Katee Robert

Neon Gods

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou wants nothing to do with her mother's ambitions. She's biding her time until she's able to leave the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start her doctorate degree. The one thing she never planned on? Her mother ambushing her with an engagement to Zeus--a man with more than a few dead wives in his past. Persephone will do anything to escape that fate...even flee the sparkling upper city and make a devil's bargain with a man she once believed was a myth. Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. Not even for the woman who flees into his territory as if the very hounds of hell are on her heels. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he's spent his entire life craving? It's all the excuse he needs to agree to help her--for a price. She'll be his for the summer, and then he'll see her safely out of Olympus and away from her mother and Zeus. Hades and Persephone's deal might seem simple enough, but they both quickly realize it's anything but. With every breathless night spent with Hades, Persephone wonders at her ability to leave him behind. And Hades? Now that he has a taste for Persephone, he's willing to go to war with Olympus itself to keep her...

Annie Gauthier

Power is as much about perception as it is about the resources one has at their disposal

Lilly-May Price

"They see their golden princess fallen." I push two fingers into her. “Their dark goddess rising in her place."

 “Little siren. Do you think there’s a price I wouldn't willingly pay for your happiness and safety? For your freedom? Demeter could have asked for a lot more than she did."

"Im not leaving, Hades. I love you. Im staying and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you-and to help you protect your people.

Come here." I press a kiss to her temple. “Never apologise for bursting into my life, little siren. I don't regret a moment of my time with you. I don't want you to regret it either."

In that moment, Id do it again a hundred times. No matter the cost. It's all worth it for her. Fucking anything for her.

"You've ruined me, Persephone. Forgive the fuck out of me if I want to return the favor.”

We haven't stopped kissing, can't get enough. Who needs to breathe when I have Hades? He's my very air

“It’s going to hurt when you leave." 

Even with her makeup less than perfect, there's no denying the power vibrating from every cell of her being. I thought she looked like a queen before, but I was fucking wrong. She's a goddamn goddess.

 "If we were different people, you wouldn't have to beg. I'd plant my roots right here in this house, and it would take a catastrophic event to make me walk away." 

But there is no forever. Not for us. I cross to her and cup her face in my hands. “If we were different people in different circumstances, I would get down on my knees and beg you to stay at the end of the winter. I would move heaven and earth and the Underworld itself to keep you with me.”

"You should know by no that I can't say no to you, Persephone. rou tun tnosc big hazel eyes on me, and I'm putty in your hands." 

“I think it would make you happy. I Iike the thought of you happy, Hades." The last comes out almost like a confession. Like a secret, just between us.

The desire to wrap this man up and protect him makes my tone fierce. "You're beautiful."

"Do you think there's anything I wouldn't the give you while you're mine? Fucking anything, little siren."

"I like being with you. I love what we do together" He frowns harder. “Persephone, if I wasn't ready to give you whatever you need, I wouldn't have asked."

“Telling me I don't have to do anything I don’t want to do is ridiculous, because I want to do everything with you. Absolutely everything.”

Persephone in my bed does something to me that I’m afraid to examine too closely. I like her here, it soothes me, which is bullshit  

“Silly me for thinking that you’re among the percentage of the human population that doesn’t worship at the altar of the hymen.”  

Rayane Rabaa

“They look up here, and do you know what they see? They see their golden princess fallen. Their dark goddess rising in her place.”

“Handling this whole circus takes some getting used to.”

“I expect I’ll manage just fine as long as you’re by my side.”

“Little siren. Do you think there’s a price I wouldn’t willingly pay for your happiness and safety? For your freedom?

“Never apologize for bursting into my life, little siren. I don’t regret a moment of my time with you.

Excellent writing. While I didn’t like Persephone at first, she grew on me. Hades is perfection from start to finish. 

Kristen Savage

He was supposed to be a myth. But from the moment I crossed the River Styx and fell under his dark spell...he was, quite simply, mine. *A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that's as sinful as it is sweet.* Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that's ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city's dark facade. With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil's bargain with a man she once believed a myth...a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed. Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he's spent years craving, it's all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he'll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close...

If I could give this 6⭐️ I would. This was sooooo good! Like, I can't explain it, even the end was satisfactory. I'm going to read this entire series because I can't get enough. I might just write an essay abt it. I did not expect the dual VA's but I am not mad at it at all!

Tsu 💙

Anjorin Molayo 

hmm? i honestly just tried to push through the book. it was so damn predictable and it made the gods feel ordinary. like gods are supposed to have powers?? it was kind of rushed too, and the plot was meh… I love Hades and Persephone tho, because they made me continue the book🥺❤️
i’d give it a 3.5/5

arwen

my new favorite hades and persephone retelling

Megan

I certainly can’t say I *hated* this book, but I definitely have my issues with it. Do not buy this book if you’re interested in character development, world-building, or honestly, a deep plot. This book is purely smut, and honestly the smut isn’t that good. However, Im a sucker for a Persephone x Hades retelling, so I did enjoy it enough to finish it in one sitting. When it’s not smutty, it’s fluffy, and honestly those were my favorite parts. 

Read my full review here: https://meglovescliches.substack.com/...

aleksandra

Sandrin

I regret nothing.

Easy to read and a quick serotonin boost. 
Could do better in terms of the interactions between women and the friendships between the characters. Other than that it was a solid read, fun, and light. Looking forward to the next book.

Infinite stars, so worth the hype! I turned the last page and wanted to open the first again! Wonderful story, satisfying spice, and consistent with its mythological references. If you're wondering whether to read it, do! 

Taiha Morton

Mackenzie Turner

This book was 🤤🤤🤤 , this absolutely made me blush a few times. It introduced me into a whole new genre of books I didn’t know I’d like! I’ve now become obsessed with Hades and Persephone retellings.

Ughhhhh sooo spicy and the plot is good! 😭 I will say since it is a greek mythology retelling it gave this book that extra push to be 5 stars for me. I love the story of Hades & Persephone, so this was such a great, easy read.

Valentina Moreno Escobar

sophie

Tatiana

Neon Gods: 3/5


  “Only you could manage to run away and fall into bed with a sexy man determined to do anything to protect you. You’re truly gods-blessed, Persephone.”

Premise:
Neon Gods is an 18+ retelling of Hades and Persephone. When Persephone flees Olympus due to a surprise engagement with Zeus, she finds herself safe past the River Styx in the home of Hades. Hades, living his life as a myth, seeks revenge against Olympus, and the two strike a bargain. Not everything goes according to plan, as tensions and feelings rise. 

Writing & Plot:
I enjoyed the writing style in Neon Gods. It is no secret that Katee Robert can write exceptionally well, especially in the *romance* department. I enjoyed the diverse characters that the author created, and it was a nice twist on the classic tale. 

Not only was the writing well done, but I enjoyed the plot as well. Neon Gods is, hands down, a romance novel, but the intricate plot made me want to keep turning the pages. It was challenging to put this book down.

One major issue I had, though, was the world-building. With a plot as intricate as this one was, I found myself unable to grasp the concept of the modern Olympus. I struggled to understand the details of the urban setting so much that I couldn't visualize any map. Furthermore, the political dynamics needed more work. Politics is a huge plot point, and I can't help but feel like I missed out on so much because this book's political dynamics were glazed over.

Lastly, the main plot point of the book drags out. Towards the end, I was getting tired and bored of the same repetitiveness. However, it did allow for more romance which I did like, so this critique comes with perks, but ultimately, I wish it was a bit shorter.

Characters:
Besides my confusion regarding character backstory, I think most of the characters were lovable. Hades is so hot and puts a significant emphasis on consent throughout the entirety of the book, which I loved. In my opinion, it made the book 100x better.

Although I generally liked Persephone, there were multiple inconsistencies across her character. For example, she is strong, physically and mentally, but other times she faints for no reason, and Hades needs to save her. Another is that Persephone is intelligent, which I loved, but then on the next page, she's acting like a child. These minor inconsistencies made me roll my eyes, and I couldn't ignore them.

The side characters were some of the best parts of the novel. I loved Hermes and Dionysus's characters so much, along with Demeter. They were written cleverly and added a significant layer to the story.

Conclusion:
Neon Gods is is a solid romance novel with a well-thought-out plot. I loved the theme of consent throughout the entirety of the novel, and it made everything so much hotter. Remember, this book is 18+, but I would recommend it to anybody who likes romance within that age range. This series has potential, and I am excited to find out what happens next!

micah

TommyBoi

This was an okay read. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the greatest either. 

There's a few things I liked about this book, and other things, not as much, hence why i've rated this book 3 stars. 

One redeeming quality about this book is that this was my first true erotica novel that I ever read. As an asexual person, I had my doubts about whether I would like this or not. To my surprise, I actually liked it. It made me understand that I like having fantasies, but I wish for those fantasies to remain that. I don't wish to re-enact them with anybody else. 

As for other qualities about this book, I didn't actually get bored while reading. The disadvantage I had was that I started this book when I had finals, so I kinda forgot about it, then finished the other half in two days. 

I liked the fact there was an actual plot and a goal for the characters. I've heard that many erotica novels don't have that, which is also a reason I stayed away from them. 

However, there are also some downsides to this book. 

The first point i'd like to mention is the ending. It was truly disapointing and it felt rushed. If only some other parts of the book had been taken out to actually make the ending better. Some character arcs, I feel, have been completely ruined by the ending. This is one of the biggest reason my rating is only 3 stars. It feels like some authors forget that an ending shouldn't be rushed. It's one of the most important part of the book. How can you end it and leave the reader breathless? 

Sadly this book didn't deliver the ending I was hoping for.

Another bad point about this book is the repetition. Some scenes were extremely repetitive, and it kinda drags at one point. Some chapters didn't even make progress over the story. Naturally, a chapter should bring at the very minimum one new point. 

Overall, this book was fine, but I wouldn't read anything else from this series. It was, however, a good introduction to erotica novels.

Renata

just finished it for the 3nd time and i love it too much i love hades and persephone so much, to me they are my parents definitely one of my fav books agh
the plot was amazing, everything was just amazing agh 

- "She tastes like summer. I don't know how it's possible, not when she was just sleeping in a bathtub, not when it's the dead of winter outside, but it's the truth."

- "For the first time since we met, it feels like he's really looking at me. No holds barred. No growly masks in place. Hades looks down at me like he wants to consume me one decadent bite at a time. Like he's already thought of a dozen ways he wants to have me, and he has them planned down to the barest detail. Like he already owns me and he fully intends to stake his claim for anyone to see."

- "She still tastes like summertime. I want to wrap her up and keep her safe."

- "I know better. She feels safe, so she's let down a layer or two of her guard. I might be a bastard, but I can't repay that fledgling trust by throwing her to the wolves. I'll keep my word. For better or worse."

- "It makes my heart give an uncomfortable thud. She's closed her eyes and cuddled into me like I'm her favorite blanket. It's...cute."

- "Every piece of him I discover, every little nuance and mystery, just makes me want him more. Hades is a puzzle I could spend a lifetime exploring and never quite have the whole picture."

- "the very picture of the siren I've named her. I'm starting to think I would gladly drown for this woman. I push slowly to my feet and smooth back her hair. Fuck, she's so beautiful, she steals my breath. I want her more than I've wanted anything else in my life"

- "I'm with you, and we both know you won't let anything happen to me. As if it's that simple. As if it's a truth. It is. I would commit unforgivable acts to keep Persephone safe. But somehow hearing her say it aloud makes it so much more real. She trusts me."

- "The way she's curled on her side, the blankets clutched to her chest with a loose fist. Her hair already a tangled mass over her pillow. How she has her back to what was my side of the bed last night, as if she's just waiting for me to join her and curl my body around her. I rub my thumb against my sternum, as if that will ease the ache there."

- "I blink into the darkness, no longer able to deny the fact that this woman has irreversibly changed my life."

- "Because it pleases me. Because it will get you off. Because there is nothing you can ask me that I won't give you. Do you understand?"

- "The clawing feeling in my chest only gets stronger. It feels like my heart is trying to dig its way through calcified tissue to get to her. I'm rapidly reaching the point where I'd cut my chest open and dig my heart out just so I can present it to her."

- "We're buying three dogs.""You should know by now that I can't say no to you, Persephone. You turn those big hazel eyes on me, and I'm putty in your hands."

- "There are a thousand things I could say right now, a thousand things I want to say. Spending the last few weeks with her has made me the happiest I can remember being. She challenges me and delights me in turn, and I have a feeling I could know this woman for decades and she'd still find ways to surprise me. I suddenly, desperately want this winter never to end, want spring never to come, want to stay with her here forever. But there is no forever. Not for us."

- "Leave me a piece of you, little siren. Name the pups."

- "This woman doesn't deserve to be on her knees. She deserves to be worshipped. She deserves to be on the throne as my equal.I intend to put her there. (...) I simply go to my knees before her."

- "She's mine." His hand tightens ever so briefly around mine. "And I'm hers."

- "she mouths, Thank you. In that moment, Id do it again a hundred times. No matter the cost. It's all worth it for her. Fucking anything for her."

- "I am not merely one of Demeter's daughters. I am Persephone, and I love the king of their dreaded lower city. To them, he might as well be king of the Underworld itself, lord of the dead."

- "If Persephone didn't care about me, she wouldn't be dressed as my dark queen when she left."

- "But with Zeus gone, you're free."
"I know I'm free.""And because I'm free, I choose this. I choose us.""A month ago, all I wanted was to get out. I didn't know you existed, let alone that I'd fall in love with you. I didn't know there was a part of Olympus that could feel like home.""Here, Hades. It feels like home here with you. In this house, in the lower city. I want to be with you, if you'll have me."
He gives a slow smile. "You mean it."
"With my whole heart and soul.""

- "Be mine, Persephone. Let me be yours. In public and in private."

- "This is our kingdom, our throne, ours."

Holly Dewberry

I will preface this with, this is the first of this type of book I have read so I wasn’t really sure of what to expect! Overall, it was okay, I’d give it 2.5 stars. I read it quickly, it kept my interest for the most part, the pace was good, it was an easy read... But, I kept finding myself wanting a bit more plot and background, and, I had so many questions throughout but just kind of forged on and let it be what it was. I’m very interested in Greek mythology and have read many books related to it, but this book basically didn’t have much in dealing with Greek mythology other than the names and really didn’t even give us any background or details on a simple question such as, are they human or are they actually gods? I just thought the modern take with this was kind of strange and the actual plot was lacking, but maybe that’s just me. Again, I liked it and it accomplished what I think was the overall intent of being a pretty steamy read!

Wow, just wow. Talk about all my fantasies in one book. This was amazing and one of the best books I've read all year. I love Greek Mythology and the story of Hades and Persephone so this book was for me. The spicy scenes in this book are chefs kiss! 🔥🥵❤️

Caitlin Kosmalski

Alix N

ATE THIS UP! Wish it had more action but ya know. Rly good book tho

Allysen

Elena Fernandez

I don't know what I was expecting... I cringed so much.

Obviously this is not a retelling of Persephone's and Hades myth. It's an upper and underworld trope but in the modern life. Or a retelling of 50 shades of crap, I swear I wasn't expecting chapters of sex. Or a mafia thing. I don't know..
The only similarities with Greek mythology are the names lol. And the names are used as titles, being a Demeter is a job. 

This book is bad bro. 

Oh and don't get me started on the I'm not like other boys, I'm Hades *cringe*. I am rough, and have crazy loco kinky sex but I'm also your father energy 🤮 

Besides the story in itself, I don't like the writing the constant repetition of "clever" sayings is the backbone of this book, you could seriously use it as a drinking game.

Anyway just rambling, but can authors manage to stop using Greek mythology to just butcher it. Please 🥺. K thnx

A filthy, fun, modern retelling of Hades and Persephone. 

I'm a sucker for anything involving Greek mythology, and this is no exception.

I would probably give it 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 on the spice scale, but not for a lack of quality smut

Kate B-L

A filthy, fun, modern retelling of Hades and Persephone. 

I'm a sucker for anything involving Greek mythology, and this is no exception.

I would probably give it 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 on the spice scale, but not for a lack of quality smut

Kelsey Munson

This is a Hades/Persephone retelling in a contemporary setting and it's just...super lackluster and boring. That and the only "retelling" about this is that their names are Hades and Persephone. Like, they could have easily have just been Todd and Cathy and the story would have been the exact same. 

I know the ~plot~ is not really the focal point here, but geez, I'm leaving this book with so many questions and I don't really care if I ever get the answers.

Taous Merakchi

J'aimerais pouvoir effacer ma mémoire pour le relire et le redécouvrir à volonté.

Sara Uribe

What an absolute joy it was to finally read this book. I feel like ever since this book came out last year I’ve been dying to read it but I just couldn’t seem to find the time. Thankfully, I’ve lightened my load on the books that I get ARC’s on and there’s no time like the present. It took me quite some time to finish this book. Not because I wasn’t enjoying it, but I’ve been in somewhat of a reading slump this month. When I was able to read, it took me into another world and was just the book I was looking for. I loved every single moment of this retelling/reimagining. When I first started reading this I had no idea what to expect going in especially since this is my first retelling/reimagining of Hades and Persephone but I really enjoyed the story. It wasn’t as dark as I was expecting, maybe because it’s traditionally published? However, I thought that this book was a great introduction into the Dark Olympus world and I can’t wait to read more of this series!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Neon Gods

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