Scan barcode
lyra_ann's review
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Stalking, Slavery, and Sexual harassment
ashleycmms's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Classism, Body horror, Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, War, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Grief, and Alcohol
kyeruhh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse and Infidelity
klerakeepsbooks's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It was kinda good, but I don't have the need to read it again. I liked the characters, though. I don't think it has a strong plot, it's just a smutty feel-good romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Violence
penandpaper's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
2.5
This had potential, especially because of the strength of the spicy scenes, but ultimately, it was handicapped by poor writing elsewhere. It was extremely repetitive and often felt like a Wattpad story versus a published novel. With a little more depth and mature prose, this could have been really good. As it stands, it only got this high of a rating because the spicy scenes were very well written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Domestic abuse
bi_n_large's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Sexual assault, and Gun violence
Minor: Domestic abuse
lanawils's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Eating disorder
Minor: Domestic abuse and Infidelity
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What I loved:
- Very steamy
- Hades
- Not sure what this trope is called but the one where the character thinks they’re a bad person but everyone can see they’re selfless and perfect
- The trope where both characters love each other but they won’t say so because they’re trying to protect the other
- Consent queens!!!
- Safe sex queens!!!
- Aftercare queens!!!
- Audiobook is available on Spotify
What I didn’t love:
- I’m not sure if this is necessarily the book’s fault, but I feel a bit mislead that it is tagged as LGBTQ+ on StoryGraph. Both main characters are implied to be bi based on their brief mention of same-gender past partners, but there is no queer plot. Don’t get me wrong, I was into Hades and Persephone, I just felt a little queer bated.
- At times the spice seemed a bit ridiculous in the context of the plot
- I listened to this as an audiobook and I really enjoyed most of it, with the exception of the way the two narrators portrayed the other character’s voice (Narrator from Hades’ POV reading Persephone’s dialogue and vice versa) - it was a bit cringry
- Perhaps unavoidable, but the spice had some language that I find somewhat cringey. At times it read like a porn manuscript
Bottom line:
If you want a spicy read, it’s definitely worth it!!
Spice level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
- Very steamy
- Hades
- Not sure what this trope is called but the one where the character thinks they’re a bad person but everyone can see they’re selfless and perfect
- The trope where both characters love each other but they won’t say so because they’re trying to protect the other
- Consent queens!!!
- Safe sex queens!!!
- Aftercare queens!!!
- Audiobook is available on Spotify
What I didn’t love:
- I’m not sure if this is necessarily the book’s fault, but I feel a bit mislead that it is tagged as LGBTQ+ on StoryGraph. Both main characters are implied to be bi based on their brief mention of same-gender past partners, but there is no queer plot. Don’t get me wrong, I was into Hades and Persephone, I just felt a little queer bated.
- At times the spice seemed a bit ridiculous in the context of the plot
- I listened to this as an audiobook and I really enjoyed most of it, with the exception of the way the two narrators portrayed the other character’s voice (Narrator from Hades’ POV reading Persephone’s dialogue and vice versa) - it was a bit cringry
- Perhaps unavoidable, but the spice had some language that I find somewhat cringey. At times it read like a porn manuscript
Bottom line:
If you want a spicy read, it’s definitely worth it!!
Spice level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual violence, and War
ruby1386's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
plumpaperbacks's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
[second read, October 2022]
Currently cackling at past me saying I was ‘uncomfortable with the smut.’ Oh, how things have changed. Throughout the year, I’ve been seeking out various Katee Robert books because I’ve wanted smut. I never, ever thought I’d say that, but here I am. I love it here. It’s fun. XD
It was so good to be back with Persephone and Hades. Fierce clever girl x soft simp boy will forever be a superior trope, and they deliver it in spades. I think this is my favorite retelling of their story—it’s new and unique while still bringing in some classic details, it’s cute and funny and spicy. It’s perfect. They’re perfect. 🖤
We might be getting 10 Dark Olympus books, but there’s no ‘saving the best for last’ here. Katee Robert really decided to start this series with a bang, and honestly, I don’t think she can top this. (No innuendos intended. ;))
[first read, January 2022]
I DNFed this book back in August 2021 because, while I really liked the characters, I was uncomfortable with the smut and BDSM elements. However, Neon Gods has been in the back of my mind since then, and finally I decided to give it a second chance and just skip the explicit scenes. I really wanted to finish it, and figured it deserved a fair chance.
