I read Crystal King's Feast of Sorrow a number of years ago and highly enjoyed it, so I was really excited to have another opportunity to read her work! In the Garden of Monsters has Greek mythology, art, plenty of food, and Salvador Dalí himself--what else could you ask for? This was such an incredibly creative and fascinating read. I was so impressed by how King mixed Hades and Persephone with Dali, and found myself hooked on each page. I was also thrilled to see that the incredibly detailed and abundant descriptions of food that I so enjoyed in Feast of Sorrow were also present in this book. It added such vibrancy and detail to this world and the writing. This was truly a unique experience and a book I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read!

Listen, I'm admittedly very critical when it comes to any kind of retelling of Persephone and Hades (or Proserpina and Pluto, in this case). I usually don't like to read them anymore because they tend to all do the same things, and I don't like these things. That the relationship between Hades and Persephone is now somehow being hailed as one of the greatest and most misunderstood romances of Greek mythology speaks volumes in itself, and my eyes start twitching whenever I read another vilified version of Demeter. Which is a long-winded way of saying I only requested this arc despite it being another Persephone/Hades romance retelling because the rest of its description rocked. 1940's Italy, Sacro Bosco, Dalí, gothic horror vibes, and all of that somehow intertwined with Greek mythology? Sounds amazing.

And "In the Garden of Monsters" does manage some amazing things. It took me a while to get into the book because the writing is, at times and especially during the first about 20%, a little choppy. But once the strange things really start happening the vibes are immaculate. I loved the vivid descriptions of food and the writing and pacing improved towards the later chapters.

Julia is a bit of a boring protagonist, to be honest, because most things are simply happening to her and she rarely takes agency in her own story, but the mystery surrounding her and the way her possible connections to Proserpina are revealed is well done and intriguing. Dalí is the most interesting character in all this because Crystal King never shies away from showing just why he's such a controversial figure in the art world and I did kind of want to punch him in the face every two pages or so. I was a bit surprised as to why King chose to portray his wife the way she did, because Gala just comes off as a really one-dimensional Slutty Evil Bitch who only ever uses men and hates other women while her husband is allowed to have complexities despite, you know, being an admirer of facsism and all that.
I also wasn't a fan of the way the central romance unfolds, mostly because there is zero chemistry and Ignazio really is just completely boring when he shouldn't be.
And then there is the, let's call it interesting choice regarding Demeter/Ceres that I guess some might enjoy for the sheer surprise factor but I didn't like at all because the mother/daughter relationship between Demeter and Persephone/Ceres and Proserpina is just very important to me. But as the author herself said in her author's note - why did she do it? Because why not. I just did not get that choice because narratively it added nothing worthwhile.
Also, why does Jack exist in this book? We just don't know, but he's creepy and the "love triangle" is just bad. Would have loved to read more about Lillian instead.

So in the end, this book earned its 2,5 stars (rounded up) from me because of the vibes, the way the mystery unfolds and the great setting. I had fun despite my gripes with it, and at least it did something different with the myth, even if I didn't enjoy those differences.

A Greek mythology retelling with a contemporary Gothic twist! It's truly hard for me to put into words what reading In The Garden Of Monsters was like for me. It's definitely a unique take on the original myth and characters. And the good descriptions were incredible!

I'm not gonna lie this book was so weird... But like... Not in a bad way? I liked the mysterious (almost ominous) vibes with the FMC not knowing who she is and this man maybe knowing more about her than you think? Again, it was weird but also kinda dark and sexy feeling. Is this making sense? Probably not. Point is I DID like it.

Amnesiac Julia Lombardi has an exciting new job modeling for Salvador Dali in Italy's famed Garden of Monsters. She will be posing as Persephone, goddess of the Underworld.

It isn't long before her dream assignment turns into something macabre. Julia finds herself haunted by ghosts and plagued by nightmares. She also finds herself simultaneously drawn to and afraid of their host, an enigmatic man named Ignazio. As the week goes on, Julia starts to question her sanity. Is what she's seeing real? Why are the ghosts warning her away? What is the green light calling to her in the garden. The biggest question of all? Could she be the reincarnation of Persephone?

King does a marvelous job of capturing the garden's dark and gloomy appeal. She paints a picture filled with frightening statues and mysterious - okay, creepy - people. The author in me appreciated how she mimicked Dali's surreal painting style with surreal prose. Scenes began one way and quickly morphed into something else. Time bent. People's behavior shifted one way and then the other. It was very well done.

Then there was the Dalis themselves. Dali is an over-the-top narcissist and his wife a jealous, licentious shrew. I'm glad I didn't know them. But as well as the Dalis were drawn, they exemplified my problem with the book. I had difficulty rooting for any of the characters.

My other issue is that there's a very modern vibe to the story even though it's set in 1945. Everyone is very comfortable and casual with sex. I know, I know, it's the art world, and artists were known for their bohemianism. But even the non-artist character displayed that modern attitude. I'm not a prude but it felt off for the time period.

I should also point out that I'm not a foodie. King's trademark is to include vivid descriptions of meals. In this case, they play an important role in the story, but I found myself skimming over the menu towards the end of the book. However, this is a personal piccadello and shouldn't steer people away from the story.

Overall, I would call this book the perfect gothic read for people who love a dash of horror with their mythology. 3 3/4 stars. (Damn I wish I could do partial ratings.).

Thanks Netgalley for the advanced read in exchange for this honest review.

This is not your average greek retelling! This Hades and Persephone retelling will keeping you intrigued with the added character of Salvator Dali. What a great retelling, I enjoyed this so much!

A very interesting twist on the Hades and Persephone story set in Italy involving the famous painter Dali and the woman who poses for his portrait of Persephone. Perfect for fans of Mythological fiction retellings and authors like Jennifer Saint. This was entertaining, compelling and intelligently written. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Let me start by saying the blurb for In the Garden of Monsters doesn’t do it justice. This book goes far beyond what you expect, pulling you into a story that’s completely immersive from the very first page. The writing is exquisite—rich and vivid in a way that makes the world come alive around you.

We all know the myth of Proserpina, or at least we think we do. But in this retelling, Crystal King gives us something entirely new. Proserpina isn’t just a passive figure or a symbol of the seasons. Instead, she’s a fully realized character whose journey is filled with intrigue, moral ambiguity, and raw emotion. It’s a fresh take on a story that’s been told a thousand times, but never quite like this.

One of the things I loved most was how the author challenges everything we think we know about mythology and history. This isn’t just a rehash of old ideas—it’s a story that digs deep into themes of power, choice, and identity, making you rethink the very foundation of the myth itself. That’s what makes reimaginings like this so compelling—authors find inventive and unexpected ways to breathe new life into stories we think we’ve already figured out.

And I have to mention the twist at the end. It's Cere's like never before, seen in surprisingly new light. It left me in awe of Crystal King's writing.

If you’re a fan of mythological retellings, especially ones that subvert expectations, In the Garden of Monsters is an absolute must-read. It’s a brilliant reimagining of a timeless story, with writing that pulls you in and a narrative that keeps you guessing. I couldn’t recommend it more.

I went into In The Garden of Monsters fully expecting this atmospheric fantasy, and that is very well my own fault, as that's what I was in the mood for when I started this. While it certainly has fantasy aspects to it, it's essentially a retelling of the Persephone and Hades myth. It's definitely more in the line with historical fiction.

I did like the story, but there were points where I felt like I was struggling through it. Myth retellings are not my favorite thing to read, so I struggled with this. With that said, it's still a good read, and those who like myth retellings will most definitely enjoy it.

Thank you HTP and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.5/5 stars

My mind is still RACING thinking about everything I just read!
This story mixes the history of Salvador Dali and the love story of Hades and Persephone. The pacing of the story is similar to a thriller where you just want to keep turning pages. I didn't put this book down and read it in under 6hrs. I loved how the meals served followed the journey the characters were on. The attention to detail in each dish was EVERYTHING! Do not read this book on an empty stomach and keep a snack ready at your side!
I have been fortunate enough to visit the actual Monster Garden in Italy and the description of all the statues and landmarks is impeccable and brought everything back to life in my mind from my last visit. A must see if you are ever in Rome.

An eerie historical fiction retelling of the Persephone (Proserpina) and Hades (Pluto) myth. This was a unique twist on the original story filled with a gothic atmosphere which pulled me in from the first page until the last. It is filled with over the top personalities such as Salvador Dalí and his wife, Gala Dalí, delicious descriptions of food, and art. The Sacro Bosco, Italy’s Garden of Monsters is an intriguing setting for such a story, which adds to the thrilling and mysterious mood of the tale. A perfectly haunting novel, for this time of year. I highly recommend it.

The premise of this book was very promising, but I didn't enjoy it. Julia's character was irritating at times, the plot was very repetitive, and the dialogue was overdramatic. The narration style was also very modern and didn't fit into the 1940s-50s setting that was initially introduced. I did enjoy the influence of Gothic literature and art history, and the author's love for Italian food and culture was evident in her writing.
While this ended up not being for me, I did like the premise and some of the writing was very lovely and atmospheric. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the eARC!

I absolutely loved this book! As a person who loves mythology, this was a quick and easy read for me. It was super fun, magical, and eery. This book will keep you hooked the whole time!
This retelling was unique and fun. I overall think that if you like greek mythology and a hint of magic and mystery, you should definitely read this!

We meet Julia and her roommate in Rome, as she is preparing to leave for a trip. She has booked a week as a model for Salvador Dalí, and will be traveling to another part of Italy to work with him. She is an artist herself, and hopes to learn something from the maestro while there.

