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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
There are a few things I like. I like the story of Hades and Persephone. I like all Melinda Salisbury books I've read so far. So, the moment I saw this book I knew I had to have it as soon as possible. And I was quite happy that for once the store where I order managed to get a book to me so close to the actual release date! I was therefore quite excited to get started and to see if this would once more be a Salisbury to love.
I have to admit that the story was different from what I expected it to be and I'm not sure why exactly I thought this was gonna be a romance. Don't get me wrong, there is still Hades and Persephone and there is still some love between them, but it's strangely enough not the core of the story. And especially because it isn't, this book made me love Hades even more. After all, at least he didn't make this story about him.
Because it wasn't. This is a story about a young girl, almost eighteen when the story starts, who has to grow into her own person and who has to discover who she is on her own, without her best friend and without her boyfriend, and what kind of powers she has and how she should use them. It's not an easy journey and at times it feels she's progressing slowly, but it's worth it watching her come to realize what she wants and needs and how to get it.
And while this book is mostly about our heroine's personal journey, I also loved the way Salisbury gave the Greek Gods and their mythology such a natural place in our modern times. Yes, the girls have cellphones and laptops and other modern stuff, but they do still believe in the Gods, keep up the rites, bless their dead with a little coin for the ferryman and never dare speak the name of the God of the Underworld. I wish the Isle was a real place I could visit.
I have to admit that the story was different from what I expected it to be and I'm not sure why exactly I thought this was gonna be a romance. Don't get me wrong, there is still Hades and Persephone and there is still some love between them, but it's strangely enough not the core of the story. And especially because it isn't, this book made me love Hades even more. After all, at least he didn't make this story about him.
Because it wasn't. This is a story about a young girl, almost eighteen when the story starts, who has to grow into her own person and who has to discover who she is on her own, without her best friend and without her boyfriend, and what kind of powers she has and how she should use them. It's not an easy journey and at times it feels she's progressing slowly, but it's worth it watching her come to realize what she wants and needs and how to get it.
And while this book is mostly about our heroine's personal journey, I also loved the way Salisbury gave the Greek Gods and their mythology such a natural place in our modern times. Yes, the girls have cellphones and laptops and other modern stuff, but they do still believe in the Gods, keep up the rites, bless their dead with a little coin for the ferryman and never dare speak the name of the God of the Underworld. I wish the Isle was a real place I could visit.
emmajs15's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cdmue's review
3.0
3.25 Stars This was a very modern take on the Hades and Persephone myth and was very YA-friendly. I enjoyed the differences such as the furies being a main focus in the story, as not many flesh them out. Hermes played a bigger part in Her Dark Wings but not many more gods other than Hades. Other gods did have small parts but were more background and ones to move the story forward. The setting was a little hard to picture in the mortal world and the Underworld was more fleshed out. The betrayal of friends played a huge part in the story line so watch it if that can trigger.
jdunham's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hungergameslover's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I would have never expected a take on Persephone and Hades story to be like that but wow the creativity of the author, Iām impressed. I loved this book, a bit out of my comfort zone which is good and now I want to read more retellings š š
readeatgamerepeat's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This came very close to a 4 star but honestly the ending was a bit weak for me but honestly everything up to that was really interesting. I really liked Corey as a main character and how she processed her emotions and all the stuff she was dealing with - I also really liked her connection with the Furies, I haven't really seen that before in a Persephone-myth retelling before so that was interesting to see - but that also leads me to my one issue with the book, by the end it felt a little like the "Hades" part of the myth was sort of shoved in and wasn't given as much time to develop as I think it should've.
That being said I do really recommend it, it was a really compelling read.
That being said I do really recommend it, it was a really compelling read.
fieldsofasphodel's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cboddie's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
7th & up