*I received a free copy of this ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

3.5 stars. I have mixed feelings on this installment of the series, to be honest. The Aphrodite portion gets 4 stars, but the Persephone portion only gets 3. It frustrates me when the ending previously enjoyed by the main characters of the first three books is interrupted the the next three books. Best way I can explain is by saying that Mission Impossible 3 remains my favorite; although the subsequent movies were really great, I have a hard time enjoying them because they damaged the ending of the 3rd movie. In the case of Venus Rising, the factor that prevents me from outright hating the ending feels kind of like it was just plugged in there in response to an editor saying, "Hey, you'd better fix this." I don't know. But I'm frustrated, and I'm still left with a "Hey, you'd better fix this" mentality.

Aside from that . . .

The book was enjoyable, on par with the rest of the series. I appreciate Aphrodite more than I did when she was initially introduced, and I am happy with the way she has evolved throughout the series. In the previous book, I felt sympathy towards Medea. I still do, but she's also a bit tricky. I feel bad for her, but sometimes she also tried my patience. Overall, though, she seemed aware of her flaws and weaknesses and tried to counteract them. In general, the characters feel developed; even the minor characters are pretty easy to distinguish from one another.

Note: Minimal swearing, but an f word (I think only one). I don't get it--why? Just leave it out. You don't need it.

What am excellent end to the series. I have loved this from the start and it only got better

I have been very impatiently waiting for this novel to be released and was so excited to get an advance copy of this book from NetGalley's. I immediately put aside the other book I was reading to devour this book in a day. This was a great conclusion to Aphrodite's story. After being stranded on the island alone Aphrodite has to figure out how to keep her true identity hidden, survive the increasingly more hostile island, and save the captive Gods. Throughout the story, Aphrodite learns how to rely on herself and discovers who she really is.

The story is also told from Medea's viewpoint which I found to be less annoying in this book than in the previous one. She is still a scared young girl who makes rash decisions but she quickly learns how powerful she truly is, which leads her to figure out how to not be used as a tool by everyone around her.