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Goddess Girls #11
Persephone the Daring (11)
Mortal rock star Orpheus steals the spotlight in this Goddess Girls tale of love and lyres!
Orpheus is a mortal rock god, and the girls at Mount Olympus Academy are wild about him! With his lyre and singing voice, Orpheus can charm pretty much anything—even things like stones and trees. But Hades and the other MOA boys aren’t charmed. In fact, they are less than thrilled that the girls are so gaga over this guy.
His fans are especially excited about his latest song about the girl he loved and lost, Eurydice. Orpheus was devastated when he lost Eurydice to the Underworld, so he asks Persephone to help get her back. Though it means breaking some very serious Underworld rules, Persephone pushes Hades to return Eurydice to the living world. But restoring Orpheus’s one true love might jeopardize Persephone’s own chances with her biggest crush...
Orpheus is a mortal rock god, and the girls at Mount Olympus Academy are wild about him! With his lyre and singing voice, Orpheus can charm pretty much anything—even things like stones and trees. But Hades and the other MOA boys aren’t charmed. In fact, they are less than thrilled that the girls are so gaga over this guy.
His fans are especially excited about his latest song about the girl he loved and lost, Eurydice. Orpheus was devastated when he lost Eurydice to the Underworld, so he asks Persephone to help get her back. Though it means breaking some very serious Underworld rules, Persephone pushes Hades to return Eurydice to the living world. But restoring Orpheus’s one true love might jeopardize Persephone’s own chances with her biggest crush...
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2013
148 people are currently reading
2253 people want to read
About the author
Joan Holub
365 books1,234 followersNY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 8, 2024
➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
for some reason i’m really enjoying the persephone stories this reread. i think she’s just a far more relatable character than some of the other ones especially after reading this being a bit older.
the concept of orpheus totally reminded me of me as a young fangirl and i was here. for. it. the plot of this was cute and sweet and it read very quick as they all do.
the mythology was thick in this one as well, which i enjoyed. again, highly recommend for younger and older fans of greek mythology alike.
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
for some reason i’m really enjoying the persephone stories this reread. i think she’s just a far more relatable character than some of the other ones especially after reading this being a bit older.
the concept of orpheus totally reminded me of me as a young fangirl and i was here. for. it. the plot of this was cute and sweet and it read very quick as they all do.
the mythology was thick in this one as well, which i enjoyed. again, highly recommend for younger and older fans of greek mythology alike.
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
August 30, 2013
I love this entire series, and this is one of the best installments yet. I think I literally read this book with a huge smile on my face!
Persephone was already one of my favorite characters from the series, she's so shy and adorable, but she's actually really strong too. This book had a great story about Persephone trying to be more daring. She even made a new friend, Eurydice-Orpheus's back up singer, who was super brave. However, Persephone soon found out that Eurydice was more than daring, she was out of control! Maybe it's not such a bad thing to be the dependable one.
While the book does teach girls a valuable lesson about responsibility, there is so much fun to be had in this book, too. Orpheus is a cute pop star, who has a cute personality to boot. But fans of Persephone's cute romance with Hades need not get too nervous! It would take more than a cute mortal pop star to break up Mount Olympus' favorite couple!
I just love this series and the more books that I read, the more I love all the characters. It was great to see quite a bit of Medusa in this book. Ever since she got her own book, she's no longer 'Medusa the Mean', but she sure is spunky and so much fun to read about!
Overall, a fantastic new addition to my favorite middle grade series. This one is a must read for fans of the books, and for new readers alike.
book sent by authors in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
Persephone was already one of my favorite characters from the series, she's so shy and adorable, but she's actually really strong too. This book had a great story about Persephone trying to be more daring. She even made a new friend, Eurydice-Orpheus's back up singer, who was super brave. However, Persephone soon found out that Eurydice was more than daring, she was out of control! Maybe it's not such a bad thing to be the dependable one.
While the book does teach girls a valuable lesson about responsibility, there is so much fun to be had in this book, too. Orpheus is a cute pop star, who has a cute personality to boot. But fans of Persephone's cute romance with Hades need not get too nervous! It would take more than a cute mortal pop star to break up Mount Olympus' favorite couple!
I just love this series and the more books that I read, the more I love all the characters. It was great to see quite a bit of Medusa in this book. Ever since she got her own book, she's no longer 'Medusa the Mean', but she sure is spunky and so much fun to read about!
Overall, a fantastic new addition to my favorite middle grade series. This one is a must read for fans of the books, and for new readers alike.
book sent by authors in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
August 27, 2013
The Truth about Persephone the Daring
Despite increasing reservations about the Goddess Girls series, I will remain complimentary at the authors’ ability to draw the reader in. That being said, I became sucked into reading Persephone the Daring, and I felt “mega”- dizzy.
According to the Teen Scrollazine poll, Persephone is voted as Most Dependable. As two outspoken characters said, the survey in the “ ’zine” is like “totally wrong!” If Persephone were more dependable, the reader would have gotten her point of view the whole time instead of the chapters switching off between her and Hades. The perspective change did Persephone no favors. Neither did the cover. To make sure Persephone the Daring made sales, the big shots made sure their most dependable, Aphrodite, was on it.
Poor Persephone. With her dark side, Persephone had so much potential. Like her three mega-popular goddessgirls besties, she needed her second “ ’ook” (you know, short for book, like ’zine is short for magazine?) to take place before Medusa the Mean, which is the most refreshing and turning point of the series. Instead, Persephone got her own ’ook nine ’ooks after her first one. And the sad part, it wasn’t even her own ’ook! (Wow, goddessgirl-speak is like, totally, way more annoying than I thought!)
With all the switcher-roos and fluff, reading Persephone the Daring was like watching a ball roll back and forth. Bored and really going nowhere.
So truth or dare?
Here’s a dare to the publishers: I dare you to change the series name, “Goddess Girls” into “Mount Olympus Academy”, or perhaps slow down…or stop. If that dare is too hard, I’ll give you the truth about Persephone the Daring.
The ’ook is a mega-dud.
Despite increasing reservations about the Goddess Girls series, I will remain complimentary at the authors’ ability to draw the reader in. That being said, I became sucked into reading Persephone the Daring, and I felt “mega”- dizzy.
According to the Teen Scrollazine poll, Persephone is voted as Most Dependable. As two outspoken characters said, the survey in the “ ’zine” is like “totally wrong!” If Persephone were more dependable, the reader would have gotten her point of view the whole time instead of the chapters switching off between her and Hades. The perspective change did Persephone no favors. Neither did the cover. To make sure Persephone the Daring made sales, the big shots made sure their most dependable, Aphrodite, was on it.
Poor Persephone. With her dark side, Persephone had so much potential. Like her three mega-popular goddessgirls besties, she needed her second “ ’ook” (you know, short for book, like ’zine is short for magazine?) to take place before Medusa the Mean, which is the most refreshing and turning point of the series. Instead, Persephone got her own ’ook nine ’ooks after her first one. And the sad part, it wasn’t even her own ’ook! (Wow, goddessgirl-speak is like, totally, way more annoying than I thought!)
With all the switcher-roos and fluff, reading Persephone the Daring was like watching a ball roll back and forth. Bored and really going nowhere.
So truth or dare?
Here’s a dare to the publishers: I dare you to change the series name, “Goddess Girls” into “Mount Olympus Academy”, or perhaps slow down…or stop. If that dare is too hard, I’ll give you the truth about Persephone the Daring.
The ’ook is a mega-dud.
September 13, 2013
Persephone the Daring continues the series that turns Greek mythology heroes into modern day teenagers going to school and learning all about life and friendship.
In Greek mythology Persephone (pur-SEF-uh-nee) is kidnapped by Hades, the god of the underworld. Her mother, the goddess of the harvest, braves a rescue to bring Persephone home.
Hades agrees to let Persephone go home for one half of the year during spring and summer when flowers bloom. The half of the year where Persephone is with Hades the world knows the barren seasons of fall and winter.
In the Goddess Girls series Persephone is a typical teen-age girl with friends and dates and school.
She is know as the "dependable one" according to the Teen Scrollazine poll.
When a girl's sleep-over truth or dare game is played Persephone will be given the dare to get the autograph of mortal rock star Orpheus.
Will she be the dependable one or can she turn into the daring one?
With the help of backup singer Eurydice, Persephone tries to be a little more daring.
But when Eurydice is trapped in the Underworld and Hades birthday present comes to bloom, plans are formed, music fans are entertained, and Persephone strengthens her friendship with Hades.
Amazing writing!
Fun story!
Really good series!
In Greek mythology Persephone (pur-SEF-uh-nee) is kidnapped by Hades, the god of the underworld. Her mother, the goddess of the harvest, braves a rescue to bring Persephone home.
Hades agrees to let Persephone go home for one half of the year during spring and summer when flowers bloom. The half of the year where Persephone is with Hades the world knows the barren seasons of fall and winter.
In the Goddess Girls series Persephone is a typical teen-age girl with friends and dates and school.
She is know as the "dependable one" according to the Teen Scrollazine poll.
