**Thank you NetGalley**

I have probably rounded this rating up by a .5 or so.

While the writing in this book was good, I did find the actual storytelling bounced around a bit. I also found that I didn't really connect with anyone. I felt like Persephone basically created her own problems a lot of the time and the miscommunication in this is what really made me lose interest.

I just about managed to make it to the end and while I enjoyed the world building I think the disconnect I felt with the characters meant I won't carry on with the series no matter how good the cliff hanger at the end was.

I would recommend anyone who enjoys a Hades and Persephone retelling to pick this series up and give it a go though.

An ok read that was engaging throughout in terms of writing style and the characters had very distinct voices, it was nice to get a sense of what each were thinking. However, the book was heavily reliant on shock value and didn't really have much plot which is a shame as this could have been a really interesting take on the story of Hades and Persephone. That being said, I will of course be continuing with the series as it did capture my attention and is an easy read.

Okay, now we're getting somewhere.

2nd book syndrome? Nah, this series is definitely the opposite. It's not so much amazing as it is entertaining. I added another star because of how the author described the underworld and created the setting. And also for Hekate and Mellie.

Don't get me wrong. The main stars are still irritating. Persephone was girlbossing hard (yes btch slay) but also being mean to Hades. Hades, on the other hand, fleshed out some dimensions which is cool, but still predictable and whiny like in the first book.

That last chapter however... It makes me want to read the last book. I hope it doesn't make me want to hair out at least. No expectations for the next one 💁🏻‍♀️

I really enjoyed this. Greek mythology is always a favourite and this Hades x Persephone retelling was really well done. The miscommunication can get a bit frustrating at times and Persephone did have me yelling at the page 😂, but that is a trope that I find a bit annoying in any book. The pacing for me was a bit of a struggle, but really picked up towards the last third of the book. Hades vulnerability saved it for me, and now with that cliffhanger I’ll definitely be looking for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eArc!

We continue in the Underworld, but all isn’t what it seems.
I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, so I will leave it at this - Demeter is the worst!
I will need 5-7 business days to process my emotions because this cliffy was absolutely gutting!

for a lot of this book i was thinking 2 stars, and then the last 15-20% happened and we were back.

in the beginning i was interested and that was fine, but at some point i got pretty bored, maybe around 30%? and from then until the end (last 20%) i did feel like i was mostly reading to finish the book, not because i was enjoying it.

i think both hades and persephone had matured in this book which was good. but a lot of what i really enjoyed about book 1 was the wattpad nostalgia and this moved away from that - which again is fine - but it felt like not much was happening in the middle section. once more i think this book might have been better if it had been shorter.

plus hades was really quite unlikeable for a while there. i get that he’s dealing with trauma etc., but i still did not like the way he was talking to persephone (and mellie). i appreciated that this was addressed, and was not something persephone put up with as she knew she deserved better. but seeing hades continuously not respecting persephone’s emotions was difficult.

again, this picked up a lot in the last 20% or so when the plot really got going, and i was back to reading because i wanted to know what happened. the ending was another cliffhanger - a little predictable, but a trope i enjoy. sooo i’m excited to see what happens next in the queen & the king!

I was thrilled to begin this follow-up to The Maiden & the Unseen, a spicy Hades & Persephone retelling. This one is a little heavier and differently paced, but I enjoyed it very much and look forward to the third in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jeanette Rose, and Alexis Rune for the eARC of The Mistress and the Renowned by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune.

After really enjoying the first book of Love and Fate, I was really thrilled to find that NetGalley was offering not just the second book for review, but the third as well. Jumping right in, this book is just as spicy as the first. There isn't as many spicy scenes in the second book as there was in the first, but the spice was just as S P I C Y.

I really loved how we ventured into the Underworld in book two. Book one gave us a really modern take on Hades and Persephone, and we got to dive into more Greek Mythology during The Mistress and the Renowned, which I really enjoyed.

I'm diving straight into book three!!

What a fun read! It was fast paced and entertaining, I had no idea how quickly I was consuming the book. It was captivating, emotional, and funny when it needed to be.

The Mistress and The Renowned is the sequel to a riveting modern take on the Hades and Persephone myth, author Julia Smith plunges readers back into the tumultuous world of gods and mortals. Hades, the God of the Dead, finds himself imprisoned in a carnivorous tree, his powers waning, and his only hope for escape lies in Persephone, his fated queen. However, it is another god who first hears his call, leading Hades on a journey through his own memories as he struggles to break free.

Meanwhile, Persephone grapples with her unexpected role as Queen of the Underworld, feeling abandoned and unsupported by the very god who placed her on the throne. With time ticking away and nightmares haunting their every move, Hades and Persephone must confront the undeniable pull of destiny that binds them together.

Smith delivers another spellbinding installment filled with twists, turns, and the timeless battle against Fate itself. Readers are once again swept up in the whirlwind romance and high-stakes drama of Hades and Persephone's tale, rooting for the couple as they navigate the challenges of their newfound roles.

I like the intense emotional depth of this book as Hades and Persephone face trials that test their love and resilience. The exploration of their individual struggles and the unyielding grip of destiny creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The Maiden & the Unseen by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune

Pages: 431

Love and Fate series
🌀The Maiden & the Unseen
🌀The Mistress & the Renowned
🌀The Queen & the King
🌀The Nightmare & the Daydream

⚠️Content Warning⚠️
Please check content warnings BEFORE reading.

Format: 📱

What to Expect:
🖤Age Gap
💙Contemporary Romance
🖤Dark Romance
💙Dirty Talk
🖤Enemies-to-Lovers
💙Erotic Romance
🖤Fantasy
💙Fated Mates
🖤Forced Proximity
💙MF
🖤Mythology
💙Piercings
🖤Retelling
💙Shadow Daddy
🖤Urban Fantasy
💙Workplace Romance

Ratings:
FMC: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
MMC: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:
I have read several Hades and Persephone retellings over the past few years, but this has to be one of my favorites. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune do an excellent job of telling the story in dual POV without the points of view feeling unconnected.

When the gods first descended from Olympus to live among humans, Hades was charged with financing their endeavors. Persephone works hard as a social media manager. She’s under the impression her salary funds her lavish lifestyle. But what happens when her bank account unexpectedly hits zero?

The Maiden & the Unseen is perfect for readers who enjoy Greek mythology, off-the-charts chemistry, and Hades with a dirty mouth.

Thank you to Netgalley, Alexis Rune, and Jeanette Rose for letting me read this in return for an honest review.

This book picks up straight after the last one finished.
I liked the world building in this, and I feel the authors described the underworld really well. However, I liked this book less than the first one... Persephone is just sorta annoying, I found her whingy in book 1 and was hoping for development but tbh I just feel she's gotten worse, and her being able to fight that way just seems like she's a bit too protected by plot convenience, which I really hate in books. She's just determined to make things difficult, she's so selfish and hypocritical and stroppy, and just feels she's constantly looking for a fight.

Hades on the otherhand... I still love him. I like his growth and seeing more of his background. He's just more interesting on his own than he is with Persephone, and I hate that this story has made me feel like that when they are one of my favourite mythological pairings.
I like Mellie a little less after reading this, it just felt very forced compared to their first book.

Even the cliff hanger didn't seem that interesting to me...

The Mistress and The Renowned picks up right were The Maiden and The Unseen leaves off. As Hades has taken Persephone as his queen, they are separated in the underworld and Persephone must go on a journey to find Hades-- her King in the underworld. They are devoted to each other and make sacrifices to be united. This book is a steamy fantasy for those who enjoy a bit of spice.

This was MUCH better.
Less erotica & more character & plot development.
I loved the bond.
I enjoyed the descriptions of their surroundings.
I liked the turmoil with P's mom she's a treacherous wench if Ive ever read of one.
Much better read

The Mistress and The Renowned offers a captivating retelling of the classic Hades and Persephone myth, weaving a dark and enchanting tale of love, power, and self-discovery. As a fan of retellings, I was immediately drawn to this book, and it did not disappoint.

One of the highlights of this story is the depth of character development, particularly for Persephone. She blooms in this book. Watching her journey as she learns more about her powers and embraces her own strength is nothing short of phenomenal. The author skillfully navigates the complexities of her character, making her transformation both compelling and authentic.

As a dark romance, this book delivers on its promise of steamy scenes, adding depth and intensity to the relationship between the protagonists. However, it's not just the romance that shines; the intricate world-building and carefully crafted fantasy elements add layers of intrigue and magic to the narrative.

I'm grateful to NetGalley for providing the opportunity to delve into this enthralling world. The Mistress and the Renowned left me eagerly anticipating what's next, as I eagerly await the continuation of this captivating series. If you're a fan of fantasy, romance, and compelling character development, this book is a must-read.

I generally enjoy retelling of stories, however this one fell a bit short. I feel like had I picked up this series from the beginning I would have a different opinion but we're here instead. I started off very confused by what was happening since I didn't read the first one. (This is completely my fault!) but throughout I felt like the relationship between Persephone and Hades was too nitpicky and got a bit tedious to read.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me access to this ARC.

I was originally drawn in to the story because I enjoy a retelling. I also like the story of Hades and Persephone. Second books in series usually fall flat for me and unfortunately this one did. It was a lot of relationship back and forth and felt unbelievable.

5/5 Stars

Thank you to Rose & Star Publishing for providing me with an arc.

I absolutely love this series, I really enjoyed book 1 so when this came out I picked it up and loved it. This series is my favorite Hades and Persephone retelling as it as all of the elements of Hades and Persephone while still feeling unique. This book picks up right where book 2 left off so there will be spoilers for book 1.

Persephone ends up in the underworld unexpectedly after she and Hades were having spicy times and then he disappeared right before she was dropped into the Underworld. She starts trying to settle into the Underworld but she is alone and starts to feel that Hades isn't already especially as there was no way he would have sent her to the underworld alone if he had a choice. Persephone now has to become Queen of her new Realm but save the man she is in love with before she is out of time.

In this book we start to see Persephone really start to grow into her Magic which I love. This really fits with her also developing into her new role as Queen of the Underworld. I loved how Hades and Persephone navigate a large change in their relationship especially as Persephone comes to terms with the curse, it was realistic and made their relationship stronger.

I still fully recommend this series if you want a modern retelling of Hades and Persephone with spice, magic, and a unique storyline.

This is a good second book to the trilogy. It was alot of back and forth with their relationship, and that got tedious. But all in all, it was a good book. Does end in a cliffhanger, so you definitely need to read book one first.
Thank you to Netgalley for the copy. These opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

To be honest I didn't expect much going in and because of that I wasn't disappointed. For the sake of being nosey i read this but I'm now debating whether i should read the last book.

I found myself not believing the love between Hades and Persephone, as a Hades and Persephone lover that is very hard to say. Their relationship still feels unmature because really what do they actually know about each other except how to get each other off. Which brings me to the smut, it was written so lazily and basically the same things kept happening. I found myself skipping over those parts entirely.

I hated the nicknames. Nothing much to say there.

I did however find the underworld really interesting and the way it was written. Especially when Demeter and Kronos 'enter the chat' so to speak.