Scan barcode
neen_machine's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Violence
mizz_mack's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I can pretty easily see why people would like this book. It's nothing to write home about but I think Hades and Persephone have an easy back and forth that felt believable enough, they weren't miserable to be around, and I thought their chemistry with other characters was decent enough. It was cool that Persephone wasn't some blushing virgin, and had past partners and sexual experience. Hades is older than her, but he's only in his 30s and Persephone is 25. Their talks about like...what sorta kinks or whatever they like was cool if you're into that kind of thing.
But this book was also boring. The plot, as it were, wasn't engaging to me at all and I spent most of the book thinking about how the world is set up and makes sense. Like...the idea of the Greek Titles (I'll call them) being passed down for Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, and voted (at least in the case of Demeter) is a compelling one to me. What's it's like to actually become a god? But there aren't any gods in this book. Just like...rich people?
The idea of celebrity being akin to Gods is...okay but it's not really explored. I also spent a good while of the book (basically the whole thing) wondering where exactly this "city" was located (that's another thing; it's a city? just a city??) If the city is like...the size of The United (for now) Kingdom then okay but you've got to tell me at the very least. Otherwise, I'm picturing like...New York, so all the talk of "I'm a King" or "My people" ect felt super super weird. But anyways! The concept of a regular person becoming "Persephone" or "Hermes" or any other name is so interesting and I wanted that specifically explored, but it wasn't. Not even a hint.
This also led to more and more of the greek allusions to feel distracting and annoying. Like, does everyone in this city have to be named after a Greek god, or Hero, or something? Are the ones related to the Gods voted in or are the forced into the position (like it seemed Persephone and her sisters were). Some of the minor side characters referenced having family with ties to Greece, does this person wonder or think its weird that there are people running out with the names of deities related to their pantheon from long past? Are greek myths known in this world? Do the characters know that they're playing out these myths??
I have all these questions but that's not what this book is about. The focus is on Hades and Persephone.
I will say after a bit, toward the middle of the book, Hades's chapters started to feel repetitive. It felt like he wasn't thinking about anything new just his feeling about Persephone, so it felt boring to read/listen to. Persephone had a lot more going on; her growing feelings for Hades, exploring the undercity (its just a city guys!!), worrying about her sisters, and mother. So in that respect he was more dynamic. I also do not understand why Hades is the "boogeyman" to the uppercity. He's not scary at all, not even in a pretend way? That seemed so weird (could be related to a plot point that popped up at the end and that will get explored in other books, I don't know at the moment.
I would have preferred if there more conflict in the actual Hades and Persephone's relationship. Like...maybe during on of their scenes something gets pushed too far and it shakes them a little bit? But in a book like this, they relationship is supposed to be a comfort, to both the characters and the reader, so I do get why nothing like that happened here. Oh! I did think the little hints about character's queerness was cool. Did enjoy that, ngl.
Anyways, Hermes is cute and I love her!
But giving it a 3 stars for what it is. I have decided to check out the rest of the series though so I guess this book did something right.
But this book was also boring. The plot, as it were, wasn't engaging to me at all and I spent most of the book thinking about how the world is set up and makes sense. Like...the idea of the Greek Titles (I'll call them) being passed down for Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, and voted (at least in the case of Demeter) is a compelling one to me. What's it's like to actually become a god? But there aren't any gods in this book. Just like...rich people?
The idea of celebrity being akin to Gods is...okay but it's not really explored. I also spent a good while of the book (basically the whole thing) wondering where exactly this "city" was located (that's another thing; it's a city? just a city??) If the city is like...the size of The United (for now) Kingdom then okay but you've got to tell me at the very least. Otherwise, I'm picturing like...New York, so all the talk of "I'm a King" or "My people" ect felt super super weird. But anyways! The concept of a regular person becoming "Persephone" or "Hermes" or any other name is so interesting and I wanted that specifically explored, but it wasn't. Not even a hint.
This also led to more and more of the greek allusions to feel distracting and annoying. Like, does everyone in this city have to be named after a Greek god, or Hero, or something? Are the ones related to the Gods voted in or are the forced into the position (like it seemed Persephone and her sisters were). Some of the minor side characters referenced having family with ties to Greece, does this person wonder or think its weird that there are people running out with the names of deities related to their pantheon from long past? Are greek myths known in this world? Do the characters know that they're playing out these myths??
I have all these questions but that's not what this book is about. The focus is on Hades and Persephone.
I will say after a bit, toward the middle of the book, Hades's chapters started to feel repetitive. It felt like he wasn't thinking about anything new just his feeling about Persephone, so it felt boring to read/listen to. Persephone had a lot more going on; her growing feelings for Hades, exploring the undercity (its just a city guys!!), worrying about her sisters, and mother. So in that respect he was more dynamic. I also do not understand why Hades is the "boogeyman" to the uppercity. He's not scary at all, not even in a pretend way? That seemed so weird (could be related to a plot point that popped up at the end and that will get explored in other books, I don't know at the moment.
I would have preferred if there more conflict in the actual Hades and Persephone's relationship. Like...maybe during on of their scenes something gets pushed too far and it shakes them a little bit? But in a book like this, they relationship is supposed to be a comfort, to both the characters and the reader, so I do get why nothing like that happened here. Oh! I did think the little hints about character's queerness was cool. Did enjoy that, ngl.
Anyways, Hermes is cute and I love her!
But giving it a 3 stars for what it is. I have decided to check out the rest of the series though so I guess this book did something right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
ilsa1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
Too much sex with mediocre plot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
dmrosenblatt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
wanderingmeek's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Neon Gods by Katee Roberts
3/5⭐⭐⭐
“If we were different people in different circumstances. I would get down on my knees and beg you to stay at the end of winter. I would move heaven and earth and the Underworld itself to keep you with me.”
—
A Hades and Persephone story with somewhat of a plot and well executed spice. I was wonderfully surprised with this retelling. So far it is my favorite out of the ones I have read regarding this couple. I didn’t find myself being annoyed with any of the characters as they all acted and grew in expected ways. The classic dynamics were written well and the tension was palpable at times. Knowing the myth made it easy to predict the story's twists and turns and the ending did feel a tad cliche. Overall, I enjoyed it.
—
Genre: Fiction/Romance/Erotica
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
bluefrog's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
This book had me screaming at the romance of it all. I love me my Greek mythology so this was a fun treat. The characters played off each other well and I loved the dynamic of Hades and Persephone. I also really enjoyed the clear shows of consent in the book. A lot of the romance I read tends to not show consent in such a clear way so it was really refreshing to see it represent well in the novel. Overall a very fun and easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
blizzardinsummer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
sioxricky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
theequeendee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
It's a decent read overall. If you don't give into the hype on social media, it's a nice modern retelling of Hades and Persephone. I love the constant mentions of consent throughout the book's spicier scenes, the erotic scenes are about a 3/3.5 out of 5. The issue I have with this book is the quickness of the smut. I wished that it was built up more in the dark romance department.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Death
taryn_g's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Domestic abuse, Death, and Stalking
Minor: Death of parent