When a girl's sleep-over truth or dare game is played Persephone will be given the dare to get the autograph of mortal rock star Orpheus.
Will she be the dependable one or can she turn into the daring one?
With the help of backup singer Eurydice, Persephone tries to be a little more daring.
But when Eurydice is trapped in the Underworld and Hades birthday present comes to bloom, plans are formed, music fans are entertained, and Persephone strengthens her friendship with Hades.
Amazing writing!
Fun story!
Really good series!
September 25, 2015
Mortal rockstars Eurydice and Orpheus steal the stage in the 11th goddess girls book. This one is told from the point of view of Persephone and Hades. It was great to see the book from two different perspectives, if I'm correct this is the first time that's been done? I love Hades and Persephone; they have such deep, interesting personalities; what you see is not always what you get. Hades is my favourite god boy and Persephone is my fav goddess girl apart from Medusa.
As usual there are many story lines in this book and as usual they are really well done. In one of the story lines Persephone is voted Most Dependable in a Teen Scrollazine poll. To Persephone 'Most Dependable' = 'Most Boring' . I noticed some people think she was childish in the way she acted but I don't agree. If someone assumes something about you (even if its true) your natural instinct is to think 'You don't know everything about me' or is that just me being childish too? :D
In another storyline Eurydice is acting completely different to Persephone. She is definitely NOT dependable so it's natural that Persephone would be drawn to her when at this moment in time she is trying her hardest to prove she isn't just dependable, phony Persephone.
I was hoping that at the end of the book Eurydice would see the error of her ways but no such luck. As Hades said "Can't say I'm not happy to see those two [Eurydice and Orpheus] go. Now they'll be someone else's problem."
I know of the basic myths but I had know idea that Eurydice appears in actual greek myths until my sister told me. I just assumed that the basic characters and a couple of the story lines were based on greek myth but it's much cleverer than that. More than 90% of this book is a very, very, very clever take on some of the classic (and not so classic) greek myths.
This is a smart, heartwarming, creative, clever, fun series that is aimed at children but any fans of greek myth would really enjoy it.
As usual there are many story lines in this book and as usual they are really well done. In one of the story lines Persephone is voted Most Dependable in a Teen Scrollazine poll. To Persephone 'Most Dependable' = 'Most Boring' . I noticed some people think she was childish in the way she acted but I don't agree. If someone assumes something about you (even if its true) your natural instinct is to think 'You don't know everything about me' or is that just me being childish too? :D
In another storyline Eurydice is acting completely different to Persephone. She is definitely NOT dependable so it's natural that Persephone would be drawn to her when at this moment in time she is trying her hardest to prove she isn't just dependable, phony Persephone.
I was hoping that at the end of the book Eurydice would see the error of her ways but no such luck. As Hades said "Can't say I'm not happy to see those two [Eurydice and Orpheus] go. Now they'll be someone else's problem."
I know of the basic myths but I had know idea that Eurydice appears in actual greek myths until my sister told me. I just assumed that the basic characters and a couple of the story lines were based on greek myth but it's much cleverer than that. More than 90% of this book is a very, very, very clever take on some of the classic (and not so classic) greek myths.
This is a smart, heartwarming, creative, clever, fun series that is aimed at children but any fans of greek myth would really enjoy it.
October 17, 2013
The Goddess Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams is a painless introduction to characters from mythology. In this story Persephone is named "Most Dependable" in a Teen Scrollazine poll. She feels that dependable equals boring, so she resolves to be more daring and change everyone's opinion of her. She and the other girls from MOA (Mount Olympus Academy) have a slumber party and play a game of Truth or Dare. Persephone chooses to take a dare since it will make her seem more "daring." To fulfill the dare she has to get the autograph of Orpheus at his concert. That leads to Eurydice (Orpheus' girlfriend) staying at Persephone's house when she comes to visit MOA with Orpheus. Hades and the other godboys feel that Orpheus is getting too much attention from the girls, but Hades especially thinks Eurydice is a bad influence because she is so fickle. Her flightiness gets her into one problem after another and the goddess girls realize she is not dependable at all - she is the complete opposite of Persephone.
These books are funny and fairly quick reads. Each one focuses on a different character like Athena or Cassandra, but the rest of the MOA students are in the stories, too. Readers who enjoy school stories that deal with popularity, friendship, and other issues will find plenty of those situations. For those who like stories that re-imagine famous characters from mythology (like Percy Jackson or the Kane Chronicles), but want a book that is not quite so thick - these may be just what you're looking for.
These books are funny and fairly quick reads. Each one focuses on a different character like Athena or Cassandra, but the rest of the MOA students are in the stories, too. Readers who enjoy school stories that deal with popularity, friendship, and other issues will find plenty of those situations. For those who like stories that re-imagine famous characters from mythology (like Percy Jackson or the Kane Chronicles), but want a book that is not quite so thick - these may be just what you're looking for.
May 28, 2016
This book was a lot better than Persephone's last book. She does seem to take stereotypes and what people say about her a bit too seriously, but that was fine with me.
Eurydice was a bit of strange character and I didn't like her very much. All the new characters were just a bit weird.
I liked reading from Persephone and Hades' points of view, because I really like him and hearing his thoughts about Persephone was really lovely. And the way they resolved the Underworld problem was great - was what Hades did to Persephone at the end was awesome!
Eurydice was a bit of strange character and I didn't like her very much. All the new characters were just a bit weird.
I liked reading from Persephone and Hades' points of view, because I really like him and hearing his thoughts about Persephone was really lovely. And the way they resolved the Underworld problem was great - was what Hades did to Persephone at the end was awesome!
March 31, 2014
when Persephone is dared to get a autograph from the famous singer Orpheus.it changes everything.first Orpheus comes to her school next Hades gets jealous of Orpheus then Orpheus's back singer wonders in to the underworld.so now Persephone has to set things right.
August 16, 2016
My gosh! Poor Persephone!
December 6, 2016
My 7yr old and I adore these books. Persephone is my favourite Goddess Girl thus far ❤️
September 6, 2023
Persephone is annoyed because she thinks she’s too dependable. She doesn’t want to be a predictable Hufflepuff-type, and starts taking risks. However, those risks get her in trouble, especially when Orpheus, a teenager rock star, gets thrown into the mix. The adaptation of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice is very good, and Persephone learns a good lesson in this novel.
However, Orpheus’s lyrics don’t match his reputation as a mythic singer, and Hades is still Persephone’s “crush”. Even if they are only in middle school, Persephone and Hades have been in a serious relationship long enough for Persephone, trying to be more interesting, to call Hades her boyfriend. These flaws are nitpicking, and I still love this Goddess Girl book.
However, Orpheus’s lyrics don’t match his reputation as a mythic singer, and Hades is still Persephone’s “crush”. Even if they are only in middle school, Persephone and Hades have been in a serious relationship long enough for Persephone, trying to be more interesting, to call Hades her boyfriend. These flaws are nitpicking, and I still love this Goddess Girl book.
September 4, 2023
This book was great but the best part was at the end, when Hades told her about the pomegranete seed. I just wanted to cry because the moment was so sweeeetttttt!!!!I also loved to see how he ws jealous, it was so cute. I also wanted to punch her in the face for being so oblivious with Eurydice, but I also get how she was upset with her status in the poll. But at the same time that is such a good thing to be known for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2017
My daughter's review (8 years old):
"Goddess Girls is the best book series I've ever read! It's so exciting, magical, adventurous and funny! My favorite so far is Persephone the Daring. It's so crazy, funny and exciting! Totally a five-star!"
"Goddess Girls is the best book series I've ever read! It's so exciting, magical, adventurous and funny! My favorite so far is Persephone the Daring. It's so crazy, funny and exciting! Totally a five-star!"
December 26, 2018
Another great book! Eurydice and Orpheus were just a TAD annoying though! And yay! Go Persephone for finally accepting that being dependable is a good trait! Watching her going out of her way to be daring was a bit cringey and annoying if I'm being perfectly honest!
August 15, 2022
my friend and i talked about this book at a summer camp and as soon as i came home i decided to read it. it's hilarious and evokes the kind of middle grade nostalgia that i love. hades as an emo kid is a revelation.
September 5, 2022
WOOOO! This book was amazing! At the end of the book, I loved Orpheus and Eurydice's performance at the end. It was soooo unpredictable and fun! I gasped when Eurydice picked Viper! Thank god it was fake! I just love the relationship between Hades and Persephone. I lOVE THIS BOOOOK!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2017
Very detailed, some of the chapters were quite boring otherwise it would've been 5 stars. I would read more of the series. - my 8 years old child review
January 30, 2019
Same stuff sort of over and over again in the beginning but the rest of it is pretty good
August 12, 2020
Meh. Persephone (and Aphrodite) are my least favorite of the 4 main girls.
June 10, 2021
lovely
April 11, 2022
It's about time Hades got his own POV
April 29, 2024
So cute.
June 27, 2024
Another cute addition to the series.
April 30, 2025
I loved this book. I liked how they go back in fourth from character to character between chapters. You should definitely read this book!
March 20, 2017
AWESOME!
March 14, 2024
As always, it was very cute. I liked how the authors incorporated the story of Orpheus and Eurydice while allowing it to have a happy ending.
Want to read
September 30, 2016it's good,can't wait the next volume
September 2, 2013
I picked up this book while glancing at the middle grade books in Barnes & Noble. I had seen a lot about the Goddess Girls series around the book blogosphere. I was always intrigued by the premise: the Greek Gods and Goddesses when they were young. They all attend Mount Olympus Academy together.
The "Goddess Girls" are a group of friends that consist of the famous goddesses from Greek Mythology. This book is about Persephone. You probably know her as the daughter of Demeter and wife of Hades who spends her time in the underworld and on earth with her mother. Well she's just a kid in these books. Although her boyfriend is Hades. I really enjoyed how the fiction was weaved with myth because even though kids will not know that much of this is based on myth; I knew and was pleased that many relationships were kept in tact/twisted in a most amusing way!
This story is basically about a school magazine (aka ScrollZine) that took a poll ranking Persephone as "Most Dependable" in MOA (Mt. Olympus Academy). The same poll named Aphrodite as best hair and Hades as most fascinating. Persephone was terribly upset as being labelled most dependable. Dependable was so boring! Of course the lesson of the story was that there is a lot of worth in dependability; especially in a friend.
I really can't recommend this book enough. I'm going to pass my copy on to my niece, as I really think she'll enjoy it. I had fun reading it and will be picking up more of these books! I especially like that this one was a bit longer than a few of the others I saw. I can't wait to learn more about the other characters that attend Mt. Olympus Academy.
February 10, 2017
Endlich sind Hades und Persephone wieder an der Reihe, ich hab sie so vermisst. Sie und Hades sind meine Lieblings Charaktere in der gesamten Reihe. Diesmal wird ihre "Romanze" auf eine harte Probe gestellt. Persephone nimmt eine Mutprobe an, die ungeahnte Konsequenzen hat und muss lernen das Zuverlässigkeit eine positive Eigenschaft ist, die Leben retten kann. Werden sie und Hades ihre Differenzen bei Seite legen können oder hat ihre Romanze doch keine Zukunft??
Ich liebe Persephone ja, aber diesmal hätte ich sie wirklich schütteln können. Bloß weil sie nicht langweilig sein will bringt sie sich und anderen in Gefahr und stößt Hades vor den Kopf, dabei mag er sie doch so sehr. Aber zum Glück haben sie sich wieder vertragen und konnten Hades Geburtstag doch noch zusammen feiern.
Orpheus und Eurydice konnte ich gar nicht leiden. Er ist arrogant und sie ist einfach nur durch geknallt, schade das die Furien sie nicht doch behalten haben. Ich hoffe wirklich das Persephone und Hades in den nächsten Bändern offener über ihre "Beziehung" sind. Hades hat in diesem Band so viel Gefühl gezeigt, er ist einfach ein Schatz.
Fazit: Band 11 war spannend, witzig und so romantisch. Manche Abschnitte waren etwas langatmig, aber allem in allem hat die Story dem überwogen. Was ich super fand war das wir dieses mal die Handlung nicht nur aus Persephones Perspektive gesehen haben sondern auch aus der von Hades. Ich hoffe das die nächsten Bänder auch so sind. Das Cover fand ich wieder sehr schön!!
Ich liebe Persephone ja, aber diesmal hätte ich sie wirklich schütteln können. Bloß weil sie nicht langweilig sein will bringt sie sich und anderen in Gefahr und stößt Hades vor den Kopf, dabei mag er sie doch so sehr. Aber zum Glück haben sie sich wieder vertragen und konnten Hades Geburtstag doch noch zusammen feiern.
Orpheus und Eurydice konnte ich gar nicht leiden. Er ist arrogant und sie ist einfach nur durch geknallt, schade das die Furien sie nicht doch behalten haben. Ich hoffe wirklich das Persephone und Hades in den nächsten Bändern offener über ihre "Beziehung" sind. Hades hat in diesem Band so viel Gefühl gezeigt, er ist einfach ein Schatz.
Fazit: Band 11 war spannend, witzig und so romantisch. Manche Abschnitte waren etwas langatmig, aber allem in allem hat die Story dem überwogen. Was ich super fand war das wir dieses mal die Handlung nicht nur aus Persephones Perspektive gesehen haben sondern auch aus der von Hades. Ich hoffe das die nächsten Bänder auch so sind. Das Cover fand ich wieder sehr schön!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews