Five stars! Best Hades and Persephone retelling I have ever read. Katee Robert does it again! Every book that she writes she absolutely nails and you are immediately swept into the world she is creating. Persephone is running away from Olympus because the power hungry and abusive Zeus wants to make her his wife however he has a history of killing those wives. She ends up running to the Lower City where she meets Hades who up until that point she had always been told was a myth. They end up striking a deal where Persephone gets protection against Zeus and Hades get revenge. The chemistry between Hades and Persephone was so beautifully written. It was steamy, it was passionate, and it was so so sweet. I loved how independent and hilarious Persephone was and how equally balanced their relationship was as well. The audiobook was fantastic. The only thing I missed was I had hoped this book interlaced and tied more into her Wicked Villians series. I was left wanting a little bit more of a resolution but other then that it was perfect!

Neon Gods: 3/5

“Only you could manage to run away and fall into bed with a sexy man determined to do anything to protect you. You’re truly gods-blessed, Persephone.”

Premise:
Neon Gods is an 18+ retelling of Hades and Persephone. When Persephone flees Olympus due to a surprise engagement with Zeus, she finds herself safe past the River Styx in the home of Hades. Hades, living his life as a myth, seeks revenge against Olympus, and the two strike a bargain. Not everything goes according to plan, as tensions and feelings rise.

Writing & Plot:
I enjoyed the writing style in Neon Gods. It is no secret that Katee Robert can write exceptionally well, especially in the *romance* department. I enjoyed the diverse characters that the author created, and it was a nice twist on the classic tale.

Not only was the writing well done, but I enjoyed the plot as well. Neon Gods is, hands down, a romance novel, but the intricate plot made me want to keep turning the pages. It was challenging to put this book down.

One major issue I had, though, was the world-building. With a plot as intricate as this one was, I found myself unable to grasp the concept of the modern Olympus. I struggled to understand the details of the urban setting so much that I couldn't visualize any map. Furthermore, the political dynamics needed more work. Politics is a huge plot point, and I can't help but feel like I missed out on so much because this book's political dynamics were glazed over.

Lastly, the main plot point of the book drags out. Towards the end, I was getting tired and bored of the same repetitiveness. However, it did allow for more romance which I did like, so this critique comes with perks, but ultimately, I wish it was a bit shorter.

Characters:
Besides my confusion regarding character backstory, I think most of the characters were lovable. Hades is so hot and puts a significant emphasis on consent throughout the entirety of the book, which I loved. In my opinion, it made the book 100x better.

Although I generally liked Persephone, there were multiple inconsistencies across her character. For example, she is strong, physically and mentally, but other times she faints for no reason, and Hades needs to save her. Another is that Persephone is intelligent, which I loved, but then on the next page, she's acting like a child. These minor inconsistencies made me roll my eyes, and I couldn't ignore them.

The side characters were some of the best parts of the novel. I loved Hermes and Dionysus's characters so much, along with Demeter. They were written cleverly and added a significant layer to the story.

Audiobook:
Both narrators absolutely smashed this book! They truly knocked it out of the park. Reading 18+ romance out loud cannot be easy, but the narrators made it feel so natural. As a listener, I was enthralled with the plot and the romance and it is all attributed to these wonderful actors.

Conclusion:
Neon Gods is is a solid romance novel with a well-thought-out plot. I loved the theme of consent throughout the entirety of the novel, and it made everything so much hotter. Remember, this book is 18+, but I would recommend it to anybody who likes romance within that age range. This series has potential, and I am excited to find out what happens next!

3/5 I thought this was going to be a YA and boy was I wrong.

Content warnings for sex obviously and violence (not sexual as far as I remember)

This book is almost completely smut which really isn't my thing (I'm ace) but I did really love the plot. I had never read/listened to a retelling of this story like this and I enjoyed it so I am rating the book on that. This was a pretty fast listen as it only took me 5/6 hours to get through it on 2x speed. I wouldn't recommend this to my friends because of the smut but if your into it and kinks then this might be for you. If you are not into sex and/or kinks then you are going to just be sitting there uncomfortable like me lmao. I didn't really like the narrators that much but that's just me and the sound quality on the Netgalley app isn't the best so take that into account if you're wanting to listen to this.

Disclaimer: I read/listened to this audio book arc on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have been on a Hades and Persephone kick lately and this book piqued my interest. It is definitely for mature audiences and the audiobook should not be listened to in public. That being said the world was fascinating. I really enjoyed the plot we did get and I wish we had gotten a little bit more beyond the smut. The smut was also very spicy with lots of kink and voyeurism. Katee Robert writes those taboo books and this one is another great one that I know many will enjoy. The next books will follow different characters but I'm looking forward to seeing how Katee ties the characters together and shows us more of this world.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I was super into it in the beginning. I realize that it is erotica, so I knew there would be a lot of sex. I just didn't like that the sex and the need the characters had for each other would overtake the storyline of the book. However, once I got half way through the book and understood both the hero and heroine's motivation and attraction to each other, then I really started to enjoy it again. I'm glad I held on until the end. I absolutely loved Hades. He was dominate and came across as a jerk but deep down he really cared about Persephone. I loved that Persephone was terrible at being submission. That always made me laugh. The storyline was well written with such a unique perspective. The book had solid conflict that had me rooting for the characters until the end. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to listen to this book.

I was looking forward to this book since I first heard of it. When I got the audiobook I was even more thrilled !!

But unfortunately this went on my DNF list. I TRIED for weeks to push through this but I just couldn’t.
The audiobook made a lot of the disloque and scenes cringey.
This was not steamy , this was just dirty.

And sex scenes that are just bad, I can’t over look, but lack of world and character building , that I can’t.

There was absolutely no world building despite the awesome creative idea of this book. I mean, Greek gods in modern times, how freaking cool !! But unfortunately , I got half way through and I still didn’t understand how this society worked. How the 13 came to be rulers , what gives them this power, what type of power . Is it literal ? Magical ? How does Olympus Interract with the rest of the world ? Why can’t they leave ?

See !! So much that was not explained at all. I just got frustrated.

Maybe I’ll borrow this book later on, but for now, I can’t even get through it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to Neon Gods by Katee Robert in exchange for an honest review.

Katee Robert is one of my favourite authors and I was super excited to be approved for this book.

Her twisty, steamy takes on Fairytales are alway fulls of explicit sexual scenes, mixed with a bit of action.

Neon Gods was a hot little treasure. I appreciated how strong a character Persephone was and how Hades complimented that, instead of trying to control her.

I can’t wait to continue on with the rest of the series.

This book was definitely a hot tamale!! It’s definitely a twist on the hades and Persephone myth, and I loved the agency Persephone was given in this book. There weren’t too many fantasy elements to the story, but it worked!

DNF at 50% - this book was horrible. I was not a fan at all. I hated the cheesey narrators (it might have been a big factor in turning me off this story). It was too much focus on the erotica and less on the story. Not for me, despite some good reviews from people I respect I could not get into this modern reimagining of the Persephone story.

Thank you NetGalley, author Katee Robert, and Dreamscape Media, LLC for giving me a free arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
This book was a very modern day retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth. I really enjoyed the world building, characters, and setting. Hades was very dark, with a big heart for those he desires to protect, yet swoon worthy. Persephone was a strong, quick-witted heroine. The chemistry between Hades and Persephone was pure physical attraction at the beginning that ended in a deep connection that reached into the very heart of Olympus. The audio narrators were very good and really drew me into their world. Overall, this was a very good retelling and I can't wait for the next installment in this series!

Neon Gods Review

✨Neon Gods by @katee_robert ✨
4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🖤This audiobook right here was everything you want in a Hades & Persephone retelling. There was dark secrets, forbidden love, retelling of a timeless story in such a unique way, steam, steam, oh.. and did I mention steam?

🖤Persephone is running away from her problems.. literally! When she stumbles into the arms of a dark and moody stranger. Little does she know that the person she is asking to help save her and find a solution to her problems is the ever elusive & mythical Hades.

🖤In a true Hades & Persephone story, a bargain is struck and fate begins to show its hand. Will love be enough to save Persephone from a life she does not want to live? Will Hades be able to find a solution to keep the only person in his life he loves with him forever? So many secrets, so little time.

✨I am going to be 100% completely honest, I loved the chemistry between these two so stinking much, and could feel the tension rolling off of them in waves. It did take me quite some time to grasp the magic in this book though. But that did not deter my enjoyment what so ever.

🖤Thank you to netgalley, the author Katee Robert and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

“For someone so determined to be labelled a monster, he’s incredibly invested in my pleasure and consent.”

Persephone finds herself forcefully engaged to Zeus, but she isn't interested. When fleeing she finds a forbidden underground city and she makes a bargain with a man she believes was a myth. This is a kinky Hades and Persephone retelling.

I've enjoyed many of Kattee Robert's other retellings so was looking forward to reading this one. This was an easy and kinky read that does justice to the BDSM community. I enjoyed the contemporary twist to the classic story and really appreciate that the Hades and Persephone age gap was removed.

Hades is the hot antagonist, not the antagonist that I wanted him to be. I love dominating men that also worship their women like gods, it's just so hot. I enjoyed Persephone's character is of course a personification of spring but also a total badass. The chemistry was great and I enjoyed watching them interact with each other. hehe.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

As readers, we all have our own pantheons of authors who seem to have a god-like ability to rule over our hearts and minds. And, surprising no one, Katee Robert is clearly part of my romance author pantheon. Neon Gods was one of my most-anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint!

The first in the Dark Olympus series, this book follows Persephone Dimitriou as she flees a forced engagement to Zeus and finds herself under the protection of Hades. Now Hades likes to pretend he's helping her for his own gain (revenge on Zeus) when in reality he is the softest boy who has ever lived! He bandages Persephone's hurt feet, he cuddles puppies, time and again puts his own pride and self aside to help her and those she loves.

I always like the way that Robert writes about exploring kink, and especially enjoyed a scene where Persephone thought she wanted something and later decides that she doesn't. It was such a great moment about a heroine respecting her own boundaries and desires, and having a hero ready to support whatever she chose. Finding her own agency is a huge part of Persephone's story, and I loved how Robert layered that theme in throughout the entire book.

The narration was wonderful! I went in already familiar with Zara Hampton-Brown's amazing narration skills, and was delighted by Alex Moorcock's Hades. I'm hoping these two make a return for the second book!

I am a sucker for Hades and Persephone retellings, and Robert gave me everything I love about their dynamic and more. I am counting down the days until I can read the next in this series!

Great start to this series and will definitely be reading book 2.

I listened to this on audio and didn’t particularly care for the narration. Story was good and keeps you listening/reading to see what happens next.

Oh gods! This one was fantastic! Fifty shades of gray meets Greek mythology.... I can say no more! Absolutely loved it

This book was not for me. I don't usually read erotica but I love Greek Mythology so much that I thought this could be a good entry way into this genre for me. But either the narration or the actual story did not appeal to me, so I had to DNF.

Both narrators are talented, and I enjoyed when they were speaking for their own assigned characters, but I did not like their narrations when Hampton-Brown was speaking as Hades or Moorcock was speaking as Persephone. I did like how the author put a twist unique twist on the mythology, but I didn't like the characters. Hades' "soft side" and attraction to Persephone was so instantaneous and didn't feel earned. Overall, this is definitely a book that some people will enjoy,

Thank you so Katee Robert, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

While I didn't HATE this book, it felt… lacking. If you’re into books ONLY for the spice and sex scenes, and want to make it a little extra spicy with public sex and voyeurism, this book is for you. Otherwise, it felt like after the first few chapters were over, the main plot (i.e., saving Persephone from Zeus) just sort of faded to the background. Yes, she was just waiting out her time until her birthday and so technically nothing NEEDED to happen, but falling in love in a month felt a bit forced for my tastes. Overall, really good spice, but too long of a book. Also, the narrators were great for their own individual characters, but I HATED when they would try and do the voice for their counterpart. It just felt wrong and grated on my nerves.

So good! I love this one and soo steamy!! I deff recommend this to anyone who loves romance. The only complaint I had was on the audio, that when you put the speed up from 1.0 to like 1.5 it had an echo which was very odd.

Let me start off by saying that both narrators did a FANTASTIC job with the narration of this audiobook. I will say that I expected Hades to have a deeper/raspy voice, but I quickly fell in love with what Alex Moorcock did with Hades’ character.

A sexy and intriguing Hades and Persephone retelling for sure! Katee Robert has quickly become a new favorite author of mine and this pretty much lived up to my expectations. We love a Dom/brat kink and an alphamellow hero!

The only gripe I have is that after reading some of her indie works it kind of felt like she was holding back a bit here to please her publisher. I don’t have any specific examples to pull from the book, but it’s just a vibe I got while reading 🤷🏻‍♀️

However, I can’t wait to read more of the books in this series as they come out and still highly recommend this!

**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!**

I simp for Hades 100% of the time.
I loved this book but it does have a couple of faults with it's world building and characters but I didn't pick this up expecting an epic fantasy by any means. That being said there was more than just smut with a little plot, instead there was a balance between them. One thing was a little confusing which was the 13, they just needed to be explained more. I really enjoyed getting both Hades and Persephone's perspectives and the audiobook narrators were good. 10/10