Of Prophecies & Pomegranates 

There are books you read, and then there are books that devour you whole.
This one? It chewed me up, spit me out, and then whispered, “To be continued…”

Let’s just say I didn’t realize it ended on a cliffhanger. My soul? Crushed. My mouth? Agape. My heart? Lodged firmly in my throat. But then — the sweetest relief — I found out: that wasn’t really the end. Thank the gods. This was my very first novel by TC Kraven, and I already know it won’t be my last. The experience was visceral. Raw. I can’t remember the last time a story gripped me like this — especially one rooted in Greek mythology.

And speaking of mythology…

This was also my first Hades and Persephone retelling.
Let me be blunt: the bar has now been set to Mount Olympus-level heights, and I’m not sure the other three versions collecting dust on my shelf stand a chance. Kraven doesn’t just tell a story, she conjures a world that lulls you into its rhythm with a slow burn so seductive, you don’t even realize how deep you’ve gone until there’s no escape. Her prose hums with a kind of tragic magic, and even with my faded memories of mythology from school, I never once felt lost. The universe unfolded as it should.

Now, let’s talk gods.

·         Hades is a revelation. Dark, magnetic, fiercely loyal. Who knew the ruler of the underworld could be so… swoon-worthy?

·         Persephone is fire wrapped in bloom, growing from a pawn into a powerful, beloved Queen.

·         Helios is painfully tragic, torn and manipulated, and sometimes just so close to redemption.

·         Hermes is the unsung hero of my heart. Every scene he’s in? Gold.

·         And Ares, not the temperamental brute we often get, but a loyal, emotionally grounded presence. Loved his bond with Helios.

Then there are the side stories that elevate this from a simple romance into a full-blown epic:

·         Helios and Narcissus

·         Apollo, Cassandra, and Hyacinthus

·         Admentos and Phaedra

·         Artemis and Orion

·         Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Ares

These interwoven threads add weight and depth, painting a world teeming with divine drama, twisted politics, and brutal power plays. Even Minthe, the kind of character I love to hate — made me want to personally drag her to the Pits of Tartarus. Don’t even get me started on Demeter. Terrible mother, brilliant antagonist.

There were moments where confusion crept in, especially in the more intimate scenes. Phrases like “mossy orbs” sent me! Cringe but funny.

Because at its heart, this is:

·         A love story.

·         A war for power.

·         A tragedy wrapped in temptation.

·         And a retelling that doesn’t just reimagine the myth,  it redefines it.

If you’re a fan of smutty Greek mythology, emotionally chaotic gods, and stories that feel like lightning behind your ribs, then this book? It’s for you. It reads like a fast-paced YA with spice, heart, and the kind of ending that leaves you desperately clawing for the sequel. Final image burned in my mind: Hades on his knees before Persephone. Utter perfection.