What I did find especially interesting in this version of the Hades/Persephone story is that Persephone’s mother, Demeter, is depicted as quite abusive. These are all tropes that I absolutely adore, and the author works with them very very well, and it creates quite the satisfying read. It does follow a lot of the tropes of this genre a sinister and overbearing love interest, abduction, slowly developing relationships and the exploration of a frightening new world. This is a supernatural romance story, with magic and fantastical backdrops like the Underworld and Mount Olympus. I was given a free copy for review purposes, all opinions here are my own and completely impartial. As a romance it is quite a dark one, although it steadily builds its way towards that happily ever after. It’s a genderbent rendition that gives us a truly delightful and sensual take on the old story of Persephone being lured into the Underworld, being bound by the consumption of pomegranate seeds, and the origin of the winter seasons. In this version of the story, Hades is a goddess. Warnings: Depictions of parental and spousal abuse, depictions of misogyny, noncon, dubcon, violence, incestĬaptive in the Underworld is a dark lesbian romance novel that retells the classic Greek myth of Hades and Persephone, but with several twists. No matter the cost, Hades intends to keep her. And though she cannot deny that something blooms within her, something forbidden, Persephone despairs of ever feeling the sun upon her skin once more. With her tears and pleas for freedom ignored by pitiless Hades, Persephone must learn to satisfy her keeper in all ways, lest she suffer the consequences. Still, when Hades pulls her into the dark realm of the underworld, Persephone longs for the world above, even if it means an eternity under her mother’s thumb. Demeter has rebuffed all her daughter’s suitors, but she is not yet satisfied she strives to crush Persephone’s spirit. Innocent Persephone chafes beneath her mother’s hawkish gaze and mercurial temper.

Hades gets what she wants–always–and what she wants is a certain goddess of the springtime. In the land of the dead, Queen Hades’ word is law.

Captive in the underworld by lianyu tan