Neon Gods Book Tag (ORIGINAL)

Help, I’m obsessed.

I am trying, once again, to whittle down my Currently Reading pile and finish more of the books I own.

Neon Gods is making this very difficult.

If you haven’t heard, Neon Gods is a modern Hades x Persephone retelling where Persephone travels to the Underground willingly and enlists Hades to help her piss off Zeus.

I read it last month and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Here’s a book tag I made for my new comfort read

Persephone: a book with emotional depths

On a Sunbeam ran the gamut of emotions.

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden. Image from Amazon.

I liked the contrast between the horrors of an inhospitable planet and the indignities of boarding school.

I desperately wanted the crew to survive.

Hades: your favorite misunderstood character

Hart from The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting is a delightful grump.

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles. Image from Amazon.

He’s an autistic-coded member of the gentry, abuse survivor, and secret softie.

His struggles with self-esteem hit me in a tender place.

Pomegranate: a book that makes you feel safe

Get a Life, Chloe Brown feels like a warm hug.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert. Image from Amazon.

The book opens with a content warning about the aftermath of an abusive relationship.

I trust Talia Hibbert to handle this subplot with care.

Cerberus: a much-loved trilogy

There’s been a swell of support for the Grisha trilogy.

After reading the second book, I like the series a lot more.

I’m worried about the third and final book. I haven’t picked it up yet.

Zeus: a heroic character you don’t trust

(CW: incest, rape)

(Spoilers for Beyond the Black Door)

Beyond the Black Door by A. M. Strickland.

Beyond the Black Door introduces the stepbrother character, Razim, then has Kamai’s mom warn Kamai, “Never end up alone in a room with him.”

That’s CREEPY. Dude’s DEFINITELY a rapist, right?

At the very end, the book tries to backpedal. Razim wasn’t dangerous for RAPE reasons – dude just had a demon living inside of him.

Uh huh. Whatever you say.

Psyche: a newer book that comforted you immensely

A Psalm for the Wild-Built gave voice to the dissatisfaction I’ve been feeling.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

Like Dex, I’m tempted to leave everything behind to strike out on my own, preferably not out in the wild.

I want something more and I don’t know what that something is yet.

Callisto: an intense book

I read Crying in H Mart for book club.

I needed to take several breaks from the material.

Cancer sucks.

Eurydice: a reveal that upset you even though you saw it coming

Once There Were Wolves builds up to the reveal of the cause of the sisters’ trauma.

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

I had a pretty good idea of what had happened to them. I was still horrified when I got there.

This book is so good. It’s also a LOT.

Bridge: a book that taught you something

I love what Hola, Papi! had to say about failure, survival, and growing up.

This quote stuck with me:

…I’ve come to think that it’s fine, and perhaps expected, to change your mind.
Brammer, 178

Additionally, I’m still processing “How to See a Comet in a Room Full of Strangers,” an essay that wrecked me.

I clearly remember, back when I felt dead inside, going to shows and experiencing brief moments of communion with the audience.

Those moments didn’t fix all of my problems, but they helped me feel more alive.

Throne: a book or character you worship

Don’t mind me, just thinking about Piranesi again and crying.

I love this book so much.

I would love to get a Piranesi-inspired tattoo one day.

Do I have the pain tolerance for this? No idea, but it’s nice to dream.

Demeter: a book you had to reread to fully understand

The nuances of August’s family situation and personal motivation didn’t hit me until I reread One Last Stop.

I’m in love with her character arc.

I think this book is so clever and lovingly plotted.

I promise I’m going to finish at least one more book before I reread Neon Gods.

I swear it.

If you’d like to do the tag, go ahead! Be sure to tag me so I can see your answers.

Here’s a blank template so you can do the tag yourself: