A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair offers a fresh, modern retelling of the classic myth of Hades and Persephone. Set in a world where gods walk among mortals, Persephone lives a carefully constructed life, attending college and working as a journalist in the bustling city of New Athens. Hidden from the divine politics of Olympus by her overprotective mother, Demeter, Persephone has been sheltered from the truth of her own powers as the Goddess of Spring.

Her world shifts one fateful night when she encounters a mysterious, alluring stranger in a nightclub who invites her to play a game of cards. Unbeknownst to her, the man is Hades, God of the Dead—and losing the game means striking a magical bargain. Now tethered by a magical bargain, Persephone faces an impossible challenge: to bring life to the Underworld—or forfeit her freedom for good. As she struggles to complete the impossible task, she is drawn deeper into Hades’ world, uncovering not just secrets about him, but about herself, the cost of truth, and what it truly means to grow.

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about the characters

Persephone is smart, kind, and fiercely determined—though at times, that determination borders on stubbornness. Compared to the rest of the gods, she’s still quite young and naive. She believes she understands the ways of the gods, but quickly learns how little she truly knows. In her view, there is no love among the gods—only a constant pursuit of power. While that may ring true for many, it’s not a universal truth. Love, compassion, and friendship are still choices the gods can make, and through her interactions with Hades and Hecate, Persephone begins to see that power doesn’t always have to come at the cost of empathy. Her view of the divine world begins as biased and narrow, but it slowly expands as she’s challenged to confront the uncomfortable realities of both herself and the gods around her. Her drive as a journalist—her hunger for the truth—is admirable, but it’s also tangled with ambition, and perhaps even a subconscious desire for power of her own.

Hades, in contrast, is composed, enigmatic, and deeply aware of his role as the God of the Underworld. His centuries of experience have taught him the limits of his power—he does not create the bargains, nor can he change a person’s soul. He simply sees them for what they are and offers opportunities accordingly. Mortals often fear him, not because of what he does, but because he represents the unknown—and he’s the god they understand the least. Yet behind his cold reputation lies a figure of integrity, restraint, and surprising tenderness.

The supporting cast adds depth and intrigue to the narrative. Demeter, Persephone’s mother, is a forceful presence whose desire to protect has veered into control. Adonis is a surprising twist on myth—portrayed not as Persephone’s lover, but as a pompous, handsome mortal with Aphrodite’s favor. His confidence borders on arrogance, and he acts as though he’s untouchable. Aphrodite herself is written with nuance: beautiful and beloved, yes, but also deeply lonely. Scarlett St. Clair masterfully reveals her struggles through her complicated relationships with Hephaestus and other gods, showing a woman who has lived long enough to regret many of her choices.

Persephone’s best friend adds a breath of fresh air to the story. She’s fun, supportive, and full of energy—a relatable and believable portrayal of a college student ready to embrace life’s highs and lows. And finally, Hecate—always a favorite in myth—is beautifully portrayed here as the embodiment of balance, crossroads, and free will. She is level-headed when others are ruled by emotion, and serves as a mentor, friend, and quiet force of wisdom throughout the story. Her presence offers clarity and strength exactly when it’s needed most.

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standout moments

One of the first standout elements in A Touch of Darkness is the way mortals accept the gods as an everyday part of life. While Persephone must hide her identity to maintain a semblance of normalcy, the general population openly admires and reveres the divine, treating their influence as a natural part of existence. This mirrors the tone of traditional Greek mythology, where gods often intervened in mortal affairs. What sets St. Clair’s retelling apart is the modern context—gods now own nightclubs and restaurants, seamlessly blending divine influence with contemporary society. These venues become not only places of leisure but also centers where prayers are heard, deals are made, and punishments are delivered—a clever and immersive modernization of mythological storytelling.

Another powerful moment occurs when Demeter learns of the romantic bond between her daughter and Hades following the bargain. Her fury is immediate and intense, her desire to tear Persephone away from the Underworld palpable. This mirrors the original myth’s themes of control and maternal protection, but St. Clair introduces a fresh element: formalized contracts and magical agreements that even a goddess as powerful as Demeter cannot override. In classical lore, Persephone was also bound by a form of magical agreement—eating the pomegranate seeds in the Underworld, whether by trickery or coercion, tied her to Hades for part of the year. Both versions involve unwilling bargains made on Persephone’s part, but where the original centers on symbolic entrapment through a simple act, St. Clair’s version modernizes the concept with explicit legal and magical frameworks. This subtle shift reinforces themes of autonomy, consequence, and power dynamics, while still honoring the essence of the myth: Persephone’s life divided—part in darkness, part in light.

The third standout moment is Persephone’s journey to Tartarus, triggered by her pursuit of Cerberus. The atmosphere shifts dramatically in this scene, plunging readers into the heart of the Underworld’s darkness. What she encounters—a tormented soul cursed to never eat or drink again—echoes classical punishments from mythology of Tantalus. This moment is pivotal for Persephone. Not only does it draw her deeper into the truths of the world Hades rules, but it also begins to unravel her innocence. She starts to grasp the complex reality of betrayal, justice, and the weight of divine responsibility.

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personal reflection

This retelling offers a unique and original twist on a familiar Greek myth. The audiobook narrator, Meg Sylvan, brings a strong voice to the story, capturing emotion with precision and clarity. Her performance elevates the storytelling, making the modern adaptation of Hades and Persephone even more immersive. While the characters themselves are not unfamiliar, they are portrayed with authenticity, and their motivations remain clear and believable throughout. Persephone’s relentless pursuit of a meaningful story—especially one that unravels the mystery surrounding Hades—contrasts beautifully with Hades’ own inner conflict: a powerful, instant attraction that challenges his usual emotional distance and awakens something deeper within him.

The world-building, while purely fictional in terms of setting, feels grounded thanks to its roots in original myth. References to what each god or goddess represents, their interpersonal dynamics, and their roles both in Olympus and among mortals all lend credibility to the story’s universe. It’s a creative blend of old lore with new life.

Persephone’s youth and inexperience were occasionally frustrating. Some of her decisions felt irrational or overly reactive, making her a difficult character to relate to in moments. Additionally, while the pacing was generally solid, a few scenes felt unnecessary and slowed the momentum. However, the sentence structure and dialogue often felt intentional—designed to mirror Persephone’s development and internal growth as the story progressed.

Since I experienced the book in audio format, I can’t speak to any potential spelling or grammatical errors in the text itself. But from an audio perspective, the narration was seamless and delivered flawlessly. There were no notable plot holes in the romance arc; however, I did find myself wishing for more background on Persephone’s life prior to New Athens. The brief references to her past felt like missed opportunities to deepen her character and explore how her beliefs formed outside of Demeter’s influence. That said, perhaps this was intentional—underscoring the fact that Persephone is still learning how to define herself beyond her mother’s shadow, even while living what she thought was a “free” mortal life.

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final thoughts

Overall rating: 4 stars—A Touch of Darkness was, for me, an entertaining and engaging read. I appreciated seeing these well-known mythological figures—once studied in textbooks—reimagined in a more romantic and emotionally layered context. There has always been a darkness surrounding the Hades and Persephone myth, largely because of Hades’ dominion over the Underworld. But there has also always been light: a yearning for acceptance, love, and a reprieve from isolation. St. Clair captures that balance well.