Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Neon Gods

Update April 2023 (5*)
I re-read this book and gave it a full 5* on the second time. It might be that after having finished all currently published books of the series (plus Wicked Villains) the depth and foreshadowing here just hit differently and made it even more enjoyable than on the first read.
I have a feeling that this won't be my last re-read either, so can recommend this (again), even after reading 60+ dark romances in between. What a journey it's been!

Review Nov 2022 (4.75*)
I really loved this retelling of the old Hades/Persephone myth! It has a nice story like, and I really appreciated that the whole arch was one book, rather than - as so often happens now - a trilogy. That said, I wish it was longer!
I particularly loved the representation: everyone seems to be casually queer (this is just given as a normal thing, rather than made a topic in itself); consent is a huge topic throughout, whether on explicit sex scenes (of which there are a couple, oh my, and they are very RACK type of kinky) or topics like childhood neglect/ caring for oneself etc. I thought this was done in a really intelligent and engaging way.

I will likely re-read at some point, and am already looking at more books in the Dark Olympus series.

Content Warnings

hangeken's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

pippinthepuffin's review against another edition

Go to review page

I am obsessed with any and all Hades and Persephone retellings. I understood that this wouldn’t be the finest of literature. And though the writing is not that bad; this plot line. 🫠 I hated the insta-love (or more accurately, insta-smut). Hades kept going on about how he doesn’t want to keep up with the fake dating agreement. Then he goes all Dom Dungeon Master on Persephone. It just felt fake and forced. I would have much rather it be a slow burn. Where Hades continues his reservations about Persephone. We all know how this is going to end. There is no need to rush.

The one element that I will absolutely give Robert credit for is the Pantheon. I love that the gods are replaced. This is also means we don’t get the 500yo dating the 22yo. Yes I am looking at you, Maas.

Content Warnings

msradiosilence's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Tldr; I can’t believe I haven’t read Katee Robert before now! This was such a good dark romance.

Read my full review at: https://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/neon-gods.

Content Warnings

thecatconstellation's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional tense fast-paced

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? It's complicated

3.5

I thought this was okay. I enjoyed reading it for the most part. I had some issues with some of the black and white morality around

murdering a wife killing abuser

, but overall I liked it well enough. The plot is thin at times, but there’s enough there to keep the story moving. One of my least favorite things about this is that they aren’t actually gods? Just people with the “roles” - I saw someone say this is more mafia than mythology and I feel like that is an accurate assessment.

Content Warnings