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jesslemreads's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
bookwormpersephone's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Oh brother.
I previously said in my other reviews that I don't DNF unless there's something in the book that really bothers me or is problematic overall, so I read this from cover to cover (ebook style).
It was horrendous.
You can tell from my username. I adore Hades and Persephone and have read (to my knowledge) almost all retellings under heaven. This has got to be in my top 3 never read again list.
First, Hades is the god of wealth, but everytime he opens his mouth I hear a whining teenage girl. Every move he makes is supposed to be calculated but it's either A.) supposed to inconvenience Persephone and B.) just petty.
He can turn mute and the book will gain another star
Persephone is cringe personified. The first chapter we're introduced to her she's looking out her 16th story window of a classy apartment whilst "groaning inwardly" about emails and clingy clients. All the while, she's having an inner monologue of her life (wattpad style) and loathing the fact all these luxuries are wasted on her because... Beats me. She rambles too much.
Their relationship is just bang --> drama ensues --> make up bang ---> drama ensues ---> make up bang infinity
There's little to no plot. I don't mind spice but then it becomes repetitive the 3rd time around and the plot is nowhere to be seen. I'm dreading the 2nd book.
Thank you Netgalley and Rose and Star publishing for the ARC.
I previously said in my other reviews that I don't DNF unless there's something in the book that really bothers me or is problematic overall, so I read this from cover to cover (ebook style).
It was horrendous.
You can tell from my username. I adore Hades and Persephone and have read (to my knowledge) almost all retellings under heaven. This has got to be in my top 3 never read again list.
First, Hades is the god of wealth, but everytime he opens his mouth I hear a whining teenage girl. Every move he makes is supposed to be calculated but it's either A.) supposed to inconvenience Persephone and B.) just petty.
He can turn mute and the book will gain another star
Persephone is cringe personified. The first chapter we're introduced to her she's looking out her 16th story window of a classy apartment whilst "groaning inwardly" about emails and clingy clients. All the while, she's having an inner monologue of her life (wattpad style) and loathing the fact all these luxuries are wasted on her because... Beats me. She rambles too much.
Their relationship is just bang --> drama ensues --> make up bang ---> drama ensues ---> make up bang infinity
There's little to no plot. I don't mind spice but then it becomes repetitive the 3rd time around and the plot is nowhere to be seen. I'm dreading the 2nd book.
Thank you Netgalley and Rose and Star publishing for the ARC.
crothe77's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
The Maiden and the Unseen by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune is a dual-POV retelling of Persephone and Hades meets billionaire romances. When Persephone’s bank accounts are drained, she confronts Hades, the god in charge of all of the other gods’ finances. Hades offers her a job as a social media expert at his company, setting off a high steam office romance with the fated mates trope.
The novel uses the idea that Persephone and Hades were foretold by the Fates and that Persephone is the true ruler of the Underworld. I’m a big fan of that aspect in recent retellings and have enjoyed it in every iteration including in this one. Hades and Persephone sometimes use their magic in order to tease each other, with Hades having shadow magic and Persephone using vines.
When they first meet, Hades is terrified to learn that she is a Goddess of Spring because of the prophecy. Persephone, however, is somewhat attached to someone else. She’s casually dating a young man who calls himself her boyfriend despite her insistence that it is not that serious. Even with her guilty conscience, Persephone can’t resist Hades when he’s around, especially in the office.
One feature of Persephone’s POV chapters occasionally features her thoughts saying ‘lie’ when she’s trying to fool herself or deny her attraction to Hades. There’s also a lot of mentions of HR and how it’s a workplace romance where Hades is Persephone’s boss.
I would recommend this to readers looking for a Persephone and Hades retelling that places emphasis on steamier bits and those who are comfortable with BDSM (particularly in the discipline category) in their romance novels and like the fated mates trope.
jlreadstoperpetuity's review against another edition
3.0
I love a retelling story especially spin offs regarding Hades and Persephone. Even on the original Greek Myth, they are the ppwer couple with the least amount of scandals and has really exuded monogamy - not the usual trend among gods and goddesses. That being said I was so excited to read this one.
Unlike the other retelling stories, this combined the modern and traditional magical powers that both deities possesed. There was also the involvement Fates on the plot making it really promising. If we are to base assessment on the technical components of a novel (setting, characterization and plot) this could have been wrapped up in less than 150pages, instead of 431 pages.
