Name: A Touch of Malice
ISBN: 9781735771946

Scarlett St. Clair

Persephone and Hades are engaged. In retaliation, Demeter summons a snowstorm that cripples New Greece, and refuses to lift the blizzard unless her daughter calls off her engagement. When the Olympians intervene, Persephone finds her future in the hands of ancient gods, and they are divided. Do they allow Persephone to marry Hades and go to war with Demeter or prohibit their union and take up arms against the God of the Dead? Nothing is certain but the promise of war.

A Touch of Malice

Ryleigh Johnson

If his gaze were fire, she would have burned happily beneath it.

Shows how deeply Hades cares about Persephone 

Clara

Do not ruin your evening thinking of her, my darling 

Alas, he said, his voice low. You are my greatest weakness.

It had been locked away so long, freedom had made it feral.

This, she thought, was the most vulnerable they’d ever been with one another.

There is a darkness within you. Anger, fear, resentment. If you do not free yourself first, no one else can.

He was stunning, King of Darkness, cloaked in shadow 

Your mother wants to fuck with us. Then we shall fuck with her.

Hermes talking about his son Pan that passed away.

He smiled, though sad. “Death is,” he said. “Even for gods.”

She had never seen him like this before. This was his pain, real and raw.

There is something dark that lives inside me

What kind of Queen would I be if I abandoned my people?

Are you worried my mouth will sabotage our engagement? 

A darkness lingered there as deep and as ancient as his magic. 

She had used Hades power against him, and it had felt cruel and agonising 

The more she noticed that every bloom smelled like Hades - it was an undercurrent, faint but definitely distinct.

The roses, for instance, were sweet with a hint of smoke

My first love, my wife, the first and last Queen of the Underworld.

This is such an intensely written book, the end leaves you with such a cliff hanger. The wedding was so beautifully written and how we see hades and Persephone’ relationship thrive.

The next installment in the Hades and Persephone story from bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair. Discover the world of New Athens and the Greek gods in a series that readers are calling "hopelessly addictive." "I am not sure who you think I am," she said. "But let me be clear--I am Persephone, future Queen of the Underworld, Lady of Your Fate--may you come to dread my presence." Persephone and Hades are engaged. In retaliation, Demeter summons a snowstorm that cripples New Greece, and refuses to lift the blizzard unless her daughter calls off her engagement. When the Olympians intervene, Persephone finds her future in the hands of ancient gods, and they are divided. Do they allow Persephone to marry Hades and go to war with Demeter, or prohibit their union and take up arms against the God of the Dead? Nothing is certain but the promise of war.

taryn

Probably my favourite of the series so far! Oh my god, the cliffhanger at the end! This one is definitely more action driven, still a lot of spicy moments. I think of all the books this one felt the most balanced with plot and spice which gave it the extra star for me.

This is probably the best book of the series “Persephone’s POV” 

Roxanne Ramirez

Cindy McKee

Underworld 

Another glimpse of Hades and Persephone’s story as they battle Olympian’s and mortals rising to overthrow all Gods. I really like these stories, but the typos are starting to get out of hand. I have high hopes that maybe the next one will be better proofread because, again the story is really good.

The entire time i was reading this book i couldn’t decide if i liked it but when i finished it i knew i HAD to keep reading. You’ve done it again Scarlett. 

Mari🦇 🤎🗡️

I went through the entire time thinking this was the last in the series so when I got to the end I almost died before finding out a fourth is due in September. So many turns and I love the relationship Persephone is building with Apollo and want to see more of him. And who doesn’t love the hot sex between Hades and Persephone. I’d die.

Dorothy Keys

But honestly I really love where this series is going. It’s giving the best bits of Greek mythology while also weaving in complex relationships. And who can’t love a steamy scene every few pages! 

Heather Hooker

I’m here for the smut. 

But honestly I really love where this series is going. It’s giving the best bits of Greek mythology while also weaving in complex relationships. And who can’t love a steamy scene every few pages! 

if this had half the amount of sex scenes I would've easily given it a 4.

Taylor Arevalo

drea <3

The end of this book has made me physically angry, I just can't. 

Guinevere Filiaggi

A whore for Greek mythology, soooo there’s a 4th huh 😏😏 

Lizeth fonseca

The next installment in the Hades and Persephone story from bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair. Discover the world of New Athens and the Greek gods in a series that readers are calling "hopelessly addictive." "I am not sure who you think I am," she said. "But let me be clear—I am Persephone, future Queen of the Underworld, Lady of Your Fate—may you come to dread my presence." Persephone and Hades are engaged. In retaliation, Demeter summons a snowstorm that cripples New Greece, and refuses to lift the blizzard unless her daughter calls off her engagement. When the Olympians intervene, Persephone finds her future in the hands of ancient gods, and they are divided. Do they allow Persephone to marry Hades and go to war with Demeter, or prohibit their union and take up arms against the God of the Dead? Nothing is certain but the promise of war.

Taylor Nuzzolo

Farra McChesney

** spoiler alert **
           I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as the last, maybe even more.

I love the connections of classic myths & the continued variations or creations this author has on some of them. The sex is steamy as ever, the love abundant, & suspense uncanny. The climax toward the end felt a tad rushed at times, but the cliffhanger ending has me on the edge of me seat! I cannot wait for the 4th book to come out! In the meantime, ill settle for reading the Hades Saga.

***mild spoilers ahead***

I do personally wish we saw a little more of the rebonding between Persophone & Lexa. Im super hopeful that maybe the lack of that means there is a future spin off in the authors mind. Maybe, Lexa & Thanatos, A Touch of Forbidden Love, or something along those lines.

I like that the author spends realistic time developing her main characters and she doesn't progress them unnaturally. I know some people mention they don't care for Persophenes decisions or personality at times, but I appreciate the authors raw & realistic interpretations of these characters & the process they have to go through to grow. This book can be a trigger, but it also signals hope. It fed me strength at a time I truly needed it and didn't even realize it. 

I hope the author spends some extra time on battle scenes In the next one. We see a glimpse of her skill in portrayal a war of Gods in this novel and I'm a bit of a sucker for some powerful, magickal battle scenes followed by hot sex. Haha! Im hopeful for more!

Olivia Cluff

Yet again, I could not put this book down! Scarlett St Clair’s retelling is so good. There were so many twists, this book really did keep me on my toes…Also the spice was just right 🥵😏

This is my favorite in the Hades and Persephone series so far. The love that these two have for one another is palpable. The trauma that these two characters go through is insane. Hades is tender and loving all while being the most feared God. The ending of this has me wanting so much more. Apparently Scarlett is coming out with another book next year and I am now anxiously awaiting it. 

Quinn Sparacino 

Viktoria

God the amount of errors in this made me think there wasn't even an editor involved in the process - plot was still bomb though

Anna

On voit tout de suite que ça devient plus sombre. Malheureusement j’ai du mal à accrocher, à rentrer dans à la plupart des événements qui arrivent.

Dans cet avis, je veux surtout aborder le sujet principal à savoir le couple de Hades et Persephone. Autant dans le tome 2 je commençais à me dire « bon ça craint » de plus en plus quand je voyais leur couple, mais là c’est le pompon. Vraiment je crois j’ai jamais vu un couple aussi toxique. Ils se disputent sans cesse, ne sont font pas confiance et se respecte à peine (il faut se le dire), et après ils baisent n’importe où n’importe quand pour régler leur problème. Sacré mariage. Petit plus : j’ai préféré le smut ici, parce que dans le tome 2 vraiment je chialais de gêne tellement je trouvais ça mal écrit. D’ailleurs elle a mis le paquet sur ce genre de scène, et je pense vraiment que c’est pour satisfaire le lecteur parce que vu la fréquence (c’est dire 40 scènes par chapitre) ça se voit ces scènes ne sont pas là pour apporter quelque chose dans l’histoire/la romance mais pour le désir du lecteur qui lit ce livre pour le côté new adult. Je trouve ça affligeant de combler autant le vide de son livre comme ça. Mais vraiment je crois j’ai jamais vu une romance aussi plate, sans profondeur. Ça se voit ils sont ensemble uniquement parce que l’auteur reprend le mythe mdr. Si ça n’avait pas été un couple issu des mythes, c’est évident que ce ne serait pas du tout passé. Ils n’ont rien à faire ensemble parce que leur relation est vide. Ils ne partagent rien si ce n’est des secrets et des problèmes. En fait j’ai l’impression ce sont des personnages secondaires de leur propre histoire tellement rien n’est raconté sur eux. Jamais d’infos sur Hades, très peu sur Persephone. Pour résumer d’après moi, l’auteur ne rend pas du tout hommage à ces dieux et ne maîtrise pas le sujet. 

Maintenant je veux aborder le sujet du livre en lui même. La trahison de Demeter est selon moi crédible, ainsi que la nouvelle guerre. Mais mon dieu pour moi la revisite de certains personnages, comme par exemple Hélène et Thésée, et la mort de Demeter, c’est pas possible. C’est certes romancé car c’est une revisite, mais j’ai trouvé ça trop gros. Quant à la castration de Zeus par Hécate, certes comme le dit l’auteure (en note à la fin du livre) Hécate est la seule déesse à qui Zeus permet dans la mythologie de lui donner des ordres ou de le corriger, et donc c’est pour cela qu’elle a décidé qu’ici Hécate allait castrer Zeus, pourtant ça m’étonnerait que le roi se laisse blesser aussi gravement comme ça sans représailles alors qu’il doit imposer l’autorité. Bref ça part dans tous les sens Heureusement que Hermès et Apollon sont là, j’adore leurs apparitions ils illuminent ce livre.

Marchelle

3.5/5 Rating. 

"Before you, I only knew loneliness, even in a room full of people—it was an ache, sharp and cold and constant and I was desperate to fill it."

"We are all broken, Persephone. It’s what we do with pieces that matters"

Boy was I wrong in the previous book review the storyline is incredible now! I’m so happy I finished the series and I’ve really fallen in love with the story! I can’t wait for the 4th book! 

Jaclyn Ketchum 

Catarina Vieira

I finally hit a wall with these books. I read through the first two quickly but hit a walk with the third. It just doesn’t keep my attention and i don’t feel excited to read it. 

Aly 

Victoria Drake

** spoiler alert **
           I really liked this one compared to the other books. I didn’t feel like I was drowning in them banging every five seconds which was refreshing. Persephone was annoying me though. I understand it has to take time to harness her power but I was getting annoyed with how weak she is. The part toward the end where the Olympians all start fighting is my favorite part. Hades appearing and the back and forth between him and Persephone in that moment was sooo good. Demeter though, I’m so fucking glad she’s dead. I hated her. And I bet that’s gonna be how they explain Persephone doing her time in the mortal realm while being married to Hades.
Overall, I had a good time reading this.