I really really REALLY loved this. I loved the modern Hades/Persephone retelling. How the gods were the deities in real life, making the worldbuilding easier and more established off the bat. I love the writing; the prose was BEAUTIFUL and I caught myself multiple times noting a quote or metaphor that was worded perfectly. The characters were great; however, the side characters would have benefitted from more depth. Honestly that's my only issue with the book. While it is fast paced (which I love), I was left wanting MORE at the end. I need more backstories, more characterization, more TENSION and interacting. If this book had been longer with some more details, it would've been perfection (to me).

So much wow! This book is as gorgeous as its cover art. Eloquent and richly detailed writing that is thought-provoking and insightful. Vivid and evocative—sensuous.

The storyline is compelling, and the character-building is superb. The main character is refreshingly authentic—honest in her thoughts and emotions, in a way most people are too ashamed to voice.

Brutal. Tender. Honest. And studded with gems of wisdom. So good it made me giddy.

If you like a modern Hades & Persephone retelling, this is a good YA spin on the retelling. The FMC was developed well and I felt her anguish and betrayal thru the whole story. I know this was from her point of view and her story to tell, but I desperately wanted more of Hades written into the story, either his POV or just more of him. Well done, and definitely would recommend, fast read too.

I'm still struggling to put into words how I feel about this book. Am I glad I read the book? Yes. I feel like it took a good look at what betrayal can do to you. How it can foster anger and hate, especially when you never get a chance to get closure with a person. I thought bringing the Furies into the mix, especially, brought that to light. I also appreciate any Hades story that shows Hades as a victim of his circumstances; I have such a soft spot for unwilling villains. I liked how much research must have gone into the mythology behind the underworld and the players within; it felt like the author really knew what she was doing when she built her world.

What I didn't like about this book? It was billed as a Hades/Persephone retelling, but the interactions between the two were shallow and awkward insta-love with it trying not to look insta-love. It also felt like this part of the story was way overshadowed by her anger and her connections with the Furies. At 2/3 of the way through the story Corey had had at least twice as much time spent with Hermes as she had with Hades and she had only caught one quick look at Bree, making me think that it was going to be a Part 1 of 2. Instead the book felt long on the build-up, short on the release. Disappointing if the Hades/Persephone angle is what drew you into the story.

I don’t read a whole lot of YA anymore, but this one called to me. For one, the cover is GORGEOUS. I”m also not one to turn down a Hades and Persephone retelling. Without going into too much detail, because I don’t want to give anything away, this was one of the best YA novels I’ve read in a while. Absolutely would recommend!

The first half of this book was a bit hard to connect to because I intensely disliked the MC. Corey just struck a wrong note with me that I could not shake because the book was written from her POV. Her friendship with Bree if you could call it that was full of venom and deceit. I was expecting something else from the cover and synopsis, but that being said it was an interesting take on Hades and Persephone but not for me.

This was quite an enjoyable read for me and seeing how Corey develops as a character was interesting to follow. I wish we as the reader could see more of the friendship between Corey and Bree before things became rocky between them, but I completely understand why this wasn’t included by the author. Part of me found Corey’s decision to return to the Underworld so quickly surprising because of how much she wanted to return home throughout her time there, but I suppose that could just be because I wouldn’t have been one to make the same decision rather than on the story itself.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

When Corey finds out the two people closest to her have deceived her, it begins a slow-winding spiral she can’t escape. And when one of them passes away, Corey is torn between feeling glad they are gone and guilty over the feeling itself. Corey’s journey of discovery will take her into the realm of Hades as she comes to terms with her feelings and discovers what she truly desires.

Her Dark Wings creates a modern day society based around Greek mythology. Melinda Salisbury has carefully incorporated beliefs and culture into the island’s people, laying the foundations of Corey’s tale. When Corey is whisked away to the underworld, the imagery paints a vivid picture for readers to become immersed in. Her new surroundings force Corey to face the bitter truths.

The themes surrounding forgiveness and overcoming betrayal create an emotionally packed story. Corey is the type of character to form bonds quickly when shown kindness, even if there are red flags. This leads to a building of tension among the characters as Corey discovers their true intentions. And even though she understands the godly being she befriends cannot relate to her human life, she wants to connect with them on an emotional level. Corey's need for companionship will lead her down darker roads. Ones that threaten to change who she is at her very core.

Her Dark Wings is a modern retelling of Hades and Persephone with all the young adult emotion one could hope for. And while one of the catalysts of the story is a relationship gone wrong, the writing focuses on Corey's recovery and ability to move forward. The story isn’t afraid to explore the darker parts of our personalities, and the struggle it can be to forgive. This is a great entry into mythology retellings.

Hmmmmm I have mixed feelings. I think I'm confused about multiple things in this story considering it was marketed as a Hades and Persephone retelling.

The world-building was great but I feel like overall, something is missing. The characters seemed like they didn't know what to do. They all were pretty pointless and came across as filler characters with no emotional background or story. And as such, the whole book was slow in some areas because the characters were just there or nothing was happening.

Not a bad book, but just needed some more razzle dazzle in my opinion.

So, "Her Dark Wings" by Melinda Salisbury kicks off with a pretty solid vibe. No boredom or annoyance so far, and the descriptions hit that sweet spot—just enough without getting too wordy. Although, I have to admit, some descriptions got a bit weird and cliché at times.

Now, Corry, the main character, goes through some heavy stuff—betrayal, lies, trauma. She's allowed to feel everything she needs to, and I stand by that, but after a while, Corry becomes a tad too dramatic. Wishing death on someone and going into full fury mode seems a bit over the top, especially when there are way worse betrayals in history that could justify that level of anger. Near the end of the book, it made it sound like she didn't care anymore, but at the same time, she still did in a weird way.

The romance between Hades and Corey? There was zero chemistry; it just kind of happened out of nowhere. The only thing that pushed them together was their one kiss in the first few chapters of the book. I honestly started shipping Alecto and Corey instead, thanks to their first interactions having so much more to them than a literal kiss between Corey and Hades. But hey, the ending gets a thumbs-up for tying things up alright. Although I kind of wanted more details on what Corey becomes, The last problem I had with the book was that it's not exactly a Greek myth retelling, which irks me a bit. Plus, where the heck is Persephone? I love the original myths around Persephone, Hades, Zeus, and Demeter. I personally didn't like how it was just overwritten.

Despite all that, it's a satisfying read in the end. So, if you're cool with a few quirks and don't mind some mythological detours, it's worth checking out.

DNF @27%
I can’t get behind this one. I was so excited to read this, I love Hades and Persephone retellings. From the cover to synopsis, I thought this was going to be an epic and beautifully written story that would possibly become a favorite of mine. This one is far from it.
One thing I was not expecting was the writing and the time period this story is told in. I was hoping this would be more fantastical but it was modern. The modernism really threw me off. Especially with how the story tries to weave Greek mythology into a story that sounds juvenile. Corey was already starting to be an annoying character within the first chapter and once I realized that I knew I wouldn’t get far into this book.
I’m very sad that I didn’t love this book. Maybe I didn’t give it a fair chance. But I can’t force myself to read it when I’m already bored and annoyed.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I really enjoyed this book. In a time where Hades & Persephone retellings are around every corner, this one still makes its own path and stands out. It did read to me like younger YA, but I still enjoyed it. A formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

5 🌟

I am a sucker for a fiction Greek mythology storyline and this story left nothing to be desired unless you’re hoping for a bit more romance.

The sweet friendship between Bree and Corey is one that takes you back to middle/high school. It’s such a relatable friendship, but it also is accompanied by that first sting of betrayal. That trust that you assumed would be permanent turns into the shattered remains of something that isn’t familiar.

I enjoyed the underworld journey with Hermes, hades and the furies. It took you on a journey to realize that “home” may continue to look different as you mature and grow and reminds you to stop and smell the roses of what each “home” looks feels and smells like as you just never know when it’ll be your last day.

There was a passage in the book that said something along the lines you don’t just have to align yourself with one identity, you can be a multitude of identities existing synonymously.

Such a good book! I would definitely recommend this to all of my YA loving mythology enthusiasts.

This was an enjoyable YA Persephone and Hades retelling. It is different from the other retelling that I read in the reason year. This story follows Corey, the FMC, on how she deals with the betrayal by her ex-best friend and boyfriends and the mix of emotion that came out of that such as anger and guilt. There were many parts of this story which I really liked, like when Corey was in the Underworld. I also like that we saw how Corey grew up at the end and finally was able to move on from the hurt she felt by her friends betrayal. However, there were also part of the story that just felt flat to me like the relationship between Corey and Hades. I liked that he cared about her but that was it, the relationship just felt more like a friendship and nothing more than that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Her Dark Wings offers a captivating twist on the classic tale of Persephone in a young adult retelling that breathes new life into Greek mythology. The novel skillfully weaves a modern and unique narrative, inviting readers into a world where ancient myths seamlessly meld with contemporary elements. The protagonist's journey is both compelling and relatable, as she navigates the complexities of love, identity, and power. The author's imaginative take on the familiar storyline, coupled with well-developed characters, creates an engaging reading experience. If you're a fan of Greek mythology with a penchant for fresh perspectives and a touch of the contemporary, Her Dark Wings is a compelling choice that will leave you eagerly turning the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

“Her Dark Wings” by Melinda Salisbury was an unexpected story that I couldn’t put down. Described as a reimagining of the Persephone myth, I had a good idea plot-wise what I was getting into, but I was surprised by what the author threw at me throughout the book.

Corey is flawed but a likable and relatable character. When she is grieving the loss of her best friend, the author did a great job describing that intense storm of emotions. The teenage angst and drama were amped up throughout the book, making it seem like a dark soap opera at times but very fitting for the targeted audience.

When Corey goes to the Underworld, I was confused at times by what was going on and why certain well-known Greek mythology characters were acting so strangely. Looking back, I think it was possibly because the characters were rewritten as teens, so they didn’t seem as bold, serious, or even scary. I was really annoyed by Hades to be honest. Without spoiling anything, I was expecting him to be completely different and was frequently irritated by his interactions – or maybe lack of – with Corey.

Overall, this book was fast paced, explored deep feelings of betrayal, sadness and anger, and had a moral of what shocking things can happen if you let anger control you. Any teen or young adult who enjoys darker reads with a Greek mythology twist will enjoy this book!

Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

This is the type of book I should have probably read the synopsis for before diving in, because I spent so much of the book wondering what the point of the story was, or what we would work up to. I thought maybe the MC would try to save her friend, or keep the world from going into ruin, or....I don't know. I finished the book and I am still not sure I know what the purpose was. But also, maybe there will be a sequel?

I like the Greek Mythology bits. I thought Hades would pop in and be a love interest, but he's just kind of there and serves no real purpose. We see more of the Furies, which are cool, but are also insane and definitely want to keep the MC for themselves.

The pacing of this book felt a little off. I feel like it dragged more often than not, and there is not a lot that actually happened. The main character fell into the Underworld, tried to find a way to live there, found out some things about herself, then BOOM final act. I guess I was expecting some higher stakes or more action, but this book kind of fell short for me.

Let us talk about the main conflict in this book too: the main character was cheated on, the boyfriend slept with her best friend. In a way, this book felt super young adult-ish because the main conflict was that betrayal and hatred, and nobody ever really moved past that. The girl even does eventually explain herself, but it is glossed over so quickly before the next act that it really lacked a punch. I feel no sympathy for her, and it was not enough of an apology to feel like anyone can move on.

Overall, I was pulled in by the premise of this story when I first requested it, but in the end I am left feeling like I wanted more. This was not a bad book by any means, it just wasn't right for me. I think the conflict being different could have added some more enjoyment for me, and I just wish there was more action overall. The Greek Mythology bits were interesting, and I liked the world building this author did. If you enjoy young adult fantasy with Greek Mythology in it, then this one is for you!

Content warnings: death, child death, infidelity, toxic relationship, confinement, emotional abuse, gaslighting, infidelity, violence, kidnapping

I think this book didn't work for me because I'm not a teenager which is totally valid because I think the audience it is intended for will really have fun with this book and connect with it so my criticisms and lack of enjoyment mean almost nothing. The characters behave like teenagers and I found the main character really frustrating in that regard but I think I would have really connected with her anger when I was a teenager. The world is a little confusing but I actually found the connections of this Island with Greek gods and mythology super interesting even if it isn't explained that much. I know this is a retelling of the Persephone myth and I definitely got a lot of those connections and actually enjoyed that it is about Persephone herself and not Hades and Persephone as a duo as if her story is only interesting when linked with him. Hades is there but the relationship between the two of them is not the point or focus and is really only in the earliest stages of becoming anything by the end. It was definitely a fast paced read, I just didn't ultimately love it and found it a little shallow for my boring old adult interests but I bet it will be great for actual teens as intended.

Her Dark Wings is a YA modern retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth. A myth which is quite popular right now and has been retold several times recently.
Corey was best friends with Bree since 4 years old until Bree stole Corey’s boyfriend Ali. Now publicly dumped by both her bestie and her boyfriend, Corey is filled with rage and the only thing that comforts her is working in her garden. At a local party near a lake she gets to kiss a new boy (hoping her ex sees her and gets jealous) and then mysteriously Bree dies a few minutes later.
Forsaking going to the funeral services, Corey instead goes to the outskirts of town and watches Bree being taken to the Underworld and confronted by Hades. Eventually Corey falls into the Underworld and is embraced by the three Furies who punish the dead. Corey must decide if her true home is with her family above or below in the Underworld where she now has the power to bring new life where there once was none.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest review. I’m giving this book 3 stars because while I enjoyed it, it was just Ok.
Corey was an ok main character but there was nothing special about her. Her relationship to the Furies was also just ok. There was no emotional depth to these interactions and no real sense of emotional attachment between any of the characters much less myself the reader to the characters. Almost no time was spent developing the relationship between Corey and Hades and in the end the resolution was pretty much fine but again nothing special. This book was ok as a quick read but ultimately not one I will rave about or highly suggest on social media. If you are looking for a time filler this would be it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! This version of Greek mythology takes a little YA twist. Instead of the usual Mount Olympus setting, this one takes place in the underworld. And maybe everyone that lives there is more interesting than you previously believed…
Hades is even kinda cute.
Fingers crossed for a sequel!