Persephone

Daughters of Zeus #1

by Kaitlin Bevis

Daughters of Zeus, Book One

One day Persephone is an ordinary high school junior working at her mom’s flower shop in Athens, Georgia. The next she’s fighting off Boreas, the brutal god of Winter, and learning that she’s a bonafide goddess—a rare daughter of the now-dead Zeus. Her goddess mom whisks her off to the Underworld to hide until Spring.

There she finds herself under the protection of handsome Hades, the god of the dead, and she’s automatically married to him. It’s the only way he can keep her safe. Older, wiser, and far more powerful than she, Hades isn’t interested in becoming her lover, at least not anytime soon. But every time he rescues her from another of Zeus’s schemes, they fall in love a little more. Will Hades ever admit his feelings for her?

Can she escape the grasp of her powerful dad’s minions? The Underworld is a very cool place, but is it worth giving up her life in the realm of the living? Her goddess powers are developing some serious, kick-butt potential. She’s going to fight back.

Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Greek Mythology, Retellings, Paranormal

194 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2012

About the author

I spent my childhood curled up with a book, and a pen. If the ending didn’t agree with me, I rewrote it. Now, I write my own endings, middles, and beginnings for the Daughters of Zeus series, including the best selling novel, Persephone.

I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and I spent high school and college learning everything I could so that one day I could achieve that goal. I graduated college with my BFA and Masters in English with a EDs in School Library Media.

For up to the minute information on my future releases subscribe to my facebook or twitterpage!

Reviews

[TJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

THE REVIEW

Why this book?

I am a sucker for anything with Greek mythology

What I thought

Like I said I am a sucker for anything with Greek mythology. I especially love the tale of Persephone and Hades, so when I saw this was modern day version I had to read it. Sad to say I was disappointed Persephone is your run of the mill female protagonist. I couldn't connect with her and she annoyed me at times with her actions. Hades on the other hand was dark yet soft at times totally swoonwothly. There relationship though was lacking at times I was like swoon and then I like damn where did that come from when he totally ripped into her. Gotta admit I agreed with him though she did some stupid shit. Overall it was an okay read. I'll give the next book a try then i'll make my decision if i'm going to continue with this series.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you might have guessed by my nickname, I love mythology and I am especially fascinated by Hades and Persephone's myth. Therefore I was really, really excited about this book but at the same time, wary because I've already read a few modern rewritings of this myth and they were downright terrible (The Goddess Test, anyone? Diddn't think a book could make me feel that angry).
And this is undoubtedly the best rewriting I've read so far.

The characters were well-written.
Persephone doesn't care for being a damsel in distress and takes matter into her own hands. Her reaction to the whole "hey you're a goddess" is not downplayed at all, like it usually is, and quite realistic I've found. I loved Cassandra in the beginning, I found her hilarious because she was always rectifying Hades - she made me actually giggle. Hades is alright but quite different from what I'd thought : the author slightly changed the myth. This Hades is not really the "bad guy" of the story, he actually "kidnaps" Persephone so that she can stay safe in the Underworld from the real bad guy, a psychopath and serial rapist : Boreas, God of Winter. At first, it slightly unsettled me but I realised that I don't really want to read a love story with an abusive and pedophile Hades... So that's actually for the better!
Speaking of the love story, this one mercifully avoided the classic "insta-love" situation. Persephone seems particularly unimpressed by Hades at first and only learns to like him and eventually love him with time, upon seeing how he rules on the Underworld. Also, I found quite mature how Persephone confessed to him, saying she's in love with him for now, she doesn't know what the future will be made of - maybe it will change. It was really refreshing compared to the cheesy stuff you usually see in YA.
Another aspect of the story I really liked : the transformation of the Gods in the modern world. Honestly, that was just GREAT. It was just as good as Percy Jackson. The more I read about it, the more I thought "omg this is awesome, THIS IS AWESOME.". Everything just made a lot of sense and there were no loose ends or discrepancies.
The writing style was clear, and honestly I prefer a book with a nice, classic writing style than a book where the author tried to be poetic but ended up making it look ridiculous. The dialogues were quite witty and made me giggle sometimes and the Twilight references under the name "Dusk" really amused me.
Another aspect of the book I really appreciated, speaking of Twilight, is that they never downplayed the importance of the age difference between Hades and Persephone. It didn't feel like it was just a momentary hindrance to increase the sexual tension and anticipation, it felt like it was a real problem that Hades (and the author) carefully considered so that it wouldn't be creepy. Honestly, these days I've read so much YA where seriously wrong and unhealthy relationship were glorified that I just have to highlight how this book was a breath of fresh air compared to them because it avoided these pitfalls.
I am so glad it didn't disappoint me and I really can't wait for the second installment in the series!

[summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems like I've been constantly let-down with all the attempts of Greek mythology retellings. Namely, The Goddess Test series, Everbound, and now, Persephone.

I'm not exactly sure what made me dislike this book. It was either the stupidly simple plot, the characters, or even the absence of anything remotely interesting. It was likely a combination of the above, and along with the mediocre writing, leading to my disliking of this book.

Generally, it never really felt like anything was at stake. Ya, Persephone successfully kills the bad guy, but this was fairly easy, when I was expecting, based on the characters' explanations, a difficult and life-threatening task.

The fact that everything was predictable as heck also caused me to not take this book seriously.

The writing was atrocious at worst, mediocre at best. Let's take a few examples, shall we?

"She rolled her eyes to show her opinion of that particular dieting method."

Well, DUH, if you roll your eyes, OBVIOUSLY you're showing your opinion.

I peered past her out the window, grinning so she knew I was joking."

The second parts of those sentences were merely unnecessary and annoying and were just one of those DUH moments. The book was full of these. I found myself making this face quite a bit while reading Persephone:


Hades was... Bleh. A disgrace to Greek mythology and all the badass gods we expect from it. His relationship with Persephone is kind of unbelievable and I didn't feel very impressed by it as everyone else seems to be. The protagonist was naive and stupid and I never found myself sympathizing with her.

Why is this book appealing to most? I've no idea. I certainly found it very unappealing. Excuse me while I go diligently search for an entertaining Greek mythology book.

If you are looking for a good book on Greek myth, go read some of Rick Riordan's books. Don't make the same mistake I made.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"See, I had a vision-" Cassandra began.
"Always visions with you," Thanatos groaned.
"- that Persephone was in trouble. So I calmly told Hades-"
"If by calm you mean bursting into the throne room shrieking like a banshee," Hades teased.
"I do not shriek," Cassandra said indignantly.

"Anyone who comes down here with the intention to do you harm will regret it."
"Ah yes," Cassandra teased. "Charon could do something really helpful, like hit them with an oar."
"Hey! I'm the self-defense guru! Remember?"
"He could always talk them to death," Thanatos said.

Okay. I kinda knew I would like this book from the start. The characters are honestly hilarious and I may have laughed out loud a few times. They are basically like a big weird family and I love it!

"What happened? What did he do?" Thanatos took a few steps at a run over the grass- covered hill until he reached my side.

I thought Thanatos was a pretty awesome guy! He would be the friend that I would love to have. This big guy who has a soft heart.
But everyone has their secrets.

"Don't be afraid of me," he pleaded. "Not you. I never wanted to hurt you. I'm sorry."

Okay y'all. Hades is a heartthrob on this book. I'll admit it without embarrassment. I love him. He was funny and loveable and at times a little arrogant and full of himself but he was also charming.

On to the second one!

5/5 Mythical Stars! <3

Feb 24- 5 Stars
April 8- 4 Stars

[Suzanne Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a contemporary, re-imagined take on the Persephone mythology. Beautiful Persephone is raised on Earth, without any idea who she is. When she's about to turn seventeen, strange things begin to happen. I enjoyed the developing relationship between her and Hades, who is much more the good guy here than in most other literary depictions I've read. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the Underworld. I'm looking forward to the sequel, to see what Persephone is really capable of!

[Suzzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Greek mythology is a favorite of mine and Bevis wrote a fascinating book here. I will continue on with the series for sure.

[Silver-Flames · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOLY HADES THIS WAS PHENOMENAL!

Stop what you are doing. Do you like Greek Mythology? Particularly Persephone and Hades retellings… Have you read so many that have left you unimpressed? Well look no further, Kaitlin Bevis has created an amazing world surrounding our favourite greek gods and goddess that will know your socks off.

“Families think they know what’s best for you. Your friends let you figure that out for yourself.”

This book worked for me in every way, it had great characters with individual development, the romance department was on point and of course some killer twists that had me reaching for book two immediately.

I’ve always loved the tale of P&H but it often doesn’t get the fantastic writing the story deserves…Whether because of insta-love or just general boring writing, I don’t often feel satisfied. I went in to this with a wary heart but damn I am glad I gave it a try.

So lets get straight to it.

Pro’s:
No insta-love per say, I can’t say anything because of spoilers, but lets say I approve of the heroine in this so much. She is strong and just wonderful. And she held her own against Hades.

“At my disbelieving look he sighed again. I thought about offering him an inhaler, but he continued.”

Often huge age gaps are ignored (between 16 year olds and a [thousands, maybe more] year old.), a lot of books ignore the fact that a huge age gap can change things in a relationship. Maturity being the most obvious one. What I loved about this book is it was never glorified, i was never creeped out, Hades was a gem. He was considerate and the one to keep things appropriate because of her age. He wanted her to be wise enough to make her own decisions. There was nothing pervy about their situation.

Hades is dark and mysterious but I never disagreed with his choices. He was a fantastic hero, couldn’t have asked for a better one. Did I mention how great Persephone also was? I loooooooooooved how her personality grew and flourished.

“Charm me into giving you the red M&Ms. They’re my favorite.'
I looked Hades in the eyes. 'Give me the red M&Ms.'
'Still not good enough.'
'Give me the damn M&Ms," I snapped.
He snickered. 'That wasn’t very charming.”

There was a great set of side characters; Cassandra, Helen of Troy, Thantos, and so many more. The mythology was fantastic, well described and very unique from other books I’ve encountered. Particularly the description of the Underworld and souls within it.

Hades reading psychology books to understand the souls that die better was so heartwarming.

THAT ENDING. OMG. Did not see it coming at all!

Con’s;

The beginning was a little bizarre but quickly fixed itself as she was taken to the Underworld. It felt like there where a few scenes that happened so quickly that I was confused but I think the author was trying to keep up the pace.

I wanted more, why wasn't it longer!?

THAT ENDING.


…And on to book two!


(review edited and I added some fun quotes)

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love retellings of stories and especially about mythology so I was extremely excited to read this. I wasn’t disappointed!

I loved the characters. Persephone’s voice really shows through and her own personality was able to shine through. Hades personality was surprising in a good way; he has his own reasons for doing what he did. Hades did not do everything right but it was for the right reasons. I like the build up of the love story and not having it happen all at once in a love-at-first-sight situation. Both of their characters were able to develop and grow throughout the story.

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Also on http://lrjohnson13.blogspot.com/2012/...

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main story - 2.5 stars.
Medusas' story - 4 stars


"Persephone” by Kaitlin Bevis is a modern take on the traditional legend of Hades and Persephone with a few unique twists.

Kora is your average high school girl (if a bit prettier than average). Her average life comes to an abrupt end, however, when she discovers that she’s a goddess - the daughter of the Goddess of harvest, Demeter.
Life as a goddess isn’t as easy as it sounds, however, when she catches the amorous interests of a fellow Olympian... whose ‘romantic’ history includes a tendency to leave his love interests dead.
Suddenly under threat, Koras’ mom calls in a favour and has her shipped off to safety... in the underworld, under the protection of Hades, god of the dead. Things don’t run as smoothly as planned, as Kora and Hades butt heads at every turn - and Kora finds herself fighting an unexpected attraction to her host.



It was... okay, although there were some definite issues. While we'll- intentioned, Persephone isn't portrayed as being the brightest character, which she herself acknowledges. There's were a few moments I found myself frustrated by her lack of common sense.
Well, maybe more than a few.

Thankfully the author refrained from going the creepy route (more than is automatic due to the age difference, at least - not to mention the twisted Olympian family tree) with Hades and Persephone- the most that happens is a rather chaste kiss at the end.

Overall, it was okay. Not one of my favourite versions of the myth, or one I’d read again. It might be a decent read for someone at the pre-Teen age level, who could sympathize more with the characters though.

[Rukhsana Sukhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. 6 stars out of 5 for sure! I can hardly wait for the second book in this series!!!!

How can I write a review that does justice to this book? I LOVE this book. It grabbed me from the first page and did not let go. Actually, it still hasn't, since now I'm pining away for the sequel! Thru this book, Kaitlin Bevis has taken the epic and sometimes far-removed stories of Greek Mythology and transformed it into a Young Adult novel that has wide appeal.

Well written, with a sound plot, the book made some turns I wasn't expecting. I love that this is a character-driven story. The story is told from Persephone's POV and this connects the reader in a intimate way to her story. I love that Persephone's flaws drive the plot and how, sometimes, even trusting too readily can sometimes be a character flaw. The fact that gods cannot lie throws a wrench into things sometimes, making promises things that must be kept, even if solicited via trickery.

I love the characters, think the way Bevis has personified the Greek gods is pure brilliance. Hades, ruler of the Underworld, is actually a pleasant and quite handsome chap. Who would have guessed? Seems counter-intuitive, right? Well, that's what makes it so clever! The characters are real, multidimensional and make the book feel like an alternate plain of existence that readers can just slip into as they read the words.

This book was a freakin' fabulous read. It was so cool being in Persephone's mind as she tried to wrap her head around the fact that she's a goddess and the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. And also to follow her throughout the book and watch her come into her own, as an individual, as a goddess and as queen of the Underworld. The book ends by giving us a taste ~ first chapter ~ of the sequel. It's quite a tease, actually. And I can hardly wait.

[Hufflepuff_princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many books that i loved, but never actully took the time to review. This book however is different, this book is by far the most amazing, well writen and exciting books i have ever read! I highly reccomend this book to anyone who likes romance, action, bad boys or even adventure.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something so compelling and timeless about the Persephone/Hades romance – the beauty falling in love with the beast – as I choose to read the story as though she did end up falling for him over time. You know, despite the whole caveman club-her-over-the-head-and-drag-her-back-to-his-hovel/palace/Underworld-and-force-her-to-stay-there bit. Perhaps it’s the idea of such polar opposites attracting, of finding redemption in another’s love, of compromise, of coming to a deeper understanding of a person despite misconceptions or preconceptions, of loving someone enough to let them go, or perhaps it’s the idea of a hard-won, though slightly tragic, love that flourishes despite the odds. And more than likely it’s a combination of all of those things. But whatever the reason, it’s a romance that remains one of my favorites.


In Kaitlin Bevis’s retelling, the setting is modern day and it’s as though this particular myth hasn’t yet happened. Persephone, 16, has been raised by her mother as a human with no knowledge of her powers or her divine heritage. Living in Athens, GA, Persephone attends a normal high school, pals around with her bestie Melissa, and loves her part-time job at her mother’s flower shop, Demeter’s Garden. But when strange, unexplainable events begin occurring around her, she learns that she’s a goddess going through goddess growing pains. But her new-found, uncontrolled powers begin attracting attention from the wrong sort of… people, putting Persephone in unimaginable danger. When Hades – yes, that Hades – intervenes during a kidnapping attempt, Persephone’s life just gets a little crazier when she discovers that to save her from an unimaginable fate, Hades had to do the also unthinkable and claim her as his queen.


Sixteen, a goddess who hasn’t fully come into her powers, and married to the Lord of the Underworld.


Yeah.


Who saw that coming? Not Persephone, surely.


Her world having been turned upside down, Persephone must begin to adjust to her new reality as she comes to certain realizations about herself, her capabilities, her feelings for Hades, and who it is that controls her fate.



The girl & the goddess. Persephone is a very endearing and empathetic character – a goddess, but also a normal, authentic teenage girl with the usual assortment of teenage worries and insecurities. Bevis strikes a fantastic balance between Persephone’s human-born innocence and naivete and her goddess-like maturity and inner strength. She’s sweet, not naturally confrontational or very outgoing, and she has a compassion and love for people that isn’t common among the Greek deities. However, meeting Hades brings out a very different side of Persephone – being around him causes her to be more tenacious, stubborn and more aggressive than she was prior to their meeting. It’s a gradual change, and it’s so fun to see this teenager goddess go toe-to-toe up against this ageless, immortal, slightly terrifying being… and hold her own to boot. Her growth as a character is wonderful as she undergoes the typical, and yet not-so-typical, foundational moments of growing up – discovering who she is, who she wants to become, and who her responsibilities dictate she must be.



The Lord of the Underworld. Hades as a viable YA love interest? Yeah. Challenging. I mean, with a literary legacy spanning thousands of years, plus his title and reputation, he’s not exactly bring-’im-home-to-meet-the-parents kind of material. You don’t give Hades a curfew by which he must have your teenage daughter home by, right? That’s just asking to be smited? Smote? Smitten? My poor verb tense knowledge aside, there would most likely be smiting involved.

And yet, this Hades is different than the various incarnations I’ve read or seen over the years. While still retaining that dark, slightly sadistic side, that impressively intimidating divine otherness, and a healthy dose of entitled arrogance, Hades – at heart – isn’t such a bad guy. Though he’s nowhere near a “bleeding heart,” Hades is a fair ruler, and surprisingly understanding toward those who reside in the Underworld. Seems as though a little humanity, the tragedy of death, or the profound sense of loss felt by those souls who’ve been sent to his realm has made a bit of an impression over time. As with Persephone, Hades character strikes just the right tone between the human and the divine, and it’s not hard to see why Persephone could possibly fall for him.



A May-December romance. Or more accurately, a November-April romance, but you know what I mean. Updating this particular love story for modern times has the potential to be tricky. Firstly, the age gap. Though he might look like a early-twenty-something A&F model, Hades is still… well… ancient. He’s been around the block countless times, and if there was ever a confirmed bachelor who was set in his ways… Hades would be it. However, despite the obvious age difference and contrast in life experience, Bevis creates a romance between these two that is believable. Hades might have several thousand years on Persephone, but she can certainly hold her own against him. She challenges him, and it would appear as if that’s something that hasn’t happened in quite awhile… if ever. Persephone brings out a rare vulnerability in Hades while he brings out the fire and fight in her, and it’s really interesting to watch their relationship progress as they’re forced to be in close proximity to one another, slowly seeing the other for who they truly are.

Now some of you savvy readers might be wondering… ok, what about the fact in the original myth that Hades is technically Persephone’s uncle? You know brother of Zeus… and she’s Zeus’ kid? ‘Tis dealt with. Your 21st century sensibilities will not be offended I assure you. *wink*



Persehone 2.0. One of the reasons I enjoyed this story so much is because while it retells and reinvents the original myth, the story we’re familiar with is only the tip of the iceberg. In this version, Persephone’s stint in the Underworld is the beginning of a much bigger, more complicated plot. While this book deals largely within the confines of the original myth, Bevis lays some fantastic groundwork for the next book, right up to the “OMGOSH!” of a cliffhanger ending. I am so very curious to see how all of this plays out in Daughter of the Earth and Sky.



Overall. Holding to the spirit of the original myth, Kaitlin Bevis successfully expands upon the story of Hades & Persephone, reinventing, modernizing and weaving a romance and plot that is both compelling and timeless.

[Christina (Ensconced in Lit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis is one of the most refreshing indie books that I've read in a while. It stars Persephone, unsurprisingly, who believes that she is just any other 16 year old girl until she finds out that she is actually a goddess! If you have read Greek myths at all, you will recognize characters from Hades to Charon. My favorites include Thanathos, Cassandra, and Helen. Persephone gets attacked by a fellow with wintery powers, and gets rescued by Hades. She wakes up in the Underworld. What happens next is terrific with some great twists that I definitely didn't see coming.

I absolutely loved this gem of a book. What totally sealed the deal was Persephone herself. She is a terrific protagonist-- sweet but at the same time smart and witty. Bevis definitely has a turn of phrase. I laughed out loud at certain parts (especially at a particular exchange at dinner between Charon and Hades). Then near the end, when I was worried things would end up disappointing, Bevis makes some really great plot decisions, and cinched the elusive five stars from me.

Minor spoiler: The only part I was slightly dubious about was a scene where Persephone is imagining a new wardrobe (she thinks it, and it appears as she sees in her mind). While I love that idea, I just see so many pitfalls with it-- wouldn't you imagine yourself naked in some inopportune moment just because you were trying NOT to think it?

Overall, a witty, cleverly written ode to Greek myths with a terrific protagonist. I can't wait to see what Persephone has in store!

[vicky. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone secretly wished they were special. But in all my dreams of discovering I was a superhero, or a witch, or maybe even a princess, I’d never gone as far as goddess.

*takes a deep breath* THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST HADES PERSEPHONE RETELLINGS I'VE EVER READ.

Persephone is a normal teenage girl that that loves plants, has a supportive best friend and a loving mother. But Boreas, the God of Winter wants her, so Hades takes her to the Underworld for her protection.

Persephone is just so... perfect. Yes, she's innocent and naive sometimes but she has a personality. She gets angry, she questions things, she cares about the dead people and while she appreciates being protected she doesn't like being coddled. She wants to train and be ready for whatever happens.
Hades is never a douchebag or distant or truly evil. He's not Satan. I like his character a lot. Their relationship reminded me a lot of Feyre and Rhys in ACOMAF: they talk, train and respect each other. They banter and have different views but at the end of the day they are equals.

I JUST LOVE THEM OKAY!!
Also the Underworld is not a super dark place or a cave, I like how original this take of this place was. There are many awesome side characters too, and they become close to Persephone (yep, she has female friends!)

I'm glad that ignored the cover and synopsis, because this is a truly awesome book.

[Treece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

I took my own sweet time reading this book simply because I could. The best part of this book is the world building. Also the remaking of Greek gods, goddess and persons associated, such as Helen of Troy. Persephone is only 16, true, but she is also a whiny annoying cry-baby. I got sick of her constant pity parties. When the mean girls at the school weren't picking on her, then the meanies in the Underworld were being mean, or Hades was the worst meanie of them all to her. Actually, I like Hades and the others better than her. I would read the series to see happens to Hades but that would be investing more money in a series I am ambivalent about. So no go. I can spend time and money on better books, some of which are free.

[Tanja (Tanychy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted at Ja čitam, a ti?

You've all heard about ancient myths, yeah I did to. I've heard about them a lot but about Persephone I haven't heard of before. So I should start this with thank you note, cause today I've learned something new and I'm grateful for that.

