Hades is our gentleman dom and Persephone is our feisty sub. While it starts out as fake dating it switches over into a little bit of an Insta-love story. For those (including myself) that aren’t as much into the fast romances, we know it’s a Hades/Persephone going into the book so it doesn’t feel as out of the blue.

Initially the world building was a little difficult. It was hard to understand if we were dealing with a neo-Greek society with its politics built on Greek mythology or if these were the actual characters from the mythology. And while it’s initially confusing, the world building settles in after a while and the story moves to focus on our couple, less so then the world around.

Sub/Dom and exhibition aren’t necessarily my kink, but I found the scenes very sexy. I appreciated that consent was a constant and consistent component of the story. I also can’t wait to get a little more of our side characters. I absolutely adored Hermès. Loved her. Her big yellow glasses and sassy style. I kept hoping we might get a little more of her and Dionysus but maybe we’ll see them more in the next book. I’d absolutely be here for a Hermès book if that was ever to be a thing.

This was my first Katee Robert book and I’d definitely pick up the second Dark Olympus book and will probably check out some of her other books in the near future.

Neon Gods is a retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth.
Persephone is counting the days until she can get her trust fund and finally get away from Olympus and her meddling mother. All her plans come crashing down when Zeus announces his surprise engagement to Persephone. Persephone must say yes or risk the anger of the most powerful man in Olympus. persephone finally flees the party and is followed by Zeus' men. With no other choice, she runs toward the forbidden part of the city and is welcomed by Hades, a man that everyone in Olympus is sure is just a myth.
I really liked the updated version of this retelling because it does a great job of blending elements from the myth with the romance between Hades and Persephone.

I LOVE Persephone and Hades retellings. They’re not always well done and I’m typically pretty skeptical going in. THIS WAS PERFECTION. The chemistry was MAGIC. I love this author and am so looking forward to more from this series.

I love everything about this book, and am so excited for the future of this series!

Persephone feels pretty content, and has played the good girl to her mother for a long time. That bites her in the butt when her mother engages her to Zeus, who has had 3 Hera's suspiciously die. She feels betrayed, and leaves the engagement party to clear her head. When she realizes that she is being followed, she runs like a trapped animal. She runs across the bride over the river Styxx, and into the arm of Hades.

Hades doesn't know what to do with the beautiful fiancee of his nemesis, other than keep her, and try to convince her to work with him. He doesn't expect her to offer to work with him. He doesn't want distractions, but he can't help but feel so much for Persephone. Not only do they get along as friends, their sexual chemistry is off the charts.

This truly feels like the best Hades and Persephone book I have read. (Doesn't quite top Lore Olympus, but man it was close.)

I cannot wait to see what other parts of the pantheon we get to work with.

This book was everything. I didn't realized how much I love Hades and Persephone retellings until I read this book. I loved the Greek Mythology. I love how cinnamon roll Hades was. I loved it even better than A Court of Mist and Fury and I absolutely adored that book. This is an all time favorite book.

Katee will be a guest in the podcast during publication week.

This book is taking an iconic Greek myth and making it to a well thought out erotic story. Persephone attends a party with other Greek gods and goddesses, and does not realize it is an engagement party for her and Zeus. So she flees the party, crosses the River Styx, and ends up in Hades' territory. Since Hades' and Persephone despise Zeus, they create a plot that Hades has become her lover to get even with Zeus. However, the ploy starts to become real between Hades and Persephone.
The author has created a well thought storyline of love, eroticism, and revenge while still keeping important elements of the Greek myth. The author keeps the elements such as the pomegranate, Demeter's threat of barren environment when Persephone is gone, and the isolation of Hades and the gods of Mount Olympus. What the author does well is creating a backstory of Hades, and why he has a darkness about himself that can never be changed. Hades vulnerabilities are shown in the story that makes you see him as the hero and not the portrayed villain. It was sensual, edgy, and overall a great read.

WHEW! This was my first Katee Robert and I am now going back to her Wicked Villains series because I really enjoyed this. It's sexy, it's funny, it's dark, and the worldbuilding/Greek mythos is so fun.

Persephone is just trying to survive in Olympus until her 25th birthday so she can get out of dodge. But when her mother, Demeter, marries her off to abusive and criminal Zeus, she runs away across the River Styx into Hades world. And Hades is not what she expected. As these two open up with each other and take off their masks, they are able to build a relationship where they can both thrive and not just survive from the things done to them.

I love Persephone - she is funny (will add a quote closer to the pub date!), hates being vulnerable or weak, and has severe loyalty to her sisters. Hades is a broody Daddy and I am HERE FOR IT. The sex is oh so sexy and there is a focus on consent, protection, STD testing that is beautiful to see in romance. I also loved the secondary characters (HERMES! EURYDICE! CALLISTO!) I need more books in this series STAT. Zeus is a perfectly messed up baddie and Demeter is more than you think. I really enjoyed this book and FLEW through it. Highly highly recommend.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was so excited when I read this summary of this book. I love me a hades/persephone story and this was everything I hoped it would be. The author has a great hand at interweaving the mythology and setting it into modern times. I love that the legend of the gods is a continuing line of different people (some are born to be gods and some achieve their god status through their ambitions) I loved all aspects as a big greek myth aficionado and it was great that it alternated between the two protagonists' perspective of events. The sexy scenes are hot and definitely enjoyable to me (sometimes I just want to skip the parts in some books) and add that with the plot and it's a solid book. I hope the author does something similar for other great couples of greek myth because I would definitely read it!

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

I have so many feelings about how happy this book made me. It had that signature Katee Robert flare and pacing paired with the story of Hades & Persephone. This story takes great artistic liberties with the original story but still had the feeling of the traditional story.

Hades is the beautiful villain of my dreams. Persephone had depth and was more than just sunshine.

My one note is there is elements of magic that are never explained.

When Persephone's mother, Demeter, forces her into an engagement with Zeus, who's been known to leave behind a string of dead wives, Persephone escapes across the River Styx to lower Olympus. What she doesn't realize is she's running right into the arms of Hades. But perhaps he can help keep her safe for a few months until she turns 25 and can access her inheritance and escape Olympus forever.

This book is a little outside my comfort zone and not what I typically read. And, no, not because it's somewhere between romance and something a little more scandalous. But because it's a touch dystopian, a little bit fantasy, and wholly otherworldly. While these gods don't have literal powers, they have power, and the alternate universe this book exists in is an interesting one. This was a departure from my normal contemporary romance bubble, but at the encouragement of friends who raved about this book, I knew I had to give it a try.

Branded as a modern retelling of Persephone and Hades' tale, this book is all about power struggles and desire, and there's no denying both aspects are masterfully done. I wish we had gotten to see more of Persephone pre-engagement, pre-escape to understand more about her public persona versus the private one she lets free in lower Olympus. As written, we don't really get to see the dichotomy enough, and I think an extra chapter in the beginning or maybe a few flashbacks would have really added to Persephone's character development. This book certainly isn't for the Hallmark-loving faint-of-heart, as it packs a lot of heat, but there's still a creative, original plot to keep readers enthralled.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casa and NetGalley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own

5 stars - 8/10

A story inspired by Hades and Persephone? Written by Katee Robert? Sign. Me. Up.

Going in, I knew Neon Gods was going to be good but it ended up being so much more and even better than I expected! Katee created an incredible retelling of Hades and Persephone that perfectly blended the concepts from the original story while also adding her own unique points to craft an entirely new tale.

In Neon Gods, there are The Thirteen made up thirteen titles in the Greek Pantheon. Each title is inherited and Persephone's mother knows how to play the game. So much so, she promises Persephone to Zeus which would make Persephone the new Hera. The previous Hera, and the two others before her? Well, rumour has it, Zeus is not the charming, charismatic persona he publicly portrays.

In an effort to maintain her freedom (and stay alive), Persephone escapes across the river Styx to the lower city and encounters the thought-to-be-a-myth, oh-so-mysterious, hella sexy Hades. That's when things get even more interesting (and very, very steamy)!

What I really loved about this story was the character dynamics. Persephone, while young, was a strong, independent woman who could easily hold her own against others. Likewise, Hades had his issues (namely plotting for revenge) but he was also a strong, smart character, ready to take on the world to protect Persephone. When together, Hades and Persephone were magic!

Katee created a really wonderful and complex storyline that also allowed for various side characters from other Greek myths to be better introduced and expanded on. To be honest, I'm not very familiar with some of the other characters' original stories so getting a chance to see Katee's interpretation of them in Neon Gods was really great and I can't wait to see how this series further develops.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. From start to finish, it was a wild and steamy ride that perfectly balanced Greek mythology and an original retelling. If you enjoy dark romance, fantasy romance, bdsm romance, or simply adult retellings of Greek mythology, you need to read this book!

Disclaimer: Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Neon God's by Katy Roberts - 5 Stars This was my first book by Katy Roberts and I loved it!! The story of Hades and Persephone is one of my favorites and I love reading retellings of it. In this story the old god's die and new mortals will take over being that god until they die and the cycle continues. Hades is believed to have died with no successor but is actually the leader of the lower city of Olympus. Persephone is the daughter of Demeter who decides to engage Persephone to Hades. Not wanting to marry a man who has gone through many wives (that he supposedly killed) already Persephone flees and without realizing it ends up at one of the bridges to the lower city. Once across the bridge Persephone learns that Hades is indeed alive and not quite what she was lead to believe. I loved this one so much and I can't wait for the next in this series. I loved Hades and his "friendship" with Hermes and Dionysus was so much fun to read about. I also loved the relationship between Persephone and her three sisters and I really hope we are getting their stories next. Hades and Persephone were so good together and I loved going on their journey with them, not only their journey as a couple but also as individuals who have personal things they most go through as well. This is a very adult and steamy book so be warned if you don't enjoy that. If you are ok with steamy reads then be sure to pick this one up! Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my gifted copy for review.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

🪑 Q: do you have a fave Hades & Persephone romance re-telling?

I was expecting Katee Robert’s Neon Gods—a Hades & Persephone re-telling—to be H O T. I wasn’t expecting it to be so sweet & romantic. (Waves at Hades hiiiii.)

Olympus is ruled by the 13 gods. In theory. In actuality, the last Hera is suspected to have been murdered by her husband Zeus—who rules the Upper City—& they say that Hades—once ruler of the Lower City—died some time ago.

The River Styx divides the two cities & no one crosses it.

Until the night “obedient” Persephone Dimitriou runs across the bridge, desperate to escape the forced engagement her mother Demeter has arranged between her & Zeus.

A man is on the other side. He’s frightening in some ways, seems safe in others, & after he doctors her wounds he’s revealed to be Hades.

Persephone strikes an arrangement between them: if he harbors her for the winter & keeps her safe from Zeus she’ll sleep with him (something she wants to do regardless) & facilitate his revenge against Zeus, who murdered Hades’s parents years earlier.

Wow 🤩. This book is a cheek-flushing, butterfly-swooping confection. Greek mythology is re-worked in a fascinating way; I cannot tell you how much sexy potential I see in every character in this book .

Hades is absolutely delicious: he is a scarred, forbidding presence who starts to occasionally laugh around Persephone; he worries about her; & the emotional intimacy he is willing to wade into with her is beautiful.

Robert complicates Persephone in a stunning way: I love how Miss Sunshine has teeth & daggers when she travels to the Lower City.

Their sex scenes—both the private ones & the public ones in his dungeon—are stupendous. The discussions of comfort & consent, the way they look out for each other, is just another hot part of this romance.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

5 ⭐️. Neon Gods is out on 06/01.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an eARC of this in exchange for an honest review.*

Neon Gods is a clever reimaging of the gods of Olympus. Dark Olympus to be exact.

In this world, the thirteen gods of the Greek pantheon get their titles the way a Duke might. By being passed on from generation to generation… or by hook or by crook in some cases.

When we enter this retelling of Hades and Persephone. Persephone is being forcibly engaged to Zeus to become his next Hera, the fourth one to be exact, and they haven't died from natural causes if you get what I'm saying. Persephone, not wanting to die young, makes a break for it and ends up crossing the river Styx and landing in the arms of Hades. The only thing is… most people generally think Hades is a myth, but this sexy, devious being is more real than she could ever imagine and he might be the key to her ruin, and her salvation.

Hades has been living in the lower city and quietly biding his time to get revenge against his father's murderer. Who should fall into his lap and his city but the fiancé of his enemy? And even better, she is ready to work with him and get herself ruined. If he can just keep himself from falling for this spunky, bratty, ray of sunshine who can't seem to keep herself healthy and who tempts him beyond control…. What could go wrong?

Seriously, as a long time fan of Katee Robert, I am honestly saying that this is one of my favorite books by her EVER! I loved it from the compelling beginning. I loved Persephone and her bravery and boldness. I loved her willingness to try whatever Hades has planned for her ruination.

I loved watching Hades have his walls busted down. He was this amalgamation of soft and hard and all the fun things I love. He was a Dom with a brat on his hands and he is constantly surprised by how much he likes it. Also, there is a scene with some puppies that was EVERYTHING!

There was also some amazing conversation about consent, and negotiating, and birth control that just made me a pile of goo. I don't know about you all, but as a person who reads almost exclusively romance, I can still get so excited when those things are broached in a new way. It makes me so happy.

Okay, this was a lot of gushing but I really loved it. It was so refreshing and I cannot wait for more in this series. It is gonna be a good one!

5/5 stars, but this one is getting a 6th star in my book!

I’m not sure how I feel about this. I usually love retellings and the writing was good, there were parts that were really sexy and some that were beautifully written, especially Hades’ declaration scene (felt those “allergy” tears coming), but I’m not going to lie, I did find myself skimming for the last half.

There were a couple of scenes that I felt ran on too long, such as the winter market scene. I understand why the author included it. It showed characterization and growth, it definitely helped us see Hades in a new light, but I thought it ran on too long and weighed down the story.

Overall, I did enjoy it and it’s definitely worth a read if you love Greek mythology, retellings, and sexy times.

I love a good Hades and Persephone retelling and to say that I've been waiting for this retelling is putting it mildly. While the story does take place in the wider book universe of Katee Robert's independently published series of Sabine Valley and Wicked Villains, you don't have to have read either of those to read Neon Gods. (But it does have fun little mentions if you have.)

Persephone is a woman with a plan that she's ready to enact as soon as her birthday arrives and she inherits money from her grandmother. She hates that her own mother has risen through the ranks to the Thirteen and dragged her and her sisters up into a spotlight none of them asked for. She's pragmatic and logical and when thrown curve balls in the story begins to look for alternatives that will benefit more people than just herself.

The Hades of Neon Gods may not be what you expect. Is he the leader of the 'Underworld' (or in this case, the 'Lower City')? Yes, but he's a lot more than that. He initially helps Persephone because he sees that she's in distress and needs help, and then sticks around because he's intrigued by her strength and her willingness to help him bring down his adversaries. Their relationship is very steamy, with plenty of banter and open discussion about boundaries and consent. And while both are very alpha characters, as they begin to know one another, their dynamic shifts and becomes one of mutual respect. 

I also loved finally seeing the world of 'Olympus' which has been hinted at in other books by Robert. While we don't spend as much time in the shiny, modern city, Persephone gets to experience the Lower City with Hades and there's so much charm that comes from those scenes that they're some of my favourites. And, alongside that, getting to know some of the side-characters - especially Hermes, who is just a fabulous, in-your-face kind of character who somehow manages to wind her way into Hades and Persephone's world with ease despite being someone of potentially dubious alliances.

There's something wonderful about an anticipated book that lives up to what you want it to be. I've already pre-ordered a physical copy of the book for when it's released in June and I cannot wait to reread it.

Hades is a myth to those who live in the upper city of Olympus. Although she knows this, Persephone has always been a bit curious about him. When she finds herself suddenly betrothed to Zeus against her will, Persephone realizes the only way she can get out of marrying him is to escape-escape across the bridge and into the lower city, a place where nobody goes. As soon as she breaks free from the upper city, she finds herself in the arms of brooding man and realizes that Hades isn't just a myth after all. He's real, and the two come up with a plan to get back at Zeus, the man who has caused so much hurt in both of their lives.

Do I officially have a new favorite Katee Robert book? Yes, yes I do. It is hard for me to express in words how much I loved this book. The characters and plot were both so well done, and I enjoyed the fact that we got to see chapters from both Persephone and Hades's perspectives. I was captivated by the story from the first chapter, and watching Persephone and Hades grow closer to one another while also getting revenge just made me really happy. I personally love a good steamy romance, and Katee Robert definitely delivered in that aspect while not having the entire story revolve around sex; the overarching plot was intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. Hades made my heart melt, and his love for Persephone had me swooning. He might just be one of my new book boyfriends. I absolutely loved Neon Gods and cannot wait to see what happens as the series continues!

Content warning for violence, kink, murder, loss of parents.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC of Neon Gods by Katee Robert!

I am a huge Greek mythology lover and so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this Hades and Persephone retelling. Several friends have recommended Katee Robert to me and it was just as steamy as they said her books are. This is a very loose retelling and though the author took several liberties with it (like family trees for example), I really enjoyed all the little nods to the myth. I loved the modern twist and it had a very similar feel to it as the popular Webtoon, Lore Olympus.

Hades and Persephone were hot, hot, hot and it was delicious to see them lower their masks and love each other exactly as they were. I wasn't expecting the "playroom" side of Hades, but it really worked and will leave readers fanning themselves for sure. The ending wrapped up a little quickly and conveniently, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what's next in the series. There are a lot of secondary characters and stories left to tell. Neon Gods was sexy, a little taboo, and a whole lot of fun.

CW: on page violence/assault, death of loved ones (fire related)

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Wow, where to even being! I absolutely loved this book. Its an amazing new take on the Greek mythology troupe. The first thing that I loved about this book was how the author Katee was able to pull you in right away, this wasn't a book that took over 100 pages to pull you in and I really appreciated that. Katee really knew how to start the book with a BANG! I finished this book in less than 24 hours because I simply could not put it down.

The books follows Persephone, daughter of Demeter (head of one of the 13 houses). The book starts at a party that Persephone doesn't want to be at but is due to her mothers influence. Persephone is hiding out in a side room at the party when her mother finds her and tells her she must return to the party immediately, unknown to Persephone her mother is about to have Zeus ambush her and publicly propose to her in a manner she cant publicly deny. Persephone had already planned to leave Olympus on her next birthday which was a few months away, all that was holding her back was waiting for her trust fund to release to her, so Zeus proposing throws a wrench in her plan. Persephone decides to flee Olympus to the other side of the river (a place Zeus never ventures) where she meets Hades (who everyone thinks is dead). Persephone and Hades decide to make a deal, he will house her for 3 months until her trust is released and in return Persephone will publicly date Hades to stick it to his enemy Zeus and also help ruin Persephone's reputation (so Zeus will hopefully no longer want her).

I don't want to give any more details away, what I've written about is literally just the first 50 or so pages of the book and it just gets better and better as it goes. I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series when it is written. This book is out June 1st and you definitely do not want to miss it! Amazing job Katee Robert!