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Shadows of Olympus #1
The Swindler and The Swan: Hades x Persephone
When the goddess Demeter shows up to a party on Olympus in Hades' signature color he decides to react to the slight by stealing her beloved Swan. However, as soon as they cross into the Underworld the Swan changes into a woman revealing that she is Persephone, daughter of Demeter. Eager to continue his plot to annoy Demeter, Hades agrees to help Persephone break the curse on her, but he soon finds that she is nothing like he expected. What starts out as a harmless revenge scheme turns into something else entirely.
Persephone can't remember a time when she didn't spend her days as a swan and her nights as a woman. Trapped and confined to her mother's lake for her entire life, when Hades steals her she is offered a way out for the first time. While in the Underworld she won't transform and if there is one thing she knows it's that she is never going back. As a new world opens up to her she finds that the god of the Underworld is nothing like she expected and he has a lot to teach her.
Persephone can't remember a time when she didn't spend her days as a swan and her nights as a woman. Trapped and confined to her mother's lake for her entire life, when Hades steals her she is offered a way out for the first time. While in the Underworld she won't transform and if there is one thing she knows it's that she is never going back. As a new world opens up to her she finds that the god of the Underworld is nothing like she expected and he has a lot to teach her.
354 pages, Hardcover
Published May 16, 2023
292 people are currently reading
9620 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Good
10 books195 followersJ.A. Good is the author of the adult fantasy romance Forged in Fire Series. She is a northerner living in Florida who’s love of books and new worlds inspired her to create her own. She is a pediatric intensive care nurse at night and a writer, mom, wife, and cat enthusiast during the day. When she isn’t naming all the dinosaurs with her toddlers you can find her staring at her book collection with her cats lamenting her lack of castles and magic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
March 1, 2024
If you liked A Touch of Darkness you’re going to eat this up.
Hades and Persephone meets The swan princess with a bunch of spice!
I think what I enjoyed most about this one was what a spitfire hellion Persephone was! Zeus was still the prick we all know, Hades was the delectable god we swoon over and there’s even more to Poseidon than the glimpse we got here. This book delves pretty deep into mythology which is great, but if you’ve read these stories over and over you might find yourself skimming. Overall, I enjoyed it and would happily read the next!
Hades and Persephone meets The swan princess with a bunch of spice!
I think what I enjoyed most about this one was what a spitfire hellion Persephone was! Zeus was still the prick we all know, Hades was the delectable god we swoon over and there’s even more to Poseidon than the glimpse we got here. This book delves pretty deep into mythology which is great, but if you’ve read these stories over and over you might find yourself skimming. Overall, I enjoyed it and would happily read the next!
December 16, 2023
Two of my favorite stories combined, Hades-Persephone and Swan lake. I loved everything about it!
January 5, 2024
2.5 stars, but I'm rounding up because this was an easy read, and it had potential.
I had pretty high hopes for this book. Hades and Persephone retellings are probably my favorite Greek Mythology themed stories to read. And I also like the Swan Princess story. I was primed to eat this shit up, but y'all. This wasn't good. It just wasn't.
But I'll start with the stuff I DID like, so I don't come out of this sounding and feeling like a complete bitch.
1. The inclusion of the different stories--Prometheus, Orpheus, Helen of Troy... All of these little Easter eggs were FANTASTIC. I enjoyed Ms. Good's take on them and how they impacted the main characters (Mostly how Persephone and Hades interacted with them).
2. I also think the general characterizations of the gods, especially ones like Zeus being a pervert and a creep and Hera being hella jealous were pretty accurate.
3. I enjoyed the way the mythos mixed with the fairytale. To be honest, it was mixed so well at times that it felt as though the swan tale was a natural part of Greek Mythology.
4. I love that Persephone is an independent queen. We finally have a FMC who's not a simp for the less fortunate. We've got a FMC who's willing to do whatever it takes--including letting other people suffer--for her own happiness. The fact that Demeter starts to starve the mortals doesn't leave Persephone unaffected. But she never caves and goes crying back to mommy to spare them, either.
I really think this story is about her coming into her own power and self-assurance. Not the love story. If this were YA and not filled with smut, she'd be the perfect central character because her metamorphosis makes her a real badass.
Now... For the shit that nearly had me putting this book down for the sake of my own sanity.
1. Hades is a fuckboy. Like red solo cup holding, polo wearing, frat brother douche canoe. He's the sort of jerkoff that would smash his bride's face into their cake on her wedding day after she told him in no uncertain terms she would divorce his ass if he did it. And he'd laugh like it was the funniest shit ever.
Not only is he a cringy idiot, he's impotent. And I don't mean that sexually. I mean he's powerless, for all his raging shadow-daddy wannabe vibes, his plans never work out, he gets fucked up by Zeus on multiple occasions actually solves nothing, waxes poetic about letting all the titans out of Tartarus on multiple occasions, but ultimately accomplishes nothing for his or Persephone's benefit.
I think this is because so much emphasis is placed on Persephone "saving herself". And like, that's great and all, girl power, yay, but--we have the God of the Underworld relegated to being Persephone's bitch pool boy by the end of it. He's there to look pretty and fuck her senseless. And that's literally all he's good for. It was sort of pathetic.
3. Most of the side characters had zero personality or depth. Hecate and Hermes--Hades' two best friends (???) could have been one person. They shared all the same lines and had all the same opinions and were barely there unless Persephone needed babysitting. If you've read A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair, you'll know how disappointed I was. Because St. Clair's Hermes and Hecate are a RIOT.
4. The writing of this book is bad. Like really bad. There's a lot of mistakes and typos, but there's also sentence structures that make no goddamned sense at all. There are times where the author straight up uses the wrong word. Like saying someone's proceeding over a meeting, when she means PRESIDING. There are times where just the way things are written sound unnatural, unnecessarily repetitive, or juvenile. For instance, there's a scene where Persephone freezes Demeter in place.... 3 times... on the same page. Without UN-freezng her between each of them. I don't think it was an intentional action on the character's part. I think it's just poorly written or poorly edited or both. This is the sort of stuff I'd expect a younger high schooler to write if they were into writing fanfiction.
5. This sort of goes without saying in these sorts of books, but the pacing is WILD when we're talking about how quickly the relationship develops. Persephone is kidnapped and falls for Hades within days. They're fucking before the week's out, and before 2 weeks they've dropped the L bomb. They're married within a month of meeting.
And there's no logical reason behind it--like, if it were destiny or fated or something and there was a supernatural draw between them it'd maybe be more palatable. If the marriage were initially done as a convenient way to keep her in the Underworld...I could get behind it. But alas.
Their relationship is even stranger when you take into account that they spend a large part of the middle of this book apart, cutting the amount of time the two actually have to bond over stuff (besides how much hey both love fucking) even shorter.
6. This book's called the SWINDLER and the Swan. The Swan bit's obvious. But how is Hades a swindler? Who has he swindled? There is literally zero swindling that goes on in this book. He's a THIEF. There's a difference. But I guess being accurate matters less than sounding good.
I dunno man. I read this in like a day and a half. It was entertaining for what it was. The concept was good. I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been, is all.
Reader's Notes:
I had pretty high hopes for this book. Hades and Persephone retellings are probably my favorite Greek Mythology themed stories to read. And I also like the Swan Princess story. I was primed to eat this shit up, but y'all. This wasn't good. It just wasn't.
But I'll start with the stuff I DID like, so I don't come out of this sounding and feeling like a complete bitch.
1. The inclusion of the different stories--Prometheus, Orpheus, Helen of Troy... All of these little Easter eggs were FANTASTIC. I enjoyed Ms. Good's take on them and how they impacted the main characters (Mostly how Persephone and Hades interacted with them).
2. I also think the general characterizations of the gods, especially ones like Zeus being a pervert and a creep and Hera being hella jealous were pretty accurate.
3. I enjoyed the way the mythos mixed with the fairytale. To be honest, it was mixed so well at times that it felt as though the swan tale was a natural part of Greek Mythology.
4. I love that Persephone is an independent queen. We finally have a FMC who's not a simp for the less fortunate. We've got a FMC who's willing to do whatever it takes--including letting other people suffer--for her own happiness. The fact that Demeter starts to starve the mortals doesn't leave Persephone unaffected. But she never caves and goes crying back to mommy to spare them, either.
I really think this story is about her coming into her own power and self-assurance. Not the love story. If this were YA and not filled with smut, she'd be the perfect central character because her metamorphosis makes her a real badass.
Now... For the shit that nearly had me putting this book down for the sake of my own sanity.
1. Hades is a fuckboy. Like red solo cup holding, polo wearing, frat brother douche canoe. He's the sort of jerkoff that would smash his bride's face into their cake on her wedding day after she told him in no uncertain terms she would divorce his ass if he did it. And he'd laugh like it was the funniest shit ever.
Not only is he a cringy idiot, he's impotent. And I don't mean that sexually. I mean he's powerless, for all his raging shadow-daddy wannabe vibes, his plans never work out, he gets fucked up by Zeus on multiple occasions actually solves nothing, waxes poetic about letting all the titans out of Tartarus on multiple occasions, but ultimately accomplishes nothing for his or Persephone's benefit.
I think this is because so much emphasis is placed on Persephone "saving herself". And like, that's great and all, girl power, yay, but--we have the God of the Underworld relegated to being Persephone's bitch pool boy by the end of it. He's there to look pretty and fuck her senseless. And that's literally all he's good for. It was sort of pathetic.
3. Most of the side characters had zero personality or depth. Hecate and Hermes--Hades' two best friends (???) could have been one person. They shared all the same lines and had all the same opinions and were barely there unless Persephone needed babysitting. If you've read A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair, you'll know how disappointed I was. Because St. Clair's Hermes and Hecate are a RIOT.
4. The writing of this book is bad. Like really bad. There's a lot of mistakes and typos, but there's also sentence structures that make no goddamned sense at all. There are times where the author straight up uses the wrong word. Like saying someone's proceeding over a meeting, when she means PRESIDING. There are times where just the way things are written sound unnatural, unnecessarily repetitive, or juvenile. For instance, there's a scene where Persephone freezes Demeter in place.... 3 times... on the same page. Without UN-freezng her between each of them. I don't think it was an intentional action on the character's part. I think it's just poorly written or poorly edited or both. This is the sort of stuff I'd expect a younger high schooler to write if they were into writing fanfiction.
5. This sort of goes without saying in these sorts of books, but the pacing is WILD when we're talking about how quickly the relationship develops. Persephone is kidnapped and falls for Hades within days. They're fucking before the week's out, and before 2 weeks they've dropped the L bomb. They're married within a month of meeting.
And there's no logical reason behind it--like, if it were destiny or fated or something and there was a supernatural draw between them it'd maybe be more palatable. If the marriage were initially done as a convenient way to keep her in the Underworld...I could get behind it. But alas.
Their relationship is even stranger when you take into account that they spend a large part of the middle of this book apart, cutting the amount of time the two actually have to bond over stuff (besides how much hey both love fucking) even shorter.
6. This book's called the SWINDLER and the Swan. The Swan bit's obvious. But how is Hades a swindler? Who has he swindled? There is literally zero swindling that goes on in this book. He's a THIEF. There's a difference. But I guess being accurate matters less than sounding good.
I dunno man. I read this in like a day and a half. It was entertaining for what it was. The concept was good. I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been, is all.
Reader's Notes:
January 17, 2024
WOW!
Well done! I'm usually a snob for hades and Persephone retellings. I've read a handful and most make Persephone unbearable. I've only enjoyed one , and it was primarily smut 🤣.
With that said,
This story is fantastic. It's interesting. This new take is so refreshing and unexpected. I absolutely devoured this story. The spice was decent as well.
Absolutely zero complaints, I need book two immediately!
Well done! I'm usually a snob for hades and Persephone retellings. I've read a handful and most make Persephone unbearable. I've only enjoyed one , and it was primarily smut 🤣.
With that said,
This story is fantastic. It's interesting. This new take is so refreshing and unexpected. I absolutely devoured this story. The spice was decent as well.
Absolutely zero complaints, I need book two immediately!
December 26, 2023
4.5 Stars! 5/5 as a Swan Princess retelling and 4/5 for a Hades and Persephone retelling✨️
June 4, 2023
"We need to see ourselves in the stories to become them, to appreciate them. None of us are perfect, but we live when we read about other flawed beings who inspire us to do better. To make the next choice without shame or fear even if it is the wrong one."
Fans of Greek myths will be undone by such a beautiful and artfully written retelling of Hades and Persephone. A duel POV, J.A. Good has re-imagined the gods and heroes of old, crafting them into a story that is not only heartfelt and compelling, but spicy and hilarious. This novel will guide you through the whole spectrum of human emotion as you follow Persephone, a young woman cursed to live as a swan by day and captive of her own mother's overbearing tendencies by night. This all changes when the dark and alluring god of the Underworld, Hades, kidnaps her in her swan form as part of an elaborate but petty prank on the goddess Demeter. It's not until they reach the Underworld, where no curse from the mortal realm can penetrate, that Hades realizes what he's captured is not a swan (nor a goose, for that matter) but in fact a living, breathing, beautiful goddess.
Hermes arrives and begs her to be returned, but how can she bring herself to go back to a life where her bones are snapped to fit into her swan form every single day? Persephone begins to question everything she's ever known, including her own feelings and outlook on the world.
Demeter is furious, Zeus is annoyed, and Hades is...smitten.
Full of little twists and turns you didn't see coming, this book will have you up late into the night, turning page after page to read how the drama of the gods unravels. How a powerful FMC learns to take back her autonomy and make decisions for herself, for once. And how true love can be strong enough to beat every odd.
Fans of Greek myths will be undone by such a beautiful and artfully written retelling of Hades and Persephone. A duel POV, J.A. Good has re-imagined the gods and heroes of old, crafting them into a story that is not only heartfelt and compelling, but spicy and hilarious. This novel will guide you through the whole spectrum of human emotion as you follow Persephone, a young woman cursed to live as a swan by day and captive of her own mother's overbearing tendencies by night. This all changes when the dark and alluring god of the Underworld, Hades, kidnaps her in her swan form as part of an elaborate but petty prank on the goddess Demeter. It's not until they reach the Underworld, where no curse from the mortal realm can penetrate, that Hades realizes what he's captured is not a swan (nor a goose, for that matter) but in fact a living, breathing, beautiful goddess.
Hermes arrives and begs her to be returned, but how can she bring herself to go back to a life where her bones are snapped to fit into her swan form every single day? Persephone begins to question everything she's ever known, including her own feelings and outlook on the world.
Demeter is furious, Zeus is annoyed, and Hades is...smitten.
