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Hades x Persephone Saga #4
A Touch of Chaos
The World Will Burn
Persephone, Goddess of Spring, never guessed a chance encounter with Hades, God of the Underworld, would change her life forever—but he did.
A fight for humanity and battles between gods, it's a world Persephone never thought she would see. To end the chaos, she must draw upon her darkness and embrace who she's become—Goddess, Wife, Queen of the Underworld.
Once, Persephone made bargains to save those she loves, now she will go to war for them.
Persephone, Goddess of Spring, never guessed a chance encounter with Hades, God of the Underworld, would change her life forever—but he did.
A fight for humanity and battles between gods, it's a world Persephone never thought she would see. To end the chaos, she must draw upon her darkness and embrace who she's become—Goddess, Wife, Queen of the Underworld.
Once, Persephone made bargains to save those she loves, now she will go to war for them.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2024
About the author
Scarlett St. Clair
21 books24.1k followersInternational and USA Today Best Selling author Scarlett St. Clair is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and the author of the HADES X PERSEPHONE SAGA, the HADES SAGA, KING OF BATTLE & BLOOD, and WHEN STARS COME OUT.
She has a Master's degree in Library Science and Information Studies and a Bachelors in English Writing. She is obsessed with Greek Mythology, murder mysteries, and the afterlife.
If you are obsessed with these things, then you'll like her books. You can find pictures of her adorable dog Adelaide on her Instagram at @authorscarlettstclair.
She has a Master's degree in Library Science and Information Studies and a Bachelors in English Writing. She is obsessed with Greek Mythology, murder mysteries, and the afterlife.
If you are obsessed with these things, then you'll like her books. You can find pictures of her adorable dog Adelaide on her Instagram at @authorscarlettstclair.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,594 reviews
Want to read
July 13, 2021considering the way the last book ended, i really have no choice but to read this one, do i??
~~~~~~~~
*cries in the covers were matching until now*
~~~~~~~~
*cries in the covers were matching until now*
Read
June 10, 2021I thought this was a trilogy, but I just finished A Touch of Malice and now I don't know what to do with myself! I can't wait for the book to come out
Want to read
June 7, 2021the covers just keep getting worse...
April 6, 2024
This book is 🔥🔥! If you're craving a steamy romance with a mythological twist, you can get the audiobook right here:
A Touch of Chaos
. This book it's packed with all the drama and passion you could ever want. Picture this: forbidden love, epic battles, and a dash of magic thrown in for good measure. It's a recipe for a swoon-worthy listen if I ever saw one!
But what really stole the show for me were the characters. Hades and Persephone are an absolute power couple, with chemistry that practically leaps off the pages (or in this case, out of my headphones 😄. Their love story is equal parts intense and heartwarming, making it impossible not to root for them every step of the way.
And let's not forget about the supporting cast! From mischievous gods to formidable foes, each character adds depth and intrigue to the story, keeping me hooked from start to finish.
Now, I will say this: if you're not a fan of steamy scenes, this might not be the audiobook for you. But if you're like me and enjoy a little heat in your romance, then "A Touch of Chaos" is an absolute must-listen.
Overall, I had a blast with "A Touch of Chaos" and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling escape into the world of Greek mythology. Happy listening, friends! 🎧💕
But what really stole the show for me were the characters. Hades and Persephone are an absolute power couple, with chemistry that practically leaps off the pages (or in this case, out of my headphones 😄. Their love story is equal parts intense and heartwarming, making it impossible not to root for them every step of the way.
And let's not forget about the supporting cast! From mischievous gods to formidable foes, each character adds depth and intrigue to the story, keeping me hooked from start to finish.
Now, I will say this: if you're not a fan of steamy scenes, this might not be the audiobook for you. But if you're like me and enjoy a little heat in your romance, then "A Touch of Chaos" is an absolute must-listen.
Overall, I had a blast with "A Touch of Chaos" and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling escape into the world of Greek mythology. Happy listening, friends! 🎧💕
April 8, 2024
Loved the book, but still left with so many questions. Like this is technically a 7th book in the series, and the ending was just one chapter and super rushed. Expected way more of a conclusion to the series
February 11, 2022
I have to wait over a year for the next one?! Seriously?! I have read these three books in a week! Now I have to wait for over a year after that cliffhanger?! I'm impatiently waiting....
April 10, 2024
First things first: If you have not read the Hades Saga (The "A Game of..." books) DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. SHIT WILL NOT MAKE SENSE. I feel like not enough people know or understand that if you ONLY read Persephone's side of things (The "A Touch of..." books), you're only getting half of the story. I don't think the publishers or the author has made it clear that they are a package deal, and are essentially meant to be read in tandem. Hades' POV books are not merely A Touch of Darkness written from his perspective. They are an entirely separate story, the events of which will have MAJOR implications and consequences on the ending of this saga.
The amount of reviews I've read on this site and others of people going "I never read Hades' POV and this book didn't make sense..." Yeah. Duh.
You've been warned.
Second things second: Don't read this review if you don't want to be spoiled. I'm going to mention stuff that will ruin your day.
Now that I've got all the PSAs out of the way, let's get into the review, shall we?
Okay, so listen, I loved this book. I loved this story. I've been obsessed for YEARS, ever since AToD came out. I've probably rated previous books higher than they deserved simply because I adored the story and the characters so much (Hermes and Hecate have my whole heart). Coming out of this one, I'm going to be as unbiased as possible.
Let's start with the BIG shit:
First, and probably my biggest gripe: I hate open endings. As much as I flew through this book (I couldn't fucking put it down), and as much as I loved it, the ending left me queasy. Yes. Persephone and Hades get their HEA. Mazel tov, congrats, hurrah.
But there are so many other things left dangling that I couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
Dionysus and Ariadne's story isn't finished. I hate that it isn't finished. The past 2 books have made me love these two, I was rooting for the both of them (we were all rooting for you!) and then terrible awful shit happens to Ariadne and there's ZERO closure, zero comfort or aftercare or whatever the fuck comes after repeated assault and the death of loved ones. I hate the way their story was left. Where do they go from here? What happens with the baby? I'm a little miffed that they were included in this story so late, that we were given just enough to want them to have their happy ending, only for the entire series to end with their trauma and grief and uncertainty.
Second: none of the things I expected to happen really did. I expected there to be another major showdown between both factions of the Olympians. I expected to see our heroes clash with Zeus and co. more than once. Never happened. In fact, a large majority of the Olympians in Malice are barely even seen in this book up until the very end, and some of the MAJOR players aren't even seen at all.
Zeus, arguably the most powerful of the Olympians, is put into a coma by Hera and Theseus, and then later, murdered off page by Hecate. Are you fucking kidding me????? You mean to tell me we have been dealing with this asshat for 6 books and now he's nowhere to be found? You mean to tell me that in the end, he's simply done away with without so much as a sniff of a fight? What the fuck?
Third: there's a lot of random stuff going on in this book. Stuff happening off camera, stuff happening that doesn't really mean a lot in the grand scheme of things. A lot of people teleporting to some random island to retrieve something or bury something or look for something instead of actually fighting the war that's been looming for 6 books. None of it ever really felt necessary considering the way the end of this book takes place.
Speaking of extraneous, irrelevant shit, let me give you an example: Early on in the book, Zeus offers up a reward to arrest Persephone and bring her to him in chains. We never see ANY of the gods or goddesses even try such a thing. Why? Why include that chapter if nothing is going to come of it?
Fourth: pacing is an issue. So much time is wasted that the ending feels like watching a train wreck. We have 500 pages of random shit happening, and only 75 pages to accomplish any sort of conclusion. There are what I would consider 2 'big battles' in this book. The first happens about 60 pages from the end, the second about 25 pages later.
Half the major players from previous books aren't even in attendance for the first one. Where was Ares? I thought he LIVED for battle? What about Poseidon? It's his son doing all this shit, they essentially exist in his territory after New Athens falls into the ocean... Why isn't he on the battlefield? Nevermind that Aphrodite and Hermes are mortal and CAN'T fight and so are nowhere to be found. And then there's Prometheus. Okay, great addition, but where the fuck did he come from? Because we've heard literally NOTHING about him up until this point in the book.
The second battle is a little more organized, but no less underwhelming. We see players like Hecate doing shit she could have done 3 books ago and ended all of this before it began. We see Persephone pulling brand new powers out of her ass seemingly by accident. And everything else pretty much happens off-page, with only vague mentions of names we know fighting.
That whole sequence was a fucking dumpster fire. And I'm so goddamned mad about it. Everything just felt...unpolished. Like SSC got tired and said fuck it everybody dies the end.
Fifth: I had some issues with tone in this book. There are some very dark, very heinous awful things going on. But then we get a scene with Hermes and it's like slap-stick comedy out of fucking nowhere. And listen, I love Hermes. Adore him to the moon and back. But he felt different in this book. It felt like he was trying too hard to be funny, like he had one setting--flamboyant comic relief. People are dying, being mauled, raped, tortured, covered in blood guts and gore...and here he is in tight-ass spandex shorts and a fanny pack going on about needing his snacks and screaming like a little girl because there's big bugs and making inappropriate innuendoes that are tired and repetitive. In the past, he was great because he could temper his humor with seriousness. And this book is so serious most of the time that his antics just didn't land well. It didn't feel authentic. And sometimes it was so wildly out of place it triggered my second-hand embarrassment for him.
Add to that the fact that every single time Hermes opened his mouth everybody in the vicinity (save maybe Persephone) was rolling their eyes and saying how exhausting he was. It got old and repetitive and did a beloved character SUCH a disservice.
There are other, smaller things I wanna mention, too:
1. Persephone's job (at the Advocate) falls completely by the wayside. Which could have been understandable, except we get teeny little snippets of the war being waged in the media to discredit her and defame her. She never really utilizes her talents and resources to combat Theseus' smear campaign, so the whole thing just read as ill thought out or half-assed.
2. We need justice for Apollo. I expected for major characters to die. But I expected them to die in combat, with glory and honor and sacrifice, not in some stupid useless funeral game. Apollo is BARELY in this book, despite being one of Persephone's strongest allies and best friends and despite the fact he played a major role in previous books. Then he shows up at the 80% mark and is slaughtered? Boo. Also, Hyacinth's impending reincarnation was just goddamned unnecessary.
3. Theseus was great as a villain. One of the best I've read in recent memory. However, there are more ways to show that a character is evil than by making him a rapist. Just gonna throw that out there. We didn't need that. [Although I am VERY grateful to SSC for giving us specific chapter content warnings going into this book. I have always, ALWAYS appreciated how careful she is to let her readers know going in what they're getting themselves into and where they might need to tread carefully.]
Theseus' death wasn't nearly as satisfying as it should have been. I wanted torture and torment. I wanted public humiliation. I wanted to watch him brought low. After all of the heinous godawful bullshit I had to read from his POV, I needed CHAPTERS of his demise.
We got a game of dominoes and a poisoned cup of whiskey. Fucking bullshit.
4: The way Cronus was dealt with also makes my ass itch. What the hell did Persephone even do??? Where did she learn the magic she used to do what she did? And what happens if somebody comes along and chops the fucking tree down? That 'solution' to ending Cronus' reign of terror seems mightily flawed, if you ask me.
5. Once the Big Bads are all gone, Hades and Persephone just dip back to the Underworld to screw each other. Nevermind that there's like, literally THOUSANDS of human warriors still on the battlefield???? Even if the Triad is all dead (as in, all the demigods are killed), the fanaticism doesn't just go away. So the overworld is still likely in COMPLETE chaos. But I guess that doesn't matter, because it's all happy-days down in the Underworld??? What about what's going on on Olympus? Hera and Zeus are dead. So who's ruling the gods now?
6. AND WHERE THE FUCK IS POSEIDON? BROHAM HASN'T STEPPED FOOT INTO THIS FINALE AT ALL. WHY.
The fact of the matter is, this series ISN'T finished. It doesn't FEEL finished. And it wasn't nearly as focused as I had hoped it'd be.
We waited 2 years for this last book while SSC was off writing other shit. How long are we going to have to wait before she returns to this world to finish what she's neglected here?
I get spin-offs, I do. I have no problem with them. I'll probably read the shit out of whatever SSC drops on us next. (She's confirmed Aphrodite and Heph are getting their own story--but I REALLY need her to fix the fuckery she left of Ariadne and Dionysus.) But it honestly feels like a slap in the face the way some of these characters were left in the lurch. How are we expected to enjoy an ending when it's not a fucking ending?
That bonus epilogue was EVERYTHING, though, wasn't it? We all knew it was coming. Even if it sounds like a setup for another book.
(Because some apparently aren't aware that there's a Bonus Epilogue, I'm going to spoiler-ify a play-by-play of what happens in it. Read at your own risk!)
Sigh.
I know I just complained about a bunch of shit, but I loved this book, I swear. I devoured it. The Hades x Persephone Saga is always going to be one of those series that I recall with fondness. It's a series I will recommend. But if I'm objectively honest with myself? This book could have been WAY better than it was. Instead, it kinda just frustrated the shit out of me.
I'm giving it 3 stars, but it hurts my biased little heart to do so.
The amount of reviews I've read on this site and others of people going "I never read Hades' POV and this book didn't make sense..." Yeah. Duh.
You've been warned.
Second things second: Don't read this review if you don't want to be spoiled. I'm going to mention stuff that will ruin your day.
Now that I've got all the PSAs out of the way, let's get into the review, shall we?
Okay, so listen, I loved this book. I loved this story. I've been obsessed for YEARS, ever since AToD came out. I've probably rated previous books higher than they deserved simply because I adored the story and the characters so much (Hermes and Hecate have my whole heart). Coming out of this one, I'm going to be as unbiased as possible.
Let's start with the BIG shit:
First, and probably my biggest gripe: I hate open endings. As much as I flew through this book (I couldn't fucking put it down), and as much as I loved it, the ending left me queasy. Yes. Persephone and Hades get their HEA. Mazel tov, congrats, hurrah.
But there are so many other things left dangling that I couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
Dionysus and Ariadne's story isn't finished. I hate that it isn't finished. The past 2 books have made me love these two, I was rooting for the both of them (we were all rooting for you!) and then terrible awful shit happens to Ariadne and there's ZERO closure, zero comfort or aftercare or whatever the fuck comes after repeated assault and the death of loved ones. I hate the way their story was left. Where do they go from here? What happens with the baby? I'm a little miffed that they were included in this story so late, that we were given just enough to want them to have their happy ending, only for the entire series to end with their trauma and grief and uncertainty.
Second: none of the things I expected to happen really did. I expected there to be another major showdown between both factions of the Olympians. I expected to see our heroes clash with Zeus and co. more than once. Never happened. In fact, a large majority of the Olympians in Malice are barely even seen in this book up until the very end, and some of the MAJOR players aren't even seen at all.
Zeus, arguably the most powerful of the Olympians, is put into a coma by Hera and Theseus, and then later, murdered off page by Hecate. Are you fucking kidding me????? You mean to tell me we have been dealing with this asshat for 6 books and now he's nowhere to be found? You mean to tell me that in the end, he's simply done away with without so much as a sniff of a fight? What the fuck?
Third: there's a lot of random stuff going on in this book. Stuff happening off camera, stuff happening that doesn't really mean a lot in the grand scheme of things. A lot of people teleporting to some random island to retrieve something or bury something or look for something instead of actually fighting the war that's been looming for 6 books. None of it ever really felt necessary considering the way the end of this book takes place.
Speaking of extraneous, irrelevant shit, let me give you an example: Early on in the book, Zeus offers up a reward to arrest Persephone and bring her to him in chains. We never see ANY of the gods or goddesses even try such a thing. Why? Why include that chapter if nothing is going to come of it?
Fourth: pacing is an issue. So much time is wasted that the ending feels like watching a train wreck. We have 500 pages of random shit happening, and only 75 pages to accomplish any sort of conclusion. There are what I would consider 2 'big battles' in this book. The first happens about 60 pages from the end, the second about 25 pages later.
Half the major players from previous books aren't even in attendance for the first one. Where was Ares? I thought he LIVED for battle? What about Poseidon? It's his son doing all this shit, they essentially exist in his territory after New Athens falls into the ocean... Why isn't he on the battlefield? Nevermind that Aphrodite and Hermes are mortal and CAN'T fight and so are nowhere to be found. And then there's Prometheus. Okay, great addition, but where the fuck did he come from? Because we've heard literally NOTHING about him up until this point in the book.
The second battle is a little more organized, but no less underwhelming. We see players like Hecate doing shit she could have done 3 books ago and ended all of this before it began. We see Persephone pulling brand new powers out of her ass seemingly by accident. And everything else pretty much happens off-page, with only vague mentions of names we know fighting.
That whole sequence was a fucking dumpster fire. And I'm so goddamned mad about it. Everything just felt...unpolished. Like SSC got tired and said fuck it everybody dies the end.
Fifth: I had some issues with tone in this book. There are some very dark, very heinous awful things going on. But then we get a scene with Hermes and it's like slap-stick comedy out of fucking nowhere. And listen, I love Hermes. Adore him to the moon and back. But he felt different in this book. It felt like he was trying too hard to be funny, like he had one setting--flamboyant comic relief. People are dying, being mauled, raped, tortured, covered in blood guts and gore...and here he is in tight-ass spandex shorts and a fanny pack going on about needing his snacks and screaming like a little girl because there's big bugs and making inappropriate innuendoes that are tired and repetitive. In the past, he was great because he could temper his humor with seriousness. And this book is so serious most of the time that his antics just didn't land well. It didn't feel authentic. And sometimes it was so wildly out of place it triggered my second-hand embarrassment for him.
