Book Review: Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis

Title: Persephone
Author: Kaitlin Bevis
Series: Daughters of Zeus #1
Genre: Young Adult, Mythology Retelling
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Pub Date: July 6, 2012
Pages: 237
My Copy: Author sent me For Review
Device Read On: My Nook

Book Synopsis:

There are worse things than death, worse people too

The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a  goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feels for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

Book Review:

This was a very different take on the Hades/Persephone myth. I really found it to be a fun adventure to read. I thought the way it progressed was interesting. We get a likeable heroine in Persephone.

Persephone is likeable because she’s kind to those around her. She has a job. Doesn’t like being called by her name, but wants to be called by her middle name which was an interesting turn. Also like how her friendships with the people she cares about are done realistically and not sugar-coated. 

Also when this guy comes claiming that she is one of Zeus daughters, Persephone thinks this guy is crazy.  I mean I would too if someone said that to me. After this event happens things get even weirder in a good way. There’s lot of stuff that her mother has to tell her.  There are things that her mother has kept from her to keep her safe and we learn that things are not always as they seem.

The mythology is twisted into an interesting story.  Twists are important to keep a story going. Mythology here is essential because what has been written is not true according to Hades and her Mother who is Demeter. Also some of the Gods are no longer alive.

Hades is one of the more interesting characters. I really like the portrayal of him in this book. He’s not what I think anybody expected. He seems like a pretty decent guy and you start to really care about him.  The way he rules is very unexpected and refreshing as you can start to think of him as a guy who cares about those who are his subjects and some of them are his loved ones.

The relationship between Hades and Persephone was interesting to say the least. Part of the problem is that Hades is way older than her. She still needs to mature and I found Hades to be very responsible in a way. Also the fact that they become friends first is good because you learn who these characters are and what motivates them. I also found that Hades training Persephone was very nice.

Also what Persephone does in the end to save her friends and herself in the process was very heroic. I think you see a young woman who is learning who she is herself and what she can do. Plus she realizes that her powers can be used to benefit others as well as herself.

I enjoyed this novel a lot because the characters felt very honest and real to me.

Rating: