A review by gabiferr96
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
I’ve always wanted to read a retelling of Hades/Persephone, so this book has been on my TBR for a while. The premise for this book was good and I enjoyed the modernist perspective, but I didn’t feel connected to the characters. It all felt very one dimensional and poorly thought out. When Persephone would be thinking about why she was drawn to Hades, it was only ever one reason: it was all physical. And even when she sees a more human side to him, it’s glossed over. I just wish that the plot had more backbone to it; it felt rushed.
If anything, it almost reminded me of Fifty Shades; characters meet and there’s undeniable attraction, but there’s nothing else connecting them on a deeper level. We never got engaging conversations between them which made it harder to like them as characters.Moreover, there’s this idea that Persephone didn’t have a lot of freedom or confidence before getting away from her mother, but how does that truly inhibit her powers? The reasoning behind her suddenly manifesting her powers just felt entirely misplaced. The build up was non-existent and we were never given a well thought out reason as to why she had powers all of a sudden. There were bread crumbs, but the payoff wasn’t satisfying at all. Oh, and the whole bet thing at the end was ridiculous! I can’t believe that we got After-ed. I actually had to stop reading I was incredulous. It more or less ruined the ending for me, especially since she basically forgives him for it in about two seconds after she finds out.
I don’t think I’ll be reading the sequels as I don’t feel a connection to any of the characters. I will say that the writing itself was pretty good in terms of formatting and construction, but the book could have benefitted from perhaps 20+ more pages to fully add plot points that make the ending of the story more satisfying.
If anything, it almost reminded me of Fifty Shades; characters meet and there’s undeniable attraction, but there’s nothing else connecting them on a deeper level. We never got engaging conversations between them which made it harder to like them as characters.
I don’t think I’ll be reading the sequels as I don’t feel a connection to any of the characters. I will say that the writing itself was pretty good in terms of formatting and construction, but the book could have benefitted from perhaps 20+ more pages to fully add plot points that make the ending of the story more satisfying.