Great, thoughtful review. I very much agree on a novel needing to have the emotional beats to keep the reader engaged and connected to the characters. And that cover is gorgeous! I noticed the flowers right away since Persephone was supposedly picking narcissus when the Underworld opened up. Did flowers feature in the book or was that just for the cover design? Also, as you were talking, I began to think about how the Persephone/Demeter myth was part of the Eleusinian Mysteries and if any of these modern retellings delve into that aspect. I think a fictional retelling that alludes to that mystery cult, overtly or covertly, would be fabulous!
Great, thoughtful review. I very much agree on a novel needing to have the emotional beats to keep the reader engaged and connected to the characters. And that cover is gorgeous! I noticed the flowers right away since Persephone was supposedly picking narcissus when the Underworld opened up. Did flowers feature in the book or was that just for the cover design? Also, as you were talking, I began to think about how the Persephone/Demeter myth was part of the Eleusinian Mysteries and if any of these modern retellings delve into that aspect. I think a fictional retelling that alludes to that mystery cult, overtly or covertly, would be fabulous!
Flowers did feature prominently in the plotting!