[4 Stars]

Pros:
- surprising amount of plot that was actually really enjoyable
- great tension between Persephone and Hades. I liked the buildup of their relationship and it didn't feel forced or unrealistic
- the smut was really fun. Good for dom/sub fans who aren't opposed to voyeurism

Cons:
- I think the narrators themselves were good, I just didn't like them for these characters. Their imitations of each other and other characters definitely took me out of the story which was a bit of a bummer. Also, it seemed like something was off with Persephone's narrator's audio quality. It might have fixed itself by the end........or maybe I just got used to it?

Overall: This was a really fun read but perhaps read it physically instead of via audio

I was sent an ARC for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Some things i really liked:
- the modern retelling aspect
- loved that we got both Hades and Persephone POVs
- great emphasis on consent and bi rep
- this was not pure smut; definitely an emphasis on story and character building

some things that fell flat:
- didn't feel the chemistry in most of the dialogue (not sure if i would feel the same had i read the ebook instead of listened to the audiobook)
- hated the narrators reading dialogue in the other characters voice. It was cringe, irritating, and completely took me out of the story and made it difficult for me to connect with the characters.

I'm disappointed I didn't love this as much as I thought I would, but i have a feeling this would have been closer to a 4 star had i got the ebook instead. As far as Hades and Persephone retellings go, i think this was well done and would recommend this to those who enjoy retelling with a lil spice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advance copy of this audiobook!

Guyssssss.... I knew this was going to be steamy (I've heard Katee Roberts books generally are very much so), but wow wow wowwww... this was STEAMY STEAMY. Not gunna lie... I loved it LOL. But I didn't just love the book for that, but for the relationship built between Hades and Persephone. Yes, there was instant attraction and intrigue between the two, but they began as allies, grew to friends, and then that friendship grew into love, and honestly, their relationship was my favorite part about this book. They had a very fun relationship with lots of banter, but it was also very evident they care deeply for each other. Oh, and I LOVED Persephone's sisters - they have such a great dynamic and I was happy they were part of the storyline.

The only thing I wanted more out of this was more plot/storyline development. I felt like there were some things left unanswered. And with that, I should note this is a very character-driven story, not a TON of plot, but I, personally, am OK with that!

I'm kind of shocked this was my first Katee Roberts book, but it definitely will not be my last!

Rating: 4.5 stars!

Special Thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for providing me an Audiobook ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts are my own.

This book rocked so hard I was waiting for people to start shaking their heads and sweating. That is what Rock Stars do right?

But on another note let's talk about the story.

Persephone Dimitriou is the image of perfection, she has class, not a hair out of place and she is always smiling.That is until she receives an announcement that can change her life forever. Zeus the leader of the "Thirteen Houses" ask for her hand in marriage. Not only is she horrified but she has to find a way out.

Hades sits in the shadows of lower city always a bridge away. Even though he has been known as a Myth for the last 3 decades. He is known for his shadowy persona and being always a step ahead of the thirteen. He is brutal and reckless but then he sees a girl running towards him from the other side of the tracks. She is shoeless, not a jacket in site and she is the breath of fresh air he didn't know he needed.

Their relationship
Was the definition of toxic AF and I ate it up. The were so hot for each other I thought their pants would melt. Their insta chemistry was almost electric. Their eventual love set me on legitimate fire.
Narrators
Baby !!! these narrators were hot. I literally at certain times had to pick my phone and check to see if it was a phone call. They were so real and honest and the scening which is a FAV of mine was so well played I got chills.

I am anxious to see what happens next with this story. I already have my preorder finger ready LOL.

Happy reading everyone

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for allowing me access to this ARC

I first requested Neon Gods after seeing it mentioned on social media and hearing good things about both it and the author.

I have always loved the story of Hades and Persephone and am always up to read a new spin on it. I must say.... It did NOT disappoint.

Hades and Persephone had palpable chemistry in this and it is HOT. Its definitely a bit on the kinkier side.

After finding out that her mother plans for her to marry Zeus at an unexpected engagement party , Persephone runs away right into Hades arms. Hades is a complete cinnamon roll- I love it.

She makes a deal with Hades to prevent her from being forced to marry Zeus. For 3 months she will belong to Hades ruining her for Zeus and then she will leave. But will things really go as planned ?

***
Update: I listened to the audiobook of this and was not a huge fan of the narrators. It wasn't horrible, I just found that I did not enjoy it as much. Still a 4 star read!!!

I received an early copy of the audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

5/5 stars

This book was every bit the exciting and sexy time that I thought it was going to be. It was a new and refreshing take on Olympus and the Underworld and I loved the politics behind everything. The steamy scenes definitely brought the heat that I feel comes with a Katee Robert book and it truly did not disappoint at all.

I loved watching the characters develop throughout the book and as small changes made ripples and then waves. At times you are unsure of where characters loyalties really lie and it was just a steamy and fun time.

I LOVE this book! I think this is my favorite Hades and Persephone retelling yet! It was refreshing to see Hades with insecurities. And that regardless of what he faced as a child, and his desire for revenge on Zeus, he still took care of the people that depend on him. I can’t wait for the next book!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed Persephone’s narrator, her voice drew me into the story. I wasn’t a fan of Hades’ narrator. It’s not what I expected for his voice and it came over a little creepy and snake-like at times. I still thoroughly enjoyed the audio book!

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Neon Gods was just what I expected from a book by Katee Roberts! Super steamy and filled with great characters that you are immediately drawn too. The narration was excellent and definitely added to the enjoyment of this story. I look forward to the one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook for an honest review.

Neon Gods
by Katee Robert
Narrated by Zara Hampton-Brown, Alex Moorcock

I listened to an arc of this audiobook courtesy of NetGalley.

An urban retelling of Hades and Persephone. If you are a fan of the myth you will want to check out this book.

This set up kind of reminded me of the comic Brutus and Pixie by Ben Hed. Where the hero presents a fierce image and his counterpart is tiny and precocious.

Grumpy wounded brooding alpha attempting to hide his gooey cinnamon roll true nature while ever striving for consent and consideration. Sunshine golden heroine who is more cunning than she lets others know fall together on an adventure that is somehow equal parts dark and light.

One thing I had questions about was how much magic exists in this world. I didn’t note any specific evidence of people with supernatural powers. People walk and drive and use guns and knives. However there is a river Styx and some kind of super natural boundary on the river and surrounding Olympus from the outside world that makes it difficult if not impossible to pass through. While I’m left vaguely curious about the general world building the characters engross you so fully it’s barely noticeable that there’s definitely more info that we the reader do not have about how everything works.

The sound quality of the recording was superb. The female narrator was perfect. There was something about the male narrator (who was great) that reminded me of the way Jim Dale does some of the voices in the Harry Potter audiobooks and that took me out of it a bit on occasion. So if you think you might fall into that as well might be better off reading rather than listening. If you have not listened to the Harry Potter audiobooks than by all means check this out.

5/5 Great book.

I usually consume anything Hades & Persephone, but I felt like Neon Gods had none of the build up and jumps strait into the spice. Don’t get me wrong, I love spice, or I wouldn’t be reading Katee Roberts...but this one just wasn’t for me.

Audio: I loved the both readers! They did a fantastic job and I really enjoyed the fact there was a male reading Hades part.

This audiobook was such an exciting thrill ride. It took classic characters and settings and put them in an ultra modern almost futuristic situation. The two narrators did an amazing job of creating the ambiance to fall into the story. Hades was the perfect tortured alpha hero with a heart. Persephone was way more complex than everyone in her orbit first thought. I appreciated the character growth for both of them as well as the interesting side story and side characters were super exciting. I more than ready to see what comes in the next book.

Seriously Hot he's so alpha and growly. He carries her everywhere. Love that the POV switches back and forth every chapter. Amazing retelling of Hades and Persephone.

Her safe word is Pomegranate!

The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎧🎧
Romance: 💋💋💋💋💋
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📙📕📗📘📔
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 👨🏻👱🏻‍♀‍🧔🏻👩🏻

The heroine: Persephone - Daughter to Demeter, one of the thirteen who rule the upper city. The Thirteen are the most powerful people in Olympus, they take on the names of the original Gods. Zeus is the most powerful. He is over 50 years old, cruel and has killed his previous 3 wives. Demeter and Zeus worked together to push Persephone into an engagement of Zeus. She couldn’t say no without angering both, but as soon as the engagement is announced she escapes the party and takes off.

The Hero(es): Hades - He was one of the thirteen but many think he died. He rules the lower city on the other side of the river Styx. There is a treaty which says that anyone that makes it across one of the bridges over the river Styx belongs to Hades.

The Story: While running from Zeus, Persephone finds that two of his minions are following her, and she makes it over one of the bridges to Hades. He captures her and brings him to his home.

Let’s start with the narration. I absolutely hated the man’s voice. First it was a man with an British accent. I could be biased, because I am American, but British accents sound a bit too proper for the Lord of the Underworld. His voice isn’t deep enough either. If his voice was deep enough, I wouldn’t mind the accent but he sounded a bit foppish as is. Also his female voice was horrendous.

The female narrator had a perfect voice for Persephone. She also had a British accent and sounded a bit like Felicity Jones. I liked her quite a lot, but her voice for Hades was also horrendous. I wish when they have dual narrators, they would have the males read all the male lines and female all the female lines no matter whose POV the chapter is in.

The story was good, the romance was both romantic and super steamy. Though I did think it was odd that Hades was such a good guy and Zeus such a bad guy (though he wasn’t all that different in the myths). I was expecting Hades to be much darker than he was. Though I did like Hades as a person.

The only real criticism I have with the story is the fact that it wasn’t really clear until late in the book about the fact that when each of the thirteen die, someone eventually takes their place and the Gods name. For instance Persephone grew up on a farm until her mother became Demeter and with that she owned a high rise in the upper city of Olympus. So how do they get to be one of the thirteen and are they Gods in some way or just the richest & most powerful (which is what I thought), but then if that is true, how are they chosen?

I did like how the author pieced in different parts of the myth into the story. Like the River Styx, the pomegranate (in the myth Persephone is not supposed to eat in the underworld and she eats six pomegranate seeds), the bargain with Demeter (where because Persephone ate six seeds she ends up spending six months with her mother and six with Hades every year), Charon (the ferryman to the underworld) and Cerberus (the three headed dog). I won’t tell how any of these things are incorporated into the story, but I loved that these and more were included.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

This is my first Katee Robert book, I was so excited to have the chance to listen to the audiobook. The narrators, in my opinion, did a real good job with their characters. I just wish I enjoyed the book more than I did, I wanted more. I liked it but didn’t love it. I enjoyed the characters and the banter between Hades and Persephone. The modern world was an interesting spin but I think the storyline/plot and its progression is what fell short for me.

Well.... that was.... unexpected.
I was not aware going into this that it was as steamy as it is. Definitely NSFW. Lol!

I did love this story though. The characters were likeable, the sex positive outlook, the bi rep, the grumpy loves sunshine trope.... I am here for all of it. The narrators did a wonderful job with their characters (though I wasn't a huge fan of their voices for each other).

If you're looking for an extremely hot, explicit retelling of Hades and Persephone then this one is for you.

Great story and audiobook the narration was perfection. I Loved Hades and Perisphone this was a very exciting story and a great romance very hot!

Katee Robert has reclaimed her throne as the queen of a spicy retelling! Neon Gods gives you everything you have come to expect from the author - a story that grips you and steamy scenes that keep you wanting more and more. The narration was top notch and I hope that these narrators continue their roles in future installments I am looking very forward to more from this series.

This one didn't work for me, but it's almost entirely my own fault. I don't love these tropes - Hades/Persephone, "kidnap," grumpy/sunshine, working to maintain political power - but I do like Katee Robert so I wanted to give her a chance to convince me. In the end, turns out I still don't love Hades/Persephone romances.

This book felt shockingly slow for a Katee Robert novel, and all around seemed like a watered-down version of the visceral, dark, sexy Katee Robert I'm used to. I had a hard time tracking how this story and these political dynamics fit into the greater Katee Robert literary world, especially because she already has a hero named Hades operating in this world and there did seem to be some slight magical elements that I've never read before in her world.

As someone who knows a lot about Greek and Roman mythology, I had a really hard time tracking the family trees and the world building of Olympus. Katee Robert has absolutely all the right to switch things up to work for her and the stories she wants to tell, I just personally struggled with this aspect. I think this would work better for folks less into/aware of the specifics of the original mythology going in.

One thing that did really work for me though was the character of Hades, a grudging softie who is also somehow an alpha. He's the rare dominant hero who makes me feel safe while reading. He's unlike any hero I've ever read before. In contrast, however, Persephone felt flat to me as a character.

The audio is dual narration, and both narrators were strong and captivating. Both performed with a slight English accent, which is really compelling but is another factor that makes it hard to place in the Katee Robert world as the rest of her audios are all done in American accents.

All in all, this one just wasn't for me. However, even though this wasn't as steamy or intense as I expected, I still think Katee Robert is an erotic rock star and would definitely recommend this book to fans of both her and these tropes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

CW: on page violence, death of parents due to fire

I loved the contemporary retelling of Hades and Persephone by Katee Robert. She has a gift with the stories she writes. I did not want this book to end and it makes me anxious for the next release in the series. I absolutely loved Neon Gods!

The fact that Katee Robert was able to write two very different Hades stories and have them both be wildly entertaining is talent in and of itself! I now want to devour all things Persephones and Hades and I'm so excited for the rest of the Dark Olympus series. Neon Gods is HAWT (though I would expect nothing less from Mrs. Robert), the world and its politics are intriguing, and who would've thought a softie Dom of a Hades would be utter catnip! While I absolutely love this book and devoured it in a day, I do feel like after such delicious tension was built leading up to the ultimate showdown - when we actually got to the climax, it peaked and resolved rather quickly (and a bit too easily). That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to and reading Neon Gods (the narrators are superb as well) and can't wait for the rest of the series. 4.5 out of 5 wine glasses.