This book is filled with drama, angst, and sexual tension like you wouldn't believe. It was emotional chaos, and I loved it. The Maiden and the Unseen is a dazzling Hades and Persephone retelling by co-authors, Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose, and it's what dreams are made of. I'm a big fan of all sorts of mythology, and the Hades and Persephone myth is my absolute favorite. Alexis and Jeanette have written one of my dreams, set in modern times where the Greek gods secretly exist.


All the usual characters are represented as themselves, Hades, Persephone, Melinoë, Zeus, Posiden, Helios, and more. Hades is Hades, God of the Underworld, and a banker. Persephone is the goddess of spring and a social media manager, and Melinoë is the goddess of nightmares and also the IT director, which in a way makes total sense, and so on.


The gods are a mess, and I delighted in lit. They are everything I expected while being like nothing I expected. Hades is the middle child and a mediator between his brothers. He's calm, responsible, and reasonable except when Persephone gets under his skin, then Hades is brooding, obsessive, possessive, and a touch sensitive but the god is still tall, dark, and sexy. While Persephone is very sheltered, try to break free from her controlling mother. She has a go-getting attitude. The goddess of spring has an edge.


Both Hades and Persephone drove me crazy, the two are a mess of emotions. There is this strong attraction, and they come together in fiery passion, but when it comes to the actual relationship part, they are clueless, causing each other grief for unknown reasons. They were torturing each other but after they're together it's everything, if still problematic. The flirtation game is strong with sexting, dating apps, club hook-ups, and steamy make-outs before they started giving me third-degree burns. It was hot.


There were a lot of other cool aspects, I love little extras in books. This one had texting, emails, memos, and more. Then, there are the supernatural aspects that got a unique twist. There is a prophecy and a curse, fate toying with the characters, mentioning of different realms, as well as other things that I feel need to be a surprise, they sure were to me.


The Maiden and the Unseen was truly a glorious read, with fabulous characters and a compelling storyline, just the right amount of sex appeal, and Greek mythology, with its own unique twists. My love for this book knows no bounds. The story ended in a very chaotic cliffhanger that has me dying for the next book because I'm already addicted to this series.

**I received The Maiden & The Unseen as an arc through NetGalley**
I am a sucker for Hades x Persephone retellings and The Maiden & The Unseen did NOT disappoint. I loved the dynamic between Hades and Persephone and I had a hard time putting the book down. I appreciated all the nods towards Greek mythology while also adding good twists and new content to the original myth. This book does leave us on a rather big cliff hanger but that means we get a 2nd book, which I am stoked about. If you enjoy Greek mythology / retellings, I recommend The Maiden & The Unseen!!

Overall: 9/10
Spice rating: 4/5

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for my review.

This book is 4.5 stars to me more than just 4 stars. I was absolutely enthralled with this book. I loved the characters. The spice was great. But I want more!! I am hoping there will be a second book because it can not end like that!!

When I saw this was a retelling of Hades and Persephone I was super excited to start this book…. But for me it just didn’t hit the spot.

I got a third of the way through and seriously considered not finishing, but I ploughed my way through and completed it. It was middle of the road for me

I’m not a big fan of spice books, so for other it may be more enjoyable
It ended on a big cliffhanger but I wouldn’t go out of my way to read the second book

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read

I’ll just start out with the thing that made this such a low star rating for me- miscommunication. Ugh! This is the worst trope. The spice was great. The premise was so promising. But the fact that the author added unnecessary drama to the plot through miscommunication made it a dnf for me:

This book was amazing. Slow burn start in a way, but also very intense. The smut was just the right amount I feel for a fated mates type book. The ending left me wanting more and I will probably never be able to sleep peacefully until I know. Overall, this book was wonderful and I hope there is more to this story.

This review is based on the copy I received through NetGalley.

4 stars

This is definitely the spiciest Hades and Persephone read to date. There is lots and lots of spice which I devoured. I also enjoyed the banter and relationship of the 2 main characters. Looking forward to the sequel.

Greek mythology, gods and fate.

Hades, god of the dead, wealth, biting his tongue, middle siblings, listening to other gods bitch......really, the list goes on. Since Zeus has allowed gods off the mountain and into the mortal realm, Hades has been providing the gods with money and making sure they follow the rules.

Persephone, goddess of spring has finally escaped her mother and is in the mortal realm. Unlike any other god or goddess she has a job and a life, or what she can keep secret from her mother. Until her money runs out.

In this story both Hades and Persephone will try to avoid Fate and understand if their attraction to each other is real or destiny. This is a wonderful read that considers the characters and the challenges they face coming to grips with their futures. I would rate this a 4.5. The spice was fantastic and some of the best I have read in a long time. However, be warned, this ends on a cliffhanger and you will not be able to wait for the next in the series. Please let it be soon!

This was an engaging mythology retelling set in modern times. The romance was very spicy with very little plot development which isn't bad if you're looking for that, but I would have liked to have more questions answered about her mother and the conflict there (I assume there is another book which will explain these mysteries). I liked how Persephone and Hades were represented in this book compared with other retellings I've read which was probably my favourite part of the book.

