BOOK STATS
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Title: A Touch of Darkness
Author: Scarlett St. Clair
Series: Hades & Persephone
Genre: Urban Fantasy Retelling
Audience: New Adult
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Meg Sylvan
Length: 11 hours (358 pages)
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Release Date: May 23, 2019
Source: Library
Recommended for fans of: Greek mythology retellings
Content Warnings: sexual content, sexual assault, sexual harassment, emotional abuse
SYNOPSIS
Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist.
Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible.
After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever.
The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows—and it’s forbidden.
MY THOUGHTS
I was not sure how I was going to like this book. I’m not always a fan of urban fantasy and I worried the spice might be over the top, but I really enjoyed this dark and sexy modern-day take on Greek mythology.
I’ve seen many reviews describe this book as addicting, and that is exactly right. This is the definition of a guilty pleasure read. The story is full of romance cliches and very steamy, but I couldn’t put it down.
This book is not just about Hades and Persephone’s romance; there are some great side characters (LOVE Hecate) that cleverly reimagine the myths. I’ve also seen a lot of reviews saying Persephone is annoying, but while she is very naive at the beginning of the story, I honestly liked her journey unlocking the key to her powers and gaining confidence in herself.
This was not the most original or complex story I’ve ever read, but it was fun, and I will definitely continue this series.
Carolibrary 