Full of little twists and turns you didn't see coming, this book will have you up late into the night, turning page after page to read how the drama of the gods unravels. How a powerful FMC learns to take back her autonomy and make decisions for herself, for once. And how true love can be strong enough to beat every odd.
July 8, 2023
I have quite a few themes I love to read. Greek Mythology is such a theme. Fairytale retelling is such a theme. Hades and Persephone is such a theme. So, when I saw this book, mixing a fairytale retelling with a greek mythology retelling about Hades and Persephone I was instantly sold and knew I had to grab a review copy from BookSprout. Since I sometimes get a few too many review books it took a while before I could get started, but yesterday it was finally time to dive in.
After finishing the book this morning I have mixed feelings about it and it's hard to pinpoint why. The author did a great job portraying the Greek Gods. I also really liked how many other myths and legends were mentioned and how many other famous heroes made an appearance. I also quite liked the idea of Persephone being cursed to be a swan during the day, adding an extra layer to both her kidnapping story and her longing to be free and escape.
And yet the story and I didn't really click. Normally I would have finished a book like this within a day, but now I sometimes put the book away to read something that captured my attention a little better. I think one of the issues I had was the instant lust between Hades and Persephone. Don't get me wrong. I totally get that they are made for each other, but it sometimes felt like their focus was more on the physical part of their relationship and less on the emotional part.
I also had some issues with the eventual solution to all their problems. It kinda felt like a lot of drama and hurt and tears could have been prevented. I understand the reason for them not trying the one thing that could possibly solve everything. I understand the risk was huge. I just thought that the offered solution in the first few chapters of the book actually being the solution was an anti-climax. But that's totally a personal preference.
Sometimes books sounding like your thing aren't entirely what you had hoped they would be. That's okay. I'm sure there are a lot of other readers who will love this book!
After finishing the book this morning I have mixed feelings about it and it's hard to pinpoint why. The author did a great job portraying the Greek Gods. I also really liked how many other myths and legends were mentioned and how many other famous heroes made an appearance. I also quite liked the idea of Persephone being cursed to be a swan during the day, adding an extra layer to both her kidnapping story and her longing to be free and escape.
And yet the story and I didn't really click. Normally I would have finished a book like this within a day, but now I sometimes put the book away to read something that captured my attention a little better. I think one of the issues I had was the instant lust between Hades and Persephone. Don't get me wrong. I totally get that they are made for each other, but it sometimes felt like their focus was more on the physical part of their relationship and less on the emotional part.
I also had some issues with the eventual solution to all their problems. It kinda felt like a lot of drama and hurt and tears could have been prevented. I understand the reason for them not trying the one thing that could possibly solve everything. I understand the risk was huge. I just thought that the offered solution in the first few chapters of the book actually being the solution was an anti-climax. But that's totally a personal preference.
Sometimes books sounding like your thing aren't entirely what you had hoped they would be. That's okay. I'm sure there are a lot of other readers who will love this book!
December 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The story of Hades and Persephone with a twist of Swan Princess. A combination that I didn’t know I needed and so happy I found it. I like a different journey to read with deception, twists, and of course godly favors to battle for that devoted, I’ll burn the world for you love. It was all the perfect amount of angst and spice. I think what I truly like most in this version was that this Persephone was more strong and confident off the bat. Never a damsel in distress.
But that ending….things that make you go hm…. !
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The story of Hades and Persephone with a twist of Swan Princess. A combination that I didn’t know I needed and so happy I found it. I like a different journey to read with deception, twists, and of course godly favors to battle for that devoted, I’ll burn the world for you love. It was all the perfect amount of angst and spice. I think what I truly like most in this version was that this Persephone was more strong and confident off the bat. Never a damsel in distress.
But that ending….things that make you go hm…. !
June 9, 2023
This was a terrific retelling with loads of backstory and wit, heaps of spice, and a lot of heart! I absolutely devoured this book and am impressed with the originality of the story. I was invested in the characters and plot from the very beginning and couldn't put the book down!
December 26, 2023
This is the best retelling of Hades and Persephone I have read, and I don’t understand why it doesn’t get more hype.
It was lacking in some places, like their connection and love for one another happening to fast, and I disliked both Hermes and Hecate in this.
I don’t have a problem with insta possessiveness, or whatever it’s called, but I do not like insta love, and this sort of felt like that more than anything.
Hecate and Hermes were constantly urging Hades to send Persephone back to her mother, knowing she would be forced in to an unnatural form that pained her. It also felt like they were constantly telling Hades all of his actions to save and help Persephone were dumb ideas because of the potential consequences. I have read other retelling where Hecate has been a force, and Hermes fiercely loyal, and this did not give the same energy.
Persephone is a goddess. Not just literary, but in spirit. Everything that happened in this story was because of her choices, and decisions, and it was that which drove the plot forward. In other words, things did not happen to her, but because of her, and it allows the reader get to know the characters and what drives them.
Hades’ willingness to do anything and everything for her and explore sides of himself he thought he had lost to immortality was one of the highlights of the book. He was not overly cruel but not made into a lovesick fool.
I was under the impression this was a standalone. Meaning the story will not continue? I don’t know if this is right, because the end was a cliffhanger if I have ever seen one. It was a good one for sure, but if there won’t be more books, even if it focuses on someone else from Greek mythology, the ending was really just annoying.
Oh, and it bothered me how a powerful god like Hades was under constant threat of being tortured without being able to defend himself because he is slightly less strong than Zeus. But it felt like the story tried to tell us he was unbeatable at the same time. Confusing, but it didn’t take away from how much I loved the book.
It was lacking in some places, like their connection and love for one another happening to fast, and I disliked both Hermes and Hecate in this.
I don’t have a problem with insta possessiveness, or whatever it’s called, but I do not like insta love, and this sort of felt like that more than anything.
Hecate and Hermes were constantly urging Hades to send Persephone back to her mother, knowing she would be forced in to an unnatural form that pained her. It also felt like they were constantly telling Hades all of his actions to save and help Persephone were dumb ideas because of the potential consequences. I have read other retelling where Hecate has been a force, and Hermes fiercely loyal, and this did not give the same energy.
Persephone is a goddess. Not just literary, but in spirit. Everything that happened in this story was because of her choices, and decisions, and it was that which drove the plot forward. In other words, things did not happen to her, but because of her, and it allows the reader get to know the characters and what drives them.
Hades’ willingness to do anything and everything for her and explore sides of himself he thought he had lost to immortality was one of the highlights of the book. He was not overly cruel but not made into a lovesick fool.
I was under the impression this was a standalone. Meaning the story will not continue? I don’t know if this is right, because the end was a cliffhanger if I have ever seen one. It was a good one for sure, but if there won’t be more books, even if it focuses on someone else from Greek mythology, the ending was really just annoying.
Oh, and it bothered me how a powerful god like Hades was under constant threat of being tortured without being able to defend himself because he is slightly less strong than Zeus. But it felt like the story tried to tell us he was unbeatable at the same time. Confusing, but it didn’t take away from how much I loved the book.
March 17, 2024
I can't believe I almost let the less than 4.0 rating of this book keep me from reading it! You know how sometimes you read a book with super high ratings and reviews, but it just doesn't do it for you? Well some of us know, that can also happen in reverse!
This book had it all...
1. Literal laugh out loud moments! I was laughing so much from the first chapter. It was overflowing with those deadpan one-liners and sarcastic humor that I love!
2. Hades calling her a goose ☠️🤣
3. Persephone was a force of nature! She was a fighter and a lover; the best of both worlds.
4. Hades was LIFE 🖤
5. I loved the scenes with Cerberus 💗
6. The side characters were hilarious! I loved Hermes & Hecate. Poseidon was a dick but he was entertaining. Zeus needs to be thrown in tartarus for all of eternity. He was the worst! Demeter is a grade A bitch.
7. Plenty of twists and turns. I would think the story would zig and it would zag instead! It held my attention the entire time.
8. So many Greek mythology cameos with their own spin.
I went into this one without high hopes and boy was I wrong. I was hooked from the first chapter and could not put it down until I finished it. I cannot wait for book two that comes out at the end of next month. Hades & Persephone's story wrapped up in this one and set the stage for the next adventure in book 2 with a new couple. I really hope Zeus gets defeated in the next book because he really is the absolute worst!
If you enjoy Greek mythology, sarcastic humor, intense plot, twists and a love that could withstand everything thrown at it... you should definitely give this one a try 😊
This book had it all...
1. Literal laugh out loud moments! I was laughing so much from the first chapter. It was overflowing with those deadpan one-liners and sarcastic humor that I love!
2. Hades calling her a goose ☠️🤣
3. Persephone was a force of nature! She was a fighter and a lover; the best of both worlds.
4. Hades was LIFE 🖤
5. I loved the scenes with Cerberus 💗
6. The side characters were hilarious! I loved Hermes & Hecate. Poseidon was a dick but he was entertaining. Zeus needs to be thrown in tartarus for all of eternity. He was the worst! Demeter is a grade A bitch.
7. Plenty of twists and turns. I would think the story would zig and it would zag instead! It held my attention the entire time.
8. So many Greek mythology cameos with their own spin.
I went into this one without high hopes and boy was I wrong. I was hooked from the first chapter and could not put it down until I finished it. I cannot wait for book two that comes out at the end of next month. Hades & Persephone's story wrapped up in this one and set the stage for the next adventure in book 2 with a new couple. I really hope Zeus gets defeated in the next book because he really is the absolute worst!
If you enjoy Greek mythology, sarcastic humor, intense plot, twists and a love that could withstand everything thrown at it... you should definitely give this one a try 😊
January 2, 2024
Maybe I'm on a roll, I'm not sure but I've been enjoying every single book I've picked up.
I'm annotating this one with my sister and while I don't annotate often, it's truly fun to do because you get to dive deep into a story.
Here, not only was I able to process death and grief I was also able to explore the trauma I have with my own mother.
And despite having a real life appreciation for Demeter, in books her Villainous nature does allow for one to explore those negative feelings and trauma. She is always the bad guy and for the sake of story telling o can understand why. She did stop the harvest in her mythology because persephone was in the underworld lol but it's deeper than surface level words. The same goes for persephone and hades.
I like their retellings. Persephone is one of those characters and Goddesses that encapsulates both light and dark. She can be morally good and grey and black. She is who we need her to be. And she is powerful. In stories and as a Goddess. I can see why she is favored.
Mythology is my favorite and I live seeing little seeds of research in my stories, it gives me such a glimmer. A little piece of comfort.
All in all I really enjoyed my time in this book and I'm happy that my first read of the year can be rated as a 5⭐️
It'll be one of my treasured possessions once my sister reads it too. Loved this bonding experience.
I'm annotating this one with my sister and while I don't annotate often, it's truly fun to do because you get to dive deep into a story.
Here, not only was I able to process death and grief I was also able to explore the trauma I have with my own mother.
And despite having a real life appreciation for Demeter, in books her Villainous nature does allow for one to explore those negative feelings and trauma. She is always the bad guy and for the sake of story telling o can understand why. She did stop the harvest in her mythology because persephone was in the underworld lol but it's deeper than surface level words. The same goes for persephone and hades.
I like their retellings. Persephone is one of those characters and Goddesses that encapsulates both light and dark. She can be morally good and grey and black. She is who we need her to be. And she is powerful. In stories and as a Goddess. I can see why she is favored.
Mythology is my favorite and I live seeing little seeds of research in my stories, it gives me such a glimmer. A little piece of comfort.
All in all I really enjoyed my time in this book and I'm happy that my first read of the year can be rated as a 5⭐️
It'll be one of my treasured possessions once my sister reads it too. Loved this bonding experience.
May 6, 2023
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. Surprisingly I have never read a Hades & Persephone story. I knew the basics going in since I enjoy Greek mythology. But this book was so much more than I expected! It has humor, sexual tension, rivalries, power struggles and some darn good spice! Hades is always made out to be the “bad guy” but in this book you can relate to him, desire him and even want to cheer for him. Persephone is fierce and confident despite her naïveté and half-life as a swan. I love reading about connections between unlikely pairs, especially when they have deep passionate love for each other. I identify and sympathize with Persephone because I too have a fear of being unlovable and a fear of being unloved. Seeing what she endures to break through her fears is heartbreaking and heroic. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun but intense read, Greek mythology, delightful spice 🔥 and drama that keeps you turning the pages!
May 30, 2023
Yall know Greek Mythology retellings own me 😅 so when I was received this ARC, I was so excited... and boy was this story CUTE.
Hades, the petty ass that he is, decides to steal Demeter's pet Swan. Why? All because SHE wore HIS signature color. I mean, you can't get any more petty than that?!
And that goose (hehe) was none other than a cursed Persephone.
Throughout this story, you get to see Persephone self-worth grow and her determination to be her own person, not some pet for her mother to own.
The spice was 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 There were moments of straight up heat!!! And then there were moments with such passion between that you could feel their love and loyalty.
Hades, the petty ass that he is, decides to steal Demeter's pet Swan. Why? All because SHE wore HIS signature color. I mean, you can't get any more petty than that?!
And that goose (hehe) was none other than a cursed Persephone.
Throughout this story, you get to see Persephone self-worth grow and her determination to be her own person, not some pet for her mother to own.
The spice was 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 There were moments of straight up heat!!! And then there were moments with such passion between that you could feel their love and loyalty.
July 9, 2023
I am obsessed with Hades and Persephone, it’s been my favourite story theme since young along with Beauty and the Beast, so I couldn’t wait to dive into this story, I was not let down in any way, it had everything I wanted, romance, tension, angst , drama and above all a great story, with lovely writing, I wholeheartedly recommend this and I’m looking forward to more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 16, 2025
This is a beautifully addictive retelling that puts a fresh, spicy spin on the Persephone and Hades myth. I was hooked from the very beginning—the chemistry, atmosphere, and Persephone-focused perspective made this story feel intimate and compelling. The romance leans fully into passion while still honoring the emotional pull of the original myth, which I really appreciated. While I found myself wishing for a bit more depth and growth by the end, the journey itself was engaging and memorable. A bold, seductive take on a classic story that will absolutely delight fans of mythological romance.
December 19, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! It’s a hades and Persephone retelling. Pretty much swan princess meets hades from the Disney movie Hercules, but add a little spice! Then there’s cute Cerberus who made the story even better. It was definitely worth reading especially if you like retellings especially Hades/Persephone ones!
January 8, 2024
This is the first book I have read from this author. I liked the twist on the swan princess added to Greek mythology. Their story was full of angst and banter, and I really enjoyed the friendship between Hades, Hermes, and Hecate. Cerberus was also a favorite. I hope for more in the future and would love to see what Hades and Persephone get up to in their immortality together.
