Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - A Touch of Ruin

I did read this in tandem with A Game of Retribution, which I felt like enhanced the story overall. I think if I would have read this on its own, I would have rated this a bit lower. I really enjoy the story of Hades and Persephone across this series so far, and I’m excited for what comes next. I just wish we got more than surface level emotional conversations both for their personal growth and the growth in their relationship. This is I think why I enjoyed reading these two in tandem, because I at least got more adventure and emotional outlook into a situation this way.

Content Warnings

whatkatyread87's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This could’ve been an email

Content Warnings

cscharfway's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I liked this sequel better than the first book, and could seriously not put it down.

I feel like the character of Persephone goes through significant emotional growth throughout the book, something I found lacking before. She is just frustrating enough to make the plot interesting and gives the book some depth without making her storyline insufferable.

I still feel like there is one too many sex scenes between her and Hades (not that it’s always a bad thing!) but it is less ridiculous now, and served a purpose to emphasize how completely intertwined their souls are with each other.

The choices that Persephone has to make over her friend, Lexa, are just gut wrenching and really raise significant issues about life, death and morality. I also love seeing how her powers have manifested and grown alongside her confidence. I love the goddess and queen she is becomming.

One issue I have is about Persephone as a journalist/writer. From what little of her work we see in this text, she sounds kind of gossipy, cheesy and definitely not award-winning in her diction. I hope we see more of her abilities now that she has *spoiler* branched off from the newspaper, and I really hope her articles become more mature and less like the vindictive notebook of a spurned teenager.

Content Warnings

faith_mikey's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

It would’ve been a 3.5 star, maybe even a 4, but a lot of the later “plot” elements felt unnecessary and like they were added for drama or to be edgy. I’m also disappointed in the fact that it seems like every chapter has some mention of sex or wanting it, it’s like the main character’s relationship cannot exist without it which does not build healthy foundations and ruined the book for me personally. And then the spicy chapters had less of an impact due to the over abundance of sex talk.

Content Warnings

amcnuggett's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

lizgom's review against another edition

Go to review page

I decided to stop reading this at 42%.
I adore Persephone & Hades but I can’t stand them in this retelling. Which is a shock to me because the development they got from book 1 was wiped when continuing to book 2. Persephone was just immature & her actions were always so contradictory. Hades was just *there*.

Content Warnings

More...