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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
glen3's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, and Alcohol
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review
adventurous
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, and Cursing
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
mim72's review
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Infertility
jackiie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Murder, Alcohol, Blood, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Death
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
paigeofstories's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
This was the first webcomic I have ever read in its entirety, and I am so thrilled that I gave it a chance because it immediately shot to the top of my all-time-favorite stories… ever.
My inner artist was so happy with the beautiful illustrations that helped tell this story, but it was Smythe’s ability to transfer this epic myth into a modern retelling—and keep it believable while remaining true to its roots—that got to me. You can find a million retellings of Hades and Persephone, but none of them hold up next to this one.
The mythology? Perfect. Accurate. Glorious. Smythe beautifully translates the famous figures found in Greek mythos into a modern timeline, without losing an inch of the grandiosity that makes these myths what they are. By placing the mortal realm in a classical setting and the worlds of the gods in a modern one, Smythe seamlessly marries the modernization of this story with the peculiarities of ancient Greek mythos in a way that I have never seen done before. This allows for the characters to carry around cell phones, use computers and speak in modern dialects, while simultaneously giving space and justification for the archaic elements of myth, like the temples for worship. Simply put, it’s genius.
The romance? Exciting. More authors should write love interests that like this. Hades is the exact type of romance hero I want to see more of. It’s definitely a slow-burn, so I did get impatient from time-to-time, but honestly, I still know I’m going to re-read it multiple times from the beginning, so I guess it didn’t bother me that much.
The story? The characters? The world? Amazing. Incredible. Beautiful. I know that this is going to be adapted into an animated series, but its one of those comics that should be adapted into multiple shows that tie together; give me a Lore Olympus Universe. There are so many rich, interesting characters in this cast that one series isn’t going to do the world she’s created justice and I would LOVE to see this world continue to expand with Smythe at the helm.
My inner artist was so happy with the beautiful illustrations that helped tell this story, but it was Smythe’s ability to transfer this epic myth into a modern retelling—and keep it believable while remaining true to its roots—that got to me. You can find a million retellings of Hades and Persephone, but none of them hold up next to this one.
The mythology? Perfect. Accurate. Glorious. Smythe beautifully translates the famous figures found in Greek mythos into a modern timeline, without losing an inch of the grandiosity that makes these myths what they are. By placing the mortal realm in a classical setting and the worlds of the gods in a modern one, Smythe seamlessly marries the modernization of this story with the peculiarities of ancient Greek mythos in a way that I have never seen done before. This allows for the characters to carry around cell phones, use computers and speak in modern dialects, while simultaneously giving space and justification for the archaic elements of myth, like the temples for worship. Simply put, it’s genius.
The romance? Exciting. More authors should write love interests that like this. Hades is the exact type of romance hero I want to see more of. It’s definitely a slow-burn, so I did get impatient from time-to-time, but honestly, I still know I’m going to re-read it multiple times from the beginning, so I guess it didn’t bother me that much.
The story? The characters? The world? Amazing. Incredible. Beautiful. I know that this is going to be adapted into an animated series, but its one of those comics that should be adapted into multiple shows that tie together; give me a Lore Olympus Universe. There are so many rich, interesting characters in this cast that one series isn’t going to do the world she’s created justice and I would LOVE to see this world continue to expand with Smythe at the helm.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship