Three aspirants to power in Olympus clash on a mock battlefield--and in the bedroom. Achilles, second-in-command in Athena's special forces, wants to become the new Ares in this third volume of Robert's Dark Olympus series, a modern twist on the classical Greek pantheon. He's taking Patroclus, his best friend and lover, with him into the competition for the title, but neither counted on spoiled rich girl Helen entering the fray. Helen is tired of being treated reductively by her poisonous ex, Paris, and as a pawn by her family, headed by the newly ascended Zeus. Winning the title of Ares, commander of Olympus' army, is her path to independence. But then, surprising even her, a couple she's competing against makes her want to trust them. Patroclus has always loved Achilles, his impulsive warrior partner, but seeing Helen stirs memories of a childhood friendship that's turning into adult longing. Can these two wary overthinkers win their hearts' desires while forming a throuple with the impulsive Achilles? As they all jostle to protect themselves while winning these brutal Olympics, their sexual and emotional needs could bind them into a fulfilling alliance or, if their ambitions get in the way, rip them apart. For readers who want a sexy updated mythology that's mindful of current conversations about consensual play in a ménage à trois or those who enjoy romance novels with a Survivor motif, such as Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series, this could be just the thing. The first-person narrative revolves among the three protagonists, and the intensive navel-gazing might detract from the sex scenes (featuring both couples and threesomes) for some readers. The Hunger Games intersects with Greek lore in this male-female-male erotic romance. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Once her brother Zeus names her prize bride to the next winner of the Ares competition, Helen Kasios decides to enter the competition herself to become Ares and part of the Thirteen, a group ruling Olympus. Soldiers of Athena and lovers, Achilles Kallis and Patroclus Fotos also enter the competition as a team. Patroclus, the brains behind the duo, enters solely to help Achilles become the new Ares, while Achilles wants the power and prestige of the position. During the competition, Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen room next to one another, and insults as well as sparks fly among them. Helen has a soft spot for Patroclus, as they were childhood friends, and she loves to hate the arrogant Achilles. But when Helen's life is threatened, Achilles and Patroclus agree to protect her. However, only one can become Ares, and if that happens, will their threesome fall apart? VERDICT Robert (Neon Gods) keeps readers' attention by ramping up the tension among Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus as the competition's trials take place, interspersed with lots of erotic scenes. Although the worldbuilding is vague and Achilles's overconfidence can be off-putting, many readers will enjoy this continuation of the "Dark Olympus" series.--Eve Stano

The outstanding third entry in Robert's Dark Olympus series (after Electric Idol) returns to the gritty, futuristic city of Olympus and its ruling council of 13 "gods" for another deliciously erotic modernization of Greek myth. Legendary beauty Helen, sister of Zeus, is determined to serve as the council's next Ares and prove that she's not "a piece to be moved around on someone else's board"--even as her brother plots to marry her off without her consent. Achilles also hopes to become the next Ares with the help of his decade-long lover, Patroclus. Who gets the role will be decided by a series of increasingly difficult battlefield tests. As the competition begins, both Achilles and Patroclus fight their mounting desire for Helen, but after an assassin tries to eliminate Helen and the men come to her defense, their attraction blossoms into real feelings and all three give in to their chemistry. As the trio attempts to catch the assassin, they work to balance their passion and their ambition--all while indulging in some red-hot sex scenes. Robert's smart, savvy plotting and nuanced characters draw readers in immediately, and her juxtaposition of mythology and modernity remains pure gold. Fans and new readers alike will eagerly devour every word. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary.(June)