Fields of Asphodel

by Callie Rowland

In this lush reimagining of Greek mythology, the daughter of Hades and Persephone defies the gods of the underworld to forge her own life amid war, curses, and unexpected romance.

For Asphodel, the free-spirited daughter of Hades and Persephone, being cursed to never fall in love with a god is a blessing.

Determined not to be trapped in a union like her mother, Del spends her life blissfully on the Isle of Flowers, far from her family in the underworld. But when Asphodel’s parents ordain her marriage to Thanatos, the god of death, the freedom she’s long since guarded is at risk of being stolen for eternity. So Del takes fate into her own She kidnaps her groom-to-be and traps him on her Isle.

But defying the gods comes with a price. Without Thanatos to send mortals off to peaceful rest in the underworld, death will devolve into brutality and violence. The realms will be consumed by chaos. With time running out and her freedom on the line, Del must restore the balance she upended—even as she finds herself irrevocably drawn to the ever-charming and bashful Thanatos, who offers another way of saving the worlds by breaking her curse. Only then can Del choose to marry him.

Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Retellings, Historical, Fiction, Ebooks

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 1, 2026

About the author

Callie lives in Louisville, KY, where she spends most of her time reading and writing. When she's feeling brave, she even hangs out with other people. She is the proud mother of a spider plant named Lucifer, a pothos named Lilith, and a cat named Lewis (who she is convinced is the Guardian of Realms). You can find her across social media @calliemrowland or on her website, callierowland.com.

Reviews

[Noi (in & out)]

This looks promising

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing take on a Greek mythology retelling!

[Chloe Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!!! I was not a Greek mythology person as a kid or an adult until I read this book and finally understood what drew people into these classic stories and kept them there. I find myself thinking about this book in a daily basis.
Firstly, the world feels so fleshed out! I feel like a lot of the books I read never really capture the feelings of coziness and being outside as well as FOA did. I could smell the flowers and feel the sun as though I was there. Obviously, one of the most alluring aspects of this book is the romance, which was excellently done in my opinion. It is sweet and spicy and, at times, keeps you wondering about the next actions of the characters in the same way one wonders about what their crush might do next. I was glued to this book, and every setting, character, and plot development kept me eager to read the next page. I think there is something for everyone in this book, so if you love a magnificent love story, perfectly described settings, and a good surprise or two, then this is definitely a must read. Looking forward to more books from this author for sure!

[MikeLikesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this early copy from Amazon’s First Reads. I didn’t know anything about this retelling, so it was a new story to me. I liked the drama of Hades and Persephone and the undermining of their relationship and how it had a. Impact on the views Asphodel had on Hades. I was surprised how Hades reacted to everything too. But the main thrust of the story was the best between Asphodel and Thanatos. From the first spicy interaction, I was so wanting them to work out. There is a curse and family interference all contributing to a very unlikely union. It was a fun read. This points to lots of human emotions of love, hate, revenge, mercy, hypocrisy, remorse forgiveness and second chances. The author does well in hitting all these relatable doubles of humans and gods. If you like Greek mythology, keep your eye out for this one.

[Mari Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Greek mythology retelling with aesthetics like Howl's Moving Castle and The Song of Achilles made me fall in love!

From the very start, I was excited about everything with this book including the cover and plot, and let me tell you it did not disappoint! The first page, I was fully captivated with the author's writing and the plot! The vivid imagery and intricate descriptions made me so immersed in the story and activated all of my 5 senses. The character development, setting, and world-building was phenomenal. Moreover, the characters were so likeable, and the mmc is such a yearner for the fmc. This romantasy did not fail to achieve the romance genre because I could definitely feel tension and pining. The story gave off a very cozy and warm vibe; I definitely recommend this read to those who love Greek mythology and want a sweet romance💖

[Donna Bright · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was awful. The dialogue felt unnatural, and the character development was practically nonexistent, making it impossible to connect with anyone. It read like a childish young adult novel for most of the story, then suddenly shifted into awkward, overly sexual scenes halfway through. The romance was incredibly cheesy and did nothing to improve the plot.

I normally enjoy myth retellings, but this one was a huge disappointment. There was barely any action, and the plot developed at a painfully slow pace, leaving the story feeling dull and directionless. Overall, it was an unenjoyable read that failed to deliver on its premise.

[Cortney · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I want you to know how sorry I am. For the rest of my days, I shall envy the wind that caresses your hair and the ground that kisses your feet, the flowers that shiver under your touch and bloom under your gaze.”

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new take on an old myth, this is a very well written story of family and forgiveness. Well-rounded characters and a quickly moving story kept me eager to see what happened next.

[Tallie Everette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve only read the very first draft of this book over a year ago but I already know it’s going to be the best fantasy of the year and everyone needs to put this on their TBRs RIGHT NOW