GIRL, GODDESS, QUEEN (DELUXE EDITION), by Bea Fitzgerald, Sourcebooks Fire, Sept. 2, 2025, Paperback, $14.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)
When Zeus and Demeter’s daughter disappears to the underworld, all hell breaks loose in Girl, Goddess, Queen, by Bea Fitzgerald.
To hell with love, this goddess has other plans…
Thousands of years ago, the gods spun a myth based on a lie. They claimed that though Persephone was to be a prize-bride for the most deserving god, Hades kidnapped her for himself. That she was just a pawn in the complicated politics of Olympus. That her mother, Demeter, was so distraught she caused the Earth to start dying. The real story is much more interesting.
Persephone wasn’t taken to hell: she jumped. There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her. Now all she has to do is convince the Underworld’s annoyingly sexy, arrogant and frankly rude ruler, Hades, to fall in line with her plan. A plan that will shake Mount Olympus to its very core. But consequences can be deadly, especially when you’re already in hell . . . —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Fire
Girl, Goddess, Queen is a fresh reimaging of the Persephone myth that’s flips the narrative and brings a woman’s value to the forefront.
The story is that of Persephone, who starts out being named Kore (pure, beautiful maiden, little girl) — goddess of the flowers and beauty in nature. And if there’s one good word to describe Kore it’s angry.
Kore is angry.
She’s angry at her father for thinking so little of her. She’s angry her only value seems to be that of wife. She’s angry her mother is marrying her off to the highest bidder. She’s angry that women are subservient. She’s angry she doesn’t have a voice.
So, Kore chooses the underworld.
It’s that decision, and the events following that her character becomes more. She becomes Persephone, a multilayered god not seen in Greek mythology. So, too, does Hades, though his transformation happens a little later.
Author Bea Fitzgerald’s imagining of the underworld is spectacular. She literally builds it in front of your eyes. Other highlights include interactions with human souls and the gods. Even though each being’s interactions are short, you immediately get a sense of personality.
Girl, Goddess, Queen is a page-turner with lots of angst, strong banter and a steamy (though not explicit) romance that will make you want to read more from this author.
*Sensitivity note: Girl, Goddess, Queen includes references to rape culture and sexual assault (no graphic scenes); war-related trauma/PTSD; emotional, coercive and mental abuse from a parent; and references to physical harm and injury (no graphic or explicit scenes). It also includes sex and sexual desires described in mostly flowery language that leaves most of it up to your imagination.
Copyright © 2025 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
