Die Macht des Hades - Gesamtausgabe

The Hades Trials #1-3

by Eliza Raine, Sabine Schmitt (Narrator), Rose Wilson

Ich bin von Zeus entführt, in Manhattan aufgegriffen und von der olympischen Gottheit halb zu Tode erschreckt worden.

Jetzt werde ich in der Unterwelt gefangen gehalten und gezwungen, in einer Reihe von tödlichen Tribunalen um die Position der Königin der Unterwelt zu kämpfen. Das würde bedeuten, Hades heiraten zu müssen, den furchterregenden Gott des Todes. Wer zum Teufel möchte überhaupt einen Ehemann, geschweige denn einen, der aus Rauch geschaffen und von Tod durchsetzt ist?

Ich muss nach Hause zurück, nach New York, zu meinem Bruder. Doch ich kann nicht gehen, ehe die Tribunale beendet sind. Diese jedoch wurden für eine göttliche Königin entworfen, nicht für Persephone – Barista und Liebhaberin von Gärten aller Art.

Ich bin von todbringenden, allmächtigen Wahnsinnigen umgeben. Sie sind verdammt sexy, ohne Frage, aber auch höllisch gefährlich. Und ich muss allen beweisen, dass in mir eine Göttin der Hölle steckt. Es ist meine einzige Chance, die Hades-Tribunale zu überleben. Aber was dann? Und warum, warum, warum bin ich so gebannt darauf, hinter Hades' qualmiger Fassade zu sehen, um herauszufinden, was er vor mir versteckt?

Wenn ich die Tribunale gewinne, muss ich den Teufel selbst heiraten. Zu verlieren könnte bedeuten, mein Leben zu verlieren.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Mythology, Romantasy, Spicy, Fantasy Romance, Greek Mythology

Audible Audio

First published August 3, 2021

About the author

Eliza Raine writes Greek mythology inspired fantasy that is fast paced, full of new worlds and creatures and sprinkled with a healthy dose of romance. She lives near Reading in England with her husband, three cats and outrageously cute puppy. She has a BA Hons in History and has a deep-rooted passion for mythology and stories about women who don't need rescuing.
She can usually be found reading fairytale retellings, playing board games or binge-watching Netflix shows.

You can read some of Eliza's stories for free by visiting her website at www.elizaraine.com

Reviews

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad.

a little... ok, a lot long-winded but entertaining especially if you like mythology.

i didn't know a whole lot about either of these characters so i found it intriguing and edifying.

if you're looking for spicy shenanigans you are out of luck though. but it is pretty romantic which my inner squishy marshmallow liked despite her evil horny twin's incessant refrain of, 'are they going to boom boom ever?'

however, i'm interested in Poseidon's story and will absolutely be picturing Jason Momoa is his full glory the entire time.

[Hannah ♡♤♧◇ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series....er book. Since its 3 in 1. I had gotton this book as sorta a gag gift from my friends due to my recent intrest in Greek Mythology retelling. But I am a bookworm so I thought I would give it a try.

I love it. The tale of Persephone being reincarnated with no memory of her former past life and the King of the Underworld trying to respect her wishes to a T. But when Zeus brings her into the trials to find Hades a suitable wife and he finds out, its a roller coaster of mess and near death experiances.

I love the interactions Hades and Persephone have and Hades has a slightly softer side when it comes to her, which is compleatly different than what he appears to have. Especially when hearing about what happened and the way he felt afterwords. However, as usual, I'm not a huge fan of Minthe, which is kinda funny since I like Mint chocolate and such. (She was turned into a mint plant by Persephone herself in the old Mythology)

Whenever I hear about her in the book, or read the description, I don't know why, but for those of you that have read the Lore of Olympus, the Minthe in that series just keeps popping up in my head.

But I love the interaction between the two ladies at the top wanting to be queen of the Underworld, for different reasons.

[Thais • tata.lifepages • · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of book 1: 4.5 stars!

