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A review by toofondofbooks_
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.0
Cheers, I finally finished my first book of the year!
Neon Gods is a romance novel (erotica. it's erotica, I know I'm usually not a huge fan of erotica, but hear me out - the new year is about trying new things!). It's a modern retelling of the greek myth of Hades and Persephone, a myth that I've always been fascinated by, so when I heard some friends talking about the book on a livestream a few months ago, I added it to my TBR. I have mostly good and neutral feelings toward this, so let's talk about the positives first.
I appreciate that this book does not pretend to be something it isn't. It knows that you're here for "unspeakably hot" as the blurb on the cover puts it - romance, and it does deliver on all of those fronts. It doesn't pretend that it isn't melodramatic, it doesn't pretend that it isn't corny or cheesy - because if you're picking this up, I feel like that's what you're expecting. I feel like if that isn't what you're down for, that's when you'll be disappointed.
For me, personally, I am not generally a fan of erotica because the dynamics are often questionable, but I was impressed with the relationship between Hades & Persephone in the sense that there was total consent at all times and I never felt like I was reading a borderline r*pe scene the way I have felt reading other romances in the past. I also just thought that they had scenes together that were both sweet and laugh-out-loud funny, which I didn't expect going into it at all. Hades is a big ole simp and I'm here for it. Also, shout out to the world building and to the entire character of Hermes - she's my hero.
Some things that weren't so great...well, there was a lot of repetition throughout the narrative that I really thought could've been edited down. I can't exactly say what it's in regards to without spoilers though. Additionally, I thought Persephone could've used a little more personality. I feel like I was told in the narrative that she had a lot of personality, but when she opened her mouth, it didn't always come across that way. It also kind of irked me that he was constantly carrying her around like a child, but that is more of a personal gripe than a critique on the work itself.
Neon Gods is a romance novel (erotica. it's erotica, I know I'm usually not a huge fan of erotica, but hear me out - the new year is about trying new things!). It's a modern retelling of the greek myth of Hades and Persephone, a myth that I've always been fascinated by, so when I heard some friends talking about the book on a livestream a few months ago, I added it to my TBR. I have mostly good and neutral feelings toward this, so let's talk about the positives first.
I appreciate that this book does not pretend to be something it isn't. It knows that you're here for "unspeakably hot" as the blurb on the cover puts it - romance, and it does deliver on all of those fronts. It doesn't pretend that it isn't melodramatic, it doesn't pretend that it isn't corny or cheesy - because if you're picking this up, I feel like that's what you're expecting. I feel like if that isn't what you're down for, that's when you'll be disappointed.
For me, personally, I am not generally a fan of erotica because the dynamics are often questionable, but I was impressed with the relationship between Hades & Persephone in the sense that there was total consent at all times and I never felt like I was reading a borderline r*pe scene the way I have felt reading other romances in the past. I also just thought that they had scenes together that were both sweet and laugh-out-loud funny, which I didn't expect going into it at all. Hades is a big ole simp and I'm here for it. Also, shout out to the world building and to the entire character of Hermes - she's my hero.
Some things that weren't so great...well, there was a lot of repetition throughout the narrative that I really thought could've been edited down. I can't exactly say what it's in regards to without spoilers though. Additionally, I thought Persephone could've used a little more personality. I feel like I was told in the narrative that she had a lot of personality, but when she opened her mouth, it didn't always come across that way. It also kind of irked me that he was constantly carrying her around like a child, but that is more of a personal gripe than a critique on the work itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Confinement, Self harm, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts