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Dark Olympus #0.5
Stone Heart
In the city of Olympus, people only speak about Medusa in whispers. She’s Athena’s knife hand, the one sent when Athena wants someone to disappear. No one asks Medusa what she wants, but she owes Athena her life, and if staining her hands with blood is the only way to repay the debt, it’s a small price to pay.
Until Athena sends her after Calypso, the mistress of the rich politician Odysseus. As far as Medusa can tell, Calypso hasn’t done anything remotely worthy of a death sentence, and her conflicted feelings only get compounded when she finally sees the woman. Calypso is beautiful and cunning and she’ll do anything to keep her life—including seducing her would-be assassin.
What starts as a ploy to escape quickly spirals into genuine interest. Medusa is hardly the cold killer that rumors suggest, and Calypso is far more complicated than her reputation as a ruthless gold-digger.
But it doesn’t matter that they’ve finally found something special together. Athena will have her blood, and this time not even crossing the River Styx will save them…
Until Athena sends her after Calypso, the mistress of the rich politician Odysseus. As far as Medusa can tell, Calypso hasn’t done anything remotely worthy of a death sentence, and her conflicted feelings only get compounded when she finally sees the woman. Calypso is beautiful and cunning and she’ll do anything to keep her life—including seducing her would-be assassin.
What starts as a ploy to escape quickly spirals into genuine interest. Medusa is hardly the cold killer that rumors suggest, and Calypso is far more complicated than her reputation as a ruthless gold-digger.
But it doesn’t matter that they’ve finally found something special together. Athena will have her blood, and this time not even crossing the River Styx will save them…
108 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2022
1580 people are currently reading
38172 people want to read
About the author
Katee Robert
171 books36.5k followersKatee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of spicy romance. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over two million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,835 reviews
January 19, 2022
did i pledge to katee robert’s patreon just so i could read stone heart early???? absofuckinglutely
was it worth it? DUH
the vibes:
medusa: looks like she could kill you but is a cinnamon roll, “i was sent to kill you but i decided you were really pretty so do you wanna like…bang perhaps???
calypso: looks like a cinnamon roll, is a cinnamon roll, “ i don’t want to be killed but i also think you’re like realllllly pretty so you do wanna like…bang perhaps?”
twas chef’s kiss
was it worth it? DUH
the vibes:
medusa: looks like she could kill you but is a cinnamon roll, “i was sent to kill you but i decided you were really pretty so do you wanna like…bang perhaps???
calypso: looks like a cinnamon roll, is a cinnamon roll, “ i don’t want to be killed but i also think you’re like realllllly pretty so you do wanna like…bang perhaps?”
twas chef’s kiss
January 14, 2022
hi I read this in one gulp and i fuckin loved it😍 my only complaint is that I wanted more of Medusa and Calypso!!!!
August 26, 2023
I read this thinking I needed it to read neon gods and nope it was pointless-_- at least it was fast and short. You don’t need to read this novella to read the series.
April 28, 2022
I was put onto this story via a post on Twitter of this gorgeous artwork of the two main characters:
https://twitter.com/katee_robert/stat...
Since the story was available for free, I decided to give it a go!
I really enjoyed the connection that happens despite the shortness of the novella. You really feel the angst and the heart of the issues the two women are going through and their desire for something more.
Medusa is Athena's trained assassin, when she is tasked to go after the beautiful curvy Calypso, she finds her guilt and desire waning. Calypso, too, finds a deepened connection to her would-be killer.
A really interesting premise, some heat, but a lot of heart, too. It's a pity the other stories in the series aren't Women Loving Women.
https://twitter.com/katee_robert/stat...
Since the story was available for free, I decided to give it a go!
I really enjoyed the connection that happens despite the shortness of the novella. You really feel the angst and the heart of the issues the two women are going through and their desire for something more.
Medusa is Athena's trained assassin, when she is tasked to go after the beautiful curvy Calypso, she finds her guilt and desire waning. Calypso, too, finds a deepened connection to her would-be killer.
A really interesting premise, some heat, but a lot of heart, too. It's a pity the other stories in the series aren't Women Loving Women.
January 11, 2024
this was actually pretty good and i like that it was short so it gets right to the point but i just hate how insecure medusa was like it was just so annoying
March 3, 2022
three stars! *:･ﾟ✧ listen,,,, i’m not trying to be one of those people that rate novellas low just because they are short, but in this particular instance, i feel like this story could’ve been a full length novel. granted, the plot was quite similar to ‘electric idol’ so i’m not sure how that would’ve actually played out, but there was so much plot happening within just a few pages and so much was left unanswered lol. despite that, though, this was a pretty entertaining and quick read! i really liked calypso and medusa as characters, but i definitely wasn’t a huge fan of the insta-love happening 🤧
October 15, 2022
I know this is a novella but it felt too short and the insta-love trope is not for me 🙁
May 1, 2024
This one was a bit underwhelming for me... somewhat boring, one might say 😅. It did have its moments, but it could have been better. I hope it improves in the next one.
This prequel to the Dark Olympus series introduces us to Medusa, depicted not as a monster, but as a complex character bound by loyalty to Athena. Medusa's role as Athena's enforcer is challenged when she encounters Calypso, a character who is equally cunning and determined to survive.
Greek mythology with a modern twist, exploring themes of seduction, power, sparks, and connections - I'm expecting more from the next books. 🤞🤞🤞
This prequel to the Dark Olympus series introduces us to Medusa, depicted not as a monster, but as a complex character bound by loyalty to Athena. Medusa's role as Athena's enforcer is challenged when she encounters Calypso, a character who is equally cunning and determined to survive.
Greek mythology with a modern twist, exploring themes of seduction, power, sparks, and connections - I'm expecting more from the next books. 🤞🤞🤞
March 15, 2024
This was short, sweet, sapphic and smutty. I forgot just how smutty this series is and absentmindedly set Alexa off to read aloud to me, which ended up both awkward and hilarious. ALEXA 😳🫣🪭 I didn’t know you had that in you, girl. See notes and highlights for well, the notes and highlights.
The Kindle book is completely free to own and it’s a super quick prequel novella, no spoilers or overlap with the first full book Neon Gods. I liked these two characters, so I hope they pop back up in later books in the series even if just for a little update.
The Kindle book is completely free to own and it’s a super quick prequel novella, no spoilers or overlap with the first full book Neon Gods. I liked these two characters, so I hope they pop back up in later books in the series even if just for a little update.
December 29, 2023
3.5/5
Króciutka nowelka i ciekawe postacie bo Medusa jest zabójczynią na zlecenie i gdy ma zabić Calypso to pierwszy raz się zawahała ale kurde, uwierzyłabym w tę historię gdyby nie padło "chyba się w niej zakochuję" po JEDNYM dniu i nocy?? Czy nie mogliśmy tego zostawić jako ciekawe rozpoczęcie znajomości na stopie "coś mnie w tej dziewczynie intryguję, każda z nas uwolni się od osób które sprawują nam nami władzę" a nie od razu że miłość i wielkie uczucie. 🫡
Króciutka nowelka i ciekawe postacie bo Medusa jest zabójczynią na zlecenie i gdy ma zabić Calypso to pierwszy raz się zawahała ale kurde, uwierzyłabym w tę historię gdyby nie padło "chyba się w niej zakochuję" po JEDNYM dniu i nocy?? Czy nie mogliśmy tego zostawić jako ciekawe rozpoczęcie znajomości na stopie "coś mnie w tej dziewczynie intryguję, każda z nas uwolni się od osób które sprawują nam nami władzę" a nie od razu że miłość i wielkie uczucie. 🫡
May 30, 2022
Nice little prequel to the Dark Olympus series. Finally got around to this F/F of Medusa and Calypso.
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
November 17, 2022
A fun prequel novella! Medusa is sent to assassinate Calypso, but instead catches feelings for the curvy beauty. A bit on the short side but enjoyable.
June 8, 2022
This was sweet. It was very short and the romance was rushed, but I liked it.
Review written on 8th June, 2022.
Read #12 for Pride Month 2022.
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DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/was average/Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/new favourite
Review written on 8th June, 2022.
Read #12 for Pride Month 2022.
Storygraph. Spotify. Youtube. Pinterest. Twitter. Instagram. Linktree.
DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/was average/Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/new favourite
March 2, 2022
Okay so, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this but only because the premise sounded a lot like Electric Idol - dangerous person A being tasked to take out innocent person B but the two fall in love. But I gave it a shot anyway, because why not. I haven't read any sapphic romances this year and I told myself I would, so I caved in.
Did I enjoy it? The insta-love trope has never worked on me and this novella is no exception, but the story was a pretty decent read regardless. I was half hoping for Calypso to turn out to be as equally badass as Medusa (my 'power couple' itch has yet to be scratched and I've found myself searching for it in every book I pick up; this is no one's fault but mine alone) but I'm not gutted that she isn't. I think for me, despite loving Katee's writing, the story fell short because of the rushed HEA. It's not even about them getting together really fast, I just feel like at the end of it all, I'm left wondering what happens next - what is Athena's next move, or what is Odysseus going to do etc. Idk. Them seeking sanctuary in the lower city is fine, but it would have been a bit more balanced if we saw the consequences of Calypso and Medusa's actions.
Did I enjoy it? The insta-love trope has never worked on me and this novella is no exception, but the story was a pretty decent read regardless. I was half hoping for Calypso to turn out to be as equally badass as Medusa (my 'power couple' itch has yet to be scratched and I've found myself searching for it in every book I pick up; this is no one's fault but mine alone) but I'm not gutted that she isn't. I think for me, despite loving Katee's writing, the story fell short because of the rushed HEA. It's not even about them getting together really fast, I just feel like at the end of it all, I'm left wondering what happens next - what is Athena's next move, or what is Odysseus going to do etc. Idk. Them seeking sanctuary in the lower city is fine, but it would have been a bit more balanced if we saw the consequences of Calypso and Medusa's actions.
October 21, 2025
kinda obsessed w them honestly. need a 500+ pg book on them, STAT. (pretty please <3)
May 29, 2023
Medusa, an assassin working for Athena, is sent to kill Calypso, the inconvenient mistress of a high-profile politician. But Calypso, beautiful and cunning, will do anything to save her life - including seducing Medusa.
This book serves as a prequel of sorts to the series, introducing the reader to the world of Olympus and the machinations of the Thirteen. I enjoyed the new perspective that we got on living in the city - unlike in the main books of the series, both leads are common people who have been buffeted around at the whims of their overlords and are doing their best to carve out a stable life for themselves.
However, I felt that the plot echoed that of Electric Idol too closely - the same idea of an assassin falling in love with their mark, except it made less sense in this story as it couldn't be related to the original myths. I was also a little leery of the characterizations of Medusa and Calypso - Medusa is described as a himbo and Calypso is a canny seductress. I would have expected these personalities traits to be reversed based on the myths, and I missed Robert's usually more faithful depictions.
This book serves as a prequel of sorts to the series, introducing the reader to the world of Olympus and the machinations of the Thirteen. I enjoyed the new perspective that we got on living in the city - unlike in the main books of the series, both leads are common people who have been buffeted around at the whims of their overlords and are doing their best to carve out a stable life for themselves.
However, I felt that the plot echoed that of Electric Idol too closely - the same idea of an assassin falling in love with their mark, except it made less sense in this story as it couldn't be related to the original myths. I was also a little leery of the characterizations of Medusa and Calypso - Medusa is described as a himbo and Calypso is a canny seductress. I would have expected these personalities traits to be reversed based on the myths, and I missed Robert's usually more faithful depictions.
March 22, 2022
I've gone and fell head over heels in love with Medusa. That is a sentence I never thought I would utter but here we are...
With the usual Katee Robert feel Stone Heart was a wonderful addition to the Dark Olympus series. Medusa & Calypso had this undeniable draw to one another that you could feel from their very first encounter.
Medusa written the way she was had me all up in my feels for her from the very start. She wasn't a bad person even though she had done bad things. Everything she craved she received at the hands of Calypso and that is something she could have never anticipated.
Calypso was not some airhead like you first think. She was just trying to make it the best way that she could and while that might have painted her in a harsh light to some, for me it was about her survival. She survived.
Seriously, I never wanted this book to end!!! My one and only complaint is that I wanted more of Calypso and Medusa. Hoping to see them later on throughout the Dark Olympus series.
With the usual Katee Robert feel Stone Heart was a wonderful addition to the Dark Olympus series. Medusa & Calypso had this undeniable draw to one another that you could feel from their very first encounter.
Medusa written the way she was had me all up in my feels for her from the very start. She wasn't a bad person even though she had done bad things. Everything she craved she received at the hands of Calypso and that is something she could have never anticipated.
Calypso was not some airhead like you first think. She was just trying to make it the best way that she could and while that might have painted her in a harsh light to some, for me it was about her survival. She survived.
Seriously, I never wanted this book to end!!! My one and only complaint is that I wanted more of Calypso and Medusa. Hoping to see them later on throughout the Dark Olympus series.
August 15, 2023
*3 SHORT STARS*
“Better to be feared than desired.”
This was a fun read, but the story was a bit too similar to Electric Idol in my opinion, and because this was so short, I had a hard time connecting to Medusa and Calypso the way that I did with Psyche and Eros. I might be comparing the two a bit too much though.
Also, I kind of fail to see what the added value of this novella was to the original story, but oh well! It was nice to get to know two entirely new characters and to catch a glympse of Hades!
“Better to be feared than desired.”
This was a fun read, but the story was a bit too similar to Electric Idol in my opinion, and because this was so short, I had a hard time connecting to Medusa and Calypso the way that I did with Psyche and Eros. I might be comparing the two a bit too much though.
Also, I kind of fail to see what the added value of this novella was to the original story, but oh well! It was nice to get to know two entirely new characters and to catch a glympse of Hades!
March 13, 2022
Please PLEASE write more WLW novels.
I was obsessed with Queen Takes Rose after a friend bought it for me and immediately devoured this straight after.
This is such a damn good story, I’m absolutely feral over the placement of characters from Greek mythology in every day, modern life and to top it of the spice THE SPICE FOLKS is so bloody good.
Robert writes spice in a way that has me ready to sell my soul to each and every page.
Anyhow, I loved this and can’t recommend it enough.
I was obsessed with Queen Takes Rose after a friend bought it for me and immediately devoured this straight after.
This is such a damn good story, I’m absolutely feral over the placement of characters from Greek mythology in every day, modern life and to top it of the spice THE SPICE FOLKS is so bloody good.
Robert writes spice in a way that has me ready to sell my soul to each and every page.
Anyhow, I loved this and can’t recommend it enough.
Read
June 28, 2022Turns out, some Dark Olympus books are a hit, some are a miss. This one was definitely a miss. Its biggest fault is that the story does not fit within a novella and is as such rushed, surface level and everything about it lacks development.
September 1, 2023
4.5 ⭐
katee robert never misses
katee robert never misses
March 22, 2022
Nothing like the age-old tale of “I’ve got to assassinate you but oh no I don’t want to do that and now we’re in love.” I would have loved more details about Medusa and Calypso’s lives and more time to develop their connection but this was one tasty morsel.
I haven’t read the other books in this series and it stood on its own just fine.
Characters: Medusa is a 30 year old Special Forces member and assassin with nipple and hood piercings. She has snake tattoos that twine with scars on her arms. Calypso is a fat pansexual white sugar baby and harpist. This is set in Olympus.
Content notes: FMC is assigned to murder other FMC (hit ordered by Calypso’s lover), drugging, laced drink (only takes a sip), scars on face and body from past attack, past physical assault and near-murder, past betrayal by parents (they didn’t intervene when Poseidon attacked her), infidelity (Calypso is mistress to married man), intention to stage Calypso’s murder as a suicide, on page sex, blindfold, alcohol (Calypso only, Medusa doesn’t drink), gendered insult, mention of professor “seducing” FMC when she was his student
Disclosure: I'm friendly with the author online.
I haven’t read the other books in this series and it stood on its own just fine.
Characters: Medusa is a 30 year old Special Forces member and assassin with nipple and hood piercings. She has snake tattoos that twine with scars on her arms. Calypso is a fat pansexual white sugar baby and harpist. This is set in Olympus.
Content notes: FMC is assigned to murder other FMC (hit ordered by Calypso’s lover), drugging, laced drink (only takes a sip), scars on face and body from past attack, past physical assault and near-murder, past betrayal by parents (they didn’t intervene when Poseidon attacked her), infidelity (Calypso is mistress to married man), intention to stage Calypso’s murder as a suicide, on page sex, blindfold, alcohol (Calypso only, Medusa doesn’t drink), gendered insult, mention of professor “seducing” FMC when she was his student
Disclosure: I'm friendly with the author online.
December 6, 2022
2.5
È stata una lettura veloce grazie alla scrittura dell'autrice che io ho trovato pulita e semplice, adatta quando si vuole narrare di un genere come questo. Non ho percepito la relazione sessuale di Medusa e Calliope, anzi mi palpitava di più il cuore quando Calliope dialogava con Caronte. Se non sono solo io che ho avuto questa impressione, che qualcuno batta un colpo.
ps. mai avuto così difficoltà a dare un voto a un libro: da una parte mi è piaciuto leggere questa novella, quindi ok, ma dall'altra, la fetta più grossa e succosa della storia non mi ha presa perciò sono in bilico se stare bassa di voto o dargli il beneficio del dubbio... Per ora sto così, forse leggendo "I peccati degli dèi" avrò un'idea più chiara.
È stata una lettura veloce grazie alla scrittura dell'autrice che io ho trovato pulita e semplice, adatta quando si vuole narrare di un genere come questo. Non ho percepito la relazione sessuale di Medusa e Calliope, anzi mi palpitava di più il cuore quando Calliope dialogava con Caronte. Se non sono solo io che ho avuto questa impressione, che qualcuno batta un colpo.
ps. mai avuto così difficoltà a dare un voto a un libro: da una parte mi è piaciuto leggere questa novella, quindi ok, ma dall'altra, la fetta più grossa e succosa della storia non mi ha presa perciò sono in bilico se stare bassa di voto o dargli il beneficio del dubbio... Per ora sto così, forse leggendo "I peccati degli dèi" avrò un'idea più chiara.
March 27, 2022
Perhaps because it was so brief, and thus less revealing of flaws in the worldbuilding, I quite enjoyed this installment. Pansexual Calypso was great, as was the appearance of some of my faves beyond the Styx. Medusa gave Furiosa vibes, a neat interpretation of her.
June 30, 2022
3/5⭐️
this was short, sweet and hot. i like it picasso
this was short, sweet and hot. i like it picasso
December 15, 2025
insta-love, smut, and spelling mistakes
April 21, 2022
Loved this novella between Medusa and Calypso! This story takes place in Robert's modern day version of Olympus, where Calypso is Athena's muscle and Medusa is a seductress. I would describe the main trope as "I was sent to kill you but oops I am attracted to you." The tension was simmering between these two ladies and their story was so fun to read! I will continue to devour everything that Katee writes.
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October 31, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ Super short FF novella!
It’s no secret that I’m kind of in love with this series, and Medusa and Calisto’s story is just a tiny little snack compared to the way I’ve absolutely devoured the other Dark Olympus’ books. It was sweet, angsty and a little spicy. It’s also the only FF romance I’ve read from Katee Robert since Queen Takes Rose.
3.5 / 5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️/5
It’s no secret that I’m kind of in love with this series, and Medusa and Calisto’s story is just a tiny little snack compared to the way I’ve absolutely devoured the other Dark Olympus’ books. It was sweet, angsty and a little spicy. It’s also the only FF romance I’ve read from Katee Robert since Queen Takes Rose.
3.5 / 5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️/5
August 9, 2022
it was cute ! idk i don’t really have anything else to say but i love sapphics
February 18, 2024
I should really learn by now that novellas are not my thing. Too many things happening in too short a time
Still fast and fun enough entertainment
Still fast and fun enough entertainment
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,835 reviews