Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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..."

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

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.

Over the last few years, the story of Peresphone and Hades has been retold multiple times, yet until now, each version contained at least a bit of magic, whether it was told by Roberta Gellis or PC Cast. Instead of myth and illusion, Ms. Fields relies on her words to invoke a sense of wonderment. The ancient Greek dieties become powerful people who are still mortal in her tale. Peresphone is rendered as the only daughter of a single mother whose heart bears scars she is determined to keep her child from ever having to bear. When the girl is taken by Hades to a subterranian world that all hold in fearful awe, Demeter appeals to the "goddesses". Whether or not these women actually have mystic power or simple authority is not dwelt upon. If a local boy who has a crush on Peresphone, Hermes, can rescue her, then he may marry her, whether he wants to or not. Meanwhile, time passes both above and below. Peresphone has learned her husband is not a monster, and begun to fall in love. When Hermes comes to play the hero, she will be forced to choose between her mother and her true love. Or will she?

*** Nothing truly new is written here, but that is to be expected when retelling an ancient story. No one expects a book about King Arthur to be radically different from the hundreds of others written about him, after all. There are some intriguing variantions from the original story and strong characterization throughout the tale. Most commendable is the ability of the prose to evoke a sense of sensuality without straying into the realm of being graphic. ***

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.

In Hellas, Persephone is the prettiest maiden in the land, but though she has female friends like Echo and Narcissa, boys her age have nothing to do with her except the bodacious Hermes. Males fear her mother Demeter who has god-like powers and her great-grandfather High Priest Aristippus who communicates directly with Zeus. Persephone lives like a bird in a gilded cage as Demeter keeps her safe and apart from the other gender with an iron fist that only she and Aristippus can use.

That is until the Lord of the Underground, Hades, sees her and desires her. He comes up from under the ground in her garden to abduct Persephone. In his dark realm he offers his "soul" to her, but she rejects him. Frustrated, but not a quitter, the obstinate intelligent Hades courts his prisoner showing her what no male dared, a wondrous world even if it is home to the dead. Feeling alive for the first time Persephone begins to see passion for the first time with her underworld warden even as her mother searches heaven and earth for her.

Amanda Cockrell provides a fantastic retelling of one of the great Greek mythological tales, the story of Persephone. The heroine, her wannabe lover and her determined mother come together in a delightful romance even with the underground as the setting. Fans of modern day renditions of the ancient mythos will treasure Ms. Cockrell's entertaining novel of LOVE UNDERGROUND.

Harriet Klausner

If you're bored and need something to read, this is a decent book. The lack of 5 stars isn't on the author's writing ability - she has a fluid style and pays attention to detail and keeps things interesting.

But the title is misleading. There are no gods or goddesses here. The series is misnamed - no one is a goddess, not even Persephone. Overall this was a good story, but don't expect a tale of goddesses here, because you will not find any.

Also, there's not a lot of romance in here. Hades and Persephone grow closer, but not much attention is given to the courtship. So as this book is lacking in gods and goddesses, it's also lacking in romance. This book serves better as a light read, or a novel for young adults. Don't expect any more, and you won't be disappointed.

This is one of the most creative retellings of an ancient mythological figure I have ever read. Persephone has always been sheltered from boys, the only exception being her girl crazy cousin Hermes. Her mother Demeter has a fierce hatred and a strong opinion concerning men and what they can do to a girl. Persephone leads a happy life, lazing aroung with her friends all day. On one such afternoon, Persephone is awoken from a nap by a horde of strange creatures who drag her down to the caves by the sea...the dwelling of Death himself! It is there that she is informed that Hades, (the supposed Lord of the Dead), has fallen in love with her and kidnapped her in hopes that she will consent to be his bride. Trapped underground and held against her will, Persephone has some hard decisions to make. Will she seize the first opportunity to get back home...or is she falling for the most unlikely person alive?