This was a tricky book for me to review. I'll start by saying I enjoyed the read and I think there could be interesting stories to tell in this world Robert has built. But Hades/Persephone are big game, in my mind, and I'm not sure this one lived up to my expectations. I think as a Hades/Persephone retelling, there wasn't a lot of the original lore embedded in their characters, or in the world in general. However, as a romance that is also a political drama, set in an alternative modern world version of Olympus, with a light dose of kink, I liked it.

I did really like the Hades character, in how he's gruff and stern at first but also is very much an over-protective Stern Brunch Daddy sort. But his character got much softer as the book went on, which I didn't hate, but perhaps plays against a Hades-type expectation. And as far as a grumpy/sunshine trope, I didn't find Persephone to really embody a sunshine personality, so much as she was physically described as sunshine-y, with blonde hair and glowingly tan skin. Her personality seemed much more shrewd and even bratty at times. All this is to say, I *liked* it! But also, my expectations for a Hades/Persephone story are high, and it didn't slay me dead like I hoped it would.

Neon Gods is a refreshing take on the Hades and Persephone myth!

I'm always searching for Hades and Persephone retellings. No one has come close to matching my love of the webcomic Lore Olympus, but Neon Gods takes the top spot in the romance novel category. Katee Robert weaves such interesting dynamics between the Olympian gods. Titles like Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades are inherited through bloodlines while Hera and Demeter are appointed.

Persephone, one of the three daughters of Demeter, longs to live a life away from the back-stabbing politics in Olympus, and soon she will reach her majority and have the funds to leave. But before she can put plan to action, her mother maneuvers her into a scenario with no escape. Zeus, with three dead wives to his name, proposes that Persephone becomes his new Hera. Refusal is not an option.

Overwhelmed, she finds herself escaping into the night only to be chased by Zeus' cronies. A dark figure appears on the far side of the bridge that joins Olympus to the Underworld. Hades, a line rumored to have died out, becomes Persephone's salvation, but their actions have consequences.

The only thing missing from this romance was a great sexual connection between the two mains. I loved them as a couple, but felt a little underwhelmed with their sex scenes.

4/5 stars!

WOW! I'm super impressed by this book - and incredibly grateful to have received an advanced copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca & NetGalley. Neon Gods has been on my radar for several months and I'm so glad that it didn't disappoint. This is the modern, Hades / Persephone story we've all been waiting for and I can't WAIT to see Katee Robert's other mythological retellings.

The main selling point to this story is just how damn likeable Persephone & Hades are. Persephone is a headstrong, clever, bad-ass heroine who understands her worth. Some interpretations of Persephone depict her as meek and trapped, and I never got that impression from this version. And Hades....my goodness. The absolute best grumpy, secretly soft character. His internal monologues (and their deep conversations) enraptured me and left me longing for more. The characters are dynamic, diverse (incredible bi-rep from both leads), and really all I could ever want in a romance. I'm absolutely <i> in love </i> with this version of Hades.

The only reason this is a 4/5 instead of a full 5 star read for me is that I felt like it was a little long. Parts in the middle, while they did a great job of allowing me to connect to the characters more, felt like they dragged on a bit and didn't further the story much. While there was absolutely incredible sexual tension and romantic build-up, I wanted a bit more from the final climax and conflict. It wrapped up a little too quickly for me and I had to go back and re-read certain sections to make sure I understood what happened.

Aside from this, I did notice a few formatting and grammatical errors in this proof edition - nothing that distracted me from the story at all, but just something I noticed.

10,000% you need to pick this up! I will be diving into Katee Robert's backlog immediately because I just need to read all of her retellings now!!

This book was hot hot HOT. I expected nothing less from Katee Robert and I was not let down. I went into this book not knowing what to expect after having an established obsession with Hades and Persephone stories previously. This book was wholly unique and enchanting in its retelling while creating its own space within the realm of Greek God stories. I hope we get many more from her as I would read every single one!

Neon Gods is truly one of the hottest romances I've ever read. This retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone is fresh and unforgettable—a must-read for fans of Lore Olympus. She writes about sex and kink with spine-tingling delight, and I already know I'll return to certain passages for *ehem* personal use again and again.

I was a bit confused by the world building, so readers should be ready to lean into the core relationship and not worry about the role of magic in Robert's story.

