I didn’t particularly enjoy Neon Gods (2.5 stars of not particularly enjoying), but this series has so many fans and such great reviews I decided to give Electric Idol a chance.
While Electric Idol was definitely better than Neon Gods, it was only by a small margin. The scenario was about as believable (running away from a homicidal fiancé versus getting married as protection against a murderous mother), and the smut was just as repetitive, but at least the characters were a little more interesting.
I don’t have much to say about a book I could most accurately describe as ‘meh’. And I was very ready to be done with this series, but Robert found a way to make me want to read the third book: by making it an Achilles and Patroclus retelling leading to a polyamorous MMF relationship. Do I think it will be good? Not particularly. Will it make me want to keep reading the series? Incredibly unlikely. Will I be upset that making the entire plot revolve around Helen of Troy and a competition to win her hand in marriage means that she will be the third in this relationship instead of Briseis? Yes, it’s already killing me. To be honest, I’m mostly reading Wicked Beauty to see how Robert writes a queer relationship. So far, she seems to think you get credit for alluding to past queer relationships or sexual encounters while writing incredibly straight smut.