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fauna_n_fiction's review
dark
emotional
slow-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
3.0
After much experimentation with genres, I have finally concluded that the romance genre is not for me. I enjoy a romance subplot amongst a greater and more meaningful main plot or even romance as the main plot when the subplots are intriguing and captivating but I have found that I do not enjoy stories that revolve around 2 people (sometimes more) falling in love and then having a falling out and then coming back together. It's not my thing.
THAT BEING SAID:
I did really enjoy this for what it was. I enjoyed the combination of mythology and contemporary realism. I enjoyed the cast of characters, however I don't remember too much diversity.
I really enjoyed that Persephone made other significant relationships along the way; such as with Hermes and Hecate.
One thing I was not a fan of was all the tiptoeing around "creating life" and what that actually meant. Let me start by saying: I DID NOT want Persephone to get pregnant; if that had to happen I would have given a lower rating because that isn't something I want to read. HOWEVER, I felt like it kept getting alluded to that that might happen.
At first: Persephone didn't even consider it as an option. This frustrated me because it was the first thing I thought of and I feel like she didn't think of it even as a last resort option.
Then: Hecate and Hades both mentioned that there are other ways to create life than to plant a garden. After Persephone and Hades did the deed, she felt life within her and I immediately cringed. Even Hecate said the words "Hades has created life within you." But still... she wasn't pregnant so what did that whole scene even mean.
Then: I started thinking, maybe this is a metaphor. "Creating life" could mean creating "life" as in not just "existence" but then that fell through as well because the contract only ended when Persephone actually made plants grow. I am highly confused and unsatisfied about the whole contract portion of this.
Also:
We know that Adonis is TOXIC AF.
We know that Demeter is TOXIC AF.
But can we PLEASE talk about Hades? I am not referring to the possessiveness and dominance. Lived for that; loved it. I am talking about the showing up in her room in the middle of the night. If we're going to judge Edward Cullen for it, then we have to judge him for it too, you know? Besides, he is constantly just APPEARING next to her, or making her appear next to him whenever he pleases. AND MULTIPLE TIMES, SHE WAKES UP WITH HIM ALREADY KISSING AND TOUCHING HER!
But once again, romance is not my thing. So after chapter 16-18 I lost interest. All the smut scenes were very out-of-the-blue and slap-dash. Very rushed and random. The story started slowing down significantly once the tension between Hades and Persephone was gone.
THAT BEING SAID:
I did really enjoy this for what it was. I enjoyed the combination of mythology and contemporary realism. I enjoyed the cast of characters, however I don't remember too much diversity.
I really enjoyed that Persephone made other significant relationships along the way; such as with Hermes and Hecate.
One thing I was not a fan of was all the tiptoeing around "creating life" and what that actually meant. Let me start by saying: I DID NOT want Persephone to get pregnant; if that had to happen I would have given a lower rating because that isn't something I want to read. HOWEVER, I felt like it kept getting alluded to that that might happen.
At first: Persephone didn't even consider it as an option. This frustrated me because it was the first thing I thought of and I feel like she didn't think of it even as a last resort option.
Then: Hecate and Hades both mentioned that there are other ways to create life than to plant a garden. After Persephone and Hades did the deed, she felt life within her and I immediately cringed. Even Hecate said the words "Hades has created life within you." But still... she wasn't pregnant so what did that whole scene even mean.
Then: I started thinking, maybe this is a metaphor. "Creating life" could mean creating "life" as in not just "existence" but then that fell through as well because the contract only ended when Persephone actually made plants grow. I am highly confused and unsatisfied about the whole contract portion of this.
Also:
We know that Adonis is TOXIC AF.
We know that Demeter is TOXIC AF.
But can we PLEASE talk about Hades? I am not referring to the possessiveness and dominance. Lived for that; loved it. I am talking about the showing up in her room in the middle of the night. If we're going to judge Edward Cullen for it, then we have to judge him for it too, you know? Besides, he is constantly just APPEARING next to her, or making her appear next to him whenever he pleases. AND MULTIPLE TIMES, SHE WAKES UP WITH HIM ALREADY KISSING AND TOUCHING HER!
But once again, romance is not my thing. So after chapter 16-18 I lost interest. All the smut scenes were very out-of-the-blue and slap-dash. Very rushed and random. The story started slowing down significantly once the tension between Hades and Persephone was gone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Drug use
cepbreed's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Coming into this book I didn't really know much about it but once I learned it was a myth adaptation I had such high expectations. Madeleine Miller has set every other author who wants to write something based on a myth to unattainable standards. Unfortunately it didn't meet these. However, I still enjoyed this book because it serves its purpose as a fan service novel for women so I can't really complain.
Songs:
Songs:
- Wanna Be Yours - Artic Monkeys
- Flawless - The Neighborhood
- Chuch - Chase Atlantic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Emotional abuse
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