Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read quite a few Persephone centered stories this year, and this one has got to be one of my favorites. I really enjoyed this take on the Persephone/Hades/Demeter story. I feel like Persephone was written differently than what I’ve read in the past, and I really enjoyed this different take on her character.

"She and Hades were akin,
seeking for heart's ease in any wretched little way they could".

This is the first time I've truly enjoyed the myth of Persephone. Typically, the focus is on Persephone's perspective, or sometimes Hades', but rarely do we get to see Demeter's side of the story.
I loved the juxtaposition of Demeter and Persephone and it was extremely interesting to see Demeter's reaction to her daughter's abduction.
Futhermore, the detailed descriptions of the Underworld made me feel as though I was seeing it with my own eyes.
I'll be sure to buy the book as soon as it comes out and gift it to one of my dear friends.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
~ 4 ⭐️

This was a beautifully done Greek mythology retelling going on, it had that Hades and Persephone element that worked. I enjoyed that the characters were just black and white but was able to show the complexity of the story and was everything that I was looking for. Angie Paxton wrote this in a way that worked overall and I hope they write more as this was wonderfully done.

I enjoyed this take on Persephone and Hades, but the beginning was rather slow. It took until around 60% for me to truly become invested in these characters and their lives. I liked the horses, Hekate, and I liked the double perspective of Persephone/ Demeter.

“Kindness followed cruelty, but so would cruelty follow kindness.”

“You are my light and my life, Persephone.”

Fans of Greek Mythology and the reimagining of the Persephone and Hades lore will be pulled in by this new version of the story. Focusing on the mother daughter relationship between Kore and Demeter, readers will see how the relationship sours, and how Persephone, once in the Underworld, becomes her own person. In this version, even though the author sticks to the original version of how Persephone is taken to the Underworld, Hades, as a character, isn’t a completely horrible selfish deity. He becomes mournful and regrets how he abducted Persephone to be his bride.

As the story progresses, I feel Hade’s is a redeemable character, one that readers will root for and hope he'll find happiness. He respects Persephone and treats her as a partner, a person worth helping and sharing a life with. Hades doesn’t belittle, criticize, or intentionally make Persephone feel she’s incapable of doing even the most basic of tasks. He encourages her to find her passions and ask him for help or guidance, which he willingly gives, along with praise Persephone never felt she would ever receive or deserved.

Although Seeds started slow, and that the dual POV’s are between Demeter and Persephone, once Persephone is in the Underworld the story picked up dramatically. And Persephone’s self-discovery and slow-burn romance with Hades is one worth continuing.

Keep this one on your radar book friends!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of Seeds.

I thought this was a really interesting take on the Persephone/Hades/Demeter myth. I was not expecting to like Hades and dislike Demeter so much. I was expecting more of a dark romance as Hades and Persephone myths often are. But this book definitely showed more of the trauma that Hades and Persephone both experienced and made them very authentic characters. While it obviously started with the kidnapping of Persephone, we learned the flawed background of the characters leading to the kidnapping. I empathized with Persephone's feelings of betraying her family while also realizing she was where she was meant to be and with people that truly wanted what was best for her. By the end, Hades was so caring and compassionate and they just treasured each other so much. I loved reading it. I wouldn't call it a slow burn but it did take a while to get towards any romance and I appreciated that because I don't think it would have felt realistic. They needed time to understand each other's motivations and teach each other. Then, that relationship enabled her to grow into the person that could stand up to her mother and that never would have happened without her time the underworld.

I also really really enjoyed the scenes of Hades teaching her to ride horses and her using them as her escape in the underworld. No spoilers, but I CRIED at the scene with Lethe (I haven't cried over the last 300 books I've read). So, I think the author did an excellent job. There were also several side characters that were quite complex like Charon, Hekate, and Iambe.

With all that said, I loved Persephone's POV, but pretty heavily disliked Demeter's. I know she was supposed to be an unlikeable character but I found myself skimming her parts to get back to Persephone and Hades. On an intellectual note, I could appreciate the depth of her hatred for herself and how she wanted to keep Persephone for herself under the misguided title of love, but as a reader, it was just slower and I wasn't as connected to it.

4 Stars and I would definitely read another retelling by Angie Paxton!

Persephone lives her life as an outcast in her village, with only her tempestuous mother Demeter for company. It is not until she chances upon a group of Olympian goddesses that she learns the truth of her immortal heritage and is then abducted by the dreaded god Hades to be his wife. With her daughter missing, Demeter will leave no stone unturned to bring Persephone home, even if she must bring the earth to its knees.

Hades and Persephone retellings are a dime a dozen nowadays, thanks to the feminist undertones of the heroine's transformation from maiden to a feared queen dubbed The Destroyer of Light. The most popular interpretations focus on how Persephone's abduction away to the Underworld, away from her always overbearing mother, is the catalyst for her character arc now that she is allowed to thrive in her own space, alongside her oft-misunderstood husband Hades.

Paxton takes a slightly different approach by halving the story between Persephone and Demeter in order to explore the heart of the goddess who would hold the world hostage for her daughter's safe return. This mother-daughter duo has a messy relationship, marred by old wounds and resentment, that feels very human. Many retellings paint Demeter as a caricaturishly evil villain, and while I did feel that Paxton was also guilty of this at times, this portrayal of Demeter had so many raw moments of vulnerability that I couldn't help but be compelled. Seeds is a slow book, taking its time to humanize Demeter so that readers might sympathize with her even as she does terrible things.

At the same time, it allows Persephone to work through her complicated web of love and hatred towards her mother. Much of her character is the product of her mother's mistreatment, and the book doesn't shy away from how much emotional damage Persephone received over the years. That doesn't mean that she just leaps into Hades' arms, though. Persephone has all the hostility of an abducted bride who hates her captivity, something that retellings don't often do in favor of kickstarting the romance with Hades. It takes a lot of work to get Persephone and Hades to properly fall in love while coming to understand each other and healing their own wounds, which made the slowburn enjoyable.

One thing that I didn't love was how Hekate existed as a mechanism to spew useful information to move the plot along, as it felt rather heavy-handed. I'm also a little mixed on how Paxton chose to work in another famous Underworld myth, as it wasn't wholly satisfying in how she wrapped it all up.

Seeds is a Hades and Persephone retelling for those who enjoy a slow burn and also those who want to see more of Demeter's perspective. If you're like me and can't get enough of flawed female characters, this is especially for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for this ARC! This is a fantastic debut novel from Angie Paxton. After reading Seeds, you’ll confidently want to be whisked away by Hades (I know I did). I thought this to be a refreshing take on Hades and Persephone’s story where I was not able to put the book down. Paxton’s novel is a love letter to those who feel lonely, neglected and unloved.

This is a dual POV story featuring perspectives from both Persephone and her mother Dementer. I thoroughly enjoyed Persephone’s POV chapters. This novel is fast-paced, but Paxton does a great job depicting the childhood neglect Persephone has with her mother early on in the story, making you feel pity for her, which goes on to shape her interactions with Hades as well as her distrust, making her an unreliable narrator and leaving it in the readers’ hands to make their own judgment. I adored Persephone’s journey and the change she undergoes throughout the book to realize her worth. There is a confrontation towards the end that was electrifying as it was powerful and it felt earned because of the growth that Persephone underwent as she spent her time in the Underworld. I also loved the rich worldbuilding in this story and how we find out about it along with Persephone. I have always loved Greek Mythology and this only furthered that love.

Hades, you can do no wrong in my eyes. I loved, loved, LOVED Paxton’s take on Hades. This isn’t the cruel, ruthless Hades you are familiar with. This Hades is a gentle giant, someone so misunderstood and lonely and I love how Paxton subverts our expectations. I adored the slow burn between him and Persephone. There are so many squeal worthy moments between them as well as angst and this book tore my heart apart and mended it back together again. Paxton is exceptional at writing tense scenes and emotional ones, making you feel emotionally connected to Hades. I found myself tearing up during certain scenes.

Dementer’s chapters I found slightly difficult to get into initially. I found they dragged out at times, but I liked her motherly rage and seeing her become a monster to save Persephone. You hate her for her treatment of Persephone, her actions throughout the novel, yet there’s a sliver of pity you feel for her.

While I understood Persephone’s trust issues, I also found Persephone annoying at times for the way she treated Hades on certain occasions. There were many sweet moments that were impacted by Persephone’s stubborn and unforgiving nature and at times this did not feel justified. Though once the slow burn took off, it made for an amazing read. I am incredibly grateful for this ARC and I will be rereading all those Persephone and Hades scenes.

“Seeds” is a retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, told through a dual POV—one following Persephone’s abduction to the underworld, and the other focusing on Demeter’s quest to rescue her daughter. Unfortunately, the author doesn’t bring any fresh perspectives or themes to this classic myth. The romance between Hades and Persephone was flat, the mother-daughter dynamic lacks emotional depth, and overall, the story falls short in delivering a truly engaging or nuanced interpretation of the myth.

Thank you to NetGalley andRising Action Publishing for the e-ARC of Seeds!

Content warnings per the ARC itself: child abuse, animal death, starvation, kidnapping, forcible confinement. I would like to add a brief instance of brief sexual assault, and a note that the animal death is on screen and very graphic/traumatic, for those who want to know the severity. Thank you to the author and publisher for including content warnings!

Seeds tells the story of Persephone and Hades - not significantly reimagined, but with narrative choices and nuances that highlight the cruel fickleness of the gods, the desperation of someone who is trapped by the circumstances, and the uneasy tide of loving and then being repelled from someone who you thought you could trust. I thought it was a really compelling retelling of a well known myth, and I would recommend it to people on the caveat that the content warnings are disclosed in advance.

Despite this book apparently being for adults, the writing felt so juvenile that whatever merits the book might’ve had, ended up being ignored for my inherent annoyance with the voice of Persephone. Like girl! You’re a grown adult! Why do you sound like you 16! I understand that that is common in a lot of retellings of Persephone’s story, but in this one it felt particularly egregious because of the description of the book given that, at least to me, suggested the author was trying to break away from that. I also think this book would’ve done better if Persephone was trans. It’s never explained her exact issue with being called Kore? And I would’ve liked a bit more to that.

Seeds is a beautifully written retelling of the Persephone myth that adds depth to the mother-daughter relationship between Demeter and Persephone. Told from both of their perspectives, this story explores themes of control, love, and self-identity in a refreshing way. Paxton's portrayal of Hades is equally captivating—gentle, yet powerful, making the romance a slow burn that feels genuine.

If you love Greek mythology and are looking for a fresh take on a classic, Seeds is a must-read. I couldn’t put it down!

I enjoyed this book tremendously. It had an incredible cast of characters with great development. The plot was fascinating, and I loved every minute of the book. I look forward to more from this author.

3 stars

First, a huge thank you to the publisher and author for sending me this ARC. I’ve always had a soft spot for Greek mythology, especially when it comes to Hades and Persephone. It’s one of those myths that never gets old for me. This retelling, though, was quite different from what I’ve come to expect—and in some ways, it was a refreshing change.

What I loved about this book and what made it stand out for me:

1. Dual POV: The story was told from Persephone’s and Demeter’s perspectives, which is something I haven’t seen done often. Most retellings tend to focus heavily on Hades, and while I do love his dark, brooding character, it was nice to get inside the minds of the women in the myth for once. Their emotions, thoughts, and motivations were more fleshed out, especially Demeter’s, which added layers to the mother-daughter dynamic.

2. A Different Hades: This Hades wasn’t the cold, heartless ruler of the Underworld we often see. Instead, he was portrayed as gentle and compassionate, though not without his flaws. I found this portrayal unique—Hades, who is usually shrouded in darkness and cruelty, was humanized. He still had that edge of mystery and power, but it was tempered with kindness. It didn’t feel out of character; it felt like a different lens through which to view him.

3. Not Dark Romance: Unlike most Hades/Persephone retellings that veer into dark romance (because, let's face it, the story lends itself to that with the whole kidnapping and Underworld thing), this was sweet. The romance wasn’t rushed or intense; instead, it explored different facets of love: love for a mother, a lover, a child, and even animals. It was a slower, softer burn, which I wasn’t expecting, but it worked for this particular version. I do enjoy dark romance, and I wouldn’t have minded seeing a bit of that edge, but this approach gave the story a different kind of depth. It highlighted the tender aspects of the relationship rather than focusing solely on the power dynamics.

4. Mother’s Wrath: One of my favorite aspects was the portrayal of Demeter’s wrath. We don’t often see the protective, sometimes vengeful, side of a mother done this well in mythology retellings. Her anger was palpable, but so was her love, and it made her character much more complex and interesting. You could feel her desperation and fear for Persephone, and it wasn’t just blind rage—it was rooted in care.

5. Character Development: There was solid character development, which is always a win for me. Watching the characters, especially Persephone, grow throughout the story kept me invested. They weren’t static; they evolved, learned, and changed as the plot moved forward.

6. Slow-Burning Romance: The romance was slow and steady, which I often prefer over insta-love. However, while I appreciated the build-up, I have to admit the chemistry between Hades and Persephone didn’t completely hit the mark for me. There was tension, but it wasn’t as intense as I’d hoped. I wanted more sparks between them, more moments where their connection felt undeniable, and unfortunately, it didn’t quite reach that level.

That said, while I did like this book, I wouldn’t call it one of the best retellings I’ve read. It had a lot of unique elements that I appreciated, especially the dual POV and the gentler take on Hades, but it lacked the intensity and chemistry I crave in a story like this. Still, if you’re a fan of Greek mythology, this is worth a read, especially if you’re looking for something that strays from the usual dark romance route.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

🌼✨ So, like, Seeds is totally an enchanting retelling of the Persephone myth! 🌟 Kore has lived in her mom Demeter’s shadow forever, trying to make her happy. But when she finds out she’s really a goddess, she’s like, “OMG, wait, what?” Then Hades swoops in and takes her to the Underworld on a chariot! So dramatic! 😱

The story dives deep into family drama and the complicated love between a mom and her daughter. I loved seeing both Kore’s and Demeter’s perspectives—it really made me feel for both of them, even when things get messy! 💔 Hades is portrayed in such an intriguing way; he’s not just the broody guy—there’s so much depth!

Honestly, the pacing is fab, and I was totally hooked from start to finish. It tackles themes of strength and self-discovery, which are, like, super relatable. I just adored this modern twist on a classic tale! Giving this five stars for sure! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! 📚💖

Seeds is a retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone. The POV alternates between Persephone and Demeter. It is marketed towards fans of Madeleine Miller and Pat Baker, two authors I enjoy! Unfortunately, everything about this book was average.

The quality of the writing is basic and is very exposition heavy. The characters lack depth. The story of Hades and Persephone is a well known myth, so I think I was expecting more creativity from the author to make it her own. It just didn't feel special, and I'm not convinced this was a story that needed to be written.

I have read many recently published mythos books in the last few years and all of them have been more enjoyable than Seeds, so I think you can skip it. I'm rating this 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

This book revisits the familiar story from Greek mythology about Persephone's abduction to the underworld.

Growing up with her demanding mother Demeter, Kore is amazed to find out the real story of her antecedents. But she is entirely unprepared for what awaits her as consort to Hades, after he abruptly spirits her away to his Kingdom.

Meanwhile, although Demeter has been a difficult mother for Kore, who ultimately chooses the name Persephone for herself, her daughter will discover just how ferocious Demeter is when it comes to retrieving her daughter...

The title refers to the pomegranate seeds that Persephone consumes, which determine her fate in terms of her time she must spend with Hades and the time during which she is allowed to leave the underworld.

The exploration of the parent-child dynamic and the slow burn of Persephone's relationship with Hades add a lot of texture to this retelling.

This is an absorbing story, well told - and definitely worth checking out for lovers of Greek mythology.

I think that my favourite genre of books has to definitely be Greek mythological retelling, and Seeds certainly was able to satisfy my love for it.

The book focused on the journeys of the Greek goddess, Demeter, and her daughter, Kore; otherwise known as Persephone.

The book was well written, and explored so many different feelings and scenes. Each character was well described and I could picture a lot of what Angie Paxton was describing.

The only thing that I thought should have been included was that Persephone ate only 6 pomegranate Seeds, therefore she would spend six months in the Underworld and six months in the Upper World. Although the Seeds were mentioned, it didn't indicate how many were eaten, and those who thrive on Greek mythology may be a little disappointed that although it was implied, it wasn't stated

Big thanks to Rising Action Publishing Co. for this ARC via Netgalley.
I really enjoyed this. I felt it was written very well and kept me mostly engaged. The beginning of the book and Persephone's very VERY slow burn of Hades took some getting used to, as romance is not the main plot of this book, however I do understand why the author portrayed the story in this way.

I personally didn't know much of the lore between Persephone & Demeter other than the very basic "she was kidnapped and her mom was mad" storyline. So to see this story delve into more between Demeter & Persephone, and also the relationship with Hades was absolutely lovely.

This truly isn't a "regular" book about the mother-daughter relationship, nor the story of Persephone and Demeter, and Persephone & Hades, it's much deeper. There are many emotions encompassed in this book and various subplots that come together to enhance the deeper meaning of this book.

I am rating it 4 stars only for the fact that I struggled to be engaged for the first 50%, however after that I devoured the last chunk in a day.