The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain

Title: The Shadow Prince
Author: Bree Despain
Hardcover: 512 pages
Pub Date: March 11, 2014
Publisher: Egmont
Rating: +++++

Summary from pub:

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds

Review:

I love a good retelling, especially when they are retellings of Greek mythology and this retelling is a wonderful twist on my favorite myth – Hades and Persephone.

Haden has a LOT to prove on his quest and Daphne does not make it easy for him. She is not a pushover and is not interested when he tells her to come with him. Mostly, she just tries to stay away from this creepy guy, and is more interested in befriending Tobin and finding out more about the disappearing girls, including his sister. She is so strong and wants what she wants and will let nothing get in her way. Too bad most people around her have made a deal for their riches and their fame, which makes everything more complicated.

This book is told from two perspectives which I love. It seems to be something you either love or hate, but I thought it was done so well. I liked knowing more than the characters and seeing how Haden would tell Daphne his true purpose. It builds the tension for the reader and makes for a more interesting read.

Daphne was the best character in the book and made it worth reading still the couple times it got a little slow.

This is just the first in the series and I am so excited to read more, especially with that ending!