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The Light in Hades

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The Light in Hades is the latest romantic fantasy novel by author Elise Nelson.



Correlia of Olympus was “gifted” the destiny of becoming Persephone, the goddess of nature and spring. As every Great One is told, she must follow the path appointed to her or the world will be off-balance.

Beneath Mt. Olympus, Theron of Tartarus has been groomed to become Hades, the god of the Underworld. Despised by everyone on Olympus and tormented by his mentor, he has only known a life of abuse and despair.

The two were never meant to cross paths, but when Theron is sent on a mission to Mt. Olympus, he finds the goddess who is meant to be his enemy and his greatest opposition.

One encounter is all it takes for everything to change.

Now, the sheltered Corre finds herself in a position she never could have falling in love with the God of Death and questioning everything. Even her destiny.

449 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2024

18 people are currently reading
3157 people want to read

About the author

Elise Nelson

3 books145 followers

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5 stars
21 (28%)
4 stars
33 (44%)
3 stars
12 (16%)
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5 (6%)
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4 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Jeremy.
1,381 reviews60 followers
May 20, 2024
A day without an Elise Nelson novel is like Hades without Persephone!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
6,599 reviews240 followers
June 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. The characters as well as the storyline and world building that the author created for this book is lovely. I could see this book playing out as a movie.

Correlia and Theron could not be from more different worlds and paths, yet it was like they were always meant for each other. The love they shared for each other is something that only like soulmates could experience. Although they did not start out as mutual buddies.

This line had me chucking as quoted by Theron "Sorry, Your Greatness, I didn't have the opportunity to learn etiquette while I was being trained to rule the Underworld."

Correlia "It that supposed to impress me." (Cue Shaina Twain's That Don't Impress Me Much song)

The way that Theron reacted to words that Correlia said, or actions had me laughing. It was like I was experiencing them for the first time too.
7 reviews3 followers
October 20, 2025
If you enjoy a fun, YA romance, this book is for you. It was a gushy/feel good romance, but not explicit, kind of Twilight style.
Profile Image for Axelle.
819 reviews85 followers
April 7, 2025
A good emphasis on the characters, YA, which surprised me bc I always expect "adult"aged characters for gods and goddesses but I can see why it was interesting here.
Also I can never not be biased with Hades and Persephone bc I love the themes, but this one was nice enough and indie published, yeah, 4 stars
12 reviews
April 5, 2024
I was so lucky to be an ARC reader🥺 I love love love young hades & Persephone together. I feel that they completely complimented one another. The writing style is so descriptive and beautiful. Looking forward to reading more
Profile Image for Manda.
183 reviews21 followers
May 4, 2024
Corellia and Theron have my whole heart. It has the same Hades and Persephone themes, but taken at a very different angle. The author is a great storyteller.

Many thanks to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Melissa Hoyt.
14 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2024
I was lucky to be one of the ARC readers! I really enjoyed it! Found it was a really cute Persephone and Hades retellings story. Love how she brought some light into his darkness. 🩷 Also really liked how the world of Mt Olympus works and how Gods come into power.
Profile Image for ✨ ੈ✩‧April ♡ ʚ♡⃛ɞ✨.
470 reviews22 followers
October 3, 2024
Thanks for the giveaway read!
Elise Nelson's The Light in Hades is a captivating exploration of love, loss, and redemption, artfully weaving mythological elements into a contemporary narrative. With its richly drawn characters and evocative prose, this novel invites readers on an emotional journey that resonates long after the final page.

At the heart of the story is a powerful love that transcends the boundaries of life and death. Nelson masterfully portrays the complexities of relationships, delving into themes of grief and the struggle to move on. The protagonist's journey is both poignant and relatable, as she grapples with her feelings and seeks solace in a world that seems increasingly dark. The incorporation of mythological references, particularly to Hades and Persephone, adds a unique layer to the narrative, enriching the exploration of love and sacrifice.

Nelson's writing is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into the emotional landscape of the characters. The vivid descriptions create a haunting atmosphere that complements the themes of the story, making the reader feel the weight of each character's journey. The dialogue feels authentic, further enhancing the emotional depth and connection between the characters.

The pacing of The Light in Hades is generally well-balanced, with a mix of introspective moments and more dynamic plot developments. However, there are sections where the narrative could have benefited from tighter editing. Some passages feel overly descriptive, which can slow the pace and momentarily detract from the overall flow of the story.

Additionally, while the main characters are well-developed, some supporting characters could use further exploration to add depth to the narrative. Their motivations and backgrounds sometimes feel underexplored, leaving readers wanting more context to fully understand their roles in the protagonist's journey.

