Review:
*I received a free ecopy of this book from the author via Lovers of Paranormal in exchange for an honest review.*
I admit I had some concerns before starting this book, which I’ll get to in a moment. It sounded like it could be good though, so I gave it a shot, and I’m so glad I did! There were actually a lot of things I liked, so I’m just gonna list this out.
– Number one, I’m very wary of YA books in which the characters are in high school (as opposed to stories set in dystopian, post-apocalyptic, or fantasy worlds) because I can’t handle immaturity or the typical high school tropes, like the “mean girl.” (I think I must’ve had a vastly different high school experience than most authors.) Thankfully though, this book wasn’t like that. The characters were never too immature, but they were still realistic as high schoolers, and all the parts that took place in the school were realistic, not cliched or filled with ridiculous tropes.
– Two, I like love triangles, but I was worried about this one because I wasn’t sure how Spencer could be so in love with Micah that she’d travel to the Underworld to get him back but then turn around and fall in love with Hadrian. Thankfully, this book wasn’t like that either. For one thing, even by the end of the book Spencer wasn’t in love with Hadrian, just interested, and the rest of her reasons for doubting her relationship with Micah weren’t even about Hadrian, they were about character growth and finding herself. The other reason the love triangle worked was because the author did an amazing job of portraying the progression of feelings so that it never felt sudden or unnatural. Spencer’s situation and emotions were all portrayed so well that I understood and I too felt what she was feeling for Hadrian and why she needed to do what she was doing.
– Three, speaking of emotions, the author just did an amazing job of portraying the whole Micah’s death situation period—how impossible it was for Spencer to move on since the person she loved was still hanging around as a ghost, her depression/grief, how she pushed everyone away, the way Spencer’s parents were affected, how her friends were concerned about her, how Brodie started drinking, etc.
– Four, there was so much character growth!
– Five, I just liked the characters themselves too. Spencer made irrational decisions when she was consumed by grief, yes, but she was actually intelligent and rational otherwise. For example, when she was home alone and suddenly heard something that sounded like a window shattering, instead of going to investigate like most characters would, she was basically like, “Screw that,” grabbed her keys, and ran out the front door to get away. As for Hadrian, he was just plain entertaining with his general godly cockiness and the way he liked to rile Spencer up, but he also had emotions and scars of his own. I think some other reviews mentioned that he ran hot and cold a lot, but I thought his moods always made sense. Sometimes he’d start opening up, but then he’d realize his vulnerability and put his metaphorical mask back on. Or he’d be enjoying his time with Spencer, but then she’d say something that hurt him, so he’d get angry and lash out.
– Six, I adored the female friendships in this book! They were realistic, supportive, and shown in such a positive light.
– Seven, last but not least, I really enjoyed getting to see this author’s version of Greek mythology and the Underworld. It wasn’t exactly a retelling of Hades and Persephone, but it shared some aspects, and obviously Hades was in the story.
See? So many things I liked. The only issues I had were a few continuity errors, like a phone being dead but then a character using the flashlight app a minute later. But those were never big things that would’ve impacted the story anyway. Certain things also felt a little too sudden near the end, and I wasn’t sure I quite agreed with some of Spencer’s thoughts.
Overall though, this was a great YA story with a bit of humor, some emotion, great friendships, a unique take on Greek mythology, and lots of character growth!
Recommended For:
YA urban fantasy readers who like Greek mythology, books set in the Underworld, love triangles, great female friendships, and mature YA characters.
More Books in the Series:
Book Review: Unhinged (Underworld Book 1) by Chani Lynn Feener
Book Review: Unleashed (Underworld Book 2) by Chani Lynn Feener
Book Review: Unbound (Underworld Book 3) by Chani Lynn Feener
Oooo… this one sounds great, Kristen. Love the review! Many thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I really enjoyed it 🙂
I love greek mythology. This one sounds really good.
I love Greek mythology too! I did enjoy this one 🙂
I think I read a Persephone retelling a long time ago once and this one does sound like it can be interesting indeed with her dead boyfriend who she can get back if she spends 6 months in hell. So it’s basically a love triangle with Hades and her dead boyfriend? I don’t mind love triangles when well done and they can add something great to a book. The love triangle in this one sounds well done with how you describe it as her feelings progressing and her finding herself more.
And she actually ran away when she heard a sound, bonus points for that! It’s sometimes so unbelievable that everyone would go investigate. And the characters growth in this book and the character depth sounds really good! It sure sounds like a promising read. Great review!
This one ended up being more inspired by than a true retelling, so I still want to read a real retelling, but I liked this book nonetheless. And yes, the triangle is between her dead boyfriend Hades, which sounds really funny lol. But I liked how it was handled.
And seriously! Why does every character go investigate??? And yeah, the character growth was great. Thanks!
This one sounds interesting. I was put off by the prospect of a love triangle (they don’t always go well and I end up disappointed) but you may have convinced me. Not only that, but it’s inspired by mythology. I love that, especially as it’s not a straight up retelling (which can make it a bit predictable) but more inspired by it. I can’t decide if I’ll check it out because it’s book 1 of however many and I hate falling into the trap of a series.
I mean, I can’t promise how you’ll feel about how the love triangle turns out or anything, but I thought her feelings in this book were believable. I actually like straight up retellings, but anything with Greek mythology does catch my attention. I don’t know how many books there will be though, so I can’t help you there. At least 4, but the 4th isn’t out yet, so I don’t know if it’ll end there.
Oh I love books with great female friendships! This sounds really great and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll have to add it to my TBR! ?
Great female friendships are such a seemingly rare find in YA! Thanks and yay 🙂
I went to one-click this only to find I’d already one-clicked it. 😉 I love mythology in stories – especially when an author puts their own spin on a particular mythology. I also love a book with strong female friendships because I think that is invaluable…we girls need to stick together. 😉 I’m also fond on love triangles when they’re done well. I love strong characters and character growth….basically, this book ticks a lot of my boxes, as it seems to have done for you. 😉 So I’m putting it on my schedule for October reading. Then we can chat about it. 😀
Haha, I feel like you somehow already own every book that I review. I agree though, I love mythology in books, and strong female friendships are so hard to find in books but are so important! And I think we are in the minority with actually liking love triangles lol, but what can I say? That’s just my taste 😛 And do tell me if you end up reading a book I’ve read, I’ll definitely want to chat!
It’s awesome that you ended up liking this one, even though you were wary about it in the beginning!
I have to say that even though the majority of the books I read are YA, I am never really in love with the typical high school drama stories, because I left that behind when I graduated, you know? So it’s great that this story didn’t have any of that.
I am actually in love with the story of Persephone and Hades, and even though you said that this isn’t exactly a retelling, I am still super interested! If you want another retelling, the Abandon series by Meg Cabot is one I really liked 😀
Great review, and I hope you like the next book in the series as much as this one!
It’s always nice when books can surprise you, right?!
For me, it’s more that I didn’t even have that kind of drama when I was in school lol, let alone since I graduated, so it just feels unrealistic and/or unrelatable. But yes, that’s why I was so glad this one didn’t have all that.
Ooh, thanks, I’ll look that one since I am still looking for something that more of an actual retelling 🙂
Thanks!
I do like dead people. Stories about dead people. The places were dead people go: afterlife, underworld, heaven, hell, the whole post-mortem universe! 🙂 so I was immediately interested in this book. 🙂 [omg my soul needs saving] Then the fact the characters are not cookie cutter and their is a good character ARC.. BONUS! one day when I can read again I’ll read it. Great review Kristen! 🙂
Haha, I’m not sure if I should be concerned about your liking dead people… 😉 I too love books about the afterlife. They’re always so interesting! And yes, the character arc is great! But seriously, when you comin’ back to the reading universe?!?!