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onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Gun violence and Stalking
Minor: Transphobia
heather667's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Transphobia, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Deportation, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent
30something_reads's review against another edition
3.25
The thing I always struggle a bit with is the world building in modern mythology retellings like this. Nothing is ever quite explained well enough- the power structures, the relationships. So you have to go in knowing it's a little confusing in that regard.
What I did love about this was Hades and Persephone as characters. Persephone is such a strong main character in this one. She has fought for her life and she is unrelenting in pursuing her dreams. Hades also had a well developed backstory that gave weight to the dark character he is always portrayed to be. I loved the fragility in Hades that Persephone got to see and how she gave him strength in her own ways.
And the spice was top tier.
I'll definitely be digging into the rest of the series.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Stalking, and Violence
addydeejreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Sure this had all the fixings for someone familiar with the Hades and Persephone story but it really stood on it's own two legs. Set in an alternate modern day society in the "underbelly" that is beyond the River Styx in the biggest, best and most renowned casino owned by the myth himself, Hades. Truly, this man is so behind the scenes people literally question his existence. But for family, he'd do anything and by anything, it meant showing up to a production being put on in his theatre. Something new and fantastical and Dionysus would not have Hades miss it.
Enter Persephone, our badass aerial performer, the star of the show. She immediately catches Hades attention and the rest is history as they say. The story gives almost mafia type vibes where territories are sectioned off and everyone has their place. They don't interfere or there could be "war". I think fans of motorcycle club romances or mafia type stories would find a kinship with this story. I certainly did.
I loved this story so much, it's my favorite retelling to date and I can't wait to pick up the rest of the series.
The cast is unapologetically Black and Brown, there's some of the most wholesome Trans. rep I've read (I don't speak for the community I'm only going by what I know and have read in the past), and the spice gave in EVERY way. The relationships that are explored don't just stop at one thing and don't fall flat and not just of the sexual variety. Friendships, family and hierarchy dynamics are explored but weaved together so intrinsically that one cannot exist without the other.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Stalking
Moderate: Gun violence
shaipanda's review against another edition
3.5
I enjoyed seeing the trans representation in this retelling and liked the relationships that developed but overall this was a meh read for me unfortunately
Graphic: Transphobia, Gun violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
thirdeyeangel23's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
But I feel like so far, this is perhaps the most well-rounded version I’ve come across. I enjoyed the writing style, the pacing was mostly good (there was some info-dumping that felt like a slog towards the beginning but it was negligible), the spice was very good, and the characters were nuanced. Overall I really enjoyed this one! I even shed a tear!
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gun violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity and Transphobia
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review
- 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
On top of the main characters and seeing their lives and back stories, there is also a range of side characters to enjoy as you read along. Each bring their our little views and interactions to make everything more alive. The world is also intriguing but doesn't have a lot of development, as this is not the forefront of the book I didn't have any issues. This as the book is without a doubt a character driven story.
It really enjoyed seeing how Hades and Persephone help each other grow. I don't think there is enough books that showcase helping a loved one without having to change or give something up about yourself. You can change and grow with someone, but it doesn't mean you have to change for someone.
I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
Graphic: Gaslighting and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Gun violence
Minor: Transphobia
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, Gun violence, Alcoholism, and Stalking
Moderate: Alcohol
marysbookinit's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent