stefu1
Written on Aug 22, 2017
- ISBN10 1611946220
- ISBN13 9781611946222
- Publish Date 23 April 2015
- Publish Status Active
- Imprint Imajinn Books
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 194
- Language English
Reviews
Silvara
Written on Jun 17, 2015
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I was iffy on requesting this book. I usually really like fantasy books that have to do with mythology, but I wasn't sure if this would qualify for good or bad mythology retelling. I'm very happy to say, that from the first pages it was one of the good ones!
Persephone is a teenager, and was just smacked in the face with the fact that her life as she knew it was mostly a lie. She is a goddess as is her mother. However where some books would take this opportunity to throw in massive quantities of teenage angst, or brattiness, this book seems to skip a lot of that. There is a little bit of fear that her mother has gone insane, and she runs away a few times. But the way it's written makes it a pretty believable response.
I also quite liked the descriptions of the Underworld and it's inhabitants. Hades and Thanatos have always been some of my favorite of the Gods, and they had large parts in the book. I also really liked Cassandra, and the way that other characters from mythology were sprinkled into the book in mostly believable ways.
There is no insta-love in this book, and no love triangle either. The characters do eventually fall in love, but Hades is mostly a perfect gentleman. Telling her that she is too young and not doing anything more than a few very brief kisses. They don't fall in love quickly, but more in small amounts throughout the book. It was done in a very believable way, without ignoring the age difference between them or making it creepy.
The characters were well-written and not just caricatures. They had strengths and flaws, and the world was as fleshed-out as the characters. I really liked the descriptions of the Underworld and how it all worked, it wasn't over-detailed while still letting you know everything you needed to in order to understand. The way the Gods and Goddesses were portrayed in the modern setting was also really well handled.
I can hardly wait to get the next book. If you like fantasy books mixed with mythology you need to get this book.
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
Cocktails and Books
Written on May 23, 2015
Persephone was a sixteen year old girl, none the wiser to anything pertaining to Greek mythology (other than school) when her whole world turned upside down. Suddenly she discovers her mother is Demeter, she's a daughter of Zeus and Hades, Lord of the Underworld, has married her to protect her from the Winter God hell bent on capturing her and killing her.
Persephone had a lot thrown at her at once, but I loved how she didn't wallow in all that happened to her. She was determine to learn all she could about her new home, her newfound status as a Goddess and her new husband. She was a young girl who was very likable and someone you wanted to succeed in everything she did, as well as bring a little humility back to her new friends.
I enjoyed the author's telling of this story. She gave Hades a heart and made it very hard not to like him (even as he fights his feelings for the significantly younger, Persephone). I'm so glad I found this book and I look forward to the continuation of Persephone and Hades' story.
lizarodz
Written on Jan 27, 2013
I liked Persephone a lot. Even though it took her a little bit to get acclimated to her status as goddess, she tried her best and did fairly well. I don’t quite understand why her mother kept all of it a secret or how Persephone is Zeus’ daughter if he is supposed to be dead, but I hope to find out as the series progresses. Persephone is loyal, loving, very young and yet to come to her full powers. She makes some not-so-good decisions, but everything works out at the end.
I love Hades! He is used to spend millennia by himself, but he quickly falls for the brave and innocent Persephone and wish them the best (hopefully to come :) Hades is loyal, very powerful; he cares for his work and for his friends and family. Did I mentioned that he is very protective and way hot?
Other notable characters are Cassandra, Charon, Helen and Thanatos. The characterization is one of the things I like most about the book. The writing is good, easy to read and it flows nicely. The story is a modern take on Pherephone and Hades story, but with all modern conveniences and with a more willing couple I suppose.
I liked Persephone so well that I already purchased Daughter of Earth and Sky, book two in the series, and I can’t wait to get started.
Here are some quotes for you:
"I'd never seen anyone that looked like him. Movie stars, models, they paled in comparison, and as terrified as I was that I'd died, I couldn't seem to look away from him" - Persephone when she first saw Hades
"I've been around since the beginning of time, and I've never been afraid until I met you" - Hades
"You'll find your own way. Violence isn't in your nature. You're..." He sighed, glancing up at the ceiling as he searched for the right words. "You're light." - Hades
About the cover: It’s gorgeous, right? It’s what made me decide to read the book (besides the blurb).
Ashley
Written on Dec 1, 2012
BookNook — Young Adult book reviews
4.5 stars
Wow, this book was absolutely awesome! It was everything I hoped it would be. Persephone is perfect for all fans of Greek mythology. It's a really unique take on the story of Persephone, and the book itself was un-put-down-able!
I will admit that Persephone wasn't always the most likeable character. When she first learns that she's a goddess, I kind of wanted to bash her head against the wall. Despite all the evidence to support the claim, she was convinced that her mom was just crazy and kept trying to report her to the police. Even after she used her powers and got taken away by Hades to the underworld, she "memorized every detail, searching for something that would help [her] identify this place to the cops." I was just like, really?? But as the story progressed, Persephone became a bit more likeable. I didn't always agree with her decisions and sometimes she did act a little childish, but it didn't ruin the story for me. I had sort of a love hate relationship with her by the end. On the one hand, she does become really strong and independent and doesn't want to be seen as a damsel in distress—that's certainly admirable. But those feelings do cause her to make some blatantly stupid decisions (even if they do end up working out in the end!).
Okay, THE STORY! The story, the story, the story! I loved it so much!! Persephone is filled with a wide variety of awesome plot points, unique characters with individual voices, and more! My favourite thing about the story is that it takes place in a time after Olympus has fallen and most of the Greek gods are dead! Until now, I had never read a mythology story like this. Usually the gods are all alive and well—maybe a bit forgotten by people, but still very much alive. I thought this unique twist was really cool! It really comes together in the end and sets the stage for what will probably be a really intense series!
Naturally, a bit of a romance brews between Persephone and Hades. First, let me say that HADES IS FREAKING HOT! There, I've said it. Their relationship kind of reminds me of a lot of those sexy contemporary romances where you have the bad boy who falls in love with the sweet innocent girl. He's the god of the underworld, so of course he's a little dark, dangerous, and can lose his temper. But he also has a sweeter, more gentle side.
In some ways their relationship was really awkward. I mean, Hades has been around since practically the dawn of time so he's like.. millions and millions of years old. And Persephone is only 16. Awkward age difference, anyone? But I think the important thing here is that it's addressed in the book—and in quite a funny way, I might say!
"You can't play by human rules. Look at all those vampire romance books and television shows. No one makes a big deal about those guys being thousands of years older than the—"
"Actually they do. [..] Just read the online reviews, someone is sure to mention it."
"Physically speaking, Hades would be what, twenty? Twenty five?" Helen asked. "That's not such a big deal."
I imagined coming home from school one day to tell my mom I was dating a man almost ten years older than me and blanched.
I think I would probably feel more comfortable with their romance if Persephone was at least 18. Sixteen just seems really, really young. But as I said, in the book they obviously show reservations about the romance and it's not the focal point of the story by far. But when I pushed all notions of age out of my mind, I really, really enjoyed their playful banter and sarcasm back and forth. Persephone and Hades have a really fun relationship because sometimes they're totally swooning over each other, and other times they drive each other a little mad!
I ripped through this book in one sitting (literally). It's not the longest book in the world, but it's really engaging and super fun to read. While reading, I was constantly bursting out into giggles just because I was so excited about the book or I was totally loving Hades (I want him..). The book left off in a great place and set up the second book nicely! I can't wait to see what happens next! :D