A Touch Of Darkness
Author: Scarlett St. Clair
Spice Level: 
Release Year: 2019
In this one, I really got unexpectedly tossed into a world where Greek gods wear leather jackets, run nightclubs, and text their lovers. The Hades x Persephone series is unapologetically modern, gleefully steamy, and, for me, an absolute blast—albeit with a few eye rolls and groans along the way. The urban setting is a bold choice, and I loved how the author didn’t shy away from making Olympus feel like a place you might stumble into after midnight, neon lights and all. The romance is front and center, and the chemistry between Hades and Persephone is, frankly, palpable. I rate the spice factor a solid 3.7: scenes are explicit, frequent, and sometimes toe the line between swoon and soap opera, but always with a wink to the genre’s expectations.
What really kept me coming back was Hades. He’s written with a delicious blend of brooding power and surprising vulnerability. Watching him try to navigate love, power, and the politics of immortality is addictive. Persephone, on the other hand, is a mixed bag. Her growth is undeniable—she starts off naive and sometimes infuriatingly stubborn, but there’s a satisfaction in watching her become a force to be reckoned with. Still, there were moments when I wanted to reach into the pages and shake her. The miscommunication trope is used liberally, and Persephone’s tendency to believe the worst or keep secrets for no good reason can be maddening. But that’s part of the ride: frustration, anticipation, and, eventually, catharsis.
The series doesn’t waste time on subtlety. It’s very steamy, very dramatic, and sometimes reads like a blockbuster movie—popcorn in hand, brain switched to “entertain me.” There’s a certain charm in its excess: gods bicker, mortals scheme, and every chapter seems to end with a gasp or a groan. The side characters actually shine, with friendships and rivalries that add texture to the main couple’s saga. I found myself genuinely invested in the fate of Cerberus and rooting for Persephone’s mortal friends, even when the main plot veered into melodrama. The banter sparkles, and the emotional stakes feel real, even when the plot sometimes strains credulity.
Now, let’s talk pacing. The books move fast—sometimes too fast. Events pile up, and the stakes escalate with every chapter, which keeps the adrenaline high but occasionally sacrifices depth for drama. There are moments where the plot feels like it’s sprinting just to keep up with itself, and not every twist lands. The cliffhangers are classic, the betrayals frequent, and the resolutions sometimes a little too tidy for my taste. But I can’t deny the series’ ability to keep me up late, muttering “just one more chapter” until the sun comes up. The writing is accessible, sometimes bordering on breezy, and the dialogue is peppered with modern slang that makes the gods feel like they could be your next-door neighbors.
For all its flaws—and there are plenty—the Hades x Persephone series is my #8 all-time romantasy for a reason. It’s not the most profound, nor the most original, but it’s fun, sexy, and full of heart. I keep thinking about certain scenes months after finishing, and that counts for something. The series isn’t for everyone: if you want subtlety or mythological accuracy, look elsewhere. But if you’re in the mood for a steamy, modern retelling with gods who act human and mortals who aim high, this is a wild, satisfying ride. Just be prepared to yell at the characters, swoon over Hades, and maybe, like me, find yourself grinning at the sheer audacity of it all.
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