I didn’t expect to absolutely adore the book, or for it to be my first five-star read of 2022. I didn’t expect to find an adorable couple on the other side of the smut, one that delivered both grumpy/sunshine and obsessed boy, or for Persephone and Hades to completely steal my heart. I certainly didn’t expect the final quarter of the book to be so damn intense and make my emotions skyrocket as I sped through the final chapters even faster than I had the rest of the story.
I found the fraught politics of Olympus both disgusting and fascinating. I don’t entirely understand how Olympus fits into the modern world or where it is, but whatever. I can overlook that.
Also, I’d like to take a moment to say I freaking love Persephone’s sisters. I especially love Callisto and Psyche; I’m very excited for the latter’s book, and lowkey disappointed we’re not getting one for the former. This is absolutely me projecting, but I could see the eldest Dimitriou as an angry lesbian and getting a cute, soft girlfriend. Just saying, Ms. Robert. Just saying….. (Update: we are, in fact, getting a Callisto book, and even if it’s not going to be what I imagined, I’m very excited for it.)
So, overall, this book majorly surprised me. I stayed up all night to marathon it in its entirety and don’t regret a single thing. I’m glad Katee Robert has an extensive backlog and several upcoming releases, because I’m now insatiably curious. Although I have a feeling that none of her other books can top this one, because Persephone, Hades and their adorable puppies have stolen my heart. 🖤 (No, “puppies” isn’t a euphemism. It’s not one I’ve heard of, but just clarifying, just in case, hahah.)
Representation
Currently cackling at past me saying I was ‘uncomfortable with the smut.’ Oh, how things have changed. Throughout the year, I’ve been seeking out various Katee Robert books because I’ve wanted smut. I never, ever thought I’d say that, but here I am. I love it here. It’s fun. XD
It was so good to be back with Persephone and Hades. Fierce clever girl x soft simp boy will forever be a superior trope, and they deliver it in spades. I think this is my favorite retelling of their story—it’s new and unique while still bringing in some classic details, it’s cute and funny and spicy. It’s perfect. They’re perfect. 🖤
We might be getting 10 Dark Olympus books, but there’s no ‘saving the best for last’ here. Katee Robert really decided to start this series with a bang, and honestly, I don’t think she can top this. (No innuendos intended. ;))
[first read, January 2022]
I DNFed this book back in August 2021 because, while I really liked the characters, I was uncomfortable with the smut and BDSM elements. However, Neon Gods has been in the back of my mind since then, and finally I decided to give it a second chance and just skip the explicit scenes. I really wanted to finish it, and figured it deserved a fair chance.
I didn’t expect to absolutely adore the book, or for it to be my first five-star read of 2022. I didn’t expect to find an adorable couple on the other side of the smut, one that delivered both grumpy/sunshine and obsessed boy, or for Persephone and Hades to completely steal my heart. I certainly didn’t expect the final quarter of the book to be so damn intense and make my emotions skyrocket as I sped through the final chapters even faster than I had the rest of the story.
I found the fraught politics of Olympus both disgusting and fascinating. I don’t entirely understand how Olympus fits into the modern world or where it is, but whatever. I can overlook that.
Also, I’d like to take a moment to say I freaking love Persephone’s sisters. I especially love Callisto and Psyche; I’m very excited for the latter’s book, and lowkey disappointed we’re not getting one for the former. This is absolutely me projecting, but I could see the eldest Dimitriou as an angry lesbian and getting a cute, soft girlfriend. Just saying, Ms. Robert. Just saying….. (Update: we are, in fact, getting a Callisto book, and even if it’s not going to be what I imagined, I’m very excited for it.)
So, overall, this book majorly surprised me. I stayed up all night to marathon it in its entirety and don’t regret a single thing. I’m glad Katee Robert has an extensive backlog and several upcoming releases, because I’m now insatiably curious. Although I have a feeling that none of her other books can top this one, because Persephone, Hades and their adorable puppies have stolen my heart. 🖤 (No, “puppies” isn’t a euphemism. It’s not one I’ve heard of, but just clarifying, just in case, hahah.)
Representation
- queer protagonists (both are attracted to multiple genders)
- side characters of color
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
All things tagged minor occurred prior to the story and are briefly discussed throughout the book. One protagonist has a couple of panic attacks, but they’re not long or in any way prominent.