Seeds of Sorrow

Immortal Realms #1

by Elle Beaumont, Christis Christie

Life for Eden is simple—until she's given to the nightmare king.

Wishing for more adventure in her life, and hoping to escape from under her overprotective mother's thumb even for just a night, Eden accepts an invitation to a ball in another king's court. Despite her mother's ire, it all seems worth it as their travels take Eden away from home for the first time and into the middle realm.

Draven, known as the king of nightmares and ruler of the dark realm, Andhera, desires only to remain in his kingdom and maintain control and order over the ravenous creatures that lurk in the shadows. However, he finds himself drawn away by the mysterious summons of his brother, who appears to need his aid desperately.

In one evening, thrust unwittingly together, Lady Eden and King Draven find themselves beguiled, betrayed, and betrothed. Neither is prepared for what it means for them, or for the immortal realms.

As politics and death intermingle, can two entirely different fae learn to rely on one another? Or will the dark realm destroy all that is held most innocent and precious within the realms, and Eden herself?

Seeds of Sorrow is a romantic retelling of Hades & Persephone with a fae spin on it! If you love immersing yourself in dark, descriptive worlds, political intrigue and romance, you'll love this.

**This novel is an 8 on the RCRS.**

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Fantasy Romance, Retellings, Vampires, Ebooks

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2022

About the author

You can find me mostly on Instagram! I'm always ready to fan over amazing books, tropes, and favorite crushes. There have also been reports of me sharing teasers and giveaways... Come find me @ellebeaumontbooks

Elle Beaumont loves creating vivid and fantastical worlds. She lives in Southeastern Massachusetts with her husband and two children. When not writing or chasing around her children, she enjoys making candles. More than once she has proclaimed that coffee is the lifeblood and it is how she refrains from becoming a zombie.

To stay up to date on the latest and greatest, sign up for her newsletter! http://ellebeaumontbooks.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hades and Persephone retelling, Seeds of Sorrow is a fantastic start to the Immortal Realms series! The characters are well developed and interesting, and I was drawn to Eden and Draven’s stories. Eden has been sheltered by her mother and desperately longs for freedom and adventure. Draven is the King of Nightmares and is feared among humans for having a ruthless and depraved reputation.

When Eden meets and connects with a mysterious man at a ball, she has no idea that it’s Draven, and when she finds out, she is stunned. She’s even more shocked when her betrothal to the King of Nightmares is announced. As Eden travels to the dark realm with Draven, she begins to realize that not everything she knows about him and his world is true. But political dangers, mysterious murders, and more plague the couple,

I loved Eden and Draven. They are so different, yet they fit together so well. I like how much Eden grows over the course of the story, from shy and timid to empowered and confident. She reminds me a bit of Rapunzel – naive and sheltered by a domineering and abusive mother and falling for an anti-hero.

Speaking of anti-hero, Draven is a super swoon-worthy character. Mysterious and dark with a reputation that proceeds him, Draven proves that there is more to him than the rumors suggest. And he and Eden have the best romance! There’s so much chemistry between them, and the way their love story progresses from a forced marriage to a deep, loving, and passionate romance is positively swoon-worthy.

The world-building is rich, immersive, and so unique, and the intrigue is filled with suspense and action. There are many nail-biting scenes, and as Eden and Draven slowly figure out more about the deaths and the targets on their backs, the stakes get really high. I’m interested to see how the bigger plot plays out as the series continues.

I’m not sure how I feel about Draven’s brothers, but I’m certainly intrigued by their stories and look forward to learning more about them. I feel like they, like Draven, are more than what people think, and I do like the scenes where the three brothers are together, especially toward the end. They have a long and rich history, and their connection is strong. I think there’s definitely more to all of them than meets the eye! This is a great story for readers who enjoy paranormal romance or Hades and Persephone retellings. It’s immersive and unique, and the love story is fantastic!

[Anastasia ｼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟹.𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 ⊹
╰ ✦ •

This took me wayy to long to finish

Honestly really interesting and I'm looking forward to reading the next book!

Draven and Eden were great characters... I kept picturing Draven looking like the League of Legends champion "Draven" it was really annoying ;-;

❥Hades & Persephone retellings
❥fae, vampires, shifters etc


_________________________________
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[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden wishes for nothing more than one night away from her overprotecting mother, and a ball at another king's court seems like the perfect outing. But when the night is over Eden finds herself betrothed to Draven, the king of Andhera, also known as the king of nightmares. You should be careful what you wish for...

This is a re-telling of Hades and Persephone and I loved everything about it! The world building with the three realms and three kings, the well fleshed out characters, that you either love or hate, and the romance between Lady Eden of Damaris and King Draven - all exactly in my taste! Even the sex scenes are top notch and with just the right amount of steam. This was a book I had a hard time putting down, but I also didn't want it to end! Highly recommended!

"Andhera wasn't a place anyone willingly spoke of unless it was in hushed whispers, and its king, Draven, was ruthless."

* I received a free copy of the book from BookSirens and I'm giving my honest review. *

[Athena of Velaris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC via BookSirens in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Eden has always lived a sheltered life, and when she accepts an invitation to a Royal Ball, she expects adventure, maybe a few minutes of freedom. A betrothal to the king of the dark realm was certainly not something she anticipated. Draven arrives in his brother’s kingdom expecting a conflict, not a hasty betrothal to a woman he barely knows. Ordered by his brother to take Eden with him when he returns to the land of two moons, he vows to protect her, even if their arrangement is only supposed to last a few months. But there is more to the quiet Eden than what meets the eye, and she may be the one person who can bring light to the kingdom without a sun.

Hades and Persephone retellings have always been my favorite kind of story. Enemies-to-lovers, a “weak” woman who learns to trust her own strength, forced proximity, usually slow-burn, and then some mythical tie-ins. What’s not to love? Seeds of Sorrow by Elle Beaumont and Christis Christie checked most of the boxes that make the myth of Hades and Persephone so timeless. Sadly, they didn’t bring anything new to the story, and while I understand that the Persephone-esque character (in this case, Eden) needs to begin her character arc as innocent, I didn’t like that everyone treated her as incompetent and that her development happened out of the blue. Draven (our Hades) was a fine male lead, and I appreciated the dynamics he shared with his brother more than the romance.

While the worldbuilding was decent, the plot lacked the same care and consideration. The conflict was almost non-existence until the middle, and I almost wish it had stayed that way. Personally, reading about the dynamic between Eden and Draven was enough–I didn’t need the hastily thrown together side action. The main characters had great chemistry and the dual perspectives were never hard to follow. Beyond the lacking conflict, the romance was pretty good. Eden and Draven both had reasons to like the other person, so while the creation of their romance was a given from the synopsis, it never felt rushed.

Overall, I expected to enjoy this book, and I was not disappointed. While the story was far from perfect, it accomplished everything it set out to do. The writing was good, the romance was cute, and the novel remained true to the myth while taking a creative twist.

[Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle and Christis writing together is pure awesomeness, magic and descriptive engaging worlds.

I loved the characters of Eden and Draven as well as SO many side characters! The story is interesting and you can tell that while Seeds of Sorrow is a retelling, lots of research was put into this writing.

I love mythology and have a serious Hades obsession 🤣.

If you love mythology, retellings, amazing books, character growth, sassiness or some steamy scenes that this needs to be on you tbr!

I can't wait for the next book! 😍

*I recieved a gifted arc from the authors which I chose to read and voluntarily review*

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I first came across Elle Beaumont in a short story collection called Beyond the Cogs with a story called Gossamer and Thorns. Although the story was predictable, I absolutely loved the characters and I would have been mad if it hadn't ended that way! So when I saw this, her name and the description were enough to reel me in. I've always had a soft spot for Persephone and Hades because I like to imagine that she grew to love him while at the same time making him more relatable to the rest of the world. I like this reimagining where he did not actually kidnap her, but he grew to love her even as she grew to love him. The fact that "Hades" is a vampire and is one of three brothers who together rule three related realms makes this all the more interesting. I started this in the midst of reading 4 other books, and I kept finding myself wanting to return to this book even though I needed to make progress on the other ones. For this reason, I rounded up. But also because I like that this book resolves the immediate story while continuing with an overall arc about the three realms. My suspicion and hope are that we'll find out more about the other two brothers. That said, in this one, I loved Eden and Draven. They each had baggage they had to work through, but they also had a ton of chemistry that was apparent even in their first meeting. But what I love is that it wasn't purely sexual attraction. There was a lot more to it and even as he saw her goodness, she was able to look past his outer self and all the stories about him to see his goodness.

I didn't realize until the end that this was a co-written book, but I think the pair did a fantastic job and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received an advance review copy from Booksirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Donna (BookDragonGirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An AMAZING Hades and Persephone retelling, with Fae and Vampires!! Also many other fascinating creatures! I am totally ADDICTED and can’t wait for the next book in June!!

The writing is FANTASTIC!! This duo are both incredible writers, both individually and together!! The characters are so complex and I can’t wait for more layers to be revealed in them! The worlds are so INCREDIBLY WRITTEN!! I was so intrigued by Andhera, and all its creatures!!

Draven and Eden are now one of my favorite book couples!! And I’ve read several Hades and Persephone retellings, but these characters are the best!! Of course the romance is filled with many swoon worthy and sexy moments, but it’s more than that, it’s the way they complement each other’s personalities and come to respect each other for who they are. I love their relationship!!!

This book is UNBELIEVABLY GREAT and if the series continues this way, I can see it being a favorite series of mine!!! I recommend this to EVERYONE!!!

[Lou Wilham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christis and Elle have done it again!

The Immortal Realms is a delightfully rich reimagining of classic Greek lore that I whole heartedly adored. They even managed to make Zues' counter part lovable which... how?!

Combine a few vampires, a lot of fae magic, and some truly amazing characters, and you've got a beautifully woven Persephone and Hades retelling that is hard to put down!

[RoXXie | The Art of Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Darkly Enchanting Retelling with a Fae Twist – 4.5 Stars

Seeds of Sorrow by Elle Beaumont and Christis Christie is a mesmerizing reimagining of the Hades & Persephone myth, seamlessly blended with rich Fae lore, political intrigue, and a compelling romance. While the premise initially feels familiar, the story quickly carves its own unique path, delivering an atmospheric and gripping read that kept me enthralled from beginning to end.

Seeds of Sorrow ♦ Elle Beaumont, Christis Christie - A review

Opinion

The novel introduced me to Eden, a sheltered and highly protected Fae maiden raised in the kingdom of Lucem under the watchful eye of her overprotective mother. With a magical gift that allows her to communicate with and accelerate the growth of plants, Eden’s connection to nature is evocative of Persephone, further solidifying the mythological inspiration behind her character. Despite her isolation, Eden is not a damsel in distress; she possesses a quiet strength, and when she is unexpectedly betrothed to Draven, the King Nightmares, she does not simply succumb to fear or rumor. Instead, she chooses to explore the world she has been thrust into and form her own opinions, making her an engaging and refreshing protagonist.

Draven, the enigmatic ruler of Andhera, is equally captivating. Once a Fae himself, his transformation into a vampire has granted him dominion over the shadows and the ability to turn invisible, a power that only adds to his reputation as a fearsome and mysterious ruler. Andhera, his kingdom, serves as a dark and twisted counterpart to the underworld of Greek mythology—souls of the dead find their way to his realm, but under his rule, even humans and Fae have begun to settle there, irrevocably altered by the pervasive darkness. His character is not just the brooding, tormented love interest one might expect; he is burdened by duty, honor, and the need to maintain control over the creatures lurking in his domain. His reluctant but undeniable attraction to Eden adds layers of tension and intrigue to their growing relationship.

The romance between Eden and Draven is beautifully developed, embodying the classic opposites attract trope while still feeling organic and emotionally charged. Their relationship is fraught with uncertainty, external forces working against them, and an undeniable chemistry that defies logic. Unlike many retellings where Persephone is merely abducted, Eden and Draven’s engagement is forced upon them both, leading to an interesting dynamic where neither of them is initially pleased with the arrangement. As the story unfolds, however, their bond deepens, and their personal growth is evident, making their love story all the more satisfying.

While the beginning of the novel draws heavy inspiration from Hades & Persephone, the plot soon takes unexpected turns, deviating from the well-known myth and embracing a fresh narrative filled with intrigue, danger, and political maneuvering. The pacing is steady, but the last quarter of the book is especially gripping, as mysterious events come to a head, and the broader picture of the world and its conflicts becomes clearer.

