Review: "The Maiden & The Unseen" by Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune ★★

Review: The Maiden & The Unseen by Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune

This Hades and Persephone retelling is a dual-POV story told in a modern-day setting, a quick read, and rather straightforward. The Greek Gods can, like in that of the “Percy Jackson” series, come down from Olympus to mingle with unsuspecting mortals in the human world. Hades, God of Death, for half the year is bound to remain in the mortal realm as CEO of Plutus Bank (which is clever, as this refers to Hades’ other name, Pluto, which more refers to wealth) before spending the other half in the Underworld. Persephone, Goddess of Spring, a Social Media Manager living in the mortal realm for 2 years, has an issue with her bank account and visits Hades. From here, there are many amusing and searing pushes and pulls which no matter how hard they try to resist, their Fate together is inescapable.

Now, I usually like retellings: they are my favourite and I don’t mind a contemporary touch to them. But this felt like an insult to the mythological characters! Persephone and Hades bicker and act very immaturely for their ages, and their pettiness puts everything to shame. I think if this had been approached differently, it would be fine. The way the shadow and vine powers were used, especially early on, is a little too odd for my liking, it threw me off! Plus, most of the secondary characters disappear from the story about halfway through, like Melinoë – who was actually my favourite character in this.

I like a book with a good balance of plot and steamy scenes – unfortunately, this was not it. The plot that was there was fine, however, there was more of the latter than could be counted (which if that is what you want is fine). At times, the writing style felt rather mature, like with avid descriptions or some backstory, but then reverted to a whole different silly vibe. Take this example:
"I’ve been the downer, the rule maker, the obedient and dutiful god. Have I become the old man who tells kids to get off their lawn?"

A few paragraphs later, he says:
"How many times have I heard souls beg for one more day, one more minute, one more second, of life? And I’ve wasted eternity. Being dutiful. Being unseen."

Much better! Or this description:
"Her eyes are a light blue, a ring of gold around the pupil, a sun in the clear sky. Even as they fire with barely contained rage, they give me the sensation of lying in a field, surrounded by flowers swaying in the breeze."

The last two were brilliant! But I can feel the inconsistency. The book also ends on a cliffhanger, which I usually am not a fan of as I prefer books in a series that can be read as a standalone.

Do not get me wrong, I liked a lot of aspects of this. Indeed, the author is a real one for mentioning Hades has signed editions of LOTR, ASOIAF and TOG! As Hades should. AND that they watch “Pride and Prejudice”. Some moments I did like were in chapter 6 when Hades leans against the doorway (always love and appreciate the lean in any book) and in the later chapters their vulnerability with each other was nice to see, ridding their glamour and showing their God forms with horns and wings (especially because Persephone was told previously her form was ugly, we love the confidence boost).

Overall, the story was lacking and just wasn’t my cup of tea. I do accept, as per the author’s note, it is not meant to be mythologically accurate. But I would have preferred a contemporary fantasy novel with the themes, and just forget this mythology. I will try a different retelling.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing this copy of Alexis Rune’s book. This has not affected my opinion in any way.