Book Name: Her Dark Wings

Author: Melinda Salisbury

ARC

Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for a copy of Melinda Salisbury’s Her Dark Wings

Stars: 3

Standalone or Series:

Cliffhanger:

Slow Paced

FMC POV

Modern Mythological Adventure

- Thoughts.
- Lacked a lot of the romance the Persephone myth is known for
- Very Angry/Angsty first half
- Underworld was interesting
- Enjoyed the addition of the Furies
- Friendship and Betrayal takes center stage
- Romance is barely there…

Likening this as a Persephone retelling is doing this book a disservice it a modern mythological adventure in the underworld more in line with something like Lore.

Content Warning: death

+ I wanted to read this book because of the Hades and Persephone retelling. I think it did a fairly good job at keeping this story a modern retelling of the mythology but I do wish there was more romance between Corey and Hades since that’s what I like about the myth. I did like the trip to the Underworld and Furies in the story though – they added a little bit of danger to the story. I also like Hermes!

+ The young adult aspect of the story centered around Corey’s drama with her best friend Bree who basically stole Corey’s boyfriend and when Bree dies – Corey has no closure about their friendship and the betrayal. It is something she works through the story.

~ It’s a really quick read, which is great but I just wanted more, especially between Hades and Corey. They were barely together in the book I feel since Corey was stuck with the Furies.

My Thoughts:

I like that it was a quick read and it was a modern retelling about Hades and Persephone but I just wish there was more world-building and more chemistry and time between Hades and Corey. This was just an okay read for me.

Public review will be posted on 11/29, this review will be updated with the appropriate links | Edited 11/30 to add link.

MY REVIEW: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
👉 I was initially drawn to this one because it's a Persephone/Hades retelling… But what I LOVED is what made it so different: It is very much more women/friendship-focused compared to the typical relationship-driven retellings.
👉 Even as a YA book, the story and characters were still strong, I never felt like it was too juvenile or corny or pandering toward that audience--This is easily one of the best YA books I've read in a hot sec!!
👉 I love love loved that it was set in modern day, where an island still worships the gods (aka where I need to move to ASAP)

For as long as Corey can remember, it's been her and her best friend, Bree. But then Bree betrays her, and, months later, dies, and the anger inside of Corey burns hotter--how can she grieve when she's still so resentful? And then Corey sees the impossible: Bree's spirit, passing into the afterlife, and into the realm ruled by Hades, god of the dead. And Hades sees her in return, starting a wild turn of events that Corey never would have expected.

Her Dark Wings is a Persephone retelling that deviates from the myth and gives a fresh tale of a girl coming into her own power--3.5 stars. I love mythology retellings, and Greek myths are the ones I'm most familiar with. Furthermore, I have a soft spot for Hades/Persephone stories, so this was a must-read book for me.

This novel takes place in a modern world where Greek gods are still worshipped and stories of mythical creatures may or may not be true. Unlike most Persephone retellings, Corey's story is one that is less about a star-crossed romance and more about her own coming-of-age, seen primarily through the lens of her rage and her grief. After discovering that her boyfriend has been cheating on her with her bestie, she feels lost and unmoored--and angry. With her hurt boiling deep inside, she finds herself taken in by the Furies, the deities of vengeance, who claim her as one of their own. What unfolds is Corey's own reckoning with the darkness that lives inside her, and the power that she holds deep within.

I feel like there were some really great aspects of this story. In particular, I liked that this is a standalone that draws on the original myth but makes something completely new out of it. I personally can't think of any novels that are quite like this one. There are familiar bits for mythology buffs, but the plot is something I haven't really seen before.

At the same time, there were some things that I disliked, and unfortunately those are the things that tend to stick out to readers. For me, I think the book suffered a little from vague worldbuilding--for instance, the island that Corey and Bree live on is, quite mysteriously, only referred to as "the Island." Everything else is given to us in tiny pieces that don't really pull together any semblance of a wider setting.

I also think that the book got a little muddled in the middle. It's not a particularly long novel, but it perhaps ruminates a little too long on Corey's relationship with the Furies. The beginning was excellent, if a little contrived in terms of Corey's simplistic focus on her anger. And the ending was interesting in its unexpected climax, though it wraps up a little too neatly for my tastes.

I truly think that this is a book that will get a mixed bag of reviews; some will love it, and others will be a little disappointed. For me, I'm swayed towards the former by the originality of the plot and the focus given to Corey's character rather than a love story. Even though I adore a good romance, this one simply wasn't that type of book--and for the most part, I'm okay with it. This is definitely a great addition for those that enjoy a more creative take on mythology.


This review was posted to Goodreads on November 29, 2023.

Corey is angry. Her best friend, Bree, the person she should have been able to count on for absolutely everything, has stolen her boyfriend and abandoned her. Now, Corey has no one, and nothing but her beloved garden to go back to. But when Corey kisses a mysterious stranger at a local festival, she finds her world changed. In that moment, after kissing the stranger, she wishes her ex-best friend dead, and only a short while later, she is. Only a few days later, Corey herself falls into the underworld, and she has to figure out why she’s there, and why everyone seems to be convinced that she belongs in the land of the dead.

I received an advanced reading copy of Her Dark Wings in exchange for an honest review.

Her Dark Wings is a young adult fantasy novel by Melinda Salisbury. It’s a retelling of the Persephone myth, which many fans of Greek mythology or Lore Olympus are probably already familiar with. And while it’s a retelling, what surprised me the most was how modern it was. The story, the way it was written, felt like it could have taken place anywhere in the present, as the island that Corey starts out in has all the necessary modern appliances, but continues to honor the Greek gods of old, and celebrate them through their specific ancient ceremonies. At first, this juxtaposition of the new with the ancient was confusing to me, but then I really became fascinated by it. It made for a setting I’ve never experienced before, and I really enjoyed the time I spent there.

There’s isn’t too much time spent there, though, as Corey falls into the underworld and quite a bit of the remainder of the book takes place there. I actually struggled with the underworld portion, since it felt like Corey had absolutely no control over any of it, none except over her own state of being. I enjoyed the Furies and their relationship with Corey, and I liked Hermes, but I kept waiting for more to happen, if that makes sense. I was waiting for a big reveal, an explanation about why Corey seemed to be so important and so powerful, and none was coming.

What stood out to me the most in this book was, funnily enough, the relationship between Corey and Bree. Throughout the book, Corey keeps having memories of her and Bree interacting, of moments they’ve had together. She’s grappling with her emotions regarding Bree, and especially now the guilt she feels in her wish having come true. But also, there’s vindication? Basically, there’s a bunch of complex emotions all tied up in here, and I will say that the underworld portion of the book does give Corey a chance to untangle and make sense of at least some of them. But even while they spend so much of the book apart, the falling out between these two friends really shapes the story, and Corey’s character in particular.

Her Dark Wings will be released in the United States on December 12. You can preorder your copy from Delacorte here.

I really really REALLY loved this. I loved the modern Hades/Persephone retelling. How the gods were the deities in real life, making the worldbuilding easier and more established off the bat. I love the writing; the prose was BEAUTIFUL and I caught myself multiple times noting a quote or metaphor that was worded perfectly. The characters were great; however, the side characters would have benefitted from more depth. Honestly that's my only issue with the book. While it is fast paced (which I love), I was left wanting MORE at the end. I need more backstories, more characterization, more TENSION and interacting. If this book had been longer with some more details, it would've been perfection (to me).

So much wow! This book is as gorgeous as its cover art. Eloquent and richly detailed writing that is thought-provoking and insightful. Vivid and evocative—sensuous.

The storyline is compelling, and the character-building is superb. The main character is refreshingly authentic—honest in her thoughts and emotions, in a way most people are too ashamed to voice.

Brutal. Tender. Honest. And studded with gems of wisdom. So good it made me giddy.

If you like a modern Hades & Persephone retelling, this is a good YA spin on the retelling. The FMC was developed well and I felt her anguish and betrayal thru the whole story. I know this was from her point of view and her story to tell, but I desperately wanted more of Hades written into the story, either his POV or just more of him. Well done, and definitely would recommend, fast read too.

I'm still struggling to put into words how I feel about this book. Am I glad I read the book? Yes. I feel like it took a good look at what betrayal can do to you. How it can foster anger and hate, especially when you never get a chance to get closure with a person. I thought bringing the Furies into the mix, especially, brought that to light. I also appreciate any Hades story that shows Hades as a victim of his circumstances; I have such a soft spot for unwilling villains. I liked how much research must have gone into the mythology behind the underworld and the players within; it felt like the author really knew what she was doing when she built her world.

What I didn't like about this book? It was billed as a Hades/Persephone retelling, but the interactions between the two were shallow and awkward insta-love with it trying not to look insta-love. It also felt like this part of the story was way overshadowed by her anger and her connections with the Furies. At 2/3 of the way through the story Corey had had at least twice as much time spent with Hermes as she had with Hades and she had only caught one quick look at Bree, making me think that it was going to be a Part 1 of 2. Instead the book felt long on the build-up, short on the release. Disappointing if the Hades/Persephone angle is what drew you into the story.

I don’t read a whole lot of YA anymore, but this one called to me. For one, the cover is GORGEOUS. I”m also not one to turn down a Hades and Persephone retelling. Without going into too much detail, because I don’t want to give anything away, this was one of the best YA novels I’ve read in a while. Absolutely would recommend!

The first half of this book was a bit hard to connect to because I intensely disliked the MC. Corey just struck a wrong note with me that I could not shake because the book was written from her POV. Her friendship with Bree if you could call it that was full of venom and deceit. I was expecting something else from the cover and synopsis, but that being said it was an interesting take on Hades and Persephone but not for me.

This was quite an enjoyable read for me and seeing how Corey develops as a character was interesting to follow. I wish we as the reader could see more of the friendship between Corey and Bree before things became rocky between them, but I completely understand why this wasn’t included by the author. Part of me found Corey’s decision to return to the Underworld so quickly surprising because of how much she wanted to return home throughout her time there, but I suppose that could just be because I wouldn’t have been one to make the same decision rather than on the story itself.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

When Corey finds out the two people closest to her have deceived her, it begins a slow-winding spiral she can’t escape. And when one of them passes away, Corey is torn between feeling glad they are gone and guilty over the feeling itself. Corey’s journey of discovery will take her into the realm of Hades as she comes to terms with her feelings and discovers what she truly desires.

Her Dark Wings creates a modern day society based around Greek mythology. Melinda Salisbury has carefully incorporated beliefs and culture into the island’s people, laying the foundations of Corey’s tale. When Corey is whisked away to the underworld, the imagery paints a vivid picture for readers to become immersed in. Her new surroundings force Corey to face the bitter truths.

The themes surrounding forgiveness and overcoming betrayal create an emotionally packed story. Corey is the type of character to form bonds quickly when shown kindness, even if there are red flags. This leads to a building of tension among the characters as Corey discovers their true intentions. And even though she understands the godly being she befriends cannot relate to her human life, she wants to connect with them on an emotional level. Corey's need for companionship will lead her down darker roads. Ones that threaten to change who she is at her very core.

Her Dark Wings is a modern retelling of Hades and Persephone with all the young adult emotion one could hope for. And while one of the catalysts of the story is a relationship gone wrong, the writing focuses on Corey's recovery and ability to move forward. The story isn’t afraid to explore the darker parts of our personalities, and the struggle it can be to forgive. This is a great entry into mythology retellings.

Hmmmmm I have mixed feelings. I think I'm confused about multiple things in this story considering it was marketed as a Hades and Persephone retelling.

The world-building was great but I feel like overall, something is missing. The characters seemed like they didn't know what to do. They all were pretty pointless and came across as filler characters with no emotional background or story. And as such, the whole book was slow in some areas because the characters were just there or nothing was happening.

Not a bad book, but just needed some more razzle dazzle in my opinion.

So, "Her Dark Wings" by Melinda Salisbury kicks off with a pretty solid vibe. No boredom or annoyance so far, and the descriptions hit that sweet spot—just enough without getting too wordy. Although, I have to admit, some descriptions got a bit weird and cliché at times.

