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A review by xangemthelibrarian
In the Garden of Monsters by Crystal King
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fever dream of a story. I found the tension between the real world and the mythological world mesmerizing. For most of the story, you are left wondering with Julia what is really happening or what is a dream.
There is a lovely focus on food here that I think could benefit from being highlighted in the blurb. Moreso than Dali's insistence she eat the pomegranate seeds. The food really is just as important as the garden and the mythology of Pluto and Proserpina.
As far as romantic tension goes, this is surprisingly clean. Sex happens, but it's never explicit. It felt rather tame and more focused on the emotions and desire than the physical actions. Which is also surprising to say, given that the Dali couple are living their best poly life over there! (Maybe I've read too much erotica haha.)
Overall, if you want to read a Hades x Persephone retelling, but with a nice little twist, lots of delicious sounding food, and a famously eccentric artist, this is the one.
There is a lovely focus on food here that I think could benefit from being highlighted in the blurb. Moreso than Dali's insistence she eat the pomegranate seeds. The food really is just as important as the garden and the mythology of Pluto and Proserpina.
As far as romantic tension goes, this is surprisingly clean. Sex happens, but it's never explicit. It felt rather tame and more focused on the emotions and desire than the physical actions. Which is also surprising to say, given that the Dali couple are living their best poly life over there! (Maybe I've read too much erotica haha.)
Overall, if you want to read a Hades x Persephone retelling, but with a nice little twist, lots of delicious sounding food, and a famously eccentric artist, this is the one.