Neon Gods (Dark Olympus Book 1)
Rating: 4 out of 5
"I need him. I need him more than food, more than water, more than air."
"I would move heaven and earth and the Underworld itself to keep you with me."
Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to escape the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that's ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their dark facade. With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a bargain with a man she once believed a myth... a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed. Hades has spent his life in shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he's been craving, it's all the excuse he needs to help her--for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he'll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close.
Alright I was super excited for this book because I've only heard good things and I'm a sucker for a Hades and Persephone story. I was a little discouraged at first because I was expecting more fantasy elements, but I think once I came to terms with that I fell in love with the story. I wanted a little more information about the Thirteen Houses since they seemed to be so important, but I felt like I didn't know enough about them or their history. It would have been nice to have a little more.
Persephone had some serious character development in this book, she kind of came off as a carefree socialite but it immediately becomes clear that she has this deep personality that cares for so many at once and takes a lot on her own shoulders. Hades was adorable, he tried so hard to give off the menacing persona but the man is a big teddy bear. The chemistry and tension between him and Persephone is great. Their banter with one another was phenomenal and I enjoyed the times they were together in the book. However, I have to say my favorite part of this book was Hermes. I think overall this was a cute love story but I would have preferred a bit more fantasy and a bit more spicy content; that being said I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