Ok so I completely binged so glad I have the complete collection!!! 😍😍

This was my first Hades & Persephone retelling and I must say I am addicted, I need Hades in my life. The story is so fast paced that the pages literally flew in my hands, I sat down to read after lunch and by dinner I had already finished book 1.

Persephone is kidnapped by Zeus and taken to the Underworld to compete in the Hades Trials in order to become Hades wife and Queen of the Underworld. Problem is, not only does she not want to be there or compete in the trials, she is human and discovers that the entire Olympus is hiding a tremendous secret from her: She was Hades' first wife and she has no recollection of this.

The entire mystery behind Persephone's past and her relationship with Hades made this such an intriguing read, combined with the action-packed rounds of each trial and I found myself completely immersed. I absolutely loved reading about all the Greek Gods and how their traits fall into their personalities. As much as Hades and the underworld are death and darkness, Persephone is light and life. Persephone starts to see beyond the wisps and shadows surrounding Hades that he is much more than just darkness, however, as the secrets slowly come to light she might not even trust who she is anymore. Who was she before and was she still a person of light? Will she be able to give up her dreams and the outside to stay in a world so full of death?

I feel the slow-burn building up and it's killing me! I'm anxious for some spice in book 2 ! Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy!

[Kims Book Coven · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely loved this book. bu far the best Hades and loved my goddess hekate was there ❤️ this authors writing style is amazing and definitely keeps you hooked from start to finish. ive read a kit of Greek myth retelling and elizas are always my go to

[Nadine ShelfLove · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Underworld Stars

This series caught me by surprise- I didn't expect to enjoy it THAT much.
The writing, the flow, the character (including the side characters ) were totally my cup of tea.

[Nuria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tengo que decir algo. Me ha gustado mucho pero a la vez se ha hecho eterno. La primera parte y la última son las mejores, la del medio es puramente estar cachonda por Hades, lo cual entiendo y comparto, pero ha entorpecido mucho la lectura. No tengo mucho más que decir, que vivan los novios y nos vemos en unos días Perséfone.🫡🌸

[Trisha Arias · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hades Trials
Genre: Fantasy Romance Trilogy
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars overall!
🌶🌶/spiciness overall
Overall, this Trilogy was amazing!!! I'm so happy I bought it as a collection though because I wouldn't have been able to wait for each book to get here if I bought them individually!
Here's a book by book breakdown ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Book One:
The Power of Hades
⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
🌶/5 spiciness

I really enjoyed this first book because it has alot of world building. I'm able to clearly see all the intricate details in my head. I did feel like the author rushed into everything the first couple chapters. But if you're able to just accept that then you're in for a ride. This book starts with Hades holding trials(think hunger games challenges) for his new wife.
Whichever woman that wins the Trials will be the new Queen of the Underworld and his wife. Queue Persephone competing in the Trials. She's human and is conflicted as to whether she actually wants to win these Trials or not.

Book Two:
The Passion of Hades
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
🌶🌶/5 spiciness

This book was so much better than book one!!! Not only do we learn more about persephone and that she was in fact Hades wife in her past life. She did something horrible and asked Hades to wipe not only her memories but herself from history. So she became a mortal. They are faded though!!! .... soulmates. Twin flames 🔥! Like you're literally going to be routing for her to win these trials and want to fall back in love with Hades!!!

Book Three:
The Promise of Hades
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5 stars
🌶🌶/ spiciness

This last book literally was so heart stopping! You need her to win the trials and you also get Hades POV in this book as well! His love for her is swoon worthy!!! For being the king of the Underworld and responsible for all the havoc of Virgo(his realm) he's has a soft spot for Persephone!!!

You need to read this Trilogy if you love sexy gods, fantasy that is riveting, a hilarious sidekick and Greek mythology!!!

[Edee Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5/5

I regret not DNFing this one. Not particularly fun, flat prose, didn’t even enjoy it when they got together. Not for me.

