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Flowers and the Far Realm
What if Persephone could bring spirits back from the dead?
Without even counting his unruly shadow self, overworked Hades can’t keep up with the incoming corpses, monsters, and misfits sent to the infamous Far Realm. His desire to give everyone another chance at life—or afterlife—has become almost impossible. Without help, that is.
Seph dreams of romance and adventure while she works in the royal garden under her mother’s watchful eye. When her life-giving ability catches Hades’ attention, he ignores her protests and steals her away.
Although other gods fear Hades with all his intensity, elegance, and mysterious power, Seph (or Persephone as he insists on calling her) can’t help but be lured in. But Hades can’t allow their fiery connection to ignite. The Far Realm needs him focused, and innocent Seph might not survive the darkness that lurks beneath his own skin.
Will his attempts to push her away be enough to overcome their mutual obsession?
Without even counting his unruly shadow self, overworked Hades can’t keep up with the incoming corpses, monsters, and misfits sent to the infamous Far Realm. His desire to give everyone another chance at life—or afterlife—has become almost impossible. Without help, that is.
Seph dreams of romance and adventure while she works in the royal garden under her mother’s watchful eye. When her life-giving ability catches Hades’ attention, he ignores her protests and steals her away.
Although other gods fear Hades with all his intensity, elegance, and mysterious power, Seph (or Persephone as he insists on calling her) can’t help but be lured in. But Hades can’t allow their fiery connection to ignite. The Far Realm needs him focused, and innocent Seph might not survive the darkness that lurks beneath his own skin.
Will his attempts to push her away be enough to overcome their mutual obsession?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2023
14 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 3, 2024
4.5 stars
I think this is one of my favorite Hades/Persephone stories I have read. It was also different than any other gods story and I appreciated it because most are recycling of the base story but this one I had no idea what Fox was going to have happen and with Hades' power and just... man! It was a good time. I only wish it would have gone out with a(nother) bang if you know what I mean.
This is spicy with a few scenes.
I think this is one of my favorite Hades/Persephone stories I have read. It was also different than any other gods story and I appreciated it because most are recycling of the base story but this one I had no idea what Fox was going to have happen and with Hades' power and just... man! It was a good time. I only wish it would have gone out with a(nother) bang if you know what I mean.
This is spicy with a few scenes.
January 29, 2024
I wanted to read an amazing Hades/Persephone retelling. And I got one.
Holy. F***ing. Shit...this was good.
This book reads fast, and for a slow reader like me, I enjoy that. I wanted a fantasy read that didn't take pages of world building to get me situated. Zora drops you into Persephone's world, where she is a simple gardener struggling with feeling like her power isn't living up to its potential. She's also exploring her own sexuality.
Then Hades comes along and tests her strengths, (and her sexual boundaries) making her question her potential. But the god of death also has his own insecurities (and desires) that eventually bring the two together in some fantastic spicy scenes.
I'm a sucker for secondary characters, and I will say I fell in love Marzanna. She has this creepy air about her as Hades' servant. I could picture her so well with her red-rimmed eyes and antlers glowing in the moonlight. Even how the characters move is described. I loved how Zora immersed me in her world of the Far Realm right away. Persephone becomes invested in helping spirits find an afterlife, while Hades is fighting his own darkness (his shadow).
On a side note regarding the mythology, I like how Persephone didn't get sucked into infatuation with him right away. But we know she's curious about sexuality from the books she is reading. I'm always hesitant about reading retellings where abduction is romanticized. The act of taking a daughter away from a mother (Demeter) is considered a metaphor for a maiden transitioning into her next phase of life (matron/motherhood). To do this, the maiden (Persephone) must symbolically set aside her childlike self, and step into her own sexuality (symbolized by her powers, as well as sexual desires for Hades).
I would recommend this retelling for Hades/Persephone to anyone in a heartbeat. So excited to see what else Zora has to write!
Holy. F***ing. Shit...this was good.
This book reads fast, and for a slow reader like me, I enjoy that. I wanted a fantasy read that didn't take pages of world building to get me situated. Zora drops you into Persephone's world, where she is a simple gardener struggling with feeling like her power isn't living up to its potential. She's also exploring her own sexuality.
Then Hades comes along and tests her strengths, (and her sexual boundaries) making her question her potential. But the god of death also has his own insecurities (and desires) that eventually bring the two together in some fantastic spicy scenes.
I'm a sucker for secondary characters, and I will say I fell in love Marzanna. She has this creepy air about her as Hades' servant. I could picture her so well with her red-rimmed eyes and antlers glowing in the moonlight. Even how the characters move is described. I loved how Zora immersed me in her world of the Far Realm right away. Persephone becomes invested in helping spirits find an afterlife, while Hades is fighting his own darkness (his shadow).
On a side note regarding the mythology, I like how Persephone didn't get sucked into infatuation with him right away. But we know she's curious about sexuality from the books she is reading. I'm always hesitant about reading retellings where abduction is romanticized. The act of taking a daughter away from a mother (Demeter) is considered a metaphor for a maiden transitioning into her next phase of life (matron/motherhood). To do this, the maiden (Persephone) must symbolically set aside her childlike self, and step into her own sexuality (symbolized by her powers, as well as sexual desires for Hades).
I would recommend this retelling for Hades/Persephone to anyone in a heartbeat. So excited to see what else Zora has to write!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2025
What I loved most about this book was the character development and the acceptance within the relationship. I loved the plot and the characters. It had good spice. The writing was good. A good aesthetic. I liked how it kept parts of the original story we all know and love while making it unique at the same time.
August 8, 2024
Wonderful adaptation of an old myth
The author does a great job of turning a weakling goddess into a powerful character and giving the god of the dead a layered personality. The editing isn't perfect, but that doesn't affect what is an excellent story. Bravo!
The author does a great job of turning a weakling goddess into a powerful character and giving the god of the dead a layered personality. The editing isn't perfect, but that doesn't affect what is an excellent story. Bravo!
August 4, 2025
⭐ 5/5 – A rich, romantic descent into a world of shadows, blooming with beauty, heat, and heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2025
This was very enjoyable. I really liked the characters :)
October 4, 2025
I absolutely loved this book!!!
November 20, 2025
This book was so good. the spice was spicing. loved this retelling.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews