[ARC Review] King's Capture by Vivian Wood
Overall, I enjoyed Wood's retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, though this retelling is definitely very loosely based on the original myth. In this retelling, Hades is more like hired muscled, an enforcer even though people often view him as the default leader. He, however, did not come off as the big scary guy I think he was supposed to be. Persephone repeatedly remarked that Hades was the villain, then immediately followed those thoughts by saying she trusted him or had feelings for him. Hades' backstory and career seemed like it was supposed to make him come across as terrifying, yet even his own internal dialogue made him seem besotted quite early on with Persephone - at odds with how big and bad he was supposed to be. I love a good Hades and Persephone retelling, and I love Hades portrayed as both the tough god and the secret softie, but this Hades seemed like he wasn't really sure which one he actually was.
I thought Wood's version of Persephone was interesting; she was quiet, delicate, yet possessed remarkable skills in forgery - definitely not in line with the feminine goddess of spring that we usually see. Such skills made Persephone a great match for Hades, and I actually really liked that Wood gave Persephone something so unique that was completely hers.
I liked the plot of King's Capture, and I liked Hades and Persephone as characters. I didn't absolutely love them together, as they seemed to go against their very nature when they were around each other, but I'm hoping that means there will be lots of new character development in the next book and they will become more of a unit rather than two individuals who hate that they love each other.
As the action was just getting started at the end of King's Capture, I can't wait to read the next book and see what happens next between Hades and Persephone.
A huge thank you to the author and Candi Kane PR for providing a review copy of King's Capture!
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Release date: 1/11/22
Format: eARC
eARC provided via: Candi Kane PR
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