Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest, also has a problem. She wishes to teach her daughter, Persephone, maturity while answering the prayers of some of her followers, begging that she look after their dead loved ones in Hades. She decides to switch Lani and Persephone's souls, sending Persephone to fix Lani's business and sending Lani to become Queen of the Underworld for six months. Lani has some reservations, especially after recalling the myth surrounding Hades and Persephone, yet she is convinced by Demeter that Hades is a somber, sexless god with no interest in women, immortal or otherwise. But once there, Lani soon realizes Demeter was quite wrong. Hades is everything Lani could find attractive in a man, but he's also a god, and as such, out of her reach.

Goddess of Spring had a new twist on the old Greek myth. Hades never forced Persephone to stay in the Underworld in this book; she was quite willing to stay on her own. P.C. Cast gave personality to Hades, Demeter, and several other gods, making them seem much less like characters in a myth, and more like people, regardless of their immortal status. She also made the Underworld much more vivid. The humor from her previous books was present in Goddess of Spring, yet not as strongly. It was more serious, and had more conflict. The feelings portrayed were beautifully done, and I had no problem believing and feeling Lani and Hades' emotions. Overall, setting, characterization, and many other aspects of a good book were conveyed in a wonderful manner. Goddess of Spring is a keeper for me, and it should be a welcome addition to any reader's library hoping for a lovely mix of humor and emotional-romance.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Tara Black
August 20, 2004