Persephone's Curse

 

Persephone's Curse

by Katrina Leno

Publication Date: December 2, 2025

Thank you @NetGalley and St. Martin Press/Wednesday Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this novel pulled me in from the synopsis. I'm a sucker for stories about mythology, so I was eager to read about four sisters descended from Persephone who can see ghosts. When one falls in love with the ghost and another banishes it, I thought this was going to be an amazing, one-sitting read for me.

In truth, getting into the story was difficult. The first 50% was riddled with more prose than dialogue, which dragged it down (for me). The author did a good job setting up the problems and creating backstory for the four sisters: Winnie, Evelyn, Clara, and Bernadette; however, it read more like an information dump at times, and there was more telling than showing. I'm also not sure what the character motivators were throughout, and I didn't connect with Henry at all. Aside from being a creep Evelyn couldn't outrun in her own bedroom, what quality about him made her love him? It was clear how much the sisters cared for each other and that each had their own 'quirk' that added to the storyline, but I felt that I was told this to set my expectations for the end, versus discovering it as the story unfolded.

I'm glad I kept coming back to the story, hoping that the next chapter would be the aha moment, which finally happened when Henry is sent to the Underworld (or so one assumes) and the sisters hide it from Evelyn, the sister who loves him. The second half of the book picks up; however, I would have liked to have more of the front half description evened out so there was more in the backend for consistency.

Overall, I rate it 3 Stars. The idea is great and that ending... I <3 that!

Time Crunching

I really want to thank everyone for being so patient. I am ALMOST done with editing Fate's Revenge. It is so hard to dedicate the time to do this as I am immersing myself back into the writing community - there are so many authors I haven't talked to in ages, not to mention all of the new and exciting books that I have missed out on over the last few years! It's hard to dedicate myself to just one task. I want to read, edit, promote, search the web... it's endless, really.

Unfortunately, I still work full time and the demands from this are getting larger as I just won an award for receiving the top mark in my designation for 2017, plus a stream of industry and company events that I am obligated to participate in (adulting can be a pain!) are pulling me in many, many directions. First and foremost - ALWAYS - the majority of my time is for my daughter. At nine-years-old, she still says, "I love you," and asks for kisses goodnight, so I don't want to miss the few years that I have left with that.

To be serious, though, I will be posting a pre-order date for Fate's Revenge soon. I am hoping this will now be weeks rather than months away as I am in the last ten chapters and then all that remains is the formatting :) The cover is done. I have read all the way to where I left off writing the final book, Fate's Escape so Fate's Disguise will be set to release shortly after Fate's Revenge while I finish the last half of Fate's Escape. I hope everyone is as excited as I am to 'finally' get the fourth instalment out into the world.

Cheers!

Sasha Leigh

LUX: BEGINNINGS BOOK REVIEW

Beginnings: Obsidian & Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I purchased this whole series after humming and hawing during many trips to Chapters. Aliens aren't usually my thing, and I see a lot of reviews stating that this reminds them of Twilight, but it took me a while to dig in because it reminded me (in my opinion) of that TV series, Roswell - not that that is a bad thing. I used to be addicted to that show :)

The characters are well-rounded and likeable, and even the antagonist, Ashley, is endearing because she is the perfect little you-know-what. The love story was a bit predictable; however, I really liked the twists and turns that the author created in this world. The setting the author created was great. I especially like the fact that everyone seems to "know" that the aliens are somehow different, but they don't know how. In my opinion, I would imagine more than Dawson's girlfriend would have guessed or caught them being different, but that is the only nit-pick I had. Otherwise, by the end of the second story, I had to go buy the next installment right away. I would definitely recommend this book - and the series as a whole - to fellow readers.



View all my reviews

The Write Time: 5 Ways to Find out What Works Best for You

One of the biggest things I see being discussed is setting a daily word count. What does this mean? You set yourself a minimum word count (never a maximum) to meet each day - even weekends and vacation - and that's what you strive to meet. I read an interesting post recently where a man actually rewarded himself for each day that he met his minimum word count by putting a toonie into a jar and saving it. After a few months, you've got a couple hundred dollars, and you spend it on something fun. I repeat, fun. Once more - do not pay a single bill with this money. It is your reward.

So when do you write? Do you know the time that best suites your needs? How? Do you know which way is your road to being as productive as possible? Or do you do it wherever you can, whenever you can? I'm a little bit of both. Working full-time and being a single mother . . . well, if I wasn't prepared to snap up a moment of quiet, I'd have never written a word, never mind a novel and these posts. I would be a pain to be around - I seriously get grumpy when characters start yelling at me to stop ignoring them. So whether you are a busy parent, having to work to pay the bills, or so free you can stare at clouds all day, this is my top five tips for where writing can be successful.

Book Review - Bait by Kasi Blake

Bait by K.C. Blake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an incredible read - I literally downloaded Kindle just to finish. I can't wait to start the second in this series!

Bay-Lee and Nick (sometimes Tyler) have such great chemistry, and the plot is so well written, it keeps you up well past your bedtime. Reapers (who knew they were ghosts?), monsters, fighting, and oh, the romance. I don't want to say anything to give it away . . . simply read it.

K.C. Blake is the perfect choice if you are looking for the next great series that makes you want to do a toe dance of anticipation waiting for the next installment.

Sasha Leigh



View all my reviews

5 Ways to Get Book Reviews

Let's assume that you have the next great novel that has the potential to become an overnight success for the purposes of this post. Negative reviews can and will reflect upon other novels under your name, so when asking for reviews, make sure that the content you are providing is the best you are capable of producing - your reputation will thank you for it. Use editors, beta readers, proof-readers, and cover designers when necessary. Just because we "can" self-publish doesn't mean we can't be as good as authors who are traditionally published - or better.

Book reviews are a HUGE part of a self-publishing/indie author's marketability and internet presence. Reviews posted to sites such as Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari, Smashwords, etc., are essential to building a rapport with readers you are propositioning, which is what happens whenever you publish - a reader clicks on it (thumbnail picture, link, etc.), studies the cover, reads the blurb, and if you're lucky, checks out excerpts, if available. Is it important that your book looks good? Edited thoroughly? YES.

But good content aside, how is a reader going to know they should buy a book when they don't know the author enough to compare previously read books against?