Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

After the blue, broad-shouldered Hades makes his toxic relationship with Minthe—a sleek, scarlet nymph—official, he decides to put some space between him and Persephone, which is difficult to do now that she’s started an internship in the Underworld. When Minthe sees Hades giving the pink, curvaceous Goddess of Spring a tour, she marks her territory with mean-girl tactics, and Minthe’s frenemy later sabotages Minthe under the guise of helping. Readers will enjoy watching the drama among the pointy- or web-eared nymphs and round-eared gods backfire and unfold. But they’ll be especially invested in a touching segment on a rooftop where Eros helps Persephone realize that Apollo did, indeed, assault her in volume 1 by using a gray understanding of consent to his advantage. As ever, Smythe’s saturated, ethereal, digital illustrations leap off the page—with exaggerated gestures, round eyes, and wordless close-ups emphasizing comedic and moving moments—and the charcoalesque textures add whimsy to the slow-burn romance. Although the core story follows the friendly, loveable Persephone (who, like readers, is still learning Olympus’ rules), this volume in particular expands the world of the gods and hints at upcoming subplots involving secondary characters.