Neon Gods Review

Rating: 4/5

He was supposed to be a myth.

But from the moment I crossed the River Styx and fell under his dark spell... he was, quite simply, mine.

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee 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 glittering city’s dark facade.

With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s 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 the 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 spent years 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…

A modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that’s as sinful as it is sweet.

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Content Warning: Public Sex, BDSM Sexual Content

I’ve seen a lot of love and hate for this series. Eventually, I caved and decided I had to see for myself if it was worth the hype. And I would say it does! For what is it, at least.

While I doubt anyone truly believes me when I say this, I don’t pick these books up for the sex. I’m actually interested in the story. The sex is just a perk.

Though this one definitely has a LOT of sex. It’s definitely hot ‘n’ spicy through a majority of the middle of this book. The plot in this one practically calls for it, though.

We follow Persephone, who is seen as Demeter’s perfect daughter in Olympus. And Demeter tries to marry her off to corrupted Zeus. Not interested in being a pawn, Persephone runs away and ends up getting chased to the lower city, Hades' domain. Persephone strikes a deal with Hades for his protection from Zeus. “Tarnish me,” Persephone says to him. Believing that Zeus only finds her appealing for her image of being “pure” so to speak.

However, outside of the sex, I found the dynamics of this version of Olympus and the Greek gods captivating and unique. After finishing this, I knew I wanted more. I did enjoy the spicy romance between Hades and Persephone, however. And I especially loved the tiny details that play a bit of homage to the original myths around these two characters.

As for the romance itself, I found it very tender. I’m not one for public sex, so I honestly wasn’t crazy about these scenes. But in terms of the plot, they played their purpose. Outside the public sex, I could see how much these two lovebirds cared for each other. I especially enjoyed seeing Hades' thoughts of Persephone, seeing how much he cared and loved her before he admitted it.

While not exactly unpredictable, I still found this to be incredibly enjoyable. It definitely made me want to continue the rest of the series to learn more about this modern-day Olympus.

If you enjoy erotica and Greek gods, you might enjoy this modern retelling!