Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Katrina Leno’s “Persephone’s Curse” is a beautifully haunting, emotionally resonant novel that blends Greek mythology, light fantasy, and rich character-driven storytelling into an unforgettable reading experience. At its heart, this isn’t a story about gods or curses; it’s about family, sisterhood, and the ache of growing up.

Set in a slightly off-kilter New York City, the story follows the four Farthing sisters—Bernadette, Evelyn, Winnie, and Clara—who believe they are descended from Persephone herself. Each sister has her own quiet, peculiar magic, and they live together in an old brownstone where a ghost named Henry has occupied their attic since childhood. Told from the perspective of 16-year-old Winnie (the observant, late-blooming third sister) the story explores the delicate balance between the magical and the mundane.

The tone of the book evokes Little Women if Jo and her sisters could see ghosts and trace their lineage to underworld royalty. Leno skillfully paints the sisters as fully-realized individuals: Bernadette, the eldest, returns home from college deeply changed; Evelyn, tightly wound and in love with the ghost upstairs; Clara, the youngest and eerily artistic; and Winnie, caught in the middle, trying to make sense of it all. The girls' dynamic is rich and complicated as it’s supportive, codependent, loving, and sometimes fractious, and it forms the true core of the story.

What sets Persephone’s Curse apart is its quiet power. The fantasy elements are subtle; they’re more “whispers in the walls” than dramatic spellwork, and the supernatural aspects serve the emotional arcs, rather than overshadow them. Leno’s depiction of mental illness, especially bipolar disorder, is especially nuanced and empathetic, handled with care and specificity. It never feels exploitative, but instead, deeply personal.

The book’s pacing is a slow burn, with Leno favoring atmosphere and emotion over traditional plot-driven momentum. Still, it moves with confidence, drawing the reader in with poetic prose, gentle humor, and dialogue that hums with authenticity. If there’s a flaw, it may be that Henry, the ghost-boy and love interest, remains a bit underdeveloped, particularly compared to the fully fleshed-out sisters. I did wish for more of his backstory, though his quiet presence and emotional tether to the girls still resonate.

“Persephone’s Curse” will not be for everyone. There are no epic battles, no steamy romance, no male leads swapping clever one-liners, but for those who love introspective YA with strong sisterly bonds, emotionally rich storytelling, and a touch of myth and magic, this novel is a gift. It’s funny, tender, devastating, and deeply human. A bittersweet, beautifully written ode to sisterhood, grief, and finding your place in a world haunted by both love and legacy. Katrina Leno has crafted a story that lingers long after the final page.

Persephone’s Curse by Katrina Leno is a YA urban fantasy that weaves ghostly romance, myth, and sisterhood into the story. The novel follows four sisters who have been told they are descended from Persephone, the Greek goddess of the underworld. When one of them falls for a ghost named Henry, events force them to confront their family’s legacy and the hidden powers tied to it.

The writing is lyrical and absorbing, and the sisters were engaging. Their relationship is the heart of the story. The mythology adds to the intrique but I would have liked more explanation for some elements especially the gash in the sky. Overall, it's a heartfelt, magical read about family, identity, and the secrets.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday books for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Persephone’s Curse follows four sisters who have always been told they were descended from the goddess Persephone herself. In their house resides a ghost, Henry, who only the sisters can see. When one of the sisters falls in love with him and he disappears, they must face their own family myth and the talents that come with it.

I liked this book and the writing style was great! Super easy to get into and the characters are lovable. I love Greek mythology and wish we could have seen more about that part of this book. It was like being descended from Persephone was almost an afterthought even though it was so prominent in their lives.

Overall, I enjoyed this book It mainly focused on the sisters relationship with one another. As someone who only had brothers growing up, I loved the portrayal of the sisterly interactions. I love they were descended from Persephone, but I do wish the story had more focus on that, and expanded on the storyline of the gash in the sky a little more. All in all, I would recommend this to others.

A precious tale of family, love, sisterhood and ghosts. Henry had absolutely no business being that adorable. I miss him already.

I liked the concept of a modern story about descendants of Persephone, because it still had hints of being a Greek mythology retelling but was very subtle about it.

This is a story about sisterhood, and I think that relationship between the 4 sisters was very realistic: they fought and argued and yelled but in the end, all they have is each other, and that’s all they really need.

However, where the plot is concerned, not much actually happens. I spent the first 100 or so pages wondering what the bigger conflict will be, and then when it appeared, I was interested in where it would go. However, it didn’t really go anywhere. There weren’t really any consequences to this big change, so to me, it fell kind of flat. I didn’t need it to be action packed or Percy Jackson level of conflict, but it would’ve been interesting to see a bit more come of it. The ending just felt very anticlimactic to me because the story didn’t really build, it kind of just sat in a straight like for a while, with the occasional bump in the road.

Part of me also wondered why Winnie was the sister we followed through the story, as opposed to the others. I feel like Evelyn had a more compelling storyline, and we only got to see that from the sidelines. It would’ve been really interesting to follow her on her journey throughout this book, and I think the ending would’ve maybe been more impactful to me if it was from her point of view.

Overall, it was nice to see a more toned down Greek mythology-based story, but I think it was maybe too subtle (for at least my liking). Maybe I’m just used to more fast-paced plots or stories that have more movement and development than this one. I found myself just wanting to see more of the gifts each sister had, and to learn more about the magical aspects of their house and their lives.

Katrina Leno is one of my favorite authors. So it was pretty much a guarantee that I'd like this one. Not much is going on throughout most of it, but I didn't care. This book is primarily about sisterhood and I liked those dynamics throughout the book.

This is a story about sisters, about identity, about legacy and the weight of a magic that doesn’t always feel like a gift. It’s haunting and lyrical, with a softness that cuts deep. The writing feels like a spell, something sacred and sorrowful. I enjoyed reading and would be recommending it as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! So much better than your average Persephone retelling, this has a lot of depth and feeling

"Sisters shared dreams just like they shared clothes, just like they shared memories, just like they shared ghosts."

PERSEPHONE'S CURSE is a beautiful novel about sisterhood. Slow-burn, eerie, its narrative reads like a warm blanket on a snowy day. The details of the fantasy/paranormal aspects are really not important, it's the backdrop for the life of the Farthing sisters, and Leno handles it deftly. This is my second novel by her, and I'm so glad this did not disappoint either. I'll be checking out more of her books now.

This story wrapped itself around my heart in the softest, strangest way. It’s tender and haunting, full of whimsy and warmth, with a quiet magic that sneaks up on you. The writing feels like a daydream, where myth and girlhood blend into something delicate and powerful. I loved how deeply this book believes in sisterhood, in choosing each other again and again, even when things fall apart. It’s a story about inheritance and identity, but also about what it means to grow into your own kind of magic. Completely enchanting.

I thoroughly enjoyed diving into the Farthing sisters’ whimsical, mystical world—especially the fantastical belief that they’re descended from Persephone herself! (Although I must admit, I found their last name just a touch too ironic.) These four sisters gave off major Little Women vibes, only with magical powers and the ability to see a ghost: Henry, a 17-year-old boy who has lived in their attic since they were children. The girls share a special bond with him, keeping his presence a secret from the outside world.

Their dynamic is intriguing—while their eccentric, sociable parents occasionally venture off to host gatherings and outings, the sisters are much more introverted and tightly knit. They spend their days wandering through museums, taking long walks in Central Park (Winnie, our protagonist, even strolls there at night despite the lurking city dangers), sipping coffee at their favorite breakfast spots, and rummaging through thrift shops (a favorite pastime of Bernadette, the eldest).

The narrative unfolds at a slow burn, with much of the focus on the deeply rooted connection between the sisters. Winnie, the third sister and our thoughtful narrator, is a late-blooming 16-year-old with a big heart and observant nature—very much the Beth of the family. She often finds herself worrying about her sisters, especially Bernadette, the oldest at 20, who suddenly returns home bruised and stormy after dropping out of college. Evelyn, 18, is the practical yet romantically-inclined second sister, clearly emotionally tied to ghost-boy Henry and desperate to break free from their family home. And then there’s 14-year-old Clara, artistic, eccentric, and connected to Persephone’s daughter—the goddess of nightmares. Her abstract, haunting paintings seem to look straight through you.

When Winnie makes a mistake that spirals out of control, letting her fury cloud her judgment, it not only threatens her bond with Evelyn but also sets off a chain of events that could bring apocalyptic consequences to their lives. The only way to undo the damage? She must reunite with her sisters—and team up with the spectral boy they’ve long held dear—to restore balance before it’s too late.

Overall: This is a beautifully eerie, slow-building fantasy that reads like a paranormal tribute to Little Women, infused with Greek mythology, witchcraft, and ghostly secrets. While it’s not the kind of high-stakes, action-packed fantasy that shakes your soul, it still captivated me from page one. Winnie and Clara absolutely stole my heart with their growth and charm. Evelyn, however, occasionally frustrated me with her short-sighted choices—but the authentic, unconditional bond between the sisters ultimately won me over.

Final rating: 4 stars, rounded up from 3.5, for the powerful, sacred connection of sisterhood and the bittersweet beauty of their magical world.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Wednesday Books for sharing this intriguing fantasy tale with me in digital format in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This novel is an interesting modern set novel that focuses on four sisters who according to their aunt and mother that they are descended from the greek goddess Persephone. Overall this novel was very different from what I usually read however it was still very good. If anything it gave off a modern day / supernatural Little Women kind of vibe. I will say this novel was a interesting experience

WOW! This was such a lovely story about sisters, love, magic, and myth. The characters in this felt so real with all their flaws and emotions that you can’t help but to care for them.
Their journey was something both heartbreaking and comforting, especially as they strive to navigate who they are through sacrifice and strength.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this arc💕

Persephone's Curse
by Katrina Leno
Pub Date: Dec 02 202

Are the four Farthing sisters really descended from Persephone? This is what their aunt has always told them: that the women in their family can trace their lineage right back to the Goddess of the Dead. And maybe she's right, because the Farthing girls do have a ghost in the attic of their Manhattan brownstone —a kind and gentle ghost named Henry, who only they can see.

When one of the sisters falls in love with the ghost, and another banishes him to the Underworld, the sisters are faced with even bigger questions about who they are. If they really are related to Persephone, and they really are a bit magic, then perhaps it’s up to them to save Henry, to save the world, and to save each other.

Wow. This book absolutely wrecked me—in the best way. I was immediately drawn in from the very first page. The characters felt so incredibly real, like people I’ve known or could know. Their emotions, decisions, even their flaws—everything was so authentic that I forgot I was reading fiction.

The pacing was pitch-perfect. Every chapter pulled me deeper in, and I genuinely had to know what happened next. It’s one of those rare reads where you tell yourself “just one more chapter,” and suddenly it’s 2AM and your heart’s in pieces.

It was heartbreaking in so many ways, but never for shock value—it was earned, layered, and human. I connected deeply with Winnie, which hasn’t happened for me in a while. I’ve read a few books recently that I liked, but this one hit differently. I needed something deep and meaningful, and this story delivered that emotional weight I was craving.

I loved the journey from start to finish. It wasn’t just a plot—it was a whole experience. I know I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time. There’s a tear in my heart for real.

** A copy of Persephone's Curse was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

Persephone's Curse is a beautiful story of four sisters, a ghost, myth and magic! It's Little Women mixed with Greek mythology and magical realism, with a dose of NYC love. Katrina Leno is so skilled at writing poignant stories with female protagonists! Highly recommend!

This book left me feeling bewitched and deeply moved. It’s a celebration of sisterhood, sacrifice, and the belief that even the most impossible things are worth fighting for.