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Five Hundred Kingdoms #5.5
A Tangled Web
Kidnapping Persephone should have been an easy task. But in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, nothing's ever simple—and the wrong blonde goddess is stolen by mistake, leaving Prince Leopold without his new bride. At least until he braves the realm of the dead to get her back...
A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms novella. Previously published in the Harvest Moon anthology.
A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms novella. Previously published in the Harvest Moon anthology.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
269 people are currently reading
2202 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
441 books9,527 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 5, 2015
This was a great short from the Five Hundred Kingdoms series.
In fact, I wish this one had been a full length novel, because I thought some of the characters had more depth than usual.
It's the Persephone/Hades story, but (naturally) with a twist. Also, some of the minor characters from another book show up as main characters here.
If you haven't read any of the stories from this series yet, this wouldn't be a bad choice to start with. If you are already a fan of Lackey's books, then you will probably love this one.
Recommended
In fact, I wish this one had been a full length novel, because I thought some of the characters had more depth than usual.
It's the Persephone/Hades story, but (naturally) with a twist. Also, some of the minor characters from another book show up as main characters here.
If you haven't read any of the stories from this series yet, this wouldn't be a bad choice to start with. If you are already a fan of Lackey's books, then you will probably love this one.
Recommended
August 28, 2020
I’m like 90% sure I just added this on my to-read list on my library app... (-_-);
I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out I’d read this once before the dates I have marked on Goodreads, either. Much as I love Lackeys’ writing, and enjoyed many of the other books in this series, I can’t seem to keep any memory of this one in my mind for the life of me.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out I’d read this once before the dates I have marked on Goodreads, either. Much as I love Lackeys’ writing, and enjoyed many of the other books in this series, I can’t seem to keep any memory of this one in my mind for the life of me.
December 26, 2012
Mercedes Lackey has lost her mind. I'm so sad. On the other hand, she's written about sixty amazing books so I think she gets a pass for life on the whole writing career thing and earns another star just for being one of my favorite writers of all time.
This story is beyond terrible.
First off, she brings in (boring) characters that are clearly from another book and then uses her exposition time to basically clumsily retell their story. If I cared about their book, I would've read it.
Second, absolutely nothing about the characters is new or compelling. It's a retelling of the Persephone story with basically no twist on it. Just dull.
Reread the Last Herald Mage or Brightly Burning. There is more heart in two pages of Vanyel or Lan's story in the entirety of this tedious book.
I still love Lackey. Forever.
This story is beyond terrible.
First off, she brings in (boring) characters that are clearly from another book and then uses her exposition time to basically clumsily retell their story. If I cared about their book, I would've read it.
Second, absolutely nothing about the characters is new or compelling. It's a retelling of the Persephone story with basically no twist on it. Just dull.
Reread the Last Herald Mage or Brightly Burning. There is more heart in two pages of Vanyel or Lan's story in the entirety of this tedious book.
I still love Lackey. Forever.
November 13, 2023
Persephone is in love with Hades (keeper of the Underworld), and he with her. But her mother, Demeter (goddess of fertility) is way-overprotective and Persephone wants to get out from under her wing. Persephone and Hades come up with a plan to “kidnap” her to the underworld in a way where she wouldn’t be able to come back. Unfortunately, with the help of Hades sometimes-chariot-driver, the wrong goddess is kidnapped!
I really enjoyed this! I learned a little bit about mythology, as well. I’m sure I knew some of this at some point, but most of what I once knew I’ve forgotten! It’s a short story, so it’s fairly quick to read.
I really enjoyed this! I learned a little bit about mythology, as well. I’m sure I knew some of this at some point, but most of what I once knew I’ve forgotten! It’s a short story, so it’s fairly quick to read.
August 9, 2016
I only read "Harvest Moon/A Tangled Web" by Mercedes Lackey. This story features the supporting characters Leo and Bru from the previous book along with Persephone and Hades. Always more than one romance happening in Lackey's books.
I think I prefer her full length novels because she tends to go on these infodump rants and have her characters mull over every single possibility, even though none of it is in any way relevant. And she simply doesn't have time to do that and keep a story flowing in a short story. It was interesting to see how The Tradition worked on the Gods of Olympus, but the author failed to take advantage of her own (very interesting) mythos by wasting page time on how many god damn different fields there are in the Underworld (a lot, apparently) and not showing us why the gods behave the way they do.
With the jumping around between 3 different relationships, none of them are very fleshed out. You're told that these people love each other and why, but you don't see it because they're literally together for like 4 pages each. Things just are in this story, there is no character development really.
It's quite a ridiculous way to write, but it seems to be this author's way of doing things. It works in her full length novels because there is plenty of time for the over abundance of pointless information and things are just so crazy that you'll go with it anyway. Here in a shorter story, it just does not work. Not for me, anyway.
I think I prefer her full length novels because she tends to go on these infodump rants and have her characters mull over every single possibility, even though none of it is in any way relevant. And she simply doesn't have time to do that and keep a story flowing in a short story. It was interesting to see how The Tradition worked on the Gods of Olympus, but the author failed to take advantage of her own (very interesting) mythos by wasting page time on how many god damn different fields there are in the Underworld (a lot, apparently) and not showing us why the gods behave the way they do.
With the jumping around between 3 different relationships, none of them are very fleshed out. You're told that these people love each other and why, but you don't see it because they're literally together for like 4 pages each. Things just are in this story, there is no character development really.
It's quite a ridiculous way to write, but it seems to be this author's way of doing things. It works in her full length novels because there is plenty of time for the over abundance of pointless information and things are just so crazy that you'll go with it anyway. Here in a shorter story, it just does not work. Not for me, anyway.
January 25, 2018
I just forever want good Persephone/Hades stories! But this wasn't it. I think the primary problem is that this doesn't stand on its own. The world is under-explained. Plus, it's only half-Persephone and Hades' story and half another couple's. Originally, I figured the other couple had got a whole book of their own and this was an epilogue of sorts, but it looks like they're actually side characters from another book. And I also just wasn't into the writing.
Like, maybe it's my "fault" for reading a novella from late in a series, but I feel like it should've at least made me more interested in going back and seeing what I missed.
Like, maybe it's my "fault" for reading a novella from late in a series, but I feel like it should've at least made me more interested in going back and seeing what I missed.
August 24, 2021
pretty standard mercedes lackey -- serviceable but lacking flavor
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
January 20, 2015
A short story, 5.5 in the Five Kingdoms fantasy series, revolving around two couples: Hades and Persephone and Leopold and Brunnhilde.
This is also found in the anthology, Harvest Moon .
My Take
This is too much fun and combines the myth of Demeter, Persephone, and Hades to explain the seasons with Brunnhilde and Leopold into Lackey's fairytale of Tradition. And we discover that the gods had meant to be like the Godmothers we've read in other Five Hundred Kingdoms' tales.
I did enjoy the debate that Brunnhilde and Leopold are having about gods. It's a different twist on the origins of the Titans and gods and makes as much sense as any other. More sense in some ways. It also neatly ties in with the concept of Tradition that runs through this series.
Aw, Persephone is such a compassionate woman in her pity for the penniless dead. She'll make a good consort for the sober and understanding Hades.
The Story
Her mother has tangled up all her plans. Today was the day Hades was "kidnapping" her. Oh, would she never get away from her mother!
Meanwhile Brunnhilde is anxious to find a way to make her mortal husband immortal, and these Greek gods seem to have a few ways to do that.
The Characters
Persephone (her childhood nickname is Kore) is the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of fertility and marriage vows who also knows how to give immortality.
Hades, the god of the dead, is pretending to be Eubeleus, a simple shepherd. Thanatos is the not-too-bright god of death who collects the dead. Charon ferries the dead over the River Acheron. Minos is one of three judges of the dead. Rhadamanthus, the son of a Titan, is the ruler of Elysium.
Leopold, the People's Prince, and Brunnhilde, a Valkyria and battle-goddess, are man and wife, arguing over whether it's best to be a Godmother or a god. Erda is her mother; Wotan/Odin is her father. Siegfried is her nephew (a Firebird is his constant companion) who has just married Rosa, the Queen of Eltaria. Drachen is Leo's horse, one of a pair of Valkyria mounts given the bridal pair by Brunnhilde's sisters. Gina is a Dragon Champion. Fricka is Wotan's wife.
The Greek gods are…
…half-fae, half-human whom humans believed into their roles. Zeus is the king of the gods. Hecate, a goddess of justice, is one of the Titans who took their side. Helios is the sun god. Hermes is a prankster and god of merchants. Apollo; Aphrodite falls genuinely in love, often; Athena; Poseidon is the god of the sea and Persephone's father; Ares; Bacchus is the god of wine; Artemis and Pan are in charge of wild animals; Crius is in charge of domestic animals; Hera is Zeus' wife and truly loves him; and, Hephaestus is married to Aphrodite and adores her even as he hates her little affairs.
Kronos, the king of the Titans, and his fellow Titans are in Tartarus.
Celeus is Callithoe's father and Meitaneira her mother with a new babe, Demophoon. The other three girls at the spring are Callidcie, Cleisidice, and Demo.
Godmothers Elena and Lily are mentioned.
The Cover and Title
The cover is the beautiful, blonde Persephone with pearls twisted in her dangling curls, a white gown and diamonds around her neck standing within a cave in the Underworld as she looks back to an opening from which moonlight pours.
The title is a combination of metaphor and situation, for Demeter's daughter weaves "A Tangled Web" of anger with her overprotective mother into a complicated kidnapping plot.
This is also found in the anthology, Harvest Moon .
My Take
This is too much fun and combines the myth of Demeter, Persephone, and Hades to explain the seasons with Brunnhilde and Leopold into Lackey's fairytale of Tradition. And we discover that the gods had meant to be like the Godmothers we've read in other Five Hundred Kingdoms' tales.
I did enjoy the debate that Brunnhilde and Leopold are having about gods. It's a different twist on the origins of the Titans and gods and makes as much sense as any other. More sense in some ways. It also neatly ties in with the concept of Tradition that runs through this series.
Aw, Persephone is such a compassionate woman in her pity for the penniless dead. She'll make a good consort for the sober and understanding Hades.
The Story
Her mother has tangled up all her plans. Today was the day Hades was "kidnapping" her. Oh, would she never get away from her mother!
Meanwhile Brunnhilde is anxious to find a way to make her mortal husband immortal, and these Greek gods seem to have a few ways to do that.
The Characters
Persephone (her childhood nickname is Kore) is the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of fertility and marriage vows who also knows how to give immortality.
Hades, the god of the dead, is pretending to be Eubeleus, a simple shepherd. Thanatos is the not-too-bright god of death who collects the dead. Charon ferries the dead over the River Acheron. Minos is one of three judges of the dead. Rhadamanthus, the son of a Titan, is the ruler of Elysium.
Leopold, the People's Prince, and Brunnhilde, a Valkyria and battle-goddess, are man and wife, arguing over whether it's best to be a Godmother or a god. Erda is her mother; Wotan/Odin is her father. Siegfried is her nephew (a Firebird is his constant companion) who has just married Rosa, the Queen of Eltaria. Drachen is Leo's horse, one of a pair of Valkyria mounts given the bridal pair by Brunnhilde's sisters. Gina is a Dragon Champion. Fricka is Wotan's wife.
The Greek gods are…
…half-fae, half-human whom humans believed into their roles. Zeus is the king of the gods. Hecate, a goddess of justice, is one of the Titans who took their side. Helios is the sun god. Hermes is a prankster and god of merchants. Apollo; Aphrodite falls genuinely in love, often; Athena; Poseidon is the god of the sea and Persephone's father; Ares; Bacchus is the god of wine; Artemis and Pan are in charge of wild animals; Crius is in charge of domestic animals; Hera is Zeus' wife and truly loves him; and, Hephaestus is married to Aphrodite and adores her even as he hates her little affairs.
Kronos, the king of the Titans, and his fellow Titans are in Tartarus.
Celeus is Callithoe's father and Meitaneira her mother with a new babe, Demophoon. The other three girls at the spring are Callidcie, Cleisidice, and Demo.
Godmothers Elena and Lily are mentioned.
The Cover and Title
The cover is the beautiful, blonde Persephone with pearls twisted in her dangling curls, a white gown and diamonds around her neck standing within a cave in the Underworld as she looks back to an opening from which moonlight pours.
The title is a combination of metaphor and situation, for Demeter's daughter weaves "A Tangled Web" of anger with her overprotective mother into a complicated kidnapping plot.
April 23, 2013
A novella in The Five Hundred Kingdoms series which takes place after Sleeping Beauty. Leo and Brunhilda are off taking a vacation in Olympia where there are no Godmothers, only the Gods who only sort of act in that capacity. They are enjoying a lovely day of relaxation on the meadow when suddenly a man driving a chariot with 4 black horses kidnaps Brunhilda and then the earth opens up and he disappears with her back under the earth where he came from. In another meadow, Persephone has escaped her chores and has met the shepard, her love, whom she knows is really Hades in disguise. They wander down to the underworld wondering why Thanatos never showed up to kidnap her as Hades had arranged but all too soon, they find out what has happened and then they have to figure out how to get Brunhilda back above ground since she was carried away by 'death' and how to make sure that Persephone can stay as Hades bride while convincing her mother to bring the earth back to life in Olypmia. And all must be done in accordance to the Tradition lest it take things amiss and come up with even more obstacles to thwart them.
A fun little tale in a wonderful series. It was nice to see Leo and Bru again and I enjoyed the bonus of the Greek legends intertwined A definite must read if you have enjoyed the series.
A fun little tale in a wonderful series. It was nice to see Leo and Bru again and I enjoyed the bonus of the Greek legends intertwined A definite must read if you have enjoyed the series.
April 6, 2013
I’m going to start by saying that if you haven’t discovered the 500 Kingdoms books, you really need to start with The Godmother, which is the first of the series and a favorite of mine. That said, after that first delightful tale, for me the quality of the other books in the series goes up and down a bit.
This review is really more for those who are familiar with the series, particularly with the preceding book, Sleeping Beauty, because Brunhilde and Leo, who are a secondary couple in that book, are also a secondary couple in Tangled Web. The primary couple are Persephone and Hades, and this novella (Tangled Web’s not a full novel, alas, and it may only be available as an ebook) is a great take on the classic myth, in which Persephone and Hades are madly in love and are trying to fool the Tradition by staging the expected kidnapping…but the wrong maiden gets kidnapped. I won’t give more away, but while it’s not The Godmother, Tangled Web is an excellent addition to the series, and I heartily recommend it.
This review is really more for those who are familiar with the series, particularly with the preceding book, Sleeping Beauty, because Brunhilde and Leo, who are a secondary couple in that book, are also a secondary couple in Tangled Web. The primary couple are Persephone and Hades, and this novella (Tangled Web’s not a full novel, alas, and it may only be available as an ebook) is a great take on the classic myth, in which Persephone and Hades are madly in love and are trying to fool the Tradition by staging the expected kidnapping…but the wrong maiden gets kidnapped. I won’t give more away, but while it’s not The Godmother, Tangled Web is an excellent addition to the series, and I heartily recommend it.
September 30, 2021
I think this series was one of the first fairy tale retellings, and the 5 Kingdoms still has a lot going for it. This story about Persephone/Hades & Brunhilde/Sigfried wasn't my favorite of the bunch, but it is still MUCH, MUCH better than a lot of the newer retellings. The story is geared toward a younger audience (YA or NA), but is so well-written it works even for adults. I highly recommend.
November 6, 2014
kinda short and predictable, but still worth reading. hope the next one is more like the previous ones in this set!
March 21, 2020
Not bad, a bit short, but interesting twist on the classic tale, as Lackey often does.
September 2, 2025
This novella is sort of a sequel to Lackey's The Sleeping Beauty in her Five Hundred Kingdom series.
You don't really have to read that book to understand most of what is going on. If you know the legend of Hades and Persephone, it is the main plot...sort of.
The Five Hundred Kingdom books take myths, legends and fairy tales and turn them on their heads by mashing things together sometimes. This is called The Tradition which everyone has no choice but to follow.
Prince Leopold and his new wife Brunnhilde are in Ancient Greece on a honeymoon journey when Bru is abducted by a man with a black chariot leaving Leo rightfully pissed off. It is a case of mistaken identity because it isn't Hades doing the abducting but one of his fellow Gods of The Underworld to try and break "The Tradition".
Hades and Persephone have been seeing each other for a while even though Hades thought he was disguised as a shepherd, but Persephone is smart and knew it right away. She just walks to the realm of the dead on her own free will with Hades and they arrive to find Bru not happy about being taken from her husband.
Leo goes straight to the gods of Olympus and demands his wife back around the same time that Demeter, Persephone's mother, has found her missing and decides not to grow anymore food until she comes back. Being wise, Leo can't stand the thought of innocent people starving to death, so he tries to delegate a plan.
Persephone learns she can only stay if she eats any of the food in the Underworld, but nothing grows except asphodel flowers. Brunnhilde learns she can only go back to the living world if she passes a task set by Hades and that is to help Persephone grow fruit from a pomegranate tree and create life in the land of the dead.
Persephone in this almost twenty-one and Hades is portrayed as at least middle aged, so we don't have to worry about it being too weird, yet everyone knows Greek mythology is not exactly the PG version we got from watching Disney's Hercules. Both of the couples are completely in love with each other, and the men treat their lovers as equals despite both women being raised and sheltered by overbearing parents.
A Tangled Web is a quick read and a good start to jumping on the works of Mercedes Lackey for some drama and action and romance with a little bit of comedy. The Five Hundred Kingdom series is far more light-hearted than her Elemental Masters series yet far saucier.
You don't really have to read that book to understand most of what is going on. If you know the legend of Hades and Persephone, it is the main plot...sort of.
The Five Hundred Kingdom books take myths, legends and fairy tales and turn them on their heads by mashing things together sometimes. This is called The Tradition which everyone has no choice but to follow.
Prince Leopold and his new wife Brunnhilde are in Ancient Greece on a honeymoon journey when Bru is abducted by a man with a black chariot leaving Leo rightfully pissed off. It is a case of mistaken identity because it isn't Hades doing the abducting but one of his fellow Gods of The Underworld to try and break "The Tradition".
Hades and Persephone have been seeing each other for a while even though Hades thought he was disguised as a shepherd, but Persephone is smart and knew it right away. She just walks to the realm of the dead on her own free will with Hades and they arrive to find Bru not happy about being taken from her husband.
Leo goes straight to the gods of Olympus and demands his wife back around the same time that Demeter, Persephone's mother, has found her missing and decides not to grow anymore food until she comes back. Being wise, Leo can't stand the thought of innocent people starving to death, so he tries to delegate a plan.
Persephone learns she can only stay if she eats any of the food in the Underworld, but nothing grows except asphodel flowers. Brunnhilde learns she can only go back to the living world if she passes a task set by Hades and that is to help Persephone grow fruit from a pomegranate tree and create life in the land of the dead.
Persephone in this almost twenty-one and Hades is portrayed as at least middle aged, so we don't have to worry about it being too weird, yet everyone knows Greek mythology is not exactly the PG version we got from watching Disney's Hercules. Both of the couples are completely in love with each other, and the men treat their lovers as equals despite both women being raised and sheltered by overbearing parents.
A Tangled Web is a quick read and a good start to jumping on the works of Mercedes Lackey for some drama and action and romance with a little bit of comedy. The Five Hundred Kingdom series is far more light-hearted than her Elemental Masters series yet far saucier.
March 2, 2019
This sequel to the Five Hundred Kingdoms series tells a complete story and can stand alone. Two of the four main characters were from the previous book, The Sleeping Beauty. Leopold was a primary character in that book, while Brunhilde was mostly secondary.
This is a short story or novella. It is more of a Romance than any of the other books in the series, focusing on two couples throughout most of the story. This book is set amongst the gods of Greece in Olympia and the Greek Underworld. It tells a possible tale of how Persephone becomes Queen of the Underworld.
Persephone is a sweet, generous, kind and brave woman. Bru has kindness in her, but is better described as a natural warrior. Leopold has the same characteristics as in the previous book, but in this one his bravery shines. Hades is a kind lover but also tough and unyielding as a ruler.
Most of the Five Hundred Kingdoms stories have displayed how fate (Tradition) is unfair and uncaring as to the suffering of its victims whether they be successful in their trials or not. That theme seems even more potent in this story.
The story seems to me to be about perfect in length. It is just long enough for us to get to know Persephone and Bru, but doesn't have a chance to drag with introspection and strategising. I saw a review lamenting the infodump in this story, but I found whatever information dumping was here to be well integrated and barely noticeable. There are no real surprises but instead some creativity in how various issues are resolved.
Mature themes: there is a lot of sex talk and references to it, but no description of it. There are references to the habits of male gods and heroes taking "favors" with the implication that they aren't always freely given. There is also at least one reference to a man "possessing" a woman in the sense of property. In fairness, most of these things are done somewhat obliquely.
This is a short story or novella. It is more of a Romance than any of the other books in the series, focusing on two couples throughout most of the story. This book is set amongst the gods of Greece in Olympia and the Greek Underworld. It tells a possible tale of how Persephone becomes Queen of the Underworld.
Persephone is a sweet, generous, kind and brave woman. Bru has kindness in her, but is better described as a natural warrior. Leopold has the same characteristics as in the previous book, but in this one his bravery shines. Hades is a kind lover but also tough and unyielding as a ruler.
Most of the Five Hundred Kingdoms stories have displayed how fate (Tradition) is unfair and uncaring as to the suffering of its victims whether they be successful in their trials or not. That theme seems even more potent in this story.
The story seems to me to be about perfect in length. It is just long enough for us to get to know Persephone and Bru, but doesn't have a chance to drag with introspection and strategising. I saw a review lamenting the infodump in this story, but I found whatever information dumping was here to be well integrated and barely noticeable. There are no real surprises but instead some creativity in how various issues are resolved.
Mature themes: there is a lot of sex talk and references to it, but no description of it. There are references to the habits of male gods and heroes taking "favors" with the implication that they aren't always freely given. There is also at least one reference to a man "possessing" a woman in the sense of property. In fairness, most of these things are done somewhat obliquely.
June 21, 2017
Typically, my complaint about Mercedes Lackey's more recent novels is that they are too simple and trite, following a preset pattern with minimal creativity.
Strangely, this little novella had the potential to be way MORE engaging than a lot of her recent works, but she chose to forego suspense and complications in the interest of brevity.
We start out with Leo and Brunhilde happily exploring their world's equivalent of Ancient Greece, enjoying married life, with the one caveat being that Leo is mortal. We are also introduced to Persephone and Hades and their tale as old as time. Due to a case of mistaken identity on the part of Thanatos, the Greek chooser of the slain, Leo and Brunhilde got swept up into Persephone and Hades' classic myth. That is the eponymous "Tangled Web."
I was thrilled when the story went from the classic myth of Persephone to the lesser-known tangent about Demeter becoming nursemaid to a mortal baby boy. However, after that storyline was introduced, the author summarized the entire conflict in about a page and a half, without giving the details about why Demeter was unsuccessful in turning that mortal baby immortal. The author just... skipped it. Some people might argue that would be a tangent too far for a story that is supposed to be principally about Leopold and Brunhilde (introduced in the earlier 500 Kingdoms novel, Sleeping Beauty), and secondly about Persephone and Hades. However, I would have INFINITELY preferred to have read about Demeter's adventures in babysitting.
Overall I enjoyed this little novella, but I am upset about the missed opportunities. Mercedes Lackey, you already published at least one novel every month or two. You write so much anyway, why not just dedicate a little more time on this story and give us something more substantial? A true novel, complete with Demeter's Adventures in Babysitting?
Strangely, this little novella had the potential to be way MORE engaging than a lot of her recent works, but she chose to forego suspense and complications in the interest of brevity.
We start out with Leo and Brunhilde happily exploring their world's equivalent of Ancient Greece, enjoying married life, with the one caveat being that Leo is mortal. We are also introduced to Persephone and Hades and their tale as old as time. Due to a case of mistaken identity on the part of Thanatos, the Greek chooser of the slain, Leo and Brunhilde got swept up into Persephone and Hades' classic myth. That is the eponymous "Tangled Web."
I was thrilled when the story went from the classic myth of Persephone to the lesser-known tangent about Demeter becoming nursemaid to a mortal baby boy. However, after that storyline was introduced, the author summarized the entire conflict in about a page and a half, without giving the details about why Demeter was unsuccessful in turning that mortal baby immortal. The author just... skipped it. Some people might argue that would be a tangent too far for a story that is supposed to be principally about Leopold and Brunhilde (introduced in the earlier 500 Kingdoms novel, Sleeping Beauty), and secondly about Persephone and Hades. However, I would have INFINITELY preferred to have read about Demeter's adventures in babysitting.
Overall I enjoyed this little novella, but I am upset about the missed opportunities. Mercedes Lackey, you already published at least one novel every month or two. You write so much anyway, why not just dedicate a little more time on this story and give us something more substantial? A true novel, complete with Demeter's Adventures in Babysitting?
February 22, 2018
Interesting take on the Persephone story. She goes willingly with Hades to his realm, because she loves him and is fed up with being treated like a child by her mother. In the meantime, the idiot Hades sent to bring her abducts the wrong blonde - he gets Brunnhilde instead. Bru's husband Leo goes to the gods to see about getting her back, while Persephone's mother Demeter is so grieved that she leaves Olympia, causing disaster among living things - plants, trees, etc. - that she is supposed to care for. The gods decree that both Leo and Persephone must undertake "impossible tasks" in order to achieve their wishes. This is a quick-read novella, but a nice addition to the Five Hundred Kingdoms collection.
Note: The story of how Leo and Brunnhilde met is told in The Sleeping Beauty. You don't have to have read that to enjoy this novella, but it does provide some background that explains a few things mentioned in this story.
Note: The story of how Leo and Brunnhilde met is told in The Sleeping Beauty. You don't have to have read that to enjoy this novella, but it does provide some background that explains a few things mentioned in this story.
June 10, 2021
I hadn't read any of this series but it was easy enough to pick up. The author has mashed together Greek god pantheon with and the Norse legends and sprinkled on a bit of the Fae and it seems to have worked.
This is Hades and Persephone, with the extra pair of Prince Leo and and the Valkyrie, Brunnhilde. Presumably Leo rescued her from her sleep inside a wall of fire in an earlier title. Sleeping Beauty would make sense...
Thanatos kidnaps the wrong blonde immortal and Leo is so angry that he rides his magic horses right into Olympus and demands that Zeus give his wife back. Chaos ensues, mostly because he's mortal... and how can a mortal go to Hades and get her back?
Plus Demeter is having a major sulk and well, you know the rest.
It was an easy read but there's no new twist to this tale.
3 stars
This is Hades and Persephone, with the extra pair of Prince Leo and and the Valkyrie, Brunnhilde. Presumably Leo rescued her from her sleep inside a wall of fire in an earlier title. Sleeping Beauty would make sense...
Thanatos kidnaps the wrong blonde immortal and Leo is so angry that he rides his magic horses right into Olympus and demands that Zeus give his wife back. Chaos ensues, mostly because he's mortal... and how can a mortal go to Hades and get her back?
Plus Demeter is having a major sulk and well, you know the rest.
It was an easy read but there's no new twist to this tale.
3 stars
June 18, 2017
Good young adult novel - one of the latest in the 500 Kingdoms series. In this one Hades is kidnapping Persephone as per the legend. However, Persephone is more than happy to go with him as he as wooed her before hand and she has fallen in love - and also cannot wait to get out from under Demeter's constant supervision.
Through in another young blond immortal female who just happens to be in a nearby meadow and Hades rather inept assistant and the wrong female gets kidnapped. This leaves several people scrambling to make things work out right before Tradition and Demeter destroy Olympus. An enjoyable and quick read.
Through in another young blond immortal female who just happens to be in a nearby meadow and Hades rather inept assistant and the wrong female gets kidnapped. This leaves several people scrambling to make things work out right before Tradition and Demeter destroy Olympus. An enjoyable and quick read.
September 18, 2017
Normally I love a Mercedes Lackey novel, but I think she may have grown tired of this particular series. The story was super short, terribly predictable, and not much of a departure from the Hades/Perspehone/Demeter mythology. Rather disappointing coming on the heels of the third in the Hunter series (which was a very enjoyable read).
November 30, 2019
Love
I am a big fan of Mercedes Lackey's book, and have read most of them more than once. But this is the first time I've read this one. The myth of Hades and Persephone is one of my favorites, and I loved how she treated the myth to make it fit into her world. 10/10 would reccomend.
I am a big fan of Mercedes Lackey's book, and have read most of them more than once. But this is the first time I've read this one. The myth of Hades and Persephone is one of my favorites, and I loved how she treated the myth to make it fit into her world. 10/10 would reccomend.
March 5, 2021
Read this in the anthology “Harvest Moon’. A different kind of story of Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demeter, and how she becomes Queen of the Underworld. One of the couples from the previous book, Leopold and Brunnhile, share the spotlight in here.
Fave scenes: Persephone’s act of kindness to the spirits and Leopold standing up to Zeus.
Fave scenes: Persephone’s act of kindness to the spirits and Leopold standing up to Zeus.
August 15, 2022
This Novella was fun! It’s a spin off from her book the Sleeping beauty and it was lovely to see two beloved characters get their happily ever after. The story came at a time when I didn’t want to read something heavy and this was pure Brain Candy. Thank you Mercedes Lackey for writing this story for me.
Is it her best work? No. But it was a wonderful read regardless.
Is it her best work? No. But it was a wonderful read regardless.
June 6, 2025
I didn't realize this was a novella previously published in an anthology, but that was way back in 2010 so it read like new to me. As usual with the 500 Kingdoms series, it's a 3-star read. The Persephone myth is not a favorite of mine, and neither are the Norse legends. Although this was nice, it wasn't stellar.
May 14, 2017
This novella picked up after "The Sleeping Beauty" ended, and continued Leopold's adventures. It was a take on the Persephone myth, with some wild, and humorous, twists, turns and tangles. A highly entertaining, rollicking adventure. Just the right length, it had great pace.
July 15, 2018
I love this world! It is fascinating how she's crafted this idea of The Tradition. You'll definitely need to pull out your Greek mythology reference guide if you want to understand all the back story behind each character.
December 29, 2018
I usually enjoy the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms stories, but this novella must either have been written in extreme haste, or when the author’s mind was elsewhere. It’s sloppy, sentimental, and contrived. It reads as if it was written by a bot copying her writing style. Skip this one!
August 31, 2020
Enjoyable off beat fantasy in the 500 Kingdoms mode. This one is set outside the 500 Kingdoms in mythological Greece. Nice to learn more of Bru and Leo and their further adventures although only half the tale is about them.
September 2, 2020
A great addition to the 500 kingdoms series. This charming tale gives us another glimpse into the half-fae immortals known as gods. This time Brunhilde and Leopold must join forces with the Greek gods to save Olympia and help Persephone and Hades find their happy ending.
January 1, 2021
Retelling of Persephone, in the Hundred Kingdoms universe. Heavily features characters from an earlier book I hadn't read, but I don't think it made that big a difference. Kind of fun but forgettable.
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