This was a NetGalley read.

This one wasn't for me. However, if you liked A Touch of Darkness you should definitely check out The Maiden & The Unseen.

I guess I don't like Greek gods chilling in the modern day. It's hard for me to believe ancient beings would be so.....millennial. I have trouble taking it seriously. Like, the God of the Underworld should not be making pop culture references to Harry Potter (especially when JK totally stole the idea for Fluffy from his pet).

The book has a lot of spice that incorporates supernatural elements.
Personally, I don't find that sexy, but I won't yuck your yums. The writing in the sex scenes was kind of flowery in a classic romance novel way (think Fabio). Jack was a totally unnecessary character in my opinion. Cheating ain't cute, and i wasn't rooting for it. But the worst offender was this Persephone POV: "His misogynistic words did nothing to dampen my need. Did they heighten it?" I stg I almost one-starred for that alone.

My main issue was with the writing style, which I found fanfiction-y (like describing outfits in specific detail). It was also very repetitive--whether that was a word repeated twice in a sentence (it just doesn't sound right to me!), or the same idea being reiterated over and over. But even though this wasn't my jam, I wasn't bored reading it, so I'll give it 2 stars.

Thank you to Rose & Rune (cool duo name btw) and NetGalley for the ARC.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC of this book for my honest opinion

This is a modern-day Hades and Persephone retelling. Hades is the boss of the gods' money and Persephone meets him one day because he has taken all her hard earned money because of a mix up…or was it a mix up or just fate being themselves.

I LOVE retellings so much and any that are about Greek mythology are the best, so when I saw this book on netgalley I had to read it.

If you love a good retelling, with enemies to lovers, fated mates and a lot of spice then this is a book you should read.

I thought the characters were likable and I could relate to Persephone. She is a strong goddess who knows what she wants and gets it. Hades is Bossy and demanding but I think of the God of Hell to be like that. The characters did have a few flaws that I wish we didn’t have to read about because it became a little repetitive but overall, I really enjoyed them.

I thought the plot was good for being the first book, I do think that there should be a few changes like take out all the back and forth that is in the book for no reason but other than that I found this book to be fast-paced and an easy read.

I thought the writing was great and easy to follow the plot. What I didn’t like was the cliffhanger at the end of the book, like how are you going to do that to me. I need to know what other obstacles they will have to face together now. I just hope that the second book comes out soon because I need more tension and banter from those two characters.

I want to thank NetGalley and Rose & Star Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book

Where to even start? I feel like my feelings about this book can be summed up in bullet points so let's give it a try:
- 30% tension, 60% smut, 10% some form of plot.
- the tension is better than the smut.
- Mellie is the best character and the happiness I feel about her being in this story is infinite.
- I may hate this version of Hermes.
-The inclusion of Hades and Persephone's inner monologue/ thoughts has to be the best thing ever in a book. It fills in gaps, adds clarification, and really puts everything on page so you know what all is going on without having to guess.
- HADES HAS HORNS AND WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Persephone also has horns and wings but I'm not as excited about those.
All that said it's rather repetitive and ends on a cliff hanger that doesn't leave me wanting more. There was no real plot for me to cling to so I don't wanna hang around.
I'll likely still read book two, if there is gonna be a book two but I'm not shivering with antici...pation.

“Before Hades, my power felt like a kernel. Small and insignificant and yet a comforting presence within me. Since I met him, my power seems... deeper, more entwined with me, and much bigger. The closer I get to Hades, the more my power grows, like he's unlocking a part of me that has been imprisoned for years.”

💕 Tropes: greek myth retelling, fated mates, forced proximity, workplace romance

📚 Synopsis: The gods of Olympus are bored, and have started to come down from the mountain to live among the mortals. Among them, Hades, head of Plutus Industries and in charge of the mortal money that is deposited in the gods' accounts each month, and Persephone, a social media manager with newfound freedom after her mother kept her hidden for centuries. When Hades notices that a god is hiding from him, he makes it his mission to find out who it is: and find her he does.

✏️ Review: This book had me in a chokehold from the very beginning. I'm not usually one for fated mates tropes, but with Hades and Persephone, they felt so perfect for each other it was insane! The spice in this book was next level, and I love how Hades brought out Persephone's power--the power she was always meant to have. I cannot WAIT to read the next book in the series, because that CLIFFHANGER had me on the edge of my seat!

⚠️ CWs: emotionally abusive parent

🌈 Representation: N/A

Final Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I expected so much more from this book. It’s a Persephone and Hades retelling, of course you’d expect a lot of spice. Almost every chapter is filled with it, and it’s written well. But, there is something that annoys me a lot. All the problems in this book revolve around miscommunication. And, honestly that’s a huge let down. Maybe the next book will be better. I would certainly hope for Gods and Goddesses who are centuries old to act better than a couple of horny young adults. I wouldn’t be complaining if their age wasn’t mentioned, but it was.

