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savage_book_review'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
Overall, I think it's the best paced and most enjoyable story of the series to date. I'm enjoying seeing Persephone grow into her powers and the slow expansion of the 'found family' (even if most of them are actually related in some way...), the twists and turns of the over-arching narrative and Hades just being Hades. And for the first time, I didn't get annoyed by Persephone's immaturity - her character has shifted in to something a little more befitting of the future Queen of the Underworld; she's still a little bit immature and naive in places, but the darker thread of her power coming to the surface and the development of her persona to match Hades, gaining satisfaction from the torture of the souls of those that wrong people makes her feel far more rounded.
That being said, there's a small part of my brain berating me for liking this. I think my main issue is that, while the trauma Persephone went through in the last book is addressed and it does affect her relationship with Hades, it only feels like it's addressed on a surface level and then discarded in favour of a quick recovery. Likewise, the sufferings of other characters are dismissed fairly quickly and one dimensionally - the author had a great opportunity to give us a deeper insight and context into Demeter's motives, but instead it's referred to in a single sentence and she's branded a hopeless case.
I also think the author has come to rely on the spicy scenes as a bit of a crutch. Persephone claims that she feels at her most powerful when in bed with Hades, and that could be illustrated so, so well to add layers to the story. But instead, it feels like the choice was quantity over quality, and for the most part Hades is the one in the position of power IMO. She can certainly write the scenes, I just think she needs to be more selective about placing them.
As before, I do like the way the author has seamlessly weaved in elements of various myths to expand the world, and reading some of her explanations in the Author's Notes really make these moments stand out. In particular, I like the twist in the character of Helen, the development of Apollo's character and acknowledgement of his past errors, and the continued back and forth between Aphrodite and Hephestus.
The writing is far from perfect and I would kill for more depth, but I couldn't help but enjoy this. Looking forward tonreading Hades' POV shortly!
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Rape, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
lethaltea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Torture, and Car accident
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
frantically'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? No
5.0
I just remembered that I hoped we'd see more of Hades' criminal underworld and while that didn't happen in a big extent we got dark!/spicy!Hades instead and honestly I'm not mad about that. I do wish Hades was more involved in the plot sometimes tho! Hades & Persephone often give off Ken & Barbie vibes, with him just being there to worship her (but also not really complaining here) (need myself a man like that)
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Car accident, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Suicide and Abortion
raiderqueen23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Car accident
taleofabibliophile's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Gore, Rape, Suicide, Blood, and Vomit
kyrstin_p1989'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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
raphaela's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The way the issues of the characters are dealt with drives me insane,
Also, there is so little plot happening over several chapters (basically most of the book) and suddenly everything is happening too fast with way less details than required to actually make me care. At least the smut is kind of okay, although it becomes a bit repetitive over the course of the book (like I can read about them fucking on their bed and in the bathing rooms only so many times before I just start skimming - also, they bathe like three times a day??).
Hermes and Apollo really carried this book, I don't know if I could have finished it without them appearing from time to time.
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Car accident, and Pregnancy
msta9789's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
kaseybereading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Car accident
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Rape