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girasoldelluvia's review
1.0
I usually refrain from rating a book I didn't finish because I want to have the full picture and I don't think it's fair, but clearly, I read a different book from the other 90% of the population.
Obviously, it's not the book for me. If the eons-old Persephone acting like a 12-year-old for half the book; the sex scene (first time of the "heroine") happening during an actual descent to hell in a moving chariot with the hero on his feet, one hand holding the reins, the other one simultaneously holding Persephone to him, stroking her hair, undressing himself, and covering her with his arms; the instant-love; the claiming of a baby as the love interest by a very old god; and the spying on a couple having sex didn't clue me in, the change of pov from one sentence to the next (sometimes up to three times in the same paragraph) certainly did.
Obviously, it's not the book for me. If the eons-old Persephone acting like a 12-year-old for half the book; the sex scene (first time of the "heroine") happening during an actual descent to hell in a moving chariot with the hero on his feet, one hand holding the reins, the other one simultaneously holding Persephone to him, stroking her hair, undressing himself, and covering her with his arms; the instant-love; the claiming of a baby as the love interest by a very old god; and the spying on a couple having sex didn't clue me in, the change of pov from one sentence to the next (sometimes up to three times in the same paragraph) certainly did.
silverdreamsca's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? N/A
5.0
This is a really great book. The story takes you away to ancient Greece and provides details that make that era come alive. The characters have rich personality and you can see their growth as the story progresses. I felt really invested in these characters. I love how this author uses the mythology of the gods and expands in it to give a new spin on them too. I can't wait to read the next book!
hiveretcafe's review
5.0
I read this novel when it was still a fanfiction categorized under "Greek Mythology" on fanfiction.net.
I don't remember too well the specifics, since it was quite a while, but I remember being enthralled by it and being unable to do anything until I finished reading it (as I do when I'm enthralled by anything, really). The writing (though a first draft) was great and the plot definitely kept me drawn in at all times. The characterization and really the expansion on the characters of these millennia old figures was realistic and really painted a vivid portrait of these mythological gods and goddesses with more realness and fallibility to them.
This is definitely a great read for those who enjoy Greek mythology and great stories.
I don't remember too well the specifics, since it was quite a while, but I remember being enthralled by it and being unable to do anything until I finished reading it (as I do when I'm enthralled by anything, really). The writing (though a first draft) was great and the plot definitely kept me drawn in at all times. The characterization and really the expansion on the characters of these millennia old figures was realistic and really painted a vivid portrait of these mythological gods and goddesses with more realness and fallibility to them.
This is definitely a great read for those who enjoy Greek mythology and great stories.
twiththebooks's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it overall with the different mythology added but for my tastes wayyyy too much sex.
lilyelisabeth511's review
5.0
"But I love our world too, Aidon. It's peaceful and freeing, its rivers and fields awe inspiring, and when the first light dawns through the Styx every morning, it's so beautiful I nearly cry with joy every time I see it. If I cannot say and you cannot hear tonight that I love Hades the man, at least know that I truly love Hades the realm. I don't live in the world above anymore. This place is my home. Our home. I love it just as much as you do."
•
•
I get it. I truly get it. I have always loved Greek mythology and I have always loved learning more about the myths, stories and worlds. But I never was super interested in Hades and Persephone. After reading the Kingmaker Chronicles and Persephone playing such a huge role, I needed more from her. And Hades, by extension. I absolutely loved this book.
It was a bit of a slower start for me and I think it had more to do with me, than the book itself. The writing style is quite different from what I usually read and this book does not start out lightly. It tosses you head first into the deep end with the mythos and characters and I found myself having to read a bit slower to really absorb everything that was going on. But by the 40%ish mark, I was completely enraptured. I am thoroughly obsessed.
While this story follows Hades and Persephone in the Underworld as god and goddess, it is a retelling. It doesn't follow the myth exactly and switches things up and turns things around and it does so extremely well. Hades is the perfect mix between "touch her and you die" and "sweet cinnamon roll who simps hard." Persephone was amazing and I loved her transition and growth from Kore the Maiden to Persephone the QUEEN.
I thought this was going to end on a cliffhanger and it didn't but I am so eager to start the next book. I think the stakes and the players of the game are only going to get bigger and I can't wait.
•
•
I get it. I truly get it. I have always loved Greek mythology and I have always loved learning more about the myths, stories and worlds. But I never was super interested in Hades and Persephone. After reading the Kingmaker Chronicles and Persephone playing such a huge role, I needed more from her. And Hades, by extension. I absolutely loved this book.
It was a bit of a slower start for me and I think it had more to do with me, than the book itself. The writing style is quite different from what I usually read and this book does not start out lightly. It tosses you head first into the deep end with the mythos and characters and I found myself having to read a bit slower to really absorb everything that was going on. But by the 40%ish mark, I was completely enraptured. I am thoroughly obsessed.
While this story follows Hades and Persephone in the Underworld as god and goddess, it is a retelling. It doesn't follow the myth exactly and switches things up and turns things around and it does so extremely well. Hades is the perfect mix between "touch her and you die" and "sweet cinnamon roll who simps hard." Persephone was amazing and I loved her transition and growth from Kore the Maiden to Persephone the QUEEN.
I thought this was going to end on a cliffhanger and it didn't but I am so eager to start the next book. I think the stakes and the players of the game are only going to get bigger and I can't wait.
cait_reads_stuff's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
danielle_readsbooks's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
I really wish GR let us do half stars because I do think this is better than 3 but not quite a 4. I really liked the first 80% of this book. This is the best, realistic take on Hades and Persephone in my opinion. I felt like the author captured Persephone's naivety w/o her coming across as dumb or weak. Hades was also sweet and so so in love, which is my favorite about this trope.
While there was plenty good, there was so bad. This book is just entirely too long, especially because this is a trilogy. I didn't need the others characters povs, Hades/Persephone/Demeter was enough for me. In the same vain, the side storyline that is continuing in the next book isn't that interesting imo. Lastly, there is a lot of sex in this book, but please read the TW bc there is a lot of rape (which was very common in this time) but some felt like it wasn't necessary to move the story forward.
I really wish GR let us do half stars because I do think this is better than 3 but not quite a 4. I really liked the first 80% of this book. This is the best, realistic take on Hades and Persephone in my opinion. I felt like the author captured Persephone's naivety w/o her coming across as dumb or weak. Hades was also sweet and so so in love, which is my favorite about this trope.
While there was plenty good, there was so bad. This book is just entirely too long, especially because this is a trilogy. I didn't need the others characters povs, Hades/Persephone/Demeter was enough for me. In the same vain, the side storyline that is continuing in the next book isn't that interesting imo. Lastly, there is a lot of sex in this book, but please read the TW bc there is a lot of rape (which was very common in this time) but some felt like it wasn't necessary to move the story forward.
dgilbreath's review
3.0
3.5 stars! So I love a Hades and Persephone retelling. I love how spot on this story was with the actual story. I loved this through about 60-70% of it and then I got bored. I got tired of the…spice. Lol. Which I know is half the point of THIS retelling but it made the story drag on. I skimmed through the last 30% and skipped all the spicy times because I was just ready for it to end. It does make me sad because I really loved it initially. I do love this Persephone more than others…I loved Hades and Hecate as always….everyone else I could take or leave. But I HATED this Demeter. We always hate Demeter…but when she had to lie about who she is to be saved from the frigid cold because she knows she’s the awful cause of it…it was just too much for me. If you’re going to cause all that destruction, live with your actions and be proud of it at least. What message are you sending when you can’t handle your own punishment?! Ugh. That is all. It just fell short for me. But I can see the potential.