Retellings

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

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Rating: 4/5

“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. I would move heaven and earth and the Underworld itself to keep you with me.” 

A retelling of a very old tale between Persephone and Hades and one that will leave you begging for more. Society darling, Persephone Dimitriou is ready to leave the ultra modern city of Olympus and start over from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses but when her mother throws her into an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind the city’s dark facade, she is desperate for a way out. She flees to the forbidden city, where she makes a devil bargain and is thrust into a world that she never knew existed along with a man she believed to be a myth.

This book was super steamy and I loved every minute of it. This book wasn’t originally on my tbr at all until I started hearing the buzz about it and decided to check it out and I am so glad that I did. Not only did I love the smut but I loved everything about the retelling of Persephone and Hades. I am fickle on retellings of this tale because it’s been done so many times so I was a little skeptical but the characters, the world-buidling, the writing, and of course the smut drew me in. I liked how the author was still able to weave in the gods aspect because the way it was done in this retelling added to the story in my perspective. I could actually see this world existing in my head and wondered what it would be like to experience it.

I can’t wait for more!!

Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson

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Rating: 3.5/5

“If they want me to be a nightmare, then a nightmare I shall be.” 

Outside of the walls of opulent opera house, Isda doesn’t exist. She is one of the few people who can manipulate people’s memories when people sing. Saved by Cyril, the owner of the opera house, she is given a chance to survive but only on the condition that she keep tickets sales alive and stays out of sight. It seems that is all is going well until Isda breaks Cyril’s golden rule and finds herself battling between what she knows and what she truly desires. 

While it was confusing during some parts, I found this book enjoyable and not only because it was a retelling of The Phantom Of The Opera but because of the two main characters and their dynamic. I love that it was gender-switched as it was a little more interesting to see how the relationship and plot would play out throughout the book. I found Isda relatable and real as she is working through so many different emotions and struggles due to being kept hidden. I love her relationship with Emeric as it felt very real and the two had sweet moments as well as conflict which is inevitable and any relationship. Her father figure, Cyril was interesting as it was hard to tell his motives and there were times where I felt like he was being manipulative and controlling to Isda so I felt for her. I wanted her to finally break from him as that’s what she truly wanted and to be with Emeric. 

I don’t wanna spoil it so you’ll have to check it out if you want to know more! It’s a stellar read from beginning to end. 

June Wrap Up

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So June was quite the busy month for me but I sttil managed to get in a lot of reading so it all worked out in the end!

Between Perfect & Real by Ray Stoeve
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, Romance, YA
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

Can’t Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, YA, Romance
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

Cinderella Is Dead by Kaylnn Bayron
Genre: LGBT, Fantasy, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 3/5

Cool For The Summer by Dahlia Adler
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, YA, Romance
Full Review – Here

Rating: 3/5

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Genre: LGBT, Contemporary, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, YA, Romance
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, YA, Romance
Full Review – Here

Rating: 3/5

The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, YA, Romance
Full Review – Here

Rating: 5/5

Late To The Party by Kelly Quindlen
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, YA, Romance
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

Loveless by Alice Oseman
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, YA, Romance
Full Review – Here

Rating: 5/5

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction
Full Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, YA
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch
Genre – Contemporary, LGBT, YA, Romance
Full Review – Here

Rating: 3.5/5

Sistersong by Lucy Holland
Genre: Fantasy, Historical-Fiction, LGBT
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Tomorrow Will Be Different by Sarah McBride
Genre: LGBT, Non-Fiction, Memoir
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Zara Hossain Is Here by Sabina Khan
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, Romance, YA
Full Review – Here

Rating: 5/5



Cinderella Is Dead by Kaylnn Bayron

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Rating: 3.5/5

“Do not be silent. Raise your voice. Be a light in the dark.”

Cinderella Is Dead is a retelling of an old class but this time there’s a twist. 200 years have passed and the fairy tale is over and now teen girls are required to attend the ball in hopes of finding a suitable match and if they don’t get one, the girls are never heard from again. One such girl, Sophia would rather marry her best friend, Erin than attend a ball in hopes of finding prince charming or paying the price for not being suitable as a wife. But, like the girls Sophia doesn’t have a choice and while she’s at the ball, she befriends Constance, the last known decedent of Cinderella and her sisters. Together, they plan to bring down the King forever and while in the process, they learn more about Cinderella’s story than they ever knew.

“It’s risky…But sometimes that’s the only way to get things done. Take the risk, light the fuse. Onward.” 

I absolutely loved retellings so I was really excited to finally get this in my hands and read. The premise of the book was very intriguing and I did like how it was written, the prose was sharp, interesting, and engaging. The beginning of the book was great, fun, and I loved how the first few chapters showed the harsh, cruel, and patriarchal world that young woman have to strive to survive without fear or judgement of being who they want to be. The characters were great, I liked Sophia and Constance and I found their relationship interesting and Sophia was a relatable character with not wanting to conform to what society wanted her to be.

“You weren’t selfish. You saw a future for yourself that she couldn’t imagine. You wanted her to believe that the two of you could find a way through all this. That’s what happens when you care about someone. And when you’re brave enough to imagine a different life.” 

But, the second latter of the book fell flat for me and I hate to say that. There were parts that didn’t make sense and I found some plot holes and the worldbuilding wasn’t as good as it was the first part. This is a very cute retelling but there was a lot in the second part that made me not enjoy it as much as I wanted.

But, if you’re looking for a twist on an old classic then you should give it a try! Who knows you may end up liking it!