02 March 2022
Rating:
Book Summary
Entering the Underworld to become the next Persephone was all part of Penelope's plan, but even she wasn't prepared for what she'd find there.
Between the overcrowded docks, a sad Cerberus, and an ineffective Hades, she soon realises she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
But Penelope is determined to make a difference in the Underworld, and the only way to do that is to go through with the inauguration ceremony and take her place as a Queen of the Underworld.
First published October 31st, 2021, Persephone's Replacement is a short, fast-paced introduction into the Underworld of Arizona Tape's Queens of Olympus series. This is my first book by this author. It's an interesting take on the Persephone and Hades mythos, with Persephone and Hades being the titles of the rulers of the Underworld. In this story, we are introduced to the character Penelope. It is from her perspective that the reader is shown the workings and machinations of the Underworld in the lead up to her inauguration and taking the title of Persephone.
As mentioned, the writing is quick and well paced. At 51 pages, the story itself is a quick read and an easy finish. The story itself takes place over the course of a few days. Penelope is an easy character to like, though she's not particularly memorable. There were other characters introduced, but not much time was spent with them.
Subtitled as a prologue to the upcoming novel, Persephone's Replacement definitely feels like one. Actually, I wouldn't even consider it a prologue. The story doesn't have a conflict and simply introduces and builds the world of Olympus and the Underworld. Nothing really happens in the story. Penelope arrives in the Underworld, is given a tour and an explanation of her duties, and is then given the title of Persephone. While interesting, it doesn't particularly stand up well on it's own, nor does it feel like it could be attached to the front of the proper novel, either. Given that Trouble in Hades will also be introducing a new character who is also new to the Underworld and will certainly be receiving a tour of the location as well, it just seems a bit extraneous.
Persephone's Replacement gets from me. It's interesting and quick but lacks conflict. I will be reading Trouble in Hades once it releases, and maybe I'll give some other books by Arizona Tape a try.