A Touch of Darkness Review

By Scarlett St. Clair

From the Back

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.

Themes

• Identity and Self-Discovery: Persephone endeavors to establish her own identity beyond her mother's influence, evolving from a seemingly mortal and constrained life to embracing her role as the Goddess of Spring.

• Power Dynamics and Control: The story highlights the evolving power dynamics between Persephone and Hades, as she explores her newfound autonomy within a narrative that portrays the God of the Underworld as "not evil, just misunderstood."

• Love and Betrayal: The book delves into various forms of love—familial, platonic, and romantic—while Persephone manages intricate relationships and faces betrayal.

Review

I've always been an admirer of Greek mythology, and Scarlet St. Clair offers a compelling reinterpretation of the Hades and Persephone myth. This narrative is a captivating exploration of passion, love, desire, deception, and danger, with a touch of heartbreak. It's important to note that not every moment can be joyful. At times, Persephone's behavior was frustrating, particularly her moments of immaturity and jealousy. However, I'm pleased I continued reading, as her character development was truly satisfying. The secondary characters added significant depth to the story. Hecate stood out as a favorite, with her humor, wit, and wisdom. Hermes provided much-needed comic relief during tense moments with Hades. Lexa, Persephone’s best friend and roommate, was kind, loyal, and a supportive companion. Persephone's mother was depicted as cold and controlling. Hades's friends, all gods, were each loyal and entertaining in their unique ways. Some secondary characters had questionable motives, enriching the plot further. This is an exceptional read that keeps you thoroughly engaged throughout. I highly recommend the entire series.

*This book should have been on my top 2025 favorite books I've read, if you would to check that post out click below

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