3.25/5 stars! This is the second book in the Love and Fate series by authors Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose. This is definitely not a standalone so make sure to pick up book 1 first. Persephone meant well but just was too dang ditzy for her own good. I'm not sure if this was intentional, as Persephone is historically thought to have been very innocent, but it lost me since she is the protagonist in this story. Hades, however, was everything! He saved this book for me.

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!

Beautiful world building. Hades and Persephone must find their way back to each other. But even after they do, their romance and lives will still face some conflict.

The Mistress & The Renowned by Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune is a dark and seductive Hades & Persephone retelling with rich world-building and intense chemistry. The writing is lush, and the characters have depth, though some moments feel a bit drawn out. The romance is compelling, but the pacing slows at times, making certain sections feel repetitive. Still, the story delivers passion, intrigue, and a fresh take on the myth. A solid 3.75 stars—engaging, steamy, and perfect for fans of dark romance retellings.

The Mistress & The Renowned by Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose takes everything you loved about the first book and cranks it up to a whole new level of intensity. This time, the stakes are higher, the tension is thicker, and the darkness? Oh, it’s way deeper. If you thought the first book was steamy, get ready for an emotional rollercoaster with way more angst, twists, and those delicious moments where you’re practically holding your breath in anticipation. It’s the kind of book that’ll keep you on your toes, pulling you into a world where every emotion feels amplified and every choice matters.
Things I loved:
• Canon Hades & Persephone moments—yes, please! There are some moments in this book that so wonderfully nod to the original myth, and as a lover of Greek mythology, I couldn’t get enough of these references. It was like getting a little wink from the authors to the fans who adore the classics.
• The tone of the book is much darker than the first one, and I’m here for it. There’s an added layer of tension and uncertainty that makes every moment feel more dangerous, more forbidden. This isn’t just a romance—there’s a definite undercurrent of mystery and peril that adds an edge to the story.
• Angst! If you’re like me and thrive on that heart-wrenching emotional conflict between characters, you’ll love this one. The drama, the longing, the push and pull between them… it’s everything I live for in a romance.
• Twists and turns galore. Just when you think you know where the story’s headed, it takes a sharp turn and pulls you into a whole new direction. I loved the unpredictability of it all!
Things I didn’t love:
• The plot felt a little iffy at times. It’s one of those stories where you’re so invested in the characters and the emotions that you don’t always mind, but if you really start to think about it, things don’t always make sense or stay consistent.
• Less smut than I was hoping for. There are some heated moments, but it didn’t feel quite as steamy as the first book. If you’re in it for the heat, you might find yourself craving more.
• The pacing was all over the place. One minute, things were moving at lightning speed, and the next, the story would slow down without much reason. It made it hard to get into a smooth rhythm, and at times, I found myself wishing for more consistency in the flow.
Overall, The Mistress & The Renowned is a darker, angstier, and more unpredictable read compared to the first book. While there are a few bumps in the plot and pacing, the intense emotions and the twists will keep you hooked. If you're a fan of Hades & Persephone retellings with a good dose of drama, angst, and that oh-so-sweet emotional turmoil, this one definitely hits the mark.

The Mistress & The Renowned is the highly anticipated second book in the Love and Fate series, and it does not disappoint. As someone who loves Hades and Persephone retellings, I was already hooked from the first book, and this continuation takes everything to the next level. The mythology and fantasy elements are woven seamlessly into the romance, offering a fresh twist on the classic tale.

The dual first-person POV really enhances the story, allowing readers to dive deep into the minds of both protagonists. This perspective adds an emotional depth to the characters' development, especially as they navigate complex relationships and their growing attraction.

Speaking of relationships, the spice level is definitely high in this book, with open-door scenes that turn up the heat without overshadowing the plot. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and their evolving dynamic is one of the highlights of the book.

The book isn't without its darker themes, including child abuse, manipulation, and intense moments of gore and violence. These trigger warnings are important to note, but they are handled with care in the context of the story. The stakes feel real, and the intensity of the narrative only adds to the compelling nature of the book.

However, be warned—this book ends on a cliffhanger that will leave you on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting the next installment. For fans of mythology, romance, and gripping plot twists, The Mistress & The Renowned is a must-read. The mix of fantasy, romance, and suspense makes this a standout in the genre.

I have loved the first novel and I had hoped that the second one is just as good as the first one.
With the way the first one ended on a cliffhanger aka bombshell, I knew I would be picking this up.
I was not expecting the direction the plot was going, while in the first, I was expecting it. In this one, I wasn’t.
I wished there were too much of the miscommunication with Persephone, it seems repetitive. Due to her own heartbreak, she didn’t want to communicate and so it dragged the story flow.
Feels like I was reading two ragging teenagers that needed discipline.

**An Exquisite Blend of Passion, Power, and Intrigue**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune deliver yet another unforgettable masterpiece with *The Mistress & The Renowned*. This novel is a captivating tale of forbidden desires, complex loyalties, and the intoxicating allure of power, all wrapped in a world as lush as it is dangerous.

The chemistry between the Mistress and the Renowned is absolutely magnetic. Their relationship crackles with tension, passion, and vulnerability, making every interaction compelling and meaningful. The authors have a gift for crafting layered, multidimensional characters who leap off the page and into your heart.

The plot is skillfully woven, balancing political intrigue, high-stakes drama, and moments of poignant intimacy. Each twist and revelation feels earned, keeping you on the edge of your seat while deepening your connection to the characters and their struggles.

What truly sets this novel apart is the world-building. Rose and Rune transport readers into a setting that feels both fantastical and deeply grounded, with intricate details that make every scene vivid and immersive. The themes of power, sacrifice, and love are explored with nuance, adding emotional depth to the story.

*The Mistress & The Renowned* is a triumph—a tale of passion and resilience that will captivate fans of romance, fantasy, and intrigue alike. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune have created a story that lingers in your mind long after the last page. Highly recommended!

The tragedy of Hades and Persephone is highlighted in this one. They never expected the cost of being together to be quite so high, but fate had other ideas.

[This is a combined series review for all three books.]

It took me forever and a day to read this series-- and I was mistaken. I wish I'd read this sooner. I really enjoyed this one!

Also, I apologize that my review references "The Other Series" so heavily, but it colored my reading experience with *this* series, and made it better in the end.

Unfortunately, before I started this series, I tried reading a *very popular trad series with a similar premise* that I ended up disliking so badly that book 1 was a DNF, It completely colored my experience with these specific elements. I did not want to try anything else. However, this series turned out to be everything I had wanted That Other Series to be, and nothing like what had disliked.

By contrasts, in this series the characters read adult and mature in their behavior-- so important to me as a reader! (And I don't mean spice-wise, though that was satisfying.) The premise felt believable and engaging enough that I was willing to "go with it". (Ancient gods, but modern world, often a hard sell for reader me.) The plot was intriguing and the way the various relationships developed kept me reading all the way through the three books. As I said before, I really enjoyed it, all of them. So to the authors a heartfelt *thank you* for giving back to this reader a little something that an unsatisfying book had taken away. <3

The last 15% of this book was pure action and I really enjoyed it! The beginning middle was a little slow to me and felt like a lot of back and forth between the main characters. But the ending hooked me back in.

This book was so completely different than the first book in this series, but I still really liked it. There was still smut, but it didn’t feel like that was the point with this one. It was really cool to see the Underworld and get introduced to more of the mythological characters in this world.

That cliffhanger ending has me wanting to jump into the next book immediately!

I did not finish this book - was not my kind of novel and therefore I do not feel comfortable Although I can appreciate the writing style and prose, I did not enjoy the characters nor the plot.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was everything I could want in a dark, mythological romance! Hades and Persephone’s story in The Mistress & The Renowned is seductive, intense, and filled with the kind of fiery chemistry that practically leaps off the page. The “fated mates” trope is executed flawlessly, making their connection feel deeply destined and magnetic. I loved how their dynamic is woven with elements like “you belong to me,” “morally gray characters,” and “forbidden love.” Each of these themes adds layers of tension and depth that make their relationship feel like a high-stakes game with eternity on the line.

The authors do a phenomenal job of balancing Hades’ tortured complexity with Persephone’s fierce determination, as she steps into her role as Queen of the Underworld. Their relationship crackles with a mix of loyalty and danger, especially as Persephone navigates her new power and responsibilities while trying to find Hades, who’s been taken from his domain. Their connection is beautifully dark and passionate, with Hades embodying the protective “touch her and die” trope that gives their love an extra layer of possessive intensity.

Beyond the romance, the plot is rich with twists and mystery, set against the atmospheric and lush backdrop of the Underworld. Every scene brims with a sense of destiny and ancient power, keeping me utterly captivated as Hades and Persephone confront not only external threats but also the shadows within themselves. The journey is a powerful blend of fantasy and romance that fans of mythological retellings will savor. This book is a dark, swoon-worthy escape into a world of gods, fate, and everlasting love that will leave readers breathless and eager for more.

This one was a little harder to get into.

Hades with this wishy washy teenage (honestly girl attitude, do you love me, will you stay) is a turn off. Persephone was a class A b, which like girl you do you but this was a little much.

Mellie, yes girl.

Will I read the last one? Yes.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my DRC.

Not as successful as the first book for me but I still thoroughly enjoyed getting back into this world and these characters. The book went in a different direction than I expected with the main characters being separated for a lot of the time but their individual journeys and development were really well handled so although I missed their chemistry together, I can't deny their characters were better developed and fuller by the time they came back together.

2.5 out of 5 - rounded up

Second installment in the series...definitely an improvement in writing, character development, etc. Way less smut to get through, and fewer art works to hide if reading in public (which I do not recommend). The first half of the novel does explore PTSD, but then the author kinda just has the characters get over it? There were some mysteries that were uncovered, but mostly just angst.

This is one of those series that you read purely for entertainment, but at this point I am not sure if I would bother reading the third and final installment? Most of my desire to read it is simply because it is the end of the trilogy, and I want to know how it ends, but it's not a strong enough of a pull to jump right in even though I have it downloaded on my kindle.

The writing is lush and evocative, drawing readers into a world where every glance and whisper carries weight. The chemistry between the leads is electric, creating a tension that keeps you turning the pages, such a great read

In this captivating fantasy romance, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.

The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.

The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.

Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

The Mistess and The Reowned is a great Hades and Persephone retelling. I am not one that usually likes cliff hangers but the way they write their stories!