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sophiecountsclouds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Suicide, Vomit, Trafficking, and Alcohol
rchulin1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
savage_book_review's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
However, I guess it's meant to be like that; it's just a struggle to remember that Persephone was essentially kept in isolation for 18 years when she seems to have so much more experience than her four years in New Athens would suggest. In some ways, she is still very much a child and, seen in that context, her erratic behaviour and desperate desire for reassurance, friendship and love becomes a little more understandable. I think the main issue I have is that, where Hades seems to genuinely feel something when taking action (whether rage, lust, sadness, pride or joy), Persephone's outbursts don't feel like they have that same depth - they're more like temper tantrums, which I guess brings me back to her essentially being a child.
Although I would say that you really should read 'A Touch of Ruin' first, this book does flow better for those who might be jumping in here. There is much more of a story going on for Hades, and it serves as a great build up to what I can only assume is going to follow in the next books. And the development of his relationship with Persephone makes so much more sense when seen through his eyes - this man who has never had anyone to ask him 'how was your day?' or who wants to be in his orbit because of him as a person, not him as a God... even though I felt for him in the last book and got why he acts the way he does, to see his thought processes and the repercussions of that really gives him a properly rounded character, and one that I'm incredibly drawn to.
I enjoyed the interactions with other Gods, Dionysius and Hephestus in particular, and the sinking feeling that the Olympians are about to come to blows. Likewise, Hades' relationships with Hecate and Hermes continue to make me smile and are giving me 'found family' vibes. I want a 'family dinner' scene with them, Persephone, Thanatos and Charon all just being relaxed and comfortable with eachother, banter flying, and everyone ganging up on Hades to poke fun at something ridiculous he says or does.
I'm also continuing to enjoy the weaving in of established mythology to the modern context. The introduction of Ariadne as a detective, for example, I thought was great. And her chemistry with Dionysius sparks off the page very well.
Overall, I'm still not completely sold on the writing, but it works well enough to trigger my imagination and for me to enjoy the retelling of the classic myth. So it's not bad! Slightly annoyed the next in the series isn't available on KU yet, but at least my library service has a copy I can borrow!
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Stalking, and Car accident
mlh95's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Just like in Persephones book, the communications problems are testing me. Someone who values communication it is torture! It's strange to see that Hades doesn't even think about telling Persephone stuff, I think he's been alone for too long.
Can we all cheer for Hecate! She's not afraid to tell Hades he's messed up
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
alicia_joy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Kidnapping
bangiebangs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Things I dislike:
- Noted this in another review, but the sex scenes are a bit template-y feeling after a while. It's not hugely imaginative, and the language can be a turn off for me. They are spicy though, just not as appealing to my brain as other authors can be.
- I also just violently hate the miscommunication trope. So, so many problems, dangers, and fights could be avoided by talking, and I'm just having a hard time with believing that any eons-old god (whether they are experienced in romantic relationships or not) is struggling SO MUCH to express their thoughts... just plain annoying
Things I like:
- Hermes! Somehow we love the trickster in all their incarnations (I don't think I've come across an unlikable Hermes yet?). Definitely bringing the sass.
- In this book in particular, I really like that there are real-world (and impactful) consequences to MC's actions. As sad as the story gets, I'm glad that there isn't some loophole or some magical cure-all that pops up and fixes it. I feel that this gives the story more depth.
So yeah, I'm excited to read on now!
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual harassment
shaylac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TLDR: This book was better than the first book in the series and answers what was Hades doing in the Hades x Persephone series. Spiciness was still there 4/5 🌶️. There are heavier topics in this book so please be aware and read the content warnings before you read this book.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Blood, and Kidnapping
kloughlin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Vomit
raiderqueen23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape, Vomit, and War
It only mentions rape.brichneyfloss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Alcohol
Minor: Kidnapping