Mass Market Paperback, Sourcebooks Casablanca
Author: Katee Robert
In this clever retelling (or reimagining) or the Gods of Olympus, we find them inheriting their “titles” pretty much like in monarchies – titles passed down to heirs (or acquired through political/devious machinations). We have, in this revamping of the Hades and Persephone myth, an Olympus divided not only geographically by the River Styx, but their inhabitants (at least on paper) never cross over. Hades, that at this point has reached almost a “myth” quality, rules over the lower city and Zeus and the other members of The Thirteen rule the fancy upper city.
When Persephone finds herself in a surprise engagement to Zeus arranged by her power hungry mother Demeter, she knows there’s a strong chance she’ll end up like the previous “Heras” – dead. So, she flees the party and finds herself being chased by Zeus’ goons and she crosses the bridge into the lower city and literally into Hades’ arms. Hades can’t believe his luck. He’s been plotting revenge against Zeus for most of his life for the death of his parents and the means to get it falls into his lap. Persephone sees an alliance with Hades as a way to be safe until she reaches 25 and can leave Olympus for good. Hades sees her as a means to an end. Can they come out of this alliance unscathed?
I really enjoyed this book! (I was worried about the hype, tbh) but it hit all the right spots. I love the nods to the original myth (“pomegranate” is her safe word, the three dogs they adopt, Demeter making half of Olympus go hungry…) but it is very much a contemporary romance. I couldn’t not see the Upper City kinda like some Hollywood/DC hybrid with celebs and power hungry politicians and Demeter sounded so so so much like the mother of a family based reality show that has some famous daughters *wink wink*. I enjoyed the politics and the devious intrigue. Some people said there is not much plot, but I disagree. There are a lot of things happening but it’s not an “action movie”. I liked the pace.
Yup, there is kinky sex (mostly sex in public) but what do you expect of the king of the underworld, people? The romance is a little instalovey but it is very beautiful! They are so in tune with other’s emotions and needs. There’s so much respect for consent. There’s so much respect, period.
Badass heroine, alpha hero with a soft heart. I’m so sold! This book does to Hades what “Wicked” did to Elphaba. 😉 You can’t not fall for him!
Possible triggers and representation: graphic sex scenes; sex in public; toxic relationship with parents; violent acts; coercion (not MCs). Though neither MC identifies themselves specifically, they have both been in previous relationships with same sex partners.
