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Hades x Persephone #2
A Serpent of Stone and Spite
A Serpent of Stone and Spite is the second installment in the Hades x Persephone romantasy series by Lena J. Castle—a lush retelling with fated mates, Divine Trials, and scorching romance.
The consequence of failure is death.
Persephone has defied the gods and ignited the Divine Trials. With Hades’ power weakened after Demeter’s theft of the Nexus Stone piece, the magic that holds the gates of Tartarus shut wavers on the brink of collapse, threatening to unleash the Titans and ancient terrors long imprisoned in the Underworld.
Persephone believed love could fill the loneliness that had once defined her. But loving a god isn’t a quick cure. It reveals everything she tried to hide. As the Divine Trials push her, Persephone must confront not just ruthless, unpredictable magic, but also the love she’s still learning to navigate.
Hades, a god of control and silence, now faces a power he cannot the depth of his own heart. Loving Persephone means confronting emotions he’s long buried and standing beside a mate whose pain he can’t erase.
To reseal Tartarus, Persephone and Hades must journey into Faerie and recover a piece of the Nexus Stone, guarded by the drake—a serpent of legend. As tensions rise, they realize the true battle is not just closing the gates of Tartarus or surviving the Divine Trials.
It’s surviving them together.
For CW's please check the author's website
The consequence of failure is death.
Persephone has defied the gods and ignited the Divine Trials. With Hades’ power weakened after Demeter’s theft of the Nexus Stone piece, the magic that holds the gates of Tartarus shut wavers on the brink of collapse, threatening to unleash the Titans and ancient terrors long imprisoned in the Underworld.
Persephone believed love could fill the loneliness that had once defined her. But loving a god isn’t a quick cure. It reveals everything she tried to hide. As the Divine Trials push her, Persephone must confront not just ruthless, unpredictable magic, but also the love she’s still learning to navigate.
Hades, a god of control and silence, now faces a power he cannot the depth of his own heart. Loving Persephone means confronting emotions he’s long buried and standing beside a mate whose pain he can’t erase.
To reseal Tartarus, Persephone and Hades must journey into Faerie and recover a piece of the Nexus Stone, guarded by the drake—a serpent of legend. As tensions rise, they realize the true battle is not just closing the gates of Tartarus or surviving the Divine Trials.
It’s surviving them together.
For CW's please check the author's website
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2025
24 people are currently reading
38 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 30, 2025
if you like a goddess retelling full of fantasy and an adventure this is the perfect book for you! This story is the second book to a hades and persephone retelling you get to follow their story of love through the difficult gut wrenching moments and to the the moments that show you how much they both love each other so much.
you also get to follow their adventure that leads persephone through independent trials that risk her once immortal life and follow both of them through a journey with DRAGONS- Who doesn’t love dragons?
Honestly from the first book this series has had me hooked and i cannot wait to read the third book when it’s out!!
and lastly we love a bad ass FEMALE main character
and the way Hades loves her so much ughh 😩
Thank you so much Lena Castle for this arc I LOVE YOU AND YOUR BOOKS ❤️
you also get to follow their adventure that leads persephone through independent trials that risk her once immortal life and follow both of them through a journey with DRAGONS- Who doesn’t love dragons?
Honestly from the first book this series has had me hooked and i cannot wait to read the third book when it’s out!!
and lastly we love a bad ass FEMALE main character
and the way Hades loves her so much ughh 😩
Thank you so much Lena Castle for this arc I LOVE YOU AND YOUR BOOKS ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2025
IT'S TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME! I CRIED I WAS SO HAPPY FOR THIS ARC!
⭐ Spoiler-Free Review ⭐
In this book we are back with the couple themselves. Persephone is set to start her trials, and there is trouble in the Underworld along with battling Persephone's Narcissist mother. Persephone, Hades, and the Fae... YES FAE, sets off on this journey to defeat the trials, capture stones, and find her inner goddess.
