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fell4's review
1.0
The whiny, I hate-my-mother thing was just way to overdone here. I'd read it before, when I was younger and liked it so I was exited to pick it up again, but it really isn't that good when you read it again. I say read it once and enjoy it--don't look to deep into it either, because there are some plot holes too. The ending was especially... dissipointing. Yah, we know that your book isn't like the myth. You don't have to explain it five times. And the sometimes it's better to lie and let people believe what they want (because it's better that way)? Yah, that's a good moral to teach young teens!
allison_green_'s review
2.0
While I was already familiar with the original myth before reading this book, I enjoyed Whitman's perspective of it.
In terms of characters, I really hated Persephone's mother up until the very end. Once it was made clear how much she loved her daughter, I was able to look past her controlling ways. As for Hades, I liked how the author turned him into a mysterious, handsome stranger verses creepy, kidnapper.
Overall, I felt like the love between Hades and Persephone happened too fast. I didn't feel their connection at first because their love was said rather than shown. However, I was convinced by the end. I could tell how much Hades wanted Persephone to stay with him and his fear of losing her was sweet.
In terms of characters, I really hated Persephone's mother up until the very end. Once it was made clear how much she loved her daughter, I was able to look past her controlling ways. As for Hades, I liked how the author turned him into a mysterious, handsome stranger verses creepy, kidnapper.
Overall, I felt like the love between Hades and Persephone happened too fast. I didn't feel their connection at first because their love was said rather than shown. However, I was convinced by the end. I could tell how much Hades wanted Persephone to stay with him and his fear of losing her was sweet.
daniellejones's review
4.0
A YA version the story of Persephone. Fun to read, with some very chaste but steamy romance. Not super complex, but I think those younger readers that enjoyed Twilight would appreciate this. The moral though is, if you are going to run away with your secret boyfriend to the Underworld, leave mom a note.
wheems01's review
4.0
In this stunning debut, Whiteman elaborates on the myth often called The Rape of Persephone. Whiteman’s Persephone however, is not the damsel in distress that you often find in the traditional myth. What sets Whiteman’s Persephone apart is that everything that happens to her is by her own choice.
Tired of being treated like a child and ignored by her mother the goddess Demeter, Persephone silently rebels against her mother who refuses to acknowledge that her daughter is no longer a child, but a young woman. When Hades appears to Persephone in the protected vale Demeter has created, Persephone finally has someone who treats her as an adult rather than a child. Hades offers her the choice to stay in the vale or become his queen, and Persephone makes her choice. What follows is the story of how Persephone transitions from self absorbed child to a caring and determined young woman and finally to a radiant queen.
Radiant Darkness was a quick read. I have always loved mythology and truly enjoyed this version of the story. It was engaging from the beginning. Although I felt that it took Persephone a little too long to catch on to both her husband and her mother’s desire for more power, the story is still entertaining. Persephone’s chafing at the beginning under her mother’s over-protectiveness will be something that teens ready to experience their own independence will easily empathize with. Recommend this to teens that enjoy fantasy and the Greek myths.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Cautions for sensitive readers: Persephone is married to Hades, but nothing that happens in the bedroom is shown—everything regarding sex happens off screen. There is no language and no violence.
Tired of being treated like a child and ignored by her mother the goddess Demeter, Persephone silently rebels against her mother who refuses to acknowledge that her daughter is no longer a child, but a young woman. When Hades appears to Persephone in the protected vale Demeter has created, Persephone finally has someone who treats her as an adult rather than a child. Hades offers her the choice to stay in the vale or become his queen, and Persephone makes her choice. What follows is the story of how Persephone transitions from self absorbed child to a caring and determined young woman and finally to a radiant queen.
Radiant Darkness was a quick read. I have always loved mythology and truly enjoyed this version of the story. It was engaging from the beginning. Although I felt that it took Persephone a little too long to catch on to both her husband and her mother’s desire for more power, the story is still entertaining. Persephone’s chafing at the beginning under her mother’s over-protectiveness will be something that teens ready to experience their own independence will easily empathize with. Recommend this to teens that enjoy fantasy and the Greek myths.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Cautions for sensitive readers: Persephone is married to Hades, but nothing that happens in the bedroom is shown—everything regarding sex happens off screen. There is no language and no violence.
theresidentbookworm's review
3.0
Unlike most of my friends in middle school, I never read the Percy Jackson series or showed much interest in Greek mythology. I guess I'm just a rebel because I refused to show an interest in the popular area of history for kids of my age. Still, even I have a certain fascination with the story of Hades and Persephone. Everybody loves a story of forbidden love, and I'm no exception. I've never liked the traditional myth, preferring reworkings like this one where Persephone actually makes an active choice to be with Hades.
Unfortunately, while I did love the premise, I felt like the narration fell slightly flat. Persephone read as a whiny, naive teenager more than anything, and though it might've been the goal of the retelling to make her more accessible, I would have appreciated more maturity from a girl who is actually immortal. Her relationship with Hades, though sweet, was not focused on enough. I'm not going to say it's insta-love even though it is because that is actually part of the source material, and I did like how Whitman had them spend a little time together before Persephone left with him. Demeter really grated my nerves, and I just did not understand why she was so suffocating. Hades was absolutely perfect: just enigmatic to be mysterious and just sweet enough to be endearing. I'm more of a Hermes girl, but I guess that's just me.
Overall, Radiant Darkness was a quick and fulfilling read if not an overly satisfying one. I guess I just expected more depth from a retelling or at least more of a twist. I guess I'll just have to keep trying my luck.
Unfortunately, while I did love the premise, I felt like the narration fell slightly flat. Persephone read as a whiny, naive teenager more than anything, and though it might've been the goal of the retelling to make her more accessible, I would have appreciated more maturity from a girl who is actually immortal. Her relationship with Hades, though sweet, was not focused on enough. I'm not going to say it's insta-love even though it is because that is actually part of the source material, and I did like how Whitman had them spend a little time together before Persephone left with him. Demeter really grated my nerves, and I just did not understand why she was so suffocating. Hades was absolutely perfect: just enigmatic to be mysterious and just sweet enough to be endearing. I'm more of a Hermes girl, but I guess that's just me.
Overall, Radiant Darkness was a quick and fulfilling read if not an overly satisfying one. I guess I just expected more depth from a retelling or at least more of a twist. I guess I'll just have to keep trying my luck.
bookphile's review
4.0
I think out of all the Persephone and Hades stories that I've read, this one is my favorite, so far. It doesn't focus so much on the romance of their relationship, which I was strangely okay with, but on Persephone's growth as a person. She goes from being a child, a girl, to a woman. I thought all the Gods were in character, which is great, because I hate when authors give them new characteristics. It provided a good alternative for a rape/abduction part of the story, and even later explained why all the ancient poets called it an abduction. It was a well put together re-telling and I really enjoyed it.
alyson7's review
2.0
Usually, I adore retellings of Hades & Persephone. I actively try to get my hands on as many retellings as possible. In comparison to the other retellings I've read, this one was a slight disappointment. It was decently written, though the plot was a little bit of a snore.
For one, I found the romance between Persephone and Hades to be very rushed. It seemed as if one moment Persephone was unsure whether to approach the mysterious man in the vale, and then suddenly she accepts to be whisked away to the underworld while being head-over-heels in love.
I also found that Hades didn't have a lot of character development, which was very disappointing. Most of the other retellings I have read, Hades has more of a personality. Basically, the only thing I found out about Hades is that he likes horses, Persephone, and his job (not necessarily in that order).
I did enjoy the mother-daughter relationship and tension between Persephone and Demeter which is nearly non-existent in other retellings. Unfortunately, this wasn't enough to make me adore this book.
For one, I found the romance between Persephone and Hades to be very rushed. It seemed as if one moment Persephone was unsure whether to approach the mysterious man in the vale, and then suddenly she accepts to be whisked away to the underworld while being head-over-heels in love.
I also found that Hades didn't have a lot of character development, which was very disappointing. Most of the other retellings I have read, Hades has more of a personality. Basically, the only thing I found out about Hades is that he likes horses, Persephone, and his job (not necessarily in that order).
I did enjoy the mother-daughter relationship and tension between Persephone and Demeter which is nearly non-existent in other retellings. Unfortunately, this wasn't enough to make me adore this book.