I’m Hades, king of the criminal underworld. I always get what I want. And she’s my obsession.
I'm the mafia king of this dark city, and I'm out for revenge. The daughter of my rivals just walked into the part of the city everyone calls the Underworld. My domain. Persephone is beautiful, it’s true. But for what her family did to mine, I will have no mercy. I chuckle as I look to my enforcer, Charon. I know the perfect shackle I'll chain on Demeter favorite A wedding ring.
"Hades and Persephone are destined to either destroy each other or save each other. I loved this book! 5 stars." - Phyllis L.
This is a dark stalker mafia romance with dark and intense scenes. Hades & Persephone is a compilation of the Tales of Olympus Trilogy but with true Greek god names. Includes Innocence, Awakening and Queen of the Underworld.
“Surprise, little wife. You’ve just married the big bad wolf.”
5 out of 5 Stars 5 out of 5 Spice
I want to thank Literally Yours PR for blessing me with this amazing ARC. This book was written in 2022 with the title Persephone and Hades but has been remastered. I didn't get a chance to read the original but I see that names have been changed but that's okay.
My love for Greek Retellings in a contemporary setting knows no bonds but my love for Hades and Persephone retellings runs even deeper than that no bonds. This story is three books in one so do not get overwhelmed by how long it is, trust me it's worth it.
Both characters were very well written and both showed huge development growth. Hades is the tough guy who has love for no one and just wants to seek revenge for his deceased family. Enters Persephone his target who slowly strips away his hard exterior. Kind of hard to seek vengeance on your enemy when you fall for their daughter. Persephone is the light that Hades needs in his dark world yet Persephone is also drawn to his darkness. Persephone shows major growth as well, she comes to realize she isn't helpless and weak like everyone thinks.
This book was filled with so many spicey scenes and when I say they are spicy, THEY ARE SPICY!!! They left me fanning myself. There is so much passion between the two characters that even when they are apart they are still drawn to one another. They can sense when the other one is around. They both need what the other has, he needs her light while she needs his darkness, which leads to drama between the two because each one thinks they aren't good for the other.
The side characters are amazing as well, kind of left me wanting to see a story of their own. There were some tear-jerking scenes that had me grabbing the tissues.
If you love Greek Retellings then this is your book, you will love it. Happy reading
Not the biggest fan of it. I found Persephone annoying and stupid. She was beyond naive and didn't grow at all over the 700 pages. I hated Hades, which is so unusual for me. Nothing worked for me. The writing was repetitive. It did not need to be almost 800 pages long. Easily could have been one well written book, but that'd require both main characters to have some depth 😑
I liked this more than I thought I would at first, I liked the first part the most ehehehe and the third part the least, but by that point I had to see it through to the end.
I think it could be really good if it wasn’t 856 pages long. I don’t think it needed to be anywhere close to that, after part 1, at like 300 something pages, I was happy, but the more I read the less I liked it. I think it’s important to know when to stop and leave a story to shine, and I really think this story could have been incredible had it not just kept going, and going, and going. It felt so repetitive. He loves her but he has to push her away, then she proves herself again and he loves her, then he has to push her away, then she proves herself…. I really do adore all things Hades and Persephone so I gave this soooooo many chances to shine. I just think they should have stopped after part 1, and it would have been epic.
Loved everything about this one, I laughed, cried and got all hot and bothered, if you love an alpha male, this book is for you, Hades is something else, a bad guy with feelings, I have read Stadia Black before but I don't think I ever read anything by Lee Savino, I need to read more, I was hooked on this one, wondering if it's a series, as i would love to hear all about Charon and Hermes and Poseidon, not together but their stories, highly recommend.
WOW!! There was soooo much going on here. I really did not like this at all. 787 pages of I don't even know what. I wrote this huge review of exactly what/why I didn't like this, but honestly it's not necessary.
Hades and Persephone: A Mafia Romance is an exhilarating, darkly enchanting retelling of the classic myth, set against the backdrop of the criminal underworld. This contemporary take on the ancient tale delivers an emotional rollercoaster of passion, power, and betrayal, while giving fresh depth to the iconic characters of Hades and Persephone.
From the very first page, the author draws readers into a world where gods and mortals intermingle with mafiosos, family loyalties, and high-stakes intrigue. The world-building is one of the standout elements of the novel. The gritty, opulent setting feels both grounded and fantastical—perfectly capturing the tension between the divine and the human, the luxurious and the brutal. The mafia empire that Hades controls feels like an extension of his character: cold, calculating, yet filled with hidden warmth and vulnerabilities. The author’s portrayal of the mafia world, with its codes, alliances, and inevitable betrayals, hooks the reader in, creating an atmosphere of constant suspense and anticipation.
When it comes to character development, Hades and Persephone truly excels. Hades, the brooding and stoic mafia kingpin, is initially introduced as a ruthless figure, distant and powerful. However, as the novel progresses, we begin to see the complexity beneath his hardened exterior. His past trauma, his sense of duty, and his unexpected vulnerabilities gradually surface, making him not just a formidable figure, but a deeply human one. His relationship with Persephone becomes a catalyst for his own transformation—he learns to let down his walls and show a more vulnerable side, allowing readers to see his struggle with love, trust, and fear of loss.
Persephone, on the other hand, is portrayed as both strong and conflicted. As the daughter of a powerful family, she is thrust into a world of danger and secrecy that she initially wants nothing to do with. However, her evolution throughout the story is profound. Initially naïve, she grows into a fierce, self-assured woman who understands the balance between love and power. Her relationship with Hades is central to her development. What begins as a hesitant alliance built on obligation slowly evolves into a complicated, all-consuming love. Persephone’s journey from innocence to strength mirrors the dark, intoxicating nature of the world she is drawn into.
The chemistry between Hades and Persephone is electric, with a slow-burn tension that builds throughout the trilogy. Their dynamic shifts as trust is built and the characters learn to depend on one another. While their romance is undeniably passionate, it’s also fraught with obstacles—both internal and external—that make their connection feel earned and meaningful.
The author’s ability to craft these characters and their relationships with such emotional depth ensures that readers are invested not just in the plot, but in the personal growth of the characters. Hades and Persephone’s individual arcs are compelling, but it is their growth as a couple that truly captivates.
The strength of the book lies not just in its complex characters but in the way the author builds a world that feels immersive and multi-layered. Every detail, from the lavish settings to the intricate power dynamics, is carefully constructed to enhance the emotional stakes. Whether it’s the high-society gatherings that hide dangerous secrets or the quiet moments of vulnerability between Hades and Persephone, every element serves to deepen the story and pull the reader further into its web.
In conclusion, Hades and Persephone: A Mafia Romance is a captivating, emotionally charged novel that blends mythology with a modern, gritty narrative. The characters are rich, layered, and full of surprises, and the world-building is immersive, keeping the reader hooked from beginning to end. For fans of dark romance and character-driven stories, this book is an unmissable journey into the heart of the underworld—and the transformative power of love.
This story was just out of this world giving me all the feels ! And there was plenty of smut and sexy times to keep it hot and sizzling ! Although the names used are of greek Gods, the story follows a modern day setting with no link to anything supernatural. Make no mistake, this is a dark romance, so if you can handle the darkness with all the heat and feels, I absolutely recommend this ! This is one of my favorites !
Character development of both MMC and FMC through the 3 parts was quite sensational and well executed !
FMC: Persephone is a sheltered 19 yr old who ran away from her abusive mother to the big city. She starts out as a completely innocent, naive adolescent who gets charmed and tricked by Hades, only to realize she’s been trapped in a play for revenge due to the sins of her parents. She survives his cruel treatment and dominance only for her to break every time and piece herself back together as a stronger individual. By part 3, she’s evolved into a strong Queen who plays and aligns with the leaders of the city.
MMC: Hades is marred by the traumas of his past with the tragic deaths of his parents and prominently his sister. After their death he becomes the mob leader or king of the underworld with only power to bask in. He comes upon Persephone and plans and executes her downfall along with those of her uncles and mother. yet along the way as he breaks her, he falls for her purity and light only to realize she held the power all along, along with his heart. From the cold ruthless mobster leader he evolves into a considerate, empathic leader who finds and values his match in Persephone.
There are some point where you get annoyed with Persephone for being so naive, but given her innocent naive background it makes sense why it takes her a few tries to become the true Queen in the game. All in all I couldn’t put the book down and finished it within a day and a half.
Phew! This was a doozy to read. 794 pages! 3.5/5 ⭐️ 4/5 🌶️
TROPES: 🖤 Dark Mafia Romance 🥀 Enemies-to-Lovers 🖤 Obsessed MMC 🥀 Tales of Olympus retelling 🖤 Dom/Sub themes
I received a free copy of this book via and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Third person narrator is not my favourite style to read but these authors did such a great job of capturing each characters’ perspectives and what the characters are feeling.
The story is so long, but I cannot imagine trying to write Hades & Persephone’s story any other way. It’s intense, emotional, and at several times, infuriating. The whiplash Persephone has the reader feeling just makes you wanna shake her at times! She’s young, naive and has to grow up super fast. She is thrusted into a mafia world and isn’t sure how much she’s able to handle. Hades tries his best to hate her but quickly realizes he could never hate the light she brings to his darkness.
Their relationship goes through many ups and downs. Hence the whiplash, and there are times where you will be angry and hate Hades, but you also see their potential and can’t help but root for them.
Favourite quotes from the book:
“Surprise, little wife. You’ve just married the big bad wolf.”
““You’re the balance, Persephone. I’m darkness, but you’re light. You fill the room with your presence, and the shadows disappear…..”
“But Persephone had burst into his black and white world in an explosion of vibrant color. She’d thawed the ice in his heart and he couldn’t go back. Not once he knew what it was like to love her and feel her love in return.”
“She was beautifully and wonderfully complex. She blazed with the light of the noonday sun and cast a prism of colors over his previously colorless life. He couldn’t go back to black and white after living in glorious color.”
The Olympus trilogy, a dark mafia story based on the Greek gods brought together into one volume. I can’t lie, I love large books, the bigger the better as far as I’m concerned and at just under 800 pages this was a deliciously dark and sizzling read. With Hades for an anti hero with his stalker-like tendencies and a thirst for revenge, even if you didn’t already know the mythology this story is based on, you just knew he was going to fall hard for the heroine, Persephone, the innocent daughter of the enemy responsible for the loss of his family. Yes, he’ll make excuses about it being revenge and he’ll fight every step of the way, but we know the truth. She brought light into his dark world, and he soon became addicted to the feelings she stirred in him. As for the sheltered Persephone, of course she was going to fall for the bad boy and think she could change him. With a romance like this the eventual outcome is obvious, but the important thing is the journey and when there is so much chemistry as there is between this pair then so much the better. The development of both characters across the trilogy was fabulous especially with Persephone who really came into her own as she realised her worth as her own person.
I love a bit of turmoil between the hero and heroine, all that will they/won’t they where the hero usually has an epiphany about not being good enough for the heroine he’s besmirched so he pushes her away but if I’m being honest, I did get a bit fed up with all the back and forth between Hades and Persephone, and felt this could have been condensed a bit but I still loved the book as a whole and with an intriguing cast of secondary characters, I’d definitely been interested in reading more should Lee Savino and Stasia Black collaborate again.
Love that the three full novels, Innocence, Awakening and Queen of the Underworld, are now in this one big beautiful book. What an original and unique concept for Hades and Persephone! A Greek retelling in a contemporary form and with a mafia theme to boot. The story is well written with great world development. The characters are also well fleshed out. Like I said before I love the originality of the plot and storyline. Hades has had a very tragic life. His family violently killed. Which has left him needing revenge. With power at his fingertips he plots the downfall of all those responsible. One of those on his on his revenge list is Persephone. Persephone is a sweet naive young lady. She leaves home due to the abusive conditions there. She’s so innocent and unassuming. But nevertheless she gets caught up in the sins of her family. I appreciated that the authors gave both main characters growth and development through all three books. Persephone went from naive to coming into her own. Hades also goes through a great transformation. The chemistry between these two was just incredible. The spice is on the extra hot level. The passion and lust comes to life off the pages, it’s that intense. While Hades and Persephone are completely opposite. His dark to her light. His conniving to her naivety. But the energy and the pull that is between them is undeniable. And their souls call to one another. The story is emotional and had me going through so many different feelings. I really enjoyed reading this book.
The story of Hades & Persephone has always had a special place in my ♥️ since I was in grade school. Although there were some typos in the book, I actually really liked this take on Hades & Persephone. I don't want to give away the story, but to me, I really liked the character development of both Persephone and Hades. I related in different ways to Persephone in her friendships/relationships. I felt the ups and downs of H&P's relationship and even even shed a few tears. I'm gonna say tho -- there definitely is a lot of 🌶️🌶️🌶️ in this book and there are parts that are definitely morally gray or borderline black. So, if you're not into that, this book is NOT for you.
My major gripe is not with the book/story itself, but the audio version. I would NOT recommend the audio because the author must have updated the names in the book after completing the audio because she switched the names of almost all of the characters. So, if you're switching between the book and audio or using whispersync, it gets pretty confusing since the names DON'T match. For example, Hade = Marcus; Persephone = Kora; Hestia = Mauve; Poseidon = Waters; etc. This really is unfortunate because like I said, I really liked the book and tend to re-read/listen to my favorites all the time.
"In a rare moment of weakness, he murmured, “Sei bellissima. Sono pazzo di te.” You’re so beautiful. I’m crazy for you. Her brow wrinkled but he didn’t translate. It was bad enough that he’d whispered it aloud in the first place."
LOVE THIS BOOK!!!😭😭😭😭😩
“No, Hades, I don’t love you. Not anymore. Not like before.” She remembered everything, how much hope she had right up until the wedding night. How he’d held all her happiness in the palm of his hand. How he’d let it fall and then shatter. “You could’ve married me, given me the honeymoon of my dreams. You could have told me about your sister. I would’ve grieved with you. If you had told me the truth and opened up to me, we could’ve…” Her voice choked off with all the could-have-beens. Hades still watched her with no expression. “But you chose to punish me.” Her voice cracked and she fought for control. “To break me.” He reached for her and she wrenched herself away. She wouldn’t let tears fall. She wouldn’t. “You can have love or you can have revenge. We both know what you chose.”
“Tu mi appartieni. Per sempre.” You belong to me. Forever.
“But it’s not weakness.” He narrowed his eyes and brought his forehead close to hers, needing her to understand. It was all so clear now. “You’re my strength. You wash me clean. Without you, I’m nothing. None of this means anything without you. I love you.” “Stop saying that,” Persephone whispered. Hades shook his head. “Never. I love you.” Fat tears rolled down Persephone’s cheeks. “Don’t say it unless you mean it. Please. Don’t—” her voice choked off, head shaking back and forth. “Don’t—” “I love you. I love you. I love—”
😭😭😭😭😭😭 ughhhhh love Hades
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Marvelous reimagining of these timeless characters
I have always loved Greek mythology, and I may be slightly obsessed with the musical Hadestown. I didn’t hesitate to buy this trilogy, especially as I have already enjoyed several of Savino’s previous books. This is a modern retelling of many familiar Greek mythological characters and stories, set in “New Olympus“ and Metropolis (perhaps a nod to DC comics?). It is definitely R-rated, with some scenes of violence and lots of spicy spicy sex! The BDSM scenes slid into the gray realm of humiliation, and TBH I was beginning to wonder if I wanted to continue, when their relationship turned the corner. It tackles some disturbing themes of trauma, child and adult abuse, misogyny, and women’s opportunities in the face of adversity. There were times I wanted to smack both Hades and Persephone to speak to the other. So much drama could have been avoided if they had only communicated honestly with each other! Which, of course, is telling about how real these characters feel. I will be thinking about this story for a long time.
A captivating read, very different from typical tiles by these authors, wonderful and addictive read This was a truly inspired read that I found impossible to put down once I began reading, it is beautifully written and you will find yourself drawn in by the characters and the plot and it will pull at the heart strings every time. The main characters are Marcus and Sophie who have had very different backgrounds and are as far apart as the North and South poles and yet as nature says so well often it is opposites that attract and I guarantee that you will not put this book down once you begin reading it. I do not want to spoil the read for others by giving away too much of the plot, I will say that it has its dark moments and lighter ones that balance it so very well. The writing collaboration has worked so well and I look forward to future books by these authors. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the wonderful writing.
