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'm going back to hell, and Hades awaits...

Two weeks ago, I escaped Hades fortress. He might not admit it, but we’re on opposite sides of a war. He wants to spread eternal darkness; I want to stop him.

To succeed, I must master my magic before it destroys me. But Hades still thinks he can seduce me to the dark side. I let him think he’s right, because he’s the only one who can teach me how to use my magic.

But this practice requires that we touch, and once we do, our connection is impossible to resist. Soon, I’m torn between my goals and Hades. If I can’t resist his darkness that calls so sweetly, we’re all doomed.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 16, 2020

1341 people are currently reading
2526 people want to read

About the author

Linsey Hall

108 books4,384 followers
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description

Before becoming a writer, Linsey was an archaeologist who studied shipwrecks in all kinds of water, from the tropics to muddy rivers (and she has a distinct preference for one over the other). After a decade of tromping around in search of old bits of stuff, she settled down to start penning her own adventure novels and is freaking delighted that people seem to like them. Since life is better with a little (or a lot of) magic, she writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance.


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5 stars
1,822 (47%)
4 stars
1,191 (31%)
3 stars
651 (16%)
2 stars
145 (3%)
1 star
25 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
Profile Image for Rose Williams.
157 reviews15 followers
November 17, 2020
DNF 70%

Man I wanted SO BADLY to like this series! Who doesn’t like a Hades and Persephone retelling?

I feel like I’ve read 2 books with very little plotline and character development. I felt so desperate to learn more about Hades and Seraphina, but we haven’t been given a single reason to like them as a couple. There’s sexual tension, but they just lack any chemistry whatsoever. I think that the story relies on that magical connection between the two of them without much else.

I wish there was more to the story. Usually after I finish a novel, I take a good 30 minutes to tell my husband about it. I unfortunately can’t do that with this series, there’s just not enough that has happened.

The best characters are Lucifer and the apothecary. They’re witty, fun to read, and I’m 99% sure I would read a book about the two of them.

The writing isn’t bad, and I think that I want to see what else the author has. I’m just done with these two characters lol


Profile Image for Kitlina.
2,005 reviews23 followers
February 20, 2021
YESSS
This one I really loved.
The story's flow was so good. Hades's and Persephone's relationship developed so naturally.
I really enjoyed it and I need to read the last book to know how it ends.
Profile Image for Lara.
434 reviews40 followers
April 8, 2021
MEINE MEINUNG
Seraphia ist aus der Unterwelt zurück und hat es geschafft, ihre beste Freundin zu retten. Doch leider ist sie Hades noch nicht losgeworden und sein Fluch zwingt sie, zurück in die Unterwelt zu kehren. Um sich ihm gegenüber behaupten zu können, beginnt sie nun endlich ihre Magie zu üben. Doch dabei darf sie die Dunkelheit dieser nicht zu sehr an sich heran lassen...

Die Handlung knüpft relativ dicht an das Ende des ersten Teils an und geht zunächst recht spannend weiter. Seraphia gibt sich langsam immer mehr ihrem Schicksal und übt auch fleißig ihre Magie, was mir sehr gut gefallen hat. Aber irgendwie plätschert der Rest schließlich einfach nur vor sich hin. Es gibt keine wirklichen Höhepunkte (außer den Schluss) und mir fehlte da wirklich eine Menge. Vieles wiederholt sich aus dem ersten Teil und irgendwie kommen die Charaktere nicht sonderlich voran.

Dafür dass Hades ein Gott ist, fehlte mir das göttliche Gefühl bei ihm. Er hatte einfach keine wirklich mächtige Ausstrahlung, was ich total schade fand. Er ist auch ziemlich stur, verbissen und entwickelt sich kaum weiter, was ich mir allerdings gewünscht hätte. Am meisten stört mich allerdings wie gesagt, dass er kein wirklich göttliches Auftreten hat.

Insgesamt fand ich es nicht schlecht und habe es auch ganz gerne und schnell gelesen, aber die Begeisterung aus dem 1. Teil hat doch nachgelassen. Das Ende ist allerdings super spannend und verspricht einen super Showdown im 3. und letzten Teil, weswegen ich mich auf den sehr freue.

FAZIT
Leider nicht so gut wie erhofft. Ich hatte nach dem ersten Teil eine Steigerung erwartet, die leider nicht eingetroffen ist, was total schade war. Die Charaktere drehen sich im Kreis und die Handlung gibt leider auch nicht sonderlich viel her. Ich hoffe darauf, dass der nächste Teil wieder besser wird!
Profile Image for Drishti Meena.
339 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2021
Well this one had more adventure and action than the last one. The MCs of this story are good but I didn't like the side characters from heroine's side. She always has to go help them. I mean it's about her not about her friends. In the first book she was all about saving her friend Mac than in this book she is all about saving Mac (again), Eve and Beatrix. I mean how many times does she have to do that. That really irritated me.
Profile Image for azul.
240 reviews
May 15, 2022
estuvo bueno, hubo muchos puntos que me gustaron. aunque creo que me gustó más el primer libro.
aunque lo recomiendo.
xoxo
Profile Image for Maria.
301 reviews13 followers
February 21, 2021
I really wanted to enjoy this sequel but it was just mostly a repetition of the first book. I started rolling my eyes when it felt like the 20th time that the characters thought "oh no I feel something - MUST SHOVE IT OUT OF MY MIND!". It's ok, we get it, they're anxious and torn, like emo teenagers, but come on. How are they supposed to be mighty gods when they're most afraid of even *thinking* about things? It also makes a really boring book, since we already covered all the angst in the first one. So you like each other and it's scary, OK, what happens next? But no, that's the extent of their though process. Boring.

This book could have been a novella, because honestly the character development was nearly non-existent. Hades goes through turmoil but learns _nothing_ by the end of the book. Also, he's so emotionally abusive that it was painful to read how blind Seraphia was and how easily she gave in. Again, like in the first book, the whole romance relied almost entirely on some magical sexual tension, not actual growth. I still am mostly interested in Lucifer and apothecary.

The only thing I really liked (and why I'm rating this 2* instead of one) was the world building, still! Exploring the Underworld and the different tasks made me feel like we were part of an adventure. The Greek mythology was fascinating, but I wished for more of it. I still don't really understand how all the gods work together (why is there a Lucifer? Who is not Satan apparently? Confusion.), but I still enjoyed all the creatures and scenery.

I think I gave up trying to like the book when Seraphia's fairy friend mysteriously managed to make a potion to counteract hell's number one and only rule. Hades is supposed to be an all-powerful ruler of the underworld, and even he doesn't know any way to bend the rules, but somehow a random fairy from the human world is like "yes I have a lab, I can trick the literal Hell". It's just one example of the lazy writing in this book.

Speaking of the fairy friend, I think the author should have spent some time developing the friendships too. In book one, we're supposed to believe Seraphia is not exactly in her feelings, but she's almost nothing but feelings (it actually seems that she actively chooses to rebuke logic and rationality). We're also told that she doesn't have close friends and that she's closed off, and the only person she loved, her nana, is dead. So uhm ... Why does she want to go back to earth so badly? Why is she all of a sudden so concerned with her friends all the time? We see almost no scenes with anyone but Beatrix, and even their friendship seems to be lopsided, as Beatrix's only function is to help Seraphia. I just found it hard to root for her, because she wasn't developed at all. We just had to have things at face value, we didn't actually get to see her development (like nurturing friendships).

Also, I hate to be this person, but the plot twist at the end was completely predictable.

I'm going to read the last book, because I want to know how it all turns out, but I don't think I will even remember the plot to this trilogy in a few months' time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lucie.
220 reviews12 followers
May 23, 2021
Ehm proc jsem mela nutkani tuhle serii preskocit? 🤷🏼‍♀️
Je to bozi! Hodne se mi libi tahle verze Hades 🖤, to jak je rozpolceny a netusi co je a co neni spravne. Myslim ze ted pojedu na vlne retellingu reckych bohu 😅
Profile Image for Jessica Willoughby.
1,575 reviews12 followers
September 19, 2021
Amazing

The world of the Shadow Guild is amazing and this series is no exception. I’m so excited for this story
Profile Image for Asmeeta Sidhu.
314 reviews
December 18, 2020
I like it enough to want to read book 3 but not enough to read it again in the future because I expected more mythology to be weaved into the story and yet there was a bare few. Maybe it’s because Percy Jackson had set such high standards for how Greek Mythology-inspired stories should be or that I’m just greedy for more.
Profile Image for Sarah.
117 reviews
October 15, 2021
I really enjoyed the first book, because it was so different than the normal retelling. This one bored me a bit. I hate to say that. I do not feel like a ton happened in this book. It feels like it could have been part of the first book. Also, I love strong female characters. But I get sick of reading about Hades being constantly outdone by persephone. I don't know how many times one can says "don't underestimate me" before you either think the man is an idiot or incompetent. Also, after the betrayal at the end of the first book one would think it would take some time for him to trust her again. Nope. I am going to read the third, and I would recommend reading this series so far. It has been different.
Profile Image for Julie &#x1f54a;️ ~books.and.chocolat3~.
476 reviews12 followers
March 18, 2021
And suddenly everything falls ...
I really liked the 1st volume but this one loses its splendor.

Persephone annoys me, no evolution of the character, she remains annoying and has no gumption.
I like Hades a lot, he still touches me so much and I find the character really well written, he evolves and it's handled very well.

The story is good but it's too short, because of the lack of pages we don't have time to know what we think of a situation that it is already over and we move on to another situation. .
This story would have deserved a bigger book more if it was more in depth.
The writing is fluid and pleasant.

The romance is slow and due to the length again it is annoying.
Profile Image for Kathy Mayer.
861 reviews9 followers
November 20, 2020
Great second book.

This was such a great book. The cover art is stunning by the way. I love the heroic acts Seraphia performs. Hades is so confused poor guy as his light and dark sides war against each other. That's what happens when something whispers in your ear for so long. Plus he was made of darkness. Glad to see my other Guild City favorites make appearances. Can't wait till the next.
Profile Image for mel. ♡.
402 reviews21 followers
October 5, 2021
Okay, so, let’s have a chat about Awakened.

Don’t get me wrong — the second book of the series was still incredibly good, but, personally, it just didn’t have the same draw and intrigue as the first book did for me, and the pace generally felt much slower.

Perhaps it was because I predicted the main plot twist in the first book so everything this book lead up to was already acknowledged in my mind, I’m not sure, but I also felt as if Hades’ POV in the second book was a lot more merged with Seraphina’s? Whether that was done on purpose to symbolise that he was adapting and beginning to embrace emotions, I’m not sure, but I just felt that in general, his narrative was a lot more informal compared to the first book and his and, because of it, Seraphina’s narrative voices felt merged together at points.

But, as I said at the beginning, that’s not saying that this is a bad book, I did still really enjoy it and I do still absolutely love the concept. I will still be reading the third book in the future to see how the trilogy concludes and will definitely look at the further instalments Hall has written in this universe, because it is incredibly fascinating and captivating. There were more typos in this one than the first — or from my observation, anyway — and it did slightly bug me when Chronos was spelt correctly on one line and without a letter two lines down, but it happens, no one’s perfect.

In book three, I would love to see more of Seraphina embracing herself as Persephone as she began to in book two, and I kind of need more of Lucifer and Alia’s backstory — honestly, where did those two go?!?! I need more of them.

I would still recommend this series, I’m just hoping that the final instalment draws me in the same way that book one did !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
199 reviews
January 8, 2021
Second in series, will Seraphia be able to dissipate the effects of the pomegranate potion and save herself, her friends and Hades?

Seraphia is feeling all the effects of that pomegranate potion Hades tricked her with back in the underworld. She feels the pull of returning to the underworld to the point that it is physically draining her and her mind and body are steadily weakening. Eve can not come up with an antidote without a pomegranate from the tree that Hades used. So, Seraphia embraces the fact that she is truly Persephone and begrudgingly returns to the underworld and Hades. She tricks him and ends up escaping to her "garden" only to find that her plants have flourished but, the pomegranate tree has been all but destroyed and she nearly kills Lucifer in the process. Hades catches her and imprisons her in the dungeon, much to his dismay, she escapes. He keeps her with him and tries to convince her she much help him which she reluctantly agrees too. Still believing there to be light in Hades, she tries desperately to manipulate him. Can they fulfill the prophecy without really fulfilling it and save her friends and the earth?

This is book two, some things are explained her but, while they help, they lead you to more questions. This is an amazingly well written take on Hades and Persephone. The characters keep you emotionally invested, the storyline is exceptionally well written. The only thing I find missing is a little humor, dark or otherwise but, not so much as to take away from the storyline. I highly recommend this book, series and author. I am going to dive directly into book three now.
18 reviews
November 16, 2020
Once again Seraphia finds herself back in Hell, with Hades trying to bring about doomsday and Seraphia doing everything in her power to stop him. The adventure is fast-paced and action-packed. Plus, we get to see some of Seraphia’s Guildmates!

The tension continues to build between Hades and Seraphia, and although I found it was not quite as steamy as book 1 of the series, there was still plenty of steam to be found. Each time they touch, the tension gets amped up a little more. I kept finding myself yelling out loud “just give in already!” I was constantly hoping that we would finally see a break-through for Hades emotions (or lack there of).

The entire plot was fast paced enough that I never got to a part where I felt I could put the book down. All I could do was keep reading until I was done, and then wait hopefully for a next book. Although some questions are answered about Seraphia’s (Persephone’s) past, we are left with more questions about Hades’. Linsey Hall continues to bring old myths alive in whole new ways.

I received an advanced copy and this review is my own personal opinion.
Profile Image for Daniella.
54 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2021
En esta segunda parte se responden algunas de las dudas que me quedaron del primer libro, pero aun quedan muchas mas por responder sobre todo sobre persephone aun hay cosas de su pasado que me intrigan, en cuanto a hades no me esperaba que la oscuridad que lo controlara fuera un titan y menos el titan que resulto ser, hubieron escenas muy buenas durante el libro y me pareció mas entretenido que el primer libro, los objetivos y el porque de las acciones de hades estaban muchísimo mas claras en este libro que el primero, persephone me empezó a gustar mas a partir de este libro la verdad me fue difícil enganchar con ella en el primer libro y la mitad del segundo.
Me gusto bastante el como persephone empezó a desarrollar mas sus poderes y controlarlos mas, también esta lucha interna que tenia entre la oscuridad y la luz fue bastante interesante era la misma lucha que hades ha tenido que tener desde que ella apareció y fue interesante leer como cada uno luchaba a su manera con esto.
En conclusión este libro fue muchísimo mejor que el primero y el final deja con ganas de empezar el tercero y concluir por fin la historia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lita.
2,538 reviews7 followers
November 25, 2020
This was an incredible story. It's part two of three and I can hardly wait for the third book. I put off reading it as long as i could in hopes of binge reading all three in December, but just as Seraphia is pulled to the Underworld, this book pulled me until I gave up and read it.

In this part, Seraphia goes back to Hades and the Underworld just in time to save her own life. She's pretty wracked up physically from resisting as long as she has, to the point she can't even stand and walk on her own. Once there, she's fine almost immediately. Hades finds her and puts her in the dungeon as punishment and so she can't escape again. She doesn't stay put so when he finds her again he insists she stay with him. However, the longer the two of them are together, the more they're attracted to each other and the more they begin to change. The light within Hades grows, even as his feelings for Seraphia grow. And the darkness within Seraphia grows the same. They both fight these changes even as Seraphia tries harder and harder to turn Hades towards the light.
Profile Image for Anne Gregor.
Author 10 books24 followers
November 25, 2020
I'm at a loss here... My delicate emotions have been flayed. Can. Not. Take. This. Much. Psychological. Trauma. Gods and Goddesses are better (okay... equal) to whiskey.

What to expect from the second book in Linsey Hall's Shadow Guild: Hades and Persephone series - Struggles between light and dark. Tension (... the sexual kind😉). Precious bat moments. Pondering who the F is speaking to Hades from the depths of the crevasse. Titans (run...). Three-headed cuddly puppies. Steamy Underworld bath scenes. Steed naming. Goddess training. World destroying... Basically, everything that fantasy fanatics die for is in this series. Everything. Hades and Seraphia aren't even a couple - yet - but they are already hardcore couple goals.

*Note - The third book is supposed to release mid December but I don't have confirmation or a title yet. Stay tuned.

*Note - Here is the first review version that I wrote: "So good. So good. So good. So good. So good. Need More." It still might have worked...

Kris
Whiskey & Wit Book Reviews
Profile Image for Sandra Grenho.
67 reviews
September 15, 2022
**** SPOILER ALERT ****

I literally read this book in 6h. I couldn't stop. The 1st was already too good but this one... we finally got to understand more of what is happening and the prophecy.. I was shocked.
There were 3 major events in this books for me : Cerberus is a good boy, the oracle is her nana and the damm darkness in the pit is Chronos. 🤯🤯🤯
I cant say this enough but Echo.... I want a bat like him, he's the cuttiest little thing 😩🥰
I need to start the 3rd book because I need to see how they're going to stop Chronos and how this is going to end up for Hades and Persephone.
Again, amazing writing, everything is happening at the correct pace and the fact that we have chapters by his and her's perspective makes it even better, every time it changes it's the correct time, when we really want to see what they were thinking in a particular situation.
This story is such an original retelling, just brilliant and one of my favorites so far and definitely recommend it. 👌
Also want to see more about Alia and Lucifer ☺️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
241 reviews
June 15, 2025
Es mejor que el primer libro, pero, le falta algo, más química entre los personajes, más desarrollo de los personajes secundarios, más de ese universo. Seraphia se ve obligada a regresar al inframundo, ya sin la presión de salvar a su amiga, ahora intentará salvarse a si misma y a Hades.







SPOILERS*******************










Seraphia se ha obligado a sentir dolor con tal de no regresar al inframundo. Ella regresa con la intención de "eliminar" a Hades, de encontrar su propia libertad y dejarlo atrapado en el inframundo. Pero sus "planes", todas las pociones con las que pensaba trabajar desaparecen, entonces para que tenemos que leer eso. No nos importa lo que le pasan a los amigos de ella, no los conocemos bien. Y aunque sabemos desde el primer libro que Hades busca no regresar al Tártaro, como que no se logra transmitir la necesidad de él de propagar la oscuridad. Realmente no hay química entre los dos, se necesitan, se quieren porque están vinculados, pero no por una relación entre ellos.







Profile Image for BurntbyHades.
82 reviews3 followers
January 2, 2021
The First book drew me in, and I didn’t stop until the Third had spat me out. I recently rekindled my love of Greek mythology and all that Persephone & Hades has to offer. Or in this case Seraphia & Hades.
Linsey Hall made me fall for her version so easily, I wonder if she is a mage herself. I have yet to read their story reimagined in the way Linsey has brought to life. It was beautiful to see how they conquer themselves, each other and their villains on their way. You’ll love the witty human humour Seraphia brings & Hades deadpan manner. It brought the books alive as they learnt who they were & what they would become.
Although I wished to see a more complex arc & a more detailed telling of their myths, I don’t believe it was necessary, I’m just a sucker for that. It definitely didn’t stop me from enjoying every moment. I devoured the series in two days carrying me across into the new year. I couldn’t be happier to have ended the year & started the next with such a gripping beautiful series. I can’t wait to read more by Linsey Hall.
Profile Image for Toni Glitz.
295 reviews3 followers
December 1, 2020
An exciting, modern interpretation of the Hades and Persephone story

I thoroughly enjoyed this take on the tale of Hades and Persephone.
This is the second in the series and the pace has picked up. We learn much more about who Hades is, where he comes from and see his conflict between doing what he was created to do and acting in the way he wants to act.
Hades has gone from the emotionless automaton to a man overwhelmed by experiencing the rush of feelings for the first time in his existence. Persephone has finally accepted who she is and is trying to get control over her magic and fight the darkness within her. Will she be strong enough to save the world from Armageddon and save Hades?
I was glued to this book straight away and as always seems to be the way, it was over too quickly. Luckily for me, there's not too much longer to wait for book three.
Profile Image for Taryn.
343 reviews10 followers
December 21, 2020
I read this series so quickly that I'm rating/reviewing the series overall, not the individual books.

I feel like my review criteria is wacky and all over the map, but it's 2020 and everything goes right now.

I enjoyed this series. It could have used a more thorough editing job (after reading this whole series, I can tell you the author's favorite words and phrases which really shouldn't be the case), so probably is more like a 3.5 stars. But it hit me at the right place at the right time.

It is not for everyone, but if you like Greek Mythology and grumpy/sunshine stories packed with tension, you might enjoy this book/series.

Note: I did not read the series preceding this one. I'm not a huge fan of vampire stories and the other series didn't intrigue me like this one did.

PG-13 for romantic reasons.
Profile Image for Penny.
3,125 reviews85 followers
November 16, 2020
This series is a slight departure from the author’s more recent works, and I’m just as much a fan of these. In this second book in the series, Seraphina is trying to resist the pull back to Hell, but she soon is pulled back. Once there, she is trying to resist the pull of the darkness, but it gets harder all the time. Non-stop action, steam, great characters, and interesting plot make this book so fun to read. It’s a little darker and less adventure than this author usually writes about. However, this is just as good, if not better, than those. I am eagerly awaiting the next book to see what happens next. Give this series a try! Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
1,190 reviews8 followers
November 17, 2020
Seraphia is forced back to go back to Hades. She decides that she will do whatever she can to try to stop him. She is confused by what she feels for him. Hades and Seraphia will work on her magic but also move forward with his plans. Seraphia will discover more about herself and her past. Seraphia will have to find away to save herself and stop Hades.

This was a book/ series to read. It is a new unique view of the greek myth. I didn't go into details because I didn't want to spoil book. You will see two characters fighting what it happening to the both of them. There are some really great and memorable moments in this book. I recommend reading this even if your not a fan of greek mythology, it is that good.
126 reviews
February 28, 2025
Hung up on Hades

This book takes up where the last book ended and Saraphia is still in the underworld and trying to sway Hades towards the light where as he is trying to change her towards the darkness. There are several journeys that these two must take in this book and challenges that they must face but one those are completed Hate’s can fulfill his prophecy. But will Serafia go along with the darkness that the prophecy requires to be fulfilled or will she deny it and go against him in order to save herself from the darkness.

It’s a good short read. It has some interesting twist to it, and a decent plot but it is in several different books. But if you like multiple books that have a running theme and story line this is a good read.
Profile Image for Kelly.
513 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2020
Great sequel. I don't know how I feel about the ending, but I understand why the author went that direction. The chemistry and conflict between the characters was top notch. I loved the atmosphere way more in this second book. I think it is a great story arc, and I'm excited for the next one. It is well written, and the author actually addressed at the end one of my previous issues, that she gave Hades wings even though the myth doesn't include them, and I can respect that decision now that it has been addressed. Overall, I am excited to see what happens with the series, and with Chronos. The series has the potential to get a 5 star from me, but currently they are 4 star.
Profile Image for ~Shawna the crazy coffee reader~.
514 reviews42 followers
March 5, 2023
Good follow up to the first book. I like seraphia and hades but his constant refusal to see that he has been used is a bit frustrating. Now that he knows more, I would expect him to question things more. Instead he just plods on in the same direction without looking around. Only time he glances up from his path is with Seraphia but even that is not enough to have him question events.

Seraphia is great. I love that she has to continue to fight the darkness in herself. No one person is all one thing. Humans make mistakes and so hateful things sometimes even if that is not who they are as a whole.

I really really like Lucifer and the apothecary. I want to see where that is going as well!
1,896 reviews13 followers
November 16, 2020
Still intended to fulfill his mission Hades was trying to drag Seraphia to the darkness. With conflicted emotions Seraphia was looking for a way to resist and bring her light forth. With a prophesy ruling both their lives time was essential. But things were as they seemed? Interesting Hades struggling and the mysterious prophesy. Hades complex dilemma kept me intrigued. Suspense, detailed descriptions, magic, mystery, darkness, evil, romance and passion. This book that left me eager for the next because I want to know what Hades is going to do.
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