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stephennoah98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Sexual content
bangiebangs's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The lack of story has been noted in other reviews, so let's just say: an good spin on the Hades and Persephone myth, but a lot of the story and details felt derivative or annoying (the constant lack of communication and insecurities... it is a lot). The pacing also feels uneven.
Overall: Fast read, had me smiling on occasion, quite spicy but not giving that exhilarating feeling. It's pretty straight forward smut. Slight warning that unlike other retellings this feels really straight. I'm not sure I care enough about the story to pick up the next in the series if there is one.
This book ends on a cliffhanger... which I hated. A case of a fantasy story suddenly going a hundred miles an hour on the last 10 pages out of nowhere, really annoying.
Some details felt as if assembled from other retellings: we have the *super sensitive wings* scenes (ACOTAR batboys, Hades' are even described as "like softest leather" and are super sensitive etc); they both are glamoured and actually have horns (this reminded me a lot of the Hades x Persephone/ Hades books by Scarlett St Claire), and the overall vibe with him being annoyingly possessive and both being super insecure gives.. idk, maybe Fifty Shades/other romance? I did not like how this incorporates kinky stuff, that also felt clumsy.
As I said above, all these can be ignored and it's still a nice enough read. But if you're still deciding which Hades/Persephone to read, I suggest Neon Gods (excellent kinky scenes, great consent, very very hot) or A Touch of Darkness (also good consent, more straight-up sex than kink)). </spoiler)
Overall: Fast read, had me smiling on occasion, quite spicy but not giving that exhilarating feeling. It's pretty straight forward smut. Slight warning that unlike other retellings this feels really straight. I'm not sure I care enough about the story to pick up the next in the series if there is one.
Some details felt as if assembled from other retellings: we have the *super sensitive wings* scenes (ACOTAR batboys, Hades' are even described as "like softest leather" and are super sensitive etc); they both are glamoured and actually have horns (this reminded me a lot of the Hades x Persephone/ Hades books by Scarlett St Claire), and the overall vibe with him being annoyingly possessive and both being super insecure gives.. idk, maybe Fifty Shades/other romance? I did not like how this incorporates kinky stuff, that also felt clumsy.
As I said above, all these can be ignored and it's still a nice enough read. But if you're still deciding which Hades/Persephone to read, I suggest Neon Gods (excellent kinky scenes, great consent, very very hot) or A Touch of Darkness (also good consent, more straight-up sex than kink)). </spoiler)
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking
kaite's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-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
3.25
I delayed writing this review. This time it wasn’t the ADHD, it wasn’t that I hadn’t gotten everything else prepped, it was because I didn’t want to write it. Which breaks my heart. This story had everything going for it that I was going to love it. Hades and Persephone retelling, spice, fated mates, sass, a beautiful cover.
However, after the recent deluge of Hades and Persephone retellings I have been a bit spoiled. And I will say outright that while this story wasn’t my cup of tea it wasn’t bad. The writing was well done, though I did feel like the middle was a bit slow.However, we go from sassy party girl with a human boyfriend to immediate spice with Hades very very quickly. So. Much. Spice. And not getting into specialized spice just the quantity of it. Which, I love me a smutty erotica, it is one of my guilty pleasures and I have zero shame for it. But… Even with a fated mates scenario I don’t tend to enjoy instalove, and while this was more instalust it was a bit overwhelming.
I think what made me so frustrated was the absolute ridiculous levels of miscommunication. Miscommunication can be a good trope, some of my favorite character growth moments have come from miscommunication being used in a story. However, there was nearly no clearing the air moment that allowed for that growth. I set my book down at the end and was so mad that I didn’t get any resolution from the miscommunication. It was one step forward and five steps back.
I will say that the plot twist wasn’t anything I expected? In that way I appreciated how it happened, and the ending was very dramatic as Persephone was the entire book so that was mildly satisfying. But it is SUCH cliffhanger. Again with no resolution.
I haven’t decided if I’m picking up book 2. I want to mostly because I feel like this book was much of a set up, and there will be character growth in the next one? Undecided. Can you tell me if you’ve read it, thoughts and if you’d read the next one? I’d love to hear!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Stalking
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