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Dead of Spring: A Hades and Persephone Retelling
A HADES AND PERSEPHONE RETELLING
For Kore's entire life, her mother only ever wanted two things from her:
1. Swear an oath of virginity (to protect her from marriage)
2. Never show the world how much power she really possessed (to protect her from marriage)
Despite Demeter’s attempts to keep Kore as far away from Olympus and its capricious gods who might want her for their own, there was nothing in this world or any other that could have kept Kore hidden from Hades.
As for Kore, the more time she spends in the underworld, the more she realizes how alone and misunderstood its ruler truly is.
With her heart and all of humanity on the line, will Kore embrace her former life as The Maiden, or a future as the Bringer of Destruction?
Dead of Spring is a standalone Hades and Persephone retelling suitable for readers aged 18+
For Kore's entire life, her mother only ever wanted two things from her:
1. Swear an oath of virginity (to protect her from marriage)
2. Never show the world how much power she really possessed (to protect her from marriage)
Despite Demeter’s attempts to keep Kore as far away from Olympus and its capricious gods who might want her for their own, there was nothing in this world or any other that could have kept Kore hidden from Hades.
As for Kore, the more time she spends in the underworld, the more she realizes how alone and misunderstood its ruler truly is.
With her heart and all of humanity on the line, will Kore embrace her former life as The Maiden, or a future as the Bringer of Destruction?
Dead of Spring is a standalone Hades and Persephone retelling suitable for readers aged 18+
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2022
114 people are currently reading
2332 people want to read
About the author
Colette Rhodes
36 books1,796 followersColette Rhodes is a paranormal romance author from New Zealand. She loves to write about love in all its forms, and adores imperfect heroes and heroines who find perfection in each other. You’ll often find her trying to justify her degree by including ancient history and mythological influences in her work.
If she’s not writing, then you’re almost certain to find her reading—ideally with a cup of tea in hand and a scented candle burning to match the mood.
Keep up with Colette here:
Website: coletterhodes.com
Instagram: @coletterhodes_author
If she’s not writing, then you’re almost certain to find her reading—ideally with a cup of tea in hand and a scented candle burning to match the mood.
Keep up with Colette here:
Website: coletterhodes.com
Instagram: @coletterhodes_author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
October 9, 2022
4.5 ⭐
This is a lovely book.
At first I felt nothing, then I felt e v e r y t h i n g.
The first bundle of pages was slow going for me, especially considering this isn't the first Hades x Persephone retelling I've read. Demeter is a raging bitch in nearly every retelling and that never fails to enrage me. The plight of Kore (Persephone) under Demeter's thumb is always hard to read.
Then waltzes in Hades, who has been pining away for Kore for who knows how long (tch.. immortals) in his magical chariot, stealing Kore away like a flower easily swiped from a field. At first I felt nothing for or from his character - zero chemistry, but as the pages were turned I realised that it's not just a slow burn for the two MCs but a slow burn for me as well.
This particular Hades is unlike any other Hades I've read about. It's not that the other Hades in other retellings lacked a palpable vulnerability to them, it's just that this is the first Hades who lacked toxicity. And that's why it was heart wrenching to see him pine, struggle to read social cues, to suffer quietly. That's also why he's got such a pure draw to him, why I found myself rooting for him without a speck of hesitation.
If you want to read a retelling that's got a soft, sweet, helpless, loving, Hades who's consent-king™ and empowers Kore without the needless asshole-ery then I highly recommend this book to you.
There's very little smut in this, and very subtle humor.
I expected a *slightly* different conclusion to this, it's a definite HEA so nothing to worry about, but I felt that Kore should have been far more punishing towards Demeter and should have altered the quantity of something she decided. Ahhh that's the vaguest, safest way to put this with no spoilers 😂
TW: abusive asshole parent, infidelity (not either MCs)
This is a lovely book.
At first I felt nothing, then I felt e v e r y t h i n g.
The first bundle of pages was slow going for me, especially considering this isn't the first Hades x Persephone retelling I've read. Demeter is a raging bitch in nearly every retelling and that never fails to enrage me. The plight of Kore (Persephone) under Demeter's thumb is always hard to read.
Then waltzes in Hades, who has been pining away for Kore for who knows how long (tch.. immortals) in his magical chariot, stealing Kore away like a flower easily swiped from a field. At first I felt nothing for or from his character - zero chemistry, but as the pages were turned I realised that it's not just a slow burn for the two MCs but a slow burn for me as well.
This particular Hades is unlike any other Hades I've read about. It's not that the other Hades in other retellings lacked a palpable vulnerability to them, it's just that this is the first Hades who lacked toxicity. And that's why it was heart wrenching to see him pine, struggle to read social cues, to suffer quietly. That's also why he's got such a pure draw to him, why I found myself rooting for him without a speck of hesitation.
If you want to read a retelling that's got a soft, sweet, helpless, loving, Hades who's consent-king™ and empowers Kore without the needless asshole-ery then I highly recommend this book to you.
