3.5/5 stars. Another wonderful Hades and Persephone retelling. I really enjoyed getting to know them through this lens. I'm a fan of a good miscommunication trope if done properly. I will say the miscommunication trope in this story was rather drawn out, but I'm hopeful that sequels will handle this better. I did love what a simp Hades was for his queen Persephone. Excited to see what comes next.

this book was fun and kept me reading cause i was entertained enough but unfortunately was lacking for me in many areas. the mythology was so off and now just because of the contemporary aspects of the book. hades & persephone felt too immature, things happened too quickly with magic & plot, and the writing felt like it was flip flopping in style. i loved the mentions of hades signed epic fantasies. the man has taste, but of course. i would have liked a bit more plot & spice balance but that’s just me.

thank you netgalley for the arc!

I think I am done with Hades and Perssephone's retellimgs/stories. There are just too many of them out there and most of them are not that good. It's getting repetitive. This one was no other. Too spicy and barely any plot (I like a good balance of plot and spice in books and when I miss it, this is a fail for me).

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE retellings but they need to be GOOD. I wanted to love it but oh well....

Hades and Persephone retellings are probably my favorite to be retold. This one was good. There was something about this series that fell a little flat to me.. I can’t quite put my finger on what makes this series a 4 star for me and not a 5 star. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Overall I’m glad I read it! (This was probably my least favorite of the trio but still good!)

This was my first ever Hades x Persephone retelling, and it was a good one! Set in the modern world, we get to see that twist on the relationship between Hades and Persephone. Secrets are kept, two are fated, two are meant for the throne.

This was heavy on the spice and lighter on the plot but honestly, I don't care. It was fun and engaging. It reeled me in enough to where I'm looking forward to continuing the series vs. how I normally feel when reading a duet/trilogy that features the same main couple throughout. Persephone is highly hypocritical and Hades a touch too insecure, but I think that's what makes it more exciting, wanting to get to the next book to see how this develops over time.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC!

DNF at 23%

Honestly this is a soft DNF. I might come back to it in a couple months or even a year but at this point the story wasn’t really doing it for me. Could also be that I’ve read other Persephone x Hades books that I felt didn’t read so contrite.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to finish this book before it expired due to timing and life circumstances. I plan to pick it up on Kindle in the future and will leave a full review then. Thank you for the opportunity!

I really wanted to like this one because I love a good Hades and Persephone story but this was not a good one. It was just plain frustrating. The lack of communication on Hades part was the most frustrating bit but all the longing also did the story no favors.

This is a dark and intriguing Hades & Persephone retelling with a fresh twist. The world-building is immersive, and the chemistry between the main characters is intense. While the romance is captivating, some parts of the plot feel rushed or underdeveloped. The writing is engaging, but it occasionally leans too heavily on familiar tropes. A solid 3.5 stars entertaining, atmospheric, and a good read for mythology lovers.

I own this and intend to read it in the future I'm just clearing this off my board to reduce stress. I will update when I read/review.

such a good read 10 our 10 must read great characters and plot, really enjoyed the flow of this book. really should read this book!!!!!!

I loved! Never say no to a Hades x Persephone and I was not disappointed by this one! So excited to read the rest of the series!

Greek Mythology has been one of my interests since I was a kid, so I have been loving the rise in popularity of Greek Mythology retellings. Hades and Persephone are a particular favorite, and I was hoping this book would offer something different from the numerous Hades & Persephone rwtellings that saturate the genre.

Unfortunately, the book did not deliver on that front for me. It isn't so terrible that I chorister l couldn't finish the book, but it just lacked the right balance between plot, character development, world-building, and spicy scenes. I have read many of the popular Romantasy novels that have high levels of spice, but the ones that I have enjoyed had plenty of plot that kept me invested in the characters and story. This did not keep me invested, and I found myself rushing through many of the spicy scenes to get to the plot-related sections. They were just too few for me to rate this book higher.

Again, this is not coming from someone who only reads or prefers "no spice" books at all. I just need to have an engaging and interesting plot to go along with it.

I was so excited to pick this up! Hades and Persephone retellings are among some of my favorite retellings. There's so much of Hades that can be tapped into as a character that he often is giving me the vibes I want in a love interest in this type of retelling. In this case, he is the definition of a shadow daddy and that was honestly the best part of this romance. This was a good book. It isn't a new favorite by any means, but I did find it to be compulsively readable and an easy read to get through.

Unfortunately, for me, I though that the plot felt a little flat and was replaced with a ton of spicy times. Now, I read a lot of romance with varying levels of spice. I'm no stranger to spice. In this case, it felt like the spice could've happen for most of the scenes without impacting the plot. There were a few scenes that I felt were appropriately placed and necessary to the plot. Spice doesn't always need to advance the plot. But in this case I felt that it lacked a balance between the two and that there were rushed plot points, especially toward the end.

Because of some of this, and I was expecting to love this, it was disappointing. I am very intrigued to continue the series though, so I know that I'll pick up the next installment and see what happens.

**A Mesmerizing Tale of Forbidden Love and Enchanting Mysteries**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune have outdone themselves with *The Maiden & The Unseen*, a spellbinding novel that masterfully weaves romance, fantasy, and mystery into a story that captures your heart and imagination. This book is a breathtaking journey into a world brimming with danger, desire, and secrets.

The writing is lush and lyrical, painting vivid imagery that immerses you in the novel’s richly crafted setting. From shadowy realms to dazzling courts, every scene feels alive, pulling you deeper into the magical and mysterious world the authors have created.

The characters are unforgettable, especially the maiden and the enigmatic Unseen. Their relationship is a beautifully crafted dance of yearning, trust, and defiance, filled with moments of intense emotion and electric chemistry. Their journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about their forbidden connection, making the story resonate on a deeply human level.

The plot is perfectly paced, blending heart-pounding action with quiet, introspective moments that allow the characters to shine. Twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, and the tension between love and duty adds an emotional weight that lingers long after the final page.

*The Maiden & The Unseen* is an enchanting masterpiece that will appeal to fans of fantasy romance and anyone who loves a story that feels both magical and deeply personal. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune have delivered a must-read novel that will leave you yearning for more. Absolutely phenomenal!

I truly enjoy a mythology retelling, especially when they surround Hades and Persephone, so I was excited when I received this book to review. Unfortunately the story did not live up to the premise. There was a lot of smut, which isn't a problem, except there seemed to be little story-building between. Both main characters came across as slightly annoying, not enough to make you absolutely hate them, but enough to make this a less than enjoyable read. I think that, with a bit more work and substance, this book and premise could be wonderful, it just needed something a little extra.

This book is amazing for mythology
Hades and Persephone are living among mortals, navigating the challenges of their new lives. But fate has other plans, and their destinies are intertwined in ways they never expected. 💕
Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune's writing is like a magical journey through time, filled with romance and adventure. Hades and Persephone's story is all about love, destiny, and embracing the unknown. The book also delves into themes of identity and transformation.

The Maiden & The Unseen offers a unique take on the Hades and Persephone myth, blending humor, romance, and plenty of smut with a moderate plot. Persephone grows into her confidence, while Hades is the powerful, mysterious MMC we crave. Zeus is portrayed as a figurehead, with Hades pulling the strings behind the Olympians, and Persephone is refreshingly depicted as a brunette. The supporting characters add depth, though some interesting ones disappear without explanation.

However, the story leans too heavily on the physical side of the relationship, instead of making the plot more fleshed out. Regardless, it's an overall enjoyable and light read, one I'd recommend if you like romance and fantasy.

eARC was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely love this retelling of Hades and Persephone. When the gods are allowed to mingle with humans, Hades finds himself in charge of them somehow. Persephone has been in the human realm already too, and they've both got quite an adventure coming for them.