I’m not usually one to read romance books, but I do love retelling of myths. I enjoyed this, and loved the modern twist. It was a quick read for me too, which was refreshing after slogging through a few other books..

I have read quite a few Hades and Persephone retellings, and this one is easily one of my favorites. The chemistry was on FIRE!, and their story was really beautiful. I was completly sucked in from the beginning and couldn't put the book down.
Persephone has always gone along with whatever her mother needs, and done whatever it takes to keep the peace in the family.. When one day she can't do it anymore and she runs... straight into Hades arms.
Hades takes care of his people but he has always held himself apart. He knows that caring for someone can have disasterous results.
When a woman crosses the bridge into the lower city, Hades has no idea how she will shake up his ordered world, and how much he needed it. He is a grumpy guy with a marshmellow center that needs to take care of his people. I just loved him soo much!
I love how as Hades and Persephone grow closer they really begin to bring out each others true selves. The parts that they have kept hidden from everyone else.

I have never read anything else by this author but I will definitely be checking out her backlist, and look forward to more books in this series!

I've never read anything written by Kate but since I never turn away from stories inspired by Greek Mythology, I didn't hesitate to request this book on NetGalley.

It started with introducing Persephone as the second daughter of Demeter. Having one of the Thirteen, as a mother, she is constantly surrounded by the media and the people seeking favor. The Thirteen are gods and goddesses of Olympus consisted of Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Poseidon, Athena, Hermes, Dionysius, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Hades.

Persephone always has an interest in Hades even though he is nothing but a myth. Then a disastrous night brought her to his doorstep. Finding themselves on the same goal, they became a reluctant ally to bring down their mutual enemy. Even though none of them could see this coming, no one could deny the fire ignited between them.

I liked how Robert retold Hades and Persephone's tale. It felt fresh and unique yet it has a familiar feeling about it. Maybe it came from the magnetic pull between the two lovers that could be felt through the words. Rather than being tricked, Persephone decided to stay with Hades. I loved that twist. Their chemistry was on point throughout the book. My heart couldn't handle their sweet adorable moments as well as their sizzling hot ones.

I also loved how Persephone's sisters were quite involved. I was scared that they'd only mentioned briefly but BAM they made the whole story a lot better. I think their personalities were more solid than other characters, even our two main characters. The world has the potential to be great. The idea of how the media has a big influence on Olympus intrigued me. Alas, it didn't get the chance to be explored. But I get it whose story this is so it took place in the Underworld, in which case it reminded me of Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

All is well and good for some time until I lost interest halfway. Don't get me wrong, it has a nice start. But then it started to feel like it's going round and round focusing on the luscious moments of Persephone and Hades instead of the bigger problems. Maybe it's just me but I'd prefer Robert build their relationship while also working on the plot. Fortunately, the ending was satisfying so I could put the thoughts on things I didn't like aside.

Overall, Neon Gods didn't disappoint but it could do much better. I guess it's just a matter of taste because I believe in the hands of other readers, this book would seem wonderful. If you're a fan of Hades and Persephone and currently looking for a standalone read with an engaging storyline and heated, sensual scenes that'd make you burn, you should add Neon Gods to your TBR.

**Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca publishing for providing this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change.**

“Love was never part of the plan.”

In a grab for power Persephone’s mother forces her into an engagement with Zeus, a powerful man suspected of killing his previous wives. Desperate to escape this absurd marriage she did not agree to, Persephone seeks refuge in the lower city where she strikes a bargain with Hades, the king of the lower city, a myth.

“Hades is a puzzle I could spend a lifetime exploring and never quite have the whole picture.”

This book is set in modern day Olympus, where the Greek gods are political titles rather than being individual deities. Zeus has made it his mission to exterminate the Hades line. He has painted Hades as Olympus’s boogie man, turning him into a myth. Big bad Hades is the name parents whisper to their children in order to make them behave. But when in reality Hades is a benevolent king, who would do anything for the people he loves and his city.

“I crave anything and everything you do to me.”

Hades and Persephone are a powerful couple! They are a great team. They stand by each other, fight for one another. From the beginning there is not only a great sense of trust but fierce protectiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them fall in love. He made her his queen, his equal in every way.

“You’ve ruined me Persephone.”

Both Hades and Persephone are complex characters, perceived by society as a man to fear and a woman with a sunny personality and very little substance. It is interesting to see how they become their true selves with each other.