✨ Vibes ✨
I absolutely adore Lena J. Castle’s writing. This book swept me away just as much as the first. I especially love the hidden thread of feminine rage transforming into inner and outer strength. The way Lena explores the effects of having a narcissistic parent—and the patience it takes to heal and be a supportive partner—is powerful and beautifully written.
Lena does an amazing job making this retelling her own. What sets this retelling apart from others is how fresh and original it feels. The addition of the Fae, the seasonal courts, dragons (yes, FREAKING DRAGONS!), and the Drake gave the story so much action, depth, and made it feel truly unique. While many Hades x Persephone retellings tend to blur together, Castle’s stands out as something special. I have noticed that a lot of authors that are doing Hades x Persephone retellings are all doing the exact same thing. However, Lena J. Castle does so much to set hers apart and her work is phenomenal and completely different than others. She has added so many unique touches to the story that her retellings stand in the top.
Finally, there are some other touches in the book that were great and really helped a modern-day reader connect and heal.
🌹 Positive Masculinity 🌹
One of my favorite moments is around pages 150–153, when Hades shares his feelings in such a healthy, emotionally intelligent way. His reminder—
“Persephone’s not rejecting you. She is just getting used to her new life... You cannot ruin anything that is meant for you.”
—absolutely stayed with me. It’s such a great reminder for anyone who has ever struggled with self-worth.
🐉 Themes & Metaphors 🐉
Next, absolute praise for this author for the way this book has written about the feelings of forgetting self-worth, effects high pressure/harsh upbringings, and the anxiety, overthinking, and other problems it creates as you get older. I LOVED how Lena used the dragon as a metaphor for women lifting one another up, teaching strength and independence. The dragon’s lessons show Persephone that she is more than just what her mother made her believe—that she is powerful, worthy, and whole.
Finally, it was great how Hades and Persephone worked through traumatic events sending the message when tough things happen, we don't let it set us back. We deal with the emotions and use it to empower us forward. Watching Persephone and Hades work through struggles in a healthy way was refreshing and empowering.
✨This book doesn’t just retell mythology; it gives readers space to connect, heal, and reflect on their own journeys.
💜 In short: this story is not only entertaining, but also deeply moving. A must-read for anyone who loves myth retellings with heart, originality, and healing woven in.
Tropes
😤Touch her and die
🌞🌚 Grumpy Sunshine
🌄Greek Mythology
👫Fated Mates
🐉Dragons
💋FMC
✨Gods/Goddess
👯♀️Forced Proximity
⭐ Spoiler-Free Review ⭐
In this book we are back with the couple themselves. Persephone is set to start her trials, and there is trouble in the Underworld along with battling Persephone's Narcissist mother. Persephone, Hades, and the Fae... YES FAE, sets off on this journey to defeat the trials, capture stones, and find her inner goddess.
✨ Vibes ✨
I absolutely adore Lena J. Castle’s writing. This book swept me away just as much as the first. I especially love the hidden thread of feminine rage transforming into inner and outer strength. The way Lena explores the effects of having a narcissistic parent—and the patience it takes to heal and be a supportive partner—is powerful and beautifully written.
Lena does an amazing job making this retelling her own. What sets this retelling apart from others is how fresh and original it feels. The addition of the Fae, the seasonal courts, dragons (yes, FREAKING DRAGONS!), and the Drake gave the story so much action, depth, and made it feel truly unique. While many Hades x Persephone retellings tend to blur together, Castle’s stands out as something special. I have noticed that a lot of authors that are doing Hades x Persephone retellings are all doing the exact same thing. However, Lena J. Castle does so much to set hers apart and her work is phenomenal and completely different than others. She has added so many unique touches to the story that her retellings stand in the top.
Finally, there are some other touches in the book that were great and really helped a modern-day reader connect and heal.
🌹 Positive Masculinity 🌹
One of my favorite moments is around pages 150–153, when Hades shares his feelings in such a healthy, emotionally intelligent way. His reminder—
“Persephone’s not rejecting you. She is just getting used to her new life... You cannot ruin anything that is meant for you.”