Add to that the fact that every single time Hermes opened his mouth everybody in the vicinity (save maybe Persephone) was rolling their eyes and saying how exhausting he was. It got old and repetitive and did a beloved character SUCH a disservice.
There are other, smaller things I wanna mention, too:
1. Persephone's job (at the Advocate) falls completely by the wayside. Which could have been understandable, except we get teeny little snippets of the war being waged in the media to discredit her and defame her. She never really utilizes her talents and resources to combat Theseus' smear campaign, so the whole thing just read as ill thought out or half-assed.
2. We need justice for Apollo. I expected for major characters to die. But I expected them to die in combat, with glory and honor and sacrifice, not in some stupid useless funeral game. Apollo is BARELY in this book, despite being one of Persephone's strongest allies and best friends and despite the fact he played a major role in previous books. Then he shows up at the 80% mark and is slaughtered? Boo. Also, Hyacinth's impending reincarnation was just goddamned unnecessary.
3. Theseus was great as a villain. One of the best I've read in recent memory. However, there are more ways to show that a character is evil than by making him a rapist. Just gonna throw that out there. We didn't need that. [Although I am VERY grateful to SSC for giving us specific chapter content warnings going into this book. I have always, ALWAYS appreciated how careful she is to let her readers know going in what they're getting themselves into and where they might need to tread carefully.]
Theseus' death wasn't nearly as satisfying as it should have been. I wanted torture and torment. I wanted public humiliation. I wanted to watch him brought low. After all of the heinous godawful bullshit I had to read from his POV, I needed CHAPTERS of his demise.
We got a game of dominoes and a poisoned cup of whiskey. Fucking bullshit.
4: The way Cronus was dealt with also makes my ass itch. What the hell did Persephone even do??? Where did she learn the magic she used to do what she did? And what happens if somebody comes along and chops the fucking tree down? That 'solution' to ending Cronus' reign of terror seems mightily flawed, if you ask me.
5. Once the Big Bads are all gone, Hades and Persephone just dip back to the Underworld to screw each other. Nevermind that there's like, literally THOUSANDS of human warriors still on the battlefield???? Even if the Triad is all dead (as in, all the demigods are killed), the fanaticism doesn't just go away. So the overworld is still likely in COMPLETE chaos. But I guess that doesn't matter, because it's all happy-days down in the Underworld??? What about what's going on on Olympus? Hera and Zeus are dead. So who's ruling the gods now?
6. AND WHERE THE FUCK IS POSEIDON? BROHAM HASN'T STEPPED FOOT INTO THIS FINALE AT ALL. WHY.
The fact of the matter is, this series ISN'T finished. It doesn't FEEL finished. And it wasn't nearly as focused as I had hoped it'd be.
We waited 2 years for this last book while SSC was off writing other shit. How long are we going to have to wait before she returns to this world to finish what she's neglected here?
I get spin-offs, I do. I have no problem with them. I'll probably read the shit out of whatever SSC drops on us next. (She's confirmed Aphrodite and Heph are getting their own story--but I REALLY need her to fix the fuckery she left of Ariadne and Dionysus.) But it honestly feels like a slap in the face the way some of these characters were left in the lurch. How are we expected to enjoy an ending when it's not a fucking ending?
That bonus epilogue was EVERYTHING, though, wasn't it? We all knew it was coming. Even if it sounds like a setup for another book.
(Because some apparently aren't aware that there's a Bonus Epilogue, I'm going to spoiler-ify a play-by-play of what happens in it. Read at your own risk!)
Sigh.
I know I just complained about a bunch of shit, but I loved this book, I swear. I devoured it. The Hades x Persephone Saga is always going to be one of those series that I recall with fondness. It's a series I will recommend. But if I'm objectively honest with myself? This book could have been WAY better than it was. Instead, it kinda just frustrated the shit out of me.
I'm giving it 3 stars, but it hurts my biased little heart to do so.
March 15, 2024
2.9 ⭐️
I was painfully bored in this. Dream sex is stupid. I absolutely HATE it when authors bring new POVs in the last installment of a series it is infuriating and usually way to try and set up a spin off. 🤬🤬🤬. Persephone was annoying. Hades wasn’t as alluring. The spice was just there. The two new povs were stupid AF. (Also included spice WHY) not to mention the pacing of this book was awful. Hermes was just there for comedic relief. I actually enjoyed him in the previous books.
The last 15% was solid otherwise this would have been a full 2. Goodbye Scarlett’s st Claire and hades/Persephone’s retellings I can’t do either anymore 😂
If you want to be bored and annoyed for 600 pages read it
I was painfully bored in this. Dream sex is stupid. I absolutely HATE it when authors bring new POVs in the last installment of a series it is infuriating and usually way to try and set up a spin off. 🤬🤬🤬. Persephone was annoying. Hades wasn’t as alluring. The spice was just there. The two new povs were stupid AF. (Also included spice WHY) not to mention the pacing of this book was awful. Hermes was just there for comedic relief. I actually enjoyed him in the previous books.
The last 15% was solid otherwise this would have been a full 2. Goodbye Scarlett’s st Claire and hades/Persephone’s retellings I can’t do either anymore 😂
If you want to be bored and annoyed for 600 pages read it
March 14, 2024
Least favorite out of the whole series by far. It felt rushed and random to me. Lots of deaths that felt like they were only added in for shock factor to readers because the characters didn’t even mourn them.
The trauma the characters experienced was unrealistically swept under the rug, so there was no personality development of any sort. Everyone just kinda moved on without addressing anything and then the book ended with no resolution logically in terms of how everything is righted.
Easy read & the writing style is simple, but overall not impressed with how this ended, nor with the writing style. Felt like a big change in quality from the first book in my opinion.
The trauma the characters experienced was unrealistically swept under the rug, so there was no personality development of any sort. Everyone just kinda moved on without addressing anything and then the book ended with no resolution logically in terms of how everything is righted.
Easy read & the writing style is simple, but overall not impressed with how this ended, nor with the writing style. Felt like a big change in quality from the first book in my opinion.
March 12, 2024
I love this series so much and am so sad to see it end! Of course I had to devour the whole book on release day. "Are you well?" No Scarlett, I'm not. It ended with everything wrapped up. But that epilogue...I wish there was another book coming out. I need to know how that's possible and how everything goes with that bombshell news. Of course the spice was on par for the rest of the series. Some thoughts:
*Of course Persephone is still whiny and makes a lot of her own issues/road blocks.
*Hermes and Hecate were my favorites as always.
*I loved the multi pov from a variety of the characters.
*There were some sad deaths.
*Theseus is truly a despicable person. His awful nature really got amped up for the finale.
*The big war was tense and fit the storyline well.
*I'm glad Persephone and Hades got a happily ever after.
*The cover though.....yikes. It looks like the concept draft and not fleshed out at all.
Would definitely recommend.
*Of course Persephone is still whiny and makes a lot of her own issues/road blocks.
*Hermes and Hecate were my favorites as always.
*I loved the multi pov from a variety of the characters.
*There were some sad deaths.
*Theseus is truly a despicable person. His awful nature really got amped up for the finale.
*The big war was tense and fit the storyline well.
*I'm glad Persephone and Hades got a happily ever after.
*The cover though.....yikes. It looks like the concept draft and not fleshed out at all.
Would definitely recommend.
March 15, 2024
“Are you well?” No because this book was awful - so happy it’s over
January 4, 2023
what was the purpose of writing this book
April 7, 2024
I just finished "A Touch of Malice" and I can't help but think of two future events for the next book ....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My theories are ....
First ... Hypnos mentions to Persephone that she must be prepared in the face of future attacks from some God (Zeus perhaps?) Will he try to harm Hades by doing something to her?
And Second ... in Greek mythology, Hades and Persephone have (arguably) 2 or 3 children, one of them called Macaria... Who in the future will be Thanatos wife.
Could Lexa be reincarnated in her daughter?
I can't wait!!!!
Pleaseeeee release this book next year!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My theories are ....
First ... Hypnos mentions to Persephone that she must be prepared in the face of future attacks from some God (Zeus perhaps?) Will he try to harm Hades by doing something to her?
And Second ... in Greek mythology, Hades and Persephone have (arguably) 2 or 3 children, one of them called Macaria... Who in the future will be Thanatos wife.
Could Lexa be reincarnated in her daughter?
I can't wait!!!!
Pleaseeeee release this book next year!!
Want to read
December 10, 2021the series so far has been amazing
I just know this next book will be TO DIE FOR
and now I see its being released in fall 2023!? i hate it here 😭
---------------------
April 6, 2024
3⭐️
"I need you."
"You have me. There is no part where you end or I begin. Use me, darling, as you have for your pleasure. There is power in this pain."
THE PLOT
Persephone never would have guessed that her chance encounter with Hades, the God of the Dead, would change her life forever. But, it did, and now that they're together, the world will burn. The Titans have been unleashed, the Gods are at war, and Hades has been held captive. Persephone is the only one who can save the world from being completely overthrown by Theseus. She must embrace her role as goddess to save her people and rely on her allies to save the world from Theseus, the God-killing, prophecy seeking enemy.
MY THOUGHTS
The Plot: I really liked this book, I just could not take it seriously. The book's plot relies heavily on war and politics and the writing just did not fit with this theme. A majority of the book was fine and was written very well, however there are SEVERAL parts where you read this and you're just like, "this is really how we're writing this?" It's no secret that that is one of my favorite series of all time, however I had more hope and higher expectations for this book. The first two books were just so good and this series just didn't seem to get better as it went on. However, I did like the theme of this book! I liked the war and political aspects that encased this book. It was not very smut heavy and I'm so glad it wasn't because it would have completely taken away from the plot. Just the right amount of spice. That's another thing with this series is the smut is SO GOOD. This book extracted so many different emotions I went through every stage of grief. There was a lot of death and it made me cry more than once just from being so close to these characters. This was such a good end to such a good series that I hold so close to my heart. ALSO, this book has several POVs, the new ones being Dionysus and Theseus. I, personally, didn't really like the addition of the other POVs but I liked what it did to add to the story. I guess I'm a little indifferent because every previous book is just Persephone and Hades. 😅 All together, it was different and I thought it was okay!
The Characters: Persephone is still and will always be the baddest bitch. She really showed her love for those close to her and how far she will go for those she loves. Everyone in this series is like a close knit family and it just warms my heart whenever I read about everyone coming together. Hades is and always will be my husband he is perfect and there is no fault in this man. Hermes is the perfect person for comedic relief. He is THE comedian of this series and I always find myself giggling at every scene that he's in. My favorite character, though, in the whole series has to be Hecate. She is the ride or die mother figure that goes above and beyond for those she loves. I liked Dionysus's new character development into the series, but there was nothing special about his character. Nothing really stood out for him, but it was nice to get an extra POV. 😊
Overall, this book was okay. I really felt that the series did not get better as the books went on and I liked the first couple books way more. However, this is easily one of my comfort series. I am attached to these books and these characters and will always recommend is someone is looking for a fun, romantic fantasy about Greek mythology. ❤️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I cannot wait any longer to continue this series I am READY!! 😩
"I need you."
"You have me. There is no part where you end or I begin. Use me, darling, as you have for your pleasure. There is power in this pain."
THE PLOT
Persephone never would have guessed that her chance encounter with Hades, the God of the Dead, would change her life forever. But, it did, and now that they're together, the world will burn. The Titans have been unleashed, the Gods are at war, and Hades has been held captive. Persephone is the only one who can save the world from being completely overthrown by Theseus. She must embrace her role as goddess to save her people and rely on her allies to save the world from Theseus, the God-killing, prophecy seeking enemy.
