My advice - skip the prologue! I almost DNF it after the first sentence. And what a shame that would have been, because there is something special in this book that is horribly represented by that first page. But I will discuss that at the end of my review.

"Winter Harvest" is a cleverly crafted saga following the goddess Demeter's life. From birth, to captivity, to motherhood, to loss. Written in first person pov, it can take some getting used to since Demeter spends most of her life alone with her own thoughts. However, the imagery is visceral and enhances what Demeter is experiencing. The same style that makes for a very graphic explanation of being swallowed whole, also allows the author to tackle the abstract nature of Greek mythology. The language evolves as the world around Demeter becomes less mythic and more regulated by the Olympians.

I think mythology-heads will love this book. It's the first time I've followed the kidnapping of Persephone entirely from her mother's perspective. Demeter's loss, and anger, and constant metamorphosis is something you can't look away from. While I expected a tale of misery, it was also a testament to the strength of a woman as Demeter fights her brothers to maintain her power. The inclusion of many other characters and smaller myths was exciting, like finding easter eggs. But their stories were crafted into Demeter's narrative so seamlessly. It didn't distract from the main story at all. Dynamics that have been glossed over in the past were cracked right open and I felt that the author showed incredible mastery of each character's motivation.

Papadopoulou does not shy away from the complications of Greek mythology. Which means there are couplings between the god-siblings and several instances of rape. But I felt these were handled responsibly. Even the way Demeter reflects on the experiences is true to the morality of the time, before changing as time passes and the world changes too. Villains will stay villains. There is no humanizing/lame redemption arc for the wrongdoers. Even Demeter is forced to reckon with her failures. And I appreciated that sense of justice in such an unruly world.

Here is where I had an issue - the prologue. Only four paragraphs long, but it sets up the tone of the book as taboo erotica. It read very fetish-like, and made me doubt that incest/rape would be handled responsibly. And since chapter one starts with the graphic, anatomical description of Demeter's own birth, the tone from the prologue cast a shadow on the first half of the story.

It's referencing Persephone's conception which I think is written so much better in the chapters. In fact the first time the book really gripped me was during the conversation Demeter had with Zeus just after that moment. It was the first sense of true power we get from her and I would celebrate that tone replacing the existing prologue.

Judging on the chapters alone, I rate this a 4 star read. This will be a real treat for readers who want to experience the mythology, instead of taking in factoids. It embodies the challenging dynamic between mothers and daughters really beautifully. There is a great sense of resolution with the ending. And Demeter's fierce grip on her own power had me cheering for her the entire time. **Content warnings: descriptions of rape, unwanted pregnancies, child abandonment, incestuous relationships.**

Thank you to NetGalley and Ghost Orchid Press for this opportunity to read rage and review this arc which is available November 21,2023!

Buckle up buttercups because this dark reimagining of the Greek myth of the Goddess Demeter will leave you breathless and craving more.

Expertly spun prose, heavily leaning upon the Greek folklore we thought we knew comes the story of Demeter and Persephone that will scratch every itch you have if this genre is what you love. It was in turns lyrically devastating and darkness personified. It turns what we thought we knew in its head and breathes an almost realistic life into the tale. I cannot recommend this book enough. Utterly darkly beautiful book.

Thank you to Ghost Orchid Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc! CWs: (it's greek mythology so) Rape, incest, kidnapping, parental abandonment, sorta-cannibalism?

I very much enjoyed this retelling of Demeter; it doesn't villainize her as an overprotecting, stifling mother the way a lot of modern Persephone and Hades retellings do: how much they love each other, and how terrible her mother (or a similar antagonist is) for being against them. I am not Greek, nor do I claim to know much about Greek mythology; while I loved it as a lot of queer children did, and eagerly read what I could, I have not researched into it, nor am I familiar with the deeper legends, of the Mysteries, or of their function in culture.

But I truly enjoyed this. I found myself pleased with everything I half-recognized-- Eleusis, turning a child into a lizard, the fire to burn away mortality. I also really loved the connections Demeter had to her siblings; what it was like in their father's stomach, how she viewed each sister and brother, her bond with Hestia, and her decisions as an Olympian.

Most of all, I really loved how the theme of change was so great: change from being with one to being with more, change with introduction of brothers, change in the war, change in the victory, change as a mother, change as a mother of a missing child. . .and what effects changes have. Too, I also loved was the acknowledgements of how the relationship between gods and nymphs is a weighty one; all gods hold higher power, and few nymphs can truly agree or disagree.

Thank you for access to this story. It wasn’t bad but it left much to be desired. I thought the writing was decent but I felt that something was missing.