—absolutely stayed with me. It’s such a great reminder for anyone who has ever struggled with self-worth.
🐉 Themes & Metaphors 🐉
Next, absolute praise for this author for the way this book has written about the feelings of forgetting self-worth, effects high pressure/harsh upbringings, and the anxiety, overthinking, and other problems it creates as you get older. I LOVED how Lena used the dragon as a metaphor for women lifting one another up, teaching strength and independence. The dragon’s lessons show Persephone that she is more than just what her mother made her believe—that she is powerful, worthy, and whole.
Finally, it was great how Hades and Persephone worked through traumatic events sending the message when tough things happen, we don't let it set us back. We deal with the emotions and use it to empower us forward. Watching Persephone and Hades work through struggles in a healthy way was refreshing and empowering.
✨This book doesn’t just retell mythology; it gives readers space to connect, heal, and reflect on their own journeys.
💜 In short: this story is not only entertaining, but also deeply moving. A must-read for anyone who loves myth retellings with heart, originality, and healing woven in.
Tropes
😤Touch her and die
🌞🌚 Grumpy Sunshine
🌄Greek Mythology
👫Fated Mates
🐉Dragons
💋FMC
✨Gods/Goddess
👯♀️Forced Proximity
August 25, 2025
4⭐️
2.5🌶️
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this after the ending of the last book!
We get Persephone’s trials and adventures into the fae realm this book. And DRAGONS! Yes!
Persephone is such a relatable FMC for me in the aspect that she does doubt herself and even her relationship with Hades, out of fear. She gets in her head and lets it spiral which is something I deal with all the time. She watched her mother go from loving to hating her in the blink of an eye and she’s afraid of Hades doing the same thing. All because she made a mistake. And no matter how much Hades tries to reassure her, her brain doesn’t care. And it gives us so many instances of Hades declaring his love, which is just so swoon-worthy the begin with 😍 I love Hades ❤️
We get more of Gabriel and Orion in this book 2, which I love those 2! They provide some good comic relief but also we find out more about them and their friendship with Hades along the way (with an added twist that surprised me!). For Persephone to see how a family can truly be I think will be a prevailing theme in the coming books.
Book 1 was definitely spicy spicy 🌶️🥵 Hades and Persephone were sealing their bond. This book we still get the spice but since Persephone is going through so much mentally, it’s placed correctly. She’s doubting herself but Hades doesn’t use sex as a way to show her all the time but true love and devotion. But as always, when there’s spice, it’s spicing 😜
The plot is not rushed. We get some of Persephone’s trials but not all. And each one will only become more and more intense. Then in the background, we have the threat of Tartarus failing and the Titans being released. So, Hades, Persephone, and their friends venture into the fae realm to seek out a stone to re-enforce its magic, after Demeter stole the other.
This ends on a cliffhanger but it’s setting up the main plot for book 3 nicely and I can’t wait!! 😍 I always love Hades x Persephone stories but have loved the added fae aspect Lena brings to the story.
2.5🌶️
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this after the ending of the last book!
We get Persephone’s trials and adventures into the fae realm this book. And DRAGONS! Yes!
Persephone is such a relatable FMC for me in the aspect that she does doubt herself and even her relationship with Hades, out of fear. She gets in her head and lets it spiral which is something I deal with all the time. She watched her mother go from loving to hating her in the blink of an eye and she’s afraid of Hades doing the same thing. All because she made a mistake. And no matter how much Hades tries to reassure her, her brain doesn’t care. And it gives us so many instances of Hades declaring his love, which is just so swoon-worthy the begin with 😍 I love Hades ❤️
We get more of Gabriel and Orion in this book 2, which I love those 2! They provide some good comic relief but also we find out more about them and their friendship with Hades along the way (with an added twist that surprised me!). For Persephone to see how a family can truly be I think will be a prevailing theme in the coming books.
Book 1 was definitely spicy spicy 🌶️🥵 Hades and Persephone were sealing their bond. This book we still get the spice but since Persephone is going through so much mentally, it’s placed correctly. She’s doubting herself but Hades doesn’t use sex as a way to show her all the time but true love and devotion. But as always, when there’s spice, it’s spicing 😜
The plot is not rushed. We get some of Persephone’s trials but not all. And each one will only become more and more intense. Then in the background, we have the threat of Tartarus failing and the Titans being released. So, Hades, Persephone, and their friends venture into the fae realm to seek out a stone to re-enforce its magic, after Demeter stole the other.
This ends on a cliffhanger but it’s setting up the main plot for book 3 nicely and I can’t wait!! 😍 I always love Hades x Persephone stories but have loved the added fae aspect Lena brings to the story.
September 15, 2025
Finally home, so it's time to work! Let me tell you how fast I was done with this book because I was waiting like crazy for it after falling in love with the first part.
The relationship between Persephone and Hades is still going strong, even if they meet soooooooooo many obstacles, and a really infuriating narcissistic mother. The trials themselves were a good point to give the FMC the chance to grow up and become stronger. The main characters way of dealing with everything was incredibly healthy and responsible, even if some mistakes were made, that never made them stop loving each other and working to have a good relationship. I was very amazed at that point.
Of course, I can't not talk about the dragons, yeeees, another thing to love on the story. However, the book, the story, is just more than a love story and fantasy, there are deep and emotional themes that were portrayed in an intelligent and relatable way. They make you feel and think freely, giving you a little comfort.
Thank you so much @lenajcastle for keeping me as a part of your ARC team, discovering you was such a blessing.
#books #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #darkromancebooks #romancebooks #fantasy #fantasybooks #darkfantasybooks #darkfantasyromancebooks #demonromance #devilromance #romantasy #romantasybooks #newadultromance #newadultfantasy #newadultbooks #mustreadbooks #booksta #bookstoread #instabooks #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations #bookrecs
The relationship between Persephone and Hades is still going strong, even if they meet soooooooooo many obstacles, and a really infuriating narcissistic mother. The trials themselves were a good point to give the FMC the chance to grow up and become stronger. The main characters way of dealing with everything was incredibly healthy and responsible, even if some mistakes were made, that never made them stop loving each other and working to have a good relationship. I was very amazed at that point.
Of course, I can't not talk about the dragons, yeeees, another thing to love on the story. However, the book, the story, is just more than a love story and fantasy, there are deep and emotional themes that were portrayed in an intelligent and relatable way. They make you feel and think freely, giving you a little comfort.
Thank you so much @lenajcastle for keeping me as a part of your ARC team, discovering you was such a blessing.
#books #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #darkromancebooks #romancebooks #fantasy #fantasybooks #darkfantasybooks #darkfantasyromancebooks #demonromance #devilromance #romantasy #romantasybooks #newadultromance #newadultfantasy #newadultbooks #mustreadbooks #booksta #bookstoread #instabooks #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations #bookrecs
November 24, 2025
Cliffhanger
There is no limit to how your mind can take control and show you things that aren't real. So much doubt and self loathing in this story. You can cheer the characters on and hope things work but there is no guarantee. I am really enjoying this story. You can feel the emotional ride that Persephone is on and want nothing more than to help. Book 3 will be on my list of series to continue.
There is no limit to how your mind can take control and show you things that aren't real. So much doubt and self loathing in this story. You can cheer the characters on and hope things work but there is no guarantee. I am really enjoying this story. You can feel the emotional ride that Persephone is on and want nothing more than to help. Book 3 will be on my list of series to continue.
December 26, 2025
I thought this was the end of the series so I was like how am I at 80% and the main characters are still fighting. I love the story of Persephone and Hades but Persephone pleaseeeeee boss tf up thanks.
October 7, 2025
i got onto page 117 is so boring nothing was happanig dnf i loved the first one but this one is just bad
January 11, 2026
it was really just a filler between book one and three but it was a fun adventure nonetheless
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews