Neon Gods

by Katee Robert

Paperback, 384 pages

Published June 1, 2021 by Sourcebooks Casablanca.

ISBN:: 978-1-7282-3173-0

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.

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.

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.

2 editions

KnitAFett reviewed Neon Gods by Katee Robert (Dark Olympus, #1)

Not much of a retelling.

2 stars

So this was overall enjoyable, but if you're thinking of reading it due to being touted as a "retelling" of Greek myths with some spice sprinkled through, just skip it. The names and the places are the only part that really have to do with Greek mythology. This could have easily just been skinned over with a different world and felt the same. Even the power struggles are pretty minute. Definitely over-hyped, but I've read worse. I'll be continuing with some of the books just to see how they measure up.

justpeachy reviewed Neon Gods by Katee Robert (Dark Olympus, #1)

Not the best, but not bad

3 stars

A little bit cringey/cliche at some parts, but I really enjoyed the world the author built and the new take on the Hades/Persephone myth. Very interesting, but could’ve done with a little more character development and a little less cliche. Wish it was longer so the author would have more pages for the main conflict.

bangiebangs reviewed Neon Gods by Katee Robert (Dark Olympus, #1)

Review of 'Neon Gods' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

Update April 2023 (5)
I re-read this book and gave it a full 5 on the second time. It might be that after having finished all currently published books of the series (plus Wicked Villains) the depth and foreshadowing here just hit differently and made it even more enjoyable than on the first read.
I have a feeling that this won't be my last re-read either, so can recommend this (again), even after reading 60+ dark romances in between. What a journey it's been!

Review Nov 2022 (4.75*)
I really loved this retelling of the old Hades/Persephone myth! It has a nice story like, and I really appreciated that the whole arch was one book, rather than - as so often happens now - a trilogy. That said, I wish it was longer!
I particularly loved the representation: everyone seems to be casually queer (this is just given as …

Update April 2023 (5*)
I re-read this book and gave it a full 5* on the second time. It might be that after having finished all currently published books of the series (plus Wicked Villains) the depth and foreshadowing here just hit differently and made it even more enjoyable than on the first read.
I have a feeling that this won't be my last re-read either, so can recommend this (again), even after reading 60+ dark romances in between. What a journey it's been!

Review Nov 2022 (4.75*)
I really loved this retelling of the old Hades/Persephone myth! It has a nice story like, and I really appreciated that the whole arch was one book, rather than - as so often happens now - a trilogy. That said, I wish it was longer!
I particularly loved the representation: everyone seems to be casually queer (this is just given as a normal thing, rather than made a topic in itself); consent is a huge topic throughout, whether on explicit sex scenes (of which there are a couple, oh my, and they are very RACK type of kinky) or topics like childhood neglect/ caring for oneself etc. I thought this was done in a really intelligent and engaging way.

I will likely re-read at some point, and am already looking at more books in the Dark Olympus series.

Bee

rated it

April 25, 2022

Serpina

rated it

March 18, 2024