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ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
Ooo a Hades retelling-ish book. Let's do this.
Hades was an okay-ish book. Not really my favorite but I also didn't hate it. One thing I did like was how there was no Persephone - no idea why I dislike her so much but I do. So instead of them, it was Hades and Cat (who was a fallen angel). They were cute and all and had chemistry but I was just bored with the overall book.
Maybe if it was a smidge longer I might've liked it a bit more? Did enjoy the smut though.
Hades was an okay-ish book. Not really my favorite but I also didn't hate it. One thing I did like was how there was no Persephone - no idea why I dislike her so much but I do. So instead of them, it was Hades and Cat (who was a fallen angel). They were cute and all and had chemistry but I was just bored with the overall book.
Maybe if it was a smidge longer I might've liked it a bit more? Did enjoy the smut though.
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 awesome stars. loved hades and cat's story. can't wait for the next
fishgirl182's review against another edition
4.0
Cataclysm (Cat) is an Unfallen, an Angel recently booted out of Heaven. She isn’t a true Fallen yet and hopes to one day regain her wings by working as a servant for Azagoth (aka The Grim Reaper) in Sheoul-Gra (the demon name for Hell). While she misses her wings, life as an Unfallen isn’t terrible. Azagoth is pretty lenient towards her less than stellar cleaning abilities and she also gets to ogle Hades, Jailor of the Underworld and all around badass. Hades feels an immediate attraction to Cat but she’s been deemed off limits to him. He settles on flirting with her while keeping her at a safe distance. But when Cat finds herself the key piece in a demonic uprising, Hades must do his best to keep her safe while fighting their growing attraction.
As a fan of the Demonica series, I am always happy when a new Demonica story is available. Both Hades and Cat have had small parts in previous books but, honestly, I don’t have a great recollection of any of their prior appearances. However, you don’t need to know much about their back story to read this novella. I had a lot of fun reading this story and getting to know Hades and Cat better. As the Jailor of the Underworld, Hades leads a very solitary life. Until recently, Azagoth hasn’t been a very pleasant boss, and there aren’t many friends to be found in the Underworld. I liked Hades’s sardonic sense of humor and casual arrogance. He also has a fun, playful side that comes out when he is teasing Cat.
While I did not remember much about Cat from the previous books, I quickly grew to like her. She unknowingly joined the wrong side when she got caught up in Gethel’s plot to bring about the apocalypse, which caused her fall. She could easily become a true Fallen, which would give her power and freedom. But there lies a goodness and strength of character in Cat that won’t let her take the easy way out and I admired her strength and determination. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like Cat and Hades have much in common. However, they are both isolated and lonely. Both are trying to atone for their sins. Cat can be shy but Hades brings her out of her shell. Cat brings a light and warmth to Hades’s life which he has been missing.
Overall I really enjoyed this little peek into life in Sheoul-Gra. Cat and Hades were excellent fun and I also enjoyed seeing a small glimpse into Azagoth and Lilliana’s life. Ione introduces us to a fascinating new character, Zhubaal, that she seems to be setting up for his own story. I am really hoping he’s next on her list of stories to write. Hades is a fun, fast read that is great for both long time fans of the Demonica series and new readers. If you haven’t read the series, it’s a great entry point see if you like the world and can be enjoyed as a standalone novella. Be warned though that you will probably want to run out and get the rest of the books in the series after you get a taste of Demonica.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my review or opinion of the book.
As a fan of the Demonica series, I am always happy when a new Demonica story is available. Both Hades and Cat have had small parts in previous books but, honestly, I don’t have a great recollection of any of their prior appearances. However, you don’t need to know much about their back story to read this novella. I had a lot of fun reading this story and getting to know Hades and Cat better. As the Jailor of the Underworld, Hades leads a very solitary life. Until recently, Azagoth hasn’t been a very pleasant boss, and there aren’t many friends to be found in the Underworld. I liked Hades’s sardonic sense of humor and casual arrogance. He also has a fun, playful side that comes out when he is teasing Cat.
While I did not remember much about Cat from the previous books, I quickly grew to like her. She unknowingly joined the wrong side when she got caught up in Gethel’s plot to bring about the apocalypse, which caused her fall. She could easily become a true Fallen, which would give her power and freedom. But there lies a goodness and strength of character in Cat that won’t let her take the easy way out and I admired her strength and determination. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like Cat and Hades have much in common. However, they are both isolated and lonely. Both are trying to atone for their sins. Cat can be shy but Hades brings her out of her shell. Cat brings a light and warmth to Hades’s life which he has been missing.
