I love mythology and folklore and historical fiction, so the premise of this book sounds like an easy new favorite. I made it to 67%--MORE THAN HALFWAY--before it went from being a chore to like torture and I finally dnf'ed.......

The story itself is really neat, and it seems like the character Dali is true to the real figure. But otherwise, the main character is SO ANNOYING. The writing is awful--it's extremely redundant, all tell and no show, and so slow. There are awkward sex scenes that added nothing to plot. And while I understand what the author is trying to do with some of the story aspects, the writing is so clunky and hard to follow. Each day that passed for the characters was like the same scene written over and over and over and over and over.

It reads like it never went through final editing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an eARC to read and review voluntarily.

A Lush and Intriguing Journey into Myth and Mystery: "In the Garden of Monsters" by Crystal King

Crystal King’s "In the Garden of Monsters" takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through post-war Italy, blending mystery, myth, and historical detail into a narrative that is both haunting and captivating.

Set in 1948 Rome, the novel introduces Julia Lombardi, a strikingly beautiful model with a troubling past she cannot recall. When she is invited by the eccentric artist Salvador Dalí to accompany him to the Sacro Bosco, Italy’s eerie Garden of Monsters, as his muse, Julia’s life takes a surreal turn. The garden itself, filled with monstrous statues that seem to come alive in the shadows, becomes a character in its own right—a brooding and mysterious presence that adds layers of tension and intrigue to the story.

At the heart of the novel is Julia’s enigmatic host, Ignazio, who exudes both allure and menace. His inexplicable familiarity with Julia raises questions about her true identity and purpose in the unfolding drama. As Julia poses for Dalí, embodying the role of Persephone under his obsessive gaze, the boundaries between myth and reality blur, leading Julia to question her own sanity and identity.

King’s prose is lush and evocative, painting a vivid picture of post-war Italy and the surreal atmosphere of the Sacro Bosco. Her meticulous attention to historical detail adds authenticity to the narrative, immersing readers in a world where art and mythology collide with unsettling consequences.

What sets "In the Garden of Monsters" apart is its inventive twist on classical mythology, weaving elements of the Persephone myth into a narrative that is both timeless and contemporary. Julia’s journey of self-discovery is fraught with danger and intrigue, as she navigates the labyrinthine depths of her own psyche and confronts the dark forces that threaten to consume her.

Overall, "In the Garden of Monsters" is a spellbinding tale that will appeal to readers who enjoy a blend of historical fiction, mythological retellings, and psychological suspense. Crystal King’s ability to seamlessly blend these elements into a cohesive and gripping narrative makes this novel a standout in its genre. For those looking to lose themselves in a world where art, myth, and mystery converge, this book offers a mesmerizing and unforgettable experience.

3.5/5 ⭐️
First time reading Crystal King and I am sure it will not be my last. I truly enjoyed this wonderful story which comes out September 24, 2024. If you are looking for a historical fiction novel with a retelling, the. this is the one for you.

I really do love historical fiction and retellings, so this book is right up my alley. So atmospheric and gripping, it's easy to immerse yourself in the author's world. Thank you so much to Thank you NetGalley and MIRA for the opportunity to read this book early. If this type of story sounds like your jam, pick it up September 24, 2024!

This was an interesting read. As a Classics major and a mythology enthusiast, I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical with the premise. There are so many different interpretations of Hades, Persephone, and Demeter and this one was unique. The prose is vivid and intense and really sucks you in. The use of real, historical settings and historical people was a bold choice. This was a very narrative-driven story, with the audience figuring out what is happening to the main character alongside her. The main character (Julia) falls a bit short sometimes and I’m left wondering what happened to the identity she had before arriving in Italy, and why out of all her other reincarnations she was the one arriving as a blank slate.

This is a fantastic and original retelling of the Persephone myth. I went into this fairly well-versed in the original Greek store (and Roman story), but will still surprised and impressed by the different ways King made this retelling her own.

Thank you Net Galley for the arc.

Unique, atmospheric story. It has a very gripping way of pulling you in as a reader with suspense and engaging dialogue. It's a unique retelling of the Roman gods Proserpina (Persephone) and Pluto (Hades). The story has a very gothic, sinister vibe that keeps you wanting to know more of what's going on. It's very character driven and although there isn't much growth (timeline is very short) it shows the strong independent characters without being dull. Wonderful reading experience would totally recommend to anyone who loves Greek retellings of Hades and Persephone story.

Thank you NetGalley and MIRA for the opportunity to read this book. This is my honest opinion

NetGalley gave me this book for free... but that doesn't mean I won't be honest.

Slow, repetitive, tedious...
The payoff isn't worth the time cost. I can usually read a book in a night. This took me a week. I've read 96 books this year and it's only May 3rd. It takes a lot for me not to pick up a book. With this one I had to finish all my active books before I picked this one up again. The characters didn't make me want to stay with them. The one I should have connected with was entitled, whiny, judging, and boring. I wanted a book about the maid when she entered because she was at least unpredictable. I finally read this book when all of my other active books were done. Sadly, it was just okay

In The Garden Of Monsters told me where it was going by chapter 6 and then just took its sweet time getting there. It revealed more about itself later and just continued to drag and drag and drag. By the time the ultimate secrets were revealed I didn't care anymore and I just wanted it to be over. I was tempted to skip to the end because I knew the ending!!! The author told me... Over and over. The foreshadowing was so heavy-handed.

Also, SJM has ruined the surprised of the trope even when blended with the other trope; we can see it coming.

Lastly, the author goes into how much research she put into this book for several pages. (Several several several pages.... ) And yet her character from 1948 uses the word "polyamorous" which wasn't coined until 1966s. It was used famously in print in the 1990s. Are we going to talk about the "fuzzy slippers"? Come on, guys... All that research and you fumble on shoes?

Anyway, not my favorite, but not terrible. Eh... If you like Persephone retellings this is one.

Wow. I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect going in to this book. Mythology retelling are some of my favorites so I figured I’d give this a go. A twisting, turning, eerie, beautiful story. There were plenty of gothic horror vibes and sweeping story telling that ebbed and flowed to keep the reader engaged. At times you felt the tension and stress for Julia. Her feelings for Ignacio were almost palpable. But, let’s be honest, finally an author that gives us all the details of the food! Including links to recipes at the end.

There were times that I forgot the main story was set in the 1950s and it seemed more modern, but that didn’t distract from the overall enjoyment of the book. I will absolutely be reading more from Crystal King.

In The Garden Of Monsters is a love letter to surrealism and fine cuisine. Part mythology retelling, part artistic experience this novel was a unique experience.

The story follows Julia, a young woman with no past but a keen knowledge of history and a passion for art. Julia finds herself invited to the Garden of Monsters - the Sacro Bosco of Bomarzo, Italy - as the great Salvador Dali's muse. She is to act as Persephone, his Proserpina, modeling as the goddess among the stone creatures of the mysterious garden.

But odd things begin to happen upon the arrival of Dali's group to the small village's grand estate overlooking the garden. Their host, Ignazio, smells of smoke and seems to mesmerize everyone around him, the servants don't speak, earthquakes shake the land, and every dish of food seems to contain pomegranate seeds.

Will Julia let herself fall into the sway of Ignazio's charms or will the terror of the monstrous garden be her downfall?

This was a unique take on the Hades and Persephone story. I enjoyed the author's vivid descriptions of the garden, the food, and art - though at times there seemed to be more exposition than character development. I was thoroughly invested in the overarching story and will definitely be picking up the Crystal King's other works, as her prose was vivid and delectable - she has an obvious passion for food, art, and history that is entirely engaging.

This book is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that will leave you mesmerized. It boasts a surrealistic vibe infused with elements of Greek mythology and enigmatic characters such as Salvador Dali and his wife, Gala. The book is so captivating that you won't be able to forget it easily. Once you're done reading, you'll be compelled to research all of the bizarre people and places that you've been introduced to.

Thanks to MIRA books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and HTP/Mira for this ARC.

This was my first Crystal King book, but definitely not the last. I enjoyed the scenery and mystique of this book. I grew up in Greece so when I heard about the retelling of Hades and Persephone, I was all about it and it didn't disappoint!

I really enjoyed the gothic, mystery and the era of this book. I would definitely recommend this!

Thank you again! #inthegardenofmonsters #netgalley

Julia Lombardi has accepted the offer to be a model for the eccentric artist Salvador Dali, but it's more than just modelling that she's in for. Travelling to the Sacro Bosco - Italy's Garden of Monsters - might be the worst or best thing to happen to her.

This retelling of Hades and Persephone had me unable to put the book down. There were so many twists and turns that I could barely make a guess as to what would be happening next. The feelings that Julia had in the Garden resonated with me. I can remember going into the woods as a kid and having the feeling that something was there, watching me, always just out of view, so her feelings after walking into that space were so relatable.

The food that the group ate during the story has me wishing that I could have been there too - I would gladly eat the pomegranate seeds if needed! At first I was unsure why the food was so detailed, but the ending wrapped everything up so nicely!

There were a few things that didn't get explained as much, but they were not integral to the story so I don't feel like it takes away too much

I had a hard time following! I didn’t end up finishing this book. This was definitely a gothic mystery/thriller but also historical fiction? Something was off about the garden, as the reader you knew something was off but this story took way too long to explain in my opinion!

Thank you Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the Arc. I really enjoyed this book. It would be great for a book club. There are so many DETAILS in this story; so many things to pick apart. I am familiar with some mythology lore, especially Greek. I really enjoyed the take on Hades&Persephone/Pluto&Proserpina's story. It is definitely worth the read if you enjoy this subject! 5/5 would totally read again and still feel like I learned more!

This was WILD and I loved every second of it. My head is still spinning, desperate to unpack every detail with someone. The story is stunningly written and powerfully evocative. I’m not too familiar with the myth, but I’m off to do a deep dive of both the story and the real life Monster Garden. I’d recommend this a million times over. Wow, wow, wow.

Thank you net galley for this e-arc!
I loved it. Have always been a fan of supernatural and then you add romance and I just love it
I also love when the smut is overdone and the book still focuses on the main plot

It was a wild choice to insert Salvador Dali into a Greek/Roman mythology fiction book, but I think Crystal King lives up to it with a surreal story that is spooky, trippy, and mysterious in the best ways. The story follows a young woman who agrees to model for Dali in a historic garden full of giant stone monsters, but everything about the trip goes wrong and starts to trigger strange memories for her that aren't quite of this world. I loved the sensory details in this book and I thought it was well written. That being said, the entire book takes place in one setting and I found it difficult to visualize the garden, which was a big hindrance since there are a ton of scenes where people are running through and navigating the garden. I also would've appreciated being gaslit a little bit more; the suspense of the book is built on the reader's very, very long wait for the protagonist to finally realize who she is, rather than the protagonist and reader simultaneously questioning reality. The ending did not feel as big as the rest of the book. The big revelation fell a bit flat for me and I didn't get as much backstory/love story as I wanted about Persephone and Hades' relationship and how she came to be with him in the first place. It was slightly didactic in my opinion, and certain threads were just not attended to, like the strange servers who worked at the garden and seemed to be possessed by various gods.

I loved the book 4.5 ⭐️

I love mythology, so this was a great read!
The characters were amazing, some were very annoying not going to point fingers

Food was an important part of the story, pomegranates being very important! As in the mythology story! I was worried about the characters Pluto and jack, I had a suspicion about Jack and in the end how he played out was also important to the story I believe.

The ending was amazing I wanted to cry, I was worried, I was excited, I had so many emotions! In the end I was glad that we got a glimpse into the characters life’s after everything ended.

I highly recommend the book!

The best re-imagining of Persephone and Hades I’ve ever read. With a Kubrick-esque atmosphere and twisting lessons in various mythologies, this book had me hooked from page one. I am obsessed.