As soon as she arrives at Bomarzo, though, she feels that it’s haunted. There is a castle, where the entire Dalí entourage is staying, and the surrounding gardens, which are full of cryptic statues. (I utilized the internet often to help visualize the gardens, which still stand today. Start here.) The group spends most of their daylight hours in the gardens, which is where Dalí plans on making several paintings and sketches of Julia as Proserpina – the Roman name for Persephone.

We learn that there have been several women named Julia – or Giulia – at the estate before. And some may even be buried on the property.

Aside from all the big personalities, surrealist settings, and possible ghosts – I have to say that food might be the biggest star of this book. I normally wouldn’t call something “food porn” that wasn’t even a cookbook, but every meal while in Bomarzo is an elaborate, multi-course affair. And as the story continues, Julia begins to think that eating pomegranate seeds will eventually lead to her death… so each meal also comes with high stakes.

And of course, as she is supposed to be Persephone… Dalí becomes equally obsessed with making sure she is around pomegranates all the time.

We also must talk about the character of Ignazio, who is the host at the property. Julia feels both drawn to him and terrified of him the entire time she’s in Bomarzo. This thread of the story intrigued me at first, but just became repetitive after a while. This leads me to the ending…

The action becomes climactic on what should be the group’s last night in the castle… a raging snow storm, the statues chasing people, and more. Finally, the next day, Julia puts together the pieces of the puzzle, and we are brought to the full explanation. This part comes with only pages left of the book, though, and that is my only real gripe. A lot of the pieces are ones the reader could already at least “sort of” put together, so not revealing them for so long felt like we were just stalling. (I felt this the strongest in Julia’s interactions with Ignazio, as mentioned above.)

Overall, this was a fun, trippy read. I mean, you’d expect trippy with Salvador Dalí’s involvement, right? The setting was so interesting, the food was over the top, and the mythological elements were definitely a bonus (even if they were only hinted at until the end).

Sexy, creepy, delicious

This book will either have you craving pomegranates or swearing them off altogether

While you don’t need to be an expert on Greek Mythology to appreciate this story, I did find it helpful to have a cursory knowledge of Hades and Persephone going into this retelling.

Overall and atmospheric and enchanting read, I definitely recommend picking it up!

Perfect for fans of Circe and any Greek mythology retellings. This one was fun. I really enjoyed this retelling it was quick and unique.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, all opinions are my own.

This follows Julia, a model and artist, who has been selected as a muse for Salvador Dalí's latest set of paintings inspired by the goddess Proserpina. She is whisked off to the Sacro Bosco, also known as the Garden of Monsters, where she feels a connection unlike anything she has known before. You see Julia cannot remember her past or how she came to be in Rome. Once they arrive at the Garden, Julia is not only drawn to the place but their host Ignazio and his dark and alluring presence. Her stay at the palazzo is filled with strange encounters and dreams that she can't explain. Dalí insists she act the part of Proserpina for her entire stay and eat pomegranate seeds at each meal, yet something is trying tell her not to. The conditions prove difficult but Julia needs the money she is promised for the job, and something is compelling her to stay. She is determined to unlock her memories and the mysteries of the garden before she loses her sanity.

This was a really interesting retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone or in this case it steers more to the Roman version of Pluto and Proserpina. You can tell that the author put her time and care into the research of this book when it came to the Garden. She weaves actual events from its creation by Vicini for his wife into the story as well as Dalí's visit in the late 40s into the story while creating a unique retelling. I think she did a wonderful job describing the Garden, the palazzo, and the food which played a large part in the book. I love a well researched book and really appreciate that she paid homage to Dalí's love of food and tried to stay true to what Dalí and Gala's personalities and relationship were like while telling Julia's story.

I did find this to be a bit slow paced for my personal taste, however I did switch over to the audiobook on release day and that really helped me with the pacing issue. I don't think it was an issue with the plot, the book is very detailed and descriptive which sometimes slows things down for me in print. The narrator is wonderful and does different accents for all of the characters. I highly recommend the audio.

If you like Greek/Roman mythology retellings, this has an unexpected twist with great world building and some very interesting characters. The real world historical elements mixed with the fantastical made for a compelling read. I've added the Garden of Monsters to my list of places I want to go visit one day.

An immersive retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone that weaves together Salvador Dali, delicious food, Italy, and a mysterious garden - a unique and can't-put-downable read!

What a gorgeous and Gothic like take on Hades and Persephone. There was such an edge to the writing that, at times, had me gasping like I was turning the pages of a thriller. There is definitely darkness to this retelling. The scorned lover. Ceres. Demeter. Instead of a mother as we knew her. Loved the Italian setting. All the intricate foods. The garden of monsters. This was pretty perfect.
I wish we'd seen more of Ignazio. I wanted to read Hades off of his character and I didn't quite get that.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
What a ride! I love mythology and retellings and this one was so unique. I’m a sucker for a Persephone retelling and this did not disappoint. I loved the imagery, the Italian elements, and the beautiful writing. This book left me on the edge of my seat and truly spooked me at times. There were a lot of twists and I did not know at times who to trust. This would be a great spooky season read.