Pharmakos

by Emily C. Otten

What happens when a girl wins a mysterious trip hosted by a reclusive billionaire, from a raffle she never actually entered?

On a dreary Sunday evening in San Francisco, Delphi, an analyst by day and smut reader by night, receives startling news. She has won the prize of a lifetime: a week in Greece hosted by one of the world’s most famous and reclusive billionaires. When she steps onto his private jet a week later, the drudgery of her day-to-day life is forgotten as she’s whisked away to a private villa perched above the sparkling turquoise sea and nestled among rolling verdant hills. The only problem is the arrogant entrepreneur himself, whose swaggering superiority complex makes Delphi want to tear her hair out.

As one of the most powerful beings in existence, Apollo would normally ignore the silly mortal girl. Back in the human realm yet again, still ruthlessly pursuing the revenge he has sought for so many centuries, he never lets himself get distracted. But when he gets close to Delphi for the first time, his skin tingles in a way it hasn’t in ages. Could she be the answer to the prophecy?

From author Emily Otten comes a thrilling story of unlikely enemies to lovers who can’t help but interfere in each other’s quests. A romantasy unlike any other, full of spicy twists and turns that will leave your jaw on the floor. A story about fate, and how sometimes, it’s dead wrong.

436 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2026

Reviews

[Olena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not what I expected in the best way possible. What starts out feeling like a billionaire romance quickly turns into a chaotic, twisty Greek mythology fantasy with gods, fate, power, and a surprisingly emotional core.

The beginning hooked me immediately, and while the pacing is a little slow at first, things absolutely explode in the final stretch. The last part of the book was impossible to put down and delivered twist after twist - including one reveal that genuinely caught me off guard.

Delphi was messy, stubborn, and very relatable, especially with her constant internal battles and need to handle everything alone. Apollo is peak morally gray rich immortal man energy - arrogant, frustrating, and very hard not to enjoy. I also really loved Spencer and appreciated the side characters overall, especially the autism representation through Casey.

The modern Greek mythology elements were probably my favorite part. Emily Otten does a great job blending gods and mythology into a contemporary setting while still making it feel fresh. The Oracle chapters especially stood out.

That said, the book isn’t perfect. Some parts felt overly descriptive or a bit slow, and there were moments where the dialogue and narration didn’t fully match the characters. A few plot points felt rushed while others could have used more explanation, particularly around Delphi’s family and the mythology lore.

Still, the atmosphere, twists, emotional chaos, and brutal cliffhanger completely sold me. If you like Greek mythology, morally gray gods, messy characters, and fantasy stories that spiral into complete chaos by the end, this is definitely worth picking up.

I was given an ARC of this book. I am grateful to Emily Otten and Ink Tincture Publishing for the opportunity.

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok but I have to start by letting you know that the cliffhanger at the end of this book had emailing the publisher at 12.41am. I had clearly forgotten it was labled as a duology whilst reading, because when the book ended I was shocked and appalled. So know that I will 100% be applying for the book 2 ARC.

Given that, I really wanted to rate this 5 star. I didn’t though for two main reasons. While the plot and premise is super interesting, it felt a little all over the place. It swung a little too far between being a billionaire romance and a Greek mythology inspired fantasy. At times it felt like two seperate stories, rather like than one cohesive story. It also was a little slow to start with and the pacing felt a little off.

But onto the good things. What I did like about the two aspects to the story is that it emphasised character complexities, and showed the difference between public persona and private persona. I felt like I really understood our girl Delphi because I saw her in so many various situations.

Also, we have myths and legends, oracles, prophecies, gods, good twin vs evil twin, an animal companion, and let’s not forget the cliffhanger of the century. It’s got a lot packed into it and IMO it does work overall.

I read this as a digital ARC thanks to the author, and this is my honest review.

4 ⭐️’s
2 🌶️’s

Reccomend if you want something unexpected and unusual but don’t mind a slower start to a wild ride.

[lil b · Rating 4 out of 5]

where do i even start? i was blessed with the opportunity to read this as an early arc reader (thank you Emily & Inktincture) and i feel it's my duty to provide a detailed review. i would also like to highlight that the original version of this review includes reaction memes and was printed at the Inktincture office and put up for all to see. yes i'm bragging.

i'm going to start with delphi. a character that is insufferable and yet ridiculously relatable. her trauma, her fierce independence, her dedication to doing all she can for herself and inability to accept help... it felt so horrifically relatable, but i also wanted to shake her because spencer wanted to help because she loves her, not because she's a charity case. she proved that over, and over, and over again. but noooo. delphi kept her pretty little head in the godsdamned clouds.

now... apollo? HOT DAMN. he might be the ‘bad brother’ but he sounds like he’d be a good ride. i was literally smirking to myself while reading his chapters because HOT DAMN.

now on to specer. she loved/loves delphi so deeply, never once pitied her, always wanted to share her fortune with her in the best possible way and her ultimate sacrifice for apollo, not knowing anything more than how delphi feels, that her best friend was in love with this man, was tear jerking and an accurate representation of the ends of the earth i would also go to for my bestie. but, how DARE!!!! she get that ending. i get it. but the AUDACITY. i am side-eyeing Emily something rotten from now on.

enough about the characters anyway. now on to the story.

the woman in the keep’s chapters were so beautifully written. the backstory to her life, her albinism that had her literally driven out of villages. so, so beautifully put. thank you emily, for giving us her moments, her little flashes of her time with lia, it felt so perfectly placed within the story too. even if the prophecy she provides left me feeling more than a little confused until the reveal, my ass was not prepared for the twist either.

spencer dragging delphi to the conference, and delphi running away to get cinnamon buns? entirely fair and exactly what i would do, especially if i had also heard apollo talk about how important he is and no one can be like him (ironic for a fucking twin). there's some wonderful foreshadowing at the conference, and when they are in apollo's vicinity that could go unnoticed if you don't pay attention.

the ability to have a miscommunication trope without it being a direct miscommunication is delicious and so well written.

also, delphi winning the raffle... come on, it was obviously going to be apollo. duh.

i adored the exchanges between casey and delphi and then sasha and delphi, i wanted to see more of their characters, i also would have loved to have seen a sasha x spencer moment but maybe that’s me wanting loveable side characters to smooch.
casey being upfront about her autism and dislike for small talk was a nice representation of autism, she wasn’t being rude, she wasn’t beating round the bush and she didn’t want to put either of them in an awkward or uncomfortable situation and i liked that delphi internally acknowledged she’d been rude.

the descriptions of mount olympus, the clouds, the pillars, the colours, it was so dreamlike and it blended with the story. it didn’t feel like scene setting, it felt natural. just like it flowed so well. i loved the vivid descriptors, the fact the clouds were solid but not, you could mould and bend them? ugh never felt so jealous of someone’s imagination before but girl, you made me wish i could live in the world you created - but without the whole mankind doom, warring god brothers part, maybe. (i’d still fuck apollo, and dioynsus of course)

the entire third act had me riveted, it had me hook line and sinker. i felt as useless as a fish out of water after being caught thanks to a pretty lure.

but when i tell you i got to the part where we finally realised apollo wasn’t the ‘good’ brother, boy my poor kindle almost met the wall. i could see it coming but i was still hoping, i was delusional because every chapter of his, when he’s trapped in the summons, the way he fought to get to delphi when he knew she was there too? ugh. i should’ve known not to trust a man that attractive, that’s my bad.

emily puts so much action into the last 5% of this book, the library scene, the spencer revelation, the final vision... only to then have the audacity to end it on a cliffhanger. unimpressed.

i once asked an author of a 6 part series i devoured if she could fight because of how those books made me feel. i may have also asked emily if she can also fight because whew.

all in all? read PHARMAKOS. enjoy delphi's story. enjoy the oracle's life. enjoy the teasers, the foreshadowing, the dynamics that play out so perfectly.

[Clémence CJPM · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏛️ Romantasy

🏛️ Forced proximity 

🏛️ Prophecy 

🏛️ Fate bound

🏛️ Greek mythology 


Romantasy 🏛️

Proximité forcée 🏛️

Prophétie 🏛️

Destin lié 🏛️

Mythologie grecque 🏛️


Français ⬇️

I've ARC read Pharmakos by Emily C. Otten. He is available on Kindle Unlimited.

"What happens when a girl wins a mysterious trip hosted by a reclusive billionaire, from a raffle she never actually entered?


On a dreary Sunday evening in San Francisco, Delphi, an analyst by day and smut reader by night, receives startling news. She has won the prize of a lifetime: a week in Greece hosted by one of the world’s most famous and reclusive billionaires. When she steps onto his private jet a week later, the drudgery of her day-to-day life is forgotten as she’s whisked away to a private villa perched above the sparkling turquoise sea and nestled among rolling verdant hills. The only problem is the arrogant entrepreneur himself, whose swaggering superiority complex makes Delphi want to tear her hair out.


As one of the most powerful beings in existence, Apollo would normally ignore the silly mortal girl. Back in the human realm yet again, still ruthlessly pursuing the revenge he has sought for so many centuries, he never lets himself get distracted. But when he gets close to Delphi for the first time, his skin tingles in a way it hasn’t in ages. Could she be the answer to the prophecy?”


I enjoyed reading it, but I can't give it the higher rating of 4 ✨. I know, it's a bit harsh, but I have my reasons. I was immediately drawn into the story, reading the contemporary section with our two protagonists, Delphi and Apollo, like a billionaire romance, and discovering the chapters devoted to the "woman" in the cave, in a Greco-American fantasy style. Until there, everything was fine. A slightly slow pace, some little burning, a few clues… But three-quarters of the way through the book, I struggled to reconcile the two parts. As if something was missing. It's difficult to say more without revealing the ending and the unbearable suspense… However, this is the author's first novel, and I will gladly read book 2 to see if there have been any improvements. And foremost, to know the ending, because, once again, the cliffhanger is really effective and makes me want to read the sequel.


"J'ai lu Pharmakos d'Emily C. Otten en avant-première. Il est disponible sur Kindle Unlimited. Que se passe-t-il lorsqu'une jeune femme gagne un voyage mystérieux offert par un milliardaire reclus, à la suite d'une tombola à laquelle elle n'a même jamais participé ?


Par un dimanche soir morne à San Francisco, Delphi, analyste le jour et lectrice de romans érotiques la nuit, reçoit une nouvelle stupéfiante. Elle a gagné le prix de sa vie : une semaine en Grèce, offerte par l'un des milliardaires les plus célèbres et les plus reclus du monde. Une semaine plus tard, lorsqu'elle monte à bord de son jet privé, la monotonie de son quotidien s'évapore tandis qu'elle est transportée dans une villa privée surplombant une mer turquoise scintillante, nichée au cœur de collines verdoyantes. Le seul problème, c'est l'arrogant entrepreneur lui-même, dont le complexe de supériorité fanfaron exaspère Delphi.


En tant qu'être parmi les plus puissants qui soient, Apollon ignorerait normalement cette pauvre mortelle. De retour dans le monde des humains, toujours implacable dans sa vengeance ancestrale, il ne se laisse jamais distraire. Mais lorsqu'il s'approche de Delphi pour la première fois, sa peau… Elle frissonne comme elle ne l'a pas fait depuis des lustres. Serait-elle la réponse à la prophétie ?"


J'ai apprécié ma lecture, mais je ne peux pas lui attribuer la note plus haute de 4 ✨. Je sais, c'est un peu sévère, mais j'ai mes raisons. J'ai été immédiatement happée par l'histoire, lisant la partie contemporaine avec nos deux protagonistes, Delphi et Apollon, comme une romance de milliardaires, et découvrant les chapitres consacrés à la « femme » dans la grotte, dans un style fantasy gréco-américaine. Jusque-là, tout allait bien. Un rythme un peu lent, une tension palpable, quelques indices… Mais aux trois quarts du livre, j'ai eu du mal à faire le lien entre les deux parties. Comme s'il manquait un ingrédient. Difficile d'en dire plus sans dévoiler le dénouement et le suspense insoutenable de la fin… Cependant, c'est le premier roman de l'auteur, et je lirai avec plaisir le tome 2 pour voir s'il y a eu des améliorations. Et surtout, pour connaître la fin, car, encore une fois, le cliffhanger est vraiment efficace et me donne envie de lire la suite.

[Raquel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting.

There was definitely a little bit of a twist and while some of it was predictable, for me, there were a couple of aspects that were not and it was pretty interesting to me how Otten went about the surprise. The twist wasn’t super predictable to me but maybe it’s because I enjoy Greek mythology and retellings and the like so the characterization of certain archetypes are a little hard to overcome once you know them.

