Reviews

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert

mossdrop's review against another edition

4.0

Desperate Measures is a fine first entry into what looks like a steamy, sexy series. Plot is usually secondary in such smutty outings, but here it takes center stage. While there are no twists, and it is easy to deduce the story line and what might occur next, it still proves a riveting good time from Robert, who has proven herself a master of the genre. She has masterfully taken the characters we know so well, putting a new deliciously dark spin on things that certainly leave me longing for the next book. Jafar and Jasmine work so well together, and despite the darkness and wickedness, leave you certainly wanting them to find some semblance of a happily ever after in this dark world Robert has created.

It should be noted that I found the more sensual, risque scenes lacking. Plot and characterization is the focal point and winner here, with the smut taking a secondary role. Some might be disappointed by this, but I think the plot and romance makes up for it (unless you are mainly looking for the spice).

read_with_jess26's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

What a freaking delicious book this was. Chokehold at its finest. It’s a retelling of Aladdin. Jasmine and Jafar. Good God Almighty!!! This book is so filthy and so nasty, once again my inner SUCIA was extremely happy and satisfied. This checked all the boxes and SOME!! Now I will say that the plot reminded me A LOT of “Neon Gods.” A few similarities but nonetheless deliciously done. This book is an easy read and it is part of a series the “Wicked Villain.” There’s a few of them already out. I definitely highly recommend reading them. So so yummy!! Enjoy and thank me later!! 😘

hehelefi's review against another edition

3.5

I liked the smut but tbf there was No Plot and only smut. And let me Tell you it was dirty. This was one of the best CNC i have read so far. The Thing i Just didnt Like was the whole Babygirl Daddy Kink. And idk it Just wasnt the best. Also why were there different mythologies Like Hades Mixed in?

mercury20's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

literarywallflower's review against another edition

3.0

I gave this three stars, but honestly that feels really generous - it gets three stars, because it hit the spot for why I downloaded it: quick smut fix.

But truthfully, this story wasn’t long enough to really be anything special. It was not very fleshed out at all. I needed more world building and character development. I didn’t get enough of anything to really care about the characters at all.

It was my first Aladdin retelling and I will admit that it was fun to see Aladdin be portrayed as the bad guy.

shellbell7967's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

2.25

cakt1991's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 Recently, after a prolonged period of dragging my feet, I bought all the Wicked Villains books, seeking at least vague readalikes to the Dark Olympus. And while I was initially hesitant about some of the tropes, I started with the first book, Desperate Measures, right after finishing Cruel Seduction, hoping it would satiate the longing for more of Robert’s style. And sure enough, I found myself satisfied. 

While I’m not in the camp that finds Jafar particularly sexy, Robert makes him dangerously appealing. He’s dangerous and villainous, yet there’s self-awareness to him that keeps him from being truly terrible for me. 

Jasmine is definitely the star here though. She’s been treated as a possession all her life by everyone: her father, the Aladdin equivalent Ali, who makes a truly awful asshole bad guy, and even Jafar, although their dynamic changes throughout the book. It was beautiful to see her come into her own and assert herself as a badass and worthy partner for Jafar…in the streets, that is; in the sheets, things are a different story. 

The Daddy kink and consensual non-consent were things I was nervous about going in, but they weren’t as bad as I thought they would be. They’re not my favorite elements, but Robert makes them work in context. 

I enjoyed the subtle world building at play here, in a similar vein to what she would later do in Dark Olympus, with Carver City. The cameo appearances from other reimagined Disney characters who eventually get their own books are great teasers for what’s to come. 

This is a fun, sexy short read, and I’d recommend it to readers of erotic romance, especially if you also love fairy tales and/or Disney. 

 

readingslut's review

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kenz678's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

antigoniselena's review against another edition

4.0

I wish that the novel explored Jafar and Jasmine’s relationship BEFORE the take over of her fathers territory.

At first I had a hard time having these characters saying “Daddy” and “Baby Girl” but I was fine once I disassociated with the Disney characters