Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Lore Olympus: Volume Five

The narrative diverges a lot bit from the bigger picture, but this edition helps us go deeper into the plans of the side characters come into fruition, and to see how the relationship between Hades and Persephone is continuing to deepen.

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billd's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I've enjoyed the Lore Olympus graphic novel series since I decided to take a chance on Volume 1 a couple of years ago. Lore Olympus: Volume Five by Rachel Smythe contains Chapters 76 - 104 of the series which basically focuses on the romance between the Goddess of Spring, Demeter and the Lord of the Underworld, Hades.
It's an ongoing story with the two moving forward and then backward in their potential relationship. In the last book, Persephone, who is interning in the Underworld, gets Hades to agree to keep their relationship on a strictly businesslike basis even though both really don't want that. This book commences with Hades breaking off his relationship with the nymph Minthe, who works as his secretary. He basically wants to be free should Persephone change her mind... and in this volume, there are indications of a relationship that will move closer.
Minthe with the help of Thanatos, another of Hades employees, and Thetis, a nymph who has had a relationship with Zeus (Yup, this series abound with relationships. They are the Greek gods after all) tries to find some dirt on Persephone so she can win Hades back. There is a back story that is very interesting about Persephone and is slowly being brought out.
Oh yes... and then there is Apollo who, in a previous volume, forced his attentions on Persephone, much to her shame. He still wants to have some sort of relationship with her, maybe just to ensure she says nothing about what he did. (Fair warning, there are some powerful themes in this series. In fact, Rachel Smythe does provide a content warning at the beginning of each book).
So... as the story progresses, Zeus gets involved at the instigation of Thetis, Hera also gets involved at the request of Artemis and Persephone disappears, leading to a search by Hades and Hecate and others. And there will be a very surprising ending, meaning I'll have to stew until mid 2024 for Volume 6!!!
The story can often be confusing as the gods have this habit of changing their appearance depending on their emotions. The artwork is colorful and quite powerful. There are many excellent characters; my favorites being Hecate, Artemis and Hermes. It's a neat look at the gods and always an entertaining read. (4.0 stars)

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madamegeneva's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.25

I felt like this instalment was more emotional than some of the earlier ones - Persephone’s arc especially tugged on my heartstrings.

I’m so glad her and hades finally kissed, and the part where she summons him was extremely sweet.

The cliffhanger at the end made me wanna read #6 immediately. Does anyone know if it’s coming out soon? Please say yes.

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