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marieintheraw's review
4.0
This book was a solid lesbian retelling of the popular Hades and Persephone myth.
m0rozovas's review
5.0
Listen to me, Hades and Persephone is my favorite myth. AND NOW THEY'RE LESBIANS!! This is so amazing, I'm so in love, and Zeus is punished for being a big fat asshole, thank you very much.
thiz'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mellhay's review
4.0
Beautiful retelling of Persephone and Hades.
****FULL REVIEW****
Veronica speaks as Persephone as she tells the story before all has happened, and as it happened. Veronica does cracking voices full of emotion when the book notes it. She feels to speak with such love and emotion that draws my heart into the story. A stunning vocal performance from Veronica as she relates all the emotions through her voice, and draws me into them.
The story is told from Persephone's view, after it's all happened. We learn this in the beginning of the story.
Sarah's writing feels as though it's poetic with emotions strong in her words. The cadence of the telling, along with Veronica's vocals, felt to fit the old sway of words with the Greek gods and goddesses. The details and emotions invested into this story feel to be strong. There is such love written here. And in the voice! Veronica relates the strength of all the emotions present.
Persephone grows fonder and fonder of Hades. In their small connections it seems that Hades is healing, along with Persephone in heart and mind. They have both suffered some loses or torment from others that starts to heal with each other's presence.
We get a feel of the flip of good and evil where we would think to see it. Zeus and Hades, evil and good. Which is the one that has more compassion for people and souls? We see things from a different angle that opens possible thoughts of it all.
This story is told as Hades as a female, as is Persephone. They fall in love and it's beautiful. This book is all emotion. I didn't get a feel of strong prejudice from everyone present. It's natural to love and it doesn't matter who that love is directed to. Love is an amazing emotion and all should feel it. Though, there is one that's not thrilled with it as it's not him receiving the love as he feels he should. He is also one that seems to look down on a relationship between two woman, but that is only briefly mentioned. The story is mainly a gorgeous telling of Persephone finding her way in the world and finding love.
The story is very drawing with the words and Veronica's voice. But the one scene that touched my heart the deepest was when the dead villagers met others. You'll know the moment and who the others are when it happens. Beautiful.
If you thrive on lush descriptions of all around you and feelings, this is a great read for you.
****FULL REVIEW****
Veronica speaks as Persephone as she tells the story before all has happened, and as it happened. Veronica does cracking voices full of emotion when the book notes it. She feels to speak with such love and emotion that draws my heart into the story. A stunning vocal performance from Veronica as she relates all the emotions through her voice, and draws me into them.
The story is told from Persephone's view, after it's all happened. We learn this in the beginning of the story.
Sarah's writing feels as though it's poetic with emotions strong in her words. The cadence of the telling, along with Veronica's vocals, felt to fit the old sway of words with the Greek gods and goddesses. The details and emotions invested into this story feel to be strong. There is such love written here. And in the voice! Veronica relates the strength of all the emotions present.
Persephone grows fonder and fonder of Hades. In their small connections it seems that Hades is healing, along with Persephone in heart and mind. They have both suffered some loses or torment from others that starts to heal with each other's presence.
We get a feel of the flip of good and evil where we would think to see it. Zeus and Hades, evil and good. Which is the one that has more compassion for people and souls? We see things from a different angle that opens possible thoughts of it all.
This story is told as Hades as a female, as is Persephone. They fall in love and it's beautiful. This book is all emotion. I didn't get a feel of strong prejudice from everyone present. It's natural to love and it doesn't matter who that love is directed to. Love is an amazing emotion and all should feel it. Though, there is one that's not thrilled with it as it's not him receiving the love as he feels he should. He is also one that seems to look down on a relationship between two woman, but that is only briefly mentioned. The story is mainly a gorgeous telling of Persephone finding her way in the world and finding love.
The story is very drawing with the words and Veronica's voice. But the one scene that touched my heart the deepest was when the dead villagers met others. You'll know the moment and who the others are when it happens. Beautiful.
If you thrive on lush descriptions of all around you and feelings, this is a great read for you.
kylosten's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
daggerandrosae's review
1.0
I had such high expectations for this book........
I think the only thing I liked in this was Hermes, everything else felt like some kind of romance reinterpretation of the real story. ACTUALLY, there wasw nothing that connects the book to the real myth and I hate it, because it's one of my favourite myths ever and I wanted to read about it. The Hades and Persephone of the story are nothing like the greek history says so yes, 1 star, sorry.
I think the only thing I liked in this was Hermes, everything else felt like some kind of romance reinterpretation of the real story. ACTUALLY, there wasw nothing that connects the book to the real myth and I hate it, because it's one of my favourite myths ever and I wanted to read about it. The Hades and Persephone of the story are nothing like the greek history says so yes, 1 star, sorry.
audioandereadergrrly's review
5.0
"The Dark Wife" by Sarah Diemer is a lesbian retelling of the Greek myth surrounding Persephone and Hades. Persephone has always been my favorite myth in Greek mythology, so I was immediately attracted to this book.
I was torn about how I would rate this work. It was in need of editing; the misspelled words and run-on sentences distracted me from the reading experience. I ultimately decided to give it the highest rating because as a reader, I was completely enthralled in the story and could not put the book down.
The market needs more lesbian books, and Diemer's work responds to that. Her writing is beautiful and refreshing. I, as a bisexual woman, truly felt connected with the love of Persephone and Hades. The structure of the retelling succeeded in providing a unique love story with a happy ending. I look forward to the future works of Sarah Diemer.
I was torn about how I would rate this work. It was in need of editing; the misspelled words and run-on sentences distracted me from the reading experience. I ultimately decided to give it the highest rating because as a reader, I was completely enthralled in the story and could not put the book down.
The market needs more lesbian books, and Diemer's work responds to that. Her writing is beautiful and refreshing. I, as a bisexual woman, truly felt connected with the love of Persephone and Hades. The structure of the retelling succeeded in providing a unique love story with a happy ending. I look forward to the future works of Sarah Diemer.
amyjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This was fairly quiet and slow moving, but I enjoyed the characters. I like watching Persephone find herself in Hades and embrace her power.
I didn't realize when I started reading that the author considers this YA, so I was a little disappointed it wasn't smut. I'm glad to have read this, but I don't know that I would have finished it if I hadn't put it on a Reading Challenge - it was just too easy to set aside, which is why it took me three months to read it.
I didn't realize when I started reading that the author considers this YA, so I was a little disappointed it wasn't smut. I'm glad to have read this, but I don't know that I would have finished it if I hadn't put it on a Reading Challenge - it was just too easy to set aside, which is why it took me three months to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
nicjmorrow's review
It just didn't hold my attention. It is a fine book just without a ton of plot around the romance and hades and persephone retelling.
vizira's review
while the concept was amazing, pretty much everything else sucked. the writing was pretty juvenile, the characters were as complex as the average fanfiction OC, and i felt that Diemer kinda ruined some of the gods, notably Demeter. really disappointing, since i was really looking forward to this book.