“I would move heaven and earth and the underworld itself to keep you with me.”

Neon gods is positively sinful. This book is pure temptation. Hades draws back the curtains and allows you to enter his world, where you can act out all of your most wicked fantasies. Everyone has a dark side and Neon gods invites you explore yours, which is why I’m rating it 4.5/5

I’ve always been a fan of fantasy romances, and so Neon Gods easily caught my eye as a mix of fantasy, Greek mythology, and erotica. While it took me a little while to orient myself in the author's world, overall this book proved to be a promising start to this new series by Katee Robert.

In the modern city of Olympus, the Upper City and Lower City are separated by the river Styx, and ruled by the Thirteen. The Thirteen are titles representing major Greek gods and goddesses (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, etc.) and can be either inherited or elected titles. Demeter, for example, is an elected title whose role involves overseeing the agricultural resources of the city. Persephone is one of the daughters of the current Demeter, and she longs for the day that she will come into her inheritance and be able to leave Olympus for the wider world. Persephone has no interest in the politics and mind games of the Thirteen, but is abruptly dragged into them by her mother when Demeter announces Persephone's surprise engagement to Zeus.

In possession of a heritage title and the de-facto leader of the Thirteen, Zeus is about sixty and rumored to have murdered his past few wives. While Persephone is fairly certain her mother has some scheme in place to keep her from being married to a monster, she isn't sure how long it will take to play out. More than that, Persephone is already uncomfortable with the lecherous looks Zeus sends her way, and has no interest in sticking around for more of them. When she steps outside for air minutes after the engagement is announced at a party, panic takes hold and Persephone runs away, ultimately finding herself crossing into the Lower City and a world she never imagined.

No one familiar with the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone will be surprised by the next turn of the story. While in the Upper City, Hades is rumored to be dead, in truth he quietly rules the Lower City, waiting for the right moment to take revenge on Zeus - who killed his parents when Hades was a child. While the Thirteen and other members of their inner circle know of his existence, it's not until Persephone crosses the river and stumbles straight into his arms that she herself realizes Hades is more than a myth.

While Hades offers Persephone shelter out of general concern and with no further expectations, the daughter of Demeter has spent enough time around the politics of the Thirteen not to take kindness for granted. Deciding that her safest option is to remain in the Lower City for the next few months until she can leave Olympus altogether, Persephone offers Hades a bargain. In return for providing her with a safe harbor, she will be with him publicly (in all senses) to help him get back at Zeus. They both know nothing will rile Zeus more than his supposedly innocent fiancée engaged in a public affair with Hades.

The more time I spend thinking about this book, the more impressed I am with the way the author handles this piece of the plot. While central to the story, bargaining sexual favors can be a very uncomfortable topic if one party feels as though they’ve been forced into it. Luckily, after she first introduces the idea, Hades makes it clear that Persephone's welcome in his home is not contingent on anything, and she in turn makes it clear that she genuinely desires Hades. What starts as a bargain becomes a mutual decision to enjoy a fling during Persephone's last months in the city, with the added benefit of pissing off Zeus.

If you're a fan of Robert’s, it should come as no surprise to hear that the sex is off the charts hot. Public sex is something Hades enjoys - he even has a dedicated room of his house to host orgies - and it's central to the couple's plan to embarrass Zeus and enjoy themselves. However, Persephone has never actually acted on her exhibitionist fantasies, so Hades takes his time easing her into the experience.

This care for Persephone's needs, and the development of their relationship separately in private, is a perfect balance to the constant focus on public perception. In some ways, the awareness of what is done publicly versus privately makes Hades' growing love for Persephone (and vice versa) even more obvious. When he shows her his favorite hidden parts of the Lower City, it's not about anyone but them.

My only complaint about this book, and it's a very small one, is that I was a little confused by the worldbuilding at the beginning. Despite the emphasis on Greek mythology and the mystical barrier between the two parts of the city, most people have phones and don't appear to have god-like powers. But while my questions about the design of the world might linger, I have no unanswered questions about Hades and Persephone. Their story here is a sexy, modern version of the Greek legend, and definitely deserves a read.

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I'm trash for anything Hades and Persephone so even though this author is often hit or miss for me, I knew I had to read this book.

Roberts places Olympus in the modern-day but not in the real world. It seemed as if it exists in another dimension? This part was very hazy for me as the world-building wasn't great. I'm giving her a pass here since it's a series and I assume there will be more explanation forthcoming.

Persephone's mother Demeter has promised her daughter's hand in marriage to Zeus who is, as in the myths, a raging asshole. Persephone objects to this and ends up running away to the forbidden Lower City. No one from Olympus can cross into the lower city except a bunch of people do and there was a lot of hand waviness about this. I didn't understand why some could come and go as they pleased.

Persephone ends up with Hades who has a bone to pick with Zeus and decides taking his fiancee and debauching her is the perfect way to avenge his dead parents. Persephone agrees to be debauched since she has time to kill. She can't escape to the human world until she is of age to get her hands on an inheritance. So they both embark on a consensual voyeur kink, I guess. He likes to have sex in public in front of an audience and she thinks it's hot.

This was a hard book for me to rate. I didn't hate it but there was nothing about it that stood out for me. My main problem as a hero-centric reader was that Hades was bland. The reader is told how everyone fears Hades. He has this terrible reputation and he's this big bad. But I was never shown any of it. Is he so terrible because of his kink? That's the only time that Hades seemed in any way "bad" and I don't think I like his kink used as a personality flaw. In private, he was this big, grumpy super concerned mother hen. Obsessed with home decor and hardwood floors. He was cute in his grumpy concern for Persephone but that's hardly the stuff my dreams of the big bad Lord of the Underworld are made of. Persephone was Persephone in name only. Aside from a sunny personality and passing admiration of a greenhouse, she had nothing to do with nature or spring.

The sex scenes were hot but became repetitive after a while. Also, that kink? They only do it in the club twice and it's in a dark corner where hardly anyone can see. The big stage scene only comes in the epilogue and by then I was too bored to care.

The romantic tension was weak as the internal conflict was based off whether Persephone would stay or go when the time came. The pacing was also off. I felt as if everything happened in the first ten percent and then the last ten percent of the book. The middle was a slog for me.

In the end, I think this was another case of my reader mood affecting how much I enjoyed this book. I have been looking for a villainous Hades. A morally grey Hades. I'm craving a morality chain trope and this wasn't it. I wonder though why Hades is always irritable and cranky cinnamon roll in romance. In myth, he saw a beautiful girl and kidnapped her FFS. Give me the morally grey emotionally constipated Hades. And the Persephone who is the Maiden of Spring and makes him choke on it. I dream of this book. Won't anyone write it? Please? 🥺

⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
🍆🍆/5

Thank you NetGalley and SourceBooks for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I love this world, these characters! In a very creative way this became a modern, sexy, dark, fairytale we never knew we needed. Hades and Persephone, completely in a knew light and once you start you wont want it to stop! What do we read next, i want this world to continue! Smoldering hot, yet utterly romantic, cheeky and so lovable, this story will pull you in, and keep your head in this hot craze that is too delicious to ignore.

Wow! What a great retelling of Hades and Persephone. Although, this one is sizzling steamy.
I love Hades' broody character. Persephone is strong and knows what she wants. I loved it all and can't wait for more!!!
I have never read anything by Katee Robert before but now I will seek out her books.

As a fan of Robert's Wicked Villains series, I was super excited for Neon Gods, the first in her new Dark Olympus series. A modern Hades and Persephone story? SIGN ME UP.

And Katee did NOT disappoint. Although more of a slow build than the Wicked Villains, she still brought the STEAM. Maybe don't read it in the same room as your dad who's visiting from out of state like I did; it was an exercise in keeping my face completely and utterly neutral.

Hades is a giant, grumpy cinnamon roll, and Persephone is...well, she's bold and manages to top from the bottom (IYKYK). She will do anything to protect the ones she loves. Their love story was so sweet and tender and hot as, well, hades. Public sex is not my kink, but man, Robert makes it so, so hot. And yet Neon Gods definitely focuses equally on story-telling and steam, instead of jumping headfirst into the sexiness a la Wicked Villains (not that there's anything wrong with that. I dig them just as much). The change in pacing clearly sets it apart as a new series.

And the bi rep! Both main characters are bisexual.

Bottom line: if you love mythology, cinnamon roll heroes, and a metric ton of steam, Neon Gods will be right up your alley.