One of the novel’s strongest aspects is its world building. Beaumont and Christie craft an intricate setting that feels immersive and lived-in, with distinct kingdoms, cultures, and histories that add depth to the story. Andhera, in particular, is richly described, its haunting beauty and lurking dangers making it as much a character as the protagonists themselves.

If there is any critique to be made, it would be that the initial setup, though necessary, leans slightly on the predictable side for those familiar with the Hades & Persephone dynamic. However, the novel more than makes up for this with its unique twists, strong character development, and immersive storytelling.

Conclusion

Overall, Seeds of Sorrow is a beautifully written and darkly enchanting fantasy romance that will appeal to fans of mythological retellings, lush world building, and complex character dynamics. If you enjoy stories that blend darkness and light, duty and desire, with a healthy dose of political intrigue, this book is well worth the read. A solid 4.5 stars—nearly perfect, with just enough mystery left to keep readers eagerly anticipating what comes next.

This review was first published at The Art of Reading.

[Sydney (sydneysshelves) West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeds of Sorrow by Elle Beaumont & Christis Christie is a fae retelling of Hades of Persephone. To say I went into this with a heck of a lot of hesitation is an understatement. Fae content is overflowing the book community at this point. And all the dark romance lovers can’t get enough of H & P retellings. But I have to say I was very impressed. The writing was solid and flowed from one POV to the next. I was heavily invested in both the heroine and hero. The world building was pretty cool and well explained. I could only read this via ebook so only during my lunches or before bed and it was so hard to put it down in between. I loved this and cannot wait for the next book in the series.


This book will work for you if :
- You like Hades and Persephone retellings, especially ones where Hades is damaged not pure evil
- You like stuff with fae, vampires, shifters ect
- You like seeing overly sheltered characters come into their own and stand up to those who hold them back.


This book might not work for you if:
- Sexual content offends or bothers you. While the “spice level” wasn’t at erotica yet there was “explicit content.” There’s def way more plot than sex. But the sex is there.
- The whole innocent and clueless heroine trope annoys you. True to the original tale, our heroine is VERY sheltered due to her mother trying to protect her.
- You wanted the Hades character to be more anti hero / dark. I’d call him dark ish. A product of his circumstances but def good heart.


I gave this 5 stars. It’s a new favorite.

[Cátia Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Um livro que me conquistou de início. Com uma premissa e um mundo muito bem construído, entramos no reino sombrio e somos facilmente conquistados por estes personagens.

Com uma aura negra envolvente, este retelling de Hades e Persephone é irresistível. A química entre o casal é crescente e combinam de forma perfeita.

Gostei imenso da escrita das autoras, senti que consegui entrar mesmo no mundo criado. Ansiosa por ler os seguintes.

Ideal para fãs de mitologia e retellings!

!! Foi-me cedida uma cópia avançada deste livro em troca de uma opinião honesta.

[Ashley Braswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of ACOTAR and Zodiac Academy will love this book! It is a spicy Hades and Persephone retelling that takes place in a world of fae and creatures. The chemistry between the two main characters, Eden and Draven, sizzle and I couldn’t sleep until I knew how their story ends. Looking forward to seeing #2 in the series and more from these authors!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mary Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best retellings of Hades and Persephone that I've read! The characters of Eden and Draven are so well defined, and their unique strengths and weaknesses add so much to the tale. You will cheer when the evil get what they deserve :) This story is very well written with vivid descriptions, even of the uncomfortable evil characters and situations. You won't see some events coming, and you might predict some as well. There is a cliffhanger, so hurray for the next book!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fae, Greek mythology, and beautifully written character development? Yes Please!

Seeds of Sorrow is a Hades & Persephone retelling set within a fae kingdom with three vastly different realms. More than a retelling saturated in fantasy, Seeds of Sorrow dives into the fantasy world that the authors have created and introduces paranormal elements as well. Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and goblins all make their timely appearance. It is a wonderful addition to the fantasy romance genre!

As someone who loves greek mythology and retellings, this was one of the best books that I could have read. What I especially appreciated with the integration of the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone in both subtle ways as well as explicit ways, like in the plot. Other aspects of greek mythology were also added to the story such as the relationship between Zeus and Hera and their sons Ares and Hephestus. Some other connections were made and if you know your mythology then it brings a sense of joy when another connection is made.

The two main characters and their romance were also a beautiful focus throughout the book. Not only how they grow together but how they both grow individually as characters. There is a strength in Eden that grows and a softness in Draven that spreads. Neither character is whiny and they both take responsibility when they screw up. While they do have their faults, they realize this more so than many other characters in similar stories.

There were a few things that caught my attention and brought my rating down a bit. The first few chapters were not as well written as the rest of the book which made it hard to get into. The saying "Lord knows…" was used 3 times within a few pages which became irritating. It was then never used again. Around chapter 4 the conversation picks up and there are fewer unnecessary descriptors. Make it through these chapters and you are hooked for the remainder.

As a lover of fantasy romance and greek retellings, this was the perfect book. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series when they are released.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC for my honest review. Let’s start by saying I’m a huge Hades and Persephone fan. This loose retelling was beautifully done and was unique. Had me gripped from the start and the world building was amazing. Very deserving of the five stars! Also the emotional roller coaster I did not see coming. The characters are well written and thought through. While it may be a retelling it doesn’t get overwhelming of the same old retelling as some stories are. I can not wait for the next book in this series and the way it ended?! Just.. WOW.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating alternative world, filled with magical characters and wicked enemies. I loved Draven and his brothers, and Eden was a perfect foil to Draven’s darkness.

The story was well written and there was plenty of action, along with a fair amount of humour and heat… the attraction between Eden and Draven was instants

A really enjoyable read with an epilogue that promises much more drama to come…I received a copy of this book from the authors via Quirky Blind Date with a Book

[Y.S. Leija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me first warn you that this book is a slow start. It took me a few chapters for it to capture me, but when it did I couldn’t put it down. That said, if you enjoy retellings of Greek mythology you’ll enjoy this book. However, if you have no knowledge of the story of Persephone and Hades that’s ok as well. These characters can stand on their own. Vampires, werewolves and all sorts of other creatures are in this retelling. It was an enjoyable read.

received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[tre.wandereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying I’ve always been a fan of mythology and while I hadnt particularly been a big Hades and Persephone fan, I am now! Haha

This retelling has given a nicer depth to the balance of love and acceptance between light and dark. And I love that they both truly did find themselves in finding each other.

It was a wonderful world created, full of magic and mystery. I loved getting lost in a new world of fantasy and getting to know each character. They certainly made the experience more complete.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this gem of a book. I've read so many fantasy romance books with fae at this point, but this book was so unique and managed to surprise me at every turn. I loved Draven and Eden as individuals, and their vulnerability as a couple was beautiful. The world-building was exceptional, and I was so engrossed by every description of Andhera. This book is filled with adventure, swoon-worthy romance, a really interesting world, and well-rounded characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kats Bookish World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hades and Persephone meets vampires! So two things I love!
I was lucky enough to read the eARC for this story and it did not disappoint!
.
What I liked:
- the world and the world building! The three realms made this world very interesting!
- Draven is a sweetheart
- the royal family as a whole was a lot of fun and I really liked their dynamics
- the backstory for Draven, Travion and Zryan! I need to know more
- Eden standing up to her mother
- I love rebellious characters, so Eden was definitely my thing
- Alder
- all the side characters were a lot of fun
.
What I didn’t like:
- it dragged a little in the middle
- some parts were a little too predictable for my taste, but others made up for that (like the confrontation between Mynata and Eden! Did not see that coming)

[Brindi Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the sun, this book is LUSH. This is not the kind of book you're going to want to speed read. This is the kind of intentionally crafted book you're going to want to slowly chew through to absorb every setting, sigh, and slip of fabric. It was a beautiful read that had me stopping to visualize (and enjoy that visualization) before progressing further through the story.

High level, this is a Hades x Persephone retelling with fae and vampires. But there are so, sooo many more creatures in this world. (The goblins and 'rabat' were two of my favorites, and the harpies were absolutely kickass.) The imagery writing in this book is mature and developed, and Beaumont and Christie have a divine way of making a realm of 'nightmares' as richly beautiful and engrossing as it is curious and alien. I also loved that there was no info dump. Little pieces of lore came at you naturally as if you already knew them but were merely being reminded of them, and before I knew it, I felt familiar with this three-tiered universe, its history, and politics.

