Salisbury's Her Dark Wings is a loose retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, set in a world where the old gods and Olympians are still worshipped and prayed to. Best friends Corey and Bree have always been inseparable, but when Bree betrays Corey in the worst way possible, their bond shatters and a furious Corey wishes her dead. When Bree winds up dead, Corey is alone and heartbroken, and soon stumbles across the Underworld, face to face with Hades himself, and the Furies. Her Dark Wings explores themes of justice, vengeance, mercy, and righteousness, all carried out in style, and written exceptionally well.

Heading into this one I was unsure if this would be my cup of tea seeing as I haven't ever read much Greek Mythology fiction (yes, I've never read PJO I'm sorry), even though I do find it incredibly fascinating. I've always believed it to be a subgenre that I'd really have to be in the mood for, but this one really called out to me yesterday for whatever reason, and I'm so glad I picked this one up off my Netgalley shelf!

Corey is a really interesting female MC and I really enjoyed her character development throughout the book, more importantly, her exploration into the idea of justice, and the morality behind enacting your own vengeance. For example, the influence the Furies had over Corey in their thirst for vengeance and justice was written so well, and the idea of the two sides of Corey that she must balance; her own desire for vengeance, and her mercy.

The only fault I have is that the end of the book ended a little too openly (which I pray is because there may be a sequel, eventhough it didn't end in the typical way the first in a series would end, it seemed pretty cut and dry). I just have so many unanswered questions!!

***SPOILERS AHEAD***

I wanted to know a little bit more about Corey and her powers, and mainly why she has these powers (I understand Persephone is the daughter of the goddess of nature, but why were they dormant before her journey to the Underworld? What is her heritage? Who is her mother? Is it Demeter? Is Corey actually Persephone, or just a descendant?). Also, I really wanted to know more about the Furies, but I think that's more so down to me to do a little of my own research as I found them fascinating (they were written so well) and I don't know anything about them.

I think I was maybe expecting more answers but hey ho, I loved this book regardless, and I guess all these unanswered questions have just spurred me on to do more research (and absolutely pick up more Greek mythology retellings)! But all I want right now is just to read a little more about what happens next between Corey and Hades 😭 *prays for sequel*.

This was an easy 5 stars for me and I'd highly recommend this to anyone, whether you're a fan of Greek Mythology, or a newbie like me.

I’ve finished this and honestly, Mel just GETS IT. This is betrayal, finding yourself, finding your place in the world, magic, Hades and the Furies. This is gorgeous Corey asking all the questions and having to figure out the answers. This is a love letter to gardening and the power of seeds. I just adored it. I’d love to know what happens next - I’d love to revisit Corey’s world and her people. There’s so much about this that I’d love to go back and just devour again. Friendship, power and love: an important trifecta in this story.

Who doesn't love a retelling of Hades & Persephone? Now make it Gothic, scary and sensual - that's what Salisbury is offering up here. Compelling and fresh. It's really worth signalling how the love story within this is more the female friendship of the lead and her ex-BFF - it makes for really intriguing reading.

This was a fantastic book that I simply devoured in one go! It is based on the Hades and Persephone myth with Cory reeling from the betrayal of her best friend and (now ex) boyfriend. Things get strange when her ex best friend is found dead during a yearly celebration, which is too soon after meeting a stranger and wishing her to be a coincidence...
I've loved how it looks into the mentality of humans, how people dying still doesn't mean we can't dislike them and not feel entirely unhappy with what happened. It looks at human nature, the swirling mix of negative emotions and how they can change the very person we are. It has a little romance which didn't feel forced, I loved the furies in this and the powers displayed. A must read!

Lush, richly imagined and deliciously dark, I really enjoyed this latest offering from Melinda Salisbury - a writer who never disappoints. My only criticism is that I was left desperately wanting more - I’m not sure if this is the start of a series but I certainly hope so.

I really enjoyed reading her dark wings by Melissa Salisbury . It was very well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I never know what I am walking into when I pick up a Melinda Salisbury book. They are all so wildly different but I have loved each and every one so far. Her Dark Wings was no exception. I apparently know nothing about Greek mythology as I didn't even make the connection between Corey and Persephone but I was completely hooked. I loved how Corey wasn't perfect throughout the book - she had dark thoughts and made the wrong choices. She was very much human thrusted into a world of gods.

This great retelling of the story of Hades and Persephone ticks all the boxes. Protagonist Corey has had her heart broken when her best friend and boyfriend betray her, and a wish made in anger takes her on a journey culminating in the underworld where emotions collide and powers are unleashed. Full of drama, tension, love and loss, this pacey ya novel is puts a fresh spin on mythology.

Reeling from the death of her former best friend, passionate gardener Corey finds herself drawn towards the Underworld, home to the captivating Furies and a dark, enticing god. But could she ever feel at home in a land where nothing grows?

I knew I had to read this as soon as it was announced and Her Dark Wings surpassed my every expectation. I couldn't put it down. Melinda Salisbury offers a unique take on the Persephone myth that will keep readers gripped from page one.

Her Dark Wings is steeped in mythology, with plenty of technical terms and names, but still has a very modern feel. This is Greek myth in the twenty first century, and it works SO well. The novel focuses on Underworld deities rather than the full Olympic pantheon and makes brilliant use of the friction between the old gods and the new. There are a few characters whose links to the gods are never fully explained (or at least named) but with a little bit of mythological knowledge, readers will be keen to guess at who they might be.

Salisbury's writing is beautiful. I loved the use of plants and growth woven throughout this novel, providing a gentle nod to Persephone's role as the goddess of spring.

Her Dark Wings also explores the simmering tension that can exist in female friendships. This is a story about what happens when 'best friends forever' grows sour, and the devastating grief of lost friendship. I loved that Corey isn't a perfect protagonist - she has dark thoughts and makes choices she later regrets as she learns who she is and who she wants to be. Her Dark Wings is a novel which explores growth both in the natural world and within ourselves. It is beautiful and I can't recommend it enough.