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zc2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.75
I felt as though Persephone was always trying to retaliate against Hades and that part kinda got old. I was entirely shocked with the whole Lexa situation that was something else. I didn’t like Mr janitor guy from the beginning and didn’t know where his character was going. I’m still not the biggest fan of Luice though like when Antoni was like once a traitor always a traitor I was on edge from that point forward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Abandonment, Torture, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Infidelity, Gore, Alcohol, War, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Car accident, and Blood
infectiousreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.25
While I did not enjoy some parts of the sequel, the rest was quite enjoyable.
There were some elements of Persephone that I found to be melodramatic or more like plot points to create an additional subclimax, but overall, the story felt cohesive. The tale of Persephone and Hades is everything I want and more and written so fucking well at that. Their romanticism embodies the sensual element I enjoy in fantasy novels (this passionate love affair that leads to falling hopelessly in love, ugh), and I particularly admire the endearment, "are you well?" (How can you not? Seriously?)
It was jarring to see the decisions Persephone makes throughout this novel; she made a number of bargains and miscommunications, as well as revenge decisions, which I believe could have been cut by 100 pages by the end of the book. (There were a few that could have been trimmed imo.)
Lexa and Persephone's friendship is very moving; I am touched by this overreaching plot in which Persephone makes these rash decisions due to her inability to cope with grief or loss. This contributes greatly to what makes Persephone such a well-rounded character in A Touch of Ruin. There are many things I like about Hades; he is one of the better male protagonists; I am also impressed by how mature and patient he is as compared to Persephone, who is supposed to be naive and young and very much so is.
As for the sex 🍆, it is excellent as usual; although the spice scenes felt somewhat overdone by the end, I enjoyed every moment of them because, honestly, I always look forward to hearing sweet nothings from Hades. Always.
As a follow-up to A Touch of Darkness, I find A Touch of Ruin to be a wonderful sequel. This novel continued the plot, the characters grew, although not all of them, and each of their decisions continue to play a role in the subsequent novels or character arcs that are to follow.
That last line, though? Fuck. Fuck. Let's go!!!
There were some elements of Persephone that I found to be melodramatic or more like plot points to create an additional subclimax, but overall, the story felt cohesive. The tale of Persephone and Hades is everything I want and more and written so fucking well at that. Their romanticism embodies the sensual element I enjoy in fantasy novels (this passionate love affair that leads to falling hopelessly in love, ugh), and I particularly admire the endearment, "are you well?" (How can you not? Seriously?)
It was jarring to see the decisions Persephone makes throughout this novel; she made a number of bargains and miscommunications, as well as revenge decisions, which I believe could have been cut by 100 pages by the end of the book. (There were a few that could have been trimmed imo.)
Lexa and Persephone's friendship is very moving; I am touched by this overreaching plot in which Persephone makes these rash decisions due to her inability to cope with grief or loss. This contributes greatly to what makes Persephone such a well-rounded character in A Touch of Ruin. There are many things I like about Hades; he is one of the better male protagonists; I am also impressed by how mature and patient he is as compared to Persephone, who is supposed to be naive and young and very much so is.
As for the sex 🍆, it is excellent as usual; although the spice scenes felt somewhat overdone by the end, I enjoyed every moment of them because, honestly, I always look forward to hearing sweet nothings from Hades. Always.
As a follow-up to A Touch of Darkness, I find A Touch of Ruin to be a wonderful sequel. This novel continued the plot, the characters grew, although not all of them, and each of their decisions continue to play a role in the subsequent novels or character arcs that are to follow.
That last line, though? Fuck. Fuck. Let's go!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, Death, Grief, and Suicide
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