Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - A Touch of Darkness

I wanted to like this more than I did. It's spicy and definitely a cool take with the modern myth retelling. I think what I didn't care for was after the spice started the plot kinda faded away. If it wasn't for the bonus content I'm not sure the book would have turned around for me.

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phangirl's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense 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

C - 7
A - 10
W - 10
P - 7
I - 9
L - 8
E - 9
60/70

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sabrina_library's review

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

4⭐️/3.5🌶️

While listening to this audiobook I have realised two things:

I LOVE audiobooks
I am incapable of listening to audiobooks in public because I can actually not control my emotions for the life of me

I love Greek mythology so retellings are on my fave type of readings, and this one did not disappoint. As far as retellings go, I really liked how it was approached and how many different Greek elements were added. And let me tell you the spice was SPICY. The dirty mouth on Hades was almost too much 🥵🥵

If you are in need for a spicy Hades x Persephone retelling then this one is for you. I’m so happy that I found this audiobook in Libby and I am excited to listen to the rest of the series 🤭

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melist6's review against another edition

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dark lighthearted fast-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

4.0

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madjaz217's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.5

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littlered22's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

I really liked the characters and I want to see how their story develops

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nyquillll's review

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adventurous dark hopeful tense 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? N/A

4.0

I started this book on a whim - my first audiobook and my first dive back into Greek mythology in years. I had little expectations and was just looking for a romance book with some mythology.

I’m happy to say I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! I finished it in one day, listening on 1.95x speed. The writing style was descriptive and the audiobook narrator’s changing voices for characters and energetic, fully committed effort really helped bring the world to life.

I really appreciated the updates and changes to the classic story of Persephone and Hades. (Though I will admit that I don’t remember the original mythology around the two super clearly.) I liked how Persephone’s character was firm in her convictions and knew what she wanted, even if Hades was someone who helped her gain confidence in herself. I liked how the book touched on learning how to find a sense of independence when a parent was too controlling, finding out who’s a friend and who’s using you, sticking up for yourself in a work setting (props to Dimitri for taking swift action!!!), learning to fight your own battles instead of relying on/expecting others to do it, how fame and celebrity status (as a god) can warp public perception, how actions can seem far removed from their original intent (but when you look at the reasoning, there’s a humanizing aspect), how two lonely souls can find peace in each other, how safe it feels to finally find someone who wants to understand you more, friends who hold you in the bad times, and the struggle of reckoning with the world our parents build and describe for us versus the one we start to experience on our own.

I definitely enjoyed reading about the two and how their romance bloomed - and I especially liked how Persephone made it clear that

even if she loved him, it would never be true love for her if the reason she stayed in the Underworld was because of the deal and not of her free will

. I also really really loved the choice to humanize Hades and

how Persephone learns he’s not a cruel, sadistic god but rather one who understands the gravity of death and the afterlife and uses the bets/stakes he sets to try and set people on a more righteous path to a better life

. I also liked the bonus two chapters in Hades’ pov where we learn about

his bet with Aphrodite, Aphrodite and Hephaestus, and his first impression of Persephone - as well as his acute read on her with how she was a young woman struggling to find a concrete sense of self (which then informed what was wagered and how to meet the terms of the bargain)

.

I’ve already downloaded the second book and I’m looking forward to listening to it :)

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tamaraloraine89's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

slow start but heated right up to sizzling. I wasn't sure I'd like it in the beginning but quickly became hooked and couldn't put it down

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