This years IT couple!

Man, Hades and Persephone really are the IT couple at the moment huh? Between Lore Olympus and Neon Gods, along with dozens of others, it feels like Greek Mythology retellings have really become a trend in Winter 2021 going into 2022. As a fan of mythology, I am all about this, especially because every adaptation so far has been very different.

This is a good example of how different these adaptations can be. In most of them, they touch on the fact that Persephone and Hades’ relationship as it’s…issues, to say the least, but this one full-on ignores those aspects. Instead, it leans into Persephone really wanting Hades and to be with him, despite some wayward arrows sent by Eros. As usual, all men in this book (aside from Hades) are sexual predators who try to use magic and force to get women to be with them, so they can all rot. At least that is consistent with the original mythology.

In this, Persephone originally admires Hades because of his intimidating presence, as she is often ignored, and her opinions cast aside. When Eros strikes Hades with a wayward arrow, he wants the attraction to her to end, but even as he tries to quell his love for her, he cannot. Persephone also yearns to escape her tiny corner of the world and seek adventure, but her powers and mother are tying her to the Earth. The last bit of this book is pretty sexy and has some sexual imagery (exposed breasts, lots of roaming hands, and implied actions) so it goes from 0 to 100 relatively quickly. I really loved the art, especially the way the illustrator worked with a very limited color palette to bring the story alive.

If you’re a fan of mythology or just love a good graphic novel, this is a solid choice.

Title: Persephone: Hades’ Torment
Author: Allison Shaw
Format:  Paperback
Pages: 164
ISBN:9781648276514

Three Descriptors: Sexy, Romantic, Retelling

Read Alikes:
Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
Neon Gods by Katee Robert