There's very little smut in this, and very subtle humor.
I expected a *slightly* different conclusion to this, it's a definite HEA so nothing to worry about, but I felt that Kore should have been far more punishing towards Demeter and should have altered the quantity of something she decided. Ahhh that's the vaguest, safest way to put this with no spoilers 😂
TW: abusive asshole parent, infidelity (not either MCs)
July 29, 2023
Welcome to the home of death, a gloomy place of the dead, a deep abyss, torment, suffering, eternal damnation, a hellishly black netherworld - a chthonic dwelling hidden beneath the surface of the earth.
Hades' and Persephone's story is an expansion of the actual Greek myth, fast-paced and well written. In short: Hades kidnapped Kore, who later became Queen of the Underworld (that's how the ancient Greeks explained the change of the seasons and is associated with the coming of spring and winter). The usage of a dual POV gives depth, significance, and personality to our characters, the world-building is decently done, especially with the shadowy, somber depiction of the underworld.
Hades as the precious anti-hero is my favorite character, whereas Kore grows from a submissive to a self-confident personality through a change of scenery and support. She is like a seed on her path of becoming a dark-red, mystical pomegranate. Hade's and Persephone's relationship is like a cold fire, an oxymoron in itself, the epitome of love. The steamy, spicy moments are as hot as the infernal, flaming river of the underworld.
I had a satisfying reading experience where beauteousness was created in the dimliest parts of the fantastical Greek underworld. Highly recommended for myth lovers and those who want to escape reality and open the door to worlds unknown. 🖤🇬🇷🖤
Hades' and Persephone's story is an expansion of the actual Greek myth, fast-paced and well written. In short: Hades kidnapped Kore, who later became Queen of the Underworld (that's how the ancient Greeks explained the change of the seasons and is associated with the coming of spring and winter). The usage of a dual POV gives depth, significance, and personality to our characters, the world-building is decently done, especially with the shadowy, somber depiction of the underworld.
Hades as the precious anti-hero is my favorite character, whereas Kore grows from a submissive to a self-confident personality through a change of scenery and support. She is like a seed on her path of becoming a dark-red, mystical pomegranate. Hade's and Persephone's relationship is like a cold fire, an oxymoron in itself, the epitome of love. The steamy, spicy moments are as hot as the infernal, flaming river of the underworld.
I had a satisfying reading experience where beauteousness was created in the dimliest parts of the fantastical Greek underworld. Highly recommended for myth lovers and those who want to escape reality and open the door to worlds unknown. 🖤🇬🇷🖤
September 6, 2022
I haven't read many Hades and Persephone retellings and I honestly wasn't as familiar with the mythology beyond the basics. I did really enjoy Dead of Spring and how the story is an expansion of the original myth rather than a modern retelling. Hades has been watching Kore for a while and has fallen in love. He then goes to quite an extreme of kidnapping to make her his queen, which ends up having greater consequences than just their potential marriage. Kore has been sheltered and smothered by her mother and while she longs for choice and freedom, her character does have to adapt and develop throughout the story when she's suddenly thrust into options, but not in the way she had always longed for. The story is written in first person, dual POV. No om drama (although Hades is jealous over a couple of other gods who made offers for Kore), a smidgeon of ow drama from a former lover of Hades' who tries to cause drama but who he's made it clear holds no interest for him, h is a virgin and H is not but has been celibate for her, no bc.
I loved Hades and I felt so much sympathy for how in love he was with Kore, but how utterly lost he was in how to navigate the relationship once she's there and is unhappy to have been kidnapped. He was just so sweet, but also forced into a remote position with the other gods/goddesses and within his own court. There was a lot of loneliness present and not the best social skills, but he would give/do anything for Kore. Kore grew on me as the story went on. She was so overwhelmed with the kidnapping and being thrust into the Underworld at first (as one would be), but once she started getting the lay of the land and Hades, I liked her and how she began to see the possibilities and began to see deeper into Hades. The romance does slowly build (cause again, kidnapping) and the steaminess was well paced alongside that. There are definitely some moments that hit me in the feels too.
The side characters were mostly fun (esp Kerberus, who I wanted to just pet and love on with any scene he was in) with some more for drama/tension. The world building of the Underworld was fascinating. I was not familiar with that at all and the details that went into this were wonderful. I did have to google some words at times, like some of the garments that the characters wore. Some of the other gods and goddesses of course have roles to play and added drama and humor at times. There are also some other myths woven into this story that added extra "oh I recognize that" moments.
The ending wrapped it all up and the epilogue was a last moment of sweetness. Ms. Rhodes has said this was a passion project and the tone of the book is more similar I think to her standalone reverse harem Blood Nor Money, which also had historical elements. It is a slower pace and had a bit less humor than some of her other stories, but her writing style is just as strong in this story as her others.
I loved Hades and I felt so much sympathy for how in love he was with Kore, but how utterly lost he was in how to navigate the relationship once she's there and is unhappy to have been kidnapped. He was just so sweet, but also forced into a remote position with the other gods/goddesses and within his own court. There was a lot of loneliness present and not the best social skills, but he would give/do anything for Kore. Kore grew on me as the story went on. She was so overwhelmed with the kidnapping and being thrust into the Underworld at first (as one would be), but once she started getting the lay of the land and Hades, I liked her and how she began to see the possibilities and began to see deeper into Hades. The romance does slowly build (cause again, kidnapping) and the steaminess was well paced alongside that. There are definitely some moments that hit me in the feels too.
The side characters were mostly fun (esp Kerberus, who I wanted to just pet and love on with any scene he was in) with some more for drama/tension. The world building of the Underworld was fascinating. I was not familiar with that at all and the details that went into this were wonderful. I did have to google some words at times, like some of the garments that the characters wore. Some of the other gods and goddesses of course have roles to play and added drama and humor at times. There are also some other myths woven into this story that added extra "oh I recognize that" moments.
The ending wrapped it all up and the epilogue was a last moment of sweetness. Ms. Rhodes has said this was a passion project and the tone of the book is more similar I think to her standalone reverse harem Blood Nor Money, which also had historical elements. It is a slower pace and had a bit less humor than some of her other stories, but her writing style is just as strong in this story as her others.
March 26, 2023
The deeper I dive in to booktok the less sympathetic I become to main characters that get kidnapped. I'm also a Hades apologist to the bitter end so seeing Kore yell at him for over 50% of the book made me want to get out a map and show her where to fuck off to. I tend to like the retellings where she's bloodthirsty and relishes becoming the Queen of the Underworld so this one just wasn't for me.
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March 6, 2023
3.25 ⭐️ Probably one of the most faithful retellings of the myth I've read.
Listen, I love Hades x Persephone romance retellings. It's no joke, I read every single one I come across, and usually the stories are heavily cleaned up and several things are changed because the nitty-gritty of Greek Mythology is...well, usually it's very rape-y and incestuous. Those details were kept in this particular story, which I both appreciated and found kind of gross... but that's cause they're what they are.
I had a nice enough time, but I feel like this could've been shorter. The whole miscommunication/ refusal to actually talk to one another thing pisses me off, and I felt like things didn't get good until about half way through.
Still, it was a decent read and a fairly faithful reimagining of this well known myth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/ 5
🌶️🌶️ / 5
Listen, I love Hades x Persephone romance retellings. It's no joke, I read every single one I come across, and usually the stories are heavily cleaned up and several things are changed because the nitty-gritty of Greek Mythology is...well, usually it's very rape-y and incestuous. Those details were kept in this particular story, which I both appreciated and found kind of gross... but that's cause they're what they are.
I had a nice enough time, but I feel like this could've been shorter. The whole miscommunication/ refusal to actually talk to one another thing pisses me off, and I felt like things didn't get good until about half way through.
Still, it was a decent read and a fairly faithful reimagining of this well known myth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/ 5
🌶️🌶️ / 5
September 2, 2022
beautiful cover.
while I normally I enjoy this author this didn’t feel particularly compelling, dynamic or much of an fresh take on the story. CR wrote in her note she wanted to keep it pretty true to the original myth and I’d be curious to know why she felt inspired to write it. I kept checking my kindle to see how far along I was and if it was worth it to finish.
the characters felt pretty one dimensional. hades was written to be a cinnamon roll but came off more as flat and robotic. it was pretty much instalove for him before he met her on one the and kore/persephone seemed a little lukewarm to him once they did wrap things up and happy to spend her 6 months a year above ground.
spoiler: the one bit of tension in the plot, other than the knowledge that Demeter wanted her daughter back was OW drama with a woman hades had slept with before but didn’t have feelings for. big sigh as this felt like a cheap and easy plot device.
CR books I recommend: Luxuria, Gilded Mess, Empath Found Series
while I normally I enjoy this author this didn’t feel particularly compelling, dynamic or much of an fresh take on the story. CR wrote in her note she wanted to keep it pretty true to the original myth and I’d be curious to know why she felt inspired to write it. I kept checking my kindle to see how far along I was and if it was worth it to finish.
the characters felt pretty one dimensional. hades was written to be a cinnamon roll but came off more as flat and robotic. it was pretty much instalove for him before he met her on one the and kore/persephone seemed a little lukewarm to him once they did wrap things up and happy to spend her 6 months a year above ground.
spoiler: the one bit of tension in the plot, other than the knowledge that Demeter wanted her daughter back was OW drama with a woman hades had slept with before but didn’t have feelings for. big sigh as this felt like a cheap and easy plot device.
CR books I recommend: Luxuria, Gilded Mess, Empath Found Series
September 9, 2023
3-3.5 ⭐️.
Super enjoyable Hades/ Persephone retelling.
Both main characters were written well while staying true to the original myths. The author also did a fantastic job introducing “side” myths all throughout the story, some of which even I hadn’t yet heard of and I am a self-professed Greek mythology expert.
Super enjoyable Hades/ Persephone retelling.
Both main characters were written well while staying true to the original myths. The author also did a fantastic job introducing “side” myths all throughout the story, some of which even I hadn’t yet heard of and I am a self-professed Greek mythology expert.
January 28, 2023
I did not love this book 😅
I tend to be really particular about my Hades and Persephone retellings and this one just didn’t really do it for me. It felt really bland and there was SO MUCH telling instead of showing. Also, these chapters were TOO DAMN LONG! 20 minutes to read one chapter? Where it’s just milquetoast and repetitive? Absolutely not.
The 3 ⭐️ are almost exclusively for Hades and Cerberus. I LOVED them. Also, this Hades gave spicy, possessive disaster boy Darcy which I obviously adored. His cluelessness about women, and utter devotion to Kore was chefs kiss. With that being said, some of the smutty moments and dirty talk were a little cringe 😬
I liked a few things here and there (Orphne and her hot river husband, Hecate being a spooky B, Thanatos being a Ho, the tree moment) but overall this was just….fine. I could really take it or leave it.
I tend to be really particular about my Hades and Persephone retellings and this one just didn’t really do it for me. It felt really bland and there was SO MUCH telling instead of showing. Also, these chapters were TOO DAMN LONG! 20 minutes to read one chapter? Where it’s just milquetoast and repetitive? Absolutely not.
The 3 ⭐️ are almost exclusively for Hades and Cerberus. I LOVED them. Also, this Hades gave spicy, possessive disaster boy Darcy which I obviously adored. His cluelessness about women, and utter devotion to Kore was chefs kiss. With that being said, some of the smutty moments and dirty talk were a little cringe 😬
I liked a few things here and there (Orphne and her hot river husband, Hecate being a spooky B, Thanatos being a Ho, the tree moment) but overall this was just….fine. I could really take it or leave it.
May 31, 2023
4.5 stars
What I loved about this book:
🌼 Mythological retelling! Plus of one of my favourite myths!
🌼 Kore: I loved her inner musings and her sense of humour. She was a very charming heroine, well fleshed out by the author.
🌼 Hades: He is just ❤! Every person ought to meet his/her Hades, so staunchly and desperately in love 😍! He is also an endearing H, esp. with his reserved attitude.
🌼 The world building was stupendous. All mythological key facts faithful and yet written in a smooth, seamless and original way under the pen of the author. I loved the map she created (I find that books I have selected and that have maps will usually be nice reads) and its representation throughout the story.
🌼 I loved how in the end, the plan of the pomegranate was Kore's very own. It added so much balance into the romance between Hades and Persephone, which is one of the themes rightly championed by the author. Even if Hades was the one who kidnapped her in the first place, I admire how CR did everything she could to show that Hades was never a ruthless character who gave Kore no say in her fate. CR added depth to the original myth and much more clarity through her own interpretation by making Hades into a loving God, wanting to please and empower his Goddess at whatever personal cost.
🌼 I loved the writing style by the author. Utterly flawless and enjoyable to read. Bravo CR!
What did I wish for more? While Kore's gentle meanderings through the Underworld was very entertaining and originally done, I wished that the story had had less leisurely pace, or that in addition there had been much more focus on moments between Hades and Kore. I fully believed in the romantic development of Kore's feelings as she learned to appreciate Hades and her surroundings, and I do see why she had to have time to emerge into her true self (and hence discover her feelings for her fated one). It was all well done and plotted by CR. Yet, I wanted more intense and emotional scenes between them. We did get some, but I am greedy and wanted more 😅. Also, while their intimate scenes were sensual, I wanted hot, luxuriously decadent and spicy! And since I am making my wishlist, lol, a longer epilogue with some Hades' POV would have been the cherry on top 🥰
I think this is must be my favourite retelling of this myth so far! Recommended for kindred spirits with similar tastes 😊
P.S. Gorgeous cover ❤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2023
One of those books where I wanted to shake the h 😂🙄 like Girlllllllll I know you've been kidnapped but he's so amazing why can't you understand him 🙄 she was hesitant almost to the bitter end
May 20, 2024
This retelling was very faithful to its origins and I liked seeing the story from Hades point of view. There were parts that were bland so I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would.
February 20, 2025
Love a hades and Persephone retelling, thought it had a good story line. With that being said I am all for a smutty book but the way it was just randomly thrown in I was not a fan of. I was confused thinking I had missed a page. Still a good read!
September 4, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
I admittedly haven't read many Hades and Persephone retellings (struggling to think of one I have read actually) so I can't say if this is just like any other retelling! What I can say is that I did enjoy reading it, though I wasn't as invested as I have been with other books by this author.
