Seeking Persephone

By Sarah M. Eden

When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses—and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he’s offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger. Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke’s castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke’s steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke’s armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.

I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, though in retrospect, I probably shouldn’t have been. It’s a very beauty and the beast-like retelling, though it can also said to be a retelling of the mythology surrounding Persephone and Hades. I really enjoyed that not-so-subtle nudge. It actually endeared this story to me even more. Persephone was a good character, not given to being pitying, but also finding her situation difficult, she was realistic and also innocent and exactly what Adam needed. Adam himself was a great “Beast” character, being scarred and having a decidedly terrible reputation that scares the wits out of almost everyone he meets. I loved the interplay and slow blossoming love between the two of them. The awkwardness displayed by Adam as he wishes to open himself to Persephone, but not knowing quite how, is one of the best parts of the novel. I highly recommend this novel as a clean book as well as a good romance.

I give it a 4.25 out of 5

Keturah and Lord Death

By Martine Leavitt


Keturah is a peasant girl who is gifted with the ability to tell stories. When she gets lost in the forest one day and realizes that she is going to die, she meets a dark stranger on a black stallion: Lord Death. Keturah tells Death a story and earns herself one more day of life, with the hope of escaping Death. The catch? She must find her true love before the day is done…oh and she must also find a way to warn of the Plague that is coming that Lord Death told her about.


I'm excited to tell y'all about this find of mine. It's times like this when I'm glad to be on Goodreads. This book was a quick read that had me up until 3 a.m. finishing it. It's written like a classic fairy-tale, but with more personal aspects than say the Grimms. It has that eerie feel without being creepy that hooked me right away. I've haven't had so much fun reading a book in a long time that was equal parts endearing, a little spooky, humorous, and romantic.  Keturah is a likeable heroine and has two great friends that helped to lighten the book's undertone of the inevitablility of death quite nicely.  To a certain point, you can tell what will happen, but even so, it's still haunting and riviting. Great great find. Love love loved it.

Favorite quote: "The soul, it longs for its mate as much as the body. Sad it is that the body be greedier than the soul. But if you would be happy all your days...subdue the body and marry the soul. Look for a soul-and-heart love."

4 1/2 out of 5 for surprising me and touching my heart.

Abandon

By Meg Cabot

Pierce knows what it’s like to die, because she’s done it before.
Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can’t help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she’s never alone…because someone is always watching her. Escaper from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
But now she’s moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid. Only she can’t. Because even here, he finds her. That’s how desperately he wants her back. She knows he’s no guardian angel, and his dark world isn’t exactly heaven, yet she can’t stay away…especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most. But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in te one place she most fears: the Underworld.

I was pretty excited to read this one, having read Meg Cabot's Avalon High and was plesantly surprised (and if you saw the Disney movie, please read the book soooo much better). And when I heard that she was writing a series based on the myth of Hades and Persephone, I was stoked. I love mythology and Meg is a good author. But, I'm sad to report that this is another paranormal romance. Some of you may shout for joy, but I'm kinda sick of them to be honest. Now, don't get me wrong, this book is way well-written and I absoultely love the character that paralells Hades. It was just a little werid and dark for me with all the death stuff and the Underworld. I was wishing there was some lightheartedness inserted somewhere, but it was pretty much all doom and gloom and darkness. I wanted less drama. Maybe I should quit reading teen fiction....hm. I'll give it some thought. :)

Warning though: This book does deal heavily with death and has a huge scene with a teacher/student affair and some mild language along with violence and suicide. Wow. I think that covered it. There is some sensuality as well. Take a gander if you like the paranormal romances...in my opinion this is one of the best ones I've read (even though I'm not really into them).