Book Review - Persephone

Title: Persephone
Author: Kaitlin Bevis
Series: Daughters of Zeus (book 1)
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Release Date: 5 July 2012
ASIN: B008HYPD58

Synopsis
There are worse things than death, worse people too

The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

My Review

I was sent an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review should have been part of the Tour post that went up on Friday, but I didn't get it read in time (sorry!) 
I accepted this book to read as I absolutely love Greek myth retellings - Percy Jackson series, Starcrossed (Josephine Angelini) series etc, so I was sure to like this one too. Obviously it focus' on Persephone. I don't know much about her, but I was looking forward to delving into her world.
Persephone thinks she is an ordinary teenager, homework, high-school, friends and working in her mum's shop, until strange things start to happen and her mum reveals to her that she is a Goddess - in fact one of the last children of Zeus. Her mum is also Demeter the Goddess of Life/Spring. When she is threatened by Boreas the God of Winter, Hades rescues her and takes her to the Underworld to protect her, but in doing so he accidentally makes her his wife.
I actually managed to read this really quickly once I had started it, you are pulled into the story quickly and once it's got you it's hard to let go. I was absolutely hooked. Meeting all the different Gods/Goddesses was great, Kaitlin Bevis has really captured them and made them come to life, I loved Cassandra (the prophetess) and her bubbly enthusiasm, Persephone herself is one kick butt gal, she has her moments of weakness but when it all comes down to it she can really throw herself in. 
Hades is nothing like you would imagine, instead of a dark, evil, mean god of Death, he is actually quite the charmer, fed up of being misunderstood and portrayed as evil - yeah he has some serious dark powers and he's not afraid to use them, but really he is sweet and understanding, trying to make the afterlife as comfortable as possible for most people. It was like looking at the other side of the story and seeing a whole new perspective and it was refreshing. 
This is a story of myths, reality, love, action and understanding who you are, I look forward to seeing Persephone grow and embrace her Goddess powers in the next books. Hope it won't be long until book 2 is out, I want more!
I enjoyed this book as much as I thought I would - if not more. A great read for adults and YA's alike, let it whisk you away into another world.

 My Rating