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izziepons's review against another edition
3.0
idk how to really feel bc i was a little thrown off bc i thought this was gonna be like a modern retelling which yes it was but also like i didn’t expect them to be actually gods and goddesses and be in the underworld and all that i thought it was gonna be sorta like the never after series where it was loosely based around the characters. so that took me a little while to get into only because i don’t really know too much about greek mythology but i did think it was cool how it was modernized and persephone was a college student and an intern going to clubs with her best friend. and that’s where she met hades so that kinda kept that modern aspect up which was cool. and like ik it was fate that they would be together and that’s why they were so attracted to one another from the beginning but also he kinda deceived her into a contract… not kinda he totally did and i feel like she should’ve held off a little longer bc like… i’d be pissed lmao and i would’ve held that against him muchhhhh longer but again i understand they had like super connections and whatever. my biggest issue was that they kinda just fell all in too quickly when i feel like she should’ve been angrier for longer and hades (even tho his whole storyline was basically saying he wasn’t the bad guy he was made out to be) i feel like it should’ve been discovered as time went on and not so right up front.
on one hand those aren’t actually issues those were like my preconceived ideas of how a hades character should be and also my own stubbornness i felt persephone should’ve had. but also like i still feel like those issues stand in my rating w the book overall:/
for the most part i enjoyed the story as a whole. it was really well detailed like i loved picturing the underworld and all the gardens and the palace it just seemed so beautiful. also again since i don’t know much about greek mythology i didn’t know if the contract between hades and persephone was based on actual mythology same with the bet between hades and aphrodite so that was actually a big shock to me at the end and i really enjoyed it. (but again i would’ve been pissed to find out abt that and i feel like she kinda got over it really quickly but i get it the book was wrapping up so it’s whatever lol)
it was super fun to read and im realllllly excited for hades perspective in a game of fate
on one hand those aren’t actually issues those were like my preconceived ideas of how a hades character should be and also my own stubbornness i felt persephone should’ve had. but also like i still feel like those issues stand in my rating w the book overall:/
for the most part i enjoyed the story as a whole. it was really well detailed like i loved picturing the underworld and all the gardens and the palace it just seemed so beautiful. also again since i don’t know much about greek mythology i didn’t know if the contract between hades and persephone was based on actual mythology same with the bet between hades and aphrodite so that was actually a big shock to me at the end and i really enjoyed it. (but again i would’ve been pissed to find out abt that and i feel like she kinda got over it really quickly but i get it the book was wrapping up so it’s whatever lol)
it was super fun to read and im realllllly excited for hades perspective in a game of fate
purtlemcgee23's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-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
3.25
raininginnit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cscharfway's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
medium-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
3.5
Plot concept and love story? So good!
Writing, style, form? Needed a lot of work.
Overall, this is a retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth that I’ve always wanted since I was 10 years old and did a speech to my class on Greek mythology. I love how Hades is a misunderstood character who has so many layers of goodness under the darkness, and I love how his love for Persephone brings it out in him. At the same time, Persephone is normally considered this pure, naive girl but in the book, she discovers herself fully, including the dark power within her. She is such a stronger character than the myth portrays her as, which is empowering.
This is however more of a “guilty pleasure” type of read for those interested in fantasy smut, rather than a remarkable work on literature. But, it’s different to the Maas universe in that the world building is very rushed and takes a back seat to some very unrealistic sex scenes that sometimes aren’t needed. It’s cute, but more of a knockoff ACOTAR. Also, was this book self-published? The choice of the font is very amateurish, and there were sections that were grammatically a little awkward.
The love story is SO addictive, and it’s a story that’s hard to put down so it’s worth it to read, for sure if you like losing yourself in a cute roman-tasy book. Just don’t expect to be mindblown.
Writing, style, form? Needed a lot of work.
Overall, this is a retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth that I’ve always wanted since I was 10 years old and did a speech to my class on Greek mythology. I love how Hades is a misunderstood character who has so many layers of goodness under the darkness, and I love how his love for Persephone brings it out in him. At the same time, Persephone is normally considered this pure, naive girl but in the book, she discovers herself fully, including the dark power within her. She is such a stronger character than the myth portrays her as, which is empowering.
This is however more of a “guilty pleasure” type of read for those interested in fantasy smut, rather than a remarkable work on literature. But, it’s different to the Maas universe in that the world building is very rushed and takes a back seat to some very unrealistic sex scenes that sometimes aren’t needed. It’s cute, but more of a knockoff ACOTAR. Also, was this book self-published? The choice of the font is very amateurish, and there were sections that were grammatically a little awkward.
The love story is SO addictive, and it’s a story that’s hard to put down so it’s worth it to read, for sure if you like losing yourself in a cute roman-tasy book. Just don’t expect to be mindblown.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Death
_haysway_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
electroclan17's review against another edition
3.0
Too many smut scenes in my opinion, there were a couple of moments that I feel didn't need them. As a greek myths fan this book was disappointing.
ninahuynh's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Another Greek mythology modernization for my bucket list! I like the inclusion of other characters in Greek Mythology and not just sticking with the (main) Gods. I like the exploration of identity and self we have through Persephone. Everything is technically new to her since she was sheltered all her life. Romantic relationship, standing up for herself, understanding her powers and what it means to be a Goddess. It was done well. I like that she stands her ground on her boundaries with Hades too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, and Confinement
syrmiana's review against another edition
3.0
[ 3.25 ⭐️ ]
The only reason I’m not ranking this higher is how insufferable Persephone is. I admit that I was hooked by the whole “Hades x Persephone retelling” and wanted to read thinking it was something it wasn’t. Once I put my
mind to it and thought “well, this is going to be mostly a smutty read” and not the fantastical story I initially thought it would be, then it became a good story. Nothing is taken too seriously or too far, and the same happens with world-building and characters. They’re flat for the most part when it comes to personality, especially Persephone: it’s as if she’s trying to be someone she effectively isn’t. Hades was, on the other hand, an absolute sweet cake: I found him enjoyable to say the least and actually taunting. Oh and Hermes!!! I loved Hermes <3
That said, I will probably be reading the rest of the series as they’re probably going to be the same “guilty pleasure smutty book” this one was.
The only reason I’m not ranking this higher is how insufferable Persephone is. I admit that I was hooked by the whole “Hades x Persephone retelling” and wanted to read thinking it was something it wasn’t. Once I put my
mind to it and thought “well, this is going to be mostly a smutty read” and not the fantastical story I initially thought it would be, then it became a good story. Nothing is taken too seriously or too far, and the same happens with world-building and characters. They’re flat for the most part when it comes to personality, especially Persephone: it’s as if she’s trying to be someone she effectively isn’t. Hades was, on the other hand, an absolute sweet cake: I found him enjoyable to say the least and actually taunting. Oh and Hermes!!! I loved Hermes <3
That said, I will probably be reading the rest of the series as they’re probably going to be the same “guilty pleasure smutty book” this one was.