A review by amy_reads4
A Touch of Malice by Scarlett St. Clair

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.75

I tandem read this with A Game of Gods as I did with the previous two books. I really recommend doing it that way aa I found it highly enjoyable. The only reason these did not receive 5 stars from me is that I found there was a lot more repetition between the two books than the previous tandem read, which lead to me skimming over some of the repeated scenes, but I really enjoyed reading the different perspectives. 

I love the development of all of Persephone’s friendships and the character development that comes along with that. We see the positive impact she is already having on the world and those around her, and the potential that she has to change the world into such a more positive place and overthrow the old ways of the Gods. 

I also found it really painful to read through her grief regarding Lexa, I am still holding onto a tiny bit of hope that she will come back as she was, not reincarnate and get to live in the underworld and be happy with Thanatos, but I do worry that hope is completely misplaced and there is going to be a moment where my heart is ripped out and I am very sad! 

Whilst Hades and Persephone are the ‘main’ characters within this I feel like there are so many more characters who play such a pivotal role that without them the story just wouldn’t be the same. I adore the banter and find that the scenes where they are all together and going back and forth between each other are some of my favourite scenes. 

The development and growth of Persephone as a goddess is so noticable within this book. We start to see her really unlock her potential and flourish. I cannot wait to see her true power and how she is going to use in the war with the gods. It’s been so obvious that she is the biggest weapon against the Gods and that she is the one to stop it all and change it all, and whilst I will be so sad to see it end I am really looking forward to seeing what happens in the end.