A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone Saga, 1)

4,5 starsThis trilogy has been on my TBR pile for a while and like other books from the past, I’m wondering why I waited so long to read this story. It was a very good story and I look forward to reading the next book in this trilogy.This story is a retelling of a well-known Greek myth about the Greek gods Persephone and Hades. I was very curious to see how the modern retelling would play out and I have to say that the writer Scarlett St. Clair did a great job. The writer created a wonderful world in which humans, orcs, nymphs and Gods lived together. There was also magic. The gods in this story were based on the Greek myth, they are powerful beings and you recognized them because they are beautiful, the colors of their eyes are special and they have horns on their heads (yes, you read that right, horns). But they have also special powers, they can use magic and hide their horns and change their appearance. This way they can hide their divinity and look like an ‘ordinary’ human.Persephone is doing it. Persephone is 24 years old and studies journalism at university. She lives with Lexa, a human friend. No one knows that Persephone is a goddess. Persephone spent her first 18 years on the estate of her mother Demeter, goddess of Harvest, hidden from everyone. Her mother was (and still is) very protective of Persephone, she will do anything she can to protect her daughter, even to the point of smothering her. Persephone wants to be free to live her own life without her mother’s rules or restrictions. Unfortunately, she needs her mother’s magic to live anonymously among people. Because she can’t make magic herself. Everything goes well until one night Persephone meets Hades, the god of the underworld, of the dead. He’s wealthy, mysterious (he avoids publicity) and owns many companies, including the famous nightclub ‘Nevernight’. Hades is one of the ‘older’ gods, one of the most dangerous with lots of power. One of the things he’s infamous for is his love of games. Dangerous games with humans. The evening they meet, everything changes for both Persephone and Hades and a dangerous game starts.I really liked the interaction between Persephone and Hades. Persephone had a very protective upbringing, it was lovely to see her change from a timid girl to a more confident woman. To see how she discovered her own powers. She was very curious, which was a good talent for journalists, but it also caused problems from time to time. Hades was very mysterious and at first sight ruthless and cold, but the more we learned about him, the more it became clear that he also hid a softer side from the world and that he was lonely. He listened to Persephone’s opinions on certain matters and was willing to change things. He also challenged her to do more, to live her own life. They were both good for each other.The story was told from Persephone’s POV. There were steamy sex scenes in the story, they were good but for me personally, the description was a bit short at times. Some sex scenes could have been a bit longer (that’s also the reason for my 4,5 stars). The secondary characters were very interesting. Lexa, Persephone’s best friend and roommate was kind, loyal and a great friend. Persephone’s mother was cold and very controlling. Hades’s friends were all gods, each loyal and amusing in their own way. There were also a few secondary characters with bad motives but they made the story more interesting.I look forward to reading the second book in this trilogy.(Some additional information: ‘A touch of Darkness’ is the first story of the ‘Hades & Persephone trilogy’. The story of Hades & Persephone consists of two trilogies (yes two!). In this trilogy (Hades & Persephone saga) you get the story told from Persephone’s POV and in the trilogy ‘Hades saga’ the story is told from Hades’s POV. Will reading this story I discovered that there are two ways to read this story. You can read this trilogy with Persephone’s POV first and the trilogy with Hades’s POV later or some readers read both trilogies at the same time. There is a reading list that tells you which chapter in which book to read first . I decided to keep it simple and read this book from Persephone’s POV first.)

This was such a fun read. I love the myth of Hades and Persephone, and this was such a fun take on it. Parts of Persephone's perspective were frustrating, but it also fit her character. She's someone who was sheltered all her life and only just started living on her own terms. She made mistakes and doesn't have a ton of experience. Seeing Persephone start to really become a goddess was so satisfying. And her relationship with Hades is steamy! It's paced well and easy to read. There's plenty of spice as well!! I'm looking forward to seeing where everything goes from here!

If you’re reading this and wondering if you should start this book, the answer is an unequivocal yes. A million times yes.This book isn't just a story; it’s an experience. Scarlett St. Clair's "A Touch of Darkness" is a rare gem that has deeply touched me, and I feel compelled to share why it should be your next read.The journey of Persephone and Hades is nothing short of transformative. Persephone's struggle with her own limitations and her path to empowerment resonated with me on a profound level. She teaches us that often, the chains that bind us are the ones we place on ourselves. Her journey from feeling trapped to finding freedom within herself is inspiring and empowering.Hades is the epitome of unconditional love. His love for Persephone is genuine and complete, a stark contrast to the conditional love so many of us experience. One particular moment that struck me deeply is when Hades repeatedly asks Persephone, "Are you well?" This simple question brought me to tears every time because it’s so much more than a casual inquiry. It’s a question that reveals genuine concern and care, something rare and precious. It made me realize how little we, as adults, truly check on one another.For everyone who isn’t well but wants to be, this book is for you. It’s for those who need to break free from the prison of their own mind and find a way to be well again-- find a way to feel worthy of love.Scarlett St. Clair's writing is impeccable. The character development, the dialogue, the side characters, the world-building—everything is masterfully done. The romance is intense and beautifully woven into the story, and the spicy scenes are perfectly balanced, adding to the richness of the narrative without overshadowing it.In short, "A Touch of Darkness" has altered my brain chemistry, even if just for a moment, and I believe it has the power to do the same for you.100/10, without hesitation.

This was hands down one of the best books I’ve read in such a long time. I’ve always been fascinated with Greek mythology, especially Hades, and this book scratches every itch I’ve ever had about the man. The love story in this is impeccable, the banter, the anguish, the passion…it’s all so well done. I can’t wait to immediately start the second part!

El paquete llegó a tiempo hasta unos días antes de la fecha estipulado incluso bien empaquetado sin ningún dañoEl libro me encanto sinceramente el libro empieza algo lento pero con cada capitulo va incrementandobel mysterio y te vas enamorado de hades jajaja pesephone se me hizo algo irritante en partes pero tienen sus razones que son válidas pero me hubiera gustado que fuera más de mente abierta por las opiniones que tenía sobre la forma que Reyna hades pero con todo y todo fue un libro que me encantó y volvería a leer una y otra vez

Era un regalo

This author is amazing and poetic.Loved the book.

I really liked it.

Lecture en VOUne belle réécriture du mythe. On ne peut pas nier que ces deux-là sont l’un pour l’autre.J’ai adoré la réalité proposée et franchement j’adorerais y faire un tour !