A Captivating Journey into Greek Mythology — A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
Scarlett St. Clair’s A Touch of Darkness is a novel with a modern, partly post-apocalyptic take on Greek mythology, developing an intriguing story that smoothly integrates the ancient world with modern lifestyle. From the opening page, I plunged into a world where gods dwell with mankind and the distinction between myth and reality blurs.
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. ClairSeries: Hades x Persephone #1
Published: 30. November 2021 by Bloom Books
389 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Retelling, Romance
Audience: New Adult
Shelve: Read 2024
Link to Goodreads
Rating:
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.
Buy the Book at: Amazon*
A Touch of Darkness ♦ Scarlett St. Clair
A Review
Opinion
One of the novel’s key aspects is St. Clair’s wonderful descriptions of the characters. The protagonist, Persephone, Goddess of Spring, is not just a docile figure from the known mythology, but rather a dynamic and realistic (divine) being with her own hopes, fears, and wants. Her path of self-discovery is both gripping and strong, as she navigates the maze of her godly relationships and tackles her own inner demons.
The romance between Persephone and Hades, God of the Dead, is unquestionably the soul of A Touch of Darkness, and St. Clair creates a slow-burn dark romance that is both steamy and emotionally touching. The chemistry between the two characters jumps off the page, and their forbidden love is packed with tension and desire. Regardless of their differences, their affection feels sincere and truly intriguing, making it hard not to cheer for their happiness.
St. Clair’s world-building is another standout feature of the story. From the lavish halls of Olympus to the dark realm of Hades’s Underworld, the author vividly describes and depicts the rich tapestry of Greek mythology. The combination of ancient tales with modern-day settings provides an intriguing depth to the plot, resulting in an alternate universe that feels both familiar and exotic.
The novel’s pacing is excellent, a mix of medium to fast-paced, and I was hooked from start to finish. The plot is full of twists and turns, and St. Clair brilliantly builds tension as secrets are exposed and alliances are challenged. The stakes are great, and the sense of urgency keeps the plot going, making it difficult to put the book down.
Overall, A Touch of Darkness is a riveting read that provides a new perspective on Greek mythology, which I am eager to learn more about. With its engaging characters, burning romance, and sophisticated world-building, it is bound to appeal to readers of both fantasy and romance. Scarlett St. Clair has created a gripping story that has left me ready for the next book in the series.
[rating-report]
Conclusion
Finally, I can say A Touch of Darkness deserves a solid four stars for its captivating tale, well-developed protagonists, intriguing world-building, and skilled execution. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a compelling mix of mythology and romance.
Hades x Persephone
The Quartet
| A Touch of Darkness (#1) | A Touch of Ruin (#2) |
| A Touch of Malice (#3) | A Touch of Chaos (#4) |
About Scarlett St. Clair
International and USA Today Best Selling author Scarlett St. Clair is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and the author of the HADES X PERSEPHONE SAGA, the HADES SAGA, KING OF BATTLE & BLOOD, and WHEN STARS COME OUT.
She has a Master's degree in Library Science and Information Studies and a Bachelors in English Writing. She is obsessed with Greek Mythology, murder mysteries, and the afterlife.
this review was also published at:
| Goodreads | Amazon |
| StoryGraph | Reedsy Discovery |
| BookBub |
I’m glad you liked this one! I also read this recently, though I listened to an audiobook instead. To be honest I didn’t have high expectations for it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I actually really liked the narrator, too.
I have heard some negative critics about it before reading, and my hope weren’t that high either. But it did surprise my as well. At the moment, I read A Game of Fate, in the POV of Hades. And so far I do like it even more, because there’s so much more about this character, which is due to his long existence.
Did you read/listen to the next installments as well?