June 18, 2024
I love a Hades and Persephone retelling. I quite enjoyed how the author sprinkled in other famous myths into the story and even challenged the reader to see those in a different light as well. This book makes me want to read more books about other greek myth retellings.
December 2, 2024
I loved this book! A beautiful Hades and Persephone retelling, the romance and plot were so good. Perfect length too, didn't feel too rushed or dragged out. Can't wait to see what happens in the next!
January 8, 2024
My only qualm with this book is that there's not a sequel, I need more 😭
March 20, 2024
LOVED THIS BOOK! I giggled the whole way through. I have a soft spot for Hades/Persephone retellings and this one did not disappoint.
July 26, 2024
This was by far my favorite retelling of hades and Persephone. Would recommend a thousand times over!
August 12, 2024
Loved this! Swan Princess meets Lore Olympus
August 25, 2024
im FINALLY ✨free✨
August 26, 2024
Wow! This book got me out of my reading slump. It was SOOOOO good omg? what an amazing story! I lovedddd every second of it. Hades and Persephone’s relationship is so cute! Also, the ending? the bargain with the witch? I LOVE THE CHAOS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2024
I absolutely loved this page turner. The characters were well developed and the writing was very good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 17, 2024
2.5/5 ⭐
3/5 🌶️
(Physical book)
Didn't love it.
First of all, if you aren't a fan of instalove, this won't be for you.
I was not at all a fan of the writing style. It was a very quick read, but the writing felt very repetitive and amateurish. There is a lot of tell but not a lot of show. Like characters reminding us that someone is a quick learner over and over instead of just letting their actions speak for that.
Certain phrases and terms are so so overused. "Lethal quiet" is a cool descriptor, but when you use it what feels like 7 different times, for the same character without switching it up (e.g. deathly quiet/ eerie quiet etc) it just really wears any cool phrasing/term out very quickly.
The same goes for characters like Persephone who is CONSTANTLY biting and licking her lips, Hades constantly growling, him saying fuck/fucking like he's a teen and it's the only bad word he knows, etc
The setting itself really threw me off, because judging by the cover you would imagine a fantasy-esque setting but what you are getting is a Lore Olympus-esque vaguely modern setting.
The story tries to make it a #girlboss story with Persephone growing into her own power, except she doesn't actually. Every problem she faces she can't fix without help of mainly men. She needs CONSTANT saving from men by men. Any power she claims, isn't actually her own.
The story is presenting Hades as this feminist icon, but he is paternalistic, constantly treating Persephone like a child and while outwardly saying he supports her choices, throws a fit when she does want to make one choice because it doesn't suit him.
There is double standards aplenty, where when Character A does something it's bad, but when Hot dude Hades does it it's totally cool and totally not the same.
The relationship in general moves really fast, pretty much instantaneously, with Hades being uncomfortably handsy from the jump.
We are constantly told how different and fierce and tenacious Persephone is, but she just seems pretty normal? He praises her for essentially just not being demure and quiet. Despite being surrounded by multiple outspoken fierce women, some good some bad, he acts like he's never met a woman who speaks up for herself.
The smut wasnt terrible, but also nothing to write home about for me personally.
Im sure there is people who will love this, but if you are looking for nuance you wont find it here. There is better retellings out there.
SPOILERS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I feel like other retellings have handled a lot of similar themes much much better than this story has. It gave me Lore Olympus vibes, but just a lot less nuance in practically any topic they share.
-Demeter is cartoonishly terrible, but also inconsistent when she does and doesn't feel like protecting her daughter. She loses her shit at her being kidnapped but then essentially hands her over to Zeus for him to have his way with her. Despite already having one way to effectively blackmail Zeus (by withholding the harvest and making people die in droves) she just doesn't do that and just leaves when creepy Zeus tells her to, despite it being abundantly clear that he plans on r*ping her daughter
-Zeus is also just cartoonishly evil and goes entirely unchecked. Yes he is king of Olympus, but even as that the idea that he could just r*pe any godess he pleases seems unrealistic and just makes all the other gods seem inconsequential and weak, despite there being gods that absolutely should be able to hold their own against him
-persephone doesn't command her own power. Her power is quite literally an extension of Hades'. Why not give her more of the powers of nature that the goddess of spring should have. Why not give her her own power to grow into, instead of literally having to rely on a man for it. Especially in a story that presents itself as empowering for women.
-Hades is not that much better than Demeter, except he's hot, he fucks and his domain halts her curse. He locks Persephone up, when he isn't around to watch her, forbids her from making her own choices in regards to her curse, when her choice doesn't suit him aka her going along with what the fates said.
A curse that literally submits Persephone to having her bones and body painfully broken EVERY SINGLE DAY. And he denies her the only way to potentially fix it because he is a selfish ass who treats her like she can't make that decision for herself. Imagine you have a condition that causes you agony and leaves you bedbound every day, and you finally find out there is a procedure to fix it. It's risky one but if it succeeds it will fix the condition. And your partner (who you havent even known for long) FORBIDS you from making the choice to go through with it.
