ashreads10k's review
4.0
If you've read my reviews on The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, or Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman, you would know that I am obsessed with the myth of Hades and Persephone. When I say obsessed, I mean it. One day, I saw Persephone the Phony featured in an In My Mailbox at Loving Books, and I knew I had to have it. I ordered it, and then immediately read it when I got it. I was actually surprised how small the book was! Only 130-something pages of text, and it was like triple spaced!
This was definitely meant for a younger audience, but I still enjoyed it. It was fun to take a break from the intensity of YA and just read a cute, light read. Honestly, it took me 30 minutes to read it. I really liked the characterization of Hades and Persephone, and the overall take on the myth. It was such a short book that there isn't much to say about it, except for that I really enjoyed it. If you're a mega fan of the myth of Hades and Persephone like me, this is a very cute book to read and I definitely recommend it! I give this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
This was definitely meant for a younger audience, but I still enjoyed it. It was fun to take a break from the intensity of YA and just read a cute, light read. Honestly, it took me 30 minutes to read it. I really liked the characterization of Hades and Persephone, and the overall take on the myth. It was such a short book that there isn't much to say about it, except for that I really enjoyed it. If you're a mega fan of the myth of Hades and Persephone like me, this is a very cute book to read and I definitely recommend it! I give this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
anindistinctaccountant's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
darkdiamond8989's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
It was a cute Greek mythology retelling. The Goddess Girls series take place in a modern setting and each feature different Greek Goddesses and Gods.
Goddess Girls: Persephone The Phony is mostly about Hades and Persephone and how they got together. It gives a more positive take on the Greek myth: Persephone and Hades, compared to the dark, original myth.
Goddess Girl: Persephone The Phone mentions the fruit of the underworld, pomegranates. But how Persephone met Hades and became Hades’ wife, the queen of the underworld, as told in the original myth, is a lot different with a happier outtake in this version.
This version is a positive, happily ever after take on Persephone and Hades. They get together in a met each other and fell in love scenario.
Goddess Girl: Persephone The Phone mentions the fruit of the underworld, pomegranates. But how Persephone met Hades and became Hades’ wife, the queen of the underworld, as told in the original myth, is a lot different with a happier outtake in this version.
This version is a positive, happily ever after take on Persephone and Hades. They get together in a met each other and fell in love scenario.
amy_inthecatacombs's review
5.0
Persephone the Phony is the second book of the Goddess Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams.
Persephone goes to Mount Olympus Academy, where godboys and goddessgirls go, and hangs out with her friends, Athena, Artemis, and Aphrodite. She would love to live on campus, but her mother, Demeter, insists that she stays home. Her mother often tells her to “go along to get along”, so Persephone is often doing what her friends want or says things she thinks they want to hear, such as going to the market when she really doesn’t want to. She’s sick of being this way and thinks she should be Perse-PHONY instead.
After going to a market with Aphrodite and Athena, Persephone finds herself in the cemetery because her yarn that she bought fell out of her bag. She starts making a daisy chain when suddenly the ground opens and a boy slightly older than her appears. The boy, Hades, tells her he has seen her at MOA. Hades is a loner and skips school often, so Persephone didn’t know who he was.
Persephone quickly sees that she can tell him how she truly feels and doesn’t feel so stifled or fake. Demeter ends up coming to take Persephone back home and tells him to stay away from her. When Persephone bumps into Hades again, her friends tell her he’s no good. Persephone starts to have doubts.
The myth of Hades and Persephone has always been my favorite myth. I definitely loved this book, even more so than the first one. I loved how Persephone realized it’s good to say how she feels, but there are also times where it’s better not to. I hope there’ll be another Goddess Girls book that will focus more on Persephone.
Persephone goes to Mount Olympus Academy, where godboys and goddessgirls go, and hangs out with her friends, Athena, Artemis, and Aphrodite. She would love to live on campus, but her mother, Demeter, insists that she stays home. Her mother often tells her to “go along to get along”, so Persephone is often doing what her friends want or says things she thinks they want to hear, such as going to the market when she really doesn’t want to. She’s sick of being this way and thinks she should be Perse-PHONY instead.
After going to a market with Aphrodite and Athena, Persephone finds herself in the cemetery because her yarn that she bought fell out of her bag. She starts making a daisy chain when suddenly the ground opens and a boy slightly older than her appears. The boy, Hades, tells her he has seen her at MOA. Hades is a loner and skips school often, so Persephone didn’t know who he was.
Persephone quickly sees that she can tell him how she truly feels and doesn’t feel so stifled or fake. Demeter ends up coming to take Persephone back home and tells him to stay away from her. When Persephone bumps into Hades again, her friends tell her he’s no good. Persephone starts to have doubts.
The myth of Hades and Persephone has always been my favorite myth. I definitely loved this book, even more so than the first one. I loved how Persephone realized it’s good to say how she feels, but there are also times where it’s better not to. I hope there’ll be another Goddess Girls book that will focus more on Persephone.
haia_929's review
4.0
This is a trimmed down version of my review, to view the full review visit The Book Ramble.
I enjoyed this book a smidgen more than the previous book. This book follows Persephone as she tries to find her own place in the academy, a place that isn't dictated by her mother or her friends. She meets Hades who is pretty unpopular and they form something of an unlikely friendship. Persephone finds Hades's world fascinating because she is the bringer of life and he brings death. This pairing is my absolute favourite of all time, and I really liked how Holub and Williams handled the pair this time. There were some great nods to the original story with mentions of pomegranate and abductions. I also liked the mother-daughter relationship in this.
I found the characterization a little more on point this time than the previous book. I liked how Persephone developed into a stronger character by the end of the book, but I still found her to be something of a pushover. Athena was definitely better written in this book as she was wiser, more interested in her studies, and a lot closer to how I would envision her from the myths. Hades was my favourite character in this. He pretty much always is. He had that kind of mysterious, bad boy allure at first sight, but then you find out more about him and he's really just trying to be responsible for his realm and people hugely misunderstand him. This was a lot better written in this book.
I think the story this time was a lot better, but still had some weird elements. The message was a lot more heavy handed which was kind of weird, but the characterization was a lot better.
I enjoyed this book a smidgen more than the previous book. This book follows Persephone as she tries to find her own place in the academy, a place that isn't dictated by her mother or her friends. She meets Hades who is pretty unpopular and they form something of an unlikely friendship. Persephone finds Hades's world fascinating because she is the bringer of life and he brings death. This pairing is my absolute favourite of all time, and I really liked how Holub and Williams handled the pair this time. There were some great nods to the original story with mentions of pomegranate and abductions. I also liked the mother-daughter relationship in this.
I found the characterization a little more on point this time than the previous book. I liked how Persephone developed into a stronger character by the end of the book, but I still found her to be something of a pushover. Athena was definitely better written in this book as she was wiser, more interested in her studies, and a lot closer to how I would envision her from the myths. Hades was my favourite character in this. He pretty much always is. He had that kind of mysterious, bad boy allure at first sight, but then you find out more about him and he's really just trying to be responsible for his realm and people hugely misunderstand him. This was a lot better written in this book.
I think the story this time was a lot better, but still had some weird elements. The message was a lot more heavy handed which was kind of weird, but the characterization was a lot better.
jkenna90's review
4.0
This was a really cute story! I think that these books are a great way to get kids interested in Greek Mythology without getting bogged down by a lot of details that may bore kids. I will defintely be reading more of this series!
greenldydragon's review
4.0
I liked this book a lot for the themes it talked about (being true to yourself, being honest with those you care about, don't judge others when you don't know all the facts), BUT I could not bring myself to give it a 5 star because I've read Joan Holub's younger series, Heroes in Training. While this might seem like nitpicking, the Heroes in Training series is a lot closer to the origin myths in Greek Mythology. This series is very cute (and some of the classes sound awesome, Hero-ology anyone?), but in this book Hades and Poseidon are godboys at school while Zeus is the principal - I just can't get past the fact that they are supposed to be SIBLINGS (which has so far not been mentioned).
So far, there has been no mention of Cronos or the Titans; yet, a lot of minor characters in mythology have appeared (Pandora, Medusa, etc.). It's fun and light, but I have to make the mythology side of my brain settle down and not point out all the problems while I read.
Still going to read the next book though!
So far, there has been no mention of Cronos or the Titans; yet, a lot of minor characters in mythology have appeared (Pandora, Medusa, etc.). It's fun and light, but I have to make the mythology side of my brain settle down and not point out all the problems while I read.
Still going to read the next book though!
caitcosentino's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Very cute; Might be my favorite of the Goddess Girls books so far
bloomingtea's review
3.0
3.5/5 rounded down
persphone’s everything just seemed forced and very in your face to me even for something for younger readers tbh
also points off for a seed spitting contest with pomegranate seeds?????? that’s not how pomegranates work!!!!!
persphone’s everything just seemed forced and very in your face to me even for something for younger readers tbh
also points off for a seed spitting contest with pomegranate seeds?????? that’s not how pomegranates work!!!!!
hayley_cummings's review
4.0
Ok, I think I liked this book even more than the first one. This is my third time reading this book in my most recent reread and I enjoyed it a lot! Persephone is a relatable, fun main character and I enjoyed her pov this book. These books are just so quick and easy and fun and I am really enjoying them. I’m this one we get a little more romance and maturity but it still had the same young feel and while the morals maybe aren’t the best for impressionable younger readers compared to the first book, it still has great messages and the mythology is still great. Highly recommend for younger readers or older readers looking to sit back and relax with a fun, simplistic book and learn about Greek mythology