You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

A review by emeryrachelle
Captive in the Underworld by Lianyu Tan

4.0

This was my first time reading a "dark" book, and I don't think the trope/subgenre is for me. The book didn't sit right with me in multiple places. I don't have the stomach to read more of this kind of work.

But as a writer, I recognize quality work, and this writer is masterful. Vocabulary, description, characterization, sense of place - wonderful. I adored Persephone. I finished this book in one sitting (ending at almost six in the morning) easily. The worldbuilding in the underworld was especially intriguing. Putting aside my misgivings with many of the dark aspects of the Hades/Persephone relationship, the ending was satisfying as well.

I picked up this book because I love Hades and Persephone, and I always want more queer fiction, and with the current popularity of dark fiction I thought it'd be worth trying at least once. The writer made the warnings clear, so I'm giving them the star rating their writing deserves. Not their fault I didn't care for the content when it was exactly as described.

Just... pay attention to those warnings if you're picking up this book.