Nevermind the fact that Zeus was literally plotting on r*ping her if they didnt find a solution.
Nevermind the fact that he could have gone to Circe the entire time and not just when it was effectively already too late. He keeps aying he'd do anything for her, but doesnt actually in these instances.
3/5 🌶️
(Physical book)
Didn't love it.
First of all, if you aren't a fan of instalove, this won't be for you.
I was not at all a fan of the writing style. It was a very quick read, but the writing felt very repetitive and amateurish. There is a lot of tell but not a lot of show. Like characters reminding us that someone is a quick learner over and over instead of just letting their actions speak for that.
Certain phrases and terms are so so overused. "Lethal quiet" is a cool descriptor, but when you use it what feels like 7 different times, for the same character without switching it up (e.g. deathly quiet/ eerie quiet etc) it just really wears any cool phrasing/term out very quickly.
The same goes for characters like Persephone who is CONSTANTLY biting and licking her lips, Hades constantly growling, him saying fuck/fucking like he's a teen and it's the only bad word he knows, etc
The setting itself really threw me off, because judging by the cover you would imagine a fantasy-esque setting but what you are getting is a Lore Olympus-esque vaguely modern setting.
The story tries to make it a #girlboss story with Persephone growing into her own power, except she doesn't actually. Every problem she faces she can't fix without help of mainly men. She needs CONSTANT saving from men by men. Any power she claims, isn't actually her own.
The story is presenting Hades as this feminist icon, but he is paternalistic, constantly treating Persephone like a child and while outwardly saying he supports her choices, throws a fit when she does want to make one choice because it doesn't suit him.
There is double standards aplenty, where when Character A does something it's bad, but when Hot dude Hades does it it's totally cool and totally not the same.
The relationship in general moves really fast, pretty much instantaneously, with Hades being uncomfortably handsy from the jump.
We are constantly told how different and fierce and tenacious Persephone is, but she just seems pretty normal? He praises her for essentially just not being demure and quiet. Despite being surrounded by multiple outspoken fierce women, some good some bad, he acts like he's never met a woman who speaks up for herself.
The smut wasnt terrible, but also nothing to write home about for me personally.
Im sure there is people who will love this, but if you are looking for nuance you wont find it here. There is better retellings out there.
SPOILERS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I feel like other retellings have handled a lot of similar themes much much better than this story has. It gave me Lore Olympus vibes, but just a lot less nuance in practically any topic they share.
-Demeter is cartoonishly terrible, but also inconsistent when she does and doesn't feel like protecting her daughter. She loses her shit at her being kidnapped but then essentially hands her over to Zeus for him to have his way with her. Despite already having one way to effectively blackmail Zeus (by withholding the harvest and making people die in droves) she just doesn't do that and just leaves when creepy Zeus tells her to, despite it being abundantly clear that he plans on r*ping her daughter
-Zeus is also just cartoonishly evil and goes entirely unchecked. Yes he is king of Olympus, but even as that the idea that he could just r*pe any godess he pleases seems unrealistic and just makes all the other gods seem inconsequential and weak, despite there being gods that absolutely should be able to hold their own against him
-persephone doesn't command her own power. Her power is quite literally an extension of Hades'. Why not give her more of the powers of nature that the goddess of spring should have. Why not give her her own power to grow into, instead of literally having to rely on a man for it. Especially in a story that presents itself as empowering for women.
-Hades is not that much better than Demeter, except he's hot, he fucks and his domain halts her curse. He locks Persephone up, when he isn't around to watch her, forbids her from making her own choices in regards to her curse, when her choice doesn't suit him aka her going along with what the fates said.
A curse that literally submits Persephone to having her bones and body painfully broken EVERY SINGLE DAY. And he denies her the only way to potentially fix it because he is a selfish ass who treats her like she can't make that decision for herself. Imagine you have a condition that causes you agony and leaves you bedbound every day, and you finally find out there is a procedure to fix it. It's risky one but if it succeeds it will fix the condition. And your partner (who you havent even known for long) FORBIDS you from making the choice to go through with it.
Nevermind the fact that Zeus was literally plotting on r*ping her if they didnt find a solution.
Nevermind the fact that he could have gone to Circe the entire time and not just when it was effectively already too late. He keeps aying he'd do anything for her, but doesnt actually in these instances.
May 15, 2023
*ARC REVIEW*
The idea was fantastic! Unfortunately, the writing style wasn't for me. I like books that have a lot of detail so I can picture it in my head and this one didn't have much detail to it. I wanted to enjoy it so much, but it just wasn't for me. Kudos to the author on the incredible idea! *please keep in mind that every reader enjoys different writing styles. I've seen many great reviews on this author so please give her a shot*
The idea was fantastic! Unfortunately, the writing style wasn't for me. I like books that have a lot of detail so I can picture it in my head and this one didn't have much detail to it. I wanted to enjoy it so much, but it just wasn't for me. Kudos to the author on the incredible idea! *please keep in mind that every reader enjoys different writing styles. I've seen many great reviews on this author so please give her a shot*
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