The syntax though. The syntax would occasionally take me out but it was overall a pretty awesome book. The characterization was interesting and, I feel, a little bit rushed. There were certain scenes where in the beginning of the scene Delphi was so sure of something and then almost immediately was either checked or proven wrong or told something that made her do a pretty much complete 180. I’m not saying that doesn’t happen but that it was happening, maybe, a little too often for it to not jump out at me.

Delphi was a pretty well rounded character, but I feel like the character development was a little quick. Like I said, there were some scenes (several of them) where she was quickly put in her place and her thinking did a 180 nearly instantly. It was the way she switched it almost at the threat of confrontation. I don’t know. Maybe I’m nitpicking but I feel like a character should struggle with their thoughts if they are so adamant and absolute in their thinking and then are proven the opposite. 🤷Also, and this kind of bothered me, Delphi randomly mentions that her father was Hispanic about halfway ish through the book and then mentions mofongo (a typical Puerto Rican dish with different styles being made throughout the Caribbean) and then nothing else. She never mentions it ever again. I’m not expecting to get hit in the head with Latin references but when it’s virtually nonexistent and feels almost like an afterthought, I kinda feel like maybe don’t mention it at all…

Spencer was a pretty awesome side character and I wish that we had gotten more page time with her. I wish there would have been more in depth moments with her. But I feel the same way about Spencer’s racially mixed heritage as I do about Delphi’s. Each girl’s race was referenced only once (or twice in Delphi’s case) and again I feel like if you were going to include those details, make sure they were included. Not merely glossed over in a “check yourself before you wreck yourself” talk between them.🤷

While getting you in the first half to think that Apollo is a good guy, turning that archetype on it’s head, it ultimately falls into the OG archetype. With some, I imagine, pretty heavy consequences for Delphi in terms of mentally forgiving herself.


Now onto what bothered me. Honestly, the book itself was pretty good, like I’m pretty curious for the second one but the syntax just really bothered me sometimes.The syntax, which is not usually my main focus, to me was a little distracting. In several pages, there would be sections of scenes made up of one sentence filled with, I counted, eight commas. I love commas (duh lol) but I think that there should be a limit. There were sometimes words used during…”certain” scenes that stopped the scene from feeling very immediate and punchy and fast and slow and … It was being described a certain way but it didn’t feel like that. And maybe that was the real problem. I was told that the character was feeling like blank and, as the reader, I was feeling like the exact opposite. Like I said, pretty curious for the second one but I couldn’t give it more than 3.5 to four stars. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have liked.

[NahelyBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thanks to the author for sending me an ARC of this story.

In this book, we get a story that perfectly blends romance, fantasy, and Greek mythology. Our protagonist is Delphi, who ends up winning a trip to Greece sponsored by a mysterious billionaire who also happens to be her mentor. On the other hand, there's Apollo—our mysterious billionaire—and just from his name, we already know he’s way more than a mere human.

The book is mainly told from Delphi's point of view, but it also features perspectives from Apollo and a mysterious woman. I absolutely loved how the author wove in the fantasy elements without them feeling out of place with the rest of the book. From the very beginning, there’s this massive mystery surrounding Apollo's identity, but he’s the one who gradually shares his story with us—even though he leaves a lot up to interpretation, which makes the plot twists hit that much harder.

The romance between these two had me kicking my feet from the start; the tension is just off the charts, and Delphi is honestly the ultimate warrior because her willpower is incredible. I also have to mention Spencer, the protagonist's best friend. Let's just say that without her, there wouldn't even be a story to tell; I loved how her character gains depth and momentum instead of just being pushed aside as filler.

This book has every single ingredient to completely hook lovers of romantic fantasy and Greek mythology. Now, all that's left for me is to wait for book two!

EN ESPAÑOL

En este libro nos encontramos con una historia que mezcla, romance, fantasía y mitología griega. Nuestra protagonista es Delphi quien termina ganando un viaje a Grecia patrocinado por un misterioso billonario que además será su mentor, por otro lado, esta Apollo quien es nuestro misterioso billonario y por el nombre sabemos que es más que un simple humano.

El libro cuenta con la narración principal de Delphi pero además tiene a Apollo y a una misteriosa mujer, me gusto mucho como incorporo los elementos de fantasía el libro sin sentirse que no encajaban con el tono del libro. Desde el principio sabemos que hay un gran misterio alrededor de la identidad de Apollo pero el mismo es quien nos va contando de su historia, aunque deja muchas cosas a nuestra interpretación y eso hace que las revelaciones nos peguen más fuerte.

El romance de este par me tenía brincando de la emoción desde el inicio la tensión se siente demasiado fuerte y es que Delphi es la mayor guerrera porque tiene una increíble fuerza de voluntad. No puedo no mencionar a Spencer quien es la mejor amiga de la protagonista y digamos que sin ella no hubiera habido historia que contar, me gustó mucho como su personaje toma fuerza y no se queda relegado como un personaje de relleno.

El libro cuenta con todos los elementos para atrapar a los amantes de la fantasía romántica y la mitología griega, ahora solo me queda esperar la segunda parte.

[somyheartsays · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this book. I am grateful to Emily Otten and Ink Tincture Publishing for the opportunity.

PHARMAKOS follows Delphi, the introverted FMC who is struggling to find her footing, as she takes on the opportunity of a lifetime. Thanks to her extroverted and beautiful best friend, Spencer, Delphi wins a raffle to be mentored by a successful business. What she does not know until she is on his private jet to Greece (her dream destination) is that her "mentor" is a cruel billionaire that she cannot stand. Apollo is tall, gorgeous, and cold, not seeming to care about anyone but himself. But that changes as Delphi spends more time with him during her 5 days in Greece. The layers are peeled back to reveal a man who does have a heart for the right things and places. Delphi,  against her better judgements, starts to fall for this man, as he does for her. She returns to the states with hope for a better future.

Or so she thinks.

PHARMAKOS was an interesting read. At first the plot seemed obvious. A young woman just starting out falls for the charm and endless pockets of a gorgeous, godlike billionaire. Happily ever after, here we come. Except, Apollo is a god and the ever after is far from happy. While at times the plot felt predictable,  Emily Otten shows she has several tricks, twists, and turns up her sleeve. The last 60 pages were impossible to put down. Watching Delphi peel back the layers of her past and come into her power, literally and figuratively,  was so satisfying. Delphi is extremely relatable,  especially the malicious voice in her head. 

The side characters were incredibly well written.  It seemed obvious from the beginning that Apollo was the big bad,  but the more you learn about him the more you begin to doubt your initial instinct. The addition of the brother,  Dionysus, makes things even more dubious. The distinction of who is the good brother and bad brother stays muddled to the very end. It's both difficult and not to root for Apollo. The other characters,  Spencer,  the Oracle,  Casey, Sascha and their stories tied well into the story. 

I both liked and disliked the author's use of the side characters to move the story along and reveal key points.  There was some information that felt rushed,  or it would have been preferred to learn what was going on through Delphi's point of view.  I would have loved to learn more about Delphi's father,  even her mother, as well as the Oracle and Dionysus' relationship.  Also why is Mount Olympus empty? And that absolute shock of a cliffhanger? These are all things I hope are addressed in PHARMAKON, which I'm very excited for.

[Bree Burgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

I went into Pharmakos thinking, “Okay, billionaire romance with Greek mythology vibes.”

Cute. Adorable. Delusional of me.

Because what I actually got was gods, fate, prophecy, secrets, morally gray immortals, emotional damage, betrayal, and a final act that grabbed me by the throat and said, “You thought you were safe? That’s embarrassing.”

Delphi is messy, stubborn, painfully relatable, and constantly fighting the voice in her head telling her she isn’t enough. Watching her slowly peel back the layers of her own fear, trauma, and power was SO satisfying. She’s not some instantly perfect chosen-one heroine. She’s tired. She’s overwhelmed. She wants a better life. She wants to be loved. She wants answers. And honestly? Same, girl.

And Apollo?

Unfortunately, I fear I loved him.

Was he arrogant? Yes. Secretive? Absolutely. Suspicious as hell? Without question. Did I spend half the book side-eyeing him and the other half eating glass over him? Also yes.

He has that morally gray, “I know more than I’m saying and it’s going to ruin everyone emotionally” energy, and apparently I am weak.

The mythology in this was easily one of my favorite parts. It didn’t feel like Greek mythology was just tossed in for aesthetics — it was woven into the plot, the characters, the prophecy threads, and the mystery in a way that made the whole story feel bigger and darker as it went on. The Oracle chapters especially added so much tension and depth, and every time I thought I had a handle on what was happening, the book basically laughed in my face.

Also Spencer? Absolute ride-or-die. Protect her.

The beginning is a little slower while everything is being set up, but once the pieces start falling into place? GOOD LUCK. The last stretch was twist after twist after twist, and that cliffhanger was actually rude. Like, I need book two immediately for my health.

If you like:
🏛️ modern Greek mythology
🖤 morally gray immortals
✨ prophecy + fate
🔥 enemies-to-lovers tension
💸 billionaire romance that turns into chaos
🌙 hidden identities
🗡️ betrayal and secrets
📖 multiple POVs
💔 emotional damage
😵‍💫 endings that make you stare at a wall
then you need Pharmakos on your TBR.

I thought I was getting a fun mythological romance. Instead I got emotionally attacked by Apollo, Delphi, fate, and several plot twists with criminal intent.

5 stars. No notes. Except maybe one note: I need Pharmakon immediately.

[Shannon Michelessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy of PHARMAKOS. I absolutely loved the story. In the first act, we are introduced to Delphi and the hardships she has had to endure. But she makes the best of life with her bestie, Spencer. Delphi is a relatable character, just trying to make ends meet while navigating a soul-crushing job to save for her dream dance studio. She's got a crappy relationship with her mom, but Spencer is literally a golden friend and makes up for the fact that Delphi has no family.

We meet Apollo and Delphi can't stand him. Even still, she can't help but be attracted to him. We see him as the arrogant billionaire who doesn't seem to care about helping people. (Trust your intuition, Delphi!) Through winning the charity raffle at the symposium, she starts to see a softer side of him than most people see. She hears from the people close to him that he's a good man. (Sidenote: I need more Sascha!) Apollo tells her the stories of the good brother and bad brother. She begins to soften toward him and decides that maybe she can bang him out of her system. He, however, doesn't think he deserves her and decides his mission is more important, despite this wild pull he has to her. So we see him as a good guy, doing all the philanthropic things, sacrificing his wants for the greater good of the mission. Which, of course, is to prep Delphi for her destiny of being the next Oracle and save humanity, right? RIGHT?! Then he had the audacity to make us swoon by giving Delphi her dance studio after offing her attacker!

The last act is really where I couldn't put the book down. I learned so much information in the last 10% of the book that had my head spinning. Apollo isn't the hero we wanted him to be. But he is FIIINNEE, and I do love a good morally grey MMC. Spencer dying hurt my soul. And while I kind of saw the good brother/bad brother twist coming, I was not expecting the twist of who Spencer really was. The way my jaw DROPPED, but really, good for her. She deserves all that power AND her revenge💅.

The cliffhanger at the end was rough. I need Delphi to get her closure. I need her to make Apollo suffer. But also, will we get Delphi/Dionysus action in book 2?👀
Thank you to Emily and Ink Tincture Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this book early! I can't wait for book 2!💜

[Apothecary of Stories · Rating 5 out of 5]

The What
We follow Delphi, who wins a once in a lifetime trip to Greece with a billionaire, Apollo, for business coaching. Little does she know that this opportunity will set off a chain of events that push her to her limits mentally, physically, and emotionally. Along the way, she faces love, heartbreak, difficult choices, and revelations that have consequences far beyond her own life.

The How
The story is told through multiple points of view, and alternating timelines, which is worth mentioning because I know that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I thought it worked really well and added depth to both the characters and the overall story. The writing strikes a great balance between fantasy, mythology, history, romance, and travel, with each element complementing the others rather than competing for attention. The Greek setting felt immersive, the mythology was woven naturally into the narrative, and the pacing kept me engaged from beginning to end.

The Vibe
Greek mythology, billionaire romance, sibling rivalry, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, prophecy, Romantasy, trials, slow burn

The Hit
The character development was one of my favorite parts of this book. I became invested in the characters very quickly, and the relationships felt believable and well developed. The twist at the end completely hooked me. The reveal landed hard and genuinely surprised me. I immediately wanted Book 2 after finishing. I also loved how well balanced everything felt. The fantasy, mythology, history, travel, romance, and spice all worked together without any one aspect overshadowing the others.

The Miss
My only real criticism is that I wanted more background on the brothers. We get pieces of their story throughout the book, but I found myself wanting a deeper understanding of who they are and how they became the people we meet in the story. Hopefully that’s something we’ll explore more in the sequel.

The Rec
If you enjoy Greek mythology, fantasy romance, travel-filled adventures, strong character development, multiple POVs, and twists that leave you desperate for the next book, Pharmakos is absolutely worth picking up.

The Overall
Overall, I would rate this book as follows:

⭐️ Rating : 5/5
🌶️ Rating : 2/5

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Word.

This book absolutely SENT ME.

When Delphi is chosen to win a mentorship in a raffle that her best friend Spencer entered her into and she heads off with the billionaire Apollo for a series of life lessons, she is not prepared for what's in store for her future.

And quite frankly, fellow reader, neither are you. I certainly wasn't.

Emily C. Otten is an author we need to be paying attention to. "Pharmakos" is beautifully written and the way the different vines of the plot are woven throughout the book is nothing short of masterful. She does an amazing job of giving us a slow burn that builds perfectly into a wave of hand-throwing, out-loud cursing, curveball plot twists in the last 15% of the book that left me a mess, reeling and desperate for the next book ("Pharmakon").

As I read this book, I found that the character of Delphi to be incredibly relatable and a great representation of what many of us face when it comes to negative self-talk and overcoming our past and our perceived present. The relationship she develops with Apollo throughout the book - literally from start to finish - is a ride that Otten takes us on that ends in a perfect cliffhanger of an ending that leaves the reader drooling for more of the story. The way Otten uses the secondary characters of the book to build the story, shift how you see the perspectives of the main characters, and add details to the plot is so exquisite. The use of multiple points of view throughout the book and the titles of the chapters add additional layers that are so important to how it all ties together at the end.

I have not seen a more perfectly written "Wait - WHAT???" when the ending comes since I saw the movie "Memento" with Guy Pearce. Typically speaking, I am not much of a rereader - but when "Pharmakon" is ready to be released, I'm going to have to go back and review parts of "Pharmakos". Much like "Memento", I feel like rereads will reveal moments, light bulbs, and tie-ins that were missed on the first read through.

If you are a lover of romantasy and/or Greek Mythology, you MUST read this book. This is one of the best books I've read in this genre, hands down.

[Ashley M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was crazy good!! From the very start, I was intrigued by the direction the story was taking, and it was not at all what I expected.

Told from multiple POVs, Pharmakos blends Greek mythology with the modern world and includes flashback-style chapters that are integral to the story. The main character, Delphi, was relatable in so many ways. She works hard to make ends meet and hopes to one day save enough money to open a dance studio. She constantly battles that inner voice telling her she isn’t good enough, especially compared to her best friend and roommate, Spencer, who grew up with everything and seems perfect in every way. Spencer is such a loyal friend and always tries to lift Delphi up when she’s feeling down, and I loved their friendship—especially how it had such a big impact on how the ending of this story played out.

The MMC, Apollo, was an instant favorite. At first, he comes across as a total DB, but throughout the story, Delphi begins to see a side of him that not many people do. He’s hiding a lot of secrets, though, and they slowly unravel as the story progresses.

There’s also another POV from a woman known as the Oracle, and her story is absolutely heartbreaking. I won’t say more because it would spoil too much.

I really enjoyed this one, and even though I wasn’t sure where the story was going at first, once certain things were revealed, I was HOOKED and couldn’t stop reading. If you pay close attention from the beginning, you can piece together parts of what’s happening, but you still won’t fully grasp the impact of everything until later.

The elements of Greek mythology were seamlessly woven into the modern-day setting, and I loved how the story centered around specific myths and characters. The world-building was incredible and worked perfectly with the atmosphere of the story.

The ending had SO much going on, and I loved every second! I’ll definitely be reading Pharmakon (book two) as soon as I can!!

Thank you Emily and Ink Tincture Publishing for this physical ARC! I can't wait to read more!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW - MILD SPOILERS
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 (Rounded to 4 on Goodreads and Amazon).
🌶️🌶️ spice

Thank you to Emily Otten and Ink Tincture Publishing for the ARC!

Imagine a modern day Billionaire enemies to lovers romance, but with a Greek mythology twist. The MMC is morally grey, and there is also a little bit of a student/teacher dynamic sprinkled in for good measure. This book is not what I had initially anticipated, but the premise had me hooked.

The pacing starts a bit slow, but the characters and situations introduced keep the reader hooked. The split POV played well in the story telling and keeps the storyline intriguing. The POV in each chapter provided alternate perspectives and interpretations, confirming that the narrators may not be the most reliable. I was initially confused with the flashback timeline, but it wrapped up well in the end and played into the pilot twist so well.

Part of the plot twist I saw coming, but then second guessed myself! As for the OTHER twist (with Spencer), I have to say that the author got me! There were subtle clues and flags throughout the story that I either chose to ignore, or fully missed, the first time around. I wish we had more background on how that came to be, but that may be expanded on more in the next book.

There were parts of the story that felt that they had been omitted or rushed- not full on plot holes, but could have been fleshed out more. The FMC Delphi had moments of real strength, and then other moments where she was entirely frustrating. The last 10-15% of the book had so much in it, I had to slow down and re-read sections to confirm I read what I thought I did (I mean, TWICE for Spencer???). I’m hoping to see more in the next installment. It looks like we may get to learn more about Spencer and the the other brother- It will be interesting to see how that plays out!

Overall I found the read to be enjoyable! Book 2 looks like it will deal with the fallout from book 1, and may answer some of the lingering questions I have. I’m looking forward to reading it!

[Amanda Price (LifeWithAmandaP) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2/5 🌶️🌶️

What to Expect:
✈️Greek Mythology
☁️Billionaire Romance
✈️Enemies to Lovers
☁️Forced Proximity
✈️Secret Identity
☁️Prophecy
✈️Found Family
☁️One Bed

I went into PHARMAKOS expecting a billionaire romance with Greek mythology vibes and instead, I was thrown headfirst into a complete chaos, full emotional spiral of delicious Gods, ALL the prophecies, heartbreaking betrayals, some of the most delicious, morally grey immortals, and twists that genuinely had me rereading paragraphs over and over.

Delphi was so insufferable and completely frustrating… in the most relatable ways possible. Constantly battling her trauma and independence while trying to convince herself she didn’t deserve the people who loved her, especially Spencer, which absolutely broke my heart with all the loyalty and sacrifices being made. Apollo was a completely arrogant, magnetic, suspiciously attractive, and somehow deliciously perfect man… he had me rooting for him, and completely blinded by every red flag waving full force, directly in my face.

The Oracle chapters added so much depth and mystery to the story, weaving the time periods together so beautifully that every reveal hit harder than the last. I absolutely loved how the Greek mythology blended into the modern world, from Mount Olympus to the prophecy threads and the tension between the brothers, and even when I guessed some twists correctly, the execution still wrecked my soul.

The final act completely consumed my focus; with the nonstop reveals, total emotional devastation, and a cliffhanger that felt genuinely cruel in the best way, I am DESPERATE for book two. Because lets be real. I NEED to know what’s going to happen, and I NEED more of delicious Apollo.

A HUGE thank you Emily C. Otten and Ink Tincture Publishing for sending this one over. I honestly had expectations, but this book turned out infinitely better than I could’ve ever anticipated. Absolutely LOVED every second of it.

[Cady W · Rating 5 out of 5]

* ADVANCED READERS COPY REVIEW - NO SPOILERS *

As a massive lover of Greek mythology, I was completely captivated by Pharmakos by Emily Otten. It is a tight, meticulously crafted read that hooks you from the very first page, utilizing sharp, modern storytelling while honoring its mythic roots.

Here is what made this book stand out for me:

• A Masterclass in Split POV: I absolutely loved the split-perspective storytelling. Like the best ancient riddles, Otten uses strong context clues rather than spoon-feeding the audience, leaving a refreshing amount of critical thinking up to the reader. Looking back, it’s fun to see how deliberate and clever the clues were right from the beginning.

• Chilling Dynamics & Strong Bonds: The inner monologue in this book is fantastic. It truly feels like facing an invisible villain, creating an atmospheric, tension worthy of a classic tragedy. Balancing that dark edge is a wonderful, strong female relationship at the core. The "girls gotta watch out for girls" dynamic felt completely authentic and grounding.

• Predictable but Satisfying Twists: While I found the surprise ending a bit predictable as the pieces started coming together, it still managed to deliver genuine elements of surprise that caught me off guard and kept me turning pages.

• Left Me Wanting More: My only real critique is that I simply wanted more of a good thing! As someone obsessed with the setting, I found myself wishing we could have spent more story time exploring Delphi and Spencer’s trip together in Greece. Their dynamic and the legendary backdrop had so much rich potential.

If you love an enemies to lovers mixed with some sexual tension, sharp writing, and stories steeped in atmosphere that respect your intelligence, put Pharmakos on your TBR list immediately.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚊 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚊 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚙 𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚎, 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚊 𝚛𝚊𝚏𝚏𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍?

Delphi was such a fun FMC!! She’s smart, sarcastic and honestly so relatable. I loved watching her get thrown into this completely insane situation and try to make sense of everything happening around her. She wasn’t afraid to ask questions or push for answers, which made me love her even more!!! Also Spencer is the bestie that we all need in our life!!

Apollo?! This man was arrogant, frustrating and completely swoon worthy. As one of the most powerful beings in existence, he’s spent centuries focused on revenge and refusing to let anyone get close. The more layers we peeled back, the more invested I became! Beneath all that swagger and confidence is someone carrying centuries of pain, responsibility and LOTS secrets.

The chemistry between Delphi and Apollo was HOT. The I can’t stand you but I can’t stay away from you tension was so strong!! I was absolutely eating up the banter, frustration and the undeniable attraction between them.

I really enjoyed this one and what an adventure it was!! I was hooked from the very first chapter. I loved how the greek mythology was seamlessly it was woven into the story. The gods, the prophecy, the mystery and all the hidden truths had me on the edge of my seat?? I was fully invested in uncovering every secret along side Delphi! And the last 6 chapters?? THAT ENDING?! I was absolutely FLABBERGASTED. My jaw was on the floor and I immediately needed book two. I think this was an amazing debut for Emily and I can’t wait to see where she takes this story next. Book two cannot get here fast enough!

[Jessika DeVore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Ok, first of all, let me thank Emily Otten and Ink Tincture Publishing for this amazing ARC!

This is a fantasy billionaire romance! My very first one!

Delphi is just a normal girl from a small town who is working towards a promotion as an analyst. She longs to one day open her own dance studio. She prefers to read her smutty books, hang out on the couch with snacks, and watch trashy tv with her best friend, Spencer.

Spencer is the complete opposite and drags Delphi to an Entrepreneurship Conference where Delphi wins a raffle that she didn’t enter. A week long mentorship in Greece hosted by one of the most famous billionaires.

Delphi doesn’t come from money and already dislikes him and his “better than everyone” attitude. But she quickly learns there is something off about him and she can’t quite figure out what.

Apollo is the famous billionaire and he normally wouldn’t pay any attention to some mortal girl but there is something about her that makes him believe she’s the one he’s been waiting centuries for. Could she be the answer to the prophecy??

Can Delphi fight her growing desire and curiosity and just try to live her life or will she go down the road that makes her skin tingle and look for answers??

I give this a solid 4.75 stars. I may end up changing it to a 5. It started to get a little slow for me around 85%. It seemed like everything was wrapping up quickly and way too cleanly. Wellllll, I was wrong!! The author hits you with not one but TWO twists towards the end! One I saw coming, the other I didn’t!

I can’t wait for book 2!!

[Betwixt the Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧.25/5
Quick Reasons: YOU TAKE THAT BACK! YOU TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW!; screaming crying begging throwing a tuna fish tantrum; talk about some unreliable narrators; I am reeling

Huge thanks to Emily Otten and Ink Tincture Publishing for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.

Don't mind the tuna fish mess strewn about the room, Penguins. I may have had some FEELINGS about how this first book in a series ends, that ended in a Penguin tantrum of epic proportions. Because WHAT DO YOU MEAN I was wrong about who to trust and who to root for?! You take it back RIGHT NOW.

This Greek mythology meets billionaire romance meets fantasy read is filled with surprises from start to finish. I was swept into the world seamlessly and placed smack dab in the middle of Delphi's whirlwind emotions-- and boy does she have some strong willed opinions! The play on unreliable narrators in this novel is exquisite--Delphi's first person perspective is juxtaposed by the third person perspective we get for Apollo, making a compelling melting pot that begs the question: what piece of the puzzle is NOT being shared? Also, fair warning-- mind the triggers, and know there's a cliff hanger at the end.

I had a great time diving into this read and highly recommend it to lovers of mythology, romantasy, and perspectives that make you question everything. With that, I will be here stuck just waiting for the world to be righted around me with the next book in this series.

[Kendall Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an eARC and didn’t know what to expect but was super excited to read it and this is STRAIGHT up an 11/10. NO NOTES.

Plot? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot twists: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emotional investment? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

I swear this book has IT. I devoured it in 3 days. The writing is lyrical with an engaging tone that captures you on page 1 and holds you hostage through page 436. The most tasteful blend of Greek mythos and Romantasy 🤌🏻

One of my favorite writing styles is when the reader only knows as much as the MC so you get to discover information as the character does. It makes the reading experience so fun and feel so much more personal, it keeps you deeply engaged. Emily managed to write a beautifully weaved story of the past into the present that gave you *just* the right amount of “wait, what?” and not feel like you missed something. You only knew as much as Delphi did. The love I have for Delphi and her growth as a young woman facing real and relatable struggles resonated so deeply with me. She is a STRONG FMC with an amazing story to tell. I also love a story that makes you feel a wide range of emotions and I felt them ALL - often times in rapid succession (particularly the last 4 chapters 🫣). I think there was only 1 time I predicted the plot twist and the rest? Unpredictable. The plot twist at the end will leave you speechless and dying for book 2!
Do NOT miss this book!!

[Tiffani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was unexpected. What started out as a billionaire romance turned into something completely different.

I went into this book not knowing a lot about it, so color me surprised when we start with a very interesting scene of the FMC being burned alive. Yeah. The story immediately sucks you in, because you're trying to figure out what's going on. It honestly read like the mix of a billionare comtemporary romance, turned to an intruiging fantasy story. The banter was good, the writing was great, and I honestly did not know what to expect. We had plot twist after plot twist, and especially that last one really threw me. The ending make me curious for what the hell could be happening in book 2 because I have no clue where the chqrqcters go from here.

The only negatives I have, is that I had a hard time really connecting to the characters, especially the MMC. I liked Delphi and Spencer well enough, but Appollo just didn't do it for me. I also thought maybe there were a bit too many plot twists? Don't get me wrong, I love to be shocked, but at some point you just expect to be shocked. Aside from these things, I did really like the sotry and the writing, and it was a fresh take on the fantasy genre. For me this book was a 3,75 stars, but I will round up.

Thank you, Bookfunnel, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Caelyn McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book- I’m so grateful to Emily and her team for the chance to read and review Pharmakos before its launch!
4.5 ⭐️

When I started this book, I was not sure how I felt about it!! Delphi annoyed me and the pacing just wasn’t grabbing me. But let me tell you, the longer I held on, the more exciting the book got!! The character development was amazing. The book was filled with twists and turns I never saw coming- HELLO THE ENDING?? I suspected Dionysus wasn’t the bad guy but I wasn’t prepared at all for Spencer ascending and her mom being the OG earth oracle. By the last third of the book I was desperately turning each page trying to uncover all of the secrets being held between everyone.

And um HI the sneak peek of Pharmakon??? Dionysus I’m so into you already I can’t believe I ever fell for Apollo. Emily I’m gonna need this next book STAT

I took off half a star because the middle felt a little messy to me- the transition from the human world to Mt. Olympus felt choppy, especially the development of Delphi from human to oracle. I think there could have been a liiiiitle more development here, but it didn’t take away from the story too much.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’m stoked for the next one!

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This was an ARC received by Ink Tincture Publishing, thank you so much!*

EMILY! I don’t know if you’ll ever see this, but we need to talk. What did you put in this book, girl? It took me far longer to pick this up than I wanted, but you know, other deadlines and such. However, I wish I had picked this book up sooner. I couldn’t stop reading. I read late into the night (on a Sunday, oops) and then just wanted to get home from work Monday and read.

This book was AAHMAZING! That sounds exaggerated, but I assure you, it’s not. The characters are so rich and in depth that the multiple POV’s are excellent. And they’re placed so strategically that it flows in an interesting way.
I consider myself quite knowledgeable about Greek mythology, it’s one of my favorite topics. The way Emily spun some of the mythology characters was so fascinating. I loved it when usually I hate that kind of thing but she did it justice without it being over the top.

This book is literally not what I expected AT ALL. I’m not mad about it. 🤷‍♀️ The cliffhanger though? 👀 literally did not see the ending coming. It’s rare that I’m surprised, but this one got me. Seriously, 5/5 stars!! I can’t wait for book 2!
Give this a read!!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s giving billionaire boss crossed with Greek mythology - this is Pharmakos.

Delphi finds herself in an interesting moment - she has won a trip to Greece (that she did not enter) with billionaire businessman Apollo (who she can’t stand, even if he is gorgeous). Will she be able to put up with his ‘mentoring’ lessons without pulling her hair out?

Apollo has lived a long time among humans, but Delphi is the first to really catch his eye. Could she be the one he has been searching for to fulfill the Oracle’s prophecy?

Part billionaire romance, part Greek mythology interpretation, this was a solid debut. There are multiple POVs across the book from key characters, and some slow burn plot twists that are set up very early on. This is the first book in a series and does end in a sort of cliffhanger.

There is a slow burn enemies to lovers romance with open door spice involved. The book has several potential triggers, including home invasion, parental death, alcoholism, attempted sexual assault, negative self talk, torture, and discrimination based on physical disability.

With such a solid start, there looks to be good things coming from this brand new indie author. It should appeal to fans of billionaire romance and Greek myth retellings.

[Kailee Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏛️ Pharmakos 🏛️

Wow! What an interesting Greek mythology inspired read ✨

Honestly, the first part had me thinking this was a billionaire romance.
But then.
The drama between Apollo and Dionysus affects the modern world. One brother wants to eradicate humanity, and the other wants peace.

Delphi is your average girl, working a corporate 9-5, trying to save for her dream of owning a dance studio. She is so relatable and stronger than she knows.
Until she wins a mentorship from the world’s most eligible billionaire technologist.
One week in Greece.
Apollo gives “business” lessons to Delphi that are meant to help her professionally. But he has ulterior motives.
I loved the modern blend of Greek mythology and how the story of the gods is woven into this story. The setting of Mount Olympus was beautifully curated with colors and textures, I could see it in my mind.

Is Apollo really who he says he is?
What role does Delphi play in saving humanity?

⛓️‍💥 gods
⌛️ fates
🪙 trauma
🏔️ mentor x student
✈️ morally gray
🌊 hidden plot

I ATE this book up. I NEED MORE. I have to know what happens. I can not wait until Book 2!

Thank you so much to @emilyotten and @inktincture for the ARC!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, and I did not expect to be this invested but here we are!

I went in thinking billionaire romance with a Greek mythology coat of paint. That's not what this is AT ALL.

The world-building has bones to it. The way Otten blends gods and prophecy into a modern setting (tech conferences, private jets, San Francisco) should feel jarring but it doesn't. The Oracle chapters have a different atmosphere from the rest of the book. Eerie and beautiful, and doing more narrative work than you realize until the end.

Delphi annoyed me. Her whole "I don't need anyone" thing reads as trauma response rather than quirky personality trait and that distinction matters to me as a reader. Spencer is that best friend character who refuses to stay in the background and her arc wrecked me. Apollo walks the morally grey line well (the ambiguity around him holds longer than I expected, which takes real authorial restraint).

The first act is slow, I won't lie. But the third act pays everything off once you realize how much was being set up the whole time. And that cliffhanger?? Unhinged. I was not prepared.

Strong debut. Need book two.

[Chyna LaPorte · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this as an eARC from Ink Tincture Publishing. Thank you!*

There are parts of this book that felt extremely repetitive and dragged on. The first 50-70% of the book flew by and was engaging. Once the trials started, (yes, there are trials but not traditional trials like Abigail Owen’s), a lot of the information from the first 50% kept getting repeated or reiterated and it didn’t feel necessary.

The last 10% of the book kind of gave me whiplash. Things were happening left and right and truths were being dropped everywhere unexpectedly. While some were predictable, there was one big one that definitely caught me off guard. I think I needed part of the middle cut out and more time spent on these truth bombs.

Overall, it was a unique take on a Greek myth retelling and the trial format felt unique. It was an interesting read and I think I would be interested in Book 2 to just find out what happens with some of my favorites. There is so much potential in this book for amazing world building beyond book 1 and so many questions were left unanswered by the end of the book. It does end on a cliffhanger.

[Cindy Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pharmakos: This book was really good. I can't wait for the second one.

The story follows Delphi, who, unbeknownst to herself, is an oracle. She is damaged goods in her opinion, due to an accident that happened when she was an infant that left her without the full use of her left arm and hand.
Delphi has a besti named Spence, who is wealthy, but she doesn't flaunt it. If anything, she often has offered to help assist Delphi with whatever she needs. Delphi is stubborn and has to do everything herself.
Spence enters Delphi's name into a charity raffle without her knowledge. Turns out she's won. Yay!!

My favorite part of the story is when Delphi is in the black void and looks into the mirror and has to face herself. As the mirror self issues an insult, Delphi steps back, and the same thing happens to the mirrored self until the mirror shatters and turns into "shimmering dust." (This is not an exact approximation of what happens in this scene,it's just a quickie for my review. 😉

Now, you have to read the book so you can find out about the yummy twin gods, Apollo, and Dionysus!! Which one is the good brother, and who's the bad brother?

[thedirtychapters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Emily C. Otten and Ink Tincture for the Physical ARC, you never forget your first😘
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3🌶🌶🌶 5🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Tropes: billionaire, enemies to lovers, slowburn, soulmate, forced proximity, Greek mythology, trials.
Triggers: violence, murder, war, torture, imprisonment, stalking, SA, bigotry, alcohol abuse

"I am the tycoon. You are the student"
I'm not really sure where to start. How do I put into words how much I loved this story? The story within a story was so perfect and brought so much understanding and depth. The world building was divine, so good I could picture how everything looked. This book made me fall in love with a genre I don't read often and now there's no going back for me.
I didn't even need to get a quarter through the book before I already knew it was a 5 ⭐️ read and I am 100% sure it will be one of my top reads of the year. It's so well written, there's no loose threads. Although it didn't end on a major cliffhanger it does set you up for the next book.
Truly this book is going to live rent free in my head forever and increased the bar for every book from now on.

[tbrtemptress · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
This was my first ever Greek mythology inspired romantasy, and I enjoyed how different it was from my usual reads. It was not what I expected, but that wasn’t a bad thing. There were multiple POVs, and I definitely think that enhanced the experience. I also loved the short, quick chapters.

Delphi is an interesting FMC. I think a lot of people can relate to the struggles she had with the mean voice in her head. I loved that her favorite drink is a chai latte, because that’s my favorite drink too! I also loved the parts about dance and her emotional connection to it. Her friendship with Spencer was so beautiful! There really were some awesome side characters in this one. I have mixed feelings about Apollo right now, but he definitely made for an intriguing MMC.

This book really did have a lot of emotional moments that I felt deeply alongside the characters. It does end on a pretty big cliff hanger, and the final line had my jaw on the floor! Overall, I think it was very well written and an awesome debut novel. I will definitely be reading book 2 when it comes out! Huge thank you to Emily C. Otten and Ink Tincture Publishing for the ARC copy!

[Kerry Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, the story itself is intriguing and I am a sucker for Greek mythology and modern tie-ins. The pacing is decent throughout, and picks up at the end. I struggled to really like or relate to the main character, personally. While I enjoyed the plot, a lot of it was fairly predictable- which it should be with the right hints and foreshadowing. There were some really good plot twists; while I saw the first big reveal coming since almost the beginning (lots of hints and foreshadowing), there was another that I absolutely did NOT see coming that made me actually curse out loud. I loved a few of the very heartfelt moments, and the internal conflict representation. I LOVED the author’s attention to details, including the multiple POVs and how that was structured throughout. I also loved the secret hidden in the very first few pages and the patterns throughout that are subtle but added to the overall experience. Although the story started out slow, it grew to a wild ride that kept me hooked and wanting to know more.