Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

Book: Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

Rating: 4 Stars

Release date: May 1, 2009 from HarperTeen

Summary: He smiles. “Hello.” It’s a deep voice. I can feel it reverberate in my chest and echo all the way down to my toes. I know I should leave, but I don’t want to. I want to keep my senses like this forever. I’m all eye, all ear, all skin. Persephone lives in the most gorgeous place in the world. But her mother’s a goddess, as overprotective as she is powerful. Paradise has become a trap. Just when Persephone feels there’s no chance of escaping the life that’s been planned for her, a mysterious stranger arrives. A stranger who promises something more—something dangerous and exciting—something that spurs Persephone to make a daring choice. A choice that could destroy all she’s come to love, even the earth itself. In a land where a singing river can make you forget your very name, Persephone is forced to discover who—and what—she really is.

*****

Radiant Darkness is a new take on the old myth of Persephone and Hades. Instead of being forced to go with Hades, Persephone chose to marry him and live in the underworld. It’s definitely a new twist to the old story and it was surprisingly well done.

The characters in Radiant Darkness were really well developed. I loved Persephone and how she was her own person and how she wasn’t the typical old fashioned teenager. When she wanted Hades, she found a way to get him. Probably not the best way, but she found a way. Hades was actually my favorite character. I never thought I would say this but Hades was sexy. =] I really loved his character and how Emily Whitman made the god of the underworld into a normal human being who can love. He was just perfect. Well, most of the time!

Also, the story was wonderful. I took a myths class this past year and we learned about the original story of Persephone and Hades and I really thought Emily Whitman’s take on the old myth was believable. Who knows, maybe that’s what actually happened. It would make a great love story.

Overall, Radiant Darkness is a great historical fiction book and I only give it four stars because Persephone annoyed me at times. Other than that, I thought the story was cute, memorable, and most importantly, believable. If you haven’t already read it, check this one out!

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