"What is a kingdom without a queen?"
Desperate Measures
Wicked Villains
Romance, Fantasy Romance
Sourcebooks Casablanca
October 15, 2024
Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
320
“I’m a twenty-five-year old woman who’s never left my father’s extensive grounds. My only real-world experience centers around throwing parties and playing to expectations, allowing people to see my pretty face without concerning themselves with my mind, my ambitions, me.”
Did we all have a crush on Princess Jasmine? I’m going to go ahead and assume that the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. There’s something about her casual jewel toned clothes paired with a sassy, charismatic attitude.
Not to mention, if you’re anything like me, having a pet tiger sealed the deal.
“Desperate Measures” is the first book in the Wicked Villains series by Katee Robert. In the foreword of the new deluxe edition, they say, “This was the first book that I wrote out of spiteful joy….” and truly, they couldn’t have put it better than that. Our beloved characters outgrow the delightful hijinks of our youth and evolve to be more multifaceted and dynamic.
Black and White is out — Morally Gray is in.
Katee Robert leans in to the kinky good times
Friends, please check your trigger warnings before reading “Desperate Measures”, or really any Katee Robert book. There are a fair number of content warnings on Robert’s website, and she’s the first person to tell you to take care of yourself. I speak for myself, but I feel like most would agree, romance readers are all here for a good time. That being said, not every book needs to be for every reader, and that’s totally okay.
“He’s cruel in his gentleness, in the slow touch while he holds me in this vulgar position so effortlessly.”
“Desperate Measures” has the sexy, steamy, erotic romance that you’ve probably come to expect with a Katee Robert book. It’s also important to note that there is a decent amount of dubious consent between Yasmina and Jafar; though, as Robert points out through the annotations in the Deluxe edition, there are a lot of subtle check-ins peppered in throughout the story.
“Jafar might like playing with the darker edge of desire the same way I crave, but he always manages to check in with me. To make sure I’m right there with him. It makes me feel far safer than I have any right to.”
Deluxe Edition Bonus Material
I don’t usually have an opinion on an original publishing vs a deluxe edition, but in the case of “Desperate Measures” I am going to strongly encourage picking up the deluxe edition that was recently released. Not only does this copy have beautiful artwork interspersed between the chapters, but it also has multiple (!!!) extra scenes at the end, and the entire book is annotated by the author.
The annotations are the best bonus of having read this deluxe edition.
Not only are we immersed in the story, but readers are also getting insight into the author’s personal mindset at the time they were writing. Why did they write that scene? Why did they choose that POV? How did they feel about x, y, z.
I especially loved getting to read Robert’s thoughts through this retelling, because their insights shine light and perspective onto characters, ideas, and themes that I might have overlooked due to feeling a familiarity to a well-known story. I specifically love Robert’s insight into the character of Yasmina, who has amazing self-awareness and inner strength but lacks the confidence to act on it. She thrives, though, within certain framework and specific circumstances, and that allows her personal development to shine and expand in other aspects of her life.
Final Thoughts
Loved it. Recommending to everyone who loves an open door, dark romance. Especially encouraging readers to grab this if you like Disney retellings, LGBTQ spice, and/or if you ever wanted to keep a tiger as pet. This could open your eyes and introduce you to A Whole New World.
I’m Val, and I’m excited to share my love of books with you! I’m a sassy Sour Patch kid from New Jersey, dog mom to Chance the beagle, and much like the rest of the Hive, I’m a coffee lover (I think it’s a requirement to be here). The first book I remember reading voluntarily involved a boy wizard who lived in the cupboard under the stairs, and I’ve been chasing magic ever since. I love Happily Ever Afters, and I love love. My favorite genres are romance and rom-coms, fantasy, and young adult/new adult. If I’m not reading, I’m probably kayaking, watching the Great British Baking Show, or discovering a new craft beer.
