I’ve always loved Greek and Roman mythology. ‘Innocence’ is a retelling of the myth of Persephone and Hades. ‘Awakening’ goes further, using the story of Orpheus and Euridice as a subplot, and introducing more of the re-imagined Pantheon. I held nothing sacred and pulled from Ovid, Hesiod, Shakespeare, Homer, and even the Bible (‘cause why not?). Some of the references are super oblique, but if you’re a nerd about this stuff like me, you’ll appreciate this abbreviated cheat sheet (the full one will be in the back of Awakening):

The Underworld:

Cora Vestian: Persephone, Proserpina. First name comes from Kore. Last name inspired by the Vestal Virgins.

Marcus Ubeli: Hades. Last name inspired by the chthonic god Eubuleus.

Sharo: Charon. Nicknamed The Undertaker.

The Shades: Marcus’ criminal army.

The Styx: a crime ridden area of New Olympus

Brutus: Cerberus.

The Chariot: Marcus’ private club where he conducts most of his business. Contains the office where he and Cora met.

Other characters in New Olympus:

Armand: Hermes. He has wing tattoos and owns a business called Metamorphoses, a reference to Ovid.

Maeve: Hectate, goddess of the Crossroads. She advises Cora.

Zeke Sturm: Zeus. The esteemed mayor of new Olympus. Last name (Storm) inspired by the lightning bolts Zeus used.

More characters coming in the rest of the trilogy...