Receiver of Many

Alexander’s crowdfunded debut, an eroticized retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, shows her knowledge of Greek mythology, but she fails to put the power of the legend to good use. This wordy 500-page novel only tells the first half of the story (Destroyer of Light follows in 2016). More importantly, Alexander relies too heavily on creating conflict through people failing to communicate. After Hades kidnaps Persephone, his feelings are so intense that he avoids her, and she feels neglected. Then he refuses to reveal that he arranged the kidnapping because Persephone’s mother, Demeter, planned to turn her into a tree to keep them apart. In turn, Persephone refuses to proclaim her love. Even when they become a true couple, the author manufactures another conflict: Hades broods that she will outgrow him while she worries he will resent her. The overwrought dialogue feels like parody (“Your gods... where are they now, priestess?”), and the plot plods along. (BookLife)