Now, Corry, the main character, goes through some heavy stuff—betrayal, lies, trauma. She's allowed to feel everything she needs to, and I stand by that, but after a while, Corry becomes a tad too dramatic. Wishing death on someone and going into full fury mode seems a bit over the top, especially when there are way worse betrayals in history that could justify that level of anger. Near the end of the book, it made it sound like she didn't care anymore, but at the same time, she still did in a weird way.

The romance between Hades and Corey? There was zero chemistry; it just kind of happened out of nowhere. The only thing that pushed them together was their one kiss in the first few chapters of the book. I honestly started shipping Alecto and Corey instead, thanks to their first interactions having so much more to them than a literal kiss between Corey and Hades. But hey, the ending gets a thumbs-up for tying things up alright. Although I kind of wanted more details on what Corey becomes, The last problem I had with the book was that it's not exactly a Greek myth retelling, which irks me a bit. Plus, where the heck is Persephone? I love the original myths around Persephone, Hades, Zeus, and Demeter. I personally didn't like how it was just overwritten.

Despite all that, it's a satisfying read in the end. So, if you're cool with a few quirks and don't mind some mythological detours, it's worth checking out.

DNF @27%
I can’t get behind this one. I was so excited to read this, I love Hades and Persephone retellings. From the cover to synopsis, I thought this was going to be an epic and beautifully written story that would possibly become a favorite of mine. This one is far from it.
One thing I was not expecting was the writing and the time period this story is told in. I was hoping this would be more fantastical but it was modern. The modernism really threw me off. Especially with how the story tries to weave Greek mythology into a story that sounds juvenile. Corey was already starting to be an annoying character within the first chapter and once I realized that I knew I wouldn’t get far into this book.
I’m very sad that I didn’t love this book. Maybe I didn’t give it a fair chance. But I can’t force myself to read it when I’m already bored and annoyed.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I really enjoyed this book. In a time where Hades & Persephone retellings are around every corner, this one still makes its own path and stands out. It did read to me like younger YA, but I still enjoyed it. A formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

5 🌟

I am a sucker for a fiction Greek mythology storyline and this story left nothing to be desired unless you’re hoping for a bit more romance.

The sweet friendship between Bree and Corey is one that takes you back to middle/high school. It’s such a relatable friendship, but it also is accompanied by that first sting of betrayal. That trust that you assumed would be permanent turns into the shattered remains of something that isn’t familiar.

I enjoyed the underworld journey with Hermes, hades and the furies. It took you on a journey to realize that “home” may continue to look different as you mature and grow and reminds you to stop and smell the roses of what each “home” looks feels and smells like as you just never know when it’ll be your last day.

There was a passage in the book that said something along the lines you don’t just have to align yourself with one identity, you can be a multitude of identities existing synonymously.

Such a good book! I would definitely recommend this to all of my YA loving mythology enthusiasts.

This was an enjoyable YA Persephone and Hades retelling. It is different from the other retelling that I read in the reason year. This story follows Corey, the FMC, on how she deals with the betrayal by her ex-best friend and boyfriends and the mix of emotion that came out of that such as anger and guilt. There were many parts of this story which I really liked, like when Corey was in the Underworld. I also like that we saw how Corey grew up at the end and finally was able to move on from the hurt she felt by her friends betrayal. However, there were also part of the story that just felt flat to me like the relationship between Corey and Hades. I liked that he cared about her but that was it, the relationship just felt more like a friendship and nothing more than that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Her Dark Wings offers a captivating twist on the classic tale of Persephone in a young adult retelling that breathes new life into Greek mythology. The novel skillfully weaves a modern and unique narrative, inviting readers into a world where ancient myths seamlessly meld with contemporary elements. The protagonist's journey is both compelling and relatable, as she navigates the complexities of love, identity, and power. The author's imaginative take on the familiar storyline, coupled with well-developed characters, creates an engaging reading experience. If you're a fan of Greek mythology with a penchant for fresh perspectives and a touch of the contemporary, Her Dark Wings is a compelling choice that will leave you eagerly turning the pages.