Despite these minor shortcomings, The Light in Hades is a beautifully written novel that skillfully blends mythological themes with contemporary struggles. Elise Nelson has created a moving tale that encourages readers to reflect on love, loss, and the enduring connections that shape our lives. For those who enjoy emotional narratives filled with depth and complexity, this book is a must-read that will linger in the heart and mind.
Profile Image for N.N. Heaven.
Author 6 books2,133 followers
October 2, 2024
Corre and Theron were never supposed to meet each other yet when they do, their destinies will forever be changed. The Light in Hades is an imaginative young adult fantasy romance retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone. Greek mythology retellings are all the rage these days, but Elise Nelson adds her own spin to it, to this reader’s delight. The world-building is exceptional. The descriptive narration sweeps the reader away. The characters, though, are what make The Light in Hades an unputdownable read.

Let’s start with the characters. Corre is destined to be the next Persephone. She’s coming of age yet is hesitant to jump into her destiny. It’s a bit overwhelming. But everything changes when Theron appears above ground. She’s heard all the stories about him but what if it’s not true. Corre is a heroine readers will connect with, as I did. Her voice rings true of a teen dealing with lots of pressure. What I loved most about her is how she can see people for who they are. That, and her love of nature.

Then there’s Theron. He’s a dark hero with some personal issues to work through. He’s been put through the ringer and needs to forge his own path. I really liked this character. He’s got faults and insecurities like the rest of us. Even gods have self-esteem issues. How refreshing.

The world-building is well-done with a complex layering of setting, characters, and transforming myths to real life. There’s an alluring quality to this world-building where once I entered, I didn’t want to leave.

The romance is clearly young adult/teen with low steam. It’s well-written with angst, emotion, and a bit of magic.

If you’re looking for a new spin on an old Greek mythical couple, pick up The Light in Hades. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

My Rating: 5+ stars

Reviewed by: Nancy

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Profile Image for Spiritedbookishbabe .
284 reviews46 followers
June 24, 2024
Thanatos sent Theron up to Olympus to look for Athena to get information on the girl who was going to be known as Persephone. While Theron was walking out of Tartarus he’s seen by an Olympian who runs to the market and warns everyone that he saw Theron walking out of Tartarus, everyone in the market dropped all their treasures they found in the market and all ran away afraid of the young Hades. Athena and Persephone watched with confusion as to why everyone was running away.

Persephone stopped a man and asked why everyone was running and that’s when she found out that Hades was seen walking their way. Persephone hurried home and told her mother and her mother forbade her from leaving home until it was safe to go outside again. Persephone finally had enough of being in her room and snuck out to go see her friend to warn them but on the way she met up with her friend who was to be Aries and he told her that Hades was on his way to her house.

Persephone ran off into the woods and thought she was safe when she came face to face with the young Hades, she thought he would be scary but she thought he was attractive. He tried seeing inside her mind and seeing what kind of power she had. Theron returned to Tartarus and told his master about what he found out which wasn’t much, he did tell him about Persephone and that more information was needed about her, Thanatos was trying to understand why Theron was so eager to see Persephone again but Theron hid his feelings from him, out of fear he would use it against him.

The book was amazing! I enjoyed it immensely. It was a very interesting take on the myth of Hades and Persephone.
Profile Image for Alyssa Grady.
Author 2 books7 followers
March 13, 2025
Persephone is my favorite Greek goddess and her relationship with Hades is my favorite amongst the Greek pantheon. This was the first retelling of their story that caught my attention. I really liked the premise behind it and that cover!

What I enjoyed:

- Persephone's name of Correlia reflects her other name in Greek (Kore)
- The references to Reylo/Star Wars
- The struggle with mental health
- Appearances by other deities besides the main couple (especially Athena)
- That after Correlia and Theron meet for the first time, the plot was actually pretty unpredictable (I didn't really know what to expect)

What I disliked or wished had been explained more (thus my docking a star):

- Differences between greater and lesser gods
- The appearance of other characters beyond the main couple
- Lots of repetition concerning motivations and needing to "train"
- Persephone's associations with the Earth (I felt like Correlia never exhibited any of the powers we associate with Persephone beyond her physical beauty)
- The vagueness/lack of description concerning settings and the use of one's power.
- Plot going too fast or too slow

While this isn't my ideal retelling of Hades and Persephone's story, it comes the closest to how I envision that ideal.
Profile Image for Kelsey Cataldo.
9 reviews1 follower
June 13, 2024
She showed him light when all he knew was darkness.

