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Greek Mythology: Kingdom of Hades: Underworld Myths, Chthonic Gods, and the Secrets of the Dead
From the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award–nominated author of Greek Gods of Mount Olympus comes a journey into the twilight world below—where the souls of mortals are judged, and the unseen king reigns in silence.
Greek Kingdom of Hades unveils the shadowed realm of the ancient Greek afterlife—a place not of chaos or fire, but of consequence. Guided by the unseen hand of Hades, sovereign of the dead, and Persephone, the Queen of Spring and Shadow, this illustrated volume explores the myths, laws, and divine order that governed the Underworld.
From the five rivers that carved its boundaries to the torments of Tartarus and the bliss of Elysium, the journey reveals a kingdom where justice and memory are eternal. Within these depths, readers encounter the ferryman Charon, the three judges of the dead —Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus—and heroes who dared to defy the Underworld—Orpheus, Heracles, and Odysseus—each confronting what lies beyond mortal life.
Rooted in the classical works of Homer and Hesiod and brought to life through cinematic black-and-white illustrations inspired by Michelangelo, this book transforms the Greek vision of death into a profound meditation on law, consequence, and renewal.
Inside, you will
The myths and origins of Hades, Persephone, and the chthonic gods who ruled the depthsThe five sacred rivers—Styx, Lethe, Acheron, Phlegethon, and Cocytus—and the oaths, sorrows, and transformations they commandThe lands of judgment—Elysium, Asphodel, and Tartarus—and the fate of souls within themThe heroes and mortals who dared to enter the realm of the deadMythic illustrations and historical insight that bring the Underworld to vivid life
Both mythic and philosophical, Greek Kingdom of Hades reveals a vision of the afterlife where death is not an end but a transformation—an ordered reflection of the living world above. For readers of Mythos, Circe, or The Iliad, this is an essential journey into the heart of Greek belief.
Book Two in the Acclaimed Greek Mythology Series
From the cloud-crowned heights of Olympus to the silent gates of Hades, the series unveils the full mythic cosmos of ancient Greece.
Step beyond the veil. The kingdom of shadows awaits.
Greek Kingdom of Hades unveils the shadowed realm of the ancient Greek afterlife—a place not of chaos or fire, but of consequence. Guided by the unseen hand of Hades, sovereign of the dead, and Persephone, the Queen of Spring and Shadow, this illustrated volume explores the myths, laws, and divine order that governed the Underworld.
From the five rivers that carved its boundaries to the torments of Tartarus and the bliss of Elysium, the journey reveals a kingdom where justice and memory are eternal. Within these depths, readers encounter the ferryman Charon, the three judges of the dead —Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus—and heroes who dared to defy the Underworld—Orpheus, Heracles, and Odysseus—each confronting what lies beyond mortal life.
Rooted in the classical works of Homer and Hesiod and brought to life through cinematic black-and-white illustrations inspired by Michelangelo, this book transforms the Greek vision of death into a profound meditation on law, consequence, and renewal.
Inside, you will
The myths and origins of Hades, Persephone, and the chthonic gods who ruled the depthsThe five sacred rivers—Styx, Lethe, Acheron, Phlegethon, and Cocytus—and the oaths, sorrows, and transformations they commandThe lands of judgment—Elysium, Asphodel, and Tartarus—and the fate of souls within themThe heroes and mortals who dared to enter the realm of the deadMythic illustrations and historical insight that bring the Underworld to vivid life
Both mythic and philosophical, Greek Kingdom of Hades reveals a vision of the afterlife where death is not an end but a transformation—an ordered reflection of the living world above. For readers of Mythos, Circe, or The Iliad, this is an essential journey into the heart of Greek belief.
Book Two in the Acclaimed Greek Mythology Series
From the cloud-crowned heights of Olympus to the silent gates of Hades, the series unveils the full mythic cosmos of ancient Greece.
Step beyond the veil. The kingdom of shadows awaits.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2025
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Michael Defosse
4 books6 followersMichael J. Defosse is a published author whose career began in the world of business and finance but has now turned toward his lifelong passion—mythology and storytelling. With an undergraduate degree in Economics and two graduate degrees from Syracuse University, he brings a rare blend of analytical depth and creative imagination to his writing. His earlier works on finance and risk management reflected his expertise in the professional sphere, but his heart has always been drawn to the legends of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures.
That passion now takes center stage in his new five-book Greek Mythology Series, launched with Greek Mythology: Gods of Mount Olympus. This opening volume invites readers into the timeless tales of Zeus, Hera, and their divine kin, blending history, myth, and cinematic storytelling. The series will continue to explore the underworld of Hades, the realm of Poseidon, the age of Titans, and the world’s legendary creatures and beasts—bringing fresh life to ancient myths for modern readers.
Michael’s love for myth was born in childhood, when days spent exploring the forest and fishing in a nearby lake sparked his imagination and opened doorways to epic worlds. Those early adventures in nature became the foundation for a lifelong fascination with folklore and fantasy. Now, as an author, he seeks to pass on that same sense of wonder—inviting readers of all ages to journey into the stories that shaped civilizations.
Looking ahead, Michael plans to expand his storytelling beyond Greece, building a library of books that explore mythologies from across the world, from Norse sagas to Egyptian legends. Through his writing, he hopes to connect modern readers to the ancient voices of myth that continue to inspire, challenge, and enchant.
Follow Michael here on Goodreads to discover upcoming releases, behind-the-scenes insights, and the myths that continue to shape our world.
That passion now takes center stage in his new five-book Greek Mythology Series, launched with Greek Mythology: Gods of Mount Olympus. This opening volume invites readers into the timeless tales of Zeus, Hera, and their divine kin, blending history, myth, and cinematic storytelling. The series will continue to explore the underworld of Hades, the realm of Poseidon, the age of Titans, and the world’s legendary creatures and beasts—bringing fresh life to ancient myths for modern readers.
Michael’s love for myth was born in childhood, when days spent exploring the forest and fishing in a nearby lake sparked his imagination and opened doorways to epic worlds. Those early adventures in nature became the foundation for a lifelong fascination with folklore and fantasy. Now, as an author, he seeks to pass on that same sense of wonder—inviting readers of all ages to journey into the stories that shaped civilizations.
Looking ahead, Michael plans to expand his storytelling beyond Greece, building a library of books that explore mythologies from across the world, from Norse sagas to Egyptian legends. Through his writing, he hopes to connect modern readers to the ancient voices of myth that continue to inspire, challenge, and enchant.
Follow Michael here on Goodreads to discover upcoming releases, behind-the-scenes insights, and the myths that continue to shape our world.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 21, 2025
As a fan of Greek Mythology I was really excited to read an advanced copy of this. While it did have some interesting information it was overly repetitive and I found myself skipping over those areas. It would have been much more successful with shorter chapters and less fluffy adjectives and descriptions.
November 9, 2025
When it comes to Greek mythology, the tales regarding Hades and Persephone will always have a special place in my heart. A beautiful tragic love story that never gets old and there's a reason why it stands true to this day!
This book transports you down into the deepest caverns and bowels of the underworld, where Hades ' lair resides and every aspect of the underworld disenchant the mind. It's scary, dark, terrifying and yet serene and comforting. These stories are beautifully written and full of mythological based research and references.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Greek mythology and the mystery that surrounds the underworld.
I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
This book transports you down into the deepest caverns and bowels of the underworld, where Hades ' lair resides and every aspect of the underworld disenchant the mind. It's scary, dark, terrifying and yet serene and comforting. These stories are beautifully written and full of mythological based research and references.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Greek mythology and the mystery that surrounds the underworld.
I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2025
This book looks into the life and world of Hades, king of the underworld, and those associated with his domain.
While this book has lots of good information and thought exercises into the roles and meanings of characters such as Hades, Persephone, Charon, etc, it is tediously repetitive. And I mean that in the most literal sense. There are sentences and even whole passages in this that I could have sworn I already read just a couple pages before. It was like reading a high school essay with lots of good info but they needed to reach a certain word count so they just kept saying the same thing repeatedly without even changing up the wording. That was too difficult to look past.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
While this book has lots of good information and thought exercises into the roles and meanings of characters such as Hades, Persephone, Charon, etc, it is tediously repetitive. And I mean that in the most literal sense. There are sentences and even whole passages in this that I could have sworn I already read just a couple pages before. It was like reading a high school essay with lots of good info but they needed to reach a certain word count so they just kept saying the same thing repeatedly without even changing up the wording. That was too difficult to look past.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
November 11, 2025
A dark descent into myth and meaning.
Greek Mythology: Kingdom of Hades pulls you straight into the shadowed world beneath the earth, where gods, heroes, and souls all face their truths. I loved how it balanced the grandeur of mythology with a surprisingly human touch—the stories of judgment, love, and consequence feel timeless and deeply reflective. The writing is clear yet poetic, and the illustrations make the Underworld come alive in haunting detail. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause and think long after you’ve closed it. I enjoyed it not just for the myths themselves, but for how it made me see life, death, and justice through a new lens.
Greek Mythology: Kingdom of Hades pulls you straight into the shadowed world beneath the earth, where gods, heroes, and souls all face their truths. I loved how it balanced the grandeur of mythology with a surprisingly human touch—the stories of judgment, love, and consequence feel timeless and deeply reflective. The writing is clear yet poetic, and the illustrations make the Underworld come alive in haunting detail. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause and think long after you’ve closed it. I enjoyed it not just for the myths themselves, but for how it made me see life, death, and justice through a new lens.
November 10, 2025
🔥 Step aside, Mount Olympus—Hades just stole the show!
Okay, wow. This book had me geeking out over Greek myths like never before! Kingdom of Hades is dark, gorgeous, and totally fascinating—like taking a VIP tour through the Underworld with Hades himself. The art? Epic. The stories? Deliciously eerie and powerful. I couldn’t put it down because every page made me want to learn one more secret about the gods below. If you love myths, moody vibes, and a little mystery, grab this one and dive straight into the shadows. You’ll come out wanting to rule the underworld yourself. ⚡💀
Okay, wow. This book had me geeking out over Greek myths like never before! Kingdom of Hades is dark, gorgeous, and totally fascinating—like taking a VIP tour through the Underworld with Hades himself. The art? Epic. The stories? Deliciously eerie and powerful. I couldn’t put it down because every page made me want to learn one more secret about the gods below. If you love myths, moody vibes, and a little mystery, grab this one and dive straight into the shadows. You’ll come out wanting to rule the underworld yourself. ⚡💀
November 10, 2025
This book bears the hallmarks of badly edited AI writing, including overly florid text and cyclical repetition. I'm not an expert on Greek mythology but am familiar with the subject, and as far as I can tell everything is accurate. However, there isn't any new or unexpected information or speculation -- it's just a summary of what anyone can find on the subject online (another AI-author characteristic). The quotes from different Homeric epics are a nice touch.
January 7, 2026
While I have grown up as an avid reader of Greek Mythology and all that it entails- this character breakdown of the various gods didn't feel quite as immersive as I initially hoped with the information becoming repetitive the more I read it.
This collection of mythology just wasn't up my alley.
Thankyou to Net galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
This collection of mythology just wasn't up my alley.
Thankyou to Net galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
November 17, 2025
Hot Takes from the Underworld
Greek Mythology: Kingdom of Hades turns the afterlife into an unforgettable, gorgeously dark ride that totally slays!
Greek Mythology: Kingdom of Hades turns the afterlife into an unforgettable, gorgeously dark ride that totally slays!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews