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andreaaaoid's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
2.0
I did not have high expectations of this book. I mean, the cover alone was enough to give me pause. But I like Bridgerton and I love Hades x Persephone retellings, so I had to give it a go.
First the positives. I love a man head-over-heels in love with a confidant, quirky woman. Aidon was adorable in his constant pining and affection for Persephone. And the plot itself was great; I love the unique spin on Hades/Persephone. I mean, Persephone Honeyfield is a bit on the nose, but I like that it's a bit cringey. And the reinvention of Hades (brownie points for using the classic Aidoneus) as a "funeral furnisher" was very creative.
Now for the negatives. The bare bones plot was great, but the slap dash, rushed pacing of the story all but ruined it. We didn't even see their wedding for Pete's sake! And honestly Aidon's deep dark secret being that he secretly buries the dead illegitimate children of the aristocracy (but only those who died by natural means of course) was a bit anticlimactic. Two hundred and fifty pages we wait for this reveal and...that's it?? Well, okay.
Also, the characterization of the two MCs? I can't imagine two more pathetic, self-pitying, insecure humans. I mean, damn. Aidon has deep seated father issues that have steered his life for over a decade. And Persephone is so convinced of her own worthlessness that she continues to believe she is ugly and unloveable, going so far as to deny Aidon's repeated procolmations of love, until the very end of the novel. And do they resolve these feelings of inadequacy and insecurity? Just barely.
And don't get me started on the spice. While there was plenty of it, I can't believe that nearly every spicy scene could be interrupted by someone knocking on the door insistently. Although thank god they did, because all-in-all it was a bit of a snoozefest.
By far the best character was Ezra, who has big golden retriever energy and was 100% willing to marry a pregnant woman because he's in love with her, pregnant or no. If you read this book at all, read it for Ezra (and for the occassionally funny/romantic pieces of dialogue sprinkled throughout the text).
First the positives. I love a man head-over-heels in love with a confidant, quirky woman. Aidon was adorable in his constant pining and affection for Persephone. And the plot itself was great; I love the unique spin on Hades/Persephone. I mean, Persephone Honeyfield is a bit on the nose, but I like that it's a bit cringey. And the reinvention of Hades (brownie points for using the classic Aidoneus) as a "funeral furnisher" was very creative.
Now for the negatives. The bare bones plot was great, but the slap dash, rushed pacing of the story all but ruined it. We didn't even see their wedding for Pete's sake! And honestly Aidon's deep dark secret being that he secretly buries the dead illegitimate children of the aristocracy (but only those who died by natural means of course) was a bit anticlimactic. Two hundred and fifty pages we wait for this reveal and...that's it?? Well, okay.
Also, the characterization of the two MCs? I can't imagine two more pathetic, self-pitying, insecure humans. I mean, damn. Aidon has deep seated father issues that have steered his life for over a decade. And Persephone is so convinced of her own worthlessness that she continues to believe she is ugly and unloveable, going so far as to deny Aidon's repeated procolmations of love, until the very end of the novel. And do they resolve these feelings of inadequacy and insecurity? Just barely.
And don't get me started on the spice. While there was plenty of it, I can't believe that nearly every spicy scene could be interrupted by someone knocking on the door insistently. Although thank god they did, because all-in-all it was a bit of a snoozefest.
By far the best character was Ezra, who has big golden retriever energy and was 100% willing to marry a pregnant woman because he's in love with her, pregnant or no. If you read this book at all, read it for Ezra (and for the occassionally funny/romantic pieces of dialogue sprinkled throughout the text).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
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