Hades and Persephone is hands down one of the best Greek mythology retellings - Elise does a tremendous job with the world building and personal character development of both Hades and Persephone, while also bringing to life all the secondary characters.

How can you explain being drawn to someone you’ve never met before but yet just feels so right? How do you fight fate? How can opposites attract? Who can you really trust? How do you trust yourself? These are some of the things this book beautifully illustrates ❤️. This book not only is a beautiful YA romance but it does a lot to portray mental health which being a huge mental health advocate myself really tugged at my own heartstrings and made the characters so much more realistic and easy to empathize with. I can’t wait for book 2 in the Olympus Retelling series to see more of Hades x Persephone ❤️‍🔥 this is a must read!
Profile Image for Allison *booked_by_ally* Bravoco.
86 reviews18 followers
June 3, 2024
Elise Nelson created a beautiful world that consists of an intense love story between Cordelia and Theron, a Hades and Persephone retelling. What I loved right from the beginning was how the reader is pulled right into the story. There is no slow start, Elise Nelson captivates the reader from the first chapter. Nelson develops these characters throughout the book in a way that made me not want to put the book down, I was up at 1am with a 6am alarm! 🙈 There is a great mixture of a familiar story line with a new twist that gives you that comfort feeling when you reread your favorite book but with the added drama of not knowing exactly what will happen. This is more of a closed door romance but don’t let that fool you, this is a timeless love story that tugs on all your heartstrings! This book was everything my romantasy loving heart needed!
Profile Image for Priscilla | Books Imperfect Condition.
189 reviews18 followers
June 14, 2024
The cover art is ethereal and I’d say this Hades x Persephone story is just that. It gives soft yet bold emotion. I’m savoring every last bit of this book, because I simply don’t want it to end.

The proposed dichotomy between light and dark is perfection. The vibrant and life giving descriptions Nelson provides for Corre’s ( Persephone) chapters certainly sheds light on Theron’s (Hades). We learn the Hades “in training” isn’t all dark as he is destined to be. While I sometimes struggle with 3rd person POV, Nelson’s execution of these dual perspectives still maintained that personal feel. It allowed me as a reader to connect with the characters and story. If you enjoy Greek mythology retellings with relatable mental health rep, then I highly recommend you pick this up.

Thank you Elise Nelson and TLC Book Tours for having me on the tour. This has been one of my favorite reads of 2024!
Profile Image for Jane | Shelf in Bloom♥.
603 reviews18 followers
June 9, 2024
The Light in Hades is a sweet reimagining of Greek mythology. It focuses on Correlia, destined to become Persephone, and Theron, groomed as Hades. Their unexpected encounter leads to a blossoming and emotional romance that challenges their fate and the balance of their world.

The writing and world-building are very descriptive, allowing me to picture the setting easily. The relationship between Correlia and Theron is so heartwarming and beautiful. It will pull at your heartstrings, allowing all sorts of emotions to trickle in throughout this story. The new and unexpected twists are a huge plus, adding more depth to the story. Overall, this is a beautiful YA romance that will be a hit for all fans of romantasy.
Profile Image for Adrianna Heaney-velu.
1,067 reviews16 followers
September 27, 2024
“Everything is possible when you’re a child. There’s a glow about you when you’re young, and somewhere along the way, it gets dimmer until you lose it completely. And once you realize its gone, you may spend your whole life trying to find it, and that’s what it means to grow up.”

“The Light in Hades,” by Elise Nelson

What I liked:
-Greek lore with Persephone and Hades.
-They inherit the gods powers that they are destined to be and now born as them, like the Katee Robert books.
-I liked the brief moments with Tyche, I would love a book about her.
-The characters and the book in general were about healing their trauma, which I loved.
What I didn’t love:
-Some parts and they way the characters talked and acted like felt YA, but it wasn’t very YA in the scope of the book.
-Some parts were a little slower than I wanted.
Overall, I really liked the book. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Persephone X Hades
-Abuse/Trauma
-Multi POV

Thank you for the free copy, Goodreads.

“And sometimes, people are afraid of the wrong monsters.”
Profile Image for The Apothecary of Doom.
3 reviews
November 29, 2025
Hi Friends and Familiars!

So today's review comes to us from @elisenelsonauthor ! The Light in Hades was a super fun short read for anyone who wants a touch of greek mythology! I really loved the Golden Sunshine Girlie meets the brooding Grumpy boy trope here! They were so freaking cute and I think they were really well developed for the story that Elise was portraying! These characters are so supportive of each other is honestly stunning! I loved that this book didnt shy away from both characters being flawed and the journey of accepting and loving their own flaws.

