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booksthatburn's review against another edition
Stopping because Persephone is happy that Hades is paternalistic and sexist, punishing someone because they scared her and she’s a woman. There’s also some ableist language in a way that’s not important to the narrative, and Persephone keeps thinking of some non-human people as “creatures” and “monsters” in a way that feels disparaging. I don’t like this version of Persephone and I don’t like how the story is being told.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Alcoholism, Stalking, and Ableism
book_s1ut's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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: Cursing
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Sexual content
Minor: Torture
diana_raquel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.75
“Respect could build an empire. Trust could make it unbreakable. Love could make it last forever.”
For a long time, I wanted to read more retellings or inspired Greek mythology books, especially from the myth of Hades and Persephone (one of my favorite myths). So, when this book started to make the rounds on social media, I was interested. However, hyped books are very 50/50 with me.
When I started to read this book, for a time, I was considering DNF because, in the beginning, there are some parts a bit boring to me. However, when the story starts to gain some speed, the story became really interesting and entertaining. So, this is a 3.75 read for me. It was good, but not enough for a 4 stars book to me. Even so, I plan to read the next book.
I would recommend this to people who want to read a romance and a modern retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone. It has well-developed characters, however, in the beginning, the slower pace can be a problem.
For a long time, I wanted to read more retellings or inspired Greek mythology books, especially from the myth of Hades and Persephone (one of my favorite myths). So, when this book started to make the rounds on social media, I was interested. However, hyped books are very 50/50 with me.
When I started to read this book, for a time, I was considering DNF because, in the beginning, there are some parts a bit boring to me. However, when the story starts to gain some speed, the story became really interesting and entertaining. So, this is a 3.75 read for me. It was good, but not enough for a 4 stars book to me. Even so, I plan to read the next book.
I would recommend this to people who want to read a romance and a modern retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone. It has well-developed characters, however, in the beginning, the slower pace can be a problem.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Sexism, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Torture, Violence, and Stalking
pages_with_panda's review
adventurous
dark
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? No
2.0
✅ Finished Dec 20, ‘22
Not sure how a book about gods ended up boring, but it was. The first half was slow and uneventful. I managed to finish it so I had to rate it 2 stars nonetheless.
This had so many awful stereotypes about Persephone that reminded me of Lore Olympus.
1. Persephone is a young, sheltered, naive, maiden with no powers. Oh, and a virgin (to the delight of Hades).
2. Demeter is the over-bearing, abusive, controlling mother who stalks her daughter.
3. Hades is the rich and elusive club owner who is misunderstood. He can do no wrong and is actually a nice guy and tries to help mortals. He also doesn’t want anyone to know.
The story is told in a modern way, Persephone gets an internship at a newspaper office and decides to write about Hades, despite his wishes to the contrary and everyone’s warnings against it. She ends up losing a bet with him and ends up contracted with him for six months and must “make life” in the Underworld or else be stuck down there forever.
She basically does whatever she wants this entire book and suffers no consequences whatsoever.
At the end she finally stands up to her mother and finds her power, thanks to Hades, and decides to live with him anyways.
No real substance to the characters and the story was flimsy at best.
Wouldn’t recommend as a retelling to the Hades+Persephone.
Not sure how a book about gods ended up boring, but it was. The first half was slow and uneventful. I managed to finish it so I had to rate it 2 stars nonetheless.
This had so many awful stereotypes about Persephone that reminded me of Lore Olympus.
1. Persephone is a young, sheltered, naive, maiden with no powers. Oh, and a virgin (to the delight of Hades).
2. Demeter is the over-bearing, abusive, controlling mother who stalks her daughter.
3. Hades is the rich and elusive club owner who is misunderstood. He can do no wrong and is actually a nice guy and tries to help mortals. He also doesn’t want anyone to know.
The story is told in a modern way, Persephone gets an internship at a newspaper office and decides to write about Hades, despite his wishes to the contrary and everyone’s warnings against it. She ends up losing a bet with him and ends up contracted with him for six months and must “make life” in the Underworld or else be stuck down there forever.
She basically does whatever she wants this entire book and suffers no consequences whatsoever.
At the end she finally stands up to her mother and finds her power, thanks to Hades, and decides to live with him anyways.
No real substance to the characters and the story was flimsy at best.
Wouldn’t recommend as a retelling to the Hades+Persephone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Stalking
Minor: Sexual assault and Addiction
karambit's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Cursing, Stalking, Torture, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Death, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Terminal illness, and War
masonposte's review
I need to stop reading romance books. There were so many basic questions the book left me with. Why was she so angry and possessive? I understand why she might be, but we don’t know Persephone yet! What’s her inner dialogue when she’s experiencing anger? All we get is “I’m rebelling and in danger and angry and turned on”. That’s not interesting. She seems to fly off the handle which I get, her mom is an abusive control freak. But we have no way to understand that if you’re not traumatized in your own life and use anger to cope. If that isn’t the reason, then the characterization is all over the place.
The narrator also made all the men sound like they were trying to seduce Persephone but sometimes it’s just her boss trying to break the ice and it then comes off creepy.
Finally, Hades is sexist “don’t hit women but you can hit men” type dude which is just so unappealing.
I just don’t think romance is for me. I’ll keep my slow burn fantasy novels thank you very much.
The narrator also made all the men sound like they were trying to seduce Persephone but sometimes it’s just her boss trying to break the ice and it then comes off creepy.
Finally, Hades is sexist “don’t hit women but you can hit men” type dude which is just so unappealing.
I just don’t think romance is for me. I’ll keep my slow burn fantasy novels thank you very much.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking
the_savannahhumphrey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
keatonslowlyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would! I bought it on a whim because I love anything Hades x Persephone (so maybe I’m a little biased) having no clue what to expect. I wasn’t sold at first, as the writing is a bit fanfiction-y, and I found the pacing odd at times, but overall I think it’s a good read. I adore how Hades was written, and I fell in love with him fast. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Cursing
Moderate: Stalking and Gaslighting
slimy's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Look this is really really bad. Think of every underdeveloped toxic relationship trope carried out by the cringiest characters you can think of. The main character is supposed to be a college senior but she acts and talks like a 14 year old. Disgusting.
Also. TERRIBLE editing. So many editing mistakes. Like it’s laughable. I can’t believe this book made it to publication with so many mistakes. It reads like a juvenile fanfic from 2012.
Also. TERRIBLE editing. So many editing mistakes. Like it’s laughable. I can’t believe this book made it to publication with so many mistakes. It reads like a juvenile fanfic from 2012.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
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