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lambdse's review
1.0
Picked this up bc it’s popular on booktok. It was very spicy, but not much else (hardly any plot or world building). And it’s definitely not the best “modern” Hades and Persephone retelling I’ve ever read (how can you compete with Lore Olympus?). Also it was pretty much insta-love, which I’m not about. If you want a lot of spice with little substance, go for it, but if you want a good story, a slow burn, and spice read Sasha Summer’s take on Hades and Persephone.
booklifeisthelife's review against another edition
dark
funny
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? No
2.75
I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of this book. I was engaged with it and liked the romance. The ending bit however really annoyed me and dropped my rating a lot. A mix of my full review and a few thoughts when I was reading.
Ch 28 -it's really irritating that she's been characterized as someone who plans well but didn't think about getting more information about the deal with her mother? Careless and out of character. She talks about how Hades is going to see the photograph on the news (this is where I stopped to come write this) and think she betrayed him since she hadn't been able to tell him. As if cellphones aren't a thing (it wasn't established if they have each other's numbers but I'm sure it wouldn't have been hard to get if she didn't) or even a hand written note. Or have her sister explain to him. She made the choice not to tell him, she doesn't get to act like she's upset she didn't get to tell him. I also dislike how little confidence she has in Hades, as if he hasn't been planning for this for years.
Ch 30 - wtf. This is so annoying. You'd be no better than him if you killed him? Shut up. You planned for this for decades. He has done so many terrible things. Killing him because you are protecting your people and your love does not make you the same as him who kills for power. I hate that logic. So incredibly frustrating.
Would have been a four if not for the stuff above .All what I ranted above still grates on me. Just. I really really disliked it. I understand she didn't want any casualties and that it showed someone cared more about him than themselves but I don't really care. That could have been done differently. I didn't like her actions, her thought process, the lack of communication towards the end and the fact that Hades didn't kill Zeus because it "would make him just as bad" which is fucking ludicrous. I did enjoy the beginning and middle of the book though. The story and the development of the relationship. How he was kind to her and took care of her. How she enjoyed getting to know him and his people. Them opening up to each other. The close sibling bond between the siblings was nice too. 2.75 stars
Ch 28 -it's really irritating that she's been characterized as someone who plans well but didn't think about getting more information about the deal with her mother? Careless and out of character. She talks about how Hades is going to see the photograph on the news (this is where I stopped to come write this) and think she betrayed him since she hadn't been able to tell him. As if cellphones aren't a thing (it wasn't established if they have each other's numbers but I'm sure it wouldn't have been hard to get if she didn't) or even a hand written note. Or have her sister explain to him. She made the choice not to tell him, she doesn't get to act like she's upset she didn't get to tell him. I also dislike how little confidence she has in Hades, as if he hasn't been planning for this for years.
Ch 30 - wtf. This is so annoying. You'd be no better than him if you killed him? Shut up. You planned for this for decades. He has done so many terrible things. Killing him because you are protecting your people and your love does not make you the same as him who kills for power. I hate that logic. So incredibly frustrating.
Would have been a four if not for the stuff above .All what I ranted above still grates on me. Just. I really really disliked it. I understand she didn't want any casualties and that it showed someone cared more about him than themselves but I don't really care. That could have been done differently. I didn't like her actions, her thought process, the lack of communication towards the end and the fact that Hades didn't kill Zeus because it "would make him just as bad" which is fucking ludicrous. I did enjoy the beginning and middle of the book though. The story and the development of the relationship. How he was kind to her and took care of her. How she enjoyed getting to know him and his people. Them opening up to each other. The close sibling bond between the siblings was nice too. 2.75 stars
simply_library's review
4.0
Loved this modern retelling!
One night has Persephones whole world turned upside down.
Zeus just announced their engagement, which she did not agree to, her mother thinks it's a great idea, even though the last three wives died, and Hydes is real, even though shes been told her whole life that bloodline died out.
Fleeing Zeus and the rest of The Thirteen is how she finds herself on the other side of the river with the man she didn't think existed. They both hate Zeus, so why not use each other to get back at him?
Of course, this plan goes south when Persephone learns Hydes is a good leader who cares about his people, is ridiculously handsome, and feeds into fantasies she didn't know existed.
It's no surprise when Hydes can't keep his end of the plan after learning this gorgeous woman isn't the airhead socialite the tabloids have painted her to be.
I LOVED seeing this relationship develop and found it completely believable. The spice was good, too
One night has Persephones whole world turned upside down.
Zeus just announced their engagement, which she did not agree to, her mother thinks it's a great idea, even though the last three wives died, and Hydes is real, even though shes been told her whole life that bloodline died out.
Fleeing Zeus and the rest of The Thirteen is how she finds herself on the other side of the river with the man she didn't think existed. They both hate Zeus, so why not use each other to get back at him?
Of course, this plan goes south when Persephone learns Hydes is a good leader who cares about his people, is ridiculously handsome, and feeds into fantasies she didn't know existed.
It's no surprise when Hydes can't keep his end of the plan after learning this gorgeous woman isn't the airhead socialite the tabloids have painted her to be.
I LOVED seeing this relationship develop and found it completely believable. The spice was good, too
didipooka's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
1.0
The idea was interesting - greek gods and goddesses as inherited titles, a modern twist on mythology. The kindle sample hooked my interest but then the plot just... vanished. Lots of spicy scenes, no real plot to move the story, and I just found the characters really irritating after a while.
bris_reads's review
5.0
This was my first "retelling" book and I am obsessed! I read this book in a day and was hooked the whole time. The plot kept me interested the spice was off the charts! Definitely one of my favorites of the year so far!! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
lariiii25's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
msbehavin's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Katee Roberts book, and my first reading of Hades/Persephone retelling.
I liked how Persephone went from thinking Hades was a big bad, to finding out how well he cared for the citizens in his domain, that he truly did care about them.
I also liked how some of the Gods on the Council were elected, rather than passed directly to the oldest Heir.
I always liked learning about the Greek Gods in school, and this was a great way to dive into that fantasy world, with just the right amount of spice to it. I will definitely be reading more of Katee's books!
I liked how Persephone went from thinking Hades was a big bad, to finding out how well he cared for the citizens in his domain, that he truly did care about them.
I also liked how some of the Gods on the Council were elected, rather than passed directly to the oldest Heir.
I always liked learning about the Greek Gods in school, and this was a great way to dive into that fantasy world, with just the right amount of spice to it. I will definitely be reading more of Katee's books!
livhannah13's review
4.0
So I first tried to listen to the book, and I couldn't... maybe cause of the voice actors reading it or just my attention wasn't there.... but with all that said, I ended up reading it and actually really enjoyed it. There are some parts that you are almost like eh its okay, but I might continue with the series after I finish some of my other books!
russejenn's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I’ve read all of the Wicked Villains books and so this one really surprised me because it had a lot more substance than those, and it felt more plot focused than smut focused. Might read the next one.