[Discussion 1/4] (Bonus Book) Shattered Gods by Katee Robert (Book 10): Beginning to Chapter 8

[u/lazylittlelady]

NSFW...barely tho

So, we left off with Zeus and Hera fleeing and not a peep from MuseWatch™. We are all too tense to get sexy seeing as Circe has demolished our leadership...and are we happy or something? What made Dark Olympus special, after all, if it wasn't sexcapades?

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Hermes, on deferred romance:

"I also haven't told Atalanta about the kiss. Guilt pricks me even though we've made no promises to each other. The possibility of more has stood between us for years, but the downfall of Olympus must come first" -Chapter 1

Atalanta, about not getting sentimental about the task in hand:

"I have Athena and the last of the legacy families- at least the ones willing to listen to reason- the Makoses".

"Good". He actually sounds like he meant it, which just goes to show he's never interacted with either of them. "Orpheus has been worried". -Chapter 2

Circe, on keeping Demeter in line

"Her smile is a bit too tight to be believable. "You have a lovely way with words". She glances behind us to the car that holds Psyche and Eros, her daughter and son-in-law-the ones I still have in my custody. Neither took this recent turn of events well, but they didn't manage to slip from my grasp". -Chapter 3

Circe on Hermes:

“She barely wasted any time after my alleged death, becoming Hermes the moment the old one passed. For nearly ten years, she'd held the title and done nothing with it but party and fuck and play the jester to the same court that enabled the last Zeus to snatch me off the street, force me into a wedding, and then attempt to drown me on my honeymoon. Once upon a time, she saw things my way. She will again" -Chapter 3

Circe on being fashion conscious aka what to wear to the double execution:

“Everything is waiting for me, just as I instructed. there's a vanity set up with my preferred products so I can refresh my hair and makeup. I'm not changing my clothing; it's important the people of Olympus continue to see me as one of them rather than an idol who strives to set herself above them. My leggings and slouchy sweater with boots will accomplish what I need them to do. If the leggings are high-end wool and the sweater is cashmere...well"-Chapter 3

Hermes on flirting:

“Orion grits their teeth and tries to grab me again. "Come quietly". "Not a single time in my life". I waggle my eyebrows, but it feels half-hearted. Flirting outrageously is only fun when your ex isn't storming the city and threatening all of your friends." -Chapter 4

Atalanta, on promises:

“We don't speak as Eurydice drive the rest of the way to the bridge and parks in an empty spot near it. She exhales in a rush, "Save Psyche". "Excuse me?"..."I'll do my best to bring your sister back, Eurydice. I promise" -Chapter 6

Hermes, on looking in Circe's green eyes:

“Of course I don't want her dead. I've barely come to terms with the fact that she's alive. And yet it can't change anything. I can't allow her to rampage through my city, but it wasn't supposed to be like this. I wasn't supposed to be conflicted. There's no space in the future I'm trying to carve out in her name for the woman herself to bust in and fuck up all my plans. Circe is the same woman I fell in love with all those years ago, and yet, she's a stranger to me.” -Chapter 7

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Next Saturday, we'll be here discussing Chapters 9-15! See you below in the questions.

[u/lazylittlelady]

8. Anything else to discuss? Why is Circe still trying to figure out the barrier thing at this point?

[u/fixtheblue → u/lazylittlelady]

Concidering we have been with many of these characters for up to 10 books this section was confusing to follow. I think I had forgotten a lot from the previous book(s). Sometimes the voices blend into one and it's easy to get confused.

Also this book is much more serious than sexy

[u/lazylittlelady → u/fixtheblue]

This is not we came for (😉) lol

[u/Kas_Bent → u/lazylittlelady]

All right, I hate to say this but I'm bowing out of this book. I had the best of intentions to finish it with you all. I went into this book blind because I wanted to be surprised with who Hermes was paired with. Well, surprise! It's one of my most hated characters. And then the Eros scene (I really liked his book). At that point, I started skimming through the book to confirm some things and realized I wanted nothing to do with the rest of it.

So I'm officially done with this series. I sort of feel like I want to be done with Katee Robert in general too.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/Kas_Bent]

Same. This is my last read.

[u/lazylittlelady]

7. Let's just talk about Hermes and Circe for a moment. Do you sympathize with their dilemma or are they both different people and need to accept it?

[u/fromdusktil → u/lazylittlelady]

I get that they have a tragic backstory, but its been YEARS and they are clearly on different paths with different morals right now. I cringe at all their scenes together so far!

[u/lazylittlelady]

6. Do the Interludes in this section give us more information or added interest?

[u/fromdusktil → u/lazylittlelady]

It shows me couples that I'm much more interested in, so I guess that counts for something!

[u/lazylittlelady]

5. Let's talk about Atalanta. Why do you think she is still helping Hermes and is it a thankless task?

[u/fromdusktil → u/lazylittlelady]

She has feelings for Hermes, but knows that Hermes would never truly settle down. Especially now that we're learning about Hermes' past (and current) feeling for Circe.

[u/lazylittlelady]

4. Did you expect a public execution in this series? Thoughts on Eros and his seat placement considering what Circe was planning?

[u/fromdusktil → u/lazylittlelady]

Honestly? It felt cringe-y. This book is trying to be WAY too serious. Come on... no one is really here for the plot! ;)

[u/lazylittlelady → u/fromdusktil]

Here Here!!

[u/fixtheblue → u/lazylittlelady]

NO!!! I really didn't expect to lose any of our previous book's MCs. I wasn't overly attached to Eros but it still surprised me!

[u/lazylittlelady]

3. What is the last time you had to flirt ourageously under less than ideal circumstance?

[u/fixtheblue → u/lazylittlelady]

When I was kidnapped and trying to survive the day...oh no wait that doesn't happen IRL lol

When I met my husband we were instantly attracted but had to hide it for a while as the situation wasn't ideal. It all worked out int he end though!

[u/lazylittlelady]

2. Circe-what is her deal? Why would Demeter risk her daughters like this?

[u/lazylittlelady → u/lazylittlelady]

2a. Is her characterization of Hermes fair?

[u/fixtheblue → u/lazylittlelady]

To a degree, however, I feel like Circe is raging and has been hell-bent on revenge for a long time now. She's reactive rather than rational (evidenced by the fact that Eros is dead even though it wasn't part of the plan)

[u/fixtheblue → u/lazylittlelady]

Demeter is so calculating that I assumed she's positioning herself and her daughters for if Circe prevails?!

[u/lazylittlelady]

1. Is Hermes deluding herself about the future?

[u/fixtheblue → u/lazylittlelady]

I think so. I don't really understand her motivations tbh. Even Circe contemplates how little Hermes has acheived in her decade in the role. What is her end game?