MY THOUGHTS
The Plot: I really liked this book, I just could not take it seriously. The book's plot relies heavily on war and politics and the writing just did not fit with this theme. A majority of the book was fine and was written very well, however there are SEVERAL parts where you read this and you're just like, "this is really how we're writing this?" It's no secret that that is one of my favorite series of all time, however I had more hope and higher expectations for this book. The first two books were just so good and this series just didn't seem to get better as it went on. However, I did like the theme of this book! I liked the war and political aspects that encased this book. It was not very smut heavy and I'm so glad it wasn't because it would have completely taken away from the plot. Just the right amount of spice. That's another thing with this series is the smut is SO GOOD. This book extracted so many different emotions I went through every stage of grief. There was a lot of death and it made me cry more than once just from being so close to these characters. This was such a good end to such a good series that I hold so close to my heart. ALSO, this book has several POVs, the new ones being Dionysus and Theseus. I, personally, didn't really like the addition of the other POVs but I liked what it did to add to the story. I guess I'm a little indifferent because every previous book is just Persephone and Hades. 😅 All together, it was different and I thought it was okay!
The Characters: Persephone is still and will always be the baddest bitch. She really showed her love for those close to her and how far she will go for those she loves. Everyone in this series is like a close knit family and it just warms my heart whenever I read about everyone coming together. Hades is and always will be my husband he is perfect and there is no fault in this man. Hermes is the perfect person for comedic relief. He is THE comedian of this series and I always find myself giggling at every scene that he's in. My favorite character, though, in the whole series has to be Hecate. She is the ride or die mother figure that goes above and beyond for those she loves. I liked Dionysus's new character development into the series, but there was nothing special about his character. Nothing really stood out for him, but it was nice to get an extra POV. 😊
Overall, this book was okay. I really felt that the series did not get better as the books went on and I liked the first couple books way more. However, this is easily one of my comfort series. I am attached to these books and these characters and will always recommend is someone is looking for a fun, romantic fantasy about Greek mythology. ❤️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I cannot wait any longer to continue this series I am READY!! 😩
Want to read
September 3, 2021Just finished a touch of Malice and i really thought it was a trilogie and now i do not know what to do with myself.
The ending left me broken, hungry for more and now i see it will take 2 years?!
I need to know if sephy and hades will be fine.
The ending left me broken, hungry for more and now i see it will take 2 years?!
I need to know if sephy and hades will be fine.
April 24, 2023
bombastic side eye
March 16, 2024
I can excuse bad writing but I draw the line at “spice scenes” which are straight up sexual assault.
March 15, 2024
This was the best book in the series, carried solely by Hermes.
And Dr. Dionysus. Best chapter in the entire series, tbh.
And Dr. Dionysus. Best chapter in the entire series, tbh.
March 14, 2024
There was too much jumping around to other points of view and the ending was rushed with too many unanswered questions. Also, putting focus on Theseus and his sexual assault of Ari was completely unnecessary. Definitely not a fan of this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2024
reading this felt like watching the last season of game of thrones all over again... disappointing and ruined everything that came before it. much like the last season of GOT, i will be disregarding this from canon. thank you.
March 15, 2024
I have so many complaints but all I can articulate right now is "what the f*** did I just read???"
Read
January 20, 2023It’s rare I won’t finish a series but the last book was the fucking worse. Why would anyone want to read more?
March 21, 2024
TW: my review does discuss the sexual violence that appears in this book
The only thing I was excited for with this book was the fact that it is the final one of the series. I rarely write out reviews, but my frustration with this very popular series has led me with the need to vent.
One thing that I really enjoyed was that we finally had a multi-POV and no longer have to read every book in the series twice. I know I could've stopped reading the series, but I'm the type that has to see things through even when I don't like it.
The other thing I enjoyed was the relationship between Ariadne and Dionysus. I was finally excited again to read the romance, because Hades and Persephone got boring in the second book. The sex scenes became so frequent that I found myself skipping through them because they were boring and repetitive. Why do they only fuck in missionary, anyway? His "depraved" thoughts were that he wanted to choke her? Ok.
After the end of A Touch of Malice, I was cautiously optimistic that this book would be decent, but every book after A Touch of Darkness has been a considerable let down.
It only took the whole series Persephone to learn how to talk about her feelings, kind of, and for Hades to realize "hey, maybe trying to lock her in a glass house and keep everything from her is a bad idea!!!!"
I feel as though Scarlett watched Game of Thrones for the first time and decided to go that route with this series finale but just killed characters off for shits and giggles. George R.R. Martin at least had a method to his madness. I don't understand why 7 gods had to die. What was the point, especially given there was 0 resolution to what would happen with the Olympians? Zeus and Hera were dead, who are to take over in their stead ? What is to happen with the relationship between Divine and mortal? What the fuck is going on. I honestly thought it would end with Persephone becoming an Olympian or Persephone and Hades becoming King and Queen of the Gods, but no - she just "officially" becomes Queen of the Underworld? For real?
Additionally, don't even get me started on the unnecessary sexual violence in this book. First of all, I don't give a shit about Theseus's POV and I don't need to read his thoughts of how rape makes him hard. It's fucking gross and lazy. Adding sexual assault for no reason other than to show an antagonists villainy is lazy writing. I also don't want to read graphic descriptions of it (e.g. Helen). Everything that happened to Ariadne served 0 purpose to the storyline. We knew Theseus was a piece of shit. We knew he was obsessed with her. We already hated him. Reading that was like eating ash. Instead it's just another book that uses rape to further a woman's plot line, except it didn't do anything for Ariadne's story. Why have her be raped AND have her sister commit suicide ? It made 0 sense. You really expect me to believe Phaedra was just going to abandon her newborn son not knowing he will be safe? I don't fucking think so.
Overall, I was very hopeful for this series and I'm so grateful it's over with.
The only thing I was excited for with this book was the fact that it is the final one of the series. I rarely write out reviews, but my frustration with this very popular series has led me with the need to vent.
One thing that I really enjoyed was that we finally had a multi-POV and no longer have to read every book in the series twice. I know I could've stopped reading the series, but I'm the type that has to see things through even when I don't like it.
