Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

A Game of Fate by Scarlett St. Clair

5 reviews

rchulin1's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol, Stalking, Alcoholism, Blood, Murder, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Gore, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment

angelofthetardis's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I love that someone has finally realised that there is potential in releasing two books telling the same story from both main characters' point of view! This is the story of 'A Touch of Darkness' told from Hades' perspective. But don't worry, there's plenty of new material for you to enjoy too!

This is definitely darker in tone to match the fact we're following the Lord of the Underworld, but it comes with that glimpse of vulnerability and, more importantly, makes you realise just how wrong the people of New Athens are about him (for the most part). The author has done a great job at giving Hades a more rounded personality; he absolutely stays true to the traditional ruler of Tartarus, seemingly enjoying the maiming and torture of souls... but only those who actually deserve it.

I also enjoyed the development of his friendships with Hecate and Hermes, and his rivalry with Poesidon (particularly as the latter is so, so different to his portrayal in the Percy Jackson series!). Again, when you think of the Gods you think of them all sat on their thrones on Mount Olympus, or in their finery and ruling it over the likes of Nevernight or La Rose, so to have those moments where they are just 'normal' is a really lovely comparison. 

This serves to flesh out the main narrative of 'A Touch of Darkness', giving you an insight into what happens when Persephone isn't around. In particular, there is a whole subplot regarding a mortal trying to cheat death, confounding the Fates and causing them to threaten Hades with the severance of his bond with Persephone if he doesn't bring him to justice. It feels a bit mafia-ish, and while I don't think it's the most well written it again gives you more of an insight into the internal struggles Hades faces every day. 

I think my biggest criticism with this book is that you absolutely must have read ATOD before picking this one up. It's not quite a series of vignettes, but equally it doesn't flow very well as a standalone story - you certainly need the knowledge of the previous book to fully understand what's going on. I almost wonder whether the two should have been put together and presented as a single book with alternating chapters; one Persephone, one Hades. That being said, I do get why they are separate; while there's no major spoilers, I think the slow burn effect of ATOD would have been unbalanced by the fact that you know Hades' initial reasons for approaching Persephone from the outset.

Can't wait to see where the series goes next!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Torture, War, Murder, Gun violence, Cursing, Violence, Death, Alcohol, and Blood

Minor: Kidnapping, Child death, Confinement, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Terminal illness, Infertility, and Sexual assault

zc2's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I read persys pov first wasn’t aware hades pov existed but it was neat to see things from his perspective I enjoyed it but it the books did feel like repeats. Persys story was more intriguing to me but there was so much detail in this one it’s difficult to wrap my mind around everything that’s happening beginning to end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Kidnapping, War, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death, and Violence

allisonmspiers's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-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? No

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Torture, Death, and Sexual content

Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cancer, Gore, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Sexism, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Confinement

Minor: Kidnapping

Just a note: it's hard for me to separate the triggering events in this book from those in "A Touch of Darkness," as I read them back to back. I may have listed some content warnings that are more applicable to "A Touch of Darkness" than to this book from Hades' POV, so I'm sorry if this is the case! Most of the important events are the same, however, so I think that most warnings from "A Touch of Darkness" would make this list nonetheless.

csmall73's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Hades perspective is much easier for me to read and experience. Persephone is young, chaotic and impulsive. Hades is older and learned from his mistakes much quicker. He adapts and improves much faster.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders