This was a bold and sensual take on the Persephone and Hades myth, and I really enjoyed the emotional depth woven into the fantasy. Watching Persephone grow from a sheltered, anxious people-pleaser into someone powerful, confident, and entirely her own was deeply satisfying. Especially as someone who relates to the pressure of being “the good girl” in a world that demands too much.

The romance is intense and steamy, but what stood out to me even more was how tender and safe Hades felt offering a space for Persephone to truly be seen and accepted. Their dynamic felt healing, not just hot, which made the love story land emotionally.

That said, it did lean a bit heavy on the politics and side characters at times, and I found myself wishing for a bit more of the internal, quieter moments between the leads. But the queer representation and darker undertones were refreshing and empowering, and I’ll definitely keep reading to see where this journey takes them.

Perfect for fans of emotionally charged myth retellings, messy mother-daughter relationships, and slow-burn power reclamation arcs.

We love a Greek mythology retelling, and lately I’ve been vibing with more of these fantasy driven romances, so Of Prophecies and Pomegranates definitely caught my attention.

It delivers on the dark, seductive energy you’d expect from a Hades and Persephone inspired story, with lush writing and a good dose of spice. That said, I personally wanted a bit more plot development and emotional buildup before the romance took center stage. They jumped into things pretty quickly, and while that’s never a bad thing (we love spice), I tend to crave more tension and slow burn to really feel that payoff.

Still, the vibes were there. Mythology lovers who are here for morally gray characters, fantasy realms, and fast paced romance will enjoy this one. I'm curious to see where the series goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I didn’t think I could love the same book even more but here we are. The added content adds to the story and makes it more special. The spice is hella spicy and fits the theme well.

i absolutely love a good retelling and this book was everything I could have ever wanted it to be and more! from the story to the amazing characters there was not a single moment that i wasn't absolutely enthralled with this read.

3.5/4 for me.
Spice was SPICING but I felt the story lacked originality until we hit about the 75% mark. Everything before then seemed very similar to Katee Roberts’ NEON GODS which was referred to as a “fans of” mention but it just kind of echoed that. I also struggle with insta-lust-turned-love which I felt was heavy here. Where other Hades and Persephone retellings lean into their relationship first and then the spice, this one felt like it hit hard in the spice and THEN their relationship. But, there was nothing OMG until that 75% mark where we are actually shown where the ending will leave us. I also really hated Helios and Narcissus - but I think that was maybe the point here…to make them characters readers aren’t a fan of. Zeus is always a prick in every rendition, Hermes and Dionysus are always fun characters to me, Hades is always the big, dark, sexy, broody, sex God…at least those components remain similar to other retellings (in my reader experience!).

I really wanted to love this one - but this one was just a little flat for me. (But that spice though…SPICING!)

I think a reader who hasn’t read a ton of Greek mythology retellings will really love this. It wasn’t bad, just wasn’t mind blowing for me.

I’m thankful to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC ahead of re-release!

I stayed up all night to read this. I love a mythology retelling and Hades x Persephone are by far my favorite. T.C Kraven did a great job with this one and the spice was great.🌶🥵

I can't wait for book 2 and to see what happens next in their story.

Tropes
*touch her and die
*Greek mythology retelling
*ribbed 🍆
*Fated Mates

4.75🌟
2.5🌶

ARC Reader 7/5/2025

Now anyone who knows me knows I love a Persephone and Hades retelling in all its forms.

What I liked most about this was that it kept the great aspect the everyone has come to love about their story. Self Discovery, insta-love, and immense, but double sided defense for one another. But T.C. Kraven also does a great job in making sure that her version of the story is unique. Her knowledge of mythology and ability to use in a way to craft such an amazing story is something to be studied.

I enjoyed the way new characters were used in this story in a way i’ve never seen before. It adds another layer of complexity not only to the Main characters’ romance but to Persephone and Demeter’s relationship. I hope this is expanded on further in the next books.

I will say in all my versions of this story this is the first time I’ve been shocked by how the story ended. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and for the whole series to come.

I really enjoyed this, I honestly can’t wait for the next book in the series because I need to know what happens next and I literally can’t wait for a year! I thought the pace and everything was good though I also liked that there was a side story of Helios and Narcissus. Also love Hades the ways he's obsessed with Persephone is just so perfect and the way she’s obsessed with him. However I did get a little lost sometimes on like what was going on or how something worked maybe that’s just my lack of knowledge on mythology, I don’t know. But I can’t wait to see what they go through in the next book, I do think I’ll wrench out my heart though but… anyway I really loved this def recommend!

Before I begin this review, I want to take a moment to thank the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the chance to read this novel.

Okay, hear me out when I say this: I LOVED THIS NOVEL. I absolutely loved this novel, flaws and all, because I am a huge fan of the Hades and Persephone trope, but this one - this one sets it apart from the rest of them. While most of them follow the same formula, this one took a turn, and another until the cliffhanger threatened to drop me over the edge.

Persephone is nothing like her counterparts in previous novels. She's determined, feisty, and completely the right partner for Hades in his life. She's not even meek with her mother either. I love this about her. When Hades takes her to his world and makes her queen, she doesn't wait for him. She just jumps in and begins her duties as the Underworld's queen.

Hades is enthralled with her. He loves her at first sight (I have never liked the insta trope, but I think it worked here) and goes out of his way to do anything for her. I loved this about him. He saw her as his partner, his equal, and not some meek goddess.

And MInthe! Having her as the villain made sense. Normally, the books geared toward the Hades and Persephone myth always had Demeter as the villain, but seeing Minthe in place intrigued me, especially since she shared such a history with Minthe, and her jealousy toward Persephone spoke that she wasn't going to let things lie quietly. She was going to stir the hornet's nest and cause problems for them all.

I am not going to lie, when I got a hold of this, I was a bit apprehensive because the novel seemed short and normally I always have in mind that there is never enough time for the novel to establish a world-building and a storyline well enough to keep me enthralled until the end, but this one like, "Nope, I am not going to let you until I am done with you."

This was my first read by this author, and she was a master of pulling you into her world and keeping you until you scream at the end, where a cliffhanger awaits you. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. 2026 cannot come fast enough for me.

This book was pretty good. The writing was really easy to get in to and lose yourself in. I really liked this twist to the classic Hades and Persephone story. I do wish their original relationship was more fleshed out, like we heard about the time they spent together but we didn't actually read very much of it. The formatting was a little wonky at some places with paragraphs not being broken where they're supposed to be. Overall a pleasant read

I have read a few Hades and Persephone storylines. The open door sex scenes was not of my liking but if you do this is the book for you! The story itself is gripping. The falling for each other was very brief which threw me off a bit but the premise is a great retelling. It is definitely worth the read.

I was so excited to read this title because I really enjoy retellings and thought the concept sounded unique. Unfortunately, the writing style didn’t work for me personally. I found it hard to follow and struggled to stay engaged. I ended up putting it down before finishing, but I know other readers may connect with it more than I did. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review.

I was lucky enough to receive the ARC of this book & I’m so glad I did! This retelling of Hades & Persephone kept the essence of the Greek story but has made it the authors own.

There are 4 POVs in the book Persephone, Hades, Helios & Narcissus.

This is SPICY! It starts off slow but once the spicy hits it’s FIRE!

The arc of Persephone and her journey from insecure “weak” goddess ashamed of her power to the all powerful Queen of the Underworld makes her a MFC that you want to rut for. I caught myself tearing up from emotion that was being drawn out from the words on the page! Hades is of course a great example of a what a Shadow Daddy with the “Touch her & die” should be. That protect and honor her in a way that is an amazing example of what a healthy relationship should be. If you love Hades/Persephone, want some spice & need a shadow daddy, this is the book for you! It does end on cliff hanger for the next book

10/10 Characters
10/10 Plot
9/10 Storytelling
4/5 Spice - MM & MF scenes

I took of a Star for only 1 reason…There are times that it felt there was some over-describing happening. I found myself skipping over some of it to get back to the story line.

Inaccessible as I was unable to read on my kindle. My eyes cannot handle reading on phone/ipad for extended amount of time so I literally can't read in NetGalley shelf app to review this book. Publishers always need to have send to kindle option. Downloading it will not download it to a file that kindle will allow to send to kindle, needs to be an option right from NetGalley. Gave 4 stars for the description as I was very excited to read this and I don't want to lower rating when I can't say if it's good or not.

ARC reread of Trad publish. 6/30/25


Ugh this series, I have read and enjoyed everything in this series already but could not pass up the chance to read the remastered version (50k of new content duh) and I just have to say…. 😭🫠🥵🤬.

TC you’re a master of Cliff hangers, and making characters lovable and villainous. I can not wait to see what you have coming down the line for the rest of the series.

Hades and Persephone have always held a very dear place in my heart and I am a sucker for myth retellings, but this book… smut and accurate mythos, danger and intrigue, queer representation and a whole lot of fun appendages (Ringed 🍆 anyone) in this remaster we get a look into the other Big secondary character and what exactly happens that causes all of the chaos. I love love loved the new bits and I’m so freaking happy for the lovely author on getting picked up for Trad publishing. Congrats dear!

I’ve read a lot of hades Persephone retellings. This one was very middle of the road for me. I wanted a little more character development and depth. Like for example Demeter is portrayed as an over bearing boarder line abusive mother like she is in many other retellings. I really liked the Helios/Narcissus storyline actually. I was more invested in them than I was hades and Persephone honestly. Even though narcissus is kind of the villain in the end. Speaking of the ending it felt slightly rushed. Like a lot was happening in the last 15% and it made it a little hard to follow.

As a lover of all things mythology retelling related, and especially Hades x Persephone related, I was super excited to be able to read Of Prophecies & Pomegranates. While the main story was very similar to other retellings, there were definitely some unique aspects that made me continue reading and kept me invested in the characters.

The relationship between Hades and Persephone felt like it progressed very quickly, but I didn't find that to be an issue for me with this story, since it was clear that their relationship had an aspect of fate to it. It was certainly very hot and steamy, but it also revealed the personal, emotional connection between Hades and Persephone. Their ability to be the one person that each other needed and to be supports for each other when it seemed like all the other characters were wishing for their relationship to be forcefully split apart felt raw and real.

The relationship between Demeter and Persephone was one that I think is very relatable on some level to everyone, with a dynamic of political motivation and a desire to be treated fairly. Watching Persephone force her way out of her mother's shadow and not give in to her demands was very cathartic to read and I loved watching her discover her own worth, desires, and abilities.

Of Prophecies & Pomegranates is a very beautiful book to read in terms of writing style and relationship dynamics, and it definitely was a good retelling of Persephone and Hades' story!

T.C. Kraven never disappoints with her books! I really hope book 2 is going to pick up where she mic dropped me at the end of this one. I love the Hades and Persephone story, but this one is my favorite for sure. The split tongue thing.... HOT HOT HOT! I love her writing style, creativity, and most of all her dark mind. Every book I have read of hers has been amazing and had me hooked from the first chapter.

This book is definitely an insta-love story—but that’s true to traditional Hades & Persephone Lore. They’re fated, and Hades is completely obsessed with her, and personally, I love an obsessed MMC.

Most of the plot conflict centers around miscommunication, which can be frustrating at times. In this retelling, Persephone’s mother, Demeter’s power is weakening. She tries to secure more power by arranging a marriage between Persephone and the Titan Helios. Helios is hesitant but willing; Persephone, on the other hand, flat-out refuses—she’s already met Hades and feels an undeniable connection.

Hades ultimately rescues her from the arranged marriage and whisks her away to the Underworld, where she instantly feels at home. From there, they must contend with Demeter’s fury, Helios’s misguided savior complex, and jealousy from several other characters.

The book ends somewhat abruptly, feeling more like a prequel to the next installment, which jumps ahead to the 1990s. In fact, the bonus first chapter of the sequel included at the end felt like a stronger, more satisfying conclusion—I almost wish the story had ended there.

I read this in a single day—it completely pulled me in. If you’re a fan of myth retellings and don’t mind a bit of melodrama, it’s an engaging, fast-paced read.

I noticed a few misspellings and editing misses but since this is an ARC, they may be addressed by the publication.

Love me a good greek retelling. This is your classic hades and persephone story. The ending is its main saving grace and cannot wait to see where this is going.