I love a good smut, there's an art put by the author in writing a good smut. This one however, relied on repetitive and to the point of frustrating descriptives that I literally had to skip the "deed" scenes. Like yeah, I get it you are h*rny for each other, next. Apart from that, the sequel seems to promise the actual meat of the series so yeah, I am still looking forward to it.
Unlike the other retelling stories, this combined the modern and traditional magical powers that both deities possesed. There was also the involvement Fates on the plot making it really promising. If we are to base assessment on the technical components of a novel (setting, characterization and plot) this could have been wrapped up in less than 150pages, instead of 431 pages.
I love a good smut, there's an art put by the author in writing a good smut. This one however, relied on repetitive and to the point of frustrating descriptives that I literally had to skip the "deed" scenes. Like yeah, I get it you are h*rny for each other, next. Apart from that, the sequel seems to promise the actual meat of the series so yeah, I am still looking forward to it.
rowanhill's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Features:
- Mythology retelling taking place in the modern day
- Divine beings behaving badly
- All the spice
If you like your myths spicy, then this erotic retelling of Hades and Persephone might just be the book you are looking for. Their story unfolds in present day New York and things get steamy fast. Honestly, this wasn’t really the right book for me, but readers who like mostly spice with just enough plot to keep things moving will still probably have a great time with it.
Knows its audience and delivers
This book is marketed as erotica and boy does it deliver in this category. There’s a bit of pining and angst at the beginning, but it quickly evolves into a steamy, physical romance. I don’t generally read erotica, but I felt the author did a good job describing the MANY loving encounters really well and they kept things fresh and interesting. That being said, this book does not have a lot of substance in between these encounters. There are definitely some interesting ideas, but most are underdeveloped and more to add narrative flavoring to the romance. The story definitely has its merits, but I think that those looking to be truly immersed in a mythological retelling with some spice on the side will be disappointed in this read. All this is to say: it’s a fun time as long as you know what you are getting into.
Not the book for me?
I have many criticisms, but it’s hard to say how much of it is just a response to my inexperience with this type of book and how much of it more avid erotica readers would pick up on as well. Did I have a good time reading it? Sure, for the most part. Is it a stand out read for me? Not at all. I liked a lot of the ideas that the author puts forward for this retelling, but few are ever really developed. I think there is quite a bit of missed potential in small moments that could really make the characters feel more dynamic and ultimately bring greater chemistry to Hades and Persephone. It tries to add some stakes to the relationship, but that also falls a bit flat and I found I didn’t really care. There is definitely enough there if you are more into the physical relationship than the story itself. However, I tend to like a little more narrative.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
tranvnguyen's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
Boss romance, enemies to lovers, sunshine x grumpy, Hades x Persephone
I absolutely loved this book. It hit all my favorite tropes, was a fun read and the absolute perfect length for a quick weekend read. While it’s a mythological retelling, the characters were all so enjoyable and the plot moved along smoothly. I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking another Hades x Persephone retelling!
I absolutely loved this book. It hit all my favorite tropes, was a fun read and the absolute perfect length for a quick weekend read. While it’s a mythological retelling, the characters were all so enjoyable and the plot moved along smoothly. I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking another Hades x Persephone retelling!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
shannonsbookblog's review against another edition
3.0
This is very, very, very spicy, with a lot of smut!
meg_k_white's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This had me alternating between laughing my ass off and clenching my thighs! Oh, and groaning at how BAD they are at communicating 🤣 They are literally the WORST at forming cohesive sentences that express what they're really feeling 😅 And they're both dragging so much trauma behind them they they second guess everything! But I mean, it just makes the story all the more agonizing for us 🖤
I've read a few Hades x Persephone retellings and so far this one is my favorite! Have I been using too many exclamation points?! I can't get over them. They're both loveable, both have unique insecurities and both *begin* to grow as a person... I'm sure books 2 and 3 will show even more personal growth.
Also love the secondary characters Hekate, Mellie and Helios. They deserve their own books
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
nvangilder's review against another edition
4.0
I love Persephone and Hadies' retellings. I have read a good deal of them over the years, In all kinds of different styles. You would think that would make me picky about what ones I enjoy, but it doesn't. I just enjoy the story and all the creative ways people tell it. This book was no different. While I enjoyed being back in the world that is P&H, I also enjoyed the authors' writing style. The way they told the story captured my interest and pulled me in. Had me continuing to want more of it.