Book: Aides the Unseen by Heather Long
Reviewed by Booksbystarlightandshadows
Rating: 4/5
I'm a big Heather Long fan (Archie will always be in my top ten book boyfriends) and jumped at the chance to listen to this. I've read a few Hades and Persephone retellings and this felt like a different take not only on their love story, but also the spin on the characters themselves. I liked the early scenes with Kore, and the introduction of the other gods (Hermes was my definite favourite) as well as the slow burn of Persephone and Aides coming together.
The audiobook narrators were excellent; there is a lot of world building in the first half of the book and the cadence of both Aria Holland and Will Thorne had me totally swept up in the story. When the narrative changes to Irina and Graven, Holland did a great job portraying Irina's confusion as she starts to realise the world around her is not what she thinks. Thorne was so good as the stoic Aides, who has watched his love slip through his fingers over the centuries. The angst is real as his resolve never wavers as he tries to outwit all the obstacles in their path. I love that although there were flashes of possessiveness, Aides never tried to take any of Persephone's choices from her. I'd definitely recommend if you love greek mythology, epic romance with a little bit of mystery thrown in.
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read