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Elysian Beginnings: An Elysian Fields Novel
The gods are angry, and hungry for souls. Kore is trapped between worlds but doesn't quite know it. Growing up, she found herself content with life in the little town of Elv. When she is Reckoned at the behest of Lord Hades himself, Kore is thrown into a world and an existence that begins and ends with death. With no memory of her life before the Reckoning, Kore must find out who she is and take her rightful place among the gods...or die trying.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2020
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 20, 2021
Thank you to Taylor for an ARC copy of this book for an honest review!
What if Hades and Persephone knew each other before? What if they grew up together? But what if Hades knew who Persephone was but Persephone did not?
When the book starts, we are met with Kore (if you know anything about Greek/Roman mythology, Kore was another name for Persephone). A loud siren sounds throughout the world, alerting everyone to big news coming about the Reckoning. Every year, sometimes twice a year, bodies are selected to be offered to the gods in return for good favor. All gods have went before, leaving one remaining. Hades, god of the underworld.
Persephone had nothing really against Hades but she did not want to be Reckoned and take the chance of becoming his slave or worse. But sometimes the Fates have a bigger plan than we have for ourselves.
Kore rushes home to see that the Reckoning has been moved up and people will start being selected later that night. Kore has a sinking feeling that her life is about to change. She spends the afternoon with her mother when she receives a visit from her childhood best friend and boyfriend, Aydon. Aydon begs her to promise him that one day he will leave Elv, their hometown and for Kore to promise to come with him. The panic and the apologies rolling off his tongue over and over causes Kore to agree reluctantly. That’s when the world comes to a halt and Kore is Reckoned.
The beginning of the book and the explanation of the Reckoning process and what happened to Kore once she was Reckoned. There were a few grammatical errors and times when the perspective would switch from third person to first and back again. It felt like there were huge gaps in the story. For example, when Kore is on the edge of Styx and tries to climb onto the boat and gets dragged under, to the next chapter seemingly skipping way ahead to where Kore is in Elysian and hanging out with her friend Elizabeth and being visited by Aydon but she has no recollection of her previous life.
At first, Kore still doesn’t know Aydon’s little secret nor has Elizabeth seen or heard of him. It’s not until the Celebration of Souls that the truth is revealed and Kore learns of Aydon’s true form. After some interesting conversations, Kore decides to crash Aydon’s party but is stopped short from reaching her goal. Aydon comes to her rescue only to almost be burned alive later.
Of course what’s an Greek mythology retelling without Aphrodite? Aphrodite has a huge thing for Aydon, mainly she just wants him for his body and his crown. So when Kore rears her head, Aphrodite does something, and this is where another confusing part comes in, and Kore is transported back to the mortal realm.
As I mentioned, there just seemed to be gaps in the story that sometimes made it hard to follow and understand. Overall I liked the premise of the book. The writing was good; it kept me hooked in the story wondering what was going to happen next. With a good editing session and a bit more explanation in some parts, I do believe that it would be an even better book.
This is my own opinion. I try to be honest and open with every review that I do. Thank you for reading.
What if Hades and Persephone knew each other before? What if they grew up together? But what if Hades knew who Persephone was but Persephone did not?
When the book starts, we are met with Kore (if you know anything about Greek/Roman mythology, Kore was another name for Persephone). A loud siren sounds throughout the world, alerting everyone to big news coming about the Reckoning. Every year, sometimes twice a year, bodies are selected to be offered to the gods in return for good favor. All gods have went before, leaving one remaining. Hades, god of the underworld.
Persephone had nothing really against Hades but she did not want to be Reckoned and take the chance of becoming his slave or worse. But sometimes the Fates have a bigger plan than we have for ourselves.
Kore rushes home to see that the Reckoning has been moved up and people will start being selected later that night. Kore has a sinking feeling that her life is about to change. She spends the afternoon with her mother when she receives a visit from her childhood best friend and boyfriend, Aydon. Aydon begs her to promise him that one day he will leave Elv, their hometown and for Kore to promise to come with him. The panic and the apologies rolling off his tongue over and over causes Kore to agree reluctantly. That’s when the world comes to a halt and Kore is Reckoned.
The beginning of the book and the explanation of the Reckoning process and what happened to Kore once she was Reckoned. There were a few grammatical errors and times when the perspective would switch from third person to first and back again. It felt like there were huge gaps in the story. For example, when Kore is on the edge of Styx and tries to climb onto the boat and gets dragged under, to the next chapter seemingly skipping way ahead to where Kore is in Elysian and hanging out with her friend Elizabeth and being visited by Aydon but she has no recollection of her previous life.
At first, Kore still doesn’t know Aydon’s little secret nor has Elizabeth seen or heard of him. It’s not until the Celebration of Souls that the truth is revealed and Kore learns of Aydon’s true form. After some interesting conversations, Kore decides to crash Aydon’s party but is stopped short from reaching her goal. Aydon comes to her rescue only to almost be burned alive later.
Of course what’s an Greek mythology retelling without Aphrodite? Aphrodite has a huge thing for Aydon, mainly she just wants him for his body and his crown. So when Kore rears her head, Aphrodite does something, and this is where another confusing part comes in, and Kore is transported back to the mortal realm.
As I mentioned, there just seemed to be gaps in the story that sometimes made it hard to follow and understand. Overall I liked the premise of the book. The writing was good; it kept me hooked in the story wondering what was going to happen next. With a good editing session and a bit more explanation in some parts, I do believe that it would be an even better book.
This is my own opinion. I try to be honest and open with every review that I do. Thank you for reading.
February 4, 2022
Grrr
You really had to do me like that? I know you see this review. You butt. If anyone questioning reading this book read it the end will have you screaming tho
You really had to do me like that? I know you see this review. You butt. If anyone questioning reading this book read it the end will have you screaming tho
February 1, 2022
This book has got so many twists and turns. It will break your heart.
January 31, 2022
Amazing just amazing..
Listen this book I'd absolutely amazing and I guarantee you will feel the same when you read it.. so many twist and turns!
Listen this book I'd absolutely amazing and I guarantee you will feel the same when you read it.. so many twist and turns!
February 9, 2021
WOWZA!
There are three things this book makes me want to do.
1) read more about mythology
2) find out what happens next!!!
3) read any other book by this author
There are some graphic parts of this story that may be too much for some people so be ware of that, but I could not put it down. Even if, in some parts, I may have wanted to put my hands over my eyes to block the images...I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to. The writing is superb. There are small inconsistencies with the perspective here and there but not enough to throw you completely off the storyline. I will definitely need to have this book in my collection. A thrilling and intense read, all around.
There are three things this book makes me want to do.
1) read more about mythology
2) find out what happens next!!!
3) read any other book by this author
There are some graphic parts of this story that may be too much for some people so be ware of that, but I could not put it down. Even if, in some parts, I may have wanted to put my hands over my eyes to block the images...I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to. The writing is superb. There are small inconsistencies with the perspective here and there but not enough to throw you completely off the storyline. I will definitely need to have this book in my collection. A thrilling and intense read, all around.
December 14, 2020
Awesome
An amazing slow burn. Great twists and turns. I recommend to anyone who loves this genre of Romance and mythology.
An amazing slow burn. Great twists and turns. I recommend to anyone who loves this genre of Romance and mythology.
August 17, 2021
Thank you Taylor for giving me an ARC copy of your book in exchange of an honest review.
Every year, sometimes twice a year, bodies are selected to be offered to the gods in return for good favor. All gods have went before, except Hades, God of the Underworld.
Kore was reckoned, later on she descovers her childhood bestfriend and lover, Aydon, was really the King of the Underworld.
