Reviews - Captive in the Underworld

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356 reviews for:

Captive in the Underworld

Lianyu Tan

3.38 AVERAGE

zoda_pop's review

4.0

it was definitely dark but where was the romance

ayngeleastevens's review against another edition

1.0

This book is way out of my normal genre/preference. However, a writer friend said it was a must-read for the metaphors that were used (first of all - where were the metaphors) and beautiful writing.

However, this just was not up to par. There was no passage of time. The pacing was all over the place and I can't name a single likable, or memorable, character.

I'm Tan has other good works, however, this would not be a book I recommend.

firstorderpixie's review

5.0

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

lily_13's review

1.0

smut was horrible, hated persephone, not really a “dark” romance like I was hoping

evilelsa's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

probably_reading_right_now's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I haven’t read this book physically but I highly recommend the audio! Also going to have to go back and read it.

ezrazoe4's review

3.0

dark emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Maybe I'm just not cut out for romance.

My main gripe with romance is how slow the pacing is, sometimes. This book dragged a lot until the middle, which almost made me stop reading. There is no substantial plot, but that is expected from a romance novel. I feel like the characters are underdeveloped- maybe because it's a retelling, but it feels like the character's personalities were barely explored. There could have been so much more to Hades' character. How misogyny affected her role and power was touched on, but not enough in my opinion. Misogyny is a big theme in this book, and we never get a reason why Hades is perfectly alright with contributing to the misogyny by literally kidnapping Persephone, despite her being, you know, a woman. We do get a single vulnerable moment of her, but at that point it was too little, too late.

Again, maybe I'm just expecting the wrong things from dark romance. I've been going into these with the expectations of romance and emotional closeness and connection- except here these things are only physical. Maybe I need to keep looking.

Content Warnings

nerdysread's review against another edition

2.5

dark 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

Okay so personally I would have say yes to Hades. So no story for me.

That was… interesting? I think I would have like it without the rape scenes tbh. Is there any dark romance without rape?
Also Persephone is kind of too naive

Content Warnings