Seeds is a poignant retelling of the Greek myth of Persephone and her descent into the Underworld. A story familiar to many, Angie Paxton manages to breathe fresh life into the tale. Dual POVs between Persephone and Demeter illuminate the complexities of the bond between mother and daughter. So often Demeter is simply portrayed as the villain in the story of Hades and Persephone, an immovable force that keeps the lovers apart six months of the year. She's strict and demanding, pushing her daughter away even as she smothers her. But there is so much more to the goddess. She's portrayed as a much more sympathetic character than I've seen before.

Persephone is young and innocent, but grows as the story progresses. Much like the traditional story, she's taken by Hades against her will. She must learn how to thrive in the darkness. However, Hades is not cold or cruel master. He is often kind and compassionate as his new bride adjusts. Perhaps at times too forward, he is, nonetheless, gentle. I really appreciated this, because traditional myths describe him as being the most even-tempered of his brothers and yet most contemporary retellings depict him as a dark shadow daddy. He's not. This is not a dark and steamy romance. Instead, we get a very sweet slow-burn where the two truly come to care for each other. I loved that.

There are a lot of great ideas and depictions in Seeds that I absolutely adored. However, something about the writing style itself felt off. It was often clunky. There was a lot of repetition. The book started off slow, but some of the subsequent pacing was awkward in comparison. I enjoyed the story, but I wanted more from it.

Paxton is definitely passionate about the subject matter, and she stays true to the source material. I hope to see her continue to grow as an author.

Thank you to Netgalley, Rising Action Publishing Co., and the author for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Rising Action Publishing Co and Netgalley for the early copy of this book!

Persephone doesn’t have a good relationship with her mother in this book. She and her mother live as mortals, and Persephone longs for her mother’s love. Her attempts at gaining her mother’s favour are in vain as she is left feeling small and useless, not even able to do simple tasks properly. Demeter seems to resent Persephone for the mortal life they have been forced into.

Demeter honestly bothered me a lot in this book, her attitude towards Persephone, the other gods she interacts with, and the mortals who worship her. It’s typical goddess behaviour, but it annoyed me.

When Persephone discovers who she truly is, she gets an inside peak into how the gods and goddesses act. They are selfish and self centred and do not have any empathy for human kind.

Despite the horrors Persephone sees when she arrives in the Underworld, you get the impression that Hades himself is not cruel. He treats his animals with care. But he also has a cold demeanour to the soulless subjects.

It took me a while to get on board with Hades.
But after one moment of weakness, he seems to respect Persephone’s need for space. And he used the name she prefers to go by, even though her goddess name is Kore.
Hades is all alone in the Underworld and desperate for interaction and love. Which doesn’t excuse him forcing himself on Persephone early on, but adds a layer onto his character that I think is essential for us as readers to see.

Demeter gains power from worship, hoping to gain enough power to write the rite to get her daughter back, she casts the mortal realm into a famine that costs thousands of lives.

This book was beautifully written. I can’t count the number of highlights and notes I made. But I loved the narrative of the gods and goddesses and the lengths they will go to for love and worship.

Seeds releases on Jan 7th

Please note the content warnings:
Child abuse, animal death, starvation, forcible confinement

I really, really liked “Seeds”– I would put this spin on Hades & Persephone in my Top 10 Greek mythology stories, for sure. I enjoyed the way Ms. Paxton took this tale of kidnapping and coercion, and added layers of complexity that made it more compelling than its original iteration– I can’t say more without spoiling the specifics! My only note is that the book had some explicit content in chapter 23 (which is not my preference!); and, the last ten chapters got very exposition heavy, so the ending felt unnecessarily slow with all the telling. However, this debut novel is excellent, and I look forward to more books of this ilk from Angie Paxton!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

TW: abduction, assault, bullying, animal death, human death, blood

I liked aspects of this, but something was missing for me. I loved Persephone as a character and really appreciated her initial reaction to being taken to the Underworld and how long it took for her feelings on that to evolve, even though the change was very sudden. I liked Hekate and more generally, the characterization of the different gods and the power struggles between them. I hated Demeter, but writing her this way worked for this story, so why not.

But I had two problems. First, the writing is perfectly competent, but lacked feeling in my opinion. I was at no point moved or particularly involved, because I felt like the story was written in a very neutral, detached way. Second, I did not at all enjoy the way Hades's behaviour towards Persephone was quickly excused as 'oh well he's a good guy he was just lonely and sad' and it seemed the reader was expected to forgive him as well. That didn't sit well with me.

Overall, I think this is an ok retelling but it doesn't bring anything new to an already very large offering of Hades and Persephone retellings, and it shares the same flaw as many of its predecessors in wanting to make it a beautiful love story at any cost.

I always love a story about Kore/Persephone, Hades, & Demeter.
Once again I loved this one. The author did a fantastic job at pacing the story, for an age old tale. I still found myself just ready for that chapter that finally got us to the Queen of the Underworld.

Fantastic job.

A unique and interesting plot, though a bit dull in its writing. It was like getting a pretty good slice of cake that doesn’t have enough frosting. 3.5 stars. I’d still recommend it as a different take on greek myth.

*3.5 stars*

*Thank you to NetGalley & Rising Action Publishing Co for providing a digital copy to review*

I do love a Greek myth retelling and when I saw it was about Demeter & Persephone I was excited for it.

The myth is well known, Hades abducts Persephone and takes her to the Underworld while Demeter does everything in her power to bring her daughter back to her. Seeds retell this myth and has the perspectives of both Demeter & Persephone which I loved.

In this retelling, Persephone/Kore is portrayed as young and naive, growing up believing herself to be human and knowing nothing of the Greek gods and goddesses. She and her mother don’t have the best relationship and I was not a fan of Demeter being shown as harsh and unfeeling towards not only her daughter but of mortals and the land. Her attempts to get her daughter back didn’t feel like it came from a place of love and it was more of her flexing her powers to get back at Zeus & Hera.

I did however enjoy Persephone & Hades' relationship. Persephone schemes and plans to escape the Underworld for most of the book and slowly she starts to learn more and care about her new husband, through his actions as well as being told by Hecate. I loved seeing Persephone develop throughout this book and at the end we see her as a goddess who is secure in who she is and what she wants. I enjoyed her chapters more than her mother's.

Fans of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint will love this retelling of Persephone's story from the maiden Kore who is downtrodden by her mother Demeter to her stepping into her power as the queen of the underworld Persephone. The writing of this book was really compelling and the story moved at a good pace which meant I zipped through it pretty quickly.

Rating: 4,5 stars.

I feel like I need to start this review with a disclaimer: while this is a story with romance at its core (the one between Hades and Persephone), it is not a romance book. I was expecting a romance book, which put me off at the beginning of the story.

What this really is, is a more truthful rendition of Persephone’s story based on the original myths, with its own original spin of course. Persephone’s story begins with her life as a mortal girl, living with her abusive mother, in a village where everyone shies away from her. We follow her through her abduction at Hades’ hands, witnessing the beginning of her life in the underworld, where she is desperately trying to escape. At the same time, we follow Demeter in the upper world, where she is desperately trying to get her daughter back.

Once I got over my mistaken expectations of this being a straight-forward romance book, I could enjoy it for what it really is. The story is, at its heart, a story of a complex mother-daughter relationship between a Goddess turned resentful mortal and her daughter. At the same time, it is a story of two lonely and lost souls finding each other, and finding love. I loved this story! I think Paxton did a fantastic job of portraying the Greek Gods, with their distaste for mortality and their obsession with power. I also appreciated how Paxton stuck close to the original myth, with Hades’ abduction and his early actions.

All in all, I would wholeheartedly recommend this to mythology lovers! This book will add a new layer to the myth of Persephone, especially if you have only explored romantic retellings so far. Definitely give this one a chance!

Another very interesting and unique view of Hades and Persephone. Maybe the closest to the original story. It was quite refreshing to read a version that is modernized or sexualised like many Hades and Persephone retelling.

I love a good Hades and Persephone retelling.
I also liked that it was a dual-POV-esque between Persephone and Demeter.. I’ve never read a story that gives you Demeter’s side of the whole story

Once I picked this book up, I really couldn't put it down. The author did an amazing job retelling the ancient myths surrounding the Hades and Persephone story while keeping it entertaining. I also think the author really excelled at making Persephone's emotions relatable and real while not dragging them on further than necessary.

Now this was a truly unique take on a myth. Demeter as the baddie? Hades not a violent rapist? Persephone not realizing she’s a goddess? Yes please! I will say I wasn’t expecting this to read quite as much as a romance but I did enjoy it. Especially liked that in the end Persephone wasn’t a victim and made her own choices for good reasons.

Seeds', written by Angie Paxton, is a retelling of the classic myth of Hades and Persephone told from the perspective of the relationships between mothers and daughters and how these, personified in this book by Demeter and Kore (the name in the face of society), influence the decisions and goals we set for ourselves daily.

I must say that, although it took me a while to get hooked on the book, I finished reading the story in just one day. The dual setting between the Underworld, with the relationship between Hades and Persephone building, and the mortal and divine world, where Demeter becomes a goddess with the sole idea (although she lies to herself) of getting her daughter back, establishes a good thread running through the story and allows us to see what and who underlies the complicated relationship between the two.

Seeds', like the seeds that are planted when Demeter and Persephone come to the understanding that both must develop their lives and decisions on their own, is an ideal book if you like Greek mythology and want to learn more about Hades and Persephone from another point of view.

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Seeds by Angie Paxton offers a fresh and exciting take on classic mythology with its dual POV structure, alternating between Persephone's and Demeter's perspectives. The story brings new depth to familiar characters, particularly Hades, who is portrayed with a unique and refreshing vibe that deviates from the usual portrayals. This shift in character dynamics adds an intriguing layer to the story, making it feel revitalized and exciting.

The writing is engaging, and the dual perspectives allow for a deeper connection with both characters, offering a well-rounded view of the story. This reinvention of mythological figures is both bold and captivating, making Seeds a must-read for anyone who loves a new twist on old tales.

Thank you to netgalley and to rising action publishing for this eARC!

For how much I enjoy Greek mythology and tales, I never seem to read many retellings, and especially not Persephone and Hades retellings - I feel like they've been done an awful lot, as have many others.
This was a pleasant read, it took me a while to gel with all of the characters and their places in the story, but they are the characters we've known for so long so it was more understanding their roles in this retelling.
Demeter often annoyed me, but that feels like the point. Retellings are often difficult to classify because the very nature of the Greek Gods and their mythology is that they're all relatively bad people in one way or another, so saying that this character does a bad thing is kind of a moot point.
This was a perfectly good read and does all the things that these Persephone retellings like to do; I do in fact like that there's relationship and character development within Persephone and Hades's relationship, because it gives more structure to the 'oh he steals her away and makes her marry him and Demeter gets angry about it and then she can go up to the surface for half the year.'
i don't think it did anything particularly new, and Orpheus and Eurydice's inclusion didn't do all that much for me. Several scenes were quite sad to me, but the stakes were relatively low (makes sense for a retelling.)

I love anything where they crap on Zeus for being The Worst.

***ARC received from Rising Action Publishing Co and NetGalley, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it. I’m a sucker for Greek mythology and really wished we had more book than just the same retelling of the same myth over and over again. So it was nice to see a book that took a little of a different look at the myth.

While this is another retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, it is more focused on the relationship of mother and daughter. Demeter has been dealt a very harsh hand by gods that she once sat amongst. I really liked this version of Demeter, she is harsh, mistakenly casts a lot of resentment onto her daughter but in her own way she does care for her in her own possessive way. I think in many ways Demeter is trying to protect her daughter even if she is going about it in all the wrong ways, casting the mortal realm to suffer as she focused on her attention on furthering her own .

I liked Persephone a lot in this book. She is just someone that wants to fit in, cast as an outcast by her village for something that was not her fault but superstitions run deep. She is finally able to break free from the prison her mother has trapped her in only to find herself within another prison, although with far more freedom. It takes her awhile to grow and I really liked how the book let her find things that she found joy in. Finally coming to realize that she can and will make mistakes and it is nothing to be shamed off as so often Demeter seemed to make her feel. The relationship she builds with Hades is sweet and she does find a kindred spirit, they are two people trapped by things outside of their control.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the characterization of Hades. Too often in retellings of the Persephone myth or just Greek mythology retellings in general Hades is cast as this dark, brooding many times a villain of the story. Hades is cast more of a lonely god who drew the short end of the stick, cast into a role the living will never worship. He is lonely in the Underworld, surrounded by rigid rules that control him more than he controls the Underworld. I appreciated that he picked up rather quick that Persephone wasn’t in on the plan, doesn’t want his advances and doesn’t want to eat the food. Yes he is selfish but he at least respects Persephone even if he can’t let her go. Its a romantic and it isn’t rushed, allowing to slowly burn and build as the two get to know each other.

There are quite a few other Olympians that are there but they don’t play a huge piece of the story, this is mostly the story of Persephone, Demeter and Hades. I did really like how the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice was woven into the story, it didn’t feel at all tacked on. The author used it in such a way that it felt perfectly into the story and I was so happy to see this myth used in such a way.

The writing is beautiful, the flow of the story is really lovely. It never felt like the book was rushing along the story, letting Hades and Persephone get to know each other while Demeter is going about trying to get her daughter back. I loved the dynamic between the different characters, particular Demeter and Persephone as Persephone grows into a character who can stand and forgive her mother. I highly recommend.

5-Star Review of Seeds by Angie Paxton

Angie Paxton‘s Seeds is a stunning recreation of the myth of Persephone and Hades, which has enthralled audiences for generations. Paxton‘s lyrical prose transports you to a universe where gods are more than just great beings; they are flawed, very human characters dealing with the scars of betrayal, rejection, and longing. This novel stands out not only for its gorgeous setting in Mycenaean Greece, but also for its daring choice to portray the story primarily through the eyes of Persephone and her mother, Demeter. While I wished for deeper insight into Hades‘ perspective, the richness and complexity of the two female characters more than made up for it.

Seeds ♦ Angie Paxton — A Review

Opinion

Complex and Flawed Characters

One of Seeds‘ best features are its characters, notably the three key figures—Persephone, Demeter, and Hades. Paxton‘s decision to focus on Persephone and Demeter allows readers to delve into the novel’s strained and intensely emotional mother-daughter relationship.

Demeter, as depicted here, is a revelation. She is a cynical, spiteful, and wounded goddess who has been wronged, particularly by her sister Hera and her husband Zeus. Paxton doesn’t shy away from depicting Demeter as both a victim and an antagonist. While her pain and cynicism are reasonable given her history, her treatment of Persephone (who she also refers to as Kore) cannot be excused. Persephone‘s mental and physical maltreatment at the hands of her mother—raised in ignorance of her divine origins and made to feel useless and unwanted—paints a sorrowful image of a daughter yearning for love but being denied it due to bitterness and fear.

Hekate, a secondary yet crucial figure, lends depth to Demeter‘s character. It is argued that Hekate‘s influence increased Demeter‘s domineering and harmful conduct toward Persephone, making their relationship even more complex. However, there is an irrefutable darkness within Demeter that causes her to withdraw affection from her own child. Her inner depth is what makes her such an intriguing character.

Persephone‘s transformation from a shattered and solitary girl to a woman discovering her strength and identity is at the center of this tale. Her initial helplessness and deep-seated self-doubt, caused by years of trauma, are both familiar and devastating. However, her stay in the underworld with Hades represents the turning point in her narrative. Though initially terrifying, Hades is the first to perceive Persephone as capable of greatness, rather than weak or unneeded. Their encounters, especially when he encourages her to pursue her own interests, such as horseback riding and archery, are among the most riveting in the story.

The story of Persephone and Hades is a masterwork in slow-burn narrative. While the tale is written through Persephone‘s eyes, Paxton‘s language allows Hades‘ quiet vulnerability to seep through. His seclusion and pain, like Persephone‘s, foster a connection that feels both inevitable and beautifully poignant. Hades is portrayed as a very lonely god who, like Persephone, has been abandoned and dismissed by those who should have cared for him. This common sense of abandonment makes their eventual relationships all the more meaningful.

