Wow, just wow — where do I even begin? Bea Fitzgerald, the brilliant author behind Girl, Goddess, Queen, absolutely nailed it with her writing. Her storytelling? Great Zeus, it’s truly exceptional! Released in 2023, this YA novel offers a fresh take on the classic Greek myth of Hades and Persephone that you’re going to love. Bea knocked it out of the park with this one. I’ve only read up to page 100 on purpose, but even in that short span, it’s obvious that this is the kind of book that pulls you in from the very first page and leaves you eagerly craving more!
Imagine a Greek mythology psychologist working atop Mount Olympus, reimagining the love story of Persephone (Kore) and Hades — that’s the creative spark Bea Fitzgerald has brought to life. Along the way, familiar Greek gods and goddesses like Zeus, Hera, and Demeter are woven into the story just as you’d expect. The most remarkable part? Hades and Persephone’s personalities shine through in such an intoxicating way that you almost feel like you’re inside their minds.
I’ve had this book on my radar for a while, and I finally read the first 100 pages — yeah, I took a bit of a shortcut just to get this Girl, Goddess, Queen review out. My Greek mythology book list is massive, and I still have plenty of comics and graphic novels to review too. If you’re into that stuff, you can check out my Lore Olympus review, a graphic novel about Hades and Persephone with a modern twist.
Even though I’ve only read a small part of the Persephone and Hades story in Girl, Goddess, Queen so far, it’s pretty clear this is one of the coolest and most interesting retellings of Greek mythology love stories out there.
Bea Fitzgerald is an English novelist with major Greek goddess energy. Just check out her Instagram @chaosonolympus — she’s straight-up causing Chaos on Olympus with all the Greek myth vibes you could ask for. So yeah, both the book and the author are super inspiring!
Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald: My Honest Review
The storytelling in Girl, Goddess, Queen is so smooth and insightful. You’ll explore a variety of feelings and motives, with plenty of mystery to keep you fully engaged from start to finish. I wouldn’t hesitate to gift this to a teen girl — it’s that good! The writing style makes it easy to become completely immersed in Kore’s world and her journey to becoming Queen.
Okay, I can’t say for sure that she does, but the book’s title does hint at it — though I could be wrong. It’s full of surprises, so anything’s possible.
In this retelling, Kore (most know her as Persephone) is the goddess of flowers and natural beauty, raised in isolation on a Sicilian island by her caring mother, Demeter. Her mother has shielded her from the darker side of Olympus — a realm ruled by Zeus and his male-dominated ways — in the hopes of protecting her. But when Zeus declares that Kore must marry, she refuses to accept it. Instead, she escapes straight into the Underworld, defying expectations and societal norms.
Kore is brave, independent, and determined to carve her own path. Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, isn’t expecting the young-spirited girl to stumble into his domain. And that’s when things really start to get interesting.
Bea Fitzgerald masterfully explores the complexities of their relationship, beautifully blending Greek gods and goddesses with human qualities that make them truly relatable. I believe girls and women will especially connect with this story, as it resonates on a profound emotional level beyond mere adventure. Honestly, it’s a compelling read for anyone.
Although the story centers on the female spirit, which I can’t fully relate to, I’m giving Girl, Goddess, Queen an excellent rating of 8.5 out of 10! It’s a remarkable book by an incredible author. Whether you love Greek mythology, YA fiction, or simply enjoy beautifully written stories, this Persephone and Hades retelling won’t disappoint. And the best part? You’ll get to see how the story develops and whether it ends on an epic note!
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Here are some more great books by Bea Fitzgerald that explore Greek mythology. The End Crowns All is a sapphic reimagining of the Trojan War. A Beautiful Evil draws inspiration from the myth of Pandora. Her fourth Greek mythology book, The Divine Revelry, centers on Ariadne, the Princess of Crete, who vows to help free the Athenian prince Theseus and his fellow tributes from the terrifying minotaur.
Bea Fitzgerald has written other books as well, showing she’s got serious storytelling skills. But honestly, why not start with Girl, Goddess, Queen? It’s her debut YA novel, and it’s super popular — made the Sunday Times bestseller list and even won a Romantic Novel Award, plus other praise.
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