I thought the idea was good, but I didn't like the execution, there were a few grammatical errors as well as POV ones, like switching from third to first person. Most of my issues with the story itself have to do with the gaps of information that were missing, from a chapter to another we find Kore almost drowning and fighting on the river Styx to her chatting with her friend Elizabeth in the Elysian Fields with no recall of her previous life. Needless to say, after a few chapters, we never hear from Elizabeth again.
Sadly I didn't care for the characters, they were bland with no depth in their personalities.
Every year, sometimes twice a year, bodies are selected to be offered to the gods in return for good favor. All gods have went before, except Hades, God of the Underworld.
Kore was reckoned, later on she descovers her childhood bestfriend and lover, Aydon, was really the King of the Underworld.
I thought the idea was good, but I didn't like the execution, there were a few grammatical errors as well as POV ones, like switching from third to first person. Most of my issues with the story itself have to do with the gaps of information that were missing, from a chapter to another we find Kore almost drowning and fighting on the river Styx to her chatting with her friend Elizabeth in the Elysian Fields with no recall of her previous life. Needless to say, after a few chapters, we never hear from Elizabeth again.
Sadly I didn't care for the characters, they were bland with no depth in their personalities.
July 1, 2021
this retelling of the gods in a way that captures your attention swiftly and maintains your attention throughout the whole book! I loved the MC and how she had immense faith in the gods that she would never be chosen for the reckoning until the day she did. I love the world-building in this book it created everything so beautifully for me like I was watching a movie, and the growth of the characters is so good. I am so happy I was able to submerge myself into this book and fall in love with its characters and world. great detail went into each part of this book! please go read this I have already recommended it to so many people! forever a book that I will recommend for those who love retellings of the gods.
June 7, 2021
Overall I think this book is a great retelling of Hades and Persephone. There were some things in the book that bothered me but I hope the author can fix in the next book.
Let’s talk about things that were good:
- the slow burn
- different characters and names not used in other retellings
- different type of world than other retellings. I got a mixture of old school and present day.
Things that bothered me:
-lack of backstory for main characters and side characters.
- needed more world building but this could be fixed in the next book.
-there were some grammar and formatting issues but that can happen with self publishing
-jumping in the story with no explanation of what happened.
Like said before this is a great quick read and I can’t wait for the second one.
Let’s talk about things that were good:
- the slow burn
- different characters and names not used in other retellings
- different type of world than other retellings. I got a mixture of old school and present day.
Things that bothered me:
-lack of backstory for main characters and side characters.
- needed more world building but this could be fixed in the next book.
-there were some grammar and formatting issues but that can happen with self publishing
-jumping in the story with no explanation of what happened.
Like said before this is a great quick read and I can’t wait for the second one.
March 20, 2022
I love books about mythology. I have always loved them even as a kid. This book is a great retelling of Hades and Persephone. The twists and turns in this book were perfect and the end made me wanting for more right then and there. The writing was wonderful and pulled me into the world where I could see everything I was reading. I highly recommend this book but, be prepared for the unexpected.
July 6, 2021
This book had me in its grips. I had a hard time putting it down and couldn’t stop reading. My sister told me about the book and I couldn’t help but read it myself and man…I would recommend this book to everyone that loves to read. I can definitely see myself reading this book over and over again!!!!!
February 7, 2022
Where do I begin? This book was my first of the mythological romance genre and it was everything I wanted and more. It had so many twists and turns and was really quite heart wrenching! The cliffhanger at the end has me very angry at Taylor Johnson though, how dare she leave me hanging like that…
March 29, 2023
This book needs several more rounds of editing and revisions and some more world building. The bones are there, but it’s shaky. I wanted to enjoy it, but it felt too lackluster to maintain my interest.
January 9, 2022
This is such an amazing book. I fell in love with this book. Love the story between hades and persephone. God of the underworld searching for the one to claim if his wife.
January 16, 2022
Super interesting! Slow burn and so enticing!!! The book grabbed me in the first page and kept me wrapped up until the end!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews