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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
3.5 ⭐️ I love Greek Mythology and KR really nailed it with this modern day retelling of Hades and Persephone. I Loved their characters so much. The story was line was good, the romance was so sweet but I only wish there was a little more depth to the overall book. (Maybe that’s just me) I could have done without some of scenes which were just a bit much for me. But over all I enjoyed this read.
Spice level
Spice level
Neon Gods promised me a seductive, mythologically inspired descent into the underworld. What I got instead was a fever dream of red lights, weak political intrigue, and scenes that felt like they were written by someone who learned about kink from a BuzzFeed article.
The concept was a modern Olympus ruled by a shadowy council of elites - this sounded promising! Unfortunately, the world-building had the texture of wet cardboard. I kept waiting for the setting to make sense, for the stakes to feel real, or for someone to even explain how this society functions. Instead, it’s all vague power hierarchies and people named “Zeus” and “Hades” who rule over nightclubs and elaborate staircases?
Persephone is presented as a strong, defiant heroine but spends most of the book giving monologues about her independence right before doing the exact opposite. Hades is not so much dark and brooding as he is the human equivalent of a Pinterest board labeled “emo bf.” Their entire dynamic? Basically: “Hello, I just met you, let’s do something scandalous in front of an audience.”
The intimate scenes are abundant and used to distract from the fact that not much else is happening. I’m no prude, but when the plot has less depth than a plastic kiddie pool, even the spice loses its flavor.
To be clear, I’m not opposed to fun, escapist romance, or even a little mythological fanservice, but Neon Gods seemed more invested in its aesthetic than its substance. I kept waiting for the story to say something whether it be about power, desire, freedom, but all I got was glitter, moans, and the vague scent of missed potential.
If you’re looking for a richly imagined retelling of Hades and Persephone, this isn’t it. If you want to read about people calling each other “my sweet girl” while aggressively staring across a ballroom, then by all means descend.
The concept was a modern Olympus ruled by a shadowy council of elites - this sounded promising! Unfortunately, the world-building had the texture of wet cardboard. I kept waiting for the setting to make sense, for the stakes to feel real, or for someone to even explain how this society functions. Instead, it’s all vague power hierarchies and people named “Zeus” and “Hades” who rule over nightclubs and elaborate staircases?
Persephone is presented as a strong, defiant heroine but spends most of the book giving monologues about her independence right before doing the exact opposite. Hades is not so much dark and brooding as he is the human equivalent of a Pinterest board labeled “emo bf.” Their entire dynamic? Basically: “Hello, I just met you, let’s do something scandalous in front of an audience.”
The intimate scenes are abundant and used to distract from the fact that not much else is happening. I’m no prude, but when the plot has less depth than a plastic kiddie pool, even the spice loses its flavor.
To be clear, I’m not opposed to fun, escapist romance, or even a little mythological fanservice, but Neon Gods seemed more invested in its aesthetic than its substance. I kept waiting for the story to say something whether it be about power, desire, freedom, but all I got was glitter, moans, and the vague scent of missed potential.
If you’re looking for a richly imagined retelling of Hades and Persephone, this isn’t it. If you want to read about people calling each other “my sweet girl” while aggressively staring across a ballroom, then by all means descend.
okay
It was okay, the pace of their relationship went a bit too fast to my likening. Easy to read but the dialogue is too predictable.
It was okay, the pace of their relationship went a bit too fast to my likening. Easy to read but the dialogue is too predictable.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I love books that incorporate Greek (Roman) Mythology. This series has really been a treat. I have read it more than once to enjoy it again and then a 3rd time as a reminder for other books in series. Even though each of the books can be standalone (I guess), each one does build from the one before and so on. I found it helpful to read all of the series to enjoy the series in total to write my review of each book. Some of the books in the series are better than others and have various levels of sex and different types of relationships outside of heterosexual romantic relationships so that is something to be aware of.
Persephone and Hades story is always my favorite to read - happy that book 1 of this series was about them.
Pretty spicy book - amongst main characters and others and there is also an environment that caters to spicy/kinky behavior. I have no problem with this type of book, but it may be too much for some readers who are not familiar or do not like BDSM or sex kinks. Just a heads up.
Persephone and Hades story is always my favorite to read - happy that book 1 of this series was about them.
Pretty spicy book - amongst main characters and others and there is also an environment that caters to spicy/kinky behavior. I have no problem with this type of book, but it may be too much for some readers who are not familiar or do not like BDSM or sex kinks. Just a heads up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hot stuff, but the mythology is quite disappointing. There is nothing godlike, no one has any powers, and it reads like a corporate romance.
dark
funny
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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