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You cannot stay a girl on an island forever.’ At least we agree about one thing. ‘I know you’re scared but I’m the goddess of vegetation. There is no place on Earth you could go where I will not be able to find you.’ I know that too. ‘You won’t be leaving us forever.’ Girl, Goddess, Queen is a fantasy rom-com retelling that weaves the classic story with snarky banter, slow burn romance and a feminist slant that sees the legendary goddess discovering her agency, desires and inherent power. As a child, Persephone’s father asked her what she wanted. ‘The world’ was her reply. A good answer for a girl with the world quite literally at her feet. But to her father, Zeus, a wrathful god terrified of having his power usurped, it was the worst possible answer she could have given. Zeus sought to belittle his daughter, but jumping into hell gives Persephone the courage to finally stand up for herself. To say no, when she doesn’t want something. To be unafraid of taking ownership of her own life. Her journey of self-discovery is an empowering fist pump in the air, a massive FU in the face of her father and all the other gods who’d seek to keep her small and subdued. It’s a beautiful thing to read. This is story first, political issues second which is the way it always ought to be done. However it's also a pretty intelligent look at power, the desire for it and what it costs to be truly free.
Since I don't want to sound too ranty, I would divide my thoughts into two parts to make it not as long.You’re a woman now.’ What an arbitrary word. I don’t remember much of a transformation on my birthday but apparently the whole world saw one. ‘You’re too old for these tantrums. Promise me you won’t be like this when your father gets here.’ To escape an arranged, and possibly incestuous, marriage, Kore - repressed daughter of Zeus - escapes to the pits of hell. But seeking sanctuary with Hades - God of the Underworld - has unforeseen consequences and Kore discovers not only an unlikely alliance, but becomes the great Persephone, chaos bringer. Girl, Goddess, Queen is going to be the perfect summer read, it's got it all! Fake-Dating, Feminism and Flirting, (man the flirtatious banter is *chef's kiss*) all wrapped up in Greeky Goodness. I also loved river goddess Styx (one of the supporting characters) the best and sassiest wing woman a Goddess (or God) could ask for! Her enthusiastic support for Hades and Persephone’s relationship was super entertaining and her overly dramatic, OTT asides into her own romantic endeavours kinda have me eager for a Styx-related spinoff—hopefully with cameos from Charon and Thanatos.
Persephone wasn't taken to hell: she jumped. There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her. So much repetitive dialogue and scenes and scenarios. It genuinely feels like I’m reading the same stuff over and over again I wonder if her lessons will ever sink in or if they’ll forever ring through my mind in her voice, oil on water, condemning my actions without ever helping me stop doing the things that so annoy her. That apparently make me undesirable.
Multibuys
I tug at the ridiculous dress Mother has forced me into: a monstrosity of lilac silk, draped and twisted again and again, hinting at the body on offer while obscuring it enough to keep my modesty intact. It’s less an outfit than gift-wrapping. If you’re familiar with YA romantic comedies, you’ll know that they’re often built on a hefty dose of misunderstandings, jumping to conclusions and conflicted characters not voicing aloud how they really feel. That’s all true here, as Persephone and Hades dance around their true feelings, both of them frightened of ruining the special bond they’ve formed. The romance is perfectly paced, complementing rather than overriding the anxieties and expectations that both characters wrestle with throughout the book. Yet the more serious sides of the book – the themes of toxic masculinity and coercive control – never feel too heavy either. It’s a careful line that Fitzgerald balances admirably with a sharp wit and genuine understanding of the simultaneous contemporary and historic issues she’s writing about.
We’ve been treated to many Greek mythology retellings over the past few years, spanning immersive literary novels that capture the eternally classic feel of these tales, to transportive YA fantasy that put an entirely new spin on the stories of old. Yet few have explored the loves, losses and epic tribulations of the gods with such an enjoyable dose of fun and wit as Bea Fitzgerald’s Girl, Goddess, Queen. Funny, fierce and feminist; this is a refreshing romp through Greek mythology. Bea Fitzgerald draws on her extensive knowledge to create this imaginative retelling, turning everything we think we know about Persephone and Hades upside down and recasting them as the stars of this unexpected, meticulously researched, empowering rom-com. Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne Persephone's hang-up over sex = rape might be slightly justified (thanks Demeter etc) but it's boring as hell to read.There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her. Of course. I’m going to find you a good match, and with an Olympian you’ll still be a part of this court. Besides, I don’t trust anyone under the rule of Poseidon to be the sort of man you marry.’
I’ve not read a Hades and Persephone retelling before, but if they’re all as good as this, I will be! Persephone is incredible and proof that girls are so much more than just sunshine and flowers. There's so many things wright and wrong about this book. I didn't have the heart to hate it as I had loved some aspects of the story, but I also can't say that I fully loved it either. I'm maybe the minority in this one, but the one thing that I could say is that, this book can be half of its volume, and it will still be good. However, since its a debut novel, I do feel that the author has loads more potential for her next work so, I'm definitely going to be a look out for it. I think that's why it took me a while to actually put my thoughts into writing, as I had mixed feelings for this book. Hence, for those who really loved it, you can definitely skip my review. Hades and Persephone exasperated me so much with how absolutely dense they both are, I kept thinking just kiss already!! So now I'm fairly certain Styx is my kindred spirit. Also I got all warm and fuzzy inside and I can't remember the last time a book did that. I considered his question, my mother’s nails digging deeper with every passing second that I remained wordless.All fans of Greek mythology, originals and retelling, experience the patriarchal and misogynistic frustration of these men and their rule. This story gives us authenticity but with feminism that grows and spreads. Hades was one of the best feminists of all and I loved him for it. I especially loved what was revealed about Hades talents and loves; take that, toxic masculinity! Did I mention this was Bea’s debut? I can't believe it's a debut because it felt like a seasoned pro wrote this, so Bravo Bea and welcome to my instant buy author list. Enter Hades who comes across quite intriguing at first - a brooding god of the Underworld who wants this flower-growing girl gone and resents her presence. I really liked Hades to start with but then he just turns into this sort of boring character who just lets Persephone do whatever she wants and doesn't really seem to have an opinion half the time, or any objection to her changing his realm. It's from here where Persephone enters the Underworld, starts changing things and discovers the true Hades that the story started to go downhill for me.
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