Love Underground: Persephone's Tale: (The Goddesses #1) (Goddesses (Signet)) [Paperback]

Alicia Fields (Author)

Book Description

Series: Goddesses (Signet) | Publication Date: July 5, 2005

Young Persephone is the most beautiful maiden in Hellas. But all the boys are scared away by her mother, Demeter, whose mysterious powers must have come from the gods. So Persephone keeps her distance, and spends her days living a sheltered life. Then one day, Hades-the dreaded lord of the dead-sees Persephone. Enchanted, he whisks her deep into his dark realm. At first, she rejects him-but Hades is wealthy, intelligent, and powerful. He courts Persephone as no man has ever dared before and reveals to her, in the rumored "land of the dead," a world more wondrous than she'd ever imagined-one where she may just discover a passion greater than life itself.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Signet (July 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451215826
• ISBN-13: 978-0451215826
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,083,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great as far as retelling the myth goes, July 18, 2005

By 

Lyn (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love Underground: Persephone's Tale: (The Goddesses #1) (Goddesses (Signet)) (Paperback)

This book was EXCELLENT as far as retelling the myth of Persephone, because it made all the characters seem more real, especially, for example, by protraying Demeter as having special godlike powers, but not definitely saying whether she was a god or not. The same goes for Hermes, who says his father is Zeus, but he doesn't have any special powers in this book. The author did I really good job in portraying the ancient city of Hellas, and the people's belief in their gods, and also the people's lifestyles and characters. The book made for a very interesting read.

However, I found the book somewhat lacking as a romance--I expected the romance factor to be a major part of the book, but it just didn't really feel like it was. If you're really into Greek mythology, and go into this book looking for a nice retelling of the myth, you will be very much satisfied-- but you might be disappointed if you are just looking for a romance novel.

I think the book description on the back of the book is a little deceiving, because it makes the reader think this is predominantly a romance: "Then Persephone meets the dark, mysterious lord of the underworld--and discovers a passion of mythic dimensions...Courting Persephone as no man has ever dared, he brings her to the wondrously startling revelation that bad boys can be fun..."

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Retelling Of A Greek Myth!, July 7, 2005

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love Underground: Persephone's Tale: (The Goddesses #1) (Goddesses (Signet)) (Paperback)

Ms. Fields has done a good job on re-telling her tale of the Greek myth Persephone. Basing a romance on a myth doesn't change the story but Ms. Field has brough human qualities to both Hades and Persephone thus making them seem more real to the reader.

Persephone, daughter of Demeter is the most beautiful girl in the villiage. Upon attending a funeral, Hades spies the her and wants her for his own. Some days later while picking flowers with her friend Persephone is taken down to Hades realm where he attempts to woe the lady who will have nothing that he has to offer. During a course of time Persephone begins to "know" Hades and the things that he knows and realizes that he not much different than she is. But could she give her heart to the man that she has learned to know?

Again, this is not a new story. What is new is Ms. Fields entertaining prose, and the way she has developed unique qualities in these two famous characters. Overall this is not a strong romance so much as it's a different take on an already established myth. Don't pick this read up expecting something new as Ms. Field has stayed true to her inspiration.

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing Story But a Misleading Cover, December 1, 2005

By 

Alex Devine "dark phoenix" (GCS, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love Underground: Persephone's Tale: (The Goddesses #1) (Goddesses (Signet)) (Paperback)

This book was an interesting read. As I am a huge fan of Greek Mythology, I was attracted to this book as I was to PC Cast's 'Goddess of Spring'. But for those of you looking for romance, sensuality and humor, this book has none. I'll tell you why. Alicia Fields took one of the most wonderful Greek stories and gives it a very realisitic view. Non sugar-coated and without frills. Hades, Demeter and Persephone are human in this book, not gods and goddesses. Alicia did a good job however sticking to the orginal story of Hades and Persephone in most aspects. Here's a little bit about the myth for those of you who are not into mythology.
When Hades kidnapped her, when he finally got Persephone to his kingdom, she proved to be stubborn. She didn't eat, bathe and refused to speak with Hades. In return to win her love, Hades heaps her with jewels, silks, anything to win her affection, (this happens in the book). In the original Greek myth, Demeter gaines word that Hades wants her daughter for his bride, but what you don't know is that Hades is Persephone's uncle (the Greeks were like the Egyptians, they kept in the family). That part isn't in the book, thank heavens.
Anyway, in the myth (but not mentioned in the book), Hades bribed Zeus for Persephone's hand and when Demeter complained to Zeus about wanting her daughter back, Zeus said that since Persephone was a goddess,Persephone would have to marry in the family if she didn't want to lower herself. Demeter flew into a rage. Cattle and humans died. Crops failed and the earthed dried up. Finally, Zeus gives in a says as long as Persephone eats or drinks nothing from the Underworld, she will be free to return. But is she does, under the Law of Abode, Persephone has to stay.
In this book, Persephone instictively knows that if you eat or drink anything within someone's home, you're bound to them in some way or another. I thought that was pretty cool.
In the myth, while Demeter rejoices at the news, Hermes goes to get Persephone. But just before he arrives, a gardener in the Underworld caught wind of Hermes' arrival. Having a grudge against Demeter for turning him into a lizard for laughing at her, the gardener gives Persephone a pomegrante. She eats six pomegrante seeds and just when Hermes is about to save her, Hades had rushes to Olympus to claim his bride under the Law of Abode. Hearing this news, Demeter claims that no crops will grow if Persephone is to be Death's bride. Zeus compromises and says that Persephone will have to spend one month in the Underworld for each seed she ate. The other half of the year, she could spend with her mother. Which is how we came to have the four seasons Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
In the book, Hermes is a little trouble maker and a bit of a slut puppy. He brags that he can rescue Peresphone, and when given the task, he balks and complains. His character is just annoying enough to where you really don't like him. It was very hard to picture him being a hero, being as he was whiney, immature and lazy.
Persephone's character was very different than I thought, in a pleasant way, because when you think of Spring you think feminine, etherial and girlish. This character was strong-willed, determined and a bit brattish. But her character evolved under the care of Hades, into a mature, lush and vibrant creature. I liked her. Hades was different also. He was completely different from PC Cast's version of Hades. He was quiet, not brooding and moody, not overpowering in his sexuality, but had a very commanding presence. He was intriguing, dark ,intelligent, kind, patient and understanding.
Alicia gives Demeter a strong presence as well, someone to be reckoned with. She isn't a beautiful woman, but striking. She's strongly attractive with her intellect and deeper still is the commanding presence she hereself weilds. The villagers have every right to fear her for her knowledge and powers that connect her to the earth are mysterious and powerful.
So to end my review, do not be fooled by the back of this book, or the cover for that matter. For those of you expecting steamy sex scenes and laugh out loud moments, think again. This is a whole different approach on the Hades and Persephone myth. It's a different perception but not unenjoyable. Read it for yourself and find out.