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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: Eating disorder, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
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: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual violence, Alcohol, 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
olivialandryxo'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: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
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.doughtah's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Neon Gods was interesting. To be honest, I went in with a couple expectations: this is a retelling of Hades & Persephone (I’m already predisposed to like it), and if it’s based on the gods there’s going to be some sort of power system.
Now, the book is ostensibly a retelling of Hades & Persephone. It’s more of a mob (?) setting where each of the 13 Olympians controls different parts of Olympus (a city in the modern world). Each of the roles is passed from one person to the next, ie. “Demeter” is not Persephone’s mother’s birth name, rather her title. While this is true, the characters who take on these roles use their titles as their names. It’s only the 13 Olympians, however, who have these title-names. Persephone is Persephone’s name and is not a title.
The book opens with Demeter surprising her daughter Persephone with Persephone’s engagement to Zeus, the main mob boss in Olympus. Persephone is terrified of this possibility because one of the rumors around Zeus is that he kills his wives (the Heras) and Persephone doesn’t want to be another dead Hera. Plus, Persephone’s been making plans to flee Olympus entirely once spring begins. So, she runs to the Lower City/Underworld and onto Hades’ side. While with Hades, the two of them come up with a plan to piss off Zeus and to keep Persephone safe before she makes her way out of Olympus. And there we have our story.
What I liked was sort of short: if you’re into smut, you’ll probably be happy with this book; if you like a bickering couple who also are soft with one another, you’ll probably enjoy the dynamic between Hades and Persephone; healthy bdsm relationship with lots of discussion; DIONYSUS WAS ASEXUAL YES!!
There was a bit more that I didn’t enjoy in this book: I didn’t like that this story was set exactly within modern times where a character could make a throwaway reference to UC Berkeley because it didn’t make sense. These characters are from our time, they know of the 13 Olympians, they even call them gods (so they worship the 13 Olympians?),and yet they don’t make any reference to the fact that Persephone, in myth, was the wife of Hades. They never refer to the original myths at all.
Another thing that confused me was the magic system. There's some kind of barrier around Olympus that makes it difficult for people to leave. There’s also a barrier around the Upper City that makes it difficult for people to go from the Upper City to the Lower City. And I don’t mean like culturally difficult, I mean physically difficult. There is a magical layer. And that’s about the only magic in the world. Which made me pretty disappointed to be honest because that was one of my expectations. :/
Overall, it was an okay book. A little heavier on the smut than the worldbuilding than I prefer, so I don’t plan on reading the next in the series: Eros & Psyche. I wish the author luck though! It’s an interesting premise.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
dinkumbird's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I was really excited to read this book but it did not live up to my expectations and I think it is a bit overhyped. It is a Hades and Persephone retelling that takes place in the modern age. Instead of the them being gods they are political figures that run Olympus. The city is supposed to be split into thirds between Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, who are the most powerful of the Olympians and the only inherited titles. However, Zeus and Poseidon have combined their territories, leading to an Upper and Lower city divided by the river Styx. Eleven of the Thirteen live in the Upper City. Hades is the only one that lives in and rules the Lower City. Persephone is a rising socialite and the daughter of Demeter. She has not always lived in Olympus and only moved there once her mother won the title of Demeter and she plans to only stay in Olympus long enough to gain access to her inheritance. This all changes when her mother gives her hand in marriage to Zeus to be his wife and the new Hera. Being Hera is a dangerous role to have in Olympus and so Persephone flees to the Lower City where she meets Hades and the two hatch a revenge plan against Zeus.
The writing in the book is fairly good and the plot is interesting, but I did not like the departure from the original myths. The character, for the most part, still have the personalities and jobs that they have in the original tales. Zeus is still arrogant and treats women disrespectfully. Demeter is in charge of agriculture and Hermes is still a messenger. There are several places, specifically with Demeter where the book does not follow myth. She is supposed to not really get along with the other Olympians yet in this retelling she is attending parties with them. She is also supposed to dislike Hades in particular, yet she makes a deal with him in this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse
kativa01's review
funny
relaxing
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse