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shinyfox's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, and War
yarisbooksandbevs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction and Sexual assault
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, and War
rchulin1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
savage_book_review's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is definitely darker in tone to match the fact we're following the Lord of the Underworld, but it comes with that glimpse of vulnerability and, more importantly, makes you realise just how wrong the people of New Athens are about him (for the most part). The author has done a great job at giving Hades a more rounded personality; he absolutely stays true to the traditional ruler of Tartarus, seemingly enjoying the maiming and torture of souls... but only those who actually deserve it.
I also enjoyed the development of his friendships with Hecate and Hermes, and his rivalry with Poesidon (particularly as the latter is so, so different to his portrayal in the Percy Jackson series!). Again, when you think of the Gods you think of them all sat on their thrones on Mount Olympus, or in their finery and ruling it over the likes of Nevernight or La Rose, so to have those moments where they are just 'normal' is a really lovely comparison.
This serves to flesh out the main narrative of 'A Touch of Darkness', giving you an insight into what happens when Persephone isn't around. In particular, there is a whole subplot regarding a mortal trying to cheat death, confounding the Fates and causing them to threaten Hades with the severance of his bond with Persephone if he doesn't bring him to justice. It feels a bit mafia-ish, and while I don't think it's the most well written it again gives you more of an insight into the internal struggles Hades faces every day.
I think my biggest criticism with this book is that you absolutely must have read ATOD before picking this one up. It's not quite a series of vignettes, but equally it doesn't flow very well as a standalone story - you certainly need the knowledge of the previous book to fully understand what's going on. I almost wonder whether the two should have been put together and presented as a single book with alternating chapters; one Persephone, one Hades. That being said, I do get why they are separate; while there's no major spoilers, I think the slow burn effect of ATOD would have been unbalanced by the fact that you know Hades' initial reasons for approaching Persephone from the outset.
Can't wait to see where the series goes next!
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Confinement, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
charlee92's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Gore, Torture, and Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence and Blood
elenamarmiroli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Ciò è dovuto a una side plot poco interessante, ma soprattutto a quello che si scopre di lui attraverso il suo pov, tra cui il fatto che abbia spiato la protagonista in un momento privato senza il suo consenso e quando confrontato sulla cosa lui abbia praticamente mentito a riguardo. Se uniamo ciò all'essere iperprotettivi e tenere spesso nascoste delle informazioni alla protagonista, la situazione comincia a diventare non troppo gradevole da leggere, facendo sì che apprezzassi di più il suo personaggio quando visto tramite gli occhi di lei.
Inoltre, è impressionante il numero di erezioni che questo personaggio sperimenta all'interno di queste pagine, tanto da sembrare un'erezione ambulante.
La nota più positiva di quest'opera è il personaggio di Ecate, dea della magia, che ha preso maggior rilevanza in questo pov rispetto a quello di Persefone, e che sto adorando intensamente.
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Stalking