Review: Love Underground

I read this as part of AngieW's February Challenge.

Title, Author, Year Published, Publisher:

Love Underground, part of the Goddesses series written by Alicia Fields and published by Signet in 2005, this this an entry in the latest trend in romance publishing- exploration of Greek mythology. This retells the myth of Persephone and Hades.


Why did you get this book?:

I love Greek mythology & collect mythological & paranormal romances.

Do you like the cover?

Yes

Did you enjoy the book?

Yes, I did.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again??

Yes, this is a new to me author & yes, I plan to read more of her work.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?
Keeping

Anything else?

Set in a small Greek village between the fall of Minos and the rise of the Common Era, Demeter has been a loving and indulgent mother. Persephone is now a young woman, on the cusp of adult womanhood, still allowed to run free among the meadows and hills surrounding the village. Various events occur, bringing Persephone to the attention of Hades, who lives deep in the sea caves not far from the village.

The tale plays out pretty much as expected. The setting has been tweaked though, in an unexpected way. Greece itself & the agricultural, village based life are prominent. Dieties are often locals- regular villagers with common occupations, who just happen to have supernatural powers.

There are a few issues I feel I ought to mention. None of them bothered me, but they are worth mentioning. First, Persephone is an older teen (16-17). Old enough begin her adult responsibilities in that era, but young by modern standards. Second, it is sweet. Plenty of shenanigans, but no description. Third, it is slightly shorter than many romances at two hundred seventy one pages. Four, there are some serious issues adressed, albeit in a light tone. Duty to village and family. Death. Faith. Independance. Letting go and moving forward.

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