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mayetra's review against another edition
2.0
I've just started the book and I'm up to chapter 7. Right away I'm miffed because it is obvious to me that P.C. Cast doesn't know anything about mythology. The main character Lina is Italian, she had prerequisite Italian grandmother who taught her to bake and cuss in Italian . Once she is whisked off to see Demeter, she gushes at the beauty of the Bay of Naples (You know... in Italy.) But all the names of the god/dess are from the Greek Pantheon. Yes, the Roman's absorbed the Greek Gods, absorbing things they like from the cultures they conquered was kind of their thing. Except, they renamed them and changed their personalities to more closely resembled the morals and norms of their culture.
Demeter became Ceres. Persephone became Proserpine and Hades became Pluto. For someone who loves Greek Mythology (it's much spicier than the Roman counterpart), it was annoying to read about an Italian, who is obviously been whisked into the Roman version of this myth, being surrounded by the Greek versions.
Next point, if Persephone doesn't have any of her goddess powers then how is she going to bring a touch of Spring to the bakery? Also, the whole reason that Demeter is switching them is Persephone is spoiled and immature. If Persephone is not competent & mature enough to be trusted to take on the duty of fixing up the Underworld than she is surely not competent enough to save the bakery. Another point on this line of thinking, sure Lina has access to information if she tries hard enough but even Demeter sends her with an escort to explain thing that she doesn't know about. Lina still seems to be basically "lost" in a world that she barely understands. Persephone has access to information from Lina's mind but we can assume that things will not make sense to her as well and she has no access to help. The transfer implies that Persephone had no idea the exchange was being made.
I'll continue for a few more chapters to see how the story takes shape but honestly, every time the Italian starts working with the Greek Pantheon I feel my eye start to twitch.
Demeter became Ceres. Persephone became Proserpine and Hades became Pluto. For someone who loves Greek Mythology (it's much spicier than the Roman counterpart), it was annoying to read about an Italian, who is obviously been whisked into the Roman version of this myth, being surrounded by the Greek versions.
Next point, if Persephone doesn't have any of her goddess powers then how is she going to bring a touch of Spring to the bakery? Also, the whole reason that Demeter is switching them is Persephone is spoiled and immature. If Persephone is not competent & mature enough to be trusted to take on the duty of fixing up the Underworld than she is surely not competent enough to save the bakery. Another point on this line of thinking, sure Lina has access to information if she tries hard enough but even Demeter sends her with an escort to explain thing that she doesn't know about. Lina still seems to be basically "lost" in a world that she barely understands. Persephone has access to information from Lina's mind but we can assume that things will not make sense to her as well and she has no access to help. The transfer implies that Persephone had no idea the exchange was being made.
I'll continue for a few more chapters to see how the story takes shape but honestly, every time the Italian starts working with the Greek Pantheon I feel my eye start to twitch.
jennysjw's review against another edition
Cheesy. Cringy. Poorly written. The character interactions and dialogue were clunky and not believable.
If Lina was short on money, why didn’t she sell her BMW, condo and silk suits??
The author continually tells the reader that Lina is “mature”, but this is not reflected at all in Lina’s speech, behavior or reactions.
There are too many Batman references, the crucial idea of the changing seasons doesn’t fit the timeline for this story, and I found it incredibly annoying that Lina doesn’t understand the difference between the concept of Hell in Christianity and Hades, and she never once worried about her bakery or friends.
I love gems and jewelry but began losing interest in this book around the 25% mark when Lina and Hades have an inane, detailed discussion on the “energies” of different gems. I felt like I was trapped in a new-age conversation about crystals and essential oils. Rather than sexy, the scene where Hades masturbates to Lina bathing is gross, because it’s Persephone’s body (not Lina) he is looking at. Every time that Hades is physically attracted to Lina, it’s really Persephone’s body. I stopped reading when Lina has sex/loses Persephone’s virginity in Persephone’s body. This is not okay.
I think a story of Persephone remaining Persephone, would have been more interesting for character growth and character arc.
If Lina was short on money, why didn’t she sell her BMW, condo and silk suits??
The author continually tells the reader that Lina is “mature”, but this is not reflected at all in Lina’s speech, behavior or reactions.
There are too many Batman references, the crucial idea of the changing seasons doesn’t fit the timeline for this story, and I found it incredibly annoying that Lina doesn’t understand the difference between the concept of Hell in Christianity and Hades, and she never once worried about her bakery or friends.
I love gems and jewelry but began losing interest in this book around the 25% mark when Lina and Hades have an inane, detailed discussion on the “energies” of different gems. I felt like I was trapped in a new-age conversation about crystals and essential oils. Rather than sexy, the scene where Hades masturbates to Lina bathing is gross, because it’s Persephone’s body (not Lina) he is looking at. Every time that Hades is physically attracted to Lina, it’s really Persephone’s body. I stopped reading when Lina has sex/loses Persephone’s virginity in Persephone’s body. This is not okay.
I think a story of Persephone remaining Persephone, would have been more interesting for character growth and character arc.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
The retelling of a Greek myth about Persephone and Hades. Nice one. :)
sleeveless_heart's review against another edition
3.0
This was a solid three-star read, with the ending being a warm,comforting hug. There were plenty of parts that made me roll my eyes (Batman? The constant apology for the puns?), but this story had plenty of heart. Bonus for a very sweet friendship between Lina and Eurydice as well <3
rosetyper9's review against another edition
5.0
I really wish I had more articulate words to share with you my love for this book. The only thing I can really say is that I truly love this book, it is my second favorite book in the world. The characters are real, beautiful, and amazing. Ms. Cast has a true talent for re-imagining and retold the tale of Hades and Persephone with an emotional, fun, and sexy twist. I have read and re-read this book so many times I have lost count, and if you haven't read it, you need to.
The one thing about this book is...it makes me want to bake....
The one thing about this book is...it makes me want to bake....
marissacelina's review against another edition
4.0
For more reviews, check out Keep Calm and Love Books
Like I said in my previous review for, Goddess of the Sea, Cast's writing style is just so intriguing that I had to read what else she had written in this series. I honestly loved the idea of a Greek mythology romance! In this book we follow Lina and her quest as Persephone in the Underworld with Hades. I mean, yes, technically this was pretty far off considering Hades was supposedly a hateful man that literally stole Persephone from a garden and raped her. So, clearly the accuracy and adaptation was far off but I still loved this nonetheless. I found it interesting how easy it was for me to fall in love with Hades. Cast did an amazing job with her characters and fleshing them out so vulnerably so that we can really see their true intentions. The whole novel was just so magnificent, I will probably read it again haha.
Lina was a delight to read. She was caring, smart and thought with her head. Her connection with animals was perfect for this role she had to play considering there is the famous three headed beast in Hell, Cerberus. I really did think it would be difficult to read from the point of view of a 43 year old women, considering I'm only 18 myself but I found myself forgetting the matureness of her as she embraced Persephone's youth. Maybe since she was an older, matured women, I found her so smart and level headed. That being said, when it came to Hades, she was just all love and lust. WHICH IS A GOOD THING. I enjoyed the romantic portion of the book and instead of, Goddess of the Sea, romance seemed to encompass the novel entirely and the main plot was getting to unravel Hades while keeping the Underworld a better place with a women's touch.
“Ultimately, the body is just a shell; it is the soul which defines the man or woman, god or goddess.”
Hades was delicious. I really like the men in P.C. Cast's books. She makes them sound so juicy and I found myself liking Hades fairly quickly. Having read and know about Greek mythology myself, I usually (like said in my other review) detest false depictions of mythology but I was actually okay with this. Everything despite Hades nature and personality, was actually quite accurate. We got to see Demeter, Apollo and even have mention of Athena, Aphrodite, Hermes etc. I liked that connection when we would see into Persephone's own mind and see the grand feasts the Goddess of Spring would host.
"Soul mates will always find each other. Do not weep on their behalf...they will be together again."
All in all, I really do see myself loving and reading all of P.C. Cast's novels in this series. Rest assured, after this review gets posted I will move onto the next novel in the series, Goddess of the Light, following Artemis and Apollo, YAY. As usual, I loved this novel and this author especially!! A great book if you love Greek mythology and interaction with some of the famous Gods and Goddesses.
Like I said in my previous review for, Goddess of the Sea, Cast's writing style is just so intriguing that I had to read what else she had written in this series. I honestly loved the idea of a Greek mythology romance! In this book we follow Lina and her quest as Persephone in the Underworld with Hades. I mean, yes, technically this was pretty far off considering Hades was supposedly a hateful man that literally stole Persephone from a garden and raped her. So, clearly the accuracy and adaptation was far off but I still loved this nonetheless. I found it interesting how easy it was for me to fall in love with Hades. Cast did an amazing job with her characters and fleshing them out so vulnerably so that we can really see their true intentions. The whole novel was just so magnificent, I will probably read it again haha.
Lina was a delight to read. She was caring, smart and thought with her head. Her connection with animals was perfect for this role she had to play considering there is the famous three headed beast in Hell, Cerberus. I really did think it would be difficult to read from the point of view of a 43 year old women, considering I'm only 18 myself but I found myself forgetting the matureness of her as she embraced Persephone's youth. Maybe since she was an older, matured women, I found her so smart and level headed. That being said, when it came to Hades, she was just all love and lust. WHICH IS A GOOD THING. I enjoyed the romantic portion of the book and instead of, Goddess of the Sea, romance seemed to encompass the novel entirely and the main plot was getting to unravel Hades while keeping the Underworld a better place with a women's touch.
“Ultimately, the body is just a shell; it is the soul which defines the man or woman, god or goddess.”
Hades was delicious. I really like the men in P.C. Cast's books. She makes them sound so juicy and I found myself liking Hades fairly quickly. Having read and know about Greek mythology myself, I usually (like said in my other review) detest false depictions of mythology but I was actually okay with this. Everything despite Hades nature and personality, was actually quite accurate. We got to see Demeter, Apollo and even have mention of Athena, Aphrodite, Hermes etc. I liked that connection when we would see into Persephone's own mind and see the grand feasts the Goddess of Spring would host.
"Soul mates will always find each other. Do not weep on their behalf...they will be together again."
All in all, I really do see myself loving and reading all of P.C. Cast's novels in this series. Rest assured, after this review gets posted I will move onto the next novel in the series, Goddess of the Light, following Artemis and Apollo, YAY. As usual, I loved this novel and this author especially!! A great book if you love Greek mythology and interaction with some of the famous Gods and Goddesses.
diadiscovers's review against another edition
It is a story about a mortal who exchanges bodies with a goddess due to a spell she read while baking in order to save her bakery. It is my first Hades Persephone retelling and I really wanted to like it as the premise seemed interesting but I just can't make myself finish it. Lina is supposed to be a woman in her 40s but she just came across as unpleasant and childish and if the protagonist is hard to like, it is hard to read a book. I also didn't enjoy the writing, I feel like the POVs are also inconsistent. Maybe this author is just not for me.
lottieemoore's review against another edition
5.0
Probably my favourite book of the year... I realise this is only Feb. HOWEVER I have read over 20 books this year.. So still a compliment. Also FINALLY a character that isn't 18 years old. Lina is 43 and I'm ABOUT IT.
You will laugh, you will cry and you will get a warm fuzzy feeling. Absolutely recommend this book.
You will laugh, you will cry and you will get a warm fuzzy feeling. Absolutely recommend this book.
momogajo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.75