NEON GODS by Katee Robert

Neon Gods is Katee Robert’s first installment of the Dark Olympus series. My understanding of mythology may be elementary, but even I know enough to tell that this is a fresh take of the Gods. When Persephone is blindsided by an announcement of her engagement to Zeus, she flees Olympus straight into the arms of Hades, one of the ‘Thirteen; the city has long thought gone. Hades is as shocked by Persephone’s appearance in his city as she is by his existence, but it’s not long before the two join forces to get revenge on the city of Olympus and their famed Thirteen.

The feelings in this book between Persephone and Hades came on pretty quickly, but I was able to buy it here. Hades was someone who didn’t let anyone get close to him, and due to their bargain, he had no choice but to allow Persephone to see parts of him he’d never shown anyone before. It makes sense that they’d be able to connect, and as Hades had a heart of gold and loved his people (no matter what image he tried to project,) Persephone found him irresistible. So did I, by the way. I love how they really took their time with each other and drew each other out slowly out of their shells. This book was steamy and sexy, and to my surprise, included some BDSM. (Since this wasn’t the first I’d heard of Katee Robert, I have no idea why this was a shock to me.) But that aspect of the story was pretty light, in my opinion.

As for the secondary characters, like I mentioned, I love how Hades adored his people of the Underworld. He was very serious in his care of them, and I loved meeting them and seeing him through their eyes. I loved Persephone’s sisters and their relationship dynamics, and I’m so excited to read their stories! As for the mother, it was too little, too late for me. She essentially strong-armed her daughter, and there was no redemption for her as far as I’m concerned. But boy, did I love hating her!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this stunning cover. It’s pertinent to the story, and I love the blue and purple covers - definitely reminiscent of royalty and debauchery.

I will say that I expect more arrogance from the Gods that I got from Hades, and I wanted more alphaness from him. That, however, is purely personal preference, and there are going to be plenty of readers who adore Hades just as he is.

I thought NEON GODS was an excellent start to the Dark Olympus series, and I cannot wait to see what cunning storylines Katee Robert has in store for Persophone’s sisters and for readers!

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou wants nothing to do with her mother's ambitions. She's biding her time until she's able to leave the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start her doctorate degree. The one thing she never planned on? Her mother ambushing her with an engagement to Zeus—a man with more than a few dead wives in his past. Persephone will do anything to escape that fate...even flee the sparkling upper city and make a devil's bargain with a man she once believed was a myth.

Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. Not even for the woman who flees into his territory as if the very hounds of hell are on her heels. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he's spent his entire life craving? It's all the excuse he needs to agree to help her—for a price. She'll be his for the summer, and then he'll see her safely out of Olympus and away from her mother and Zeus.

Hades and Persephone's deal might seem simple enough, but they both quickly realize it's anything but. With every breathless night spent with Hades, Persephone wonders at her ability to leave him behind. And Hades? Now that he has a taste for Persephone, he's willing to go to war with Olympus itself to keep her...