Overall I really enjoyed this little peek into life in Sheoul-Gra. Cat and Hades were excellent fun and I also enjoyed seeing a small glimpse into Azagoth and Lilliana’s life. Ione introduces us to a fascinating new character, Zhubaal, that she seems to be setting up for his own story. I am really hoping he’s next on her list of stories to write. Hades is a fun, fast read that is great for both long time fans of the Demonica series and new readers. If you haven’t read the series, it’s a great entry point see if you like the world and can be enjoyed as a standalone novella. Be warned though that you will probably want to run out and get the rest of the books in the series after you get a taste of Demonica.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my review or opinion of the book.
nellesnightstand1's review against another edition
4.0
Loved listening to this one!! Hades was so yummy!!
loverofromance's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Quickie Review (May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review.)
Hades is the next installment in the "Demonica Underworld" series that features the 1001 Dark Nights series. I really was excited to read Hades. I love him as a demi god (in fact he is probably my favorite other than Poseidon) and I was curious to see how Larissa Ione would handle his character. I adore a tortured hero and he was such a tortured hero. My heart went out to Hades, he really had been neglecting himself and been torturing himself. We really see him work on redeeming himself and I admired this element within the story. I also was curious to see how this romance would develop. The heroine was so likeable. I enjoyed her journey and seeing her fight for Hades was so empowering. Loved their fun witty banter that these two have together and mix that in with the suspenseful plot in the underworld was so intriguing. We also have a forbidden element to their romance. We see the ways in which they learn to fight for each other. And Azagoth was pretty funny in this one lol Typical Ione male. The more I read this world the more I want to read more of the Demonica world. If you are a fan of this world, highly recommend these novellas. So well done!
Hades is the next installment in the "Demonica Underworld" series that features the 1001 Dark Nights series. I really was excited to read Hades. I love him as a demi god (in fact he is probably my favorite other than Poseidon) and I was curious to see how Larissa Ione would handle his character. I adore a tortured hero and he was such a tortured hero. My heart went out to Hades, he really had been neglecting himself and been torturing himself. We really see him work on redeeming himself and I admired this element within the story. I also was curious to see how this romance would develop. The heroine was so likeable. I enjoyed her journey and seeing her fight for Hades was so empowering. Loved their fun witty banter that these two have together and mix that in with the suspenseful plot in the underworld was so intriguing. We also have a forbidden element to their romance. We see the ways in which they learn to fight for each other. And Azagoth was pretty funny in this one lol Typical Ione male. The more I read this world the more I want to read more of the Demonica world. If you are a fan of this world, highly recommend these novellas. So well done!
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
Hades runs the inner sanctum where evil souls are sent to await reincarnation. Cataclysm is an unfallen angel, who lives up to her name in an accident prone kind of way. When she accidently lets souls into the inner sanctum that haven't been approved by Azagoth, she sets off a series of events that nearly destroys the sanctum and lets those souls loose on earth.
These 2 are so hot for each other and they are forbidden to be together, so it was all kinds of angsty goodness.
These 2 are so hot for each other and they are forbidden to be together, so it was all kinds of angsty goodness.
nellesnightstand's review against another edition
4.0
Loved listening to this one!! Hades was so yummy!!
nelsonseye's review against another edition
3.0
A low three star rating. I liked the concept, but the action was kind of bland. Maybe it would have worked better for me as a full novel.
leabookjoy's review against another edition
5.0
A short-story deliciously awesome =D
Having participated in a conspiracy to begin the Apocalypse, Cataclysm is now living in the domain of Azagoth, the boss of the delicious but inaccessible Hades. Problem is Cat has been aptly named and after another blunder, she's stuck in the domain of Hades ...
This reading was a rediscovery for me. I had tried several years ago to read books by Larissa Ione (the first volume of her Lords of Deliverance series and a little bit of the first volume of Demonica) but I found the style too raw and there were too many sex scenes for me ... So, I hadn't continued ... And then, after a series of books a little too mushy, I was looking for something a little more hot and I stumbled upon this short-story and I thought why not =)
It was a very good surprise =D
As usual, I didn't start the series in the order (in fact, it's more or less the last volume) so I totally spoiled myself and there are references I have surely missed as I haven't read the Demonica series, but it didn't matter and it even made me want to read the other books =D
The author's style is great (there is humor, a lot of sarcasm, action and YES a lot of sex but ultimately it didn't bother me ><), the universe invented by the author is very complex (perhaps a little too much sometimes) and full of mythological things and an intrigue and some subplots which are totally awesome =D (ahhh how much I love angelic intrigues =D Twisted to perfection ><)
The characters are numerous and very endearing (I can't wait to read the history of Reaver >< I TOTALLY love him !!) I especially liked Cat and her cute and a little dimwit side xD
In short, I will totally read the other books with great pleasure =D
Having participated in a conspiracy to begin the Apocalypse, Cataclysm is now living in the domain of Azagoth, the boss of the delicious but inaccessible Hades. Problem is Cat has been aptly named and after another blunder, she's stuck in the domain of Hades ...