The other thing I enjoyed was the relationship between Ariadne and Dionysus. I was finally excited again to read the romance, because Hades and Persephone got boring in the second book. The sex scenes became so frequent that I found myself skipping through them because they were boring and repetitive. Why do they only fuck in missionary, anyway? His "depraved" thoughts were that he wanted to choke her? Ok.
After the end of A Touch of Malice, I was cautiously optimistic that this book would be decent, but every book after A Touch of Darkness has been a considerable let down.
It only took the whole series Persephone to learn how to talk about her feelings, kind of, and for Hades to realize "hey, maybe trying to lock her in a glass house and keep everything from her is a bad idea!!!!"
I feel as though Scarlett watched Game of Thrones for the first time and decided to go that route with this series finale but just killed characters off for shits and giggles. George R.R. Martin at least had a method to his madness. I don't understand why 7 gods had to die. What was the point, especially given there was 0 resolution to what would happen with the Olympians? Zeus and Hera were dead, who are to take over in their stead ? What is to happen with the relationship between Divine and mortal? What the fuck is going on. I honestly thought it would end with Persephone becoming an Olympian or Persephone and Hades becoming King and Queen of the Gods, but no - she just "officially" becomes Queen of the Underworld? For real?
Additionally, don't even get me started on the unnecessary sexual violence in this book. First of all, I don't give a shit about Theseus's POV and I don't need to read his thoughts of how rape makes him hard. It's fucking gross and lazy. Adding sexual assault for no reason other than to show an antagonists villainy is lazy writing. I also don't want to read graphic descriptions of it (e.g. Helen). Everything that happened to Ariadne served 0 purpose to the storyline. We knew Theseus was a piece of shit. We knew he was obsessed with her. We already hated him. Reading that was like eating ash. Instead it's just another book that uses rape to further a woman's plot line, except it didn't do anything for Ariadne's story. Why have her be raped AND have her sister commit suicide ? It made 0 sense. You really expect me to believe Phaedra was just going to abandon her newborn son not knowing he will be safe? I don't fucking think so.
Overall, I was very hopeful for this series and I'm so grateful it's over with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2024
3.25?
I really love this series, I do, but this was a little bit of a letdown. It was good, not great. I think the pacing was off and there wasn’t enough sense of urgency throughout. For it being a war book and this being the conclusion, somehow the very high stakes just didn’t FEEL that high. I am also not sure why we needed Theseus’s POV. I think you should give a villain a POV if you’re going to try to make him morally grey and try to make us understand him, not just show us him being evil and awful over and over again. I also wanted Persephone to really, truly, finally embrace her power and I feel like she never really did. I know others tend to find her annoying in the other books, esp Ruin, and while I don’t disagree, I really liked her growth in Malice and feel like we lost some of that momentum in this one.
This was Scarlett’s first time finishing a series and I was curious to see how ruthless she would be re: character deaths and let’s just say, she took no prisoners. Which I liked! But even still, I wasn’t destroyed or wrecked over any of them, so I don’t know. I guess I just had a hard time connecting with this one like I did with the others in this series.
I really love this series, I do, but this was a little bit of a letdown. It was good, not great. I think the pacing was off and there wasn’t enough sense of urgency throughout. For it being a war book and this being the conclusion, somehow the very high stakes just didn’t FEEL that high. I am also not sure why we needed Theseus’s POV. I think you should give a villain a POV if you’re going to try to make him morally grey and try to make us understand him, not just show us him being evil and awful over and over again. I also wanted Persephone to really, truly, finally embrace her power and I feel like she never really did. I know others tend to find her annoying in the other books, esp Ruin, and while I don’t disagree, I really liked her growth in Malice and feel like we lost some of that momentum in this one.
This was Scarlett’s first time finishing a series and I was curious to see how ruthless she would be re: character deaths and let’s just say, she took no prisoners. Which I liked! But even still, I wasn’t destroyed or wrecked over any of them, so I don’t know. I guess I just had a hard time connecting with this one like I did with the others in this series.
March 26, 2024
THIS BOOK IS SO. BAD.
ok 1) 75% of the dialogue is literally just the f word
2) the most 1-dimensional characters i have ever read in my life
3) this book (this whole series really) could've (should've!!!) been cut in half...
its like the world-building got too big (like the ariadne/dionysus side story was nice but extremely unnecessary)
no thank u. bad book.
ok 1) 75% of the dialogue is literally just the f word
2) the most 1-dimensional characters i have ever read in my life
3) this book (this whole series really) could've (should've!!!) been cut in half...
its like the world-building got too big (like the ariadne/dionysus side story was nice but extremely unnecessary)
no thank u. bad book.
October 8, 2021
When is this book coming out? That's such a cliffhanger from book 3 :(
April 5, 2024
4.5/5 🌟 *rounded up
3/5 ❤️🩹
3/5 🥰
4/5 🌶️
0/5 🔎
3/5 😰A
3/5 🎭T
0/5 👻
If you or someone you know is in crisis please call 988 or 1-800-985-5990
You can also text HOME to 741741
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Rape
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Assault
Sexual Violence
Sexual Content
Sexism
War
Suicide
Violence
Murder
Death
Blood
Gore
Toxic Relationship
Domestic Abuse
Physical Abuse
Grief
Injury/Injury Detail
Profanity
Torture
Emesis
Pregnancy
Kidnapping
Death of a Parent
Gaslighting
Alcoholism
Alcohol Use
Animal Death
Body Horror
Genocide
Misogyny
Slavery
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
If you or someone you know is in crisis please call 988 or 1-800-985-5990
You can also text HOME to 741741
The World Will Burn
Persephone, Goddess of Spring, never guessed a chance encounter with Hades, God of the Underworld, would change her life forever—but he did.
A fight for humanity and battles between gods, it's a world Persephone never thought she would see. To end the chaos, she must draw upon her darkness and embrace who she's become—Goddess, Wife, Queen of the Underworld.
Once, Persephone made bargains to save those she loves, now she will go to war for them.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
SUMMARY OF 883 REVIEWS
Moods
dark 79%
emotional 76%
adventurous 65%
tense 63%
challenging 30%
funny 29%
sad 27%
hopeful 20%
mysterious 15%
inspiring 5%
lighthearted 3%
reflective 3%
informative 1%
relaxing 1%
Pace
medium 62%
fast 31%
slow 6%
Plot- or character-driven?
A mix: 56% | Plot: 34% | Character: 8%
Strong character development?
Yes: 60% | No: 19% | It's complicated: 18%
Loveable characters?
Yes: 78% | It's complicated: 18% | No: 2%
Diverse cast of characters?
Yes: 68% | No: 16% | It's complicated: 11% | N/A: 3%
Flaws of characters a main focus?
Yes: 44% | No: 30% | It's complicated: 23% | N/A: 1%
Average rating
4.0
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
I have been living this series by Scarlett St. Clare. I feel like there will be another book too going by that ending! If so, I cannot wait!!
I have enjoyed this version of Hades and Persephone’s coupling. They are fantastic together, at least in this series, but, I’m going to be honest Hermes is the real MVP! He kept me laughing every time he had a line. I’m exaggerating but not by much. His downward dog has me lol’ing for real! If you haven’t read this series, you really should. Just for Hermes alone.
Every woman needs a Hades and every man needs a Persephone. I guarantee the divorce rate would plummet. Seph takes care of her man and he treats her like a Queen!! Never mind that she is legally the Queen of the underworld. The point is he TREATS her like a Queen. Which is more important.
I have loved that there is a companion series to this one where they are all written from Hades POV and they are just as good maybe even better because we get to know how he feels and what he’s thinking. Who wouldn’t want that? Just imagine being inside a man’s head and knowing what he’s thinking!! 😂😂
If you or someone you know is in crisis please call 988 or 1-800-985-5990
You can also text HOME to 741741
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy/Tragedy- based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky/Creepy -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
3/5 ❤️🩹
3/5 🥰
4/5 🌶️
0/5 🔎
3/5 😰A
3/5 🎭T
0/5 👻
If you or someone you know is in crisis please call 988 or 1-800-985-5990
You can also text HOME to 741741
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Rape
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Assault
Sexual Violence
Sexual Content
Sexism
War
Suicide
Violence
Murder
Death
Blood
Gore
Toxic Relationship
Domestic Abuse
Physical Abuse
Grief
Injury/Injury Detail
Profanity
Torture
Emesis
Pregnancy
Kidnapping
Death of a Parent
Gaslighting
Alcoholism
Alcohol Use
Animal Death
Body Horror
Genocide
Misogyny
Slavery
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
If you or someone you know is in crisis please call 988 or 1-800-985-5990
You can also text HOME to 741741
The World Will Burn
Persephone, Goddess of Spring, never guessed a chance encounter with Hades, God of the Underworld, would change her life forever—but he did.
A fight for humanity and battles between gods, it's a world Persephone never thought she would see. To end the chaos, she must draw upon her darkness and embrace who she's become—Goddess, Wife, Queen of the Underworld.
Once, Persephone made bargains to save those she loves, now she will go to war for them.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
SUMMARY OF 883 REVIEWS
Moods
dark 79%
emotional 76%
adventurous 65%
tense 63%
challenging 30%
funny 29%
sad 27%
hopeful 20%
mysterious 15%
inspiring 5%
lighthearted 3%
reflective 3%
informative 1%
relaxing 1%
Pace
medium 62%
fast 31%
slow 6%
Plot- or character-driven?
A mix: 56% | Plot: 34% | Character: 8%
Strong character development?
Yes: 60% | No: 19% | It's complicated: 18%
Loveable characters?
Yes: 78% | It's complicated: 18% | No: 2%
Diverse cast of characters?
Yes: 68% | No: 16% | It's complicated: 11% | N/A: 3%
Flaws of characters a main focus?
Yes: 44% | No: 30% | It's complicated: 23% | N/A: 1%
Average rating
4.0
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
I have been living this series by Scarlett St. Clare. I feel like there will be another book too going by that ending! If so, I cannot wait!!
I have enjoyed this version of Hades and Persephone’s coupling. They are fantastic together, at least in this series, but, I’m going to be honest Hermes is the real MVP! He kept me laughing every time he had a line. I’m exaggerating but not by much. His downward dog has me lol’ing for real! If you haven’t read this series, you really should. Just for Hermes alone.
Every woman needs a Hades and every man needs a Persephone. I guarantee the divorce rate would plummet. Seph takes care of her man and he treats her like a Queen!! Never mind that she is legally the Queen of the underworld. The point is he TREATS her like a Queen. Which is more important.
I have loved that there is a companion series to this one where they are all written from Hades POV and they are just as good maybe even better because we get to know how he feels and what he’s thinking. Who wouldn’t want that? Just imagine being inside a man’s head and knowing what he’s thinking!! 😂😂
If you or someone you know is in crisis please call 988 or 1-800-985-5990
You can also text HOME to 741741
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy/Tragedy- based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky/Creepy -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
March 18, 2024
4/5⭐️ Overall it was a good conclusion to the hades x persephone storyline. I did think a lot of it was rushed in places where it should of been slower and vise versa. Like the fight scenes were short but the lead ups and the in betweens were long. like the labyrinth arc lasted a chapter like i needed trails and tribulations in there, not 4 chapters on the plotting of the furneral games and then the actual game is 4 pages. But I loved the story, there was little spice compared to the other books which honestly shocked me and the ending was really really sweet I liked that a lot. Hecate will always be my fave... she is mother.
* IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS DO NOT LOOK AT THE LAST PAGE OF THE BOOK (b&n) EDITION*
* IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS DO NOT LOOK AT THE LAST PAGE OF THE BOOK (b&n) EDITION*
April 3, 2024
And when I thought this going to be more Dionysus, the series concluded.
Happy nonetheless
Do not skip Hades Saga
Happy nonetheless
Do not skip Hades Saga
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,594 reviews