I love Greek mythology retellings. This was such a fun take. The story was captivating and the characters were wonderful. The pacing of this book was spot on. Definitely recommend it.

At its heart, "Hades" is a story about redemption, sacrifice, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Knowles deftly explores themes of fate, mortality, and the human condition, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and thrilling. It is a spellbinding and unforgettable read that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Mark Knowles has crafted a masterpiece that will appeal to fans of mythology, fantasy, and epic storytelling alike. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aria & Aries through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

As a Greek Myth student and lover, I was so excited for this book but unfortunately the writing is just not for me.

I started the book months ago and haven't been able to finish it. It's such a shame because I love anything to do with Hades and i have been reading a lot more about the Argonauts and I wanted to love and enjoy this book so much.

Thank you to the publishers for the e-arc, I'm sorry I unfortunately wasn't the right audience.

Hades was a mythology story I really want to love. The premises sound so promising and mixed between history with myth. So why this not work for me?
I am struggles to connected into the stories. The writing style is difficult to follow. The character, the banter and how they I interact feel like they read scripts from stage performance. I am genuine wish this book will found readers who appreciate the beauty. But it is truly not my cup of tea.

Thank you Netgalley and Aria and Aries Books for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 5 March 2024

DNFed at 23%

I'll say it's me this time. I am not intrigued at all by the plot of this book up until now. I think it's slow and nothing has captured my interest.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bringing myths together into an enchanting tale, Hades is a familiar yet utterly new tale, told with skill. As a lover of the Greek myths I was overjoyed to find something with new aspects rather than the endless retellings we have nowadays

DNF at 15%

When I requested this book I didn’t realize it was part of a series nor about Hades. That being said, I love Greek mythology and am familiar with the story of Jason, so along with Google, I was able to fill in the blanks for myself for what I had missed.

This book is definitely intriguing, and I will hopefully return to it at a later date. I actually intend to buy the whole series. I just could not get into the abrupt shifts in the story or the narration by Orpheus. Now that I know what I’m in for, I think there will be a time and place for this book in the future.

This was a fascinating continuation of the Argonauts after they came back with the Golden Fleece. I will admit that I mistakenly thought this book was 1). Focused on Orpheus (in a way, it was), 2). Was focused on Hades the god, and/or 3). Wasn’t part of a trilogy. That’s my bad, but in the end, I still had a rather good time reading it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The book focuses on numerous POVs, but the most prominent of the bunch are Xandos (the grandson of Jason) and Orpheus. Xandos is a prince who desperately wants to impress his father, but finds that nothing works. When raiders threaten his island home of Lemnos, he goes out on a Telemachus-like journey to track down the Argonauts to help defend the island. He was an interesting character to pick for a coming-of-age tale in the time when heroes are gone and Greece on the brink of its Dark Age. I felt like his relationship with his father reflects what Odysseus and Telemachus could’ve had if the former hadn’t gone to Troy. But his rather sheltered life really did provide a good setup for a coming-of-age tale that thrusts this poor boy into adulthood. All the while, Orpheus, I thought, was a good narrator for the tale, but I do wish we had gotten a bit more of him in the first place. 🎶

Despite its wonderful homage to the classic epics with its writing and narrative style, I did feel like the amount of extra POVs and the switching of them in the middle of paragraphs at times felt a bit odd and abrupt, leaving me confused as to who the reader was following in the moment. 😕

All in all though, I did have a good time reading it and will definitely be interested in picking up the first two in the trilogy in the future (also because my favorite sorceress, Medea, shows up). ❤️

Big thank you goes to Head of Zeus and NetGalley do accepting my request in exchange for an honest review, and the author for crafting a fascinating epic-like tale! 🏹

Publication date: UK is already out! US, April 16!

Overall: 3.75/5 ⭐️

Mark Knowles’ Jason series has been seriously underrated. Spanning the entire legend of before, during and after the Argonauts’ adventures (and everything in between), the richness and depth to the trilogy is a feat in itself. Knowles’ knowledge of the ancient world is unparalleled, and there is no doubt that the series firmly, unbelievably grounds you in c.1230BC.

The trilogy has divided opinion. There is no ‘mythology’ as we know it - no mythical creatures, no gods or goddesses in dialogue. Knowles has instead presented us with the legend’s ‘origin story,’ if you will; the story that inspired the myths, the adventure as it might have been to the real, ancient people who lived it.

If you’re a fan of fantasy, and you love mythology for that element, then perhaps this might not be for you.* But if you love ancient history, ancient culture, Ancient Greece, if you want to be completely and impossibly immersed in one of the most authentic narratives of what it could have been to live through Bronze Age Greece - then this is for you.


*I want to note a TW for page 44 of Hades, the final instalment.

(Review reposted from my Instagram account)

Wonderful addition to Mark's catalog. This is a beautifully written story of Hades that gives the readers a perspective of Hades himself. Very much enjoyed and hope he writes more of greek lore and myth

Hades (ARC)
Mark Knowles
2⭐️

Pub Date: 3/5/2024

I so love Greek myth books that it pains me to rate one this low. This is the 3rd one in the series and although I didn't read the first 2, it's completely okay to read this if you know (or google) the tale of the hero Jason. And basically there's a summary of this sung by Orpheus at the last part of the book itself. But this particular book is the continuation of his line, with focus of telling the story of his grandson.

There are too many characters. I appreciate how the intermingling of myths/stories are in here. But some people are, in my opinion, not very relevant and I can do without. There's a character list but having to go back and forth was not enjoyable. If the characters were whittled down to the essentials, and the focus of the book is not very wide, I might have enjoyed this better.

I will say, the amount of research and details in this book is outstanding. So if you're into details, I think this is a good book for you. And it's realistic. There's not a lot of interference from the gods. But the plot was mundane and scattered. Basically just the day to day lives of these people with a little bit of action here and there. It's very easy to get mixed up and be confused while reading this intermittently. I advice reading this in ONE sitting as to not get lost. And maybe not in tandem with other books. If you're going to read this, give it your full attention.

There are definitely good points in this book. If you like realistic and detailed Greek myths, pick this one up. But I unfortunately did not resonate/connect with this at all. I basically skimmed the whole book and even then, it took me a whole week to read it.

I absolutely love this book!
If u are a fan of the Greek mithology you definitely should this book. The characters were amazing and I highly suggest to read this book.

In Hades, Knowles weaves a tale that showcases the author's passion for Greek mythology. The novel's slow pace provided the author with an opportunity to dive deeply into both the characters and the storyline.. While reading Hades, one can appreciate the considerable time and effort taken by the author to craft the novel. This is a novel that is well-suited to readers with a keen interest in Greek history and mythology.

Kind thanks to Aria & Aries, Mark Knowles, and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of Hades.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Another well-researched interpretation of Greek mythology. This is part of a series but you don't have to have read the other two books to start this one. I didn't connect too much with the characters or the plot, unfortunately. Will probably be a great read for someone else; it just wasn't for me.

Always love a great Hades read! I love a great Greek inspired book. I really loved this one. Would recommend to everyone.

When I requested "Hades" from NetGalley, I didn't realise it was the third book in a series. I think I probably would have enjoyed this book much more had I read the first two, as I felt like I was missing a lot of background - and when it's a re-telling it's kind of important that the background has the author's slant to it. I did enjoy the writing, the characters, (mostly) the story, and the setting is obviously going to be a favourite part for me!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

A very clever story of Greek Mythology. Though it was quite long and difficult to read in places I still enjoyed it overall as I have the rest of the series

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

Unfortunately, I just could not get into this book. I did not enjoy the writing style, the chapters felt too short and incomplete to me and it didn't seem to flow. The characters were hard to keep track of, even with the index in the beginning of the book. I appreciated the amount of research and knowledge that went into the book, which is evident when you read it, I just did not connect with the writing.