasn’t necessarily dying to read Ariadne and the Minotaur’s story, but I did enjoy it. Definitely not my favorite in the series, but it was still good.
Ariadne just wasn’t a character I felt any particular way about. I know she has been through a lot, but idk I just didn’t feel super invested in her story.
I feel for Ariadne and everything she has gone through, and same with the Minotaur but more – he really has been through some rough times. I liked the possessive touch her and die vibes, and I also liked the ‘I don’t want to be with you but I need to be with you’ vibe Ariadne kept throwing.
Ultimately, we get to see an interesting side of the Minotaur not normally shown in retellings, and I liked that. I just wasn’t particularly invested in them as a couple, it felt like an intermission to get to the next segment. Their spice was spicy, the scenes of Ariadne in the shops getting cute clothes were delightful, and the way the minotaur knew things about her?? So sweet.
I am interested to see if they are going to be present in the story in the future, or if this is it for them. I will say I am STOKED for the next one about Icarus and Poseidon… Like so stoked.
Overall, Dark Restraint by Katee Robert is a good addition to the Dark Olympus series and I can’t wait for what is next!
Read-worthy.
See what books I think are worthy of a re-read here.
