A Touch of Malice: Hades & Persephone, Book 3

S. Gutiérrez

BLOODY FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The myth of Hades and Persephone continues in this enthralling episode of the series. We them work through issues regular people face everyday, and the way the author handles the pain, the trauma, the grieving process and the aftermath of all these emotions is all anyone can ask for. By taking into account the veracity of these experiences, she genuinely portrays a character we can all connect with (even if Persephone is a goddess). . . Honestly, I can say that this book series has helped me cope with numerous unfortunate traumas in my life. That is why I do not take it lightly when I say this book is a BLOODY MASTERPIECE. Scarlett, I have no idea if you read these reviews, and even if you don't, whomever you are - the heart and soul poured into this book is extraordinary. I've lost my fair share of loved ones and dealt with more trauma than most people have at my age, but never had no one, especially an author, made me feel like my pain was valid. The words in this book have helped me in way only those who've experienced the pain Persephone goes through can understand. "Grief means we loved fiercely…and if that is all anyone ever has to say about either one of us in the end, I think we lived our best life.” ["

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May 25, 2021 Verified Purchase

Thalia McBride

I love this series!

"The story of Hades and Persephone is one that I have always found fascinating. The fact that now I get to see a fun, intense, sexy side of this story makes my heart soar. The third installation of the HadesxPersephone series, A TOUCH OF MALICE feels refreshing, is well written, and gives the characters we’ve grown to love even more depth than before. I enjoy the relationship Sephy and Hades shared and in MALICE St. Clair dove in head first, exploring trauma, trust, and the nitty gritty side of relationships that most people tend to ignore when writing. At the end of the