After reading the first book in the series, I was very excited for this one. But, it kind of let me down.

It was still a very good retelling of Hades and Persephone but it was so far out from the first book.

The world building for the underworld was well written but was disappointed that not much was said about the real world.

This book was filled with power and love and I enjoyed it.

The Mistress & The Renowned is the enthralling second installment in the Love and Fate series by Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose. This novel continues the tale of Hades and Persephone, blending Greek mythology with contemporary themes to create a compelling narrative that explores love, power, and redemption.

Plot : In this sequel, Hades and Persephone's relationship deepens as they confront new challenges and old enemies. Hades, the formidable God of the Underworld, must navigate the complexities of his duties while protecting Persephone from those who would seek to control her. Persephone, the resilient Goddess of Spring, continues her journey of self-discovery, striving to balance her newfound power with the demands placed upon her by both gods and mortals.

As Hades and Persephone's bond strengthens, they face opposition from powerful forces within the divine realm. Their love is tested by betrayal, political intrigue, and the lingering shadows of past traumas. Together, they must find a way to overcome these obstacles and secure their future, not only as a couple but also as rulers of their respective domains.

Characters

- Hades: A complex and multi-faceted character, Hades is depicted as both a powerful ruler and a loving partner. His internal struggles and protective nature add depth to his portrayal.
- Persephone: Persephone's growth from a sheltered maiden to a confident and powerful goddess is a central theme. Her determination and resilience make her a relatable and inspiring protagonist.
- Zeus: The king of the gods, whose machinations and schemes add layers of tension and conflict to the story.
- Demeter: Persephone's mother, whose overbearing and controlling nature continues to impact Persephone's life and choices.

Themes

- Power and Control: The novel delves into the dynamics of power and control, both in personal relationships and within the divine hierarchy.
- Love and Sacrifice: Hades and Persephone's love story is marked by sacrifice and the willingness to face immense challenges for the sake of their bond.
- Identity and Transformation: Persephone's journey is one of transformation and self-discovery, highlighting the importance of embracing one's true identity.

Writing Style
Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose's writing is rich and evocative, bringing the world of Greek mythology to life with vivid descriptions and intricate details. The authors skillfully balance action-packed scenes with moments of introspection, creating a well-rounded narrative that keeps readers engaged. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, capturing the essence of each character's personality and motivations.

The Mistress & The Renowned is a captivating sequel that expands on the mythology and character development established in the first book. Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose have crafted a story that is both intense and heartwarming, filled with suspense, romance, and emotional depth. Fans of the series will be delighted by this continuation of Hades and Persephone's journey, while new readers will find themselves quickly drawn into the richly imagined world of the Love and Fate series. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys mythological retellings with a modern twist and a powerful love story at its core.

Thank you NetGalley and Rose and Star Publishing for the e-arc!
I'm so excited for the continuation of the series! I really enjoyed the first book, which featured all of our god characters in the modern-day world who have relatively normal lives with spice and fantasy. I the first book I would say definitely focused a bit more on setting up the romance in the world with the second book focusing a lot more on the plot and the characters' growth,
Hades and Persephone do have miscommunication and problems throughout this book connecting with each other but I enjoy the growth that does follow a lot of these instances. Despite these miscommunications you do want them to work out which is one of those important things when it comes to romance.

2.5 rounded down to 2.
This felt like a 180 from book one. Where book one was set entirely in the modern world and this book in the Underworld. No mention was really made of the world above and the plot moved forward at a snail's pace.
If you are a fan of Scarlet St. Clair, you will most likely enjoy this series.

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for letting me read this arc in return for an honest review.

What a roller coaster of a book. I loved it better than the first, but my heart just aches for everything Hades and Persephone have gone through. First, she's thrown into a realm she knows nothing of and all alone while he's fighting for his life in Tartarus. Second, once she frees him they both are battling their internal and mental wounds fighting with each other over everything that's happened. Third, her mom is so verdictive she just releases all the titans from their cells to cause havoc just cause her daughter has been "kidnapped". Her mom is really the worst, poisoning Hades and the underworld just to punish her daughter to come back home. I know this is vaguely like the myths but god I don't like Demeter. Just let them have their happy ever after. This book definitely had more plot than the first and less spice as they both work through their problems and I really liked the story. The cliff hanger should be illegal so I guess now I have to immediately jump into the final book.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one. Majority of the book was taken up by their miscommunication issues and then there were half a dozen chapters dedicated to the actual climax of the story. Yes I know they both had trauma to work through, but the miscommunication was frustrating. As a plot device it works because they in fact barely know each other, but that should have been emphasised. It should have been pressed deep that they only know the surface of each other because the focus of their relationship has been their lust. Instead he said “I won’t push” and she went “okay, that’s all I wanted to hear, let’s do what you want now”.

As a whole, the story was incredibly engaging and I went through it quickly, but there are issues (as I’ve mentioned) that I didn’t like. I’m not sure if I’ll read the third book, but I will definitely read Mellie and Helios’s story because they’re fun.

I can't handle miscommunication, and this was rife with it. I needed Persephone to chill out and communicate with Hades in the worst way possible.

That being said, it was a decent read that was written and interesting.

this is the second book in this series and I liked it more than the first. it was way less spicy and we got to know the characters a lot better! Something which was different in this book to the first is that there is a lot more story here and some plots and turns you can't see coming! I really liked most of the characters accept hades he was so annoying and there was some miscommunication which isn't my favourite. I would recommend it if you like fantasy, romance and some miscommunication as well as friendships in books. I will be reading the third book very soon because I want to know how the story ends.

(thank you netgalley for this arc-copy!)

The writing itself in this was as good as the first, but I felt like the whole process of actually finding Hades and getting him out of Tartarus was really rushed. Beyond that (although it was really well written as far as realism goes), I could not get much enjoyment out of reading their attempts to help each other cope with their PTSD. It was so painful.

I really this book , the characters and the story is original and i think is perfect for the people that loves Greek mythology.

As the narrative unfolds, Hades, newly crowned king, is abruptly whisked away from his opulent penthouse and thrust into a horrifying situation - a monstrous, life-draining tree. Panic bleeds through the pages as he sends out a desperate call for help. While I anticipated Persephone's intervention, the answer sends him hurtling towards a place he clearly dreads: his own forgotten past.

This latest installment in the series proved to be utterly captivating. The striking cover art immediately grabbed my attention, and the concise chapters ensured a fast-paced read. The author's portrayal of Persephone and Hades' dynamic was particularly captivating, especially their interactions. While Demeter's character remained unlikeable, Cerberus defied expectations, proving to be surprisingly endearing. Melinoe's presence was equally welcome, and the author's evocative writing style effectively transported me into the shadows, making me feel like a silent observer of the events. The conclusion leaves me eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this enthralling series.

really like the story and world building in this book! I love these characters so much and that cliff hanger hurt my heart!!! Looking forward to reading book 3

Loved the growth we see with Persephone and her relationship with Hades. Persephone really embraces her role as Queen of the Underworld, and I just love it.

One of things I liked about the first book in this series was the modern setting of this Hades/Persephone retelling including the added spin of a workplace romance. Admittedly, Hades and Persephone have bigger problems right now but a single call to Minthe is really the only connection to that element this time round. This book felt completely different - it's really angsty and Persephone was a little hard to connect with. The miscommunication and lack of real communication in general is there for a lot of the book and although there is still plenty of spice, that flirty connection from book one wasn't as prevalent and instead it's a lot more serious. Hades is also working through some trauma in this and the overall tone is a lot heavier than book one. I didn't mind this but would have loved lighter moments to balance it out.

That being said I loved the introduction of the other gods; Zeus and Persephone's friction was a highlight and I really wanted to know more about Morpheus and Thanatos as well as Aphrodite and Hephaestus . I am also looking forward to the action kicking up in the next book now Demeter is making her final moves.

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read

As I hoped, this volume was indeed better than the first one. Maybe because they were separated so we actually got more plot and less sex scenes.

This volume picks up exactly were the story was left, but Hades' POV is really confusing. This book is focused on how they are gonna solve the problems created by how Hades hidden what he knew about the fades, but also about how Persephone is adapting to the underworld.

I found this volume to be much more entertaining, especially when more gods are presented and I get to see the author's reinterpretation of the Greek mythology.

There are a lot of things going on and the ending is a bit upsetting, but it's just the perfect reason to read the next volume.

Thank you to Rose and Star Publishing LCC and Netgalley for this digital copy!

I've gone back and forth over this one with my rating. I'm going to go with a 4 star rating. The beginning of this book picks up right where we left off (a bonus IMO). However, I was taken back by how quickly Hades if found (not really a spoiler as it says he's been taken in the synopsis). Really this plot point is resolved within about 40% of the book. Since it was mentioned in the synopsis I was expecting it take much longer with more suspense on how/who took Hades. That being said, it did start to pick back up again with some action (and not the smut action but there's plenty of that as well) but with the beginnings of the next Titan war looming on our couple. This really brings up the rating to me and makes up for the quick resolution of the previous plot point. I'm excited to get into the next (and sadly final) book in the trilogy and can't wait to see how the Titan war progresses and how we proceed more with Demeter.

I really wanted to like this book more, but after the first book, it kind of feels like a let down.

This book was definitely a lot more dark and serious than the first, which makes sense with the direction the plot took, but unfortunately that meant that a lot of the more engaging qualities in the first book (quick wit/banter, super spicy scenes, etc.) were pretty minimal. The miscommunication and insecurity were still front and center, perhaps even more so than the first book. That being said, I think the darker emotions were handled well and felt very realistic, it just isn't really what I would prefer to read about.

I did like the direction the plot took and seeing Persephone come into her own power. I also really enjoyed the further insight into some of the other gods. Retellings can have a tendency to make the other gods one-dimensional and pretty stereotypical, but the added details made them feel more fleshed out and fresh.

I definitely still want to continue the series, hoping that there's a little more action/a little less depression.

As a newcomer to the series, I found myself diving into the second book without the context of the first, which may have been my oversight. The story picks up with Hades imprisoned in his memories, leaving Persephone unaware of his whereabouts. While the emotional connection between Hades and Persephone is evident, I struggled with the portrayal of their spiritual presence and locations, feeling that clearer rules regarding their abilities to vanish and materialize would have enhanced my understanding.

I found myself encountering repetitive occurrences throughout the narrative, which seemed to serve only to prolong the story rather than deepen its complexity. While the simplicity of the writing style was accessible, I occasionally found it to be fatiguing.

Despite these challenges, I persevered through the book, driven by my curiosity about how the story would ultimately unfold. I appreciate the opportunity to have experienced this installment and look forward to potentially gaining a clearer understanding of the series by revisiting its beginnings

So let me just say this book was phenomenal and was extremely hard to put down. I did not want the story to end it was that good and addicting to read.

A Hades and Persephone retelling but with a spin.
I am going to go into this review stating that I enjoyed the first installment of this book more than I did this one. The miscommunication trope just went on for far longer than it needed to be.
Overall, I enjoyed the teas but I had higher hopes for the second book.

Thank you to Netgalley the Publisher, of Rose and Star Publishing, LLC, and the authors Alexis Rune, and Jeanette Rose for providing and allowing me to review this book. Which, I'm giving my honest and sincere review.

"The Mistress & The Renowned" the second book in the Love and Fate series, and let me tell you, it's an absolute treasure!

I Love retellings and I love Hades and Persephone retellings, this book immediately caught my attention, and I'm thrilled to say it exceeded all my expectations. Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune have masterfully crafted a tale that breathes new life into the timeless myth, with writing that is both enchanting and enthralling.

The story picks up with Hades, the God of the Dead, ensnared and stripped of his power, fighting to cling to his remaining essence. Meanwhile, Persephone unexpectedly finds herself thrust into the role of Queen of the Dead, a position she never desired nor consented to. Their intertwined destinies unfold amidst a backdrop of nightmares and looming fate, creating a narrative that is as haunting as it is captivating.

What truly sets this book apart is the author's skill in creating a sense of urgency and tension, drawing readers deeper into the unfolding drama with every twist and turn. Themes of destiny and fate reverberate throughout the story, highlighting the inevitable bond between Hades and Persephone.

In conclusion, "The Mistress & The Renowned" is a must-read for anyone who loves Hades and Persephone retellings. With its gripping plot, well-developed characters, and beautifully crafted prose, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the Love and Fate series, eager to continue the journey alongside these captivating characters.

In conclusion, "The Mistress & The Renowned" is a must-read for anyone who loves Hades and Persephone retellings. With its gripping plot, well-developed characters, and beautifully crafted prose, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the Love and Fate series, eager to continue the journey alongside these captivating characters.