What I enjoyed was Kore (Persephone) and her relationship with our adorable hell hound. I also liked seeing how her relationship with her mother was portrayed. There is conflict, there is the realization that Demeter does act like a goddess at times (vain), and still- love.
Hades was as sweet as a kidnapping god can be.
Still- I think that there could've been more done with the relationship. There is obviously insta-love on Hades side. I just wanted to see MORE from the couple.
I admittedly haven't read many Hades and Persephone retellings (struggling to think of one I have read actually) so I can't say if this is just like any other retelling! What I can say is that I did enjoy reading it, though I wasn't as invested as I have been with other books by this author.
What I enjoyed was Kore (Persephone) and her relationship with our adorable hell hound. I also liked seeing how her relationship with her mother was portrayed. There is conflict, there is the realization that Demeter does act like a goddess at times (vain), and still- love.
Hades was as sweet as a kidnapping god can be.
Still- I think that there could've been more done with the relationship. There is obviously insta-love on Hades side. I just wanted to see MORE from the couple.
June 23, 2024
3/4 ⭐️s - Very meh. I didn’t feel like Hades and Kore had much chemistry at all; they hardly spent time together, and then all of a sudden, she loved him? What I disliked the most is that this book makes Hades seem like an incompetent ruler. He's one of the most powerful gods, the firstborn even, yet he couldn’t solve 99% of the easiest problems in the underworld? Meanwhile, Kore, who has been sheltered all her life, could find solutions in the blink of an eye. Hades is one of my favorite gods, but his lack of power and authority in this book is off-putting. He seems like a pushover🥹
January 5, 2023
I'm such a sucker for for Hades and Persephone retellings.
So when Colette wrote one, I was all over it. And then life happened and it landed on my tbr..
But hey, it's my fourth read of 2023 and I'm so glad I picked it up as one of my first reads.
I absolutely loved the twists Colette wrote and the fact that it was so true to the actual story.
So when Colette wrote one, I was all over it. And then life happened and it landed on my tbr..
But hey, it's my fourth read of 2023 and I'm so glad I picked it up as one of my first reads.
I absolutely loved the twists Colette wrote and the fact that it was so true to the actual story.
April 13, 2023
The book starts off a little slow but eventually gets into the retelling of the myth. I really enjoyed most of the book although I did not enjoy the last chapter. It felt unnecessary after Chapter 25 and felt rushed, like a quick finish.
September 3, 2022
I’m so emotional right now. What a wonderful retelling of Persephone and Hades! It was beautifully written and just a brilliant read. My heart ached for Hades. I loved the depiction of his character the most. Colette has done it again. This book was a treasure.
February 6, 2023
Okay, so I really kind of liked this in some ways? I think Hades and Kore are the ultimate grumpy//sunshine duo??? I’ve never read any retellings before, so I don’t have much to base it off, but it was definitely a bit rushed and left me wanting just a biiiiit more in places.
did-not-finish
October 23, 2023DNF @1%. This doesn't work for me.
October 12, 2022
"I want to hate you."
"I'll make you love me."
"I was a king in my own right, and I wouldn't wait forever for my queen. Not when she needed me, even if she didn't realize it yet. "
This is my second Hades and Persephone retelling. And I enjoyed it a lot more than I anticipated.
The story is from Kore/Persephone's POV. From the moment she was born, Demeter, her mother has decided to shelter her from the world since Kore is the only child who has "magic", she is being "forced" to take an oath of virginity in from of all the other gods. Why take an oath? It is to prevent any potential "suitors" knocking at her door. Kore has never stood up to herself and has never been able to use or get too know of her power's potential... Until... Hades, the God of the Underworld kidnaps her one day:
Why? Why did you take me?
"I wish to marry you and make you my Queen.
How I wished we had Hades's PoV.
Kore was hesitant with being around Hades and the thought about men taking advantage of women (something that Demeter has made her remember quite often) made her mistrust Hades. But the more she spends time in his realm and got to know
Hades: this feelings for Kore started when he first saw her. He was so entranced by her, it is disgustingly cute af:
"Kore tipped her face to the sun, smiling as the rays warmed her, and I swallowed thickly at the vision of life she made. I couldn't give her that. I couldn't give Kore sunlight on her skin, or the cool lake breeze whipping at her long chiton.
But I could give her power. A title. A crown.
I could leave my heart to her keeping, hoping she didn't destroy it.
I would make Kore my wife and queen, and demand that my realm and every other worship ar her feet."
Other gods take multiples lovers. But Hades? He is openly dedicated to her alone:
I'll take Kore in my bed or no one." || "I will take Kore as my wife when she is ready, and not a moment before. Anyone who disagrees with my approach can take it up with me personally. By all means send them my way. I love her. I won't see her suffer any more than she's already suffering."
Like see how he is defending her honor?!?!
And a man who once dedicated his life to his ruling but now openly devoted to the woman he loves:
"I've never loved anyone except you. It's a terrible feeling, really. Like ripping your own chest open and watching it bleed. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."
