Dark Olympus Series by Katee Roberts

Here is a summary with spoilers of The Dark Olympus series

Neon Gods (Hades and Persephone)

The novel explores the complex relationship between Persephone and Hades, set against the backdrop of political intrigue in Olympus. Initially, Persephone is thrust into a political game when her mother arranges her betrothal to Zeus, a dangerous and controlling ruler. Fleeing to the lower city, she finds unexpected sanctuary with Hades, a ruler who has remained hidden from Olympus’s upper city. Their relationship begins as a strategic alliance—Persephone needs protection from Zeus until she can access her trust fund, while Hades gains political leverage by flaunting their connection. However, their dynamic deepens into an emotional and physical bond, with Persephone embracing her autonomy and discovering power in submission, contrasting with the rigid expectations of the upper city. Hades, though appearing dominant, is emotionally vulnerable, revealing his hatred for Zeus and his commitment to the lower city’s welfare. Their love grows as they navigate their respective fears and responsibilities. When political tensions peak, Persephone sacrifices her freedom to negotiate peace, but her loyalty to Hades remains evident. Ultimately, Zeus's downfall is orchestrated, and Hades is officially recognized as a power within Olympus. Persephone returns to the lower city, choosing to stay with Hades, marking the culmination of their emotional and political journey. Their story concludes with a public affirmation of their love, solidifying their partnership both romantically and within Olympus’s shifting power structure.

Electric Idol (Eros and Psyche)

The novel weaves a compelling romance between Psyche and Eros, set against the backdrop of Olympus’s ruthless political landscape. Their relationship begins as a forced alliance—Psyche saves Eros’s life, only to become a target of his mother, Aphrodite, who orders her death. Rather than kill her, Eros devises a strategic marriage, using their public image to shield them both. This calculated move ties their fates together, forcing them to navigate the power struggles of Olympus while confronting their growing attraction.

As they stage their romance for political survival, their genuine bond deepens. Psyche, initially wary of Eros’s violent past, begins to see him as a victim of Aphrodite’s control. Meanwhile, Eros, long conditioned to follow his mother’s orders, finds himself increasingly protective of Psyche and desperate to secure her safety. Their marriage, meant as a means of survival, evolves into real love as they challenge each other’s vulnerabilities.

Their relationship becomes a political flashpoint—Demeter’s support of Psyche places her in direct opposition to Aphrodite, while Zeus remains an unpredictable force, using their scandal to his advantage. Aphrodite escalates her threats, even attempting assassination, forcing Eros and Psyche to take decisive action. Psyche ultimately outmaneuvers Aphrodite by exposing her plans to Olympus, securing both her and Eros’s safety.

The novel concludes with a shift in power—Callisto aligns herself with Zeus, signaling a new political dynamic, while Eros and Psyche, now free from external threats, embrace their love without pretense. Their journey from political pawns to partners in love and power underscores the central theme: survival in Olympus requires both cunning and trust, and Psyche and Eros find strength in each other against a world that sought to control them.

Wicked Beauty (Achilles and Patroclus and Helen)

In Wicked Beauty, the complex relationship between Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus unfolds within the ruthless political structure of Olympus, where power is earned through blood and ambition. Helen, initially treated as a prize to be awarded to the victor of the Ares competition, refuses to be a pawn in the plans of her brother, Zeus. Instead, she enters the contest herself, positioning herself as a contender rather than a passive participant. Her defiance challenges the patriarchal traditions of Olympus, forcing even the strongest competitors, including Achilles and Patroclus, to reconsider their perceptions of power and agency.

Achilles and Patroclus enter the competition with their own ambitions—Achilles seeks the title of Ares as proof of his dominance and worth, while Patroclus enters to support his partner. However, Helen’s presence complicates their dynamic, creating a volatile mix of rivalry, desire, and shifting loyalties. Achilles is drawn to Helen’s fire, finding her an equal in both combat and ambition, while Patroclus offers a steadier, more emotionally intuitive connection. Their relationships become as much about strategy as they are about passion, as each character negotiates what they are willing to risk for love and power.

The competition serves as a brutal metaphor for the struggle to claim agency in Olympus. Helen’s bid for Ares is not just about proving herself—it’s a declaration that she will not be bartered away by the ruling elite. Meanwhile, Achilles must reconcile his relentless drive with the realization that true strength is not about standing alone but forging alliances. Patroclus, often the mediator, must decide whether to continue playing a supporting role or assert his own place in this shifting power dynamic.

As the trials escalate, so do the political machinations. The ruling Thirteen manipulate the contest to serve their own agendas, and alliances within Olympus shift unpredictably. Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus must not only fight their fellow competitors but also navigate the dangerous web of intrigue that threatens their survival. Their relationship becomes a microcosm of Olympus itself—a battleground of desire, ambition, and strategic maneuvering.

Radiant Sin (Apollo and Cassandra)

The story follows Apollo, one of the Thirteen, and Cassandra, his longtime employee, who enter into a fake relationship for strategic reasons. Apollo, who has always cared for Cassandra, stands by her despite the stigma attached to her family name. Their relationship develops amid political intrigue, as they attend an exclusive party that serves as a backdrop for a murder mystery involving the Thirteen. As the two navigate their deepening connection, they must also uncover hidden threats within Olympus. During the party, Theseus kills Hepheaestus, thus giving him a very powerful position; a huge loss for the Olympions. 

Cruel Seduction (Aphrodite and Hephaestus and Adonis and Pandora)

With Olympus on the verge of collapse, Aphrodite (Eris) and Hephaestus (Theseus) agree to a political marriage—both to control public perception and to keep a wary eye on each other. Their union is meant to serve as a distraction from the growing unrest, but with the revelation that anyone can claim a seat among the Thirteen by killing a current member, the city descends into chaos. Assassination attempts escalate, alliances fracture, and the very foundation of Olympus is at risk.

Despite the strategic nature of their marriage, Eris and Theseus find themselves falling for each other. However, their path to love is anything but conventional. Almost immediately after consummating their union, Aphrodite brings Pandora into their home, drawn to her in ways she doesn’t expect. Meanwhile, Theseus, not to be outdone, turns to Adonis—Aphrodite’s ex-lover—and reignites a passion that neither of them can deny. The entanglements grow even more complicated as Aphrodite and Adonis rekindle their past romance, while Theseus and Pandora maintain a deep, unshakable (though strictly platonic) bond. The web of relationships creates a delicate balance of power, jealousy, and devotion—each connection revealing new facets of those involved.

Yet love and lust are the least of their concerns. With violence erupting across Olympus, attempts on their lives become routine. The Thirteen are under siege, their seats more precarious than ever. At the heart of the turmoil, Eris—true to her nature as the goddess of discord—uses the chaos to her advantage, redirecting the public’s fury onto herself in an effort to control the narrative. Meanwhile, Theseus navigates his own battle, severing ties with Minos and stepping out from his former benefactor’s shadow. His ascension as Hephaestus comes with new trials, one of which looms on the horizon as a test of his claim to the title.

As tensions rise, Zeus (Perseus) directly challenges Minos, refusing to accept his feigned ignorance regarding the orchestrated attacks. Assassination plots multiply, and the balance of power within Olympus teeters on the edge of collapse. By the end of Cruel Seduction, Eris and Theseus resign from their roles as members of the Thirteen, paving the way for a new era. Sele, Aphrodite’s former front desk attendant, is unexpectedly chosen to take up the mantle of Aphrodite—further shaking the political landscape.

Midnight Ruin (Eurydice and Opheus and Charon)

In Midnight Ruin, the politics of Olympus and the tangled relationships between Eurydice, Charon, and Orpheus mirror one another—both driven by power struggles, shifting alliances, and the ghosts of past betrayals. Eurydice, once a sheltered figure overshadowed by her family, steps into her own power, determined to break free from the constraints of her past. However, her personal journey collides with both romance and political intrigue when she finds herself caught between Charon, Hades’ formidable right-hand man, and Orpheus, her estranged ex-lover seeking redemption.

Eurydice’s transformation from an innocent girl into a woman claiming her own agency parallels the unstable political landscape of Olympus. Charon, a protector by nature, seeks not just to shield her from danger but to help her discover her own strength. Their connection is raw, built on mutual trust and an intense physical attraction. However, Orpheus' reemergence complicates everything—once Olympus’ golden boy, he has fallen from grace, desperate to mend what was broken between them. His need for redemption forces Eurydice to confront old wounds, even as her relationship with Charon deepens.

The shifting dynamics of their love triangle reflect the fluid power structures of Olympus itself. While Eurydice battles between rekindled love and newfound passion, Olympus teeters on the brink of collapse, weakened by internal conflicts and external threats. Political instability looms large as enemies seek to exploit the fractures within the city’s ruling elite, just as personal insecurities threaten to break apart the delicate balance forming between Eurydice, Charon, and Orpheus.

Ultimately, their relationship evolves from rivalry and resentment into an unconventional but powerful triad. Their love is as much about healing as it is about passion, offering a rare sense of solace amidst the chaos of Olympus. Yet, just as their personal battles reach a resolution, the external political threats escalate, ensuring that their struggles are far from over. As Eurydice reclaims her identity and Charon and Orpheus navigate their places at her side, the fate of both their love and their city hangs in the balance, making Midnight Ruin a gripping exploration of power, passion, and survival.

Dark Restraint (Ariadne and Minotaur)

Ariadne Vitalis has committed the ultimate betrayal—turning against her father, Minos, and his powerful benefactors. In a city like Olympus, where loyalty is currency and mercy is never free, her only chance of survival is to strike a deal. That deal comes in the form of an arranged marriage to Dionysus, a political alliance meant to secure her protection. But safety has never been Ariadne’s only concern. There is one man she has always wanted—one she has feared just as much as she has desired. The Minotaur.

For the Minotaur, the game was simple. He had no illusions about Minos' cruelty, but as long as the old man kept his word, he was willing to play along. The reward was always supposed to be Ariadne. But now, she belongs to another, walking down the aisle in a political maneuver designed to solidify Olympus’ power. That was never part of the deal. And he has no intention of letting her go.

Ariadne knows better than to entertain his obsession. Her relationship with Dionysus is built on trust, not passion—but passion has only ever brought her pain. She and the Minotaur are no good for each other. She will never forgive him for what he has done, and he will never change. Yet, when his hands trace her skin and his wicked words coil around her, she finds herself drawn to the fire—even if it means setting Olympus ablaze.

But desire is only part of the war Ariadne is fighting. Her rebellion runs deeper than love and lust. Using her hacking skills, she worked in secret with Eurydice to dismantle her father’s growing influence. That choice came at a devastating cost—pregnant with the Minotaur’s child, she was left with no choice but to seek an abortion, aided by Eurydice in a desperate act of defiance. Now, Minos is spiraling, Olympus is on the verge of collapse, and Circe is closing in. The city’s barrier is weakening, alliances are crumbling, and the Thirteen are more vulnerable than ever.

Ariadne may have thrown her lot in with the Olympians, but in a city where power shifts like sand and love is as dangerous as war, her true battle is only beginning. 

Sweet Obsession (Poseidon and Icarus)

Olympus is still in turmoil as numerous powerhouses come into play. Hera and Zeus are at odds, locked in conflict. Hades refuses to leave the Underworld, choosing instead to remain with his pregnant wife. Meanwhile, Circe is preparing to start a war.

In the midst of this chaos, Poseidon has taken a new captive: Icarus. However, he quickly falls in love with him. As their bond deepens, Icarus begins to formulate a plan. He successfully blackmails several of Circe’s generals, forcing them to flee and ultimately delaying her planned attack.

After the near-conflict, Icarus returns home to Aeaea, where he waits three months for Poseidon’s return—and eventually, he does come back to him.