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amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Alcohol, and Blood
Minor: Drug abuse, Death, Gun violence, Vomit, Addiction, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Violence, Grief, and Murder
abstract18's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death
shaylac's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
To be fair I did not read A Touch of Darkness that is told from Persephone's perspective so I can't comment on how it compares to that POV. Having said that, I think that having a different perspective is nice to have and seeing it from Hades perspective is interesting. It does feel like he is more carnal in his thoughts and desires of Persephone and if you know anything about the actual myth you know that Hades ends up trapping Persephone in the underworld. The plot seems to get lost within all the sex Hades and Persephone has in the later half of the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Alcohol, and Sexual content
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.
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
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.maregred's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Idk I thought Hades would be sexier.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Classism, Death, and Alcohol
sleepysadpoet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's simple, really. I see a Hades and Persephone retelling and I buy it.
Hades is one of my favorite Greek Gods. And while the original myth implies (not just implies, he is) Hades is abusive, I read retellings because they always change the narrative. When I read this, I immediately thought of my other favorite Hades and Persephone retelling, Neon Gods, and while Scarlett and Katee are different people, they both managed to win my heart. They also both write INCREDIBLE spice. I've been wanting to read a purely Hades perspective for quite some time, and I am so glad I picked this one up at Books a Million. Hades in this retelling has a very dark heart, and he's been through a lot. He doesn't bother disproving lies about him because he doesn't really care--he's used to being alone. Persephone changes him and makes him want to be better. The Halcyon Project shows that he is kind, and that he has compassion. Even outside of Hades, I love the way the other Gods are portrayed--Hecate is another favorite of mine, and I grew attached quickly. I do like that Zeus is an asshole in this one too--every retelling I've read has kept true to that. I also love the keeping of Hades loving dogs, it was similar to Neon Gods in that perspective--Hades may have a dark side, but he loves his dogs. I keep mentioning Neon Gods not because I think it's a copy or anything of the sort, but because I loved it as much as I loved A Game of Fate.
Also I know I planned on not buying any books this month but I ordered the sequel because I am a SIMP, DOWN BAD, FOR HADES.
Hades is one of my favorite Greek Gods. And while the original myth implies (not just implies, he is) Hades is abusive, I read retellings because they always change the narrative. When I read this, I immediately thought of my other favorite Hades and Persephone retelling, Neon Gods, and while Scarlett and Katee are different people, they both managed to win my heart. They also both write INCREDIBLE spice. I've been wanting to read a purely Hades perspective for quite some time, and I am so glad I picked this one up at Books a Million. Hades in this retelling has a very dark heart, and he's been through a lot. He doesn't bother disproving lies about him because he doesn't really care--he's used to being alone. Persephone changes him and makes him want to be better. The Halcyon Project shows that he is kind, and that he has compassion. Even outside of Hades, I love the way the other Gods are portrayed--Hecate is another favorite of mine, and I grew attached quickly. I do like that Zeus is an asshole in this one too--every retelling I've read has kept true to that. I also love the keeping of Hades loving dogs, it was similar to Neon Gods in that perspective--Hades may have a dark side, but he loves his dogs. I keep mentioning Neon Gods not because I think it's a copy or anything of the sort, but because I loved it as much as I loved A Game of Fate.
Also I know I planned on not buying any books this month but I ordered the sequel because I am a SIMP, DOWN BAD, FOR HADES.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
lacrimaeignis's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved A Game of Fate even more so than A Touch of Darkness! While AGOF is labelled as Hades' POV of ATOD it is so much more than that. The story is it's own, but some of the scenes do overlap as it is occuring at the same time as ATOD.
As someone who got a degree in Classics with a focus in mythology, it is very difficult for me to find and enjoy mythological retellings. It's so easy to spot the authors who think research is just reading the Wikipedia page. But Scarlett St. Clair isn't that type of author. It is clear she has a love for the myths and has done thorough research into the different versions of a single myth and choosing and adapting what works best for her tale. She is able to reach a modern audience and stay true to the original myths while making them new at the same time.
I adored all of the subtle Easter Eggs and the interactions/relationships with the various gods. I was so happy to see her give realistic interpretations of them! It was amazing to be able to delve further into Hades' psyche and his motives. And see the gods as these beings who are just as flawed as humanity. Gods who make mistakes and are forced to deal with the consequences and find solutions to right their wrongs.
Oh and we can't forget the level of spiciness this novel offers. It takes a little while to get there but when it happens, the spice just keeps building. I can't wait to read the rest of this series and delve even further into these timeless characters!
As someone who got a degree in Classics with a focus in mythology, it is very difficult for me to find and enjoy mythological retellings. It's so easy to spot the authors who think research is just reading the Wikipedia page. But Scarlett St. Clair isn't that type of author. It is clear she has a love for the myths and has done thorough research into the different versions of a single myth and choosing and adapting what works best for her tale. She is able to reach a modern audience and stay true to the original myths while making them new at the same time.
I adored all of the subtle Easter Eggs and the interactions/relationships with the various gods. I was so happy to see her give realistic interpretations of them! It was amazing to be able to delve further into Hades' psyche and his motives. And see the gods as these beings who are just as flawed as humanity. Gods who make mistakes and are forced to deal with the consequences and find solutions to right their wrongs.
Oh and we can't forget the level of spiciness this novel offers. It takes a little while to get there but when it happens, the spice just keeps building. I can't wait to read the rest of this series and delve even further into these timeless characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, and Blood
readwithde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Gore, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Death, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and War
charlee92's review against another edition
dark
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
Hades is everything. Loved hearing a little more of this lovestory.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Gore, and Torture
Minor: Blood and Gun violence
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