The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer is a sapphic retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth set in ancient Greece. The story follows Persephone as she meets Hades, a goddess, and their relationship develops amidst struggles and challenges. The book is praised for its unique take on the classic myth, with Hades portrayed as a woman, and for its emotional depth and poetic writing style that draws readers into the story.

Characters:

The characters explore themes of love and resilience, though the depth varies, with key protagonists gaining strength through their bond.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by emotional depth and lyricism, enhancing the romantic aspects of the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative is a fresh take on the classic tale, centering on Persephone's autonomy and her love for Hades.

Setting:

The setting blends mythological elements with richly described landscapes, creating an immersive experience.

Pacing:

Pacing includes moments of rapid resolution that may diminish the story's overall tension and conflict appeal.

Notes:

The Dark Wife is a retelling of the Persephone and Hades myth.

In this version, Hades is portrayed as a female character.

Persephone willingly goes to the underworld and marries Hades out of love.

The book explores themes of desire, power, and self-discovery.

There are mentions of dark topics, including rape, but they are handled gently.

The narrative is described as sweet with a focus on a healthy romantic relationship.

The writing style is considered poetic and emotionally resonant.

The story offers a fresh perspective on the traditional myths, challenging the roles of good and evil.

It highlights strong female friendships among the characters.

The book is more about emotional connection than steamy content, categorized more as PG than explicit.

The author, Sarah Diemer, is noted for her background in Sapphic romance.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include mentions of rape, sexual violence, and death, which are significant to the storyline.

Has Romance?

The romance between Hades and Persephone is central to the narrative and portrayed positively.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

Three thousand years ago, a god told a lie. Now, only a goddess can tell the truth. Persephone has everything a daughter of Zeus could want--except for freedom.

She lives on the green earth with her mother, Demeter, growing up beneath the ever-watchful eyes of the gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus. But when Persephone meets the enigmatic Hades, she experiences something new: choice. Zeus calls Hades "lord" of the dead as a joke. In truth, Hades is the goddess of the underworld, and no friend of Zeus.

She offers Persephone sanctuary in her land of the dead, so the young goddess may escape her Olympian destiny. But Persephone finds more than freedom in the underworld. She finds love, and herself.

Ratings (5)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (26):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (17)
Not Interested (3)

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The Dark Wife

Sarah Diemer