Book picks similar to
Elysian by Rebecca Queen


ya
angels
greek-mythology
surprised-me

Threads of Chaos


D.L. Miles - 2013
    Too bad she came back damaged; she’s started to have visions of people dying, and conversations with people that like to vanish. She thinks she's crazy, but when new kids Eve and Tristan Holmes suggest what she's seeing might be real she begins to wonder. What if she came back for a reason?

Psyche in a Dress


Francesca Lia Block - 2006
    Yet he is fleeting and fragile, lost to her too quickly. Punished by self-doubt, Psyche yearns to be transformed, like the beautiful and brutal figures in the myths her lover once spoke of. Attempting to uncover beauty in the darkness, she is challenged, tested, and changed by the gods and demons who tempt her. Her faith must be found again, for if she is to love, she must never look back.

Our Souls to Keep


Gary A. Caruso - 2013
    With no memory of his human existence, Wake preys on defenseless teenagers until they willingly end their own lives.After many years of loyal service, something inside Wake is changing. Images of a forgotten life, lost human emotions begin to emerge. As Wake struggles to keep these new sensations hidden, Satan orders him to corrupt the soul of a pregnant girl, Annemarie. Beautiful, gentle Annemarie. From the moment Wake sees her, she brings lightness to his blackened heart. If he chooses to defy Satan and spare the lives of Annemarie and her unborn child, his mother’s soul will writhe in Hell’s deepest pit for eternity. Annemarie or his mother? It’s a choice no one should have to make.

These Feathered Flames


Alexandra Overy - 2021
    While Izaveta remained at court to learn the skills she’d need as the future queen, Asya was taken away to train with her aunt, the mysterious Firebird, who ensured magic remained balanced in the realm.But before Asya’s training is completed, the ancient power blooms inside her, which can mean only one thing: the queen is dead, and a new ruler must be crowned.As the princesses come to understand everything their roles entail, they’ll discover who they can trust, who they can love—and who killed their mother.

Persephone


Kaitlin Bevis - 2012
    The next she’s fighting off Boreas, the brutal god of Winter, and learning that she’s a bonafide goddess—a rare daughter of the now-dead Zeus. Her goddess mom whisks her off to the Underworld to hide until Spring.There she finds herself under the protection of handsome Hades, the god of the dead, and she’s automatically married to him. It’s the only way he can keep her safe. Older, wiser, and far more powerful than she, Hades isn’t interested in becoming her lover, at least not anytime soon. But every time he rescues her from another of Zeus’s schemes, they fall in love a little more. Will Hades ever admit his feelings for her?Can she escape the grasp of her powerful dad’s minions? The Underworld is a very cool place, but is it worth giving up her life in the realm of the living? Her goddess powers are developing some serious, kick-butt potential. She’s going to fight back.

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters


Emily Roberson - 2019
    Her royal family’s entertainment empire is beloved by the tabloids, all over social media, and the hottest thing on television. The biggest moneymaker? The Labyrinth Contest, a TV extravaganza in which Ariadne leads fourteen teens into a maze to kill a monster. To win means endless glory; to lose means death. In ten seasons, no one has ever won.When the gorgeous, mysterious Theseus arrives at the competition and asks Ariadne to help him to victory, she doesn’t expect to fall for him. He might be acting interested in her just to boost ratings. Their chemistry is undeniable, though, and she can help him survive. If he wins, the contest would end for good. But if she helps him, she doesn’t just endanger her family’s empire―the monster would have to die. And for Ariadne, his life might be the only one worth saving.Ariadne’s every move is watched by the public and predestined by the gods, so how can she find a way to forge her own destiny and save the people she loves?

Forbidden


Selene Charles - 2014
    Where the guys are hot. The girls are sweet. And nothing is what it seems... Flint DeLuca is sick and tired of moving. Her and her dad have moved three times in the past year. But that's the life of a carnie. Even an ex-carnie like her. Her father swears this is the last move. All Flint wants now is to graduate from High School and put the carnival life behind her. Unfortunately, one of the two ain't gonna happen. So now not only is she back in the life she can never seem to get away from, she's also met this guy who pushes all her "I totally hate you" buttons.Cain. No last name. Wears shades in school. Dresses entirely in black. And only speaks to her when he's insulting her. She hates him. Hates him. And yet... there's something about the Goth boy that draws her like a moth to flame. God, she can't wait to graduate and get away from Whispering Bluff, only problem is she's pretty sure her high school is infested by vampires. Cain might be one of them. And for some reason, she seems to be on their menu.Sometimes High School really sucks...

Raising Hell


L.A. Boruff - 2021
    I have a hot husband, a great home, and the perfect life.Until I remember my true identity.My husband isn't an insurance salesman.He's the deadly Lucifer himself. His two best friends, Michael and Gabriel, are my angelic lovers. And I'm Lilith, the Queen of Hell.We need to abandon our perfect human lives to get back to Hell and strengthen the gates. If we don't, demons are going to pour out of the Underworld to create Hell on Earth.A powerful enemy we never even knew we had doesn't want us to return to Hell. He's doing all he can to stop us.But I’m the Infernal Queen, and Heaven help anyone who stands in my way. They’re about to learn just how far I Fell.Infernal Queen: Raising Hell is a full-length (70k+ words) poly why choose romance. It involves a considerable amount of steam and an intriguing plot.

