Scan barcode
wickeddelights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
There were characters I liked, Hermese was quite pleasant and I truly wish she had been a bigger part of the overall story. But the romance in this book felt unbelievable to me
Persephone was transfixed by the myth of Hades before she ever met him. And when she runs from a marriage forced onto her by her mother to Zeus, she runs to the undercity and finds out he is more than a myth.
But he certainly wasn't what I think anyone was expecting.
He was beloved to his people, kind hearted, but infuriatingly blind to how others perceive him. Persephone on the other hand has spent her entire life learning to be keen and manipulative. Initially she presses him into the arrangement they form, though quite literally in a matter of days they are both head over heels for each other.
The story has BDSM themes, and even a safeword, though it is never used. The author handles consent and protection really well. But there are so many little things that felt like they should have been a much bigger deal that either never happened or were glossed over.
Like the collomns for example. They are mentioned several times and sometimes with snippets of lore that might suggest a further connection to the myth this story was based off of. But that is about it.
We never get the full answers we want from Zeus about what he did to Hades. We never learn why these regular humans are named after Greek gods even if they aren't a member of the thirteen. Etc.
But I think what bothered me the most was her description of side characters. Rather than using descriptive words we are instead told their ethnicity. Example being "A black woman, a White man, A Latino woman"
And the sexuality of Persephone and Hades felt so thrown out there in one random chapter, and as a Bisexual woman myself I would have loved if the author expanded on that more, so it felt like an actual part of the characters rather than a footnote.
I liked the concept of the book and a take on modern day Olympus. But I just wanted more.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Death of parent
chaoticking15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Violence and Stalking
erinkellyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
"Neon Gods" felt in the tradition of the singular romance novel series where each book is about one couple within a larger world (and it is - looks like Psyche is up next). It is an easy read, and I ended up finishing it quickly. No, it doesn't have a whole heck of a lot of plot, but I liked this Hades more, and the concept of The Thirteen vs them being actual gods was neat. If you like a quick, kinky, romance novel with a darker flavor and some nods to Greek mythology, you'll be entertained.
*I will note that I started this book out with the audiobook but switched over to the paperback because I did not like the readers. They had a reader for each perspective, but then in their respective chapters they would do imitations of the other instead of just having the other voice actor read the dialogue. Took me right out, especially in the spicy scenes. Didn't have a problem once I switched to the paperback.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, and Stalking
Minor: Death, Violence, Murder, Classism, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Sexual harassment
lil_goblin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Stalking
zaesbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
On top of that, the Olympus that Katee Robert creates is so dark and multilayered. Lots of fun side characters, realistic drama going on behind the scenes, and - staying true to real Greek mythology - the characters are so effortlessly, casually queer. Will be devouring this whole series!
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
ghostmomxoxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Blood
kaitlynnnng's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Stalking
Minor: War and Classism
chelle22's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Stalking, Violence, War, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Anyway yeah I’ll read anything Hades and Persephone even if I know it’ll be a bit out of my comfort zone. And in this case, going out of my comfort zone was rewarded!
Graphic: Sexual content, Stalking, Cursing, Bullying, Classism, Grief, Blood, Gun violence, Violence, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War and Murder
haneyhayespr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This story is a dark and emotional retelling of Greek mythology with a strong focus on romance and erotica, set in a fast-paced, adventurous world. I really enjoyed this Hades and Persephone retelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental Illness, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Stalking, Eating disorder, and Sexual violence
Minor: Self-harm and Child abuse
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Stalking, Eating disorder, and Sexual violence
Minor: Self harm and Child abuse