[Noa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically the Hunger Games with The Selection with not enough spice imo but good plot so yeah

[Naty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Hades x Persephone myth and I am always excited to read a retelling so ai went into this book with an open mind and ready to like it. That being said, this was a bit of a disappointing read. It had the makings of a really good story: a mysterious back story for Persephone (she’s done something terrible, removed from Olympus, and is now a human with no recollection of who she really is), a competition to become Hades’s queen, and a treacherous plot being carried out by an anti-gods organization. However, none of these elements are executed particularly well. The trials took up too much page time without adding significant weight to the plot, Persephone’s amnesia is dragged out all the way to the end of the book and what she did that was so unspeakable was rushed and fell flat, and the plot against the Gods also fell flat. It was like reading a 200 page story that had been stretched to 600 pages. There was almost character development in the major characters. Honestly, I could have DNF’ed this without losing any sleep. I finished it and I don’t mind that I did but it’s definitely not a book I’ll be rereading or recommending.

[Meleah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, pretty good writing, but the ending fell a bit flat for me.

[Valeriya Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I loved this version of Persephone & Hades story even more than I expected!!!
It is SO GOOD!

Everything is beautiful in this book: the plot, the characters, even the cover of the paperback!
This is definitely going to be my re-read story for many times in the future!

If you love Greek Mythology retellings, I'd recommend you to read this book and guarantee that you will enjoy it very much!

[Carol Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

If you love Greek myths or even just gods/goddess stories you enjoy this book .I always thought Hades had drawn the short straw in the gods realms but maybe with the epic love he shared with Persephone he got something Zeus & Poseidon didn't .Brothers always squabble but in this story Zeus takes it to a while different level .I would of happily kept in reading more of this story & it's great side characters that weren't gods .

[Maria (Ri) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars

This was unexpected. The author did an exceptional job at retelling an old tale and giving it a new twist. There was humor and suspense. Were there moments that were a tad over-the-top? Yes. However, the gist of the story kept me turning the pages. It was interesting to see the Gods in new light and the various interactions. The trials, at times, got to be distracting. Not that they weren't needed but I wanted more of the romance between Persy and Hades. This was tamer than I normally read in regards to steam (it didn't happen until much later in the book) but that didn't detract from the story.

This ended with the repercussion happening for the person that was the catalyst/instigator in this story and felt like it was leading to another story. It wasn't A cliffhanger but more like it was open ended to continue at a later time.

[L.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

I loved this story. The dynamic between Hades and Persy was unbelievable! I also loved Hecate and her bond with Persy. Skop was a blast to read! I love Greek mythology and this Hades and Persophone was incredible.

It's a must read!

[Charlize · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book had A LOT going on. Maybe at times too much. Don’t even get me started on the first few chapters. It was rushed and confusing. The spice however… Enemies to lovers, fated mates, and a slow burn. So good. Definitely made up for the times of confusion.

[Lacy]

Adult Percy Jackson

Honestly for just a single book you managed to put a series worth of information in. I honestly have been chasing something like Rick Riodan and just never could. This was perfect.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed! This book was so damn good, may be a top 10 favorite of mine now.

[Smut Queen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought that was gonna be better, usually I love Hades & Persephone smut but this was p shit.

[Linzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am aware that this is three books in one. But this was about 300 pages too long.

[Danielle Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Greek mythology retelling - I am unsure

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

New rendition

I'm glad I read this as one book, as opposed to three separate books. It's definitely more cohesive that way, and probably should have been written as such. I thoroughly enjoyed a new version of the tale of Persephone and Hades, that really was quite different. The writing was pretty good, allow a few words were used oddly. I don't know if that was on purpose, or an error but it was hard to ignore. I enjoyed the characters, and the story didn't follow the predictable path that it could have. I fully recommend this to anyone looking for a new take on an old tale.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and kept me entertained. Enjoyed that there was some heat, but sadly not a lot. Good thing the plot kept me intrigued. I recommend this read.

[Riley’s Reading Adventures · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but I didn't LOVE it. It was a lazy day read. I did enjoy the non-traditional Hades/Persephone relationship but I was hoping for more depth with each chapter and subsequent book in the collection. I really wanted to know what she did so I kept reading but it wasn't a book that hooked me with depth and tension between characters.

[Smut Report]

The Smut Report team is participating in Wendy the Super Librarian's #TBRChallenge 2025. Our goal: to dust off our TBRs once a month and talk about the book we read.

Read our full TBR Challenge update at The Smut Report

I have mixed feelings about this series, and the two subsequent series which I also binged (The Ares Trials and the Poseidon Trials).

I will say that all three series go really deep into mythology—I can’t deny that the nerd in me appreciated the attention to detail and the vast inclusion of all things Olympian, creepy, and murderous. My kids and I listened to every single episode of Greeking Out this summer (a kid’s podcast about Greek mythology that isn’t traumatizing or terrifying, 10/10 highly recommend), so a lot of it was pretty fresh in my mind.

The main character is obviously Persephone, who has been nabbed by Zeus off the streets of New York to return to Olympus (not that she knows she’s returning, because she’s had her mind wiped) in order to compete for the honor to become Hades’ wife.

Here’s the first of many plot holes, however: she was already Hades’ wife prior to the mind wipe, and there was no divorce…so…isn’t she already married to Hades? If it’s explained in the book, I didn’t see it. Anyway, ignoring that, Persephone and Hades end up having to get her through a bunch of battles with demons and monsters in order to both save her life and save Hade’s soul/all of Olympus, all while dealing with treachery and scheming from one of the gods on Olympus.

There were some predictable elements that I found a bit tired—like “Persephone gets a makeover and Hades’ control slips”, the cute animal sidekick and the best friend squad, “you’re not the boss of me” fight leads to a hanky panky scene, etc. It just felt a bit half-heartedly done. I didn’t let it stop me though, because I had like 9 books to read in this series and I’m no quitter.

The monsters and Olympus drama were on point, I must say—I loved that the authors just leaned right into the duplicity and back-stabbing. There are no tight-knit friend groups on Olympus, just grudging, temporary alliances and IOUs that are flippantly fulfilled. The way the authors set up the world was also very clever—instead of having Olympus and Hades as part of an earth sandwich, the authors set up Olympus with astrological realms—sort of like kingdoms as part of Olympus, leaving earth as a completely separate destination.

There were many, many dropped threads and plot holes, however. In fact, the biggest long-term plot that binds all three series together is left completely unfinished—the architect of all these trials and the betrayals is left utterly unaddressed. There’s no show down. I even looked up online to see if there’s another series set to come, and found no evidence that that was the case. Many plot points were resolved by just throwing a random, previously unknown magical solution at it. The Hades Trials were probably the most dialed-in of the three, and the Poseidon Trials felt like it just completely gave up—but I did spend a decent amount of time in each book thumbing backwards and wondering what the heck was going on. I am pretty flexible with the English Language and since I am not Erin, I do not get emotionally distressed over minor grammatical errors or the occasional sloppy sentence structure, but even I had multiple (MULTIPLE) moments in every single book where I had to wonder if the authors used a copy editor or had the book proofed, because some of the sentences were distractingly clumsy.

All in all, my conclusion here is that a lot of the very popular Romantasy books on Amazon are rated very highly BECAUSE they’re accessible for free on Kindle Unlimited, and not because they’re all that well-crafted. It’s an entertaining series, if you’re either very, very bored or are perhaps recovering from surgery and high on painkillers and are thus unable to pay much attention to details. Again, not bad per se—but it landed far short of its potential.

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[The_CozyMomChronicles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hades Trials: The Complete Collection was a story that caught me off guard. I wasn’t immediately drawn in—the early shifts in the plot felt abrupt and threw me for a loop. But something about it kept pulling me back, making me want to see how everything unfolded. I’m glad I stuck it out because, by the end, it turned out to be a good book—a story that made the journey worth it, even if it wasn’t perfect.

