BOOK REVIEW: A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
Don't miss this steamy reimaging of a classic Greek myth!
I’m way overdue to get this review up, but better late than never. I probably should have waited until I had read more of the series and done a combined review. However, who knows when I will get to the rest of the series. At the time I read this, I hadn’t really heard much about the books, but the audiobook was free on Audible. Since Persephone is one of my favorite myths, I figured I would give this retelling/reimaging a shot. It ended up only taking me four days to read, which says a lot!
It was so good! I’m so glad that I stumbled upon it. True to the myth, the story takes place in a combination of the Underworld and what is now called New Athens. Of course you have Persephone who is trying to get out from under her mother’s overprotected behaviors and to try to live her own life, which is difficult because her mother is CRAZY! Their interactions combined with the rules result in Persephone taking more rebellious and dangerous actions which is really what any “kid” would do. However, if she was trying to not draw attention to herself, she probably shouldn’t be trying to hide as a mortal college student studying journalism. Her career choice by nature is going to draw attention.
I see the soul. What burdens it, what corrupts it, what destroys it — and challenge it
Enter Hades. An enigma in many ways has established a gambling empire in the mortal world which naturally makes Persephone think it’s the exclusive story she needs to make a name for herself in the journalistic world. She then finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead, a man of many secrets. Persephone has her own secret…she’s a failure as the Goddess of Spring.
Oh, the drama!
I will say I was hooked from the very beginning and stayed engaged throughout the entire story. The plot was well done and a great reimaging of the story we traditionally know it to be. Demeter is portrayed as just as much of an evil, manipulative character as we assume Hades to be. The characters were overall very well developed. The cloud of mystery and intrigue surrounds Hades, which just makes you want to know that much more. It is clear that he is more complex than he comes across. There is uncertainty regarding his true self - his motivations, reputation. What is actually real?
They say Hades is protective of his realm, and while that is true, it isn’t about power. He cares for his people, protects them, and he takes it personally if anyone is harmed. If you belong to him, he will tear the world apart to save you.
Persephone's naivety and cluelessness got to be a little irritating at times, but it was a direct result of her upbringing. In many ways, if she acted any differently, she’d be seen as unreliable because it wouldn’t be authentic to what we would expect from her. I loved the rest of the story so much that I could tolerate her moments. But, she was the one who entered into a contract to create life in the underworld, when as the Goddess of Spring, can’t even make a flower bloom. That whole debacle is all on her.
This was a traditional 3rd person POV structure, but it was a nice enemies-to-lovers trope with a slow burn romance. I liked that the steamy scenes didn’t consume or overwhelm the plot. I loved the world building throughout the night club, “Nevermore”, and the underworld and how there are subtle symbolic nods to Hades himself. The book takes place over a six month span, and I’m hoping that book two picks up right where book 1 ends.
And don’t forget, I wouldn’t be a complete story without Persephone finding her friend and confidant in the mess she ends up in. Enter Hecate. I love the friendship they develop. It gives Persephone that narrative outlet that she needs and the support system she requires.
Where does this land on my bookshelf?
Even though I was up and down at times with this one, I overall loved it and want to see the series through to the end. As a result of that decision, I feel comfortable placing this on my top shelf. The book stayed true to a lot of its Greek roots and referred to mythological elements and the Gods at every turn. It wasn’t just a retelling/reimaging in theory. I really was engrossed from the beginning and wanted nothing more than to slap Demeter. There was a lot of effort put in to create the basis of these characters and to create the worlds that Persephone and Hades move between. It’s a strong book one, and if you are looking for something Greek Myth related to read, I highly recommend giving this one a shot.
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