Beautiful Curse


Jen McConnel - 2014
    She is, hands down, the most beautiful creature on earth. But beauty can wound, and Mya finds herself reviled and shunned by her peers. If there is even a chance that she could start over, Mya longs to take it, no matter the risks. So when the strange Mr. Merk offers her a new life away from home, Mya is hesitant but hopeful. Only she didn't count on the mysterious Ross, or her feelings for him. BEAUTIFUL CURSE is a contemporary retelling of the myth of Psyche and Cupid.“Beautiful Curse is the perfect balance of mysterious and romantic. You’ll swoon over this imaginative retelling of Cupid and Psyche.” - Robin Constantine, author of THE PROMISE OF AMAZING“A fun and fresh twist on a well-loved story! The Cupid and Psyche romance is my favorite myth and McConnel's whimsical take did not disappoint. An absolute delight, I loved every moment of this love story and instantly wanted more.” - Rachel Harris, author of THE FINE ART OF PRETENDINGBeautiful Curse has been shortlisted for the Gayle Wilson Award Of Excellence

Airborne


Constance Sharper - 2011
    Coping with the existence of a mythological race? Okay. Unwittingly finding herself in the middle of a vicious harpie conflict? A little less okay. Having to rely on an arrogant harpie boy who gets under her skin? Now that is something Avery isn't sure she can handle.

Broken Wing


Christine Fonseca - 2012
    That is, until he and his friends, Azza and Demi, are sent to Earth. Assigned as Watchers while they await their decision of which angelic order to serve, the three assume the bodies of teenagers and experience life as human. The sensations are overwhelming as the angels experience a host of human emotions—rage, terror, love—and come ever closer to breaking one of the unbreakable rules—never fall in love. But being human isn’t the only problem facing the three angels. Unbeknownst to the Council, demonic activity is on the rise, threatening to break a tenuous peace that has existed for a millennia; a peace Azza seems bent on destroying.Caught in a struggle for power with unseen demonic forces and Azza, and fighting against his rising emotional attachment to Demi, Mikayel must now decide how much he is willing to sacrifice for his new found love—a decision that could reignite an ancient war and will threaten the only thing that matters to the angels, the survival of humanity. ***PREVIOUS PUBLISHED AS DIES IRAE***

Runes of Issalia


Jeffrey L. Kohanek - 2018
    Under a veil of deception and backed by natural talent, the teen then schemes his way into a school where the Empire's future leaders are trained.Within the Academy, a legendary school of magic, science, politics, and combat, he uncovers secrets kept hidden for centuries - secrets that expose cracks in the foundation of Empire society. Among his discoveries is a long forgotten magic, powerful and dangerous - a magic he is determined to wield. Caught between his continued charade and a desire to tame his frightening new abilities, one misstep on either front could destroy him._____________________________________THE EMBLEM THRONEWith the return of a lost magic...comes a dark prophecy.As they strive to become Masters within the Ministry, Brock and his friends resume their training at the Academy - an institution founded on magic, science, politics, and combat. However, an expansive web of lies resides within the Ministry, hidden behind a veil of benevolence. The exposure of one such secret forces Brock and his friends to flee the school with their lives in the balance.They soon discover that a larger threat looms...one that could end everything. Guided by the cryptic words of an ancient prophecy and backed by a forbidden magic they have yet to master, Brock and his companions embark on a quest to retrieve knowledge tied to a long lost throne, knowledge that might save humanity from extinction.______________________________________AN EMPIRE IN RUNESA powerful magic. An unstoppable army. The final battle to decide the fate of mankind.The eastern cities of Issalia lay in ruin, destroyed by an army of monsters so twisted that they devour their victims, dead or alive. Led by a boy named Brock, a group of teens scramble to find a means of stopping this dark force.Joined by fierce Tantarri warriors and a squad of raw paladin recruits, Brock leads a band of former slaves to battle. The future of mankind hinges upon a powerful, yet destructive magic...a magic they are still learning to control.As foretold in an ancient prophecy, this rag-tag force gathers upon the Tantarri plains, prepared to face an army of giants with vastly superior numbers. All the while, they must remain vigilant against a secret organization within the Ministry - one who will do anything to prevent the return of Chaos.

Gild


Raven Kennedy - 2020
    And the ones with power rule.Gold.Gold floors, gold walls, gold furniture, gold clothes. In Highbell, in the castle built into the frozen mountains, everything is made of gold.Even me.King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. I’m called his precious. His favored. I’m the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. He gave me protection, and I gave him my heart. And even though I don’t leave the confines of the palace, I’m safe.Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck.Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged. And I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.Because these bars I’m kept in, no matter how gilded, are still just a cage. But the monsters on the other side might make me wish I’d never left.The myth of King Midas reimagined. This compelling adult fantasy series is as addictive as it is unexpected. With romance, intrigue, and danger, the gilded world of Orea will grip you from the very first page.Please Note: This book contains explicit content and darker elements, including mature language, violence, and rape. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book one in a series.An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

Deamhan


Isaiyan Morrison - 2013
    Ramanga, Lamia, Metusba, and Lugat have been overshadowed by what humans know as the modern vampire. But what if vampires aren't the real threat?One woman's search for her mother who disappeared without a trace on the streets of Minneapolis takes her into the precarious world of Deamhan, psychic vampires who rule the underground nightlife in the city's most darkest corners.She gains the trust of the only other human familiar with the Deamhan lifestyle. With his help she finds not only can the Deamhan not be trusted but it s her own father, president of a ruthless organization of researchers, who has diabolically maintained that distrust.

The Succubus in a Red Dress


Daniel David Garcia - 2013
    Oh, and she just might be a succubus.Whatever you do, don't say it can't get any worse.Paranormal romance novella/novel of approximately 46,000 words.