The queen of the underworld

Love be damned, this goddess has other plans. In this epic retelling of the tale of Hades and Persephone, experience Olympus's most famous romance through the eyes of the queen of the underworld. An instant Sunday Times bestseller, The Queen of the Underworld is Bea Fitzgerald's literary debut.

Thousands of years ago, the gods told a lie.

According to Olympus, Persephone was a mere pawn in divine politics. First, Hades kidnapped her to be his bride. Then her mother, Demeter, became so distraught and desperate at the thought of her daughter being imprisoned in the Underworld that she caused the Earth to begin dying.

The real story is much more interesting.

About to reach marriageable age, there's nothing Persephone fears more than the idea of an arranged marriage, especially if her husband is chosen by her father, Zeus, who detests her. Stranded on the island of Sicily with only her mother, nymphs, and flowers for company, the young goddess makes a decision: to go to the only person who can help her hide. In the one place in the world where no one will be able to disturb her.

However, when she leaps there via the roots of a flower, the king of the Underworld isn't exactly what one would expect from a hospitable host. Still, Persephone has the perfect plan that promises to shake the pillars of Olympus, and all she needs to do is convince Hades.

But the consequences can be fatal, especially when you're already in hell...

“ The Queen of the Underworld brings to life timeless gods, the complex intimacy of family relationships, a fierce protagonist, and a passionate, steamy romance.” – Sue Lynn Tan, bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess