Firstly, I'd like to thank Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Netgalley for an ARC Kindle version of this book, in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

Secondly, I'd like to offer a sincere apology—I was unable to finish this book. It’s the first time I’ve had a "did not finish" experience with an advance reader copy, and I genuinely feel bad about it. I spent hours trying to get through it, even attempting to read while working (I answer phones and am permitted to read while waiting for calls to come in), while cooking dinner, and even while soaking in a bath afterward, but no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn’t get through it.

Here's the thing: The premise of the book truly intrigued me, and I was excited to dive into it. However, once I began reading, I found myself thinking I had missed key details. Sadly, I hadn’t—it seemed the answers to my questions just weren’t there, or at least weren’t explained clearly enough.

This sense of confusion persisted throughout the book, forcing me to frequently pause and try to make sense of things. I began again from the very start so many times I lost track. Eventually, I had to admit defeat and put the book down.

Here are some specific issues I encountered before giving up:

* Who exactly is Basile? The books opens on them having sex she's clearly not interested in, but we have no idea WHY she's having sex she's not interested in.? She says "he is a means to getting what I want," but an explanation of why and how is never really offered. I gather that perhaps he's a guard in her captivity and she's using sex to garner some leniency, but that's all conjecture on my part; it was never explicitly stated, nor was it explained why she had to put up with it for a duration of six months, or what her plan was once it came time to act.

* After gathering her things and making a dramatic exit, it’s still not clear where she’s headed. When she finds the portals, there's a brief mention in one sentence that her mother can't track her in the Underworld, but that’s all we get. There’s no further elaboration, and still no insight as to her ultimate goal, her course of next moves, or her plan to stay safe. Was the library mention here meant to suggest she had researched all this?

* When she meets Hades, he tells her vehemently that she can't be there, the biggest reason being that he doesn't need her mother up his ass. Persephone replies something like "please let me stay," (where I imagined she battered her eyelashes at him) and he capitulates. He just suddenly gives in, but he has no idea why she's there, or what's going on, at all. She doesn't tell him she ran away, or she was being treated horribly, or she's pissed off at her mother, or anything, and he's got good reasons her presence is an awful idea - but suddenly he's game to let her hang out? It feels too abrupt and nonsensical.

I also noticed a continuity error that further added to my frustration: in one scene, after strolling outside, Persephone is standing at a suspiciously tantalizing gate, whose magic she simply cannot ignore. It pulls her in to touch it; her willpower is non-existent, its call to her is so strong. Hades materializes and grabs her hand before she can make contact, jerks her away from the danger, and they trade some verbal barbs. He then lets go of her hand....and she falls on to her bed. She was just outside, and now they're in her bedroom? There was no transition, and it completely threw me off.

A few pages after this scene is where I stopped reading. I really hate that I stopped reading, but the missing plot details and confusing narrative made it too difficult to stay engaged.

Another distracting element of note was that, although this book is written in first-person perspective, and we expect first-person pronouns, there was an excessive use of "I".

"I pulled it back [her flaming blouse], draping it over a chair nearby. I retreated to the doorway, as the flames devoured the cushion. The sharp, bitter scent of smoke quickly filled the room. It curled into my nostrils. I resisted the urge to cough, but couldn't stop my eyes from watering."

This permeated the whole text, and gave the writing a stilted, list-like feel, that disrupted the flow of the story.

Over all, I don’t want to suggest that the author’s writing is without potential. There’s something here, and with more attention to plot clarity, character motivation, and pacing, I believe this story could really shine.

Again, I apologize for not being able to finish.

The tale of Hades and Persephone with Fae intertwined and it did not disappoint. Persephone leaves her extremely abusive mother Demeter who has physically tortured her throughout her whole life. Demeter has used her as a conduit/source to add to her power. One day Persephone has had enough of the abuse and runs to the underworld to hide from her mother. As predicted she runs into Hades her fated mate. Demeter has tantrum after tantrum to release titans and absorb more magic than any other god (including Zeus). It also comes out how Persephone was actually made and why she has no father which plays a very important part in this series. With the Fae's help, Persephone must overcome her mother and her claim to save the underworld by the one way possible.... Ends on Cliffhanger and subject of the next book.

Right when you open the book it starts with a hookup scene so I would definitely say this is an adult book. I honestly really liked this book. Hades and Persephone retellings are my favorite. The abuse scenes are really tough to read when you see how sweet Persephone is. But I also loved how this book really gave Persephone self worth, and how Hades works with her one on boundaries and building a healthy relationship.

BRINGING IN FAE was a great idea and will amped the series up. Not only does it bring in another fantasy land that readers typically love, but it gives way to the author to be more creative than any other retellings.

The romance scenes were OK, and kinda generic. I thought it was really gross that they were talking about her mother while they were hooking up at the courthouse at the end of the book. CRINGE

Spice 4/5

Tropes
Touch her and die
Close Proximity
Grumpy to Sunshine
Female Warrior

Triggers
Child Abuse
Trauma
Self Harm
Narcissist behavior
Gaslighting