At its core, the relationship between Hades and Persephone carried the story. I’ve always loved the dynamic of opposites attracting, and their connection delivered exactly that. Hades was everything dark and brooding, with a commanding presence that exuded power. Persephone, on the other hand, was light and life—full of resilience, energy, and an undeniable strength. Together, they didn’t just balance each other; they amplified what made the other special. Their romance was a slow burn, building with every chapter, and watching it unfold felt like the reward at the end of a long, winding road.

The supporting characters brought something extra to the story, and I can’t not mention Hecate and Skop. They were both hilarious and endearing, adding a lightheartedness that balanced the darker, more suspenseful elements. Without them, the Underworld might have felt too heavy, but their banter and quirks gave the story some much-needed warmth. Every scene they were in felt brighter because of it.

The trials Persephone faced were one of the most gripping aspects of the book. Each one revealed more about who she was—her courage, her vulnerabilities, and her deep connection to her past. The big reveal about what happened in her previous life was woven in so carefully that when it finally hit, it felt impactful. I appreciated how the story took its time with that, allowing the suspense to simmer instead of rushing to lay all the cards on the table.

The pacing overall worked well, but I wasn’t a fan of how quickly the story shifted in the beginning. Once the focus settled, though, everything came together. Persephone’s transformation of the barren land into something green and flourishing was such a poetic conclusion. It felt true to her nature and tied the story together beautifully—a reflection of how she brought life and hope to everything around her, including Hades.

Now, I need to talk about Zeus. He was, in every sense, infuriating. His arrogance, his manipulative nature, his overbearing need for control—it all reminded me of every narcissistic man I’ve ever known. I dreaded his presence on the page because of how toxic and oppressive he was, but at the same time, I have to admit that he added an important layer of conflict. He wasn’t a character I loved to hate; I just hated him.

The ending, though predictable in some ways, still managed to surprise me. I knew it couldn’t end on a sad note, but how everything fell into place wasn’t quite what I anticipated. That unpredictability made it even better. Persephone’s journey was full of struggle, redemption, and transformation, and seeing her come into her own by the end was deeply satisfying.

The story wasn’t without its flaws. The grammar mistakes stood out, which was a little frustrating, but they didn’t ruin the book. If anything, it speaks to how much I enjoyed the story itself that I was able to overlook them.

Overall, The Hades Trials is a story of light meeting dark, love meeting power, and the triumph of transformation. It’s not perfect, but it has a way of drawing you in and making you want to see it through. If you enjoy slow-burn romantasy with suspenseful twists, layered characters, and a touch of humor, I’d say it’s worth picking up. Just be prepared to be a little frustrated at times—both by the characters and the writing.

[Shayay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!! This the 3 books about Hades and Persephone: The Power of Hades, The Passion of Hades, and The Promise of Hades. Loved each book! All 5 stars!

Book 1

Love books that take place in the Underworld! Love Hades and Persephone! Persephone couldn’t handle something when she was Queen in the Underworld, so her memory was taken and she was sent to be born as a human on Earth; current Persephone has no memory of ever being a Goddess. When jerk God Zeus comes and kidnaps her, she finds herself in the Underworld competing to become Hades’ wife; I’m glad Zeus brought her back, but he of course is a jerk. I’m all for Hera getting a new husband. Anyway, back to Persephone, she needs to complete multiple dangerous trials to win Hades but also to stay alive. Loved the action and adventure going on with the trials; super glad the time was very limited with the other competitors, I don’t like the whole jealous mean girls scenario. Some cool world building; love all the creepiness going on in the Underworld. Lots of fun! Loved Persephone’s sassiness and she is a tough lady that uses her brain. Loved her friendship with Hecate! Hades is as expected; dark and broody, but you can feel how much he feels for Persephone. Disappointed Hades is even contemplating having a new wife though; Hades shouldn’t let anyone dictate who he should marry. This man needs to step up and protect Persephone and himself from controlling, pompous individuals. Still think he’s wonderful though! You can tell this man is passionate! Looking forward to seeing him grow and fight!