When the man in the relationship loves the woman more:
"I knew she'd never love me the way I loved her. How could she? There was everything to love about Kore, and nothing in particular to love about me.
I hoped she would at least give me her smiles tough."
I love how the other put the concept of pomegranates. And
"I'll make you love me."
"I was a king in my own right, and I wouldn't wait forever for my queen. Not when she needed me, even if she didn't realize it yet. "
This is my second Hades and Persephone retelling. And I enjoyed it a lot more than I anticipated.
The story is from Kore/Persephone's POV. From the moment she was born, Demeter, her mother has decided to shelter her from the world since Kore is the only child who has "magic", she is being "forced" to take an oath of virginity in from of all the other gods. Why take an oath? It is to prevent any potential "suitors" knocking at her door. Kore has never stood up to herself and has never been able to use or get too know of her power's potential... Until... Hades, the God of the Underworld kidnaps her one day:
Why? Why did you take me?
"I wish to marry you and make you my Queen.
How I wished we had Hades's PoV.
Kore was hesitant with being around Hades and the thought about men taking advantage of women (something that Demeter has made her remember quite often) made her mistrust Hades. But the more she spends time in his realm and got to know
Hades: this feelings for Kore started when he first saw her. He was so entranced by her, it is disgustingly cute af:
"Kore tipped her face to the sun, smiling as the rays warmed her, and I swallowed thickly at the vision of life she made. I couldn't give her that. I couldn't give Kore sunlight on her skin, or the cool lake breeze whipping at her long chiton.
But I could give her power. A title. A crown.
I could leave my heart to her keeping, hoping she didn't destroy it.
I would make Kore my wife and queen, and demand that my realm and every other worship ar her feet."
Other gods take multiples lovers. But Hades? He is openly dedicated to her alone:
I'll take Kore in my bed or no one." || "I will take Kore as my wife when she is ready, and not a moment before. Anyone who disagrees with my approach can take it up with me personally. By all means send them my way. I love her. I won't see her suffer any more than she's already suffering."
Like see how he is defending her honor?!?!
And a man who once dedicated his life to his ruling but now openly devoted to the woman he loves:
"I've never loved anyone except you. It's a terrible feeling, really. Like ripping your own chest open and watching it bleed. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."
When the man in the relationship loves the woman more:
"I knew she'd never love me the way I loved her. How could she? There was everything to love about Kore, and nothing in particular to love about me.
I hoped she would at least give me her smiles tough."
I love how the other put the concept of pomegranates. And
August 28, 2023
i was willingly going to rate 3 starts, but the ending came and then everything got boring. don’t get me wrong, i love hades and persephone and greek mythology, but this book was lacking everything about these two.
i mean, if you’re gonna write a book about greek mythology in a traditionalistic way, you can’t say some words in a modern way, because it losts its way. it felt like reading shakespeare and then he shouts something like “you’re such a p*ssy”. like???? it doesn’t sound good, right?
AAAAND we have the name “persephone”. persephone is called “kore” most of the book, but! don’t get me wrong, i like that, because persephone is only kore cause she is under her mother’s wings and she is innocent, like a child. BUT, we have persephone going to the underworld, doing some stuff🌶️ with hades and he still call her kore! what?! the moment persephone got in the underworld she isn’t kore anymore, because going to the underworld is were persephone lost her innocence, but not in a meaning ‘losing virginity’ way, and more to the fact that hades has corrupted her taking her to his home were everything is dead.
but wait, this get worse. OUT OF NOWHERE, persephone takes a pomegranate and says to hades that she is going to eat food from the underworld to tie her there and he’s like “ok go ahead”, SIR?????? she is going to be tied to the underworld, were moments ago you were thinking that she may not be fit to the underworld. ok ok, this isn’t the worst. the worst is were persephone takes six seeds and says this is going to mark the symbolism of her going six months to the upperworld with her mother and the other six months with hades in the underworld. BUT WHO TOLD YOU THAT IT WOULD WORK LIKE THAT????? we as the readers know that it work like that cause we know the mythology, but that’s it. AND THEN, she proceed to say “i love you” to hades when in fact she was really confused about all of it.
not to mention that the characters, all of them, were poorly written. i feel sorry for the readers who haven’t read a better book about hades and persephone, because this… this is awful.
i mean, if you’re gonna write a book about greek mythology in a traditionalistic way, you can’t say some words in a modern way, because it losts its way. it felt like reading shakespeare and then he shouts something like “you’re such a p*ssy”. like???? it doesn’t sound good, right?
