Reviews with content warning for Death - A Touch of Darkness

Booooo. Maybe this would have been better if the author's take on Persephone wasn't UNBEARABLE. Also, I had to push through half of the book before there was any spice. AND the spice was mid.

Content Warnings

angelofthetardis's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

In a modernised retelling of the Hades and Persephone story, the Goddess of Spring's power has never developed. Rather than stay cooped up under her mother's watchful eye, she enrols on a journalism course at New Athens University, achieving an internship with a prestigious newspaper. When her friend takes her out to celebrate, they end up at Nevernight, the gambling den owned by the God of the Underworld, where money isn't the only thing at stake.

This has been on my list to read for a while as I love the Hades and Persephone story, but when I found it was included in my Audible membership it jumped to the top of the queue. Immediately, I loved the way it brought the Ancient Greek world up to date without losing any of its mystique; it pulls in the classic motifs and symbols of the Gods, while making sure they fit into a modern world. It also makes sure to include those more mythical creatures like ogres, nymphs and oracles to really balance the aspects of a technologically advanced society and a society that can only exist in legend.

The narrator of this audiobook did a great job at bringing the characters to life; her narration is well paced and she is able to give each character a voice without sounding ridiculous. I will admit that I wasn't overly enamoured with her Hades inflection, but I recognise that that's probably down to my having devoured a load of graphic audios just lately with actors playing roles, rather than straight audiobooks, so it just felt a bit 'off' to me. I also like the fact that she got into the story; you could hear the tension, excitement etc. build in her voice at various points, which definitely assisted in painting images in my mind.

As always with stories like this, it's the 'domestic' moments that really hook me in and make me root for the couple. In this case, the all powerful God of the Underworld baking cookies and attending movie night just made me grin so broadly! To me, these scenes break down the all powerful facade of these brooding all powerful males and allow you to glimpse their 'humanity' and desire for something normal. This makes them all the more relatable, whilst allowing you to remain in awe of their magnificence.

Similarly, I found the fact that the author has teased out different characteristics of some of the Gods really refreshing. For example, Demeter being a control freak of epic proportions is not how she is normally painted. In the audio version I have, there was also a bonus scene of Hades and Aphrodite entering into a bet, which paints her and her marriage to Hephestus in a very different light.

There were aspects that I wasn't as impressed with; I struggled with Persephone's split-second changes in attitude for one. One minute she can be completely enthralled by Hades, then in the next breath she's enraged over something. It does do well to build their chemistry and connection, but the device is used multiple times and I found myself getting frustrated by it. Likewise, while I enjoyed the overall subplot led by Adonis, the latter part of it made very little sense to me... and Minthe just got on my nerves throughout - she wasn't a necessary character and seems only to have been included as an extra obstacle, with no other real purpose. There are a few elements in here that don't feel like they were given quite enough thought, but I am hoping that as the world and characters develop as the series progresses, some if these kinks will be worked out.

I am so excited and happy that the majority of this series appears to be available on Kindle Unlimited (even if the rest of the audiobooks have to be paid for), so I'll definitely be adding those to my subscription shortly!

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drewsbooknook's review

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dark emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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tecknicolour's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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vaguely_pink's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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mari_books's review

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adventurous dark emotional relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Light read and modern retelling of Greek mythology. Action packed in lots of ways…Persephone’s character felt a little thin to me at times but I know it’s a series so that might change.

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amaramorgenstern's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Basicly smutt. Das Grundkonzept mit der Griechischen Mythologie gefällt mir eigentlich ganz gut, aber es wurde leider recht kitschig umgesetzt. Das man alles so gezwungen aktuell Machen muss, dass jeder in Designer Kleidung und Stöckl Schuhen rum laufen muss - jede Göttin und somit auch das Fashion Ideal in dieser Welt ist 2013 Ellie Saab. 0 Abwechslung, die Autorin setzt das irgendwie cringy um.

Die Intimen Szenen waren nicht schlecht, dass es hier aber ausschließlich um Verlangen und Körperliche Anziehung, nicht Emotionen und Romantik geht, stört mich. Es wäre in Ordnung gewesen, hätte es einen Spannungsbogen gegeben, dass Persephone aber von Anfang an so ein starkes Verlangen hat und unrealistischer Weise Hades ebenso - das ist definitiv zu viel des Guten. Ich denke, ich gehöre einfach nicht zur Zielgruppe. Dafür war es aber nicht schlecht. Hat Ähnlichkeiten zu Jennifer Armentrout.

Update später: es ist doch einfach zu schmachtig. Und Persephones Leben hat sich nur durch Hades zum besseren gewendet. Kein einziges bisschen durch eigene Kraft und Stärke. Immer wieder ist Hades ihr Retter - ganz die Jungfer in Nöten. Es ist auch zu viel Smut, es hört gar nicht mehr auf. Ich kann mich aber auch allgemein nicht mit Persephone in Verbindung bringen.

Content Warnings

kshertz's review

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Excellence romance Greek mythology smut book. I loved Persephone, loved Hades, hated everyone all up in their business. I loved the plot and the dynamic. Also had the perfect amount of smut for me. It was a good storyline and easy read. I’m going to listen to the next in the series.

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