A review by shannasbooksnhooks
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense 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? Yes

4.5

"But it was harder than that. Obeying meant she could stay in the mortal world, and that was what Persephone wanted, even if it wasn't fun."
This was a fun, original retelling of the Hades x Persephone myth and many Greek myths in general. It was nice seeing a variety of gods - Thanatos (yay, he's getting attention!), Aphrodite, Hermes, and so on. It was also fun seeing a couple of the mortals featured in the myths, particularly Adonis and Tantalus. Lexa supported Persephone throughout this book, which I 100% loved. Demeter's character was well fleshed out, although I am pretty much worn by how many retellings (novels, fanfiction, etc.) portray her as the controlling mother. (Yes, this is how she appears to be in the original myths, but I feel like authors can take a bit of creative license on the Demeter & Persephone relationship at this point in the game.) I did really enjoy this book. There were parts of it that had me asking "really?" - such as all the ups and downs Hades and Persephone had at the end of the book (maybe the last 50-75 pages) and all the almost/sort of neutral chaos that was attached to those ups and downs. I understand why it happened, and it fit well within the book. I just wish it maybe had another 100 pages so the ending didn't feel rushed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, and Sexual assault

Adonis and Tantalus are both ASSHOLES and deserve Tartarus.

Demeter's reasoning for keeping Persephone hidden from the gods is understandable and well fleshed out. Having the Fates tell her her daughter (who is going to be the first goddess born in some time) is going to be related to death in some way (Sephy's case, the Goddess of Death) would be concerning and rattle any mother.

The God of the Underworld wagered with the God of Love that he'd fall in love within 6 months after losing a card game to her. Then he makes a contract with the Goddess of Spring for her to create life within 6 months maybe within 1-2 hours of the aforementioned card game with Goddess of Love. I 100% back and validate Persephone's anger. But I sort of wish she handled it a bit better. And Hades didn't help the situation with the things he said out of frustration (borderline anger), even if his words were right - it's usually how you say it, not what you say.