AAAAND we have the name “persephone”. persephone is called “kore” most of the book, but! don’t get me wrong, i like that, because persephone is only kore cause she is under her mother’s wings and she is innocent, like a child. BUT, we have persephone going to the underworld, doing some stuff🌶️ with hades and he still call her kore! what?! the moment persephone got in the underworld she isn’t kore anymore, because going to the underworld is were persephone lost her innocence, but not in a meaning ‘losing virginity’ way, and more to the fact that hades has corrupted her taking her to his home were everything is dead.
but wait, this get worse. OUT OF NOWHERE, persephone takes a pomegranate and says to hades that she is going to eat food from the underworld to tie her there and he’s like “ok go ahead”, SIR?????? she is going to be tied to the underworld, were moments ago you were thinking that she may not be fit to the underworld. ok ok, this isn’t the worst. the worst is were persephone takes six seeds and says this is going to mark the symbolism of her going six months to the upperworld with her mother and the other six months with hades in the underworld. BUT WHO TOLD YOU THAT IT WOULD WORK LIKE THAT????? we as the readers know that it work like that cause we know the mythology, but that’s it. AND THEN, she proceed to say “i love you” to hades when in fact she was really confused about all of it.
not to mention that the characters, all of them, were poorly written. i feel sorry for the readers who haven’t read a better book about hades and persephone, because this… this is awful.
August 30, 2022
I haven't read a Persephone and Hades retelling in a while that wasn't a modernized one. Dead of Spring stayed true to that Greek Mythology story, with it's respective time-era.
Kore is very hesitant with Hades sudden interest in her but that doesn't stop her from speaking her mind about it. All her life, she's lived in her mother's shadow, steering clear of any god who'd have any interest in her. Her mother has pushed her to want to take the vow to stay a v!rgin and husbandless. In fact, the two gods who've asked for her hand in marriage she's turned down without telling Kore.
Hades is having none of this nonsense. He's been watching Kore for many years from the underworld and asked Zeus for his blessing. As one thing after another gets in his way, he's taken it upon himself to take her from the underworld instead. Now that I think about it, it reminds me of an old tradition in Mexico (I'm not sure if this still happens or not) but a male who'd wanted to marry a woman would steal said woman from her home. Eventually, they'd being her back and ask her hand in marriage.
Of course, Hades did not return her 🤣 He was very against letting her go. Hades wanted her to see his world and love it on her own. Their connection was something that not even Kore could deny, no matter how much she fought against it.
𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕:
• age gap
• Hades x Persephone retelling
• boy obsessed
• captive romance
• dark and broody mmc
• fantasy romance
• forced proximity
• grumpy x sunshine
• he falls first
• morally grey mmc
• virgin heroine
November 30, 2022
What can I say? I'm a sucker for Hades and Persephone retellings.
Right off the bat, let me say that the Hades in this book is quite unique. Unlike other Hades' that I've encountered in countless books and media, this one is the only God of the dead who is very blunt and literal with his words. He isn't even borderline romantic. He says "I love you" and "Who else would it be? Who else can even compare?" like it was a fact, my dudes.
It's quite refreshing!
However, everything else is just a run-of-the-mill H&P retelling. There are unique parts in the story, such as Mnemosyne having a corporeal form and Hecate being almost absent in the process. The book also took the route of children being not much of a problem for the couple, and focused more on Kore's journey to expanding her potential.
There were scenes where my heart is just twisted like a napkin in the hands of an anxious person. Literal pain. When Hades thought all hope was lost, thinking the throne bedside his will remain empty forevermore because it's "Kore or no one at all, until the world stops spinning", it hit home. I will always love a re-telling (except that one particular book series *cough*a touch of-*cough)
Solid 4.5 🌟! Didn't make me cry, really close though! Otherwise it would have been 5 🌟!
===
4.5 🌟! Review TBA
Right off the bat, let me say that the Hades in this book is quite unique. Unlike other Hades' that I've encountered in countless books and media, this one is the only God of the dead who is very blunt and literal with his words. He isn't even borderline romantic. He says "I love you" and "Who else would it be? Who else can even compare?" like it was a fact, my dudes.
It's quite refreshing!
However, everything else is just a run-of-the-mill H&P retelling. There are unique parts in the story, such as Mnemosyne having a corporeal form and Hecate being almost absent in the process. The book also took the route of children being not much of a problem for the couple, and focused more on Kore's journey to expanding her potential.
There were scenes where my heart is just twisted like a napkin in the hands of an anxious person. Literal pain. When Hades thought all hope was lost, thinking the throne bedside his will remain empty forevermore because it's "Kore or no one at all, until the world stops spinning", it hit home. I will always love a re-telling (except that one particular book series *cough*a touch of-*cough)
Solid 4.5 🌟! Didn't make me cry, really close though! Otherwise it would have been 5 🌟!
===
4.5 🌟! Review TBA
November 9, 2022
Did this book bring anything new to the Hades and Persephone retellings? No, not really. It’s the typical been there, done that kind of book. I totally get the allure of these two, but at this point, there isn’t really any perspective it wasn’t already told from, so I wonder why this book was necessary to exist.
