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emilywemily6's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a very easy adult read that I got through extremely quickly. Many (many many) spicy scenes and lusty comments/thoughts. There wasn’t a lot of plot or backstory in this book, and Persephone annoyed me with how deliberately she distrusted Hades even when he answered her questions. And her jealousy towards Minthe was ridiculous and very contrived. This book was a fun time, but not a well-written time (though it wasn’t poorly written, it was just average). Bumped up to a 4 because I couldn’t wait to read the next book and absolutely devoured this one. I did really enjoy the world of this book- a modern day Greece with gods/goddesses being the famous people of the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Addiction, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Medical content, Violence, and Torture
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
kcfedy's review
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.75
The writing here is not superb but dang is it addicting. I was drawn in right away and could have read the whole book in one sitting.
I found this adaptation of Greek mythology to be a really fun break from other fantasy / romance books. If you know the stories about the gods discussed then you likely know what is to come in this book, to an extent. If you don’t know Greek mythology and want to be surprised, don’t research the characters beforehand. Despite my previous knowledge I ate this up and really enjoyed the read.
Key themes:
I found this adaptation of Greek mythology to be a really fun break from other fantasy / romance books. If you know the stories about the gods discussed then you likely know what is to come in this book, to an extent. If you don’t know Greek mythology and want to be surprised, don’t research the characters beforehand. Despite my previous knowledge I ate this up and really enjoyed the read.
Key themes:
- Rule breaking and forbidden relationships
- Conflict between mother and daughter
- Secret identities
- Changing perceptions
- Discovering your own power
- Journalism
- Relationships amongst characters - friendships and romantic relationships
- Greek mythology, of course
- Magic
It’s a smutty one so if you’re not into that, this isn’t your book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Torture, Abandonment, and Violence
yasaman's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Torture, and Death
Moderate: Terminal illness
puck_jay's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Not for me. Good hate-listen tho
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Addiction, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Torture
rchulin1's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Torture
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In a modernised retelling of the Hades and Persephone story, the Goddess of Spring's power has never developed. Rather than stay cooped up under her mother's watchful eye, she enrols on a journalism course at New Athens University, achieving an internship with a prestigious newspaper. When her friend takes her out to celebrate, they end up at Nevernight, the gambling den owned by the God of the Underworld, where money isn't the only thing at stake.
This has been on my list to read for a while as I love the Hades and Persephone story, but when I found it was included in my Audible membership it jumped to the top of the queue. Immediately, I loved the way it brought the Ancient Greek world up to date without losing any of its mystique; it pulls in the classic motifs and symbols of the Gods, while making sure they fit into a modern world. It also makes sure to include those more mythical creatures like ogres, nymphs and oracles to really balance the aspects of a technologically advanced society and a society that can only exist in legend.
The narrator of this audiobook did a great job at bringing the characters to life; her narration is well paced and she is able to give each character a voice without sounding ridiculous. I will admit that I wasn't overly enamoured with her Hades inflection, but I recognise that that's probably down to my having devoured a load of graphic audios just lately with actors playing roles, rather than straight audiobooks, so it just felt a bit 'off' to me. I also like the fact that she got into the story; you could hear the tension, excitement etc. build in her voice at various points, which definitely assisted in painting images in my mind.
As always with stories like this, it's the 'domestic' moments that really hook me in and make me root for the couple. In this case, the all powerful God of the Underworld baking cookies and attending movie night just made me grin so broadly! To me, these scenes break down the all powerful facade of these brooding all powerful males and allow you to glimpse their 'humanity' and desire for something normal. This makes them all the more relatable, whilst allowing you to remain in awe of their magnificence.
Similarly, I found the fact that the author has teased out different characteristics of some of the Gods really refreshing. For example, Demeter being a control freak of epic proportions is not how she is normally painted. In the audio version I have, there was also a bonus scene of Hades and Aphrodite entering into a bet, which paints her and her marriage to Hephestus in a very different light.
There were aspects that I wasn't as impressed with; I struggled with Persephone's split-second changes in attitude for one. One minute she can be completely enthralled by Hades, then in the next breath she's enraged over something. It does do well to build their chemistry and connection, but the device is used multiple times and I found myself getting frustrated by it. Likewise, while I enjoyed the overall subplot led by Adonis, the latter part of it made very little sense to me... and Minthe just got on my nerves throughout - she wasn't a necessary character and seems only to have been included as an extra obstacle, with no other real purpose. There are a few elements in here that don't feel like they were given quite enough thought, but I am hoping that as the world and characters develop as the series progresses, some if these kinks will be worked out.
I am so excited and happy that the majority of this series appears to be available on Kindle Unlimited (even if the rest of the audiobooks have to be paid for), so I'll definitely be adding those to my subscription shortly!
This has been on my list to read for a while as I love the Hades and Persephone story, but when I found it was included in my Audible membership it jumped to the top of the queue. Immediately, I loved the way it brought the Ancient Greek world up to date without losing any of its mystique; it pulls in the classic motifs and symbols of the Gods, while making sure they fit into a modern world. It also makes sure to include those more mythical creatures like ogres, nymphs and oracles to really balance the aspects of a technologically advanced society and a society that can only exist in legend.
The narrator of this audiobook did a great job at bringing the characters to life; her narration is well paced and she is able to give each character a voice without sounding ridiculous. I will admit that I wasn't overly enamoured with her Hades inflection, but I recognise that that's probably down to my having devoured a load of graphic audios just lately with actors playing roles, rather than straight audiobooks, so it just felt a bit 'off' to me. I also like the fact that she got into the story; you could hear the tension, excitement etc. build in her voice at various points, which definitely assisted in painting images in my mind.
As always with stories like this, it's the 'domestic' moments that really hook me in and make me root for the couple. In this case, the all powerful God of the Underworld baking cookies and attending movie night just made me grin so broadly! To me, these scenes break down the all powerful facade of these brooding all powerful males and allow you to glimpse their 'humanity' and desire for something normal. This makes them all the more relatable, whilst allowing you to remain in awe of their magnificence.
Similarly, I found the fact that the author has teased out different characteristics of some of the Gods really refreshing. For example, Demeter being a control freak of epic proportions is not how she is normally painted. In the audio version I have, there was also a bonus scene of Hades and Aphrodite entering into a bet, which paints her and her marriage to Hephestus in a very different light.
There were aspects that I wasn't as impressed with; I struggled with Persephone's split-second changes in attitude for one. One minute she can be completely enthralled by Hades, then in the next breath she's enraged over something. It does do well to build their chemistry and connection, but the device is used multiple times and I found myself getting frustrated by it. Likewise, while I enjoyed the overall subplot led by Adonis, the latter part of it made very little sense to me... and Minthe just got on my nerves throughout - she wasn't a necessary character and seems only to have been included as an extra obstacle, with no other real purpose. There are a few elements in here that don't feel like they were given quite enough thought, but I am hoping that as the world and characters develop as the series progresses, some if these kinks will be worked out.
I am so excited and happy that the majority of this series appears to be available on Kindle Unlimited (even if the rest of the audiobooks have to be paid for), so I'll definitely be adding those to my subscription shortly!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Death, Cursing, Bullying, Torture, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, War, and Infidelity
samflowerv6's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
I honestly loved this. My guilty pleasure books are usually dark romance or some sort of smutty retelling. I enjoyed this. Half because of the story and just the vibes. My inner Wattpad teenager was screaming. I enjoyed the side characters, especially Hecate and Hermes. But Persephone and Hades have always been a favorite fictional couple of mine. It was more funny that I thought. I also enjoyed that even in a contemporary version, "New Greece" they spoke more like how you could expect, Hades and Persephone. I really enjoyed the dialogue and banter, just the relationship in general and I am a fan of Hades. I can't wait to read his version but I am not a huge fan of the third person writing style. I got used to it overtime but not my favorite. Also, the college storyline I feel like didn't have much of a point, as I have seen it discussed in other reviews but towards the end made more sense. The spicy scenes were enjoyable but not exactly what I had expected but still fun. Last thought is that I had an After flashback when the bet plot was revealed but Hades is so husband I got over it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
shannonvonpesach's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Torture, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Violence
Minor: War and Stalking
valley_of_ash's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Torture, Stalking, and Alcohol