I, as a real geek, did my research so it took me by surprise how the author did really good job by creating the story out of it. Just so you know the myth has some similarities but here the story fits better in out time. Here the story has been written in a way that you can relate to the gods and feel them. They're not that mysterious creatures that live far away, they're beings with a feelings and you can walk with them through the story. I won't tell you more about the story cause the blurb tells enough. But I really did like the story only the problem is relationship between Persephone and Hades cause it was rushed in my opinion. I couldn't see it or feel it for the matter to develop and that's the only thing that bothers me here. Yes I know that's the thing with gods, but problem is the story is set in present time so I guess the relationships should be too.

All in all I'd like to read the second book cause I see that there is a lot of interesting things I'm yet to learn about.
Now please excuse me while I go and ready myths until my head blows.

[Katie Scarlett O Hara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it's not the most original book, I've really liked it. The Greek mithology is incorporated rather well here, story feels fresh, especially the author's view on Underworld and I love Hades/Persephone relationship and their characters. It reminds me of Twilight but with the spunk and humor and without that much winning. Also it gets bonus points for making fun of Twilight. I think this is a solid Hades Persephone retelling.
Update: Finally, there is a review on my blog for this series.
http://thestuffdreamsaremadeof21.blog...

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

ORIGINAL REVIEW AT: Little Book Star

I’ve always been a big fan of Greek mythology ever since I studied and read stories about them in my English class during freshmen year high school. It fascinates and interests me so much so when the author was looking for reviewers, I just had to say yes! This book will not disappoint you, and you will literally keep turning the page until the very last. I brought this book everywhere! While I was shopping with my mom at Big Lots, having lunch at a restaurant, at school, during my classes, before I sleep, watching T.V., I would always be reading Persephone. Yes, those are all true.

Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis is obviously a retelling of Greek mythology focusing on Persephone. It is very well written, and plain amazing! I can’t say it’s the best Greek mythology re-telling story I’ve ever read because this is actually the first time I’ve read a retelling of Greek mythology, but I’m glad to say it’s the first. The book is basically about Persephone ( a.k.a Kora) not knowing she’s a goddess until Hades kidnaps her and brings her to the Underworld. As her 17th birthday draws near, Persephone starts having these “feelings” that someone is always watching her. Turns out one of the gods wants her and it’s up to Hades, her mother, and best friend Melissa to protect her.

When we think of Hades, we usually think of his wife Persephone too. But do we really get to see her perspective? That’s what I loved about this book, is that it was written 1st person point of view of Persephone. The best of all is the romance between Hades & Persephone! The author did a really great job. It was super interesting reading how they acted with one another, how Hades would be protective and concerned to Persephone, but at the same time it was such a cliff hanger! Because of their age difference, Hades felt his love for her wasn’t right.

The characters were all likable, but my favorite would have to be Hades. Hades is the Lord of the Underworld who’s supposed to be cruel, mean, unfair, scary etc. but in Kaitlin’s novel, he wasn’t always a monster. Here, Hades has a friendly side which totally shocked me especially when he shows his concern to Persephone. It makes me say “awww” and brings a smile to my face (: . He welcomes the new souls, and he treats the other gods in the Underworld like a family.

In this book, Persephone lived all her life on Earth. She’s your typical normal girl, went to high school, had “friends” who talked behind her back, and ran a flower business with her mom Demeter. Persephone is tough, independent, and of course beautiful (she has the power to charm anyone). I know she has a “kick-ass” attitude inside of her, but in this book, she just found out that she was a goddess so we couldn’t really see what she’s fully capable of. I can’t wait to read the sequel, and I feel like there’s going to be more action in that.

Like I said, it’s a very well written book. I love love love how Kaitlin pictured the Underworld. I felt like I was actually there, touching the River Styx, seeing the new souls begging Hades and Persephone to bring them back to Earth, etc. It took me 2 days to read it and I enjoyed every second of it. I 100% recommend Persephone go buy it now!!

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Persephone

One of my favorite things to read is a modern day telling of an old story or myth and Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis did not disappoint me. Persephone is living in the modern day world with her Mother attending school, working, and oh yeah, being stalked by some kind of mystical force. Time isn’t on her side and if that wasn’t enough Persephone has absolutely no inkling of who or what she truly is.

I love, love, love that Persephone is a teenage goddess, well technically she doesn’t even know she’s a goddess. I think Bevis did a great job of jumping right into the story. Right off the bat we know something isn’t right. Persephone feels like she’s being watched and every time she touches people something strange happens to them.

But the real craziness kicks in when she driving home with her best friend Melissa and the wind and ice try to kill her! I mean Oh my god. The scene was crazy and done incredibly well. You get the sense that there’s something going on and all the characters around Persephone know a it more than they are letting on.

I don’t want to give away the entire plot, but once Persephone is attacked and saved by Hades the story really starts catching fire. I think my favorite part of the story was a mix between all the different Greek myths that were thrown into it and the relationship between Persephone and Hades.

Bevis’s depiction of the underworld having layers and not being this terrible place was a welcomed relief. Not that I don’t love me some torture because Hades does have a pretty dark side haha, but I really like the idea of him caring about the souls and making a place they can live and have a good afterlife.

I loved Cassandra as well. She was so bubbly and snarktastic. I absolutely couldn’t get enough of her and oh my god Hades jokes about his depiction in other media, hilarious. When they mentioned the hair on fire you know I was totally picture Disney Hades in my head!

One thing I absolutely enjoyed was how Persephone wasn’t your typical teenager. Sure she snapped and got crabby, but in a lot of books when something doesn’t go a characters way they lash out and are terrible to the people helping them who care about them, but Persephone isn’t like that at all.

She gets the urge to be bitchy, but then pushes it aside and realizes that if she said or did that she’d be acting liked a spoiled immature child and I adore that realization from the character. We see Persephone do a lot of growing up over the course of the story and the way she started out is definitely not how she ends up.

I really loved this story and would absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves Greek mythology or a retelling of any kind!

[Teresa Mary Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Reviews Here: Readers Live A Thousand Lives

I don’t think it is a secret that I am a sucker for anything with Greek mythology in it and I take a special liking to the Persephone and Hades myth. So it is really no surprise that I would be drawn to this book. I love a good twist on a great Greek myth and that is exactly what Persephone is.

Here is the premise. Imagine Persephone wasn’t born back in the time of the Greek gods but in modern day. That is this story and it made for a great one. Persephone has grown up not knowing she is a goddess and naturally this leads to some problems when she finds out. Persephone is the first goddess to come into existence in thousands of years, and this makes her a target. All of this leads to a really great story that weaves in all the important parts of the Persephone myth.

We have always been led to believe that Hades is this truly dark, terrifying, and evil guy, but somehow Kaitlin made him appealing. Who knew I could fall head over heels for Hades? But I did. Hades is not simply evil but compassionate and strong and caring as well. Of course he has a dark side and boy does he have a temper, but that is not his only side. Kaitlin took a character that everyone normally fears and twisted him into a dark hero, a swoony dark hero. I loved this take on Hades.

The plot in Persephone is at times predictable, but that it to be expected with a book that is retelling a well-known myth. However, there was still a lot about the story that caught me off guard. There are some twists and turns in there that will shock you. This holds true especially with the ending. I was left dying for more of the story and I cannot see where this is going to go next.

As I said before, I love Greek mythology and the author did a great job weaving it into the story. With most mythological stories, the gods are hiding and although not everyone believes in them anymore, they have not gone away. But this story, while yes the gods are hiding, not all the myths we have come to know have happened yet. For example, Orpheus makes a cameo during the book. The Greek myths are not a thing of the past that the author is building on; she is literally weaving them into the plot.

All in all, Persephone is a really enjoyable read, especially for mythology fans!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[CARLA · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://celebrityreaders.com/2018/04/2...

Favorite Quotes:

I wasn’t sure I could handle this. I’d followed in the footsteps of the dead, befriended a prophet, been attacked by a snowstorm, married the King of the Underworld, found out I was a goddess, and stabbed a guy with a pen all in one afternoon. I was terrified of what tomorrow might bring.

At my disbelieving look he sighed again. I thought about offering him an inhaler, but he continued.

This book was quite entertaining. I do love a good Mythology tale and Persephone is one of my favorites. The cover is appealing and I loved how modern all the Gods and Goddess’ were. Their powers were interpreted in an interesting way to make them more palatable for modern times. It was fun to try and guess which god was who by their occupation.

I dug Persephone, for one I enjoyed the fact that she wasn’t frozen with indecision. She kind of rolled with the punches and actively searched for the solutions to the problems that she was facing. I especially like how she didn’t let the people in power surrounding her affect the way that she reacted to them; basically she didn’t take their shit. She was snarky, independent and showed a pretty good level of intelligence for someone her age.

I gotta say I had a hard time with the attraction that was shared between Hades and Persephone. The fact that Hades was so much older than her, plus being a God and her being barely 16 just wasn’t believable to me. Honestly, it felt a little dirty because for someone who had that level of power, experience and wisdom; to be attracted to someone so young just didn’t feel authentic. And I know I’m supposed to suspend my belief because it’s a book of fiction but I just wasn’t able to.

I did love Hades’ sense of humor. He was pretty funny and not at all what you expect the ‘evil’ one to be like. He was caring, even jovial at times but he definitely made his anger known when warranted, which was a bit sexy TBH.

There were a lot of side characters and ‘cameos’ of other mythology characters that were clear hints to future stories. They were all well rounded and kept my interest throughout. The plot was pretty fantastic. The whole gods can’t lie thing was a nice twist in the story, but tha’ts all I can say about it. You’ll just have to read it to find out.

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a really quick read for me, mainly because I did skimmed through it.
I adore stories that have to do with greek mythology but unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I think it partly has to do with the fact that I got too excited at all the high ratings and got my hopes up.

Normally, I would forgive a cliched storyline if the characters are endearing and lovable enough, or if the book has amazing prose but this book lacked both. The writing was bordering on average and I was less than impressed with the characters. Persephone is your run of the mill paranormal novels female protagonist. She's pretty and slim but doesn't feel like she's anything special and is awfully naive. I felt totally disconnected with her and at times, annoyed with her actions. Hades was anything but a terrifying greek god and his relationship with Persephone was not exactly believable.

The plot was predictable and the pacing was rather slow, even the reveal was rather anti-climatic.
Sigh. Yet another book based on greek mythology that was promising but sadly, not well executed.

[Franjessca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review posted on Book Lovin' Mamas

I loved Kaitlin’s writing style and how she brought the Gods and Goddesses into the modern day. The story between Hades and Persephone is a different take on what you are told as a kid, which is another reason why I loved reading this book. I adored Hades in this book. I loved how strong the character Persephone was when she was in the underworld and how she helped out her friend at the end. I was surprised to find out who was helping the bad guy though. I was in shock when I learned it was a person that Persephone had grown to trust. I’m looking forward to the next book now. =) I can’t wait to find out what happens next. I recommend this book to YA readers out there and readers who have a fascination with mythology. This book will have you wanting more after you finish the last page (or in my case…my Ipad).

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. It was an interesting and refreshing take on Greek mythology. I thought the characters were great. Their interactions with one another was really interesting to see. I thought the book was a bit slow at some part, but overall the book as a whole was really good.

My favourite character was Hades. He had this charm about him. He was the most interesting and complex character. I can't wait to read the second book. I hope the series gets better and better. Overall, a great read.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good quick and easy read. It was based on mythology and focused on the storyline that the old gods and godesses are living in the current day and their powers are returning.

The main character is the title character Persephone, a teenage girl who is living a normal ish life when she is targetted by another God who hopes to capture her and ruin her mind. She finds out she is the living embodiment of the goddess of Spring and is placed in Hades care until Spring returns and her life is no longer in danger.

There are some secondary characters but I think they will have more of a part in the next books in the series.

The storyline is fairly original but this book was just a quick and easy read. The pacing was good and I liked that it took time to build up realationships between the characters. I look forward to reading the other books in the series, although not straight away.

3.5 stars a goood read :)

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

From http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....

3.5 stars

At A Glance
I loved the concept and characters but I felt like I was waiting forever for something to happen.

The Good
The last thing Persephone expected her mother to reveal was that Persephone is actually a goddess. But that sure explains all the weird things that has been happening to her lately. When Boreas, god of winter, tries to capture Persephone for nefarious reasons, Hades comes to her rescue. To keep Persephone safe, Hades marks her as his bride and takes her to the Underworld. But Persephone can't hide forever so she does the next best thing, she starts to train for the inevitable battle between her and Boreas. Along the way, Persephone finds true friendships and a possible love that may change her life forever.

I think the best part of this book was the Greek mythology. I love learning about all that stuff. It was interesting to see Bevis's view of the mythological gods and who they would be today. I enjoyed the adventure as Persephone learned her new world and the people in it.

Persephone was an interesting character. She had her ups and downs for me. Mostly, I liked her ability to assimilate to her new life. She tried to make the best out of a scary situation by training to kick some god butt. I respect people who take initiative like that. She also cares a lot for her friends and pretty much does anything for them. I loved her the most at the end. She was a straight up badass which I didn't expect. Gone was the whiny girl, in her place was a fearsome goddess.

Hades was the best part of the book. I expected him to be all brooding and dominate, but he was actually witty, sarcastic, and kind. He had his meanie moments but mostly he had depth I didn't expect. Cassandra was also an amazing character. She holds nothing back. She helps Persephone become familiar with the Underworld. She doesn't let Persephone feel sorry for herself. I think Cassandra brought life to the world of the dead.

This modernized retelling of Persephone was a fun little read that made me want to read the next book in the series. It was humorous as well as frightening. Boreas freaked the crap out of me. The ending was epic if not a little short. Bevis gave us a fun spin on an old tale and she did a pretty good job.

The Bad
Most of the book Persephone is just hiding and training. Definitely not enough action for my taste. The beginning was good but the plot started to unravel fast. It did pick up about two-thirds the way through but by that time I had put down the book many times.

Persephone came off very immature. She ran hot then cold most of the time. She would be yelling at someone one second then talking calmly as if nothing happened. Persephone needs to grow up.

The Snuggly
The romance was a little odd for the fact that Persephone loves Hades who is like a billion years old. Okay, maybe not that old. Hehe. But he is much older than her and it does seem a little weird for a teen and an "old guy" to fall in love. But luckily, the relationship does not go beyond kissing and Bevis makes the age difference a big deal in the book as well. I like that she addressed the issue, not hid it.

Final Thoughts
Though this is not the best book ever, I still enjoyed it and would read the second book of the series. I would like to see Persephone grow a little more and there be more consistent action. If that happened, this series would be amazing.

Quote
His electric blue eyes met mine, and he seemed to see everything I'd done and everything I'd ever do. I had the strange sensation I'd been judged and found wanting. No way this guy was human. His skin could have been carved from marble; his hair was the same disorienting black as the horses. A terrifying power emanated from his tall, statuesque frame.

I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. His ebony cape billowed behind him as he marched toward me. At the grasp of his hand I snapped back to life and jerked away from him.

His furtive gaze took in the empty park, and he swore in a voice as smooth as silk.
"I'm sorry."

My eyes widened in surprise as his lips pressed against mine. I went wild, hitting and scratching and pushing for all I was worth. He didn't budge. He exhaled, and I sank lifelessly into his arms.
Similar Reads:
The Goddess Test Series by Aimee Carter

[Stephanie (Bookfever) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I won this book recently I was really happy because I love reading anything involving Greek mythology. I'm a huge fan of the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout and the Oracle of Delphi series by Diantha Jones, so I was really excited to read Persephone. The only retelling I've read about her and Hades's story was Everneath by Brodi Ashton but still I can't quite compare all.

I really liked this book when I started it. I liked Persephone's voice and was excited to see what's going on in her life and why a lot of people acted weird around her and if the feeling of being watched really happened or was in her head. There was a lot of weird stuff going on like, suddenly stuff started freezing and a rockstar giving her his number. That doesn't happen in real life. But when Persephone's mother tells her she's a goddess, Persephone thinks her mother has gone off the deep end. And really, who wouldn't react like that? That one of my favorite things in it. How Persephone didn't believe it for a while until she faced an actual god who wanted to hurt her. I feel like in most young adult books, heroine's believe too soon whatever is happening to them. This made is actually realistic for a change.
Anyway, before Persephone knows what's happening to her, Hades (Yes, girls, start swooning!) has swept her off to the underworld and marked her as his bride. And that's how the story truly starts taking shape.

I quite like Hades. He isn't what you expect the god of the underworld to be like. He doesn't have flames as hair or is evil, as he describes, he's really a nice guy actually and a good ruler. Of course has his flaws and darker sight but he was great. My favorite scenes almost always involved him, so that does say a lot. I loved his demeanor to Persephone. You can tell right away he cares for her and over the weeks and months I saw their relationship growing. I only wished his declaration of love was put a little differently. I can't quite explain what my problem was with it.

One of my favorite things in this whole book was how the underworld was pictured. Not a dank and dark cave or anything. Persephone and Hades lived in an amazing place where you can decorate your room anyway you like by just thinking about it. The underworld had also stores, where people actually worked because they liked doing what they did. It even had something that looked a lot to Starbucks. If that's not a nice afterlike than I don't know what is!
I actually really loved the minor characters like, Cassandra, Helen, Thanatos, Charon... And what great book doesn't have one of the characters betray the others? :)

There were some minor points that made me not love this book the whole way. Sometimes I felt like the scenes were too fast or hurried. Like, one moment there's a scene going one and the next it ends abrubtly. Also the diologue could've been a bit better.
Most of the time I had a hard time liking Persephone. She was nice and all that, but she was so naive. The only times I liked her was when she was in the beginning, when she was with Hades, and at the end when she went all goddess on Boreas. That actually kind of kicked ass. And some small part of me wished Hades would've been a little darker like you expect Hades to be. I would imagine him a little more dominant and maybe a little scary but this Hades was amazing too anyway!


So overal Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis was a very likable read. The few minor points I had deminish it's greatness a little but it doesn't change the fact that I did enjoy this book. It's really fast-paced, with a lot of action and awesome godlike powers. I am definitely looking forward to reading the second book, Daughter of the Earth and Sky. I hope I can get my hands on it soon!

[Merin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retellings of the Hades and Persephone myth are quite prevalent in today's YA market. You have Everneath, Abandon, and The Goddess Test, just to name a few. Because of this, it's quite difficult to come up with new and fresh ways to tell the story of these two immortal beings. But that's exactly what Kaitlin Bevis has done in Persephone. While the general gist of the story stays the same, I found myself enchanted by the changes she made in the circumstances surrounding Persephone's abduction to the Underworld and - in particular - the way she wrote and developed the character of Hades.

Set in the modern world where most of the gods and goddesses have died off generations before our main character is born, Persephone follows our main character of the same name, who believes she's simply your typical human girl. She's completely unaware that she's a goddess, that her mother is Demeter, and that she's about to become the focus of the desires of Boreas, god of Winter. Persephone is a very head-strong and stubborn girl, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her come to terms with the knowledge that she's a goddess, and everything she thought she'd known to that point was a lie. There were other creative flourishes inserted into the story as well - gods can't lie, Hades' personal advisor is the Cassandra, and Hades actually chose his lot as ruler of the Underworld, just to name a few - that kept me eagerly turning the pages of this book. You also have the ever-present threat of Boreas, which kept the plot moving forward at a very quick pace.

Persephone's personal journey was also very interesting to watch. I love how she slowly became more accustomed to life with Hades, and I really loved watching their relationship grow. Hades isn't what I was expecting - so often he's depicted as dark, moody and brooding - and admittedly that threw me off just a bit, because, well, he IS the god of the Underworld. But this Hades grew on me, and he has enough of a vindictive and dark streak in him that the Hades from the original myth hadn't disappeared completely. I look forward to seeing more of the two of them together, and can only hope that the twist at the end of this book doesn't cause too much strife.

If you're looking for a fresh and unique take on a very popular myth and story plot, then I'd definitely recommend Persephone. There are enough of the original tales present in this book to keep the diehard fans of Greek myths satisfied, while also keeping you from thinking you've read this story several times before. The way the book ends will have you clamoring for the second installment - a cliffhanger that's not, for lack of a better term - and I certainly can't wait to see what comes next!

A copy of this book was provided by the author via YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

***

To see more of my reviews, please visit me @ Read and Reviewed!

[Lee (Rally the Readers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also posted on Rally the Readers.

* A copy was provided by the author for review.

4.5 Stars

When I began reading Persephone, I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it. The signs pointing to Persephone’s goddess-ness, like having a professor named Homer, living in Athens, Georgia, and attending a concert by a rock star named Orpheus were a little less than subtle. Once Hades rescued her from Boreas and whisked her away to the Underworld, however, I started loving this. The characterizations of the figures from Greek mythology were very well done and fresh, Persephone and Hades in particular. I also loved the romance, which was slow-building (just my type) and sweet. I’m always happy when a book that I get off to a rocky beginning with pleasantly surprises me in the end, and that’s exactly what happened with Persephone.

I like my heroines strong but not too perfect. Persephone represents a nice balance between wanting to be independent and able to defend herself against a creep like Boreas but flawed enough to have her moments of self-doubt and to act on impulse. She also has a self-deprecating sense of humor, which always endears a protagonist to me. I really rooted for her throughout the book because she made it so easy to do so.

Without question, my favorite character was Hades. This wasn’t the portrayal of the big, bad ruler of the Underworld that I was accustomed to/expecting. This is a kinder, gentler Hades than the one I always conjured up in my mind whenever I heard his name. Of course, that’s not to say that he won’t hesitate to snuff out anybody who earns his wrath. Overall, though, Hades is the hero here, and it’s so refreshing to see this side of him for a change. Yeah, he made swoon more than a few times while reading Persephone.

The secondary characters are equally well-developed and brim with such lively personalities, which is kind of ironic considering that most of them reside in the Underworld. I never thought I’d find myself laughing at jokes cracked by Charon, the ferryman of the river Styx, but yep, I did. Now imagine Charon, Cassandra, Thanatos, and Hypnos all joining Hades and Persephone around the dinner table chatting about their days and bantering with each other. I thought these scenes were fantastic because they were so different from the fiery, Dante’s Inferno-type images that I normally associate with the Underworld.

Persephone was an all-around enjoyable read, with characters that I became completely invested in, plenty of humor (the riff on vampire books was especially funny), a perfectly paced romance, and a good deal of character growth for our heroine. I loved how Kaitlin Bevis took Greek mythology and created a story that was at the same time uniquely her own. Daughter of the Earth and Sky looks like an awesome sequel, and best of all, it means more Hades to read about!