Audio Book Review: The Dark Wife

The Dark Wife

By:  Sarah Diemer

Publish Date:  May 12, 2011, Audiobook Release February 10, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 59 mins
Narrated By:  Veronica Giguere

Genre:  Young Adult Urban Fantasy (Myth Retelling)

Series:  Stand-alone

Impression:  Stunning, heartfelt telling of Persephone and Hades

Synopsis:
Three thousand years ago, a god told a lie. Now, only a goddess can tell the truth. Persephone has everything a daughter of Zeus could want--except for freedom. She lives on the green earth with her mother, Demeter, growing up beneath the ever-watchful eyes of the gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus. But when Persephone meets the enigmatic Hades, she experiences something new: choice. Zeus calls Hades "lord" of the dead as a joke. In truth, Hades is the goddess of the underworld, and no friend of Zeus. She offers Persephone sanctuary in her land of the dead, so the young goddess may escape her Olympian destiny. But Persephone finds more than freedom in the underworld. She finds love, and herself.

First Sentence:
I am not my mother's daughter.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Veronica speaks as Persephone as she tells the story before all has happened, and as it happened. Veronica does cracking voices full of emotion when the book notes it. She feels to speak with such love and emotion that draws my heart into the story. A stunning vocal performance from Veronica as she relates all the emotions through her voice, and draws me into them.

The story is told from Persephone's view, after it's all happened. We learn this in the beginning of the story.

Sarah's writing feels as though it's poetic with emotions strong in her words. The cadence of the telling, along with Veronica's vocals, felt to fit the old sway of words with the Greek gods and goddesses. The details and emotions invested into this story feel to be strong. There is such love written here. And in the voice! Veronica relates the strength of all the emotions present.

Persephone grows fonder and fonder of Hades. In their small connections it seems that Hades is healing, along with Persephone in heart and mind. They have both suffered some loses or torment from others that starts to heal with each other's presence.

We get a feel of the flip of good and evil where we would think to see it. Zeus and Hades, evil and good. Which is the one that has more compassion for people and souls? We see things from a different angle that opens possible thoughts of it all.

This story is told as Hades as a female, as is Persephone. They fall in love and it's beautiful. This book is all emotion. I didn't get a feel of strong prejudice from everyone present. It's natural to love and it doesn't matter who that love is directed to. Love is an amazing emotion and all should feel it. Though, there is one that's not thrilled with it as it's not him receiving the love as he feels he should. He is also one that seems to look down on a relationship between two woman, but that is only briefly mentioned. The story is mainly a gorgeous telling of Persephone finding her way in the world and finding love.

The story is very drawing with the words and Veronica's voice. But the one scene that touched my heart the deepest was when the dead villagers met others. You'll know the moment and who the others are when it happens. Beautiful.

If you thrive on lush descriptions of all around you and feelings, this is a great read for you.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!