I think this one is such a fun and cute read and you should absolutely check out Elise's other books too!!
Profile Image for Dana McKenzie.
258 reviews55 followers
June 20, 2024
This romantasy is full of Greek mythology. This was an incredible love story between Correlia, Persephone of Olympus the Goddess of Nature and Spring, and Theron of Tartaus, Hades the God of the Underworld.

Immediately you pulled into a world built by Elise Nelson. The vivid imagery is beautifully rich and descriptive. I was glued to this book, I literally took it with me every time I left the house. I read it every chance I could get. Such a beautiful love story that will make your heart soar.
Profile Image for Richelle.
Author 19 books5 followers
July 9, 2024
I'm not usually a big fan of retellings. I like the concept, but the stories themselves don't tend to thrill me. That being said, I figured since I'm not well-acquainted with Greek mythology, it wouldn't matter in an Olympus series. How wonderfully right I was! Beautifully-crafted, immersive writing, but not to the point where you have to slog through long descriptions or anything. And the buildup of romantic tension - *chef's kiss*! Am happy to add this book to my “will absolutely read again” collection. Side note: Absolutely love the cover.
Profile Image for J-Lynn.
1,405 reviews4 followers
April 17, 2025
For the past month, I’ve been reading this book EXCLUSIVELY at work during my short itty-bitty breaks….. I’m finally done and will never do this again because this book got so stinking good and I just wanted to eat it up!!! ৻(•̀ ᗜ •́ ৻)⊹。₊*⊹.˚

Seriously, the big reveal toward the end was a bit anticlimactic, but it felt so satisfying to see the consequences for certain things. (Trying to be vague to not give anything away.) If you like Hades and Persephone retellings, this is worth the chance.

Side note: it’s nice to see that I can alway rely on Zeus being a giant jerk as usual.
Profile Image for Rose Brownley.
46 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2025
The Light in Hades took my heart, broke it, and then carefully stitched it back together. Elise Nelson reimagines the myth of Persephone and Hades in a way that feels both ancient and incredibly modern. Corre’s journey from obedience to self-discovery was powerful, but it was Theron who truly stole the show. His trauma, vulnerability, and growth were portrayed with such emotional depth, it made me ache for him. This story isn’t just a romance; it’s about healing, finding your voice, and challenging the path laid out for you. I couldn’t put it down.
Profile Image for Marie M..
32 reviews
November 19, 2025
The Light in Hades is a soft, atmospheric romantasy that puts a fresh spin on the Persephone/Hades dynamic. Corre and Theron are easy to root for one sheltered, one scarred and their connection grows in a way that feels tender rather than rushed. The story leans more emotional than epic, with themes of trauma, identity, and choosing your own path woven throughout. Some worldbuilding feels light, but the heart of the book is its characters, and that part shines. A gentle, forbidden-love tale with just the right touch of darkness.
Profile Image for Danielle.
107 reviews
September 2, 2024
Hades and Persephone have always held a special place in my heart, so when I was gifted this ebook from the author through a goodreads giveaway, I was thrilled!

The premise of these characters being “selected” or chosen for the titles of Greek gods and goddesses was definitely interesting. I enjoyed the two MC’s quick connection and genuine realness.

4.5/5. (:
Profile Image for Angelita Ramirez.
30 reviews
October 2, 2024
what a love story

I win this book through Goodreads giveaway.

I loved every detail that was thought for this story. It made Mt. Olympus and Tartarus real throughout the book. The love that grew between Correlia and Markus seemed like a genuine love that could happen in real life.

I definitely could see this novel turned into a movie!
Profile Image for Pascalle Scheltens.
571 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2025
Although the idea that the Greek gods are chosen for their roles and its a title was interesting the rest was mostly fluff and felt very ya. It has a logical but guessable plot. For me I would categorize this in a one and done book, I did enjoy it but would probably never reread it.
Profile Image for Khara.
450 reviews29 followers
March 28, 2025
This was first time reading a Hades and Persephone story.
I thought it was well done and kept me interested the entire time.
This one is perfect for any Reylo fans and the cover is absolutely gorgeous!
1 review1 follower
June 20, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book! It was captivating from the beginning and was happy to see Markus and Corre’s story unfold. Looking forward to reading more books from this author. 💜
Profile Image for Dass Holder.
11 reviews
August 19, 2024
I loved this story!! I’ve never read a Persephone retelling like this! So good!!
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