The Eternity Key by Bree Despain

Summary: "Haden, Prince of the Underrealm, is determined to defy his fate to protect Daphne, even as they and their small group of friends continue the search for the lost Kronolithe, the key of Hades--but his undeclared love for a mortal girl is a terrible risk, and they must both decide what they are willing to sacrifice to protect one another."

The Eternity Key is the second installment of the Into the Dark series. It ends with multiple cliff-hangers, and I will have to wait until Fall 2016 to see what happens next! The Eternity Key has more intrigue, more characters, more Greek gods, and more surprises than I expected. While it was intriguing and suspenseful, I was left wanting more. I certainly could use some more interaction between Haden and Daphne...how are readers supposed to appreciate their growing love for each other...when they hardly ever talk or hang out? 

352 pages

The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1) by Bree Despain

Summary: "In this modern retelling of the Persephone myth, Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, is sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead." 

The Shadow Prince is the first book in the Into the Dark series. Even though it started off a little too slow for my tastes, the story eventually picks up the pace. I couldn't put it down! It left me wanting more and eagerly waiting for the next book. The story alternates between Haden and Daphne's POVs. It is FULL of mythology, with the story of Persephone and the story of Orpheus intertwined. 

It isn't as witty as the Percy Jackson books, but the mythology is still woven throughout the story in a nice way. Some plot points are painfully obvious, but others deliver on shock value. 

I really enjoyed it! 

481 pages