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Hades x Persephone #1
A Goddess of Spring and Shadows
It’s not an abduction. It’s an escape.
Persephone lives a life of obedience and isolation, trapped under her mother Demeter’s stifling control, with her magic suppressed. Desperate to break free, she defies the rules and flees to the shadowed realm of the Underworld. But what begins as a daring escape soon becomes a perilous bargain.
Hades, the God of the Underworld, possesses a deadly touch that withers life itself. That should be enough to keep the Goddess of Spring far away, yet Persephone is irresistibly drawn to the dangerous god by a pull she can’t deny—one woven by the Fates. As she ventures deeper into his world, she finds herself questioning if she’s truly escaped or merely traded one captor for another.
When her mother’s fury threatens to unleash famine upon the mortal realm, Persephone must confront an impossible choice: return to the life she fled or embrace her growing love for Hades, risking the lives of countless innocents in the process.
A Goddess of Spring and Shadows is the first book in a new adult fantasy romance series retelling the timeless myth of Hades and Persephone. Immerse yourself in a world of fated mates, hidden agendas, magic, heart-wrenching betrayal, and scorching romance.
Persephone lives a life of obedience and isolation, trapped under her mother Demeter’s stifling control, with her magic suppressed. Desperate to break free, she defies the rules and flees to the shadowed realm of the Underworld. But what begins as a daring escape soon becomes a perilous bargain.
Hades, the God of the Underworld, possesses a deadly touch that withers life itself. That should be enough to keep the Goddess of Spring far away, yet Persephone is irresistibly drawn to the dangerous god by a pull she can’t deny—one woven by the Fates. As she ventures deeper into his world, she finds herself questioning if she’s truly escaped or merely traded one captor for another.
When her mother’s fury threatens to unleash famine upon the mortal realm, Persephone must confront an impossible choice: return to the life she fled or embrace her growing love for Hades, risking the lives of countless innocents in the process.
A Goddess of Spring and Shadows is the first book in a new adult fantasy romance series retelling the timeless myth of Hades and Persephone. Immerse yourself in a world of fated mates, hidden agendas, magic, heart-wrenching betrayal, and scorching romance.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2024
267 people are currently reading
1352 people want to read
About the author
Lena J. Castle
2 books15 followersLena J. Castle is a fantasy romance author. When she’s not busy building imaginary worlds, you’ll find her cozied up with a good book, spoiling her very fluffy cat, or experimenting in the kitchen.
For more about her books, visit www.lenajcastle.com and join her newsletter to stay up to date with new releases, deals, and giveaways.
For more about her books, visit www.lenajcastle.com and join her newsletter to stay up to date with new releases, deals, and giveaways.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 23, 2025
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
✅ Hades x Persephone
✅ Pace
🆗 Writing
🆗(❌) Plot
🆗(❌) Romance / insta-lust
🆗(❌) Characters lack depth
🆗(❌) Boring villain
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of past abuse
1.5 star, almost DNF because I was too bored and annoyed with the characters.
I do enjoy a good Hades x Persephone retelling, but this one missed the mark.
The way the book starts, it feels as if we are thrown in the middle of the story, with little background information, which I don’t mind as long as the information is eventually given. However, I kept asking myself many questions as the book progressed, and not many were answered. I feel that this book would benefit from having more backstory and details about Persephone’s situation before she escaped her mother.
I am probably not the only one to ask myself why Basile seemed so important to her plan. Persephone says that "he is a means to getting what I want," but does not explain… I think he’s a way for her to get out of taking the drugs her mother forces her to ingest to smother her magic, but instead of forcing herself to have bad sex with him, then pretends to take the pill and hide it in the top corner of her mouth, she could have just pretended to take it and hide it in the top corner of her mouth, without the pointless bad sex first!? Is this the first time she didn’t swallow her pill, or has she been doing this for the past six months? And if she has been doing this for the past 6 months, why wait so long before escaping?
It also seems that once she escaped, Persephone had no plan, besides finding the portal to the Underworld. She had 6 months to plan, yet she doesn’t know anything about the Underworld and seemingly has no plan besides getting away from her mother. Speaking about her mother… It was disappointing to see that her defining trait seemed to be “evil” with no real in-depth explanation. She treated Persephone like trash and had her physically abused even, she stole her powers and kept her captive, and the only explanation we get is because she was thirsty for more power and she is a bad meany Goddess. I don’t like villains that have no depth or real motivation besides hunger for power.
I can’t say I feel anything for both characters, besides annoyance and boredom.
Persephone acted and sounded like a petulant child, often using the “I am a Goddess and rank higher than you” argument to get her way, or relying on the fact that people would not kill her because of her status to do as she pleased, and it annoyed me. It made her appear like an immature main character. The worst thing is that it works! She managed to enter the Underworld and convince Hades to let her stay with that shallow argument (and of course, everyone accepted her in a matter of days, with open arms)!
Even more frustrating is the fact that mere hours after finally being free of her evil mother, she ended up being blood-tied to a stranger. But that’s okay I guess because he is hot, and he is allowing her to stay in his realm in exchange. 🙄
Honestly, Hades was not much better. Instead of coming off as a strong male lead, he is arrogant and way too controlling of what Persephone does, who she spends time with, and even what she drinks. Also, Hades apparently is not only the God of the Underworld, but he is also an executioner of criminals in the mortal realm whenever he is bored with his godly duties… Unless being judge, jury, and executioner is also part of his job description..? I just didn’t like his vibe.
The relationship building was rather abrupt, and was insta-lust, toeing the line of insta-love at times. I think I am getting too old for insta-lust. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them, and while I was told that they were lusting after each other, I can’t even say that I felt much sexual tension between them either.
On a side note, the characters were sometimes using modern expressions such as “using a rubber” instead of saying “using protection”, and it was jarring every time. It is a minor detail, but it was big enough for me to notice it and to write it down because it was just weird.
I will be honest, I skimmed the last 30%. I pushed myself to read it as far as I could, but by the time I got to the 70% mark, I just couldn't do it anymore. I didn’t care at all about the plot, the romance felt forced, and the characters annoyed me, so I just had to get done with this book as soon as possible so I could read something more enjoyable.
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✅ Hades x Persephone
✅ Pace
🆗 Writing
🆗(❌) Plot
🆗(❌) Romance / insta-lust
🆗(❌) Characters lack depth
🆗(❌) Boring villain
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of past abuse
1.5 star, almost DNF because I was too bored and annoyed with the characters.
I do enjoy a good Hades x Persephone retelling, but this one missed the mark.
The way the book starts, it feels as if we are thrown in the middle of the story, with little background information, which I don’t mind as long as the information is eventually given. However, I kept asking myself many questions as the book progressed, and not many were answered. I feel that this book would benefit from having more backstory and details about Persephone’s situation before she escaped her mother.
I am probably not the only one to ask myself why Basile seemed so important to her plan. Persephone says that "he is a means to getting what I want," but does not explain… I think he’s a way for her to get out of taking the drugs her mother forces her to ingest to smother her magic, but instead of forcing herself to have bad sex with him, then pretends to take the pill and hide it in the top corner of her mouth, she could have just pretended to take it and hide it in the top corner of her mouth, without the pointless bad sex first!? Is this the first time she didn’t swallow her pill, or has she been doing this for the past six months? And if she has been doing this for the past 6 months, why wait so long before escaping?
It also seems that once she escaped, Persephone had no plan, besides finding the portal to the Underworld. She had 6 months to plan, yet she doesn’t know anything about the Underworld and seemingly has no plan besides getting away from her mother. Speaking about her mother… It was disappointing to see that her defining trait seemed to be “evil” with no real in-depth explanation. She treated Persephone like trash and had her physically abused even, she stole her powers and kept her captive, and the only explanation we get is because she was thirsty for more power and she is a bad meany Goddess. I don’t like villains that have no depth or real motivation besides hunger for power.
A twitch played across Hades’ face. “You have come into my realm— without invitation— and chosen to disrespect me.” The weight of his gaze bore down on me, his words too loud in the quiet space. “Others have done far less and died for it.”
“I’m Divine, just like you. You can’t kill me.”
I can’t say I feel anything for both characters, besides annoyance and boredom.
Persephone acted and sounded like a petulant child, often using the “I am a Goddess and rank higher than you” argument to get her way, or relying on the fact that people would not kill her because of her status to do as she pleased, and it annoyed me. It made her appear like an immature main character. The worst thing is that it works! She managed to enter the Underworld and convince Hades to let her stay with that shallow argument (and of course, everyone accepted her in a matter of days, with open arms)!
A cruel irony dawned on me – I’d just escaped from the clutches of one captor, only to be faced with the prospect of binding myself to another.
Even more frustrating is the fact that mere hours after finally being free of her evil mother, she ended up being blood-tied to a stranger. But that’s okay I guess because he is hot, and he is allowing her to stay in his realm in exchange. 🙄
Honestly, Hades was not much better. Instead of coming off as a strong male lead, he is arrogant and way too controlling of what Persephone does, who she spends time with, and even what she drinks. Also, Hades apparently is not only the God of the Underworld, but he is also an executioner of criminals in the mortal realm whenever he is bored with his godly duties… Unless being judge, jury, and executioner is also part of his job description..? I just didn’t like his vibe.
The relationship building was rather abrupt, and was insta-lust, toeing the line of insta-love at times. I think I am getting too old for insta-lust. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them, and while I was told that they were lusting after each other, I can’t even say that I felt much sexual tension between them either.
On a side note, the characters were sometimes using modern expressions such as “using a rubber” instead of saying “using protection”, and it was jarring every time. It is a minor detail, but it was big enough for me to notice it and to write it down because it was just weird.
I will be honest, I skimmed the last 30%. I pushed myself to read it as far as I could, but by the time I got to the 70% mark, I just couldn't do it anymore. I didn’t care at all about the plot, the romance felt forced, and the characters annoyed me, so I just had to get done with this book as soon as possible so I could read something more enjoyable.
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January 18, 2025
4.5
I honestly love this book perfect amount of fantasy and romance
I’ve never read a Hades book before and i’m glad i did with this one I didn’t enjoy the cliff hanger but i can’t wait for the second book
I honestly love this book perfect amount of fantasy and romance
I’ve never read a Hades book before and i’m glad i did with this one I didn’t enjoy the cliff hanger but i can’t wait for the second book
October 24, 2024
Firstly, I'd like to thank Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for an ARC Kindle version of this book, in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.
Secondly, I'd like to offer a sincere apology—I was unable to finish this book. It’s the first time I’ve had a "did not finish" experience with an advance reader copy, and I genuinely feel bad about it. I spent hours trying to get through it, even attempting to read while working (I answer phones and am permitted to read while waiting for calls to come in), while cooking dinner, and even while soaking in a bath afterward, but no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn’t get through it.
Here's the thing: The premise of the book truly intrigued me, and I was excited to dive into it. However, once I began reading, I found myself thinking I had missed key details. Sadly, I hadn’t—it seemed the answers to my questions just weren’t there, or at least weren’t explained clearly enough.
This sense of confusion persisted throughout the book, forcing me to frequently pause and try to make sense of things. I began again from the very start so many times I lost track. Eventually, I had to admit defeat and put the book down.
Here are some specific issues I encountered before giving up:
* Who exactly is Basile? The books opens on Persephone having sex she's clearly not interested in having, but why is she having sex she's not interested in having? She says "he is a means to getting what I want," but an explanation of who he is, and how he can be of use to her is never really offered. I gather that perhaps he's a guard in her captivity and she's using sex to garner some leniency, but that's all conjecture on my part; it was never explicitly stated, nor was it explained why she had to put up with it for a duration of six months, or what her plan was once it came time to act.
* After gathering her things and making a dramatic exit, it’s still not clear where she’s headed. When she finds the portals, there's a brief mention in one sentence that her mother can't track her in the Underworld, but that’s all we get. There’s no further elaboration, and still no insight as to her ultimate goal, her course of next moves, or her plan to stay safe. Was the library mention here meant to suggest she had researched all this?
* When she meets Hades, he tells her vehemently that she can't be there, the biggest reason being that he doesn't need her mother up his ass. Persephone replies something like "please let me stay," (where I imagined she battered her eyelashes at him) and he capitulates. He just suddenly gives in, but he has no idea why she's there, or what's going on, at all. She doesn't tell him she ran away, or she was being treated horribly, or she's pissed off at her mother, or anything, and he's got good reasons her presence is an awful idea - but suddenly he's game to let her hang out? It feels too abrupt and nonsensical.
I also noticed a continuity error that further added to my frustration: in one scene, after strolling outside, Persephone is standing at a suspiciously tantalizing gate, whose magic she simply cannot ignore. It pulls her in to touch it; her willpower is non-existent, its call to her is so strong. Hades materializes and grabs her hand before she can make contact, jerks her away from the danger, and they trade some verbal barbs. He then lets go of her hand....and she falls on to her bed. She was just outside, and now they're in her bedroom? There was no transition, and it completely threw me off.
A few pages after this scene is where I stopped reading. I really hate that I stopped reading, but the missing plot details and confusing narrative made it too difficult to stay engaged.
Another distracting element of note was that, although this book is written in first-person perspective, and we expect first-person pronouns, there was an excessive use of "I".
This permeated the whole text, and gave the writing a stilted, list-like feel, that disrupted the flow of the story.
Over all, I don’t want to suggest that the author’s writing is without potential. There’s something here, and with more attention to plot clarity, character motivation, and pacing, I believe this story could really shine.
Again, I apologize for not being able to finish.
#Netgalley
Secondly, I'd like to offer a sincere apology—I was unable to finish this book. It’s the first time I’ve had a "did not finish" experience with an advance reader copy, and I genuinely feel bad about it. I spent hours trying to get through it, even attempting to read while working (I answer phones and am permitted to read while waiting for calls to come in), while cooking dinner, and even while soaking in a bath afterward, but no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn’t get through it.
Here's the thing: The premise of the book truly intrigued me, and I was excited to dive into it. However, once I began reading, I found myself thinking I had missed key details. Sadly, I hadn’t—it seemed the answers to my questions just weren’t there, or at least weren’t explained clearly enough.
This sense of confusion persisted throughout the book, forcing me to frequently pause and try to make sense of things. I began again from the very start so many times I lost track. Eventually, I had to admit defeat and put the book down.
Here are some specific issues I encountered before giving up:
* Who exactly is Basile? The books opens on Persephone having sex she's clearly not interested in having, but why is she having sex she's not interested in having? She says "he is a means to getting what I want," but an explanation of who he is, and how he can be of use to her is never really offered. I gather that perhaps he's a guard in her captivity and she's using sex to garner some leniency, but that's all conjecture on my part; it was never explicitly stated, nor was it explained why she had to put up with it for a duration of six months, or what her plan was once it came time to act.
* After gathering her things and making a dramatic exit, it’s still not clear where she’s headed. When she finds the portals, there's a brief mention in one sentence that her mother can't track her in the Underworld, but that’s all we get. There’s no further elaboration, and still no insight as to her ultimate goal, her course of next moves, or her plan to stay safe. Was the library mention here meant to suggest she had researched all this?
* When she meets Hades, he tells her vehemently that she can't be there, the biggest reason being that he doesn't need her mother up his ass. Persephone replies something like "please let me stay," (where I imagined she battered her eyelashes at him) and he capitulates. He just suddenly gives in, but he has no idea why she's there, or what's going on, at all. She doesn't tell him she ran away, or she was being treated horribly, or she's pissed off at her mother, or anything, and he's got good reasons her presence is an awful idea - but suddenly he's game to let her hang out? It feels too abrupt and nonsensical.
I also noticed a continuity error that further added to my frustration: in one scene, after strolling outside, Persephone is standing at a suspiciously tantalizing gate, whose magic she simply cannot ignore. It pulls her in to touch it; her willpower is non-existent, its call to her is so strong. Hades materializes and grabs her hand before she can make contact, jerks her away from the danger, and they trade some verbal barbs. He then lets go of her hand....and she falls on to her bed. She was just outside, and now they're in her bedroom? There was no transition, and it completely threw me off.
A few pages after this scene is where I stopped reading. I really hate that I stopped reading, but the missing plot details and confusing narrative made it too difficult to stay engaged.
Another distracting element of note was that, although this book is written in first-person perspective, and we expect first-person pronouns, there was an excessive use of "I".
"I pulled it back [her flaming blouse], draping it over a chair nearby. I retreated to the doorway, as the flames devoured the cushion. The sharp, bitter scent of smoke quickly filled the room. It curled into my nostrils. I resisted the urge to cough, but couldn't stop my eyes from watering."
This permeated the whole text, and gave the writing a stilted, list-like feel, that disrupted the flow of the story.
Over all, I don’t want to suggest that the author’s writing is without potential. There’s something here, and with more attention to plot clarity, character motivation, and pacing, I believe this story could really shine.
Again, I apologize for not being able to finish.
#Netgalley
December 5, 2024
I was excited to read this as I've been craving a Hades x Persephone retelling, but I didn't enjoy this as much as I hoped. The plot didn't really make sense to me, and it lacked action, making it seem slower than it actually was. There were so many scenes that felt out of place and made me question their purpose in the story. The romance was too insta-love for me, and I wasn't convinced by it. Because of that, I didn't really care for the spice scenes and mostly skipped them. My least favorite scene was the court scene.... it was a mess and was just useless. The language used at times was too modern and took me out of reading. I honestly couldn't figure out if it was a modern setting or an ancient setting. The premise of the book was intriguing, but the execution wasn't there. I'm not sure if I'll be picking up the next book.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I liked it well enough, but I do feel the characters and world building did lack depth. I am a sucker for anything Hades/Persephone related so I will continue onward.
I liked it well enough, but I do feel the characters and world building did lack depth. I am a sucker for anything Hades/Persephone related so I will continue onward.
February 17, 2025
this was actually super interesting on the greek gods side of things (really very smutty too) but i've been wanting to get into greek mythology more in my fantasy reading and this was a reslly good start
November 1, 2024
This is a classic Hades and Persephone re-telling, sadly without much of the depth and worldbuilding as a lot of other versions of this classic tale. It was insanely fast paced, super readable, and perfect if you want something to not put a lot of effort and brain space into reading!
The most interesting part of this world is what drives Persephone to the Underworld- her mother Demeter's madness and deception. She's locked Persephone up, kept her magic bound away, and not let her out of the house. Finally, Persephone has had enough and makes her grand escape, except the Underworld accepts her so easily---hmmmmmmm
Thank you so much to NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
The most interesting part of this world is what drives Persephone to the Underworld- her mother Demeter's madness and deception. She's locked Persephone up, kept her magic bound away, and not let her out of the house. Finally, Persephone has had enough and makes her grand escape, except the Underworld accepts her so easily---hmmmmmmm
Thank you so much to NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2024
ARC read from NetGalley (thank you for letting me have this early for an honest review!!)
Good Gods was this book a lot. Genuinely really enjoyed it but it does have some flaws. Positives first though:
The story is rich in world building. It does borrow from other popular series like ACOTAR and maybe slightly Lore Olympus, but it is also uniquely its own. I enjoyed the complexity of the plot and the backbone it builds for this series. At first, I thought it was useless to have a Hades POV since the chapters were primarily Persephone, I didn’t see a point in it. Upon reading, however, it definitely helped to be in Hades’s mind and know what he was going through. I do respect the ratio, but I am hoping the other novels to come explore Hades a little more. The cliffhanger I CANNOT.
Now, this book deserves 4.5 star really, and this is for a couple of reasons. It is VERY exposition heavy. I’m not sure it needed that much and a lot of what was said character to character was repeated in different ways and I’m not sure that was needed. There were also times where I felt I knew what was going to happen. I’m all for foreshadowing, but there were some really predictable scenes. Another issue is just some grammar and tense issues that I think would’ve been fine with another round of editing. Nothing that severely impacted the overall storytelling though.
Overall, I loved it, cannot wait for the next one, and will probably be mulling over this book for a couple days. The characterization went hard, the scenes and world building were slay, and the spice was really adorable.
Upon reading some of the other reviews, not sure if it’s just me but the questions people had were really obvious to me? Like for example, the idea of “wisking” is what allows the characters to start a scene in one place and immediately move to another. Granted, the experience wasn’t explicitly explained but I do think it is overall obvious and doesn’t need to be put into terms in my opinion. I’m not sure, but I did enjoy it and thought the book had most of its loose ends tied by the end. Sometimes you just have to force yourself through a book to get the answers you wanted 🤷♀️
Good Gods was this book a lot. Genuinely really enjoyed it but it does have some flaws. Positives first though:
The story is rich in world building. It does borrow from other popular series like ACOTAR and maybe slightly Lore Olympus, but it is also uniquely its own. I enjoyed the complexity of the plot and the backbone it builds for this series. At first, I thought it was useless to have a Hades POV since the chapters were primarily Persephone, I didn’t see a point in it. Upon reading, however, it definitely helped to be in Hades’s mind and know what he was going through. I do respect the ratio, but I am hoping the other novels to come explore Hades a little more. The cliffhanger I CANNOT.
Now, this book deserves 4.5 star really, and this is for a couple of reasons. It is VERY exposition heavy. I’m not sure it needed that much and a lot of what was said character to character was repeated in different ways and I’m not sure that was needed. There were also times where I felt I knew what was going to happen. I’m all for foreshadowing, but there were some really predictable scenes. Another issue is just some grammar and tense issues that I think would’ve been fine with another round of editing. Nothing that severely impacted the overall storytelling though.
Overall, I loved it, cannot wait for the next one, and will probably be mulling over this book for a couple days. The characterization went hard, the scenes and world building were slay, and the spice was really adorable.
Upon reading some of the other reviews, not sure if it’s just me but the questions people had were really obvious to me? Like for example, the idea of “wisking” is what allows the characters to start a scene in one place and immediately move to another. Granted, the experience wasn’t explicitly explained but I do think it is overall obvious and doesn’t need to be put into terms in my opinion. I’m not sure, but I did enjoy it and thought the book had most of its loose ends tied by the end. Sometimes you just have to force yourself through a book to get the answers you wanted 🤷♀️
October 29, 2024
If you love myth-inspired fantasy with slow-burn romance, A Goddess of Spring and Shadows will sweep you away! Lena J. Castle reimagines the Persephone myth with a fresh twist, following Althea, a reluctant goddess navigating ancient rivalries, blooming powers, and a dangerously charming figure from the Underworld.
Castle’s atmospheric writing pulls you through vibrant landscapes and shadowy realms, with a romance that builds oh-so-deliciously slowly. The side characters—sassy fae and mysterious immortals—add charm and intrigue, while the emotional beats hit hard, balancing magic with heart.
Verdict: This enchanting blend of fantasy, romance, and myth will leave you craving more—and maybe planning your own trip to the Underworld. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you NetGalley
Castle’s atmospheric writing pulls you through vibrant landscapes and shadowy realms, with a romance that builds oh-so-deliciously slowly. The side characters—sassy fae and mysterious immortals—add charm and intrigue, while the emotional beats hit hard, balancing magic with heart.
Verdict: This enchanting blend of fantasy, romance, and myth will leave you craving more—and maybe planning your own trip to the Underworld. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you NetGalley
dnf
August 26, 2025not a bad book ig, just not something i wish to continue suffering through.
********* spoiler??? **********
why did this seem rushed and weird straight from the beginning? we went from sneaking into the underworld to being under hades. i don't actually know how long the two knew each other before the inevitable of sleeping together— it wasn't very clear in the book from what i can remember. i just found myself (1) looking at my screen (i read it on kindle) in disgust whenever hades was narrating, and (2) being annoyed at persephone for some reason i can't quite identify.
********* spoiler??? **********
why did this seem rushed and weird straight from the beginning? we went from sneaking into the underworld to being under hades. i don't actually know how long the two knew each other before the inevitable of sleeping together— it wasn't very clear in the book from what i can remember. i just found myself (1) looking at my screen (i read it on kindle) in disgust whenever hades was narrating, and (2) being annoyed at persephone for some reason i can't quite identify.
November 7, 2024
I received this book as an ARC.
While I typically enjoy hades and Persephone retellings, I struggled to find myself engaged with this story. I found the characters lacking and the story didn’t grip me the way I hoped it would.
I think that this book could hit the marks with some people, but unfortunately I wasn’t one of them!
While I typically enjoy hades and Persephone retellings, I struggled to find myself engaged with this story. I found the characters lacking and the story didn’t grip me the way I hoped it would.
I think that this book could hit the marks with some people, but unfortunately I wasn’t one of them!
November 16, 2024
I enjoyed this read despite quite a few flaws. I found the characters enjoyable, and the storyline has some good potential. There is a good balance of good spice scenes and storyline.
However, I found the story greatly lacking in world building which was disappointing to me. I also really didn’t like how the book ended. It was too much of a cliffhanger in my opinion, nearly everything was left unresolved and I definitely feel the book could have given a lot more before pausing for the next book if a series is planned.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ | 💋💋💋
Thank you Victory Editing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. I received an eARC from NetGalley.
However, I found the story greatly lacking in world building which was disappointing to me. I also really didn’t like how the book ended. It was too much of a cliffhanger in my opinion, nearly everything was left unresolved and I definitely feel the book could have given a lot more before pausing for the next book if a series is planned.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ | 💋💋💋
Thank you Victory Editing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. I received an eARC from NetGalley.
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March 7, 2025dnf
March 14, 2025
DNF at 46%
Just boring and very predictable. Life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy!
Just boring and very predictable. Life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy!
October 20, 2024
i'd like to preface this review with the fact i could probably read a book about hades and persephone going to walmart and id have a good time.
⭐️ 📈
i LOVED the writing. most all of it was literally so well described and i genuinely felt like i understood so well the environment.
i enter retellings knowing that the author may either follow the original myths relatively closely or they could stray far from that path. i truly enjoyed castle's spin on persephone, bc honestly, is everyone else not equally tired of zeus being EVERYONE'S DAD?
so the nexus stone is basically her father. i like the extra level of crazy/maliciousness this adds to demeter AND that persephone ends up being such an important piece in finding it.
the fae and including their realm was a cool twist, too.
🌶️ 📈
⭐️ 📉
who even was basille? demeter was drugging persephone, siphoning her magic but what even was basille getting out of this? were they together? it kind of seemed like it but then again maybe he was just a guard?
there were so many parts of persephones story i could relate to, but she was so strong to make and then execute her plan to leave basille or wherever she was only to BAM blood tie to another man. i kept hoping she'd get stronger but she just kept making dumbass decisions like the impulsive decision to do the trials. but like i said, i can relate.. persephone doesn't know who tf she is and her mom has royally screwed her up so at the same time i can't actually blame her there.
the "court" continuously pissed me off. i'm sure it was suppose to but i wanted to reach through the book and shake all of them like WHY DOES LITERALLY NO ONE ELSE OTHER THAN HADES AND PERSEPHONE CARE ABOUT THE TITANS? i mean they said they did but idk, their "meetings" were just like so short and empty and no one gave an actual shit. lol
🌶️ 📉
orgasms = energy? they were mates and i love love. i dont have any problem reading books with little emotion and lotta sex but it's hades and persephone and castle does well to explain their bond and love for each other; i would have rathered some of their incredible bond be used more instead of orgasms; especially when they're depleted.
also, why are we talking about our mom while we are fucking.
----
all of this to say that i still really enjoyed the book overall and i'll definitely be reading book two as soon as it's out!
thank you netgalley and victory publishing for the e-arc of this book!
⭐️ 📈
i LOVED the writing. most all of it was literally so well described and i genuinely felt like i understood so well the environment.
i enter retellings knowing that the author may either follow the original myths relatively closely or they could stray far from that path. i truly enjoyed castle's spin on persephone, bc honestly, is everyone else not equally tired of zeus being EVERYONE'S DAD?
so the nexus stone is basically her father. i like the extra level of crazy/maliciousness this adds to demeter AND that persephone ends up being such an important piece in finding it.
the fae and including their realm was a cool twist, too.
🌶️ 📈
⭐️ 📉
who even was basille? demeter was drugging persephone, siphoning her magic but what even was basille getting out of this? were they together? it kind of seemed like it but then again maybe he was just a guard?
there were so many parts of persephones story i could relate to, but she was so strong to make and then execute her plan to leave basille or wherever she was only to BAM blood tie to another man. i kept hoping she'd get stronger but she just kept making dumbass decisions like the impulsive decision to do the trials. but like i said, i can relate.. persephone doesn't know who tf she is and her mom has royally screwed her up so at the same time i can't actually blame her there.
the "court" continuously pissed me off. i'm sure it was suppose to but i wanted to reach through the book and shake all of them like WHY DOES LITERALLY NO ONE ELSE OTHER THAN HADES AND PERSEPHONE CARE ABOUT THE TITANS? i mean they said they did but idk, their "meetings" were just like so short and empty and no one gave an actual shit. lol
🌶️ 📉
orgasms = energy? they were mates and i love love. i dont have any problem reading books with little emotion and lotta sex but it's hades and persephone and castle does well to explain their bond and love for each other; i would have rathered some of their incredible bond be used more instead of orgasms; especially when they're depleted.
also, why are we talking about our mom while we are fucking.
----
all of this to say that i still really enjoyed the book overall and i'll definitely be reading book two as soon as it's out!
thank you netgalley and victory publishing for the e-arc of this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2024
1st POV (past) / 2 POVs / chapters length: medium / TW below
🪴King and Queen of the Underworld
🪴Fated mates
🪴"Fuck it" (iykyk)
🪴She's learning how to control her powers
🪴Olympus is utterly corrupted
🪴He falls first AND harder
🪴 Age gap (she's 23)
❓OM/OW/Jealousy: No ()
❓Spice: explicit, often (plot 60%, smut 40%)
❓Cliff-hanger:
❓3rd act break-up:
❓HEA:
✨This is officially my new favorite HxP re-telling! The world-building is quite complex (it expands on the canonical lore). It focuses on the beautiful Underworld and only visits the other realms quickly; therefore, it's not overwhelming. I love that we get a look at how Hades is killing/sentencing souls as well.
✨ The characters are full-rounded and distinct. I loved Hades and that he showed strength/dominance but was very gentle with Persephone in private and public. 🥹 They had me kicking my feet from the very beginning!! Persephone is hurt and broken but resilient and determined to escape her past by facing her fears. Her character growth was beautifully done (including her learning her "new" powers gradually) and I admired her greatly.
✨The pacing was good. I feel like there were too many things happening but it wasn't overwhelming – just action-packed. I think that the author tried to put as much as possible in one book and some of the scenes could've been put in the sequel/deleted.
– The only thing I disliked was that there were a few scenes that were just cut off and insignificant. I feel like those would be great as bonus content but they didn't fit in the story. I'd rather have one longer scene than short snippets.
Trigger Warnings: murder, near-drowning, alcohol, PTSD (flashbacks), physical domestic violence incl. drugging and imprisonment (on page, mother – huge part of the story), souls that died by suicide (they're well taken care of 🫶🏻) ►►►► If you are triggered by sexual assault/domestic violence, skip the first 3 chapters and start with chapter 4 (what you need to know: The author states that there is no SA but it's literally on the first page... If you start with chapter 4, you'll be okay. She only mentions it once or twice in passing but not in detail and doesn't acknowledge it as something traumatizing. Hades also stalks and kills men for s-assaulting women/children (the act is not shown on page). It's skippable.
Side characters: Hermes, Thanatos, Hecate
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any negative feedback is not meant as an insult to the author!
🪴King and Queen of the Underworld
🪴Fated mates
🪴"Fuck it" (iykyk)
🪴She's learning how to control her powers
🪴Olympus is utterly corrupted
🪴He falls first AND harder
🪴 Age gap (she's 23)
❓OM/OW/Jealousy: No ()
❓Spice: explicit, often (plot 60%, smut 40%)
❓Cliff-hanger:
❓3rd act break-up:
❓HEA:
✨This is officially my new favorite HxP re-telling! The world-building is quite complex (it expands on the canonical lore). It focuses on the beautiful Underworld and only visits the other realms quickly; therefore, it's not overwhelming. I love that we get a look at how Hades is killing/sentencing souls as well.
✨ The characters are full-rounded and distinct. I loved Hades and that he showed strength/dominance but was very gentle with Persephone in private and public. 🥹 They had me kicking my feet from the very beginning!! Persephone is hurt and broken but resilient and determined to escape her past by facing her fears. Her character growth was beautifully done (including her learning her "new" powers gradually) and I admired her greatly.
✨The pacing was good. I feel like there were too many things happening but it wasn't overwhelming – just action-packed. I think that the author tried to put as much as possible in one book and some of the scenes could've been put in the sequel/deleted.
– The only thing I disliked was that there were a few scenes that were just cut off and insignificant. I feel like those would be great as bonus content but they didn't fit in the story. I'd rather have one longer scene than short snippets.
Trigger Warnings: murder, near-drowning, alcohol, PTSD (flashbacks), physical domestic violence incl. drugging and imprisonment (on page, mother – huge part of the story), souls that died by suicide (they're well taken care of 🫶🏻) ►►►► If you are triggered by sexual assault/domestic violence, skip the first 3 chapters and start with chapter 4 (what you need to know: The author states that there is no SA but it's literally on the first page... If you start with chapter 4, you'll be okay. She only mentions it once or twice in passing but not in detail and doesn't acknowledge it as something traumatizing. Hades also stalks and kills men for s-assaulting women/children (the act is not shown on page). It's skippable.
Side characters: Hermes, Thanatos, Hecate
"He wasn't just pleasuring me. He was worshipping me."
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any negative feedback is not meant as an insult to the author!
November 5, 2024
The story, in general, was good. I haven’t read a retelling in a while, and this one was a nice one considering it’s the classic story of Hades and Persephone.
The opening scene had me was a bit of a shock with Persephone and Basile. Speaking of Persephone, I found her to be immature and bratty for being a 23yo woman. There were times she acted like a petulant child. She even showed insolence by ordering Hades around when she was in the wrong. Her character did grow out of the insolence and brattiness, however, her immaturity and lack of planning and foresight didn’t really change until the end. Even though numerous people told her about something not being good, that it wouldn’t help the situation, and that they had her best intentions in mind, she still went ahead and did it and then regretted it after.
Hades, on the other hand, I had a bit of mixed feelings. He was arrogant a lot but was gentle with Persephone in private and in public. As the story progresses, we see more about him and his changes in terms of his actions toward Persephone, his past, the bonds that he has, etc. All of this overshadowed his arrogance.
Regarding the relationship, they are mates. I’m not sure how to feel about the ‘mate’ trope being with gods to be honest. Also, the switch from animosity to love was so sudden that it wasn’t believable. The development of love wasn’t even clear.
As for the writing, I had noticed some things that kept bothering me:
First being the constant usage of “I” when starting a sentence in Persephone and Hades’ POV. It’s “I pushed the armoire…”, “I brushed until…”, “I shut the door….”. There are other ways to say these. In a paragraph of 6 sentences, 4/6 of them were like that.
Choppy writing can be seen throughout. Example: Hades flicked his wrist, and a door materialized on the one blank wall. Hades grasped the gold doorknob. The mechanism clicked, and with a gentle pull, the door swung open, revealing a stone corridor. Hades gestured.
The scene changes from the end of one chapter to the beginning of another were jarring at times. Because of this, it’s unclear how much time has passed in between, especially when you think how from the beginning until that point.
There doesn’t seem to be any use for the court of Olympus as they don’t seem to take offenses made by gods seriously, no matter the consequences. And it was stupid when Zeus said they would hear what Demeter had to say, which they did, but they asked no questions. Also, when Hades accused Demeter of her crime, Zeus just said This is a serious allegation. We must vote on whether to explore this accusation or not. without questioning the accused or anything. After the vote, he just said there was not enough evidence against Demeter without even any questioning whatsoever done.
Overall though, I enjoyed this book. I would be reading the second book when it comes out.
The opening scene had me was a bit of a shock with Persephone and Basile. Speaking of Persephone, I found her to be immature and bratty for being a 23yo woman. There were times she acted like a petulant child. She even showed insolence by ordering Hades around when she was in the wrong. Her character did grow out of the insolence and brattiness, however, her immaturity and lack of planning and foresight didn’t really change until the end. Even though numerous people told her about something not being good, that it wouldn’t help the situation, and that they had her best intentions in mind, she still went ahead and did it and then regretted it after.
Hades, on the other hand, I had a bit of mixed feelings. He was arrogant a lot but was gentle with Persephone in private and in public. As the story progresses, we see more about him and his changes in terms of his actions toward Persephone, his past, the bonds that he has, etc. All of this overshadowed his arrogance.
Regarding the relationship, they are mates. I’m not sure how to feel about the ‘mate’ trope being with gods to be honest. Also, the switch from animosity to love was so sudden that it wasn’t believable. The development of love wasn’t even clear.
As for the writing, I had noticed some things that kept bothering me:
First being the constant usage of “I” when starting a sentence in Persephone and Hades’ POV. It’s “I pushed the armoire…”, “I brushed until…”, “I shut the door….”. There are other ways to say these. In a paragraph of 6 sentences, 4/6 of them were like that.
Choppy writing can be seen throughout. Example: Hades flicked his wrist, and a door materialized on the one blank wall. Hades grasped the gold doorknob. The mechanism clicked, and with a gentle pull, the door swung open, revealing a stone corridor. Hades gestured.
The scene changes from the end of one chapter to the beginning of another were jarring at times. Because of this, it’s unclear how much time has passed in between, especially when you think how from the beginning until that point.
There doesn’t seem to be any use for the court of Olympus as they don’t seem to take offenses made by gods seriously, no matter the consequences. And it was stupid when Zeus said they would hear what Demeter had to say, which they did, but they asked no questions. Also, when Hades accused Demeter of her crime, Zeus just said This is a serious allegation. We must vote on whether to explore this accusation or not. without questioning the accused or anything. After the vote, he just said there was not enough evidence against Demeter without even any questioning whatsoever done.
Overall though, I enjoyed this book. I would be reading the second book when it comes out.
November 2, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book and I could definitely see how much time and effort went into this. It was an interesting and intriguing retelling of Hades and Persephone. I must say this is my first Hade and Persephone retelling and honestly I am not very familiar with their mythology other than Hades being god of the underworld and him taking Persephone as his wife, other than that I had to do a little bit of googling but I like how this was a different take.
I thought the concept and the plot was good, especially at the start but there were parts of the plot that I would have maybe like to have been foreshadowed or hinted at sooner, such Persephone’s connection to the nexus stone and her parentage.
I found the concept of hell really intriguing with the layers and I liked learning how it worked. I do think at times I would have liked a little more world building in greater detail to help me picture it better but what I could picture was good.
I thought the spicy scenes were good and were done well, although I wasn’t a fan of the dirty talk and I thought they talked a little too much during the spicy scenes but that’s just my own preference.
The interactions between Hades and Persephone were good, particularly at the start when they first met but I personally would have liked a little more of a slow burn build up to their relationship. I also felt that the fated mates was revealed too soon in the book, however upon reflection it does make sense to learn that information sooner rather than later.
I liked the set up for found family, when Persephone was getting to know the members of the fae court who are part of Hades’ trusted circle and I am looking forward to seeing more of that in future books!
Overall, I did enjoy this book and I do think that both the series and the author have so much potential and I am looking forward to continuing with the series!
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for giving me the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!
I thought the concept and the plot was good, especially at the start but there were parts of the plot that I would have maybe like to have been foreshadowed or hinted at sooner, such Persephone’s connection to the nexus stone and her parentage.
I found the concept of hell really intriguing with the layers and I liked learning how it worked. I do think at times I would have liked a little more world building in greater detail to help me picture it better but what I could picture was good.
I thought the spicy scenes were good and were done well, although I wasn’t a fan of the dirty talk and I thought they talked a little too much during the spicy scenes but that’s just my own preference.
The interactions between Hades and Persephone were good, particularly at the start when they first met but I personally would have liked a little more of a slow burn build up to their relationship. I also felt that the fated mates was revealed too soon in the book, however upon reflection it does make sense to learn that information sooner rather than later.
I liked the set up for found family, when Persephone was getting to know the members of the fae court who are part of Hades’ trusted circle and I am looking forward to seeing more of that in future books!
Overall, I did enjoy this book and I do think that both the series and the author have so much potential and I am looking forward to continuing with the series!
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for giving me the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!
November 4, 2024
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m conflicted on this one. The plot was pretty standard Hades and Persephone retelling, which I will always enjoy. The faerie aspect was a little different from other retellings, though, and Hades’s death touch was new. My main issue with the plot is that the romance seemed so rushed it wasn’t really believable. I understand the idea of a mating bond and don’t hate it by any means, but there’s a layer of believability there that I didn’t see. We go from sassy grumpy couple to oh we’re mated now and it was just too abrupt for me personally. Other than that, I enjoyed the plot. I would be curious to continue the series if it weren’t for some other issues I had. There are several unanswered questions, but since this is a series, I’m not surprised.
The characters are fine and all fit in well enough with their names, but we don’t get to meet a lot of the Olympians in depth. Not so much of an issue as this is a series and they aren’t a huge factor in it yet. We get to know Hades and Persephone well enough, but I feel like there was some missed opportunity with Hecate (again though, it is a series so she may be reintroduced) and Minthe. I won’t totally write off this series based off character development because we did get good development with our main characters.
My main issue with this book was the disjointed writing. Each chapter opens in a scene we are unfamiliar with, which is fine in an occasional occurrence, but when every single chapter opens in a mystery time and date, we have no idea how much time has passed or what has transpired between chapters. There are a lot of abrupt changes that caught me off guard, and I wasn’t a big fan of that. Also the sex scenes were borderline cringy to the point I had to skim some of them. I know this is a debut novel, so there’s obviously a learning curve. I think with some refinement and a bit of work this could be a wonderful series.
I’m conflicted on this one. The plot was pretty standard Hades and Persephone retelling, which I will always enjoy. The faerie aspect was a little different from other retellings, though, and Hades’s death touch was new. My main issue with the plot is that the romance seemed so rushed it wasn’t really believable. I understand the idea of a mating bond and don’t hate it by any means, but there’s a layer of believability there that I didn’t see. We go from sassy grumpy couple to oh we’re mated now and it was just too abrupt for me personally. Other than that, I enjoyed the plot. I would be curious to continue the series if it weren’t for some other issues I had. There are several unanswered questions, but since this is a series, I’m not surprised.
The characters are fine and all fit in well enough with their names, but we don’t get to meet a lot of the Olympians in depth. Not so much of an issue as this is a series and they aren’t a huge factor in it yet. We get to know Hades and Persephone well enough, but I feel like there was some missed opportunity with Hecate (again though, it is a series so she may be reintroduced) and Minthe. I won’t totally write off this series based off character development because we did get good development with our main characters.
My main issue with this book was the disjointed writing. Each chapter opens in a scene we are unfamiliar with, which is fine in an occasional occurrence, but when every single chapter opens in a mystery time and date, we have no idea how much time has passed or what has transpired between chapters. There are a lot of abrupt changes that caught me off guard, and I wasn’t a big fan of that. Also the sex scenes were borderline cringy to the point I had to skim some of them. I know this is a debut novel, so there’s obviously a learning curve. I think with some refinement and a bit of work this could be a wonderful series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2025
As somebody who has recently gotten back into her Ancient Greece hyperfixation, I was very eager to get my hands on a Hades and Persephone retelling. Enter Lena J. Castle’s take on the popular mythology romance.
In this version of the classic story, Persephone has planned her escape from captivity on Olympus and to get out from under her mother’s control. Naive and ill-prepared she makes her way to the Underworld to seek sanctuary and immediately becomes wrapped up with Hades and his realm, whilst navigating the entire mythological universe and its leadership.
There are strengths and weaknesses to Castle’s writing. Her descriptive writing is immersive and lush. Her depictions of rooms and surrounding landscapes allow you to create the scene in your mind. However the overarching world-building for the story and character development felt very surface level and needed more attention. Additionally some scenes come across as unnecessary (especially in chapter one).
The information given to the reader only allows a vague idea of what was going on and how everything fits together… and it did not feel as though it was an intentional aspect of the author’s storytelling.
With nods to highly popular romantasy series (high fae, anyone?), the romance was quick, and the lust was swifter. With dual POV it was nice to see both perspectives, though more often than not, Hades’ chapters were rarely about when he was with Persephone. This book is for readers that like to read fast paced and easily digestible romance. If you are a high fantasy reader that’s used to a lot of depth and attention to details, this book may not be for you.
Despite the overall tone of my review I am eager to see how Castle develops from her debut as there is potential and I will read the next book when it becomes available.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the ebook via Netgalley.
In this version of the classic story, Persephone has planned her escape from captivity on Olympus and to get out from under her mother’s control. Naive and ill-prepared she makes her way to the Underworld to seek sanctuary and immediately becomes wrapped up with Hades and his realm, whilst navigating the entire mythological universe and its leadership.
There are strengths and weaknesses to Castle’s writing. Her descriptive writing is immersive and lush. Her depictions of rooms and surrounding landscapes allow you to create the scene in your mind. However the overarching world-building for the story and character development felt very surface level and needed more attention. Additionally some scenes come across as unnecessary (especially in chapter one).
The information given to the reader only allows a vague idea of what was going on and how everything fits together… and it did not feel as though it was an intentional aspect of the author’s storytelling.
With nods to highly popular romantasy series (high fae, anyone?), the romance was quick, and the lust was swifter. With dual POV it was nice to see both perspectives, though more often than not, Hades’ chapters were rarely about when he was with Persephone. This book is for readers that like to read fast paced and easily digestible romance. If you are a high fantasy reader that’s used to a lot of depth and attention to details, this book may not be for you.
Despite the overall tone of my review I am eager to see how Castle develops from her debut as there is potential and I will read the next book when it becomes available.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the ebook via Netgalley.
October 17, 2024
The tale of Hades and Persephone with Fae intertwined and it did not disappoint. Persephone leaves her extremely abusive mother Demeter who has physically tortured her throughout her whole life. Demeter has used her as a conduit/source to add to her power. One day Persephone has had enough of the abuse and runs to the underworld to hide from her mother. As predicted she runs into Hades her fated mate. Demeter has tantrum after tantrum to release titans and absorb more magic than any other god (including Zeus). It also comes out how Persephone was actually made and why she has no father which plays a very important part in this series. With the Fae's help, Persephone must overcome her mother and her claim to save the underworld by the one way possible.... Ends on Cliffhanger and subject of the next book.
Right when you open the book it starts with a hookup scene so I would definitely say this is an adult book. I honestly really liked this book. Hades and Persephone retellings are my favorite. The abuse scenes are really tough to read when you see how sweet Persephone is. But I also loved how this book really gave Persephone self worth, and how Hades works with her one on boundaries and building a healthy relationship.
BRINGING IN FAE was a great idea and will amped the series up. Not only does it bring in another fantasy land that readers typically love, but it gives way to the author to be more creative than any other retellings.
The romance scenes were OK, and kinda generic. I thought it was really gross that they were talking about her mother while they were hooking up at the courthouse at the end of the book. CRINGE
Spice 4/5
Tropes
Touch her and die
Close Proximity
Grumpy to Sunshine
Female Warrior
Triggers
Child Abuse
Trauma
Self Harm
Narcissist behavior
Gaslighting
Thank you for letting me review your arc!
Right when you open the book it starts with a hookup scene so I would definitely say this is an adult book. I honestly really liked this book. Hades and Persephone retellings are my favorite. The abuse scenes are really tough to read when you see how sweet Persephone is. But I also loved how this book really gave Persephone self worth, and how Hades works with her one on boundaries and building a healthy relationship.
BRINGING IN FAE was a great idea and will amped the series up. Not only does it bring in another fantasy land that readers typically love, but it gives way to the author to be more creative than any other retellings.
The romance scenes were OK, and kinda generic. I thought it was really gross that they were talking about her mother while they were hooking up at the courthouse at the end of the book. CRINGE
Spice 4/5
Tropes
Touch her and die
Close Proximity
Grumpy to Sunshine
Female Warrior
Triggers
Child Abuse
Trauma
Self Harm
Narcissist behavior
Gaslighting
Thank you for letting me review your arc!
November 10, 2024
I first wanted to read this book because of the premise. I haven’t read many books based on Greek mythology, so I was super excited for this. It tells the story of Persephone escaping from her mother to the Underworld, under Hades’s control.
As I was reading this, there was so much I loved, but at the same time, a lot that kept me from enjoying it as much as I could have. I had a love hate relationship with the characters. The plot was really interesting but kept dragging on; the pacing was a bit off to me. The romance was sweet, yet frustrating at the same time. I definitely this book could really be loved by others, but it wasn’t really for me. It had all the right elements, just not combined in the best way.
I loved the beginning where Persephone escapes from her mother. She isn’t given a lot to work with, but she’s very resourceful and meticulous in the way she escapes. I was really looking forward to her more, yet in the rest of the book, she felt a lot more impulsive and naive. I don’t have much to say about Hades’s character; he felt like a generic, kind of morally gray MMC.
The plot was interesting. At first, I thought it was just a romantasy that would focus on the romance. But, there were multiple twists and reveals that allowed for a more engaging story. However, I thought the pacing was too slow. There was a lot of talking about what’s to come, yet there isn’t much that actually happens. The ending was abrupt, and although it was a cliffhanger, it didn’t feel exciting, but just left a lot of unanswered questions.
And the romance was really simple. It seemed like it would be an enemies to lovers, but it was just insta-lust. There wasn’t much development either. It felt too simple and stagnant.
Overall, this was a okay first book, but I’m still intrigued for what’s to come.
Thank you to the author for the eARC! All opinions are my own.
As I was reading this, there was so much I loved, but at the same time, a lot that kept me from enjoying it as much as I could have. I had a love hate relationship with the characters. The plot was really interesting but kept dragging on; the pacing was a bit off to me. The romance was sweet, yet frustrating at the same time. I definitely this book could really be loved by others, but it wasn’t really for me. It had all the right elements, just not combined in the best way.
I loved the beginning where Persephone escapes from her mother. She isn’t given a lot to work with, but she’s very resourceful and meticulous in the way she escapes. I was really looking forward to her more, yet in the rest of the book, she felt a lot more impulsive and naive. I don’t have much to say about Hades’s character; he felt like a generic, kind of morally gray MMC.
The plot was interesting. At first, I thought it was just a romantasy that would focus on the romance. But, there were multiple twists and reveals that allowed for a more engaging story. However, I thought the pacing was too slow. There was a lot of talking about what’s to come, yet there isn’t much that actually happens. The ending was abrupt, and although it was a cliffhanger, it didn’t feel exciting, but just left a lot of unanswered questions.
And the romance was really simple. It seemed like it would be an enemies to lovers, but it was just insta-lust. There wasn’t much development either. It felt too simple and stagnant.
Overall, this was a okay first book, but I’m still intrigued for what’s to come.
Thank you to the author for the eARC! All opinions are my own.
November 6, 2024
First of all, thank you NetGalley and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been looking for a good retelling, and A Goddess of Spring and Shadow was a fun take on the Hades and Persephone myth. I always love Hades x Persephone, greek gods romance. Overall, I enjoyed it, but there were a few things that held me back from loving it completely. I also took like 4-5 days days to finish it.
Persephone, at 23, felt a bit immature to me. She made crazy decisions and often ignored advice, which led to a lot of unnecessary drama. She did grow as the story went on, but I felt like her character stayed a little too bratty for too long.
Hades, on the other hand well don't get me wrong, I love Hades! At first, he seemed arrogant and sexy, but as the story progressed, we got to see a gentler side of him, especially with Persephone. I liked how his character developed, even though his arrogance never fully disappeared. I love the character growth on hades instead of persephone.
The romance between Persephone and Hades felt rushed. Their insta love is not my cup of tea. I kinda expected more as if I wanted to know more about them. I don't want them to get all swoony on each other too fast. I need some kind of hook, some kind of grip.
The writing had some repetitive moment. There were also some awkward scene transitions that made it hard to follow the timeline. Overall, I gave this book 3.75 stars. I liked the idea and the mythological elements, but there were a few things that kept it from being a standout read for me. I’ll still be checking out the next book to see how the story continues or perhaps some improvement! <3
Wishes the author all the best. Lots of love from me <3
I’ve been looking for a good retelling, and A Goddess of Spring and Shadow was a fun take on the Hades and Persephone myth. I always love Hades x Persephone, greek gods romance. Overall, I enjoyed it, but there were a few things that held me back from loving it completely. I also took like 4-5 days days to finish it.
Persephone, at 23, felt a bit immature to me. She made crazy decisions and often ignored advice, which led to a lot of unnecessary drama. She did grow as the story went on, but I felt like her character stayed a little too bratty for too long.
Hades, on the other hand well don't get me wrong, I love Hades! At first, he seemed arrogant and sexy, but as the story progressed, we got to see a gentler side of him, especially with Persephone. I liked how his character developed, even though his arrogance never fully disappeared. I love the character growth on hades instead of persephone.
The romance between Persephone and Hades felt rushed. Their insta love is not my cup of tea. I kinda expected more as if I wanted to know more about them. I don't want them to get all swoony on each other too fast. I need some kind of hook, some kind of grip.
The writing had some repetitive moment. There were also some awkward scene transitions that made it hard to follow the timeline. Overall, I gave this book 3.75 stars. I liked the idea and the mythological elements, but there were a few things that kept it from being a standout read for me. I’ll still be checking out the next book to see how the story continues or perhaps some improvement! <3
Wishes the author all the best. Lots of love from me <3
November 19, 2024
Disappointing
I genuinely wanted to enjoy this book, and I eagerly devoured the first few chapters. However, there are too many elements that ultimately just don’t work for me. To be frank, it felt like an attempt to replicate “A Court of Mist and Fury”, but with Hades and Persephone instead of Rhysand and Feyre. While incorporating elements from various other novels isn’t inherently bad, the execution fell short. I found myself skipping through most of the last three or four chapters just to reach the conclusion.
Unlike many readers, I don’t mind Hades exerting some control over Persephone’s actions, primarily because he understands the situation far better than she does. There’s usually a valid reason behind his decisions, such as not allowing her to drink wine to prevent further compromising her physical condition. However, that’s just one aspect I wanted to highlight.
It seems that the author struggled with the world-building, resulting in a confusing landscape, to say the least. The characters feel bland and lack depth, making it difficult to form a connection with them. For example, Persephone escapes from Demeter without a solid plan, despite having months to prepare. She is largely unaware of the Underworld and too easily gets her way. Overall, she feels quite empty.
Hades’ characterization also leaves much to be desired, and the secondary characters lack distinct personalities, making it hard to differentiate between them. Additionally, the time period in which the story is set is unclear; it feels like it might be modern, but the details are confusing.
I sincerely apologize for expressing disappointment, as I had been looking forward to reading this book, but it seems it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
I genuinely wanted to enjoy this book, and I eagerly devoured the first few chapters. However, there are too many elements that ultimately just don’t work for me. To be frank, it felt like an attempt to replicate “A Court of Mist and Fury”, but with Hades and Persephone instead of Rhysand and Feyre. While incorporating elements from various other novels isn’t inherently bad, the execution fell short. I found myself skipping through most of the last three or four chapters just to reach the conclusion.
Unlike many readers, I don’t mind Hades exerting some control over Persephone’s actions, primarily because he understands the situation far better than she does. There’s usually a valid reason behind his decisions, such as not allowing her to drink wine to prevent further compromising her physical condition. However, that’s just one aspect I wanted to highlight.
It seems that the author struggled with the world-building, resulting in a confusing landscape, to say the least. The characters feel bland and lack depth, making it difficult to form a connection with them. For example, Persephone escapes from Demeter without a solid plan, despite having months to prepare. She is largely unaware of the Underworld and too easily gets her way. Overall, she feels quite empty.
Hades’ characterization also leaves much to be desired, and the secondary characters lack distinct personalities, making it hard to differentiate between them. Additionally, the time period in which the story is set is unclear; it feels like it might be modern, but the details are confusing.
I sincerely apologize for expressing disappointment, as I had been looking forward to reading this book, but it seems it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
October 20, 2025
I kept putting this one down and it took forever for me to get through, which is a litmus test all on its own. I eventually got to a point where I was closer to finishing than not and stubbornly refused to just DNF. I’m always up for a Hades and Persephone retelling, and their story is the archetype for so many popular tropes, but this one wasn’t it. It did do a couple things I liked, though, so I’ll start there.
I liked
-a truly evil and not a little unhinged Demeter (I never understand variations where Persephone is deeply unhappy and Demeter is still made out to be a sympathetic or even pitiable character, even if she isn’t crazy, she should always be cast as at least one of the villains in actively choosing to starve the earth)
-the gods are callous, arrogant, and unwilling to see beyond their own concerns (to me this tracks a lot more mythologically than them being benevolent sources of aide)
-other kinds of supernatural beings are incorporated (faeries, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen in a Greek mythology retelling)
I didn’t like
-pacing (couldn’t keep me engaged and I kept putting it down)
-instalove (really instalust that never grows beyond that except they “love” each other because they’re mates)
-Persephone’s lack of forethought (aside from her initial escape, she shows zero critical thinking and her impetuousness is almost certainly going to make the situation worse)
I LOVE the Hades & Persephone story and want to love any adaptation I find, but absolutely could not get onboard with this one. Will not be continuing the series.
I liked
-a truly evil and not a little unhinged Demeter (I never understand variations where Persephone is deeply unhappy and Demeter is still made out to be a sympathetic or even pitiable character, even if she isn’t crazy, she should always be cast as at least one of the villains in actively choosing to starve the earth)
-the gods are callous, arrogant, and unwilling to see beyond their own concerns (to me this tracks a lot more mythologically than them being benevolent sources of aide)
-other kinds of supernatural beings are incorporated (faeries, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen in a Greek mythology retelling)
I didn’t like
-pacing (couldn’t keep me engaged and I kept putting it down)
-instalove (really instalust that never grows beyond that except they “love” each other because they’re mates)
-Persephone’s lack of forethought (aside from her initial escape, she shows zero critical thinking and her impetuousness is almost certainly going to make the situation worse)
I LOVE the Hades & Persephone story and want to love any adaptation I find, but absolutely could not get onboard with this one. Will not be continuing the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2024
4.25⭐️
4🌶️
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for this e-arc
A Goddess of Spring and Shadows is a Hades and Persephone retelling with a mix of various other realms including Fae. After escaping her mother, Demeter, Persephone runs away to the Underworld, finding herself face to face with Hades. She will do anything to stay away forever from her mother, despite her mother’s attempts to get her back. Hades trains Persephone to become not only stronger physically, but with her magic that has been shunned away for so long.
There’s obviously quite a few stories out there that are Hades and Persephone. I actually did really enjoy A Goddess of Spring and Shadows. It’s face-paced, which I appreciate. And you don’t have to wait for 75% of the book for the spice and romance, because sometimes you do just need a book that delivers on the spice and plot.
I love the integration of the Fae realm in this, which is unique to any other Hades/Persephone books I’ve read. Kind of adds a different angle to the world. And just the concept of various realms in general opens up future books to explore them.
This ends on a cliffhanger but sets it up nicely for the next book. It may have been a bit predictable but only because it was the natural next step on the story. I would recommend this to readers who like Greek mythology stories but want to have a good amount of spice as well. I look forward to the next book in the series.
4🌶️
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for this e-arc
A Goddess of Spring and Shadows is a Hades and Persephone retelling with a mix of various other realms including Fae. After escaping her mother, Demeter, Persephone runs away to the Underworld, finding herself face to face with Hades. She will do anything to stay away forever from her mother, despite her mother’s attempts to get her back. Hades trains Persephone to become not only stronger physically, but with her magic that has been shunned away for so long.
There’s obviously quite a few stories out there that are Hades and Persephone. I actually did really enjoy A Goddess of Spring and Shadows. It’s face-paced, which I appreciate. And you don’t have to wait for 75% of the book for the spice and romance, because sometimes you do just need a book that delivers on the spice and plot.
I love the integration of the Fae realm in this, which is unique to any other Hades/Persephone books I’ve read. Kind of adds a different angle to the world. And just the concept of various realms in general opens up future books to explore them.
This ends on a cliffhanger but sets it up nicely for the next book. It may have been a bit predictable but only because it was the natural next step on the story. I would recommend this to readers who like Greek mythology stories but want to have a good amount of spice as well. I look forward to the next book in the series.
October 22, 2024
before we begin i just wanna say i like hades and persephone retellings alot so i am biased because this probably wldve been 1 star if i didnt like them so much.
so, i think the premise of this was interesting. the whole mix of faerie and gods was cool and well thought out. i liked their fae friends and thanatos so thats something!
moving on, i disliked persephone a lot in this one like she was really reckless and often did things without thinking it through and it frustrated me. hades was. hm. maybe its just me but i thought he was a little bit too possessive like always trying to control what she did which i didnt rly like. their whole relationship buildup was so random and abrupt like i dont like instalove/lust so thats me but i didnt enjoy how quickly they got together. i prefer slowburn so this is rly just a me problem but getting together within arnd 100 pages was wild to me
also they were arguing and then just randomly started doing it which was, again, abrupt. also who even is basile like i gather hes her guard and stuff but at the beginning persephone says she has had to put up with him for the last 6 months to get what she wants but what does she want??? we never get that answer.
the book had poor flow but the writing is good. i do think that other people would enjoy this but me personally i wish it was better. thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
so, i think the premise of this was interesting. the whole mix of faerie and gods was cool and well thought out. i liked their fae friends and thanatos so thats something!
moving on, i disliked persephone a lot in this one like she was really reckless and often did things without thinking it through and it frustrated me. hades was. hm. maybe its just me but i thought he was a little bit too possessive like always trying to control what she did which i didnt rly like. their whole relationship buildup was so random and abrupt like i dont like instalove/lust so thats me but i didnt enjoy how quickly they got together. i prefer slowburn so this is rly just a me problem but getting together within arnd 100 pages was wild to me
also they were arguing and then just randomly started doing it which was, again, abrupt. also who even is basile like i gather hes her guard and stuff but at the beginning persephone says she has had to put up with him for the last 6 months to get what she wants but what does she want??? we never get that answer.
the book had poor flow but the writing is good. i do think that other people would enjoy this but me personally i wish it was better. thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
November 14, 2024
A Goddess of Spring and Shadows by Lena J. Castle is a unique, captivating, and fast-paced Hades and Persephone retelling for Fantasy-Romance readers everywhere.
It starts off with Persephone enacting her plan to escape her mother's control. With her powers suppressed, she must get past numerous obstacles. Finally, she escapes and flees to the Underworld. There, she attempts to hide, but is easily found by the God of the Underworld, Hades. He will only let her stay on one condition..
This was my first Hades and Persephone retelling and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It starts off fast paced, which I really enjoy in a book. I love that it started off entertaining and was still able to do all the world building necessary for it all to make sense. I don't know much about Hades and Persephone, and this story didn't make me feel like I was missing any details about them, or any of the other characters. I liked that it was easy to understand what was going on. The language is easy to understand, but also eloquently written.
One thing that I absolutely appreciated in this was that Persephone acted her age. It made the story more realistic. She was trapped in her house for twenty-some years, she's not going to be the most mature person, especially next to other gods and goddesses who are centuries older than her. I don't think she was annoying by any means, but I think she was realistic. I enjoy when the character can grow through out the book/books.
This was a wonderfully written fantasy-romance, and I am so thankful to have been able to read it.
It starts off with Persephone enacting her plan to escape her mother's control. With her powers suppressed, she must get past numerous obstacles. Finally, she escapes and flees to the Underworld. There, she attempts to hide, but is easily found by the God of the Underworld, Hades. He will only let her stay on one condition..
This was my first Hades and Persephone retelling and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It starts off fast paced, which I really enjoy in a book. I love that it started off entertaining and was still able to do all the world building necessary for it all to make sense. I don't know much about Hades and Persephone, and this story didn't make me feel like I was missing any details about them, or any of the other characters. I liked that it was easy to understand what was going on. The language is easy to understand, but also eloquently written.
One thing that I absolutely appreciated in this was that Persephone acted her age. It made the story more realistic. She was trapped in her house for twenty-some years, she's not going to be the most mature person, especially next to other gods and goddesses who are centuries older than her. I don't think she was annoying by any means, but I think she was realistic. I enjoy when the character can grow through out the book/books.
This was a wonderfully written fantasy-romance, and I am so thankful to have been able to read it.
November 23, 2024
Thank you to Book Sirens and the Author for giving me this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.
I must admit that I have a bit of a love-hate relationship when it comes to Hades and Persephone retellings because; let's be real, the over-sexualization of Persephone in so many of them drives me up a wall. I am all for some spicy romance, but if I'm going for a retelling, I don't want the actual myth and story to be overshadowed by constant "boning" (This is not to say that there isn't explicit sex in this because there is multiple instances). With A Goddess of Spring and Shadows, I didn't feel as frustrated with this version of Persephone- which is a huge plus. The story itself was interesting enough. I've always felt like Persephone's life under Demeter's control felt stifling which I think is set up perfectly. Her dynamic with Hades, although very fast, I do like that she, even though he is controlling, seems to have more of her head. That said, while I liked the premise and some of the themes I found it hard to connect with the characters fully. I wanted more depth from them and hoped they would feel more fleshed out. But since this is only book one of the series, I'm optimistic they'll grow as the story progresses. Despite my gripes, this one is pretty high on my list of Hades & Persephone retellings so far. Here's to hoping it keeps getting better!
I must admit that I have a bit of a love-hate relationship when it comes to Hades and Persephone retellings because; let's be real, the over-sexualization of Persephone in so many of them drives me up a wall. I am all for some spicy romance, but if I'm going for a retelling, I don't want the actual myth and story to be overshadowed by constant "boning" (This is not to say that there isn't explicit sex in this because there is multiple instances). With A Goddess of Spring and Shadows, I didn't feel as frustrated with this version of Persephone- which is a huge plus. The story itself was interesting enough. I've always felt like Persephone's life under Demeter's control felt stifling which I think is set up perfectly. Her dynamic with Hades, although very fast, I do like that she, even though he is controlling, seems to have more of her head. That said, while I liked the premise and some of the themes I found it hard to connect with the characters fully. I wanted more depth from them and hoped they would feel more fleshed out. But since this is only book one of the series, I'm optimistic they'll grow as the story progresses. Despite my gripes, this one is pretty high on my list of Hades & Persephone retellings so far. Here's to hoping it keeps getting better!
October 29, 2024
I was honored to be an Arc reader for this book and i really enjoyed it.
Its a Hades and Persephone retelling that was unique and held my interest pretty well. Demeter is the Antagonist with Hades and Persephone being the protagonist's and have a kind of Romeo and Juliet feel to it. I loved how broody Hade's is in this book and I really enjoyed the connection between the two, was the romance a little rushed yes but without giving away much the reason behind it made sense to me.
You get to meet other gods as well as Fae again which I thought was a cool way to intermix the worlds. I really felt bad for Persephone in this story she goes through a lot so it will be nice to see what happens with her especially finding out some things about her. I'm excited about the Cliffhanger at the end of the book and since this book held me to the end i can't wait for book two.
I really feel book two will blow this one out of the water... that cliffhanger is setting up an amazing story and I'm super excited about it.
I give it a 4 star only because sometimes i felt that some chapters were a little drawn out but it was still a really good story so if your in love with the Hades and Persephone stories this is a fun and unique one I think most people will enjoy.
Its a Hades and Persephone retelling that was unique and held my interest pretty well. Demeter is the Antagonist with Hades and Persephone being the protagonist's and have a kind of Romeo and Juliet feel to it. I loved how broody Hade's is in this book and I really enjoyed the connection between the two, was the romance a little rushed yes but without giving away much the reason behind it made sense to me.
You get to meet other gods as well as Fae again which I thought was a cool way to intermix the worlds. I really felt bad for Persephone in this story she goes through a lot so it will be nice to see what happens with her especially finding out some things about her. I'm excited about the Cliffhanger at the end of the book and since this book held me to the end i can't wait for book two.
I really feel book two will blow this one out of the water... that cliffhanger is setting up an amazing story and I'm super excited about it.
I give it a 4 star only because sometimes i felt that some chapters were a little drawn out but it was still a really good story so if your in love with the Hades and Persephone stories this is a fun and unique one I think most people will enjoy.
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