How Did a Short, Ugly, Chubby Girl Like Me Become Queen of the Underworld

Aurelia, a clumsy Zeus temple maid, must poison Underworld King Hades. Nine poison attempts—garlic, peach flavor—all fail; he drinks every dose amused and teases her. She crashes through his roof, trips over his hellhound, and leaves kill notes. Hades, intrigued, spoils her with robes and feasts. Aurelia is actually Astraea, last of the slain Vespera clan, avenging her family. When Hades offers his army to destroy Zeus, they fall in love. She becomes his queen, forever changing the Underworld.

Aurelia, a clumsy Zeus temple maid, must poison Underworld King Hades. Nine poison attempts—garlic, peach flavor—all fail; he drinks every dose amused and teases her. She crashes through his roof, trips over his hellhound, and leaves kill notes. Hades, intrigued, spoils her with robes and feasts. Aurelia is actually Astraea, last of the slain Vespera clan, avenging her family. When Hades offers his army to destroy Zeus, they fall in love. She becomes his queen, forever changing the Underworld.