I really enjoyed reading and listening to this series. It was a very interesting take on mythology, romance, Mafia, etc. I liked the development of the characters quite a bit. I love the relationship between Marcus and Cora! I liked the plot and felt the storyline was so interesting that it just kept me wanting to read and not put the book down at all. I did not do a lot of research on the book but I did notice that in one of the versions that I have on my Kindle book uses the names Hades and Persephone and my other Kindle uses the names of Marcus and Cora, and my audible version uses the names Marcus and Cora. However, because I listen to the story and will read it on my Kindle it is the same story regardless. I'm happy with that because like I said it's a very well written story. I also felt that the voice actor for the audible version did an excellent job. He did bring the characters to life and I enjoyed of three books and I'd highly recommend them to be read.
This was a different take on the tales of Hades and Persephone.
The stories were well written. It took me a little while to really get in to the story, but after that I enjoyed it and needed to know how it was all going to end. At certain points it felt like it dragged on a little, if this was kept into 3 separate books I would have enjoyed the pace a lot more. None of that takes away from the creative mind of the authors.
Some of the side characters like Charon or Hecate need their own little stories too. It was great to see from Hades just how much he craved Persephone, the thrill he got from her innocence. I wanted to see more of him craving her rather than him pretending she didn’t affect him as much as he affected her.
Stars 3.75 Spice 2 These books started out really strong, but by the end, I just wanted to get it finished. I was so frustrated with the lack of communication and angst that the book could have gone a totally different way. The third book only got good in the last 10% it could have been so much better if it lived up to its name, if the last 10% was the whole book, and she was more ruthless would have made a great end story. Hades was so patient with her flip-flop hot and cold attitude towards him and still loved her. Loved the modern Greek concept, and all the characters were of Greek origin.
So much darkness needs the light to balance it all out. For Hades, his vow for revenge did not anticipate his pull towards Persephone. Their journey was a long one with many twists and turns to keep you invested but still feeling that these characters were initially frustrating at times. However, their development towards the end and how they grew was wonderfully written. Take the time to read this story but know that your emotions will be all over the place.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I read a lot of books but rarely do reviews because of multiple issues but this book has me facing my fears, quadruple checking my spelling and grammar just to express my delight and joy at reading this story line. As a lover of mythology and stories of the old gods I love how these authors took the ancient Gods and Goddesses and put them in a modern setting but keeping some traits and adding new aspects we all suspected to better evolve their character. Beautiful Job thank you for writing this. Perhaps a part 2????
DNF @ 55%, which is the first book and maybe halfway through the second. I gave up on it because it was becoming too much of a crime mystery and less of a romance. When we go multiple chapters in a row without even seeing or hearing about the MMC, I'm out. Also, this was obviously previously published, except in the previous version the characters had different names. Unfortunately, the authors and/or editors did not take the time to ensure that they actually changed all of the names.
Hades and Persephone is a three book in one collection.
You start thinking this won't be overly dark and then suddenly we get a reversal and we realize we jumped right into the keep end. Hades was definitely not a nice guy.
By the end of the book we get to see Persephone become the queen she was always meant to be. She really gets a lot of growth with her character. She was a meek individual who became a very strong and intense individual.
I really liked this book... Its action packed full of drama, anger and everything else that makes a good mafia story. I really enjoyed the retelling from a Mafia mob boss version I've not seen it done that way before.. Charon and Hermes were shining stars 🌟 and as for Posieson... Let's just say I didn't see that coming... FMC drove me a little insane with her reckless behaviour though. The spicy scenes were amazing 👏... overall was a really enjoyable box set.
This was such an interesting take on the Hades and Persephone myth. I loved the mafia aspect and the mention of the other gods and goddesses. The spice was perfect and I loved the chemistry and the banter the two of them had. Would highly recommend this story! Thank you to Lee Savino, Stasia Black, Literally Yours PR and Booksprout for the ARC of this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.