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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a cool idea in concept. It did touch on how awful the tale of Persephone and Hades is. I couldn’t imagine how much more appalled I would have been if this had been a man. Despite how f*cked up the scenes were, they were also hot. Hades is *chefs kiss*. Also Demeter is terrible. The writing is weird at times and the plot isn’t the strongest. I enjoyed this book so I gave it a 3.5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Read at your own risk. The author specifically put tags on this book for content warning. There are scenes of abuse, SA, r-pe, and eventually consenting sex.
The majority of the book is told from Persephone’s viewpoint. Only a few chapters switch perspectives and boy, when it switches to Deméter’s - my heart was in my stomach the whole time. I really liked the last part of the book, but the first part had me almost not wanting me to continue reading.
At first I hated how creepy this book was and how prevalent the non-con scenes were. Then the last third of the book hit and finally the romance happened. Finally, my rage is fully directed in another direction which is the book’s take on Deméter and how she abuses Persephone.
I was so tempted to not finish this book after the second non-con sex scene, but I was invested because I wanted the situation to change for Persephone. Part of me had to give the author credit for actually following her source material. Greek mythology has so much SA and r-pe throughout its history that any material that tries to romanticize it gives me the ick. The glorification of Greek mythology has been so concerning to me because it low key celebrates the pervasion of men and some super concerning behaviors.
I tried to pick up another sapphic Greek mythology book, but that author ended up botching her book by stupidly calling it a retelling and it didn’t follow anything of said source material. Henceforth, I returned my attention back to this book and I’m glad I did because eventually there is romance in this book.
While I understand there are more trigger warnings online for the book, I wish the author wrote more consenting spicy scenes than non-consenting. Like only one spicy session happens once Persephone falls for Hades, and I feel like it should be reversed. Like now that they’re both into each other and want to do this kinda stuff, now Hades should bring in the extra spice.
Aside from the whole spice and non-con, this book held attention well. The pacing didn’t throw me off or make me feel sleepy at any point. It didn’t feel like it was copying any other Greek mythology books that I’ve read prior to this and truly felt like an original take on Hades and Persephone.
Are there areas to improve? In terms of what I have already touched upon, yes. Otherwise, I think maybe the ending could have slowed down a little but that’s my only critique. Was the spice worth enduring uncomfortable scenes for? No. I heavily am disappointed in the fact that most of the spice is in the creepy parts of the book.
Would I recommend? Ah- not really. This would not be for everyone due to the content inside. Read at your own risk.
The majority of the book is told from Persephone’s viewpoint. Only a few chapters switch perspectives and boy, when it switches to Deméter’s - my heart was in my stomach the whole time. I really liked the last part of the book, but the first part had me almost not wanting me to continue reading.
At first I hated how creepy this book was and how prevalent the non-con scenes were. Then the last third of the book hit and finally the romance happened. Finally, my rage is fully directed in another direction which is the book’s take on Deméter and how she abuses Persephone.
I was so tempted to not finish this book after the second non-con sex scene, but I was invested because I wanted the situation to change for Persephone. Part of me had to give the author credit for actually following her source material. Greek mythology has so much SA and r-pe throughout its history that any material that tries to romanticize it gives me the ick. The glorification of Greek mythology has been so concerning to me because it low key celebrates the pervasion of men and some super concerning behaviors.
I tried to pick up another sapphic Greek mythology book, but that author ended up botching her book by stupidly calling it a retelling and it didn’t follow anything of said source material. Henceforth, I returned my attention back to this book and I’m glad I did because eventually there is romance in this book.
While I understand there are more trigger warnings online for the book, I wish the author wrote more consenting spicy scenes than non-consenting. Like only one spicy session happens once Persephone falls for Hades, and I feel like it should be reversed. Like now that they’re both into each other and want to do this kinda stuff, now Hades should bring in the extra spice.
Aside from the whole spice and non-con, this book held attention well. The pacing didn’t throw me off or make me feel sleepy at any point. It didn’t feel like it was copying any other Greek mythology books that I’ve read prior to this and truly felt like an original take on Hades and Persephone.
Are there areas to improve? In terms of what I have already touched upon, yes. Otherwise, I think maybe the ending could have slowed down a little but that’s my only critique. Was the spice worth enduring uncomfortable scenes for? No. I heavily am disappointed in the fact that most of the spice is in the creepy parts of the book.
Would I recommend? Ah- not really. This would not be for everyone due to the content inside. Read at your own risk.
2.75⭐️ rounded up. Had a very hard time handling the massive amount of abuse inflicted on Persephone by Demeter (I’m aware of the mythos, just reading it this way hit too hard). But I enjoyed the change in gender of Hades, appreciate the creativity there.
Captive in the Underworld by Lianyu Tan is an LGTBQA+ novel focused on the retelling of the Persephone and Hades mythology. In this novel, Hades is the queen of the Underworld and the “true villain” of this story is Persephone’s mother, Demeter. The book’s literal tagline is “a dark lesbian romance novel” and it really is a dark romance. Take heed, the book doesn’t shy away from problematic content such as abuse in all forms and dubious consent that definitely edges into non-con. That being said, I wouldn’t say anything is particularly graphic but the author has given her own content warning of the book so adventurers beware, you have been warned.
The book opens with Persephone and her mother, Demeter, arriving to a party at Zeus’ where it’s clear right away that Persephone has a strained relationship with her mother. Demeter is controlling and demeaning. She doesn’t see Persephone as an adult nor someone capable of taking care of herself. The way Demeter speaks to Persephone gives the inclination that Demeter hates Persephone, in a way, and that she views Persephone as beneath her.
During the party, Persephone is able to excuse herself from Demeter’s overbearing presence and has a little opportunity to enjoy herself. The author is quick to reveal Persephone’s inclination toward goddesses when Athena convinces Persephone to join her for a dance. It’s not overtly known to the others in the Pantheon but it isn’t necessarily something that casts aspersions. In fact, Persephone’s tight lips on the matter clearly has more to do with her mother’s thoughts and wrath than any thoughts the others might have.
As the party comes to an end (for her), Persephone sneaks around Zeus’ hold and stumbles upon a discussion between Zeus and Hades. When Zeus and Hades part after an argument, Hades calls out to Persephone, having noticed her presence. Persephone is nervous, afraid of the trouble she might end up in, but Hades only asks for Persephone to join her for a short stroll. The two talk before Hades waves Persephone off who soon runs into her mother once more. Demeter is angered when she finds out Persephone had been with Hades, insulting her daughter and commanding Persephone to never bother Hades again.
Time passes before Persephone knows it and a hundred years slip by since the party. She is visited by Hephaestus who asks to court her, and she accepts but Demeter humiliates Hephaestus and Persephone, denying the courting. Hephaestus, still a young god compared to Demeter, leaves Persephone with an apology, not wishing to anger the Goddess of the Harvest. This, along with another incident involving an asphodel, leads to a fight between Demeter and Persephone with Persephone being cast from her mother’s protection and home, leaving Persephone to fend for herself.
However, Persephone is not on her own for long.
After stumbling into a cave, Persephone is found and then kidnapped by Hades, kicking off the major story. The tale follows close to the original mythology as readers follow Persephone’s journey from captive to reluctant wife of Hades. During her time there, Persephone plots and attempts escape, learns the duties as Hades’ wife, learns to tap further into her power of plant growth, and eventually learns to accept Hades as her wife.
By the time Persephone has accepted her situation, as the myth goes, we learn that Demeter has created a permanent winter in the mortal realm. Nothing any of the other Gods or Goddesses do can convince Demeter to stop her madness and Persephone accepts her role, persuading Hades to allow her to return to her mother’s side to stop the needless deaths of the mortals.
As far as the myth goes, we know that Persephone returns to the Underworld, splitting her time between there and the mortal realm, but Captive in the Underworld tells an interesting story of how Persephone (and Hades) manages that after her return to her controlling, deceitful, and murderous mother.
Overall, Lianyu Tan’s Captive in the Underworld is an interesting and unique retelling of the Hades/Persephone mythos. However, it was hard to get into the story, and it wasn’t until I was well into it that I began really enjoying it. Persephone’s transformation from victim to heroine was refreshing. I enjoyed Persephone the most when she began fighting back rather than just fleeing or hiding. It was particularly satisfying when Persephone stopped allowing her mother to control her and when she didn’t hesitate to step up as Hades’ equal. I would give the book 3.5 stars. It’s not for everyone for a multitude of reasons, and it’s not easy to make it through the first quarter to two-thirds of the book, but I found myself flying through the end of the book, rooting for Persephone to be the badass Queen of the Underworld I knew she could be.
The book opens with Persephone and her mother, Demeter, arriving to a party at Zeus’ where it’s clear right away that Persephone has a strained relationship with her mother. Demeter is controlling and demeaning. She doesn’t see Persephone as an adult nor someone capable of taking care of herself. The way Demeter speaks to Persephone gives the inclination that Demeter hates Persephone, in a way, and that she views Persephone as beneath her.
During the party, Persephone is able to excuse herself from Demeter’s overbearing presence and has a little opportunity to enjoy herself. The author is quick to reveal Persephone’s inclination toward goddesses when Athena convinces Persephone to join her for a dance. It’s not overtly known to the others in the Pantheon but it isn’t necessarily something that casts aspersions. In fact, Persephone’s tight lips on the matter clearly has more to do with her mother’s thoughts and wrath than any thoughts the others might have.
As the party comes to an end (for her), Persephone sneaks around Zeus’ hold and stumbles upon a discussion between Zeus and Hades. When Zeus and Hades part after an argument, Hades calls out to Persephone, having noticed her presence. Persephone is nervous, afraid of the trouble she might end up in, but Hades only asks for Persephone to join her for a short stroll. The two talk before Hades waves Persephone off who soon runs into her mother once more. Demeter is angered when she finds out Persephone had been with Hades, insulting her daughter and commanding Persephone to never bother Hades again.
Time passes before Persephone knows it and a hundred years slip by since the party. She is visited by Hephaestus who asks to court her, and she accepts but Demeter humiliates Hephaestus and Persephone, denying the courting. Hephaestus, still a young god compared to Demeter, leaves Persephone with an apology, not wishing to anger the Goddess of the Harvest. This, along with another incident involving an asphodel, leads to a fight between Demeter and Persephone with Persephone being cast from her mother’s protection and home, leaving Persephone to fend for herself.
However, Persephone is not on her own for long.
After stumbling into a cave, Persephone is found and then kidnapped by Hades, kicking off the major story. The tale follows close to the original mythology as readers follow Persephone’s journey from captive to reluctant wife of Hades. During her time there, Persephone plots and attempts escape, learns the duties as Hades’ wife, learns to tap further into her power of plant growth, and eventually learns to accept Hades as her wife.
By the time Persephone has accepted her situation, as the myth goes, we learn that Demeter has created a permanent winter in the mortal realm. Nothing any of the other Gods or Goddesses do can convince Demeter to stop her madness and Persephone accepts her role, persuading Hades to allow her to return to her mother’s side to stop the needless deaths of the mortals.
As far as the myth goes, we know that Persephone returns to the Underworld, splitting her time between there and the mortal realm, but Captive in the Underworld tells an interesting story of how Persephone (and Hades) manages that after her return to her controlling, deceitful, and murderous mother.
Overall, Lianyu Tan’s Captive in the Underworld is an interesting and unique retelling of the Hades/Persephone mythos. However, it was hard to get into the story, and it wasn’t until I was well into it that I began really enjoying it. Persephone’s transformation from victim to heroine was refreshing. I enjoyed Persephone the most when she began fighting back rather than just fleeing or hiding. It was particularly satisfying when Persephone stopped allowing her mother to control her and when she didn’t hesitate to step up as Hades’ equal. I would give the book 3.5 stars. It’s not for everyone for a multitude of reasons, and it’s not easy to make it through the first quarter to two-thirds of the book, but I found myself flying through the end of the book, rooting for Persephone to be the badass Queen of the Underworld I knew she could be.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
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:
Yes