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A review by savage_book_review
Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am a sucker for a Hades and Persephone retelling, so when I saw this one in all of its sprayed edge, bright pink glory it was basically a guaranteed impulse buy. And oh goodness was it totally worth it!
On the surface, this hits a lot of the standard devices for the Hades and Persephone retellings; Hades is grumpy and incredibly hot, but has a softer side that only comes out for her. Persephone has a bit of an attitude and is determined to claim her own agency away from her mother, and ends up with a divine best friend who is just as good a pal to Hades and ribs him mercilessly about his change in demeanour. Throw in Cerberus as the biggest good puppy dog that ever existed and you're golden. This in itself makes the book enjoyable as you know what you're getting and it allows you to just sink into the story and relax. But equally, this one just hits a little different.
It's the first YA retelling I've read in a while, so although there is definitely sexual tension and the joy of their coming together *ahem*, it's not the main focus of the story, nor is it explicit. I really enjoyed the shift in focus on to their developing relationship from host and unwanted guest to friends and then to more, with particular scenes really making it feel like their eventual romance has a properly solid foundation (even if it does take places over a relatively short space of time).
This book does a great job at weaving the traditional narrative with 21st century sensibilities. It has a lot to say about the stereotypical gender roles and the imbalance of power between the sexes, and while this theme is absolutely front and centre throughout, it's done in a way that doesn't feel preachy - it helps build Persephone into a really strong character and makes you want to cheer for her throughout. Likewise, Hades' insistence that he has to hide part of himself for fear of not being seen as a 'real man' by the other Gods is immensely powerful and made me feel so much frustration for him! The sharp contrast between the infantilisation of Kore by her parents and the support offered to her by Hades is brilliantly handled, with the added bonus that while he will stand by her side and fight with her, he allows her the room to fight her own battles too.
It's also got a great comedy edge to it. Some of the images and scenes are so incongruous with what you expect the King and Queen of the Underworld yo act like - the two of of them playing a drinking game at Zeus and Demeter's expense while sprawled on the floor in the base of their Palace is just so 'normal', and it totally works! The personification of the River Styx is a perfect sidekick, the attitude of Tempest is spot on (although I wish we could have had more of her), and the flirtatious insults bandied by both Hades and Persephone give the whole thing a real lift. Equally though, I loved the more serious tone of the ending, which I think is a masterstroke of a twist on the original tale.
I think the only aspect of this book which I didn't 100% enjoy was the character of Hecate. Now, that may be because I've grown used to seeing her in the 'best friend' role in the 'Touch of Darkness' series by Scarlett St Clair, but hers was the only character which I didn't feel had a purpose. She's there as temptation to travel down a darker path, sure, but the interactions with her and Persephone just felt surplus to requirements as the didn't seem to end up going anywhere.
Would absolutely recommend this one!
On the surface, this hits a lot of the standard devices for the Hades and Persephone retellings; Hades is grumpy and incredibly hot, but has a softer side that only comes out for her. Persephone has a bit of an attitude and is determined to claim her own agency away from her mother, and ends up with a divine best friend who is just as good a pal to Hades and ribs him mercilessly about his change in demeanour. Throw in Cerberus as the biggest good puppy dog that ever existed and you're golden. This in itself makes the book enjoyable as you know what you're getting and it allows you to just sink into the story and relax. But equally, this one just hits a little different.
It's the first YA retelling I've read in a while, so although there is definitely sexual tension and the joy of their coming together *ahem*, it's not the main focus of the story, nor is it explicit. I really enjoyed the shift in focus on to their developing relationship from host and unwanted guest to friends and then to more, with particular scenes really making it feel like their eventual romance has a properly solid foundation (even if it does take places over a relatively short space of time).
This book does a great job at weaving the traditional narrative with 21st century sensibilities. It has a lot to say about the stereotypical gender roles and the imbalance of power between the sexes, and while this theme is absolutely front and centre throughout, it's done in a way that doesn't feel preachy - it helps build Persephone into a really strong character and makes you want to cheer for her throughout. Likewise, Hades' insistence that he has to hide part of himself for fear of not being seen as a 'real man' by the other Gods is immensely powerful and made me feel so much frustration for him! The sharp contrast between the infantilisation of Kore by her parents and the support offered to her by Hades is brilliantly handled, with the added bonus that while he will stand by her side and fight with her, he allows her the room to fight her own battles too.
It's also got a great comedy edge to it. Some of the images and scenes are so incongruous with what you expect the King and Queen of the Underworld yo act like - the two of of them playing a drinking game at Zeus and Demeter's expense while sprawled on the floor in the base of their Palace is just so 'normal', and it totally works! The personification of the River Styx is a perfect sidekick, the attitude of Tempest is spot on (although I wish we could have had more of her), and the flirtatious insults bandied by both Hades and Persephone give the whole thing a real lift. Equally though, I loved the more serious tone of the ending, which I think is a masterstroke of a twist on the original tale.
I think the only aspect of this book which I didn't 100% enjoy was the character of Hecate. Now, that may be because I've grown used to seeing her in the 'best friend' role in the 'Touch of Darkness' series by Scarlett St Clair, but hers was the only character which I didn't feel had a purpose. She's there as temptation to travel down a darker path, sure, but the interactions with her and Persephone just felt surplus to requirements as the didn't seem to end up going anywhere.
Would absolutely recommend this one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Cursing, Torture, and Kidnapping