Neon Gods by Katee Robert is a modern mythological retelling that swaps Mount Olympus for a neon-lit metropolis and trades chariots for kink. It’s Hades and Persephone like you’ve never seen them before—complete with power plays, political intrigue, and enough smut to fog up your Kindle. Let’s dive into this deliciously dark romance and see what makes it tick (and what makes it twitch).
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⚡️Plot Summary: From Glitter to Grit
Persephone Dimitriou, daughter of Demeter and darling of Olympus’s elite, is blindsided when her mother announces her engagement to Zeus—a man whose previous wives have a habit of dying mysteriously. Rather than become another corpse in a designer gown, Persephone flees across the River Styx (okay, a bridge) into the forbidden undercity ruled by Hades, a shadowy figure long thought to be a myth.
Hades, brooding and brutal, offers her sanctuary—but with strings. They agree to a public affair to humiliate Zeus and destabilize his power. What begins as a strategic alliance quickly devolves into a scorching, emotionally tangled romance. As Persephone and Hades navigate their growing feelings, they must also confront the political machinations of the Thirteen Houses and the ghosts of their pasts.
🧠Character Rundown: Gods Behaving Badly
Persephone Dimitriou She’s not your garden-variety goddess. Persephone is smart, stubborn, and sick of being a pawn. Her evolution from society darling to underworld queen is one of the book’s strongest arcs. She’s not afraid to wield her sexuality as a weapon, and she’s refreshingly self-aware. As she says: “I’m not some innocent flower waiting to be plucked. I’m a fucking wildfire.”
Hades Tall, dark, and emotionally constipated. Hades is the ultimate cinnamon roll wrapped in leather. He’s got trauma, trust issues, and a soft spot for Persephone that borders on obsession. His protective streak is intense, but never patronizing. One of his most iconic lines? “You’ve ruined me, Persephone. Forgive the fuck out of me if I want to return the favor.”
Zeus A walking red flag in a tailored suit. Zeus is power-hungry, manipulative, and terrifying. He’s the perfect villain for a story that thrives on tension and rebellion.
Demeter Persephone’s mother is a master manipulator, more concerned with political alliances than her daughter’s happiness. She’s the embodiment of toxic ambition.
The Thirteen Houses Olympus’s ruling elite are a mix of old money, new power, and scandalous secrets. Think Greek mythology meets Succession.
🚨Trigger Warnings
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Explicit sexual content (BDSM, exhibitionism, consensual kink)
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Emotional manipulation
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Power imbalance and political coercion
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Mentions of past abuse and trauma
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Threats of violence and murder
This book is unapologetically adult. If you’re looking for fade-to-black romance, turn around now. If you want to see Persephone tied up in a glass box while Olympus watches—welcome aboard.
💋Tropes Galore
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Hades & Persephone Retelling (but make it neon)
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Fake Relationship → Real Feelings
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Forbidden Love
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Found Family
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Power Imbalance
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Only One Bed (and a throne, and a glass box, and a desk…)
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Soft Dom / Bratty Sub Dynamics
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Political Intrigue
Robert knows her tropes and leans into them with gusto. The fake relationship setup is particularly juicy, giving readers a slow burn that combusts spectacularly.
🔥What Works
1. The Chemistry Hades and Persephone sizzle. Their banter is sharp, their scenes are volcanic, and their emotional connection feels earned. Robert doesn’t just write sex—she writes intimacy. “If we were different people in different circumstances, I would get down on my knees and beg you to stay at the end of the winter.”
2. The Worldbuilding Olympus is reimagined as a modern city with skyscrapers, surveillance, and scandal. The Thirteen Houses feel like a blend of Greek myth and corporate dystopia. It’s fresh, immersive, and ripe for expansion.
3. The Consent Despite the dark themes, Robert handles consent with care. Every scene is grounded in mutual respect and clear boundaries, which makes the kink feel empowering rather than exploitative.
4. Persephone’s Agency She’s not rescued—she rescues herself. Her choices drive the plot, and her transformation is satisfying. She’s a heroine who owns her desires and her destiny.
🧊What Doesn’t
1. Pacing Wobbles The first half is a slow burn, but the second half rushes through political fallout and emotional resolution. Some readers may crave more depth in the climax (pun intended).
2. Zeus’s Flatness While he’s a solid villain, Zeus lacks nuance. He’s evil, full stop. A bit more complexity could have made the stakes sharper.
3. Supporting Cast Characters like Hermes and Dionysus are intriguing but underused. They pop in, drop sass, and vanish. Hopefully, future books in the Dark Olympus series give them more spotlight.
🧠Final Thoughts: Smut with Substance
Neon Gods is a bold, brazen reimagining of myth that doesn’t shy away from taboo. It’s a book that asks: What if Persephone didn’t just fall into the underworld—what if she strutted in wearing thigh-highs and a plan?
It’s not perfect, but it’s unforgettable. Whether you’re here for the politics, the passion, or the Persephone, you’ll find something to love (or lust after). And if you finish it feeling a little ruined yourself—well, Hades would approve.
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