Book 2

I was super excited for book 2, and it didn’t disappoint! Persephone is really coming into her own now that some of her powers have come back; she’ll definitely need them with how dangerous the trials are for becoming Hades’ wife. Although, she already is his wife, so I’m still pretty salty that Hades still hasn’t put a stop to this horrible trials scenario. Still love him though! The romance is ramped up in this one, and oh man! the connection between Hades and Persephone is so wonderfully passionate! Love that we get a bit of Hades’ POV! It awesome to understand more about him and how much he really feels for Persephone. Still loving the Underworld setting, and the author does a great job with world building; some cool creatures and people and the mythology is interesting. Lots of action and adventure!

Book 3

Absolutely loved this! This whole series has been great! Super excited that the author is going to continue on with books about the different gods! Hades has always been my favorite, but I’m really looking forward to reading about the other gods; here’s hoping for some more of Hades and Persephone in the next books. This one continued to have the things I loved about the previous books; the fun adventure in the creepy cool Underworld, the passionate and sweet romance between Hades and Persephone, and the suspense and danger! Love the deep connection between Hades and Persephone! I couldn’t put the book down. So good!

[The Caffeinated Grimoire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved 💖

Who doesn't love a good Hades and Persephone story 😍 I love reading how different authors put their own twist on the old tale.

One minute Persy was working in the coffee shop between studying the next she was in the underworld forced into Hades Bride Trials which Zeus had forced on him after his disobeyed the king of the gods. This obviously isn't Persephone's first time in Olympus but the last time she was here something truly tragic happened and she drank from the river Lethe to remove her memories and then Hades wiped her from Olympus history. She was taken to the mortal world where she was reborn none the wiser. Zeus always looking for ways to hurt his brother Hades finds Persy and enters her as the last contestant into the trials much to the other gods disbelief.
They may all remember Persephone and what happened the last time she was in Olympus but she doesn't and with no other choice she has no other option but to compete and hopefully stay alive long enough to return to NY and resume her life.
But as time goes by Persephone can't deny the pull she has towards Hades but how could she ever love someone so dark surviving in a world with no light. Persy finds a way to slowly regain her old powers even if she still has no memory and the more she receives the more she realizes she could never live in the underworld but living without Hades has become an unbearable option also.
Surviving the trials isn't Persy's only problem someone else doesn't want to see Persephone crowned queen of the underworld once more and she finds her trials being terrorized putting her in far worse danger. Betrayal comes from those dressed up as friends and she won't see it coming until it's too late 💔

I loved the trials they were so interesting and had me engaged the whole time.

Definitely Recommend Reading 📚

[Meghan P · Rating 1 out of 5]

At this point I'm tempted to write my own Hades x Persephone romantasy because I have yet to find one that is actually well written. Everyone loves this myth and is quick to capitalize on it yet no one can actually do it justice. I gave up on this 33% in, or just after the wrap of of the first book in the trilogy.

This story gives off heavy Lore Olympus vibes (she's a 20-something college student and everything!) but then has the competition trope that we find in books like Hunger Games and The Selection. The writing, however, is flat, rushed, and juvenile at best.

Persephone, our heroine, is dim and unlikeable who complains and curses so much it's the only facet of her personality other than the fact that she likes fresh air and gardening. Seriously, that's it. It comes up so many times that the only thing that makes her Persephone is that she likes to garden. She, like all the other characters, lack depth and she definitely seems like a Mary Sue self-insert character.

The book itself is plot-driven and everything happens to Persephone and around her but she is completely clueless the entire time. When she tries to find out what has happened (because she has been reduced from a goddess to a human young woman with amnesia) she is met with brick wall after brick wall of "I can't tell you". It gets tiring very quickly and even the trials that are supposed to move the plot forward and get Persephone closer to discovering what happened and who she is seem easy and lack tension or weight.

This story has the potential to be great, but unfortunately the writing is just very terrible and after I finished the first book out of three, I realized it wouldn't get any better. Would not recommend wasting your time on this.