Book Reviews!!! Daughters of Zeus Series by Kaitlin Bevis
4 1/2 Stars or as Apollo would say… A Beautiful Sunset, streaking the sky with lavender, rose, and gold…
I’ve posted reviews for all three books in the Daughters of Zeus series, in reverse order (newest first).
I anxiously awaited the Iron Queen, and bought it on release day, and read it that night. I have a family, so my time isn’t always my own, but at night, I still can act a fool. Shhh. Don’t tell.
We again, pick up right where Daughter of Earth and Sky, left off. Persephone is kidnapped by Zeus, who then tortures her in an attempt to get her to relinquish her powers to him. Hades is near frantic trying to find and save Persephone, and Aphrodite gives us perspective beyond the other two.
I enjoyed the plot, the writing was strong, and the story flowed well. The characters acted predictable and consistent to their personalities, which is always appreciated. I love Persephone. I love Hades. I HATE Zeus! This is probably what Ms. Bevis was going for, and so kudos to her. I think it is difficult to vilify someone to the point of having no redeeming qualities, and still have your villain believable.
That being said, I think it came at a bit of a price. I read YA specifically because I’m not a huge fan of graphic anything, and there was some graphic violence- not much, but still some. I do understand that to fully appreciate the depravity of Zeus’s soul, he would have to act depraved. He did. And I didn’t like it. But then again, if I did like it, wouldn’t that make me depraved?
Of course, the balance to human depravity is compassion, love, and sacrifice, which we see readily displayed in our protagonists.
I was quite surprised by the ending. Greek mythology is not associated with “happily-ever-after” endings, but I was still surprised, nonetheless. I was also quite pleased to see that Ms. Bevis isn’t done with the series.
I am hoping to see a bit more of Hades and Persephone in the upcoming Venus and Adonis, just a nod so we can keep tabs on them. 
I’m also looking forward to getting to know Aphrodite a bit better, and what in the world (pun intended) happens next with the gods! Please, Kaitlin, give us a release date!
Here’s the Blurb:
Death is a luxury she can’t afford
Life is hell for Persephone. Zeus will stop at nothing to gain access to the living realm and the Underworld, and as the only living god with a right to both, Persephone’s in trouble. Captured and tortured beyond the limits of her resolve, Persephone must find the power to stand against Zeus. But will she be strong enough?
Meanwhile, Hades contem plates desperate measures to rescue his queen. Persephone never thought of herself as dangerous, but there’s a reason gods never marry for love. A being with the power to destroy all of creation shouldn’t place more value in one individual than the rest of the planet. But Hades…Hades would break the world for her.
To save the world and stop both Hades and Zeus, Persephone must make a difficult choice. One that may cost her everything.
Read Reviews on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17189031-the-iron-queen
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Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-iron-queen-kaitlin-bevis/1115360048?ean=2940016701929
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/317007
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** Also available anywhere else ebooks are sold
5 stars for Daughter of the Earth and Sky!!!
No significant time has elapsed between Persephone and the second book in Kaitlin Bevis’ series, Daughter of Earth and Sky.
The end of Boreas is really just the beginning of the horror that awaits Persephone, and Thanatos isn’t willing to just have a little secret between friends. Being privy to Thanatos’s alliance with a power-hungry Olympian is only half the problem. There is also the newly created goddess, Aphrodite, Persephone’s half-sister that has unlimited charm (think almost mind control), but almost no control over her own will.
The plot thickens and the depth of the characters makes them seem like loved ones we NEED to catch up with. I wanted more Hades! I wanted more resolution, but the tension built and built, and it was hours upon hours of rapidly hitting the edge of my ipad as I stayed up way too late, again! I had to know what happened!
You might call me irresponsible, and that may be true. But when a series comes along and grabs you like Daughters of Zeus, it really can’t be helped.
The Blurb:
Some vows can never be broken.
Persephone thought she could go back to her normal life after returning from the Underworld. She was wrong.
The goddess Aphrodite is born among the waves with more charm than she can control. Zeus is stalking Persephone and her loved ones, and Thanatos is no longer content with Persephone’s silence.
He wants her soul.
Persephone can’t tell anyone about Thanatos’ betrayal, and it drives a wedge between her and Hades. Her mother is still keeping secrets, and Melissa’s jealousy of Aphrodite threatens to tear their friendship apart.
Alone, Persephone turns to a human boy for comfort. But will their relationship put him in danger?
Sacrifices must be made, and Persephone must choose between her human life and her responsibilities as a goddess. If she doesn’t, she could lose them both.
But will either life be worth choosing once Zeus is through with her?
5 stars for Persephone!!!
A few months ago, I went on the hunt for Greek mythology books and found this treasure. I devoured it in one sitting staying up until…well, too late to admit to publically.
I had always felt a bit sorry for Persephone, kidnapped by Hades, the god of the Underworld. What a horrible existence. And then, by trickery, she ate pomegranate seeds, sealing a terrible fate of having to return regularly to hell. Of course the earth mourns. I would mourn too… or so I thought!!!
Well, Ms. Bevis has woven a tale that has me changing my tune! Hades chose the Underworld! He is wise, caring, and oh, more than a bit on the sexy side.
And Persephone?! She has been kept in the dark by her mother, Demeter. She doesn’t even know she’s a goddess, and when she finds out…she acts like the human she thought she was and totally freaks out. I have to say, it was quite refreshing to have such a human reaction, instead of the quick acceptance of the impossible, and lent a believability to the characters.
We the reader aren’t asked to swallow our disbelief and just ‘go with it’, but as Persephone gains knowledge and understanding, we can likewise believe the journey that she is undertaking. Persephone is every bit the irrational teenager, and yet, she has the strength and character one would expect with a god. She matures readily, but again, believably, and we come to appreciate her, and perhaps envy her a bit, too.
The plot was excellently presented, the writing strong, and the characters well developed. I found myself personifying them, so much so that I enjoyed their company long after I finished Persephone.
The Blurb:
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.
Read Reviews on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15724908-persephone
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/persephone-kaitlin-bevis/1111973897?ean=2940014686051
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/181487
Ibooks: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/persephone/id550273478?mt=11
ARE: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-persephone-1041197-143.html
youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5yelWX9BTI