The romance between Draven and Eden was (obvi) my swoon-loving self's favorite part of this story. It was a slow unfurl that was addictive from their very first interaction in the garden, and the pulsing build of tension was absolutely yummy (hallway *cough* lake *cough cough* -- and my personal favorite -- BATHTUB *COUGH*). But what made it even better was that the spicy scenes were also romantic and intimate. They were HAWT 🔥 and at the same time tender, and for me, that's the perfect balance.

I'm not always a fan of dual POVs, as some tend to regurgitate information, but that was not the case with Seeds of Sorrow. The switches felt natural, and I adored seeing things from both Draven and Eden's points of view. It was almost like experiencing two different love stories at once, as we get to see each of them falling in love little by little and the inner workings of what that means for both.

The romance aside, my other favorite part of this story was Eden's growth from a timid, sheltered maiden into this strong, worthy queen. I think there was something fiercely poetic about her being sent to a world meant to break her and instead seeing how it molded her into something great. I love the Eden at the end of this book (the Draven too), and I can't wait to see what lies in store for the rest of this series. (I mean that epilogue!!! Even I'M not that cruel. 😈)

Side note: if you know a single thing about me, you'll know I'm a fan of Zyran. Cheeky little nudist bastard. (Need I say more?) Tulok was also a favorite. 😍

[L.B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Right from the beginning I saw elements not just from the Hades and Persephone tale, but also from ACOTR and Beauty and the Beast. Which really isn’t a huge surprise. All those stories either share the same root story or similar elements. Either the Tam Lin story or the aspects of an innocent, yet strong female character falling in love with the dark beast.
The world building is pretty evident in this story. Though, I didn’t really feel it was developed to its full potential. I felt that it could have been more detailed. And the details that were already present having more emphasis in the story. The characters were there and their interactions were interesting. Yet, their development wasn’t nearly as strong as the world building. They seemed muted; not fully colored or present within the fantasy. The secondary characters especially, and compared to the primary characters, seemed more than a little underdeveloped.
Then there was the story itself… The story was enjoyable. It read nicely and did keep your interest. But it was not exactly the best story out there. It seemed more like half a story, like pieces were missing or not all the way said. Then there was the conflicts within the story; the conflicts were half baked and most either disappeared without cause. Or suddenly went from 0 to 60 in no time (especially about half way through the story). They also seemed to be very mild and not melding with the story that well. The bouncing between Draven and Eden’s perspectives was well done. There was no question who’s point of view was being followed or when that perspective took place. There was no confusion between the characters and the reader. The romance between the two protagonists was inevitable and could be seen coming from a mile away. Yet, it also seemed too sudden. You could see interest at the beginning, but the real emotion felt like it came out of nowhere. It, too, had instances that made it seem muted. But that could be because of the timing and lack of solid interactions between Draven and Eden at the start. Like a majority of what happened or the story being told happened off to the side. More inferred or lightly mentioned, rather than lived through by the reader.
My over all impressions of the characters, conflicts, and story was that it was mild. It was alright to read, but was underdeveloped. What conflicts there were, I wished were stronger and better integrated into the story. On a side note about their romance, there are areas that can be seen as explicit. But I would not call them steamy; they Amy be hot and heavy to some readers, but to others it was not too hot to handle. The whole story, over all, while enjoyable, could have used some more oomph.

[James McRay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely well-crafted fantasy romance

Full disclosure: I was rather ambivalent about this being a Hades and Persephone retelling. In fact, I just recently learned how to correctly pronounce “Persephone.” Apparently, it’s not pronounced per-say-PHONE. Who knew? And when you add that fourth syllable the name is actually quite pretty. Anyway, I digress…

This was such a well-crafted Fantasy Romance story. It hit all the right notes: fully developed and enjoyable characters, exciting action/adventure sequences, and a perfectly-paced slow-burn romance. Plus, plenty of well-written steamy scenes. Enjoyed. Recommend. Bravo.

Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an ARC

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SEEDS OF SORROW is the first book in the Immortal Realms trilogy, and we start with a retelling of Hades and Persephone.

We find ourselves in a world divided into three realms, each brother ruling one. Draven chose to go to Andhera when it was clear it needed someone in charge. Staying there brought about changes expected but not guaranteed. Many years later, he is pulled into his younger brother's -- Zyron -- machinations and ends up with Eden as his unwilling guest for six months. The sparks initially fly between these two until Draven takes a step back. Eden grows into her own person as the turmoil starts within all three realms.

This was a good story that I enjoyed. There are parts of it that I think are unnecessary and parts that I wanted more from. That is just the way of books. A lot of emphases was placed on one Big Bad and I'm not entirely sure why. I don't feel it did much to move the story along, other than to paint Eden in a glowing light. And after her swift exit, it moved on to the next one without much of an ado.

The next book is hinted at the end of this one, with Travion/Poseidon having his story. This was a great retelling that I have no hesitation in recommending, and will definitely be continuing this series if only to see if my questions are answered.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I picked this from the recommendations list on BookSirens because it is a retelling of Hades and Persephone's story and I am a sucker for Greek mythologies. This has all what I liked in a fantasy book, faeries, vampires, werewolves, and other Greek mythological creatures. I was surprised to find and read something like this. I am happy to say that I enjoyed it very much.

The characters were likeable. You can tell which characters is based on their Greek roles, the three kings, Draven, Zryan and Travion are Hades, Zeus and Poseidon respectively. We also have Eden and Naya who are taken from Persephone and Demeter. The roles don't stray far from their original stories and are just put together in a dark-fantasy retelling.

Although, some important things were just brushed off as the story goes. I didn't expect Draven to be simpleminded when it came to the judgment of those who did him wrong. I think he knew better than that. I also loved Eden's character and her capacity to adapt to her environment. And can I just say, the love scene was intense. I very much liked that.

On the other hand, I did enjoy reading this and I can say that it was hard to put down. The book does end in a cliffhanger and so I am very much anticipating what will happen next.

[Geff Ratcheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Really enjoyed this one.

My only complaint is the wait ahead for book 2. With the current trend towards book box sets, it really is frustrating to get totally hooked on a story, then have to pause for several months, and in my case as an old person, I usually have forgotten half the plot of the previous book by the time the next one comes out.

I especially enjoyed the characters in this one (most specifically the main female protagonist, Eden), & how well I got to "know them". I also have always been a fan of the old European myths; & this is an easy & fun to read spin off of the Greek Hades/Persephone "myth".

Elle & Chris: please hurry & get us book 2 asap (lol)!

I will be following this series, either as an ARC reviewer if I am invited or if I need to purchase the books as they come out.

I wish we had a 4 1/2 star option. To me, 5 stars are for the total classics, but I enjoyed this so much.......

I need to read more of Mrs Beaumont's books; I've only discovered her writing pretty recently. In this awful world we live in, I love the escape of this book!

If you haven't figured it out yet, I highly recommend this book.

[BJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I was not overly impressed

with the writing of this book. While the plot is mildly interesting it lacked as did the writing. The same repeated phrases over and over again, plot holes that didn’t make sense, and somewhat juvenile writing style kind of irked me.

[Chandaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

That will be a 3.5 stars for me actually.
Seeds of Sorrow is a loose retelling of the myth of Persephone and Hades.

To be honest, I'm not a great fan of vampire stories but this was so well-written that it actually did not bother me. Mainly because there was none of the clichés usually associated with vampire stories.

I liked how the authors spun their tale. The male protagonist was interesting and I liked the evolution of the romance. The realms were interesting and I wish I could read more of them. This novel felt like an introduction to this world and only offered a glimpse of it.

I would recommend this to anyone who would like to enjoy a light reading.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I love Hades and Persephone retellings and this is such a fun one. For any fans of Greek mythology, you'll love the small details twists on myths that are included in here.

The characters were so sweet and Eden and Draven were awesome. <3 And a very good mix of plot and romance! I was very hooked from the start and loved the world we were introduced to! The vampire addition was also so fun - I was honestly not really expecting that. Any fantasy romance fan will love this!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC!

[see nic read · Rating 4 out of 5]

So shockingly good. How is no one talking about this? Got it on a whim for stuff your Kindle. Great spice, great characters, great world-building. I’m not sure I buy it as a Persephone and Hades retelling, but it doesn’t really matter! Definitely for anyone who wants romance but not JUST smut and no substance.

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5