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For me the plot was missing a lot of key details, I was thrown into the middle of story without much explanation so I was confused until about 30% of the way in.

I loved the idea and intention behind this book, Greek mythology has always been a huge interest in mine, for this I felt like I had read this book before however and so it didn’t make for a good reading experience.

The writing style was excellent, however I feel as though Hades could have more of a villain in the sense of his actions and words towards Persephone.

Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me.

This just didn't seem to hold my attention like I thought it would.
When it starts off, it feels confusing, like I've missed half a book. And then, Persephone makes it sound like Basile is important to her plan, but as things happen, it doesn't seem that way at all... It felt pointless.
She runs to the Underworld for escape from her mother, Demeter, but immediately binds herself to Hades and wants to stay there.
While there is a slight bit of tension between Hades and Persephone, it is kind of short-lived as they become fated mates. Suddenly, they're all over each other. Perhaps this is why I found it hard to connect with them.
The writing felt a bit choppy and unclean at times. And the jump from scenes between chapters had me thinking I missed things. Sometimes, I was unclear where we were or what was happening. I was also unclear of a time period as the human realm was involved but seemed slightly modern? I'm not really even sure how it's supposed to matter other than it was said so. Plus, I was bugged about Hades running to the human realm to kill sinners to get away from his own problems....
As a villain, Demeter felt lacking in depth. However, maybe more could be elaborated later on?
Overall, this was not a bad read, but it wasn't for me.

This book was okay but I did struggle throughout. There was no depth or worldbuilding to the story and the characters fell a little flat. Although being quite fast paced there seemed to be a lot of unanswered questions.. its an easy read so others may enjoy.

I have always loved the story of Hades and Persephone, and that love drew me to reading this book.

Things I Liked:
-adding other worlds beyond Olympus (mortal, Faerie, even vampires are mentioned)
-the love between Hades and Persephone
-the fact that Demeter is an antagonist rather than a protagonist
-interesting world building and spin on the Hades/Persephone story

Things I Didn’t Love:
-some of the dialogue in the spice scenes was cringy
-the pacing of the story was confusing. I wasn’t ever really sure how long it had been (weeks, days, etc)
-enemies to lovers premise at the beginning which ended VERY quickly into the book. I think that could have been cut entirely or lengthened.

All in all it was an enjoyable read, but I’m unsure if I’ll read the next book.

Mega thank you to NetGalley and the author Lena J. Castle for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this before publication on November 15, 2024.

First Impressions: Loved the cover and the idea of Persephone/Hades/Demeter retelling. Unfortunately, that's where the excitement ended.

Characters: 2/5 — Characters felt two-dimensional and flat. Castle does not delve enough into Persephone's past with Demeter (her mother) nor does she develop Persephone's feelings regarding her mother's abuse enough for the reader to feel like they understand her trauma (without it being spelled out for us). The same with Hades and his loneliness, not fleshed out enough to feel the triumph of finding his mate in Persephone. It felt like they were suddenly mates without any explanation or buildup.

Plot/storyline: 2/5 — Persephone escapes her mother by heading to the Underworld where her mother cannot reach her. The writing felt disjointed. She was escaping and then she was there and then there was Hades… you get the point. A lot of what was happening was told and not described. And then what I really wanted explained (see above in Characters) was never explained.

Storytelling: 2/5 — Average and serviceable. As you can tell, I wasn't wow-ed by Castle's writing or character development.

Spice/Smut: 4/5 — Descriptive sex scenes but not particularly scintillating.

Overall Review: Subpar to average read. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story courtesy of NetGalley, but I would not recommend this book nor would I buy it with my own money. The writing felt flat and was not a particularly inventive retelling of Persephone/Hades/Demeter dynamic and relationship. I do not plan to read the sequel.

A Goddess of Spring and Shadows will enchant you if you enjoy slow-burning romance in fantasy with mythological overtones. Following Althea, a hesitant goddess navigating rivalries, developing powers, and a dangerously endearing figure from the Underworld, Lena J. Castle reimagines it with a novel twist. I only wish there was a bit more world building. Overall I enjoyed reading this .

The story centers around Persephone, who grapples with the suffocating control of her mother, Demeter. Castle's portrayal of their relationship is both poignant and compelling, capturing the essence of a daughter's longing for independence in the face of an overprotective parent. The sense of isolation that permeates Persephone's existence is vividly depicted.
When Persephone makes the bold decision to escape to the Underworld, the stakes instantly rise. Here, Castle introduces Hades, the God of the Underworld, as a character who is both enigmatic and dangerous. His presence draws Persephone in an almost magnetic way, creating a tension that fuels the narrative. Castle excels at crafting a slow burn romance that is both thrilling and fraught with danger, exploring the nuances of attraction and the complexities of power dynamics between her characters.
Castle’s world-building is commendable, with rich descriptions that will transport you to both the enchanting realms of nature and the ominous depths of the Underworld. The stakes become personal as Persephone learns that her choices may have dire consequences not only for herself but for the world above as well. This adds a layer of urgency to her internal conflict, making the story not just a romantic escape but a gripping tale of consequence and responsibility.
Overall, this is a beautifully crafted tale that will appeal to lovers of mythological retellings and those seeking a story rich with emotional depth. Castle has created a remarkable narrative that explores the complexity of love and the struggles we face in defining our own identities.

I read A Goddess of Spring and Shadows as a digital book and gave it 4.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I love reading Hades x Persephone retellings/books and this one did not disappoint. This is the first book in a new adult fantasy romance series and I cannot wait to find out what happens next as we are left on a cliffhanger at the end of book 1 and I was definitely left wanting to know more. I loved the writing and the characters in this book, the sweet relationships and intimate moments we can see and follow (this book does contain some mature adult content so please be aware of this and other TWs and CWs before reading). I'm excited to see how Hades and Persephones relationship continues to grow in the next books and found out all the mysteries from book 1. One thing I haven't seen before in Hades and Persephone retellings which I did like was an addition of Hades Curse, it just added something different compared to other retellings that I have read. The beginning of the book kinda threw me off at first, if was a little unexpected but after a couple chapters I kind of forgot it happened until I remembered while writing this review. Hades and Persephones relationship at the beginning is to some extent kinda insta lovey, and while I personally didn't mind it in this instance, I'd say bear that in mind. It can be argued that sometimes Persephone does behave in a childlike manner (she is said to be 23) however I can understand why she is like this knowing her background and how she was so isolated apart from a select few people growing up. One thing I would love to see is more from Hades past in the faerie realms. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending.

Oof.

While this had the premise to be everything I loved, my fave tropes, hades and persephone, this was not it. To be honest, I was bored with a lot of the book but really pushed through because I was hoping it would get better. I definitely needed more from both the characters and the plot. For a trope and story line that is done quite often, this book didn't bring anything new. I also was a little confused by some of the phrasing, some of the things felt out of setting and would pull me even further from what I was reading.


Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review

I had such high hopes for this book. I love a great Hades and Persephone retelling. A Goddess of Spring and Shadows had a slower plot and did not capture my attention like many of the others. There were several times that I wasn't sure who a character was. I'm honestly not sure if it is because the character had a weaker character development or if it was a hole in the plot.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I am a sucker for a good mythology retelling especially when it’s Persephone and Hades. Beware for a lot of slow burn! I loved the mix of fae and fantasy elements added to such an epic story!

The last few chapters were a whirlwind of emotions 🥵😭😳😡

A Goddess of Spring and Shadows by Lena J. Castle is a unique, captivating, and fast-paced Hades and Persephone retelling for Fantasy-Romance readers everywhere.

It starts off with Persephone enacting her plan to escape her mother's control. With her powers suppressed, she must get past numerous obstacles. Finally, she escapes and flees to the Underworld. There, she attempts to hide, but is easily found by the God of the Underworld, Hades. He will only let her stay on one condition..

This was my first Hades and Persephone retelling and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It starts off fast paced, which I really enjoy in a book. I love that it started off entertaining and was still able to do all the world building necessary for it all to make sense. I don't know much about Hades and Persephone, and this story didn't make me feel like I was missing any details about them, or any of the other characters. I liked that it was easy to understand what was going on. The language is easy to understand, but also eloquently written.

One thing that I absolutely appreciated in this was that Persephone acted her age. It made the story more realistic. She was trapped in her house for twenty-some years, she's not going to be the most mature person, especially next to other gods and goddesses who are centuries older than her. I don't think she was annoying by any means, but I think she was realistic. I enjoy when the character can grow through out the book/books.

This was a wonderfully written fantasy-romance, and I am so thankful to have been able to read it.

This review has been/will be posted on:
Goodreads - 11/14/24
Amazon: 11/15/24
Instagram: 11/15/24

I love a Hades and Persephone retelling and enjoyed the plot of this book. The idea to set Demeter out as an evil, power-hungry god is an interesting one with plenty of scope for additional books. I also really enjoyed the characters overcoming the Hades touching issue.

My biggest issue with book was with the main characters specifically Persephone. I struggled to really identify with her and care. The writing could include more of her personality to help the reader.

Love the front cover!

This book is the myth of Hades and Persephone written as a fantasy romance. It's a creative story, nicely written, with a great world built.

I especially liked the romance part, how beautiful their relationship evolves and how strong their bond is. And how protective Hades is on Persephone's freedom. I also liked the imagery constructed, it's an intriguing scenery and some nice characters flavor the book, too.

This is a nice read, a long and expansive story that for now, ends in a cliffhanger. I am grateful to have received this in order to share my view on it.

Three and a half
I'm always up for a Hades and Persephone tale so happily dived into this book. The story begins somewhat oddly with Persephone being intimate with someone she clearly dislikes as she's waiting for an opportunity to escape her what I can only describe as imprisonment. Persephone has planned carefully how to get away from her mother Demeter and finds her way to a portal that takes her into the Underworld where we all know Hades rules but will he let her stay ?
If I'm blunt I really didn't like how this story began so I do feel it coloured my entire perception of this book. There is a lot of instant attraction between the couple which at times took over but I realise many readers want that in a romance book. The entire question of just why Demeter kept her daughter captive didn't particularly make sense to me but there is an explanation of sorts as the book draws to a close. I think bottom line is I didn't particularly care for Persephone which is a shame but I'm intrigued by what lies around the corner for her as clearly her life is about to get much more interesting.

This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to receive an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Persephone has been imprisoned by her mother Demeter. She escapes and goes to the one place her mother can’t follow. The Underworld.

Hades, the God of the Underworld, almost immediately finds Persephone and makes a bargain with her. He can be as deadly as his touch. But when it comes to Persephone he is anything but.

There is a good spice to plot ratio, which I always appreciate. The characters are likable and I really like how Hades has this almost vigilante vibe? It is a pretty fast paced read and gets right to the point. I am very interested in seeing how the story unfolds.

I enjoyed this read despite quite a few flaws. I found the characters enjoyable, and the storyline has some good potential. There is a good balance of good spice scenes and storyline.
However, I found the story greatly lacking in world-building, which was disappointing to me. I also really didn’t like how the book ended. It was too much of a cliffhanger in my opinion, nearly everything was left unresolved and I definitely feel the book could have given a lot more before pausing for the next book if a series is planned. I believe it would have been a lot better if the book had ended with Persephone finishing the trials, as there is still potential for more after that; however, it would have felt more like a single finished book.
Thank you, Victory Editing and the author, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Review shared on Goodreads and Storygraph, and will be shared on Instagram stories within one week. Review to be posted on Amazon on release day.

I always love a story about Hades and Persephone but in this case I have some mixed feelings about the narrative styles as sometimes I find it difficult to understand the characters actions and the story itself. Anyway, I'm looking forward to read more from the author because it has a lot of potential ❤️‍🔥

ARC Review: A Goddess of Spring and Shadows by Lena J. Castle

I received this ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is 100% my own.


I had such high hopes for this book. I attempted to read it three times but I couldn’t make my way through it and had to DNF which I never do with ARCs.

The writing of this book felt very juvenile. The sentence structure was off and it really wasn’t enjoyable.

There were so many plot holes throughout what I managed to read and Persephone’s character was not consistent at all.

The plot of this book was such a good concept but unfortunate due to the writing it was let down.

This was my first Hades and Persephone book I have read, I did enjoy it for an easy read however there were a few things that were confusing. There was a huge part about basille and using him to get things from a library but no real mention of what was needed at the library.
Also they were in the fae world, then suddenly not?
Insta love isn't my normal type of books, however despite these issues I didn't feel any need to not finish