Of Power and Pomegranates: A Steamy Hades and Persephone Retelling

by Cleo Calloway

Beneath the blossoms lies the shadow… and the man who would claim her.

Persephone is the cherished daughter of the goddess Demeter, bringer of spring, adored and sheltered in equal measure. But beauty and bloom are not enough. She longs for more than the endless cycle of seed to flower. She longs to be desired.

Hades, Lord of the Underworld, has watched her from afar, drawn to her light and maddened by his own restraint. When he hears her whisper her longing to the wind, he answers—pulling her into a world of silver-lit halls, pomegranate orchards, and a slow seduction that binds far more than her body.

What begins as a dangerous game of power and temptation becomes a love that defies Olympus itself. But their passion comes with a six seeds and a war of wills.

Steamy, lush, and darkly romantic, Of Power and Pomegranates is the first book in Cleo Callaway’s Mythic Passions series—an epic of gods and mortals, desire and destiny, for fans of scorching romance and myth retellings that aren’t afraid of the shadows.

Genres: Retellings

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

Cleo Calloway is a passionate storyteller who delights in reimagining timeless fairytales and myths with a sensual, evocative twist. When not crafting her next story, Cleo can be found in her art studio, painting vibrant pieces that echo her love for creativity and storytelling. She lives in Minnesota, where the changing seasons provide endless inspiration for her art and writing.

Reviews

[Soso By Default · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella surprised me. Hades and Persephone's story has been a personal favorite of mine for as long as I can remember.

This is my first time reading the work of Cleo Calloway. And I have to say, she has gained a new fan. Of Power and Pomegranates was a short, but memorable, retelling that had some nice spice and sweet cute-meet.

I definitely recommend this story to anyone who enjoy Greek mythology retellings, romance, sexiness and adorable squoosh.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this short story and this is my freely given opinion...

This is a straight up retelling of the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone, with a bit creative embellishment and throwing in quite a bit of sensual and graphic heat.

I love the story in general - the myth that is - and as a consequence, love reading variations generally about it, and this one was entertaining with a graphically erotic bend, but following much of the traditional myth, with some creative flourishes in the telling of the tale.

4 stars out of 5

[Laura Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my encounter with this author and while it was a very short story, at only 88 pages, it was very well written.

This is the story of Hades the God of the Underworld and Persephone the Goddess of Spring.

She wants more than to feel trapped in her mother’s golden cage. She yearns for more even though she isn’t sure what it is that she really wants. Curiousity beckons her to over hear a conversation about things she has yet to experience but only dreams about. Passion and love and lust and wanting.
And as she whispers into the universe, I want more hat fates will bring her a God who will worship her in ways she didn’t know exist.

Hades hears her plea and brings her to the Underworld, hoping beyond hope that she will choose him and want to stay, not caged but free, to be herself, whoever that is in this new realm. And she blossomed like nothing he could have imagined.

Demeter, Persephone mother, does not take this “kidnapping” or trickery lightly and calls on the Gods to bring her daughter back to her.

This story was great and again well written.
I would love to see an expanded version of this story as I love these retellings of the story of the Gods.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book really surprised me. I have read many versions of the myth of Hades and Persephone, but this retelling was incredible. The author has a beautifully lyrical writing style. Her descriptions were so evocative. It made me feel as though I were immersed in the world of the gods myself. She brought Hades and Persephone to full, sensual life. My only complaint is that I wished it were longer so I could have continued to enjoy their realm and the passion they shared with one another. It was just so, so good. I am definitely adding Cleo Calloway to my list of must read authors and am eagerly awaiting her next release. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went in ready to roll my eyes at yet another Hades and Persephone story, but this one actually earned its keep. The writing felt lush and lyrical, like the author was auditioning to narrate a dream, but it worked. Persephone’s longing for more than her mother’s golden cage made her feel real instead of the usual naive goddess type. Hades had that restrained hunger vibe that hit just right, and their connection built slow before getting properly steamy. The pacing started soft but tightened once she hit the Underworld, which honestly saved it from drifting into fluff. My only complaint is that it ended just when it started to feel big. Give me 100 more pages of that sinful orchard.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of all things Hades and Persephone so I was instantly a fan of this quick read. Short and spicy, I loved the emphasis on Persephone's choice to enter the underworld and ultimately stay. Her mother and the rest of the Gods be damned. All of the elements of the original myth presented themselves seamlessly within this love story and I only wished it was longer because it truly left me wanting more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Allicia M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4.25 ⭐️
Spice 4 🌶️

The first 1/3 of the book is a bit slow to start and has a very poetic feel it. The second 2/3 is where the story picks up in pace and is where things start getting spicy.

Overall this Hades and Persephone retelling is a good, quick read. If you want a short retelling of their story, this one is for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong entry in the Mythic Passions series, it had that element that I was looking for and was invested in what was happening. Cleo Calloway has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this. It continued the story perfectly and the characters continued to feel like they belonged in this universe. I enjoyed the use of mythology of this world and am excited for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha Millican · Rating 5 out of 5]

A steamy Hades and Persephone retelling that will threaten to melt your kindle! Part of a new series from Cleo, Mythic Passions, she retells a classic with a much more erotic twist. So good, I only wished it was longer.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! a great start for this new series !! love Persephone and Hades... this is their story.. or is it a re-telling ? a fun fast paced rom/drama... he hears her wish and grants it !!!and that's just the beginning... so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheyenne Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one I was unsure about as other retellings have been done and I was worried that this one may be like that but it was not and exceeded my expectations. Nicely done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Smutty Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy, angsty, well written and very likeable characters! I had a really good time with this book and would definitly recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Georgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving this my stamp of approval as a greek myth lover. I really enjoyed the lens of Demeter acting ultimately out of love - albeit with misguided actions. Persephone realising and taking control of her power was great to watch, and I loved her and Hades' connection - Cleo's writing as always was beautiful and lyrical. I really appreciated the emphasis put on Persephone's choice and her being Hades' equal half. The writing style really lent itself to mythology retellings, can't wait for the next in the series!
Thank you Booksprout and the author for my review copy