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frankieclc's review
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Rape
Moderate: Toxic friendship
jesthemess's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Rape, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Violence
mollydollydoodah's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
I can’t say enough amazing things about this story. I just re-read most of the story & read the rest that hadn’t come out when I was originally reading it. Therefore, I’ve read it in its entirety as to what is out on Webtoon as of 8/3/22, which is Ep. 206 (with using one fastpass to complete Season 2), and I alum in complete and utter awe with Rachel Smythe as I always have been. This story has made me cackle, swoon, fume, and sob too many times to count within the past 24 hours of reading the entire thing. The way that the characters are developed is SO amazing, especially for what originally started out as a little Webtoon. The characters you love, you love wholeheartedly, and those you hate, it’s the same, but there are backstories and psychological reasons and details and so many amazing things that Rachel has done in order to make us see these characters and understand them more. My heart breaks for so many reasons because of this story, and Persephone is so extremely strong. Everything in this story is so well-balanced and well-done, between the romance and the heartache/slow burn and the complications of it all, all the trauma and having to work to move on after that, mental health problems and toxic relationships and therapy and healing to looking at all of Hades’ dogs and just going ‘aww’. I absolutely adore the relationship between Kore & Hades and the author and how she’s conveyed such a magnificent, touching, heartbreakingly beautiful story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infidelity
sarahaurora628's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I would like to start by saying, I read the first two printed volumes and left pretty harsh reviews of them. The first got 1 star from me and the second 2 stars. Some of my issues were…
⁃its inconsistent drawings where all of the characters have the same face
⁃the pacing (in the first volume nothing happened in 350 pages)
⁃the instalove between Persephone and Hades (and also the age gap between them)
⁃romanticizing the myth of Persephone’s kidnapping
That being said, at some point reading the rest of season 1 I was completely sucked in. I’m writing this caught up to season 2 episode 200 so some of my opinions of season 2 might trickle into this review. I still have those critiques of the beginning episodes, but after reading the whole thing I have a different view of the series as a whole.
⁃I don’t care about the inconsistencies in the art or the characters having similar faces anymore. The art style and color palette is what made me pick up the first volume to begin with and it only gets more beautiful as the series progresses. With the use of color its easy to distinguish the characters 99% of the time. The setting was a world I kept finding myself wanting to spend more and more time in.
⁃After some thought, I also don’t care that it isn’t accurate to mythology. The series never promised a history lesson, although the plot isn’t always rooted in accepted mythology there are tons of other lessons throughout the story. Lessons on the importance of communication, health vs. toxic relationships, and how to be there for someone dealing with trauma are only a few examples. I think it’s fantastic when taken for what it is.
⁃I like that events are often shown from multiple character’s perspectives
⁃Persephone shows so much personal growth and I love watching her find herself
⁃I love the growth of the relationship between Persephone and Hades
⁃Trauma, domestic abuse, sexual assault, gaslighting, and seeking help are difficult topics but I think they were handled well and depicted accurately (at least to my experience and feelings, I cannot speak for how another person may feel). I thought it had good representations and appreciated the consistent message of “its not your fault”.
There are definitely problems with this series, it isn’t perfect, but to be honest… I like it. If you’re looking for a lesson in mythology this series isn’t for you, but if you’re interested in a creative myth retelling about friendship, coming of age, romance, and figuring yourself out, and can stick out the slow beginning you might like it. (check trigger warnings first)
⁃its inconsistent drawings where all of the characters have the same face
⁃the pacing (in the first volume nothing happened in 350 pages)
⁃the instalove between Persephone and Hades (and also the age gap between them)
⁃romanticizing the myth of Persephone’s kidnapping
That being said, at some point reading the rest of season 1 I was completely sucked in. I’m writing this caught up to season 2 episode 200 so some of my opinions of season 2 might trickle into this review. I still have those critiques of the beginning episodes, but after reading the whole thing I have a different view of the series as a whole.
⁃I don’t care about the inconsistencies in the art or the characters having similar faces anymore. The art style and color palette is what made me pick up the first volume to begin with and it only gets more beautiful as the series progresses. With the use of color its easy to distinguish the characters 99% of the time. The setting was a world I kept finding myself wanting to spend more and more time in.
⁃After some thought, I also don’t care that it isn’t accurate to mythology. The series never promised a history lesson, although the plot isn’t always rooted in accepted mythology there are tons of other lessons throughout the story. Lessons on the importance of communication, health vs. toxic relationships, and how to be there for someone dealing with trauma are only a few examples. I think it’s fantastic when taken for what it is.
⁃I like that events are often shown from multiple character’s perspectives
⁃Persephone shows so much personal growth and I love watching her find herself
⁃I love the growth of the relationship between Persephone and Hades
⁃Trauma, domestic abuse, sexual assault, gaslighting, and seeking help are difficult topics but I think they were handled well and depicted accurately (at least to my experience and feelings, I cannot speak for how another person may feel). I thought it had good representations and appreciated the consistent message of “its not your fault”.
There are definitely problems with this series, it isn’t perfect, but to be honest… I like it. If you’re looking for a lesson in mythology this series isn’t for you, but if you’re interested in a creative myth retelling about friendship, coming of age, romance, and figuring yourself out, and can stick out the slow beginning you might like it. (check trigger warnings first)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Rape, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol and Infertility
sarahsbookss's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
ladieswholunch's review
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Violence
puttingwingsonwords's review
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Confinement, Blood, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
gailywaily's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
Minor: Infertility
sofipitch's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I have sooo many opinions I don't even know where to start! I have spent like all day reading this, basically couldn't put it down. I'm supposed to be doing class work and this webcomics is not helping. Especially when basically every chapter ends in a cliffhanger.
So I wasn't sure I was going to like this. The first chapter made it seem like it was going to be mostly a drama and while there is a lot of that I feel like the main appeal (to me at least) is how goddamn FUNNY this comic is. Seriously, if you like the kind of humor is Scott Pligrim you'll love this. I was introduced to greek mythology through pjo so I love depictions of the gods that are funny, I think many adaptations do a disservice to the mythos when they take it too seriously. The gods are dumb assholes, with lots of issues, that's the appeal. The changes to the mythology are that the gods are living in modern day but if they go to the mortal world it's ancient Greece, so it's like they are more advanced. The author plays around with the modern setting a lot which is fun. I loved the Fates wearing funky 90s clothes for no explained reason. They also cut the familial connections between most of the gods but that at least makes things less incesty. I don't like that the author chose to make Persephone 19 years old. I think she could've been a little older. But I guess I never thought about the age difference between Hades and Persephone but at least she's not his niece (on both sides) in this version so I guess there is that.
I have complicated feelings about the art style. On one hand the author will have really cool panels, especially when the gods are using their powers. Both emotion and humor are done really well, it transfers quite nicely. However the character design is meh. Most characters of the same gender look almost exactly the same, just different hair. One panel had Eros and Apollo facing each other and it looked like the author drew one and copy pasted the other. It's worse for the girl characters bc they are all super curvy, half the size of the men (who are also all ripped). Only 2 female characters look that different, Hestia is pudgy and Athena is tall. For all the girls we've seen it's not a lot of variety. Also diversity is majorly missing. Like I know the mythic characters are all the colors of the rainbow but they could still have characters of different races represented through kinky hair or some such. No one can defend with the "but its GREEK mythology" bc in some versions characters such as Andromeda or Pallas are stated to have come from Africa. Also Persephone is black in some versions. So no, it's not inaccurate to have black characters. Also there are lots of gay relationships in greek mythology and that has come up 0 times so far. It just feels inaccurate for all the relationships/affairs shown so far to have been straight.
But overall I love it. I'm excited this is getting a cartoon. I hope they keep the art style (but diversify the character design). For all my complaints, I couldn't put it down. The plot will have me on the edge of my seat and the humor often has me close to laughing out loud but mostly just smiling at my computer like a crazy person.
Also there are trigger warnings for any chapter that needs them which is super nice.
Update: reading this in real time is kind of frustrating bc every update feels way too short. Like, I waited a week for this? It's also been harder to get over my issues with the gendered art style.
So I wasn't sure I was going to like this. The first chapter made it seem like it was going to be mostly a drama and while there is a lot of that I feel like the main appeal (to me at least) is how goddamn FUNNY this comic is. Seriously, if you like the kind of humor is Scott Pligrim you'll love this. I was introduced to greek mythology through pjo so I love depictions of the gods that are funny, I think many adaptations do a disservice to the mythos when they take it too seriously. The gods are dumb assholes, with lots of issues, that's the appeal. The changes to the mythology are that the gods are living in modern day but if they go to the mortal world it's ancient Greece, so it's like they are more advanced. The author plays around with the modern setting a lot which is fun. I loved the Fates wearing funky 90s clothes for no explained reason. They also cut the familial connections between most of the gods but that at least makes things less incesty. I don't like that the author chose to make Persephone 19 years old. I think she could've been a little older. But I guess I never thought about the age difference between Hades and Persephone but at least she's not his niece (on both sides) in this version so I guess there is that.
I have complicated feelings about the art style. On one hand the author will have really cool panels, especially when the gods are using their powers. Both emotion and humor are done really well, it transfers quite nicely. However the character design is meh. Most characters of the same gender look almost exactly the same, just different hair. One panel had Eros and Apollo facing each other and it looked like the author drew one and copy pasted the other. It's worse for the girl characters bc they are all super curvy, half the size of the men (who are also all ripped). Only 2 female characters look that different, Hestia is pudgy and Athena is tall. For all the girls we've seen it's not a lot of variety. Also diversity is majorly missing. Like I know the mythic characters are all the colors of the rainbow but they could still have characters of different races represented through kinky hair or some such. No one can defend with the "but its GREEK mythology" bc in some versions characters such as Andromeda or Pallas are stated to have come from Africa. Also Persephone is black in some versions. So no, it's not inaccurate to have black characters. Also there are lots of gay relationships in greek mythology and that has come up 0 times so far. It just feels inaccurate for all the relationships/affairs shown so far to have been straight.
But overall I love it. I'm excited this is getting a cartoon. I hope they keep the art style (but diversify the character design). For all my complaints, I couldn't put it down. The plot will have me on the edge of my seat and the humor often has me close to laughing out loud but mostly just smiling at my computer like a crazy person.
Also there are trigger warnings for any chapter that needs them which is super nice.
Update: reading this in real time is kind of frustrating bc every update feels way too short. Like, I waited a week for this? It's also been harder to get over my issues with the gendered art style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny and Violence
Minor: Infertility
spearly's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
WOWZA
What a whirlwind. Smythe brilliantly reimagines the Hades + Persephone myth, and flawlessly interweaves the other mythologies into her retelling. Characters I've known since I became obsessed with Greek Mythology after watching Disney's Hercules.
I literally cried. My heart skipped. I couldn't get enough.
And the ART. Man on man, if for nothing else, read this for the art. It's stunning.
What a whirlwind. Smythe brilliantly reimagines the Hades + Persephone myth, and flawlessly interweaves the other mythologies into her retelling. Characters I've known since I became obsessed with Greek Mythology after watching Disney's Hercules.
I literally cried. My heart skipped. I couldn't get enough.
And the ART. Man on man, if for nothing else, read this for the art. It's stunning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Infidelity
Moderate: Cursing and Murder
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