Recent Reads: Neon Gods by Katee Robert

Neon Gods by Katee Robert 

Series:Dark Olympus #1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date:  June 1, 2021

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

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.

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…

A modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that’s as sinful as it is sweet.

Trigger Warnings: Abuse, Parental death (historical, off-page), assault/attempted assault, explicit sex, guns, blood

Review: 

If you aren't into smutty, spicy reads, this book will not be for you, however if they are ... keep reading.

I love Hades and Persephone retellings/reimagings. This series beginins with Hades and Persephone and then later, from what I can tell, focuses on other characters within this world. Olympus is run by the gods, as it has always been, in this version it is like a modern day meets Olympus, so there are phones and modern stuggles. The god still have magic and oversee their respective things with Zeus as the ruler. The upper and lower cities are seperated by the Styx and Hades is now a myth in the upper city. When Persephone is trapped in an engagement with Zeus, she runs for it and crosses to the lower city, meeting Hades and striking a deal. 

Then things start to get steamy. Hades and Persephone agree that in order to break the engagement and piss off Zeus they need to make a very public statement of their own relationship. Exhibitionism is Hades' style and Persephone has agreed. 

I loved Persephone, I always do, she is strong willed and determined in so many ways. Hades plays the alpha but is very soft on the inside and I loved how broody he is in the beginning with her. The steamy bits were well done with safe words and consent throughout, it was a nice touch to make the safe word pomegranate. 

Zeus has always had a creepy side thoughout his story, and they take that to the extreme here with his and Persephone's engagement. She is far younger than him and he is know to kill his wives... or so everyone believes. He is horrible and your hae for him will be immediate. 

Overall, the plot was completely around the relationship and steaminess, so like I mentioned, if you aren't into that, this will not be your cup of tea.