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A Touch of Darkness

Book 1 in the series:Hades & Persephone

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'A Touch of Darkness' is a modern retelling of the Greek myth about the gods Persephone and Hades. The story follows Persephone, a 24-year-old journalism student who is actually a goddess living anonymously among humans. When she meets Hades, the god of the underworld, a dangerous game begins that changes both of their lives. The book intertwines classic Greek culture with modern society, showcasing a world where gods live among humans with special powers and magic. The plot unfolds as Persephone navigates her newfound freedom and discovers her own powers while facing challenges from her overprotective mother and the mysterious Hades.

Characters:

Characters include a naive and sheltered Persephone, a mysterious and powerful Hades, and a range of secondary characters that enhance the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is basic and straightforward, often criticized for unrealistic dialogue and shallow emotional depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot reimagines the Hades and Persephone myth in a contemporary setting, incorporating themes of control, rebellion, and personal growth.

Setting:

The setting modernizes Greece, incorporating urban elements alongside traditional mythological aspects.

Pacing:

The pacing is inconsistent, with slow sections during exposition and rapid progression towards emotional climaxes.
She’d chosen her usual spot at The Coffee House, an outdoor table in view of the crowded pedestrian street. The walkway was lined with shade trees and box gardens teeming with purple aster and pink an...

Notes:

The cover art of A Touch of Darkness is appreciated for its beauty and simplicity.
It's a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone.
Persephone is a college student living in New Athens and aspires to be a journalist.
Hades, the God of the Underworld, is portrayed as wealthy, mysterious, and powerful.
Persephone's controlling mother, Demeter, has sheltered her for most of her life, influencing her naivety.
The story features a unique take where there’s no classic abduction; instead, Persephone makes a deal with Hades.
The plot interweaves themes of rebellion among mortals and the challenges of growing up under strict parental control.
Persephone's character development is significant as she transitions from being timid to becoming more confident.
Hades shows kindness to Persephone, which contrasts his initial coldness and highlights his loneliness.
The series includes steamy romance scenes, with some readers noting the spice levels.
It's characterized as New Adult rather than Young Adult, focusing on mature themes.
The book series has garnered mixed opinions, with some readers loving the indulgence in mythology and romance, while others criticize it for being poorly written.
The story is told from Persephone’s point of view, with a companion series from Hades's perspective.
The narrative includes moments of humor and relatable struggles, despite some annoying character traits.
Overall, it's known for blending Greek mythology with contemporary elements, exploring deeper messages about empowerment and identity.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of parental control, emotional abuse, implications of manipulation, and explicit sexual content.

Has Romance?

There is a significant amount of romance throughout the book, as it focuses on the relationship between Hades and Persephone.

From The Publisher:

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.

Contains mature themes.

©2019 Scarlett St. Clair (P)2020 Tantor more

Ratings (143)

Incredible (22)
Loved It (48)
Liked It (35)
It Was OK (24)
Did Not Like (12)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (337):

Read It (156)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (146)
Did Not Finish (6)
Not Interested (27)

3 comment(s)

1 month

where is the plot and if there is one it really drags on i was falling asleep i could care less for the characters there’s no tension no chemistry

 
Loved It
2 months

Sexy scenes, Hades is actually a decent guy who wants to do right by Perce and she grows and becomes stronger throughout. Read a few times, always end up falling off the series before finishing it as there's a lot of extra stuff thrown in and repeats. But its cool seeing the story from both perspectives.

 
Did Not Like
1 year

Persephone pissed me off...Hades though 😍🥵

 
 
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