It sticks somewhat close to the myths and I was glad we didn’t waste precious page time on Demeter’s temper tantrum, but I didn’t find Kore fun either. She was the typical self-righteous young woman who acted like a petulant child, for the hell of it, and I didn’t find the way her relationship with Hades came to be convincing. I love a confused mess kind of Hades any day, but here he was just obsessed with Kore and constantly pushing her a la Donkey in Shrek (are we there yet). All of these combined and there isn’t really anything left to truly enjoy(except Thanatos and his dalliances lol)
For me, a lot depends on in what direction Persephone’s growth and character are taken in a retelling and this wasn’t it for me.
Rating: ⭐⭐.5
Smut Scale: 🌶️🌶️
Heat Scale: 🔥🔥
It sticks somewhat close to the myths and I was glad we didn’t waste precious page time on Demeter’s temper tantrum, but I didn’t find Kore fun either. She was the typical self-righteous young woman who acted like a petulant child, for the hell of it, and I didn’t find the way her relationship with Hades came to be convincing. I love a confused mess kind of Hades any day, but here he was just obsessed with Kore and constantly pushing her a la Donkey in Shrek (are we there yet). All of these combined and there isn’t really anything left to truly enjoy
For me, a lot depends on in what direction Persephone’s growth and character are taken in a retelling and this wasn’t it for me.
Rating: ⭐⭐.5
Smut Scale: 🌶️🌶️
Heat Scale: 🔥🔥
June 8, 2025
It gets three stars because it was a fast read, interesting enough and not atrocious like some of the other Hades and Persephone retellings I've read.
The thing is, the setting was giving ancient Greece, but the dialogue was giving 2010. If you're going to write a Hades and Persephone retelling and set it in ancient Greece, without any modern elements, you need to commit to the bit. You can't have your characters calling a bathroom a "bathing chamber" and then talking about "perks". It's just very distracting. I don't mind when greek retellings have some modern elements, but you gotta make a choice. Either your characters are fully ancient and talk "old" or, even though it's set in ancient times, they talk modernly. You either call it "virginity" or "maindenhood", using both feels odd, you know?
Other than that, this was fine. There wasn't much conflict, but it was interesting enough.
The thing is, the setting was giving ancient Greece, but the dialogue was giving 2010. If you're going to write a Hades and Persephone retelling and set it in ancient Greece, without any modern elements, you need to commit to the bit. You can't have your characters calling a bathroom a "bathing chamber" and then talking about "perks". It's just very distracting. I don't mind when greek retellings have some modern elements, but you gotta make a choice. Either your characters are fully ancient and talk "old" or, even though it's set in ancient times, they talk modernly. You either call it "virginity" or "maindenhood", using both feels odd, you know?
Other than that, this was fine. There wasn't much conflict, but it was interesting enough.
September 13, 2022
Just a straight up retelling of the Hades/Persephone tale with: awkward with and mystified by women Hades; smothered and repressed by her overprotective mother Kore; adorable and always wanting belly-rubs Kerberos. Seriously, Hades's plan was basically...
1) See Kore by the lake, all sad and teary-eyed.So Kore's gotta step up and do some of the hard lifting. Very enjoyable and romantically sweet, with a little bit of spice.
2) kidnap her to the underworld.
3) ??????
4) be happily married forever and ever.
February 23, 2023
This is my new favorite Hades & Persephone retelling. WOWOW!! It was phenomenal. I had all the feelies and I loved how they were portrayed. This is also my favorite way Hades has ever been written!! The sweetest, most kind- AH! Fell in love with him in this book. Husband goals much?? Kore was perfect as well; her dynamics with Hades was just asdfghjkl. PLEASE. I love them. This was exactly how I imagine them. It was beautiful!!! 10 pomegranate seeds / 10 pomegranate seeds. You know a book is good when I sigh happily at the end of it. Perfection!!! Chef kiss!! Muah!! Muah!!
July 11, 2025
POR QUE EU NÃO LI ESSE LIVRO ANTES???
Eu simplesmente amei esse reconto. Conseguiu ser fiel ao mito original (sequestro, criação do inverno, a Persephone se dividindo entre o Submundo e o mundo superior...), mas com seu próprio tempero. E apesar de eu geralmente não ver defeitos no Hades, esse aqui foi feito de uma maneira que ele claramente é falho, mas isso só me fez gostar ainda mais dele.
Eu simplesmente amei esse reconto. Conseguiu ser fiel ao mito original (sequestro, criação do inverno, a Persephone se dividindo entre o Submundo e o mundo superior...), mas com seu próprio tempero. E apesar de eu geralmente não ver defeitos no Hades, esse aqui foi feito de uma maneira que ele claramente é falho, mas isso só me fez gostar ainda mais dele.
January 18, 2023
I really really liked this book! I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the Stockholm syndrome taking place but I guess hades won me over too 😅 I liked the slow burn and how Kore ultimately made the decision herself and came up with the idea. Get you a man like Hades (minus the kidnapping)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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