Neon Gods

 

Neon Gods
By: Katee Robert
"Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade.

With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth... a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed.

Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close…"

Within the first several chapters, we were introduced to our delicious pairing for Neon Gods.

Coffee Float

After a late night, Hades went to get a cup of coffee and found Hermes in his kitchen nursing a hangover.  She swore by coffee and ice cream as a hangover cure.

"...I pour hers two-thirds of the way full and pass it over.  She promptly drops a giant dollop of ice cream into the coffee, and I shake my head."

I instantly pictured a float, like a rootbeer float, but with coffee when I read this.  I imagine Hermes's coffee was actually hot, but after doing a quick search I decided to go with this Cold Brew Coffee Float from Sugar and Charm.  I used a mixture of cocoa powder and sugar on the rim and topped it with a bit of whipped cream.  Such a great afternoon pick-me-up!

The Coffee Float could be considered a beverage and a snack, but I couldn't resist throwing in another easy snack even though it wasn't actually consumed in the book.

"'Tell me your safe word.' 
Not an answer, but did I really expect one? I can't tell if he's trying to scare me or if this truly is a preview of what he intends to do in front of an audience.  I lick my lips. 
'Pomegranate.'"

What good would a Hades and Persephone retelling be without some pomegranate?! Sadly, fresh pomegranate was not in season so I tried frozen for the first time.  Honestly, it wasn't very good.  The flavor was lacking and the texture was all wrong.  If you find yourself in the same position, the refrigerated kind is pretty good, but nothing compares to a fresh ripe pomegranate.  

Neon Gods: ★★★☆☆

First off, this was definitely an open-door romance. It's heavy on the smut and light on the plot so if you aren't comfortable with a high level of spice then this is not the book for you.  It is a Hades and Persephone retelling, but mostly in the sense that the characters have names well known in Greek mythology.  I enjoyed the description of the Lower City (Underworld) with it's emphasis on history and its winter market sounds lovely.  I also liked the idea of a modern day Olympus that could very well be part of our world, but I would have liked even more world-building and a better understanding of how the Thirteen function.  This is a series though so perhaps more is revealed over time, but to be honest I doubt I will continue with this series.  I don't feel any real attachment to the characters and there are too many books calling my name to stick with a series that was just okay.

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