5-Star Review of Seeds by Angie Paxton

Angie Paxton‘s Seeds is a stunning recreation of the myth of Persephone and Hades, which has enthralled audiences for generations. Paxton‘s lyrical prose transports you to a universe where gods are more than just great beings; they are flawed, very human characters dealing with the scars of betrayal, rejection, and longing. This novel stands out not only for its gorgeous setting in Mycenaean Greece, but also for its daring choice to portray the story primarily through the eyes of Persephone and her mother, Demeter. While I wished for deeper insight into Hades‘ perspective, the richness and complexity of the two female characters more than made up for it.

Kore has lived her entire life under her resentful mother Demeter’s shadow, trying her hardest to please a woman grown bitter by betrayal. With her self-esteem in tatters and deliberately isolated by her mother, it’s no surprise that Kore is flummoxed when she meets a collection of otherworldly women – the Goddesses of Olympus – who tell her that her mother is in truth a Goddess herself. Kore tells them her preferred name, Persephone, and hopes they will not only have answers for her new questions, but the friendship and love she craves. Instead, an imposing and stoic figure emerges from a nearby cave on a magical chariot and snatches Persephone away.

Upon realizing she has been taken to the Underworld by Hades, who desires she become his queen, Persephone vows to escape.

Demeter, enraged upon finding her daughter taken, goes to extreme lengths to reclaim her – putting the lives of all humanity, and even the gods, at risk.

Angie Paxton breathes new life into a myth that has been reshaped, adapted, and loved since Homer's Hymn to Demeter. Seeds is a deeply romantic story of two lonely souls finding one another, the pressure put on children to forgive their parents’ abuse, and the power of resentment.

Content References to child abuse, animal death, starvation, forcible confinement

One of Seeds‘ best features are its characters, notably the three key figures—Persephone, Demeter, and Hades. Paxton‘s decision to focus on Persephone and Demeter allows readers to delve into the novel’s strained and intensely emotional mother-daughter relationship.

Demeter, as depicted here, is a revelation. She is a cynical, spiteful, and wounded goddess who has been wronged, particularly by her sister Hera and her husband Zeus. Paxton doesn’t shy away from depicting Demeter as both a victim and an antagonist. While her pain and cynicism are reasonable given her history, her treatment of Persephone (who she also refers to as Kore) cannot be excused. Persephone‘s mental and physical maltreatment at the hands of her mother—raised in ignorance of her divine origins and made to feel useless and unwanted—paints a sorrowful image of a daughter yearning for love but being denied it due to bitterness and fear.

Hekate, a secondary yet crucial figure, lends depth to Demeter‘s character. It is argued that Hekate‘s influence increased Demeter‘s domineering and harmful conduct toward Persephone, making their relationship even more complex. However, there is an irrefutable darkness within Demeter that causes her to withdraw affection from her own child. Her inner depth is what makes her such an intriguing character.

Persephone‘s transformation from a shattered and solitary girl to a woman discovering her strength and identity is at the center of this tale. Her initial helplessness and deep-seated self-doubt, caused by years of trauma, are both familiar and devastating. However, her stay in the underworld with Hades represents the turning point in her narrative. Though initially terrifying, Hades is the first to perceive Persephone as capable of greatness, rather than weak or unneeded. Their encounters, especially when he encourages her to pursue her own interests, such as horseback riding and archery, are among the most riveting in the story.

The story of Persephone and Hades is a masterwork in slow-burn narrative. While the tale is written through Persephone‘s eyes, Paxton‘s language allows Hades‘ quiet vulnerability to seep through. His seclusion and pain, like Persephone‘s, foster a connection that feels both inevitable and beautifully poignant. Hades is portrayed as a very lonely god who, like Persephone, has been abandoned and dismissed by those who should have cared for him. This common sense of abandonment makes their eventual relationships all the more meaningful.

At its core, Seeds is a story about identity, self-worth, and the complicated relationship between parents and children. Persephone‘s journey is about more than simply finding love; it’s about discovering herself outside of her mother’s shadow. Her eventual revelation that she does not require Demeter‘s approval to be entire is a watershed moment of empowerment.

The work also addresses the serious issue of forgiveness, particularly the cultural expectation that children forgive their parents’ transgressions. Paxton does not provide easy solutions here. While Persephone comes to comprehend the source of Demeter‘s anguish, she also knows that this does not excuse the harm done to her. This blend of empathy and accountability is one of the book’s most notable strengths.

If there was one component of Seeds that made me want more, it was Hades‘ perspective. While his character is well-drawn through Persephone‘s eyes, more chapters from his point of view could have provided more depth to his feelings and motivations. As a complicated character like Demeter or Persephone, he merits equal narrative weight. Nonetheless, its absence does not reduce the overall effect of the story.

Paxton‘s ability to rework a well-known story while still tackling contemporary issues of agency, pain, and healing is nothing short of astounding. Her work is both poetic and solid, brilliantly capturing the contrast between the bright, sunlit world of Demeter‘s domain and the shadowy, eerie beauty of the underworld.

Seeds is a must-read for lovers of mythological retellings, as it not only reinvents, but also adds emotional depth to the Persephone and Hades narrative. This book is a triumph, thanks to its vividly portrayed characters, slow-burn romance, and investigation of family tension. January 7th, 2025, cannot arrive soon enough for those who have yet to witness its magic.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

About Angie Paxton

Angie Paxton grew up in a very small town in Southeastern Idaho and attended college in the next town over. She graduated with her associate degree in general studies in 2000 and went on to earn her paralegal certificate from Denver Paralegal School in 2003. Though she worked for a number of years in the legal industry and then took on the role of stay-at-home mom with the birth of her first child, Angie's passion has always been writing. When her Category Four kid hurricane isn't keeping her busy, Angie can be found at her laptop working on her latest novel. If she isn't there, she's likely boating, hiking or running in beautiful Northern Idaho where she lives.

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