In the last book, I was all like “so much relationship building!! Where’s the plot??” and now I am forced to ask the reverse - we got so much plot (100% not complaining) but very little relationship building. Honestly, I didn’t really buy the chemistry between Apollo and Cassandra; it went from 0 to 1000 very quickly, even if they both had been pining for each other for years. I think in these mutual pining situations, especially in a context where their relationship is more formal (he’s her boss, they don’t interact outside of the office), it’s really important for the reader to see them falling in love with the real person and not deeper in love with the version of the person they’re most familiar with, and that just didn’t happen for me.

I’m really invested in the way all of this about the politics and stability of Olympus unraveling, but for me, Katee’s been unable to maintain the propulsive balance of plot and relationship that the first two books achieved. I’m in it for the long haul, though - I simply must read about Zeus and Hera.

Thank you Sourcebooks and Edelweis for the ARC!