Fans of Greek mythology will enjoy “A Touch of Darkness” by Scarlett St. Clair as an update of a classic tale.
Even if you are not familiar with Greek mythology, you can enjoy the series of books as a romance.
Scarlett St. Clair has built a fantasy world that brings the Gods of Greek mythology into the modern world and turns them into the celebrities of New Athens.
Several books have been published in the “Touch of Darkness” series.
Plot Overview
“A Touch of Darkness” is a Hades and Persephone book, rebooting the story of the classic opposites of Greek mythology.
Persephone remains the Goddess of Spring, despite her inability to bring life to the plants and flowers she comes into contact with.
In a world where Gods and Goddesses are celebrities, Persephone remains an anonymous journalism student.
Adding to the complications in the life of the Goddess is the fact she has remained hidden from her evil mother, Demeter.
The problems in Persephone’s life are left behind when her friend, Lexa, produces two passes for the hottest nightclub in New Greece, Nevernight.
The club is owned by Hades, the God of the Dead and ruler of the Underworld.
Hades’ club is popular with humans wanting to have their dreams come true. Hades has the power to make dreams come true, but every contract comes at a cost.
Persephone is quickly drawn to the mysterious figure of Hades, who watches her from a private balcony.
Unlike the other Gods and Goddesses of New Athens, Hades shuns the limelight his celebrity could bring.
The attraction between Hades and Persephone is immediate and leads to a private meeting in Hades’ office.
As the God of the Dead tries to teach Persephone to play poker, the Goddess remains unaware she has entered into a bargain for her life.
Things change for Persephone when she is tasked with starting a new life in the Underworld.
There are several ways Persephone can bring new life to the world of the dead controlled by Hades and these plotlines are developed.
Persephone’s inability to bring life to the plants and flowers around her adds an extra layer of concern to her battle to escape the clutches of Hades.
Should You Read A Touch of Darkness?
To summarize, “A Touch of Darkness” will refer to the story’s roots in Greek mythology. However, you do not need to be a fan of history to enjoy books like “A Touch of Darkness”.
TikTok books reviewers explain the novel is an impressive romance brought up-to-date by Scarlett St. Clair. Both fantasy and romance fiction fans will enjoy the book — a light and easy read.
There are several good points about the book:
- It is a fast-paced read that focuses on the story of Persephone’s descent into the Underworld.
- I was impressed by how Scarlett St. Clair brought the story of the Gods and Goddesses of Greece to life in their modern setting.
- Turning the Gods and Goddesses into the celebrities of New Athens was an impressive idea that helped me imagine the world the author is creating.
I am not the only reader who enjoyed learning about the “A Touch of Darkness” characters.
On Goodreads, Jessica said, “Someone please admit me to rehab because I am addicted.” Another reviewer, Samantha had mixed feeling about the book, stating, “The Persephone character had the spunk and fire that I like seeing, but she almost seemed to purposely misunderstand things to add to the miscommunication plotline.”
I understand the frustration Samantha has with the character of Persephone.
The Goddess is unaware of Hades’ attraction for her. Persephone seems to ignore all the signs and words of Hades when he expresses any feelings for her.
Other reviewers have stated they thought Hades was too much of a bad boy character.
The love story between Hades and Persephone is one of the best-known in mythology, with “A Touch of Darkness” sometimes altering the characters a little too much for Greek mythology fans.
One of the comments about the book that comes up often is a lack of world-building. The characters are located in a parallel universe that is almost the same as our modern world.
The author’s ability to fit the royalty of Greek mythology into a contemporary setting is impressive. It would have been nice for more time to create a culture around the Gods and Goddesses.
Here is the link to the book on Amazon.
FAQs About A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
What is Touch of Darkness about?
This 299-page E-Book is written by Scarlett St. Clair and tells the story of the Gods and Goddesses of New Greece.
This is a love story that is oriented towards adults and young adults.
The love story between Persephone and Hades is the focus of the story.
The book does delve into some other themes, including the relationship between celebrities and the paparazzi.
Hopefully, the character of Demeter over the later books in the series will add another layer of tension to the story of the lovers.
In what order should I read the books?
The story of Hades and Persephone is told in the first four books published in the series.
The order of the books does become confusing.
The initial sequel to the book, “A Touch of Malice” became book three in the series following the publication of “A Touch of Ruin.”
After the fourth Hades and Persephone book, the story turns into a saga about Hades, which can be read as a standalone series.
What age rating is the series?
The books contain adult themes and situations. At times the love story between Hades and Persephone can become passionate beyond that of the understanding of younger readers.
Is A Touch of Darkness a standalone?
The first book in the series can be read as a standalone story. It does lead into the following books in the Persephone and Hades saga.
Is There a Sequel?
There are seven books already published in the series. “A Touch of Darkness” is the first in the series, meaning there are six sequels.