I was so so soo excited for this one and it did not disappoint!! I’d not heard of it before but loved the writing style and storyline kept me hooked, which helped because it’s one of my fave retellings! Would 100% recommend!

Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC!

The Maiden and The Unseen is the first and only erotica I requested on Netgalley and my first Hades-Persephone retelling. I have to say I quite liked it. More than my expectations. I absolutely loved the vulnerability in their relationship, how they could be their real selves with each other, how Hades could diminish Persephone's insecurities about her actual appearance. Persephone is such an admirable character. I love that she refused to take shits from Hades. It was an enjoyable read through and through. Recommended!

Holy shit this was insane!!!

Hades spends 6 months of the year amongst the mortals as head of Plutus industries, and the other 6 months guarding the gates of hell. He's grumpy, and a stickler for rules, revering in any chance to punish those unwilling to follow them. So when he finds out that one of the gods or goddesses has been hiding from him, and siphoning his money, he begins an intricate game, determined to find out whose deceived him and make them pay. Persephone has been in the mortal realm for 2 years after pleading with her mother Demeter for 228. She's happy and content, relishing in her freedom and independence, after feeling suffocated on the boringly samey Mount Olympus. However, when her card is declined at three different stores, she storms into Plutus industries, seething, and ready to take on Hades and get her money back no matter what.

Both Hades and Persephone are navigating the corporate world within the same business, trying unsuccessfully to fight their base instincts and urges to tear each others clothes off, especially with their fated destiny pulling them towards each other. With this pull becomes ever more exasperating and difficult to refuse, Hades becomes desperate, trying to put as much space between him and Persephone as he can, determined to protect her from the curse of fate drawing them so fiercely together.

One thing that absolutely melted my heart in this story was the way Persephone and Hades could be themselves authentically, fully embracing their true identities, be open and vulnerable with their insecurities and feel utterly safe, whilst being revered and worshipped by the other. That shit absolutely got me, it's utterly adorable.

Persephone is an absolute bad-ass queen. She's fierce and sassy, and doesn't take Hades' barbs lying down, happily playing him at his own game, and constantly putting him in his place, it was so refreshing to see her not immediately fawning all over him, but actually standing her ground.

Melinoe deserves her own special mention because she's an absolute hero, having sex with a god and then promptly knocking him out, queen shit right there. She is a powerhouse, bad-ass boss bitch, and one of my all time favourite female mc's.

I know the second books out, but I'm still here to say WE NEED MORE MELINOE AND HELIOS INTERACTIONS please and thank you.


This is chock-a-block full of smut, boy they could not keep their hands off each other for more than 5 minutes, I'm surprised they could even walk, let alone in high heels (get it sis).


THE CLUB SCENE my god, prepare yourself because it's fire as fuck.
The sexual tension?

The insane shadow play?

The sass?

phew

Even though this is a hard-core smut story (not that I'm even remotely mad about it) it does also have a twisty plot, and leaves you on a cliff-hanger (luckily book two is now out but I'm not hopeful it won't end on a cliff-hanger too)that prepares you nicely for the next instalment. I hope we get to learn more about Persephone and Hades as individuals, and their stories and backgrounds a bit more in the second book, but overall, I am BUZZING for book 2.

Hades and Persephone retellings are always such a good time and this was so steamy and fun. I read it really fast and couldn't put it down.

I haven't been addicted to a book like this one in a while. I absolutely loved it. I loved the reimaging of Hades and Persephone's story and I can't wait to read book two to see what happens next! I was starting to get a little tired of the romance, but then the storyline took over and we are now left with a cliffhanger wanting more!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of The Maiden & The Unseen by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune.

I'm a big old fan of Greek mythology so I'm always picking up a gods retelling. What made it even more intriguing is our center characters are Hades and Persephone.

This book was fast paced, very smutty, and easy to read.

I loved this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The twists and turns and the whole story captivated me. I couldn’t read it fast enough!

Anything to do with Greek Mythology and I am totally there for it, add in some Hades and Persephone and I am without a doubt going to devour the book... which I did! WOW! Read it now, trust me, you won't regret it.

This was such a fun retelling of Hades and Persephone. I enjoyed it. It was a quick fast paced read!

okay so fated mates, shadow wielding, boss/employee, instalove, greek retelling
i didnt love some aspects- for example, she was made out to be the slimy cheater and he got off scot free when they both were in the wrong and he had a FUCKING TAIL. and the tail got INVOLVED. like. i n v o l v e d. not cool. his body was mix between cardan and rhys plus horns - and i was not into it. this book was 80% smut which i didnt mind esppppp when the shadows got involved hehe that was acceptable for sure
however i started to get bored bc it was allllll smut and there was a stupid prophecy like always so i probably wont read the second book even though i also got it from netgalley but it made for a fun treadmill read!

I think that my mood was not quite right for this book. Maybe I had too much of comparison to other stories like that or something like that.
But nevertheless I would recommend this book if you're enjoying or maybe just starting the Hades x Persephone stories!

Though I claim to above and beyond adore Hades and Persephone stories.. I am ashamed to admit that before this week, I don’t think I’d ever read a book that truly depicted this celestial couple. Granted I do own a lot of books featuring these two but.. we all know how that book hoarding problem goes. 😂

This week I picked up The Maiden & The Unseen by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune in preparation for the second book releasing this week & I am so happy that I started out my newfound re-obsession with Hades & Persephone with this series.

This book was everything I expected out of a Hades and Persephone story and even more. I adored the writing and I am SO glad that I had that second book otherwise I would have literally died after that cliffhanger!

definitely rated this book. Loved the story and setting. I am a big hades and Persephone so I might be biased. Was a fun retelling. Definitely recommend:)

Not a huge fan of modern retellings of myths but this wasn’t bad! I do wish it had more elements of their powers and etc.

"Look at these mortals. So full of life and whimsy. Valuing each moment, knowing it could be their last. I let out a soft chuckle. I suppose Homer did get that part right. I envy them."

I am a huge fan of Hades and Persephone so you can imagine how I eagerly I dove into this modern-day retelling, and I must admit, it captured my interest. Departing from mere adaptations of Greek myths, the story places the gods in contemporary society. I found the portrayal of Hades as a ruler rather than a villain refreshingly accurate, and the acknowledgment of his role as the gods' banker was a noteworthy detail often overlooked in Greek mythology retelling.

''I can't believe my luck, it's been almost three full days and I've only seen Hades twice. Of course, I've only accomplished this by arriving early and leaving late, plus making it my life's mission to only leave my office when Hades's office windows are clouded in the thick white mist. But once again, the power of throwing myself into my work has done wonders, in fact, I've barely thought of Hades all week.''

Yet, despite these promising elements, the novel had its flaws. While Hades entertained me with his amusing inner monologues, his constant lack of communication drove me insane. Trimming unnecessary scenes of longing and arguing would have significantly reduced the book's length without sacrificing substance. Persephone's constant whining, albeit understandable given her sheltered upbringing, led to trivial conflicts that felt immature and irrelevant.

" The gentle hum of the elevator creates a backing track for my inner thoughts. He’s hiding something, he’s hiding something, he’s hiding something."

Regrettably, the plot was lacking, relying primarily on a few central conflicts. Hades' inability to disclose the prophecy hindered his relationship with Persephone, while her refusal to end her current relationship and her secret defiance of Demeter's rules added further tension. Although the prophecy was eventually fulfilled, the fact that Hades remained unable to discuss it just seemed pointless

"My heart pounds in my chest and the room starts to spin. Nothing ever seems to be easy with Hades. Can I spend my life like this? Never knowing where I stand? Only ever getting half a story?"

In conclusion, I was left unsatisfied by this book, it had the potential to be something amazing and fell short sadly

There was a LOT of smut in this book, A LOT. I love a good smut books and I love when there's more smut than plot sometimes... It makes for a quick, entertaining read... HOWEVER, some of the dialogue is really cringy and some of the things that done is a bit... Much.... Like when they rub their horns together.... No. No sir, no ma'am.

I think for what it is, its great. But this is probably the worst Hades and Persephone re-imagining I have ever read.

I really enjoyed the pacing of the book and how well the dialogue played out. I’ve read many romance books that just didn’t read well because the dialogue was choppy and the scenes would change and not have anything to do with each other. This is a pleasant palette cleanser from horrible romantasy!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this, however it relied heavily on tired tropes, stereotypes and offered very little depth to any of the characters.

The concept of the workplace situation for Hades was interesting, which was a new take but other than this, the title largely fell flat.

I had high hopes as I love novels re-telling Hades and Persephone's story. However, I soon felt that the plot went nowhere, nor were the characters being developed. By the end I felt the book had moved now where, and was surprised when it ended.

This book is HOT, with a surprisingly interesting plot/subplot. This steamy retelling of Persephone and Hades will appeal to those who like spicy romance.