This reading was a rediscovery for me. I had tried several years ago to read books by Larissa Ione (the first volume of her Lords of Deliverance series and a little bit of the first volume of Demonica) but I found the style too raw and there were too many sex scenes for me ... So, I hadn't continued ... And then, after a series of books a little too mushy, I was looking for something a little more hot and I stumbled upon this short-story and I thought why not =)
It was a very good surprise =D
As usual, I didn't start the series in the order (in fact, it's more or less the last volume) so I totally spoiled myself and there are references I have surely missed as I haven't read the Demonica series, but it didn't matter and it even made me want to read the other books =D
The author's style is great (there is humor, a lot of sarcasm, action and YES a lot of sex but ultimately it didn't bother me ><), the universe invented by the author is very complex (perhaps a little too much sometimes) and full of mythological things and an intrigue and some subplots which are totally awesome =D (ahhh how much I love angelic intrigues =D Twisted to perfection ><)
The characters are numerous and very endearing (I can't wait to read the history of Reaver >< I TOTALLY love him !!) I especially liked Cat and her cute and a little dimwit side xD
In short, I will totally read the other books with great pleasure =D
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books.
I was happy to see Hades was going to get a novella. And let me say, Larissa Ione once again gives us a hero that you can't help but love.
As we step back into the Demonica world, we get a little insight into how the underworld works. Hades may be the jailer of the things we don't like to think about, but we find out he's not in charge of his own destiny. Instead, he's paying for not only the sins that caused him to fall but also for the poor choices that lead to him into the servitude of Arazgoth. It's not until Cataclysm (or Cat) that Hades realizes what he wants is what every other male in the Demonica series has wanted...a woman to want him just as he is.
Cat is an angel who got pulled into something she really knew nothing about. Being sent to the Sheoul-gra was a punishment Cat was going to take until she could redeem herself and return to Heaven. But Hades and the friends she'd made there helped her realize that she had so much more with these group of people than she did with her heavenly family. They accepted her inquisitive, sometimes messy, personality and made her feel like she belonged.
I'll admit, this novella was too short of a Demonica story for me. I wanted more for both of these characters. For their romance to build and expand over a couple hundred pages. That being said, it was a typical Demonica book with wit, sarcasm, trouble brewing and a romance between a hero/heroine that seems unlikely but proves to be absolutely perfect in the end. If you've followed the Demonica series, HADES is an absolute must-read.This book was reviewed by a member of the review staff at Cocktails and Books. The name of the reviewer can be found under the post categories.
I was happy to see Hades was going to get a novella. And let me say, Larissa Ione once again gives us a hero that you can't help but love.
As we step back into the Demonica world, we get a little insight into how the underworld works. Hades may be the jailer of the things we don't like to think about, but we find out he's not in charge of his own destiny. Instead, he's paying for not only the sins that caused him to fall but also for the poor choices that lead to him into the servitude of Arazgoth. It's not until Cataclysm (or Cat) that Hades realizes what he wants is what every other male in the Demonica series has wanted...a woman to want him just as he is.
Cat is an angel who got pulled into something she really knew nothing about. Being sent to the Sheoul-gra was a punishment Cat was going to take until she could redeem herself and return to Heaven. But Hades and the friends she'd made there helped her realize that she had so much more with these group of people than she did with her heavenly family. They accepted her inquisitive, sometimes messy, personality and made her feel like she belonged.
I'll admit, this novella was too short of a Demonica story for me. I wanted more for both of these characters. For their romance to build and expand over a couple hundred pages. That being said, it was a typical Demonica book with wit, sarcasm, trouble brewing and a romance between a hero/heroine that seems unlikely but proves to be absolutely perfect in the end. If you've followed the Demonica series, HADES is an absolute must-read.This book was reviewed by a member of the review staff at Cocktails and Books. The name of the reviewer can be found under the post categories.