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cherry_soda's review
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
It’s been on my TBR for a year at least and when I finally started it, I TORE through this in a single day I was so obsessed (look, I had an 11 hour air travel day, and this book was nothing less than salacious).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Sexual harassment
There’s one scene of lack of consent but it’s interrupted and there’s revenge for it. A few scenes of Persephone being restrained or harmed and feeling powerless, but they quickly remedy themselves.racheldonna14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
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
clairelisebella's review
adventurous
dark
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
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol and Stalking
ashmarie166's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
sonatica's review against another edition
I generally like the idea of reteölings of the Persephone & Hades Myth in new ways, but this just wasn't for me. It felt like reading fanfiction (which can be good, obviously!) to me. One obvious trope was chasing another and it felt so predictable.
But I could've looked past that for a casual read.
However, the way he speaks to her after one of the spicier scenes around the halfway point of the book completely threw me off.
I like dark romance and I can look past toxic behaviour in fantasy if it's not glorified too much, but him saying"I have been inside you, and you will never be able to forget that." or something along those lines after she made clear that she didn't want to continue and felt conflicted, felt so wrong and disgusting that I just can't go on. Mind-reading or lies-tasting or whatever doesn't save that for me either.
But I could've looked past that for a casual read.
However, the way he speaks to her after one of the spicier scenes around the halfway point of the book completely threw me off.
I like dark romance and I can look past toxic behaviour in fantasy if it's not glorified too much, but him saying
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
Minor: Medical content, Alcoholism, Terminal illness, Infidelity, and Addiction
I feel like it's worth mentioning that this book features a scene in which two characters' drinks get drugged in a party-setting, for those who may want to avoid that sort of content.vaguely_pink's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault, Death, and Gaslighting
spookycece13's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is an absolutely beautiful Hades and Persephone retelling. It doesn't exactly stick to the original myth, though so if that bothers you, I wouldn't read it. I absolutely loved this book except for one thing. there is a "it was a bet" trope . That's not my cup of tea which is why its only 4 stars but if you like that then I'd highly suggest this book. I'll definitely be picking up the rest of the series. I know I liked it enough to want to do that. If you like some spice, but not a ton then I'd also suggest this book. What spice is there is wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Confinement, and Child abuse
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
thebookaddict's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
🇳🇱: ik heb dit boek echt verslonden. Het is een vlot geschreven boek, waardoor je erdoorheen vliegt. Het feit dat het over goden gaat is zo interessant, ik heb een hele hoop geleerd over de goden. Hades en persphone zijn ook echt GEWELDIG. Ze zijn beide zo goed omschrijven dat ik er echt een beeld bij kreeg. Ook hun liefdes relatie was gewoon perfect, het was een goede balans tussen liefde en af en toe een discussie. De spicy scenes waren echt top! Ik heb echt genoten van dit boek!
Ik ben heel blij dat ik het volgende deel ge-preordered heb!
🇬🇧: I devoured this book! It is fast paced and I finnished it in no-time. The fact that it is all about gods is very interesting, I learned a lot about the different gods. Hades and persephone are AMAZING. They are well described and I got a pictures of them both immediately. Their relationship was perfect, the perfect balance between love and hate. The spice scenes where a big plus! I really loved this book
I am glad that I pre-ordered part two
Ik ben heel blij dat ik het volgende deel ge-preordered heb!
🇬🇧: I devoured this book! It is fast paced and I finnished it in no-time. The fact that it is all about gods is very interesting, I learned a lot about the different gods. Hades and persephone are AMAZING. They are well described and I got a pictures of them both immediately. Their relationship was perfect, the perfect balance between love and hate. The spice scenes where a big plus! I really loved this book
I am glad that I pre-ordered part two
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Cursing