Themes of Identity and Forgiveness

At its core, Seeds is a story about identity, self-worth, and the complicated relationship between parents and children. Persephone‘s journey is about more than simply finding love; it’s about discovering herself outside of her mother’s shadow. Her eventual revelation that she does not require Demeter‘s approval to be entire is a watershed moment of empowerment.

The work also addresses the serious issue of forgiveness, particularly the cultural expectation that children forgive their parents’ transgressions. Paxton does not provide easy solutions here. While Persephone comes to comprehend the source of Demeter‘s anguish, she also knows that this does not excuse the harm done to her. This blend of empathy and accountability is one of the book’s most notable strengths.

A Few Missing Pieces

If there was one component of Seeds that made me want more, it was Hades‘ perspective. While his character is well-drawn through Persephone‘s eyes, more chapters from his point of view could have provided more depth to his feelings and motivations. As a complicated character like Demeter or Persephone, he merits equal narrative weight. Nonetheless, its absence does not reduce the overall effect of the story.

A Modern Myth Reimagined

Paxton‘s ability to rework a well-known story while still tackling contemporary issues of agency, pain, and healing is nothing short of astounding. Her work is both poetic and solid, brilliantly capturing the contrast between the bright, sunlit world of Demeter‘s domain and the shadowy, eerie beauty of the underworld.

Conclusion

Seeds is a must-read for lovers of mythological retellings, as it not only reinvents, but also adds emotional depth to the Persephone and Hades narrative. This book is a triumph, thanks to its vividly portrayed characters, slow-burn romance, and investigation of family tension. January 7th, 2025, cannot arrive soon enough for those who have yet to witness its magic.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

An interest in take on the Hades and Persephone story. I enjoyed the different perspective on the whole. However., as others have said there were some frustrating scenarios taken by characters which did make them very unlikeable. In addition, there were some slightly odd actions of other characters which didn’t quite fit with their nature in other stories. However. An enjoyable easy read.

If you are looking for a Hades and Persephone retelling that is more aligned with classical myth, this is the book for you! I’ve read so many different Hades and Persephone retellings and this one felt like coming home to one of my favorite genres.

Being able to read about Demeter’s perspective was a first for me. I enjoyed reading the complex nature of her and Persephone’s dynamic. I’m a sucker for a good romance so I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy her point of view but the author completely sold it. The book at its heart, really is about the dynamic between mother and daughter. All of the characters in this story really shine and their flaws are so well developed and defined. I also loved some of the inventive creative aspects that the author came up with to define the Underworld especially around a certain three headed dog.

The romance between Hades and Persephone was on the quiet side for me but I still enjoyed it greatly. I thought this retelling provided the most realistic romantic journey that a couple faced with their circumstances would have experienced. Overall, I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves Greek mythology especially mythology tales that are more aligned with the actual myths. Solid four star read for me.

Seeds by Angie Paxton

Genre: Retelling (Hades x Persephone), Romance

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Another take on the eternally famous Hades x Persephone myth, Angie Paxton narrates us a tale that starts with rejection, emptiness and the feeling of being an outcast and continues in a journey of self-discovery, empowerment and overcoming your prejudices.

I was really a fan of Kore's PoV chapters while in the Inferi, but at the same time I felt Demeter's PoV redundant and not so interesting as the young goddess' thoughts.

The romance felt a little bit strange, sometimes rushed, sometimes slow, and at the start I couldn't connect with the main characters, while Persephone's relationship with other Inferi being felt more realistic and sweet from the beginning.

In the end, it was a quick, interesting reading. If you are a fan of Hades x Persephone lore, I'll really recommend checking out Seeds.

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Rating: ★★★

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I want to thank Rising Action Publishing for the digital ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) via Netgalley. I'm not affiliated to the author, to the publishing house or any other person/agency. My review is honest and based only on my thoughts/feeling while reading the book.

Anais by The Bookish Scorpio