“She and Hades were akin, seeking for heart’s ease in any wretched little way they could, pitiful in their desperation to be loved by one who wanted only to flee their grasp and return to a better life.”

Seeds is a stunning retelling of Hades and Persephone myth with a bigger focus on mother and daughter relationship between Persephone and Demeter. I devoured this book in less than a day. I found the writing to be engaging, the pace slow but appropriate, with a lyrical and almost poetic tone. I loved this book so much that I will be purchasing a physical copy!

The story is vulnerable and full of heart, yet it also explores trauma, betrayal, isolation and familial abuse. I found myself drawn to the evolving bond between Hades and Persephone, and how they ultimately helped heal each other. What stood out to me the most was the commitment to the myth: Persephone was absolutely terrified of Hades, desperate to escape him at every turn, even cunning at times with her plans. And whilst Hades, by nature, is a cold and dangerous God of the Underworld, he is also shown with remarkable vulnerability, patience and a gentleness.

I particularly appreciated the growth and change in Hades. There were times when Hades was clearly frustrated with Persephone’s stubbornness, because he couldn’t comprehend why she would reject the love he offered, after she experienced pain and coldness from Demeter. One of the most satisfying parts of the story was when he showed remorse for losing control and realised he could never have her love at the cost of her freedom. In an age where this myth is so highly sexualised and a central point for many dark romance novels, it was a breath of fresh air to see their love develop through a slow burn, where actions mattered more than passion with mutual trust and consent being at the height of it all.

Demeter, often forgotten in this myth, was given a compelling voice in Seeds. Her perspective revealed deep anger, grief and desperation of a mother determined to have her child back, causing great destruction along the way. I particularly enjoyed how Demeter’s storyline connected with other Olympian gods like Zeus, Hera and Hecate. This added some flair and further tension, amidst all the divine politics of the pantheon.

Where Persephone has grown to become an independent, confident and strong woman, Demeter didn’t change much at all until it was too late. She became the classic example of you only treasure what you have lost. The irony that Demeter’s love of Persephone caused death but Persephone’s love of Hades resulted in life and growth was a great metaphor. Their relationship was messy, complex and painful, but fascinating nevertheless.

Overall, Seeds is a heartfelt retelling that will stay with me for a long time and I cannot recommend this strongly enough.

I just finished Seeds and I’m honestly still thinking about it. Persephone’s journey is both heartbreaking and empowering—Paxton does an incredible job of showing how a young woman struggles to reclaim her identity while grappling with the trauma and control of her mother. The way the story blends the classical myth with a modern, emotional lens makes it feel fresh, yet timeless. Hades is portrayed with layers, not just as a villain, which made the romance feel complicated and real rather than simplistic. I also appreciated the depth given to Demeter—she’s bitter and controlling, but you can see the reasons behind her actions, which adds nuance to the conflict. The pacing is excellent: the story balances tension, world-building, and character development without ever feeling rushed. By the end, the themes of love, resentment, and the complicated bonds between parents and children linger long after the last page. It’s a beautifully written, immersive retelling that I’d recommend to anyone who loves mythology, romance, and emotionally rich storytelling.

I can't thank enough Netgalley and the publishers for granting me this ARC of this book!

Seeds by Angie Paxton is a breathtaking retelling of the Persephone myth that lingers in both heart and mind long after the final page. What makes this novel extraordinary is not just its foundation in Greek mythology, but the way Paxton breathes emotional realism into a story that is often simplified in other retellings. At its core, Seeds is an exploration of growth, trauma, and resilience, all encapsulated in the relationship between Persephone (Kore) and her mother, Demeter.

The mother-daughter dynamic is one of the strongest aspects of the book. Paxton portrays Demeter not simply as the protective goddess we know from myth, but as a complex, often controlling mother whose resentment and demands weigh heavily on Kore. This portrayal adds a psychological dimension to the myth, showing how parental expectations can stifle identity and growth. I found this angle both refreshing and heartbreaking, because it highlights how love can become suffocating when it is laced with fear, bitterness, or unacknowledged pain. Kore’s evolution into Persephone—learning to recognize her own worth, even in the face of her mother’s overbearing shadow—felt incredibly powerful and deeply moving.

Hades, too, is written with surprising tenderness. Instead of the flat, menacing archetype he is often reduced to, Paxton paints him as a lonely, awkward figure whose vulnerability makes his relationship with Persephone believable and genuinely affecting. Their bond grows slowly, rooted in honesty and companionship rather than sheer force, which makes her abduction into the Underworld all the more complicated and thought-provoking. Through this, the novel doesn’t just retell the myth—it interrogates it, giving depth and agency to a story that is often told from a distance.

Beyond its characters, the prose itself is lyrical and absorbing. Paxton writes with a rhythm that mirrors the very metaphor at the heart of the novel: seeds planted in darkness, slowly growing into something new. The pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to reflect and immerse themselves in the emotional stakes, but it never loses momentum. Scenes of grief, anger, and tenderness flow together seamlessly, creating a narrative that feels both timeless and fresh.

Ultimately, Seeds is not only a mythological retelling but also a meditation on identity, healing, and the courage it takes to step out of someone else’s shadow. It asks difficult questions about love, power, and freedom, and answers them with nuance rather than simplicity. For me, it was an unforgettable read—beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and brimming with insight. I gave it 5 stars because it is everything a retelling should be: respectful of its source, but bold enough to transform it into something new, relevant, and deeply human.

This unfortunately didn’t work for me. I tend to be pretty skeptical of a lot of retellings where Persephone is concerned, but I had hopes that this would be a little better. That said, I ended up DNFing this one. I didn’t feel like it was doing anything particularly new with the myth and, more than that, continued the common trend of mischaracterizing Demeter.
I hope it lands with people who will love it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

Raised by a mother who seems to despise her, and feared by the villagers for something that happened at birth, Persephone is an isolated and miserable outcast. Eventually fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Persephone is abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld as his bride. Persephone is determined to escape and finally live a life of her own choosing. Hades is determined to keep her. Demeter, her mother, will stop at nothing to get her back.

Seeds was an absolutely gorgeous Persephone retelling. The slow burn between Persephone and hades was delicious and I wanted so much more of them. Demeter’s descent into her own madness trying to get her daughter back was heartbreaking. Nothing was more heartbreaking than Persephone coming into her own power, and coming to terms with her years of abuse.

Seeds is an incredible book for fans of Madeline Miller or other Greek retellings. I loved this and can’t wait to add a physical copy to my Greek shelf!

TW: child abuse, animal death, forcible confinement, starvation, brief mention of SA.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up to 5

This is a wonderful and ... classic? ... retelling of the Hades x Persephone myth that people have grown quite fond of.
I enjoyed the perspective the author gave us into Demeter and Persephone. We forget that Persephone isn't just the love of Hades life...but was a daughter first. One who a mother almost ruins mortals and earth over.

I need more books like this in my life... like ASAP great for Madeline Miller fans or people who can't stop listening to the epic musical from tik tok

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. As one can guess from the cover and the title, this is a Persephone themed story and I cannot miss one. While the story is the same as we know by heart, there is another perspective in this book, the perspective of Demeter. I liked her aspect to be a little more detailed, not just a traumatized mother who tries and fails to protect her child.
I enjoyed the book, the writing and the pace of the story was good.

Reminiscent of Madeline Miller's work. I enjoyed it, and the relationship between Persephone and Demeter. Thanks to Rising Action Publishing Co and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

A Hades and Persephone retelling told in the perspective of Demeter and Persephone. I've read a lot of retellings and this did not hit the mark

Seeds is a novel that will abduct you, like Persephone, deep into its pages, taking you on a journey through the darkness and lies in search of freedom and forgiveness. A stunning debut from a talented author to watch.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

i always love a persephone x hades retelling, and i especially enjoyed the characterization/pov of demeter in this particular retelling!

I liked how this wasn’t your standard Persephone/Hades retelling — it centres a lot on mother-daughter relationships instead, and about Demeter’s relationship to her daughter. It’s complex, it’s messy, it’s ugly. I like how the author didn’t shy away from showing that. Overall, I think this was really well written and I recommend it!

The perspectives switching back and forth to give the reader such a diverse and beautiful story was so compelling and engaging. Highly recommend! The interpolitics and various relationship threads keep the action going. The romance alongside the magic and world exploration is dynamic and propulsive. Very fun read!

*Seeds* by Angie Paxton is a captivating retelling of the Persephone and Hades myth, focusing on self-discovery and complex mother-daughter dynamics. The story follows Kore, who embraces her identity as Persephone after being abducted by Hades, while her mother Demeter's relentless search threatens the balance between worlds.

Paxton’s nuanced portrayal of Demeter as both protective and flawed adds emotional depth, while Persephone’s journey from captivity to empowerment is compelling. Though some readers found the pacing slow at times, the fresh perspective and rich character development make *Seeds* a standout in the realm of mythological retellings.

Another wonderful take on the Hades x Persephone myth. I love that the author dived deeper into the relationship between Demeter and Persephone

This was a fine retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone. I don't think it was the strongest of the many Greek mythology retellings I've read, but I did really like how the complicated relationship between Persephone and her mother Demeter was described. I didn't mind how Hades was characterized, but Persephone did get on my nerves sometimes.

A very sweet and direct retelling of Hades and Persephone, I honestly just wish it would’ve been a bit longer. The author has a very somber poetic way of writing, in all the best ways, and my heart was really tugged and pulled with the characters along the way. Thoroughly enjoyed this read!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This was a fantastic take on the myth of Hades & Persephone! I've read manyyy retellings, and honestly love almost all of them, it's just a timeless tale but one thing I find hit or miss is how they portray the kidnapping of Persephone and what Hades is like. I think Angie nailed it though, her Hades is a lonely, lost man who yearns for a companion and love; his actions are not great at the beginning, but you feel his desperation and he genuinely tries to make it up to Persephone and only wants her happy. Now Persephone is lovely, fierce and timid at the same time, which is totally realistic given how she was raised by Demeter, but she didn't super stand out to me compared to other versions I've read. Now Demeter, this was a dual POV book, told by her and her daughter, and I think it was perhaps the most nuanced and original Demeter I've ever read. She's the villain but she's not, she was cruel to Persephone and refused to own her part in her actions, and yet, while I didn't really root for her, I kinda did. She was a broken woman that had no idea how to deal with grief and rage and what she did was not okay but I still felt for her and loved reading her POV. I'd definitely recommend for anyone looking for a different version of this story! Or lovers of Greek Mythology in general!