This is a reimagining of the Hades and Persephone story, set in modern day. Hades works in the mortal realm, and no god can enter the mortal world without banking with Hades, so he’s like a gatekeeper in the human realm. When Persephone’s balance zeroes out, she goes to work for Hades so that she can make some money and not get sent back to her mother on Olympus. Persephone promises her mother that she would be able to take care of herself and that she wouldn’t date any other gods. So Persephone here really tries to stay away from Hades, and Hades really tries to stay away from Persephone too because he doesn’t want to give in to his fate.

This fizzled a little for me about halfway through, and I was a lot more interested in some of the side characters. Hades is a dark god, but he’s swooning over her for Persephone, who really dragged her feet about Jackson.

📚 Book Review 📚
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The Maiden and the Unseen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to NetGalley, Rose and Star Publishing, Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune for providing me with a digital copy of this book. This is my honest review.
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Will I ever get tired of Hades and Persephone retellings? Never! 🗣️ No matter the situation, their love and desperation for each other gets me every time. The Maiden and the Unseen was no exception!
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I really enjoyed the modern setting. I think it played really well into this reiteration of Hades and Persephone and who they are as people. Or should I say deities? 👀 Hades as the mysterious CEO with a secret heart of gold will always be a hard YES. And I loved how mischievous and cheeky Persephone was! I feel like a lot of retellings lean really hard into her identity as the Goddess of Spring without taking into account who she is as the Goddess of Death. The inevitability and the tension between them is palpable the entire way through. The chemistry is off the charts. And the spice? 👀 The shadows?! 👀👀 THE UNGLAMORING?!?! 👀👀👀 I’m so here for it.
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While there’s plot here, this book mainly focuses on Hades and Persephone as a couple. I did wish there was a bit more Olympian plot to go with the relationship shenanigans, but I can appreciate the foundation built here and how things are being set in motion. There’s a really good lead in to book 2 and a cliffhanger that left me scrambling. I need to know what happens next! 🫠
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If you’re looking for a spicy Hades and Persephone retelling to add to your collection, give the Maiden and the Unseen a shot! It’s book one in the Love and Fate series and is available for purchase in ebook, paperback, and hardcover format.

Hades and Persephone, my favorite trope. Their story always lure me, so this book. First im in love with the book cover, when read description im in love again.

The story between them always same, there are strong magnet between them, attract to each other, cant resist the pull. The tension tho.. wow.. Flirt with vines and shadows was new!

They have doubt for each other, similiar thinks like 'Why would someone like him ever be interested in someone like me?', 'i am not enough', 'she not into me' 'she really doesn’t want anything to do with me.' 'she doesn’t even seem to like me.' 'How could one as powerful as him love me?'

They relationship not easy, a little miscomunication, little fight, not understand each other, Hades who never in relationship dont know how to do with his feeling, fear she leave him, running when he think persephone reject him.

I wondering why Persephone not breaking up with Jackson? Because she dosnt want to obey Hades order? But she keep tempt and torture Hades, they back and forth dance was exhausted.

"Hades belongs to you. You belong to Hades. Don’t fight it."

There are many mystery unreveal, about Presephone mother, aboit hermes, about the fate, about Hades secret, the end tho.. man... not a fan of cliffhanger. I hope there is book about Hellious and Mellie!!

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#TheMaidenTheUnseen #JeanetteRose #AlexisRune #RoseStarPublishing #NetGalley #ARC

I tried to like this book but it just wasn’t doing it for me. This modern day Hades/Persephone retelling has a lot of potential but it didn’t live up to it at all. The writing style is a bit sloppy imo, and it just felt messy when I was reading it.

Another thing I disliked was Hades, he’s constantly complaining and whining about anything and everything. Which is immediately a big no for me.

Thanks NetGalley for providing me with this arc!

The Maiden & The Unseen is a Greek mythology retelling of Hades and Persephone wherein Hades is fated to be with Persephone as his Queen.
But Hades fights himself over being bound to her through what he calls a curse.
You can definitely feel the attraction between the two characters and there is plenty of spice between the two!
I enjoyed the main characters but really did enjoy the side characters throughout the story too.
The miscommunication trope did feel a little drawn out in the book which I don’t usually mind but I didn’t feel like this helped the plot. I felt that the plot was a side plot to the spice in this book unfortunately.
I did enjoy the dual Pov from both characters as I feel this gives us the reader a better understanding of characters.
The book finishes on a cliffhanger and I’d definitely give the next book in the series a read when it releases.

Thank you to Netgalley, the authors and publishers for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good Hades and Persephone retelling and this book definitely puts it's own spin on it. I like that it took place in the mortal world and it was nice seeing how gods and goddesses would act. The only thing I didn’t like was the whole miscommunication trope but if that’s your thing then this is right up your alley. The spice was plentiful and the plot was interesting. Overall a pretty good book, can’t wait for the next one.