As much as I looovvveeee the tale of Hades and Persephone, it is always so difficult to find a retelling that sits well with me. My biggest problem with any of the many I’ve read is that Persephone always starts out as a meek, submissive girl that allows her mother to step all over her. But then, two pages later, once she meets Hades, she’s fiery and strong and full of banter that makes no sense to her starting vibe. The development is rarely there, and all of a sudden Persephone—known for being sheltered and prim—is a sex fiend. No visible growth, just BAM!

With Neon Gods, the whole first chapter is a frustrating view of how Persephone allows herself to be walked all over. Is scared of her mother and of Zeus and allows them to rope her into doing things she doesn’t want to do. The next chapter she is making an arrangement with Hades to purposefully anger Zeus by sleeping with Hades, to have sex in public so that the message gets back to Zeus. She wants to make Zeus angry all of a sudden, all earlier development and worries gone. The change in her is so utterly out of the blue, it read like a completely new character.

I’ve only read a few Hades/Persephone retellings that get the development part down as a realistic gradual thing, not a page jump. Unfortunately, Neon Gods didn’t meet the mark for me. The writing is solid, the characters and lore appealing and diverse, but this one isn’t for me personally.

4.5 / 5 stars

I just can't get enough Hades and Persephone books! I had been wanting to pick up a Katee Robert book for so long and this felt like the perfect place to start. I'm not hugely into dark romance but this felt like it was just dark enough for me.

Persephone escapes being sent to marry Zeus and runs away into Hades territory, which no one has gone into before. This is an urban fantasy, but we don't get to see much of the actual city and I hope we get to in future books in the series, though I could read another book just about this romance. It had such great banter and and softness. I loved seeing how obsessed Hades was with Persephone. I would recommend anyone look up potential triggers before reading this book, since some steamy aspects might not be for everyone. I truly can't wait to see what Gods the next book is about because I loved the writing style so much that I'll for sure be picking it up and all the side characters were so great.

5 out of 5 Dark Olympus Stars.
Writing reviews is kinda hard for me because I can never get my thoughts in order, but here’s my attempted review for this amazing book.
I’ve been a Katee Robert fan for some time, now. And what I love most about her writing is how quickly she wraps you up in the story, and did she wrap me up in this one.
I’m not that much into retellings, but once I heard it was a Hades/Persephone retelling, I immediately decided I wanted to read it, and do whatever to read it early.
I feel this new world KT has created is interesting and I can’t wait to see more of it in the future installments of this series.
I absolutely loved Hades’ character, his brooding but caring personality. And Persephone was just lovely.
I can’t wait to read more about these characters in the future books.

This one was such a sultry and seductive read! I found myself enthralled when I read and completely sucked into the story. If you are a fan of Hades & Persephone retellings, this needs to be on your TBR!

With it taking place in a contemporary time period, it’s more about the status of the position vs. the superpowers that each Greek god and goddess hold in the myths. Which ultimately means that no god is immortal and your position as a specific god is inherited.

Hades and Persephone were 🔥. The chemistry was off the charts! It’s easy to see and understand Hades for who he really is - a caring and protective soul - and I absolutely adored him! I loved how the two of them became so protective of one another that they would do anything to fight for each other.

Neon Gods releases June 1st. I definitely recommend adding it to your TBR! Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my review copy! All opinions are my own.

Katee Roberts can do no wrong and that's especially true with Neon Gods. This is now my new favorite Hades and Persephone retelling! I devoured this in one sitting and loved everything about it - the world, the relationship, the puppies, all of it. I can't wait to get back into this world with Persephone's sisters' stories!

Neon Gods


Neon Gods by Katee Robert
Release date: June 1, 2021
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh my. Neon Gods is amazing. If you are an adult romance fantasy fan who loves retellings, particularly Hades and Persephone, you don’t want to miss this.

As the blurb states, “A modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that’s as sinful as it is sweet.” Katee Robert took the classic Hades and Persephone story and truly made it her own. Persephone is cunning, strong-willed, and is what Hades need to break down his walls. Hades was perfect. He was broody but once those walls came down, we were able to see his vulnerable and amazingly big heart. I truly was not expecting this from Hades’ character but the relationship development was everything that I need!

It was very steamy but the romance was perfect. The writing was wonderful and the character development made the book. This is the first Katee Roberts book I’ve read and was not disappointed and can not wait to see the story continue. Neon Gods is a steamy, addictive, captivating page turner that you won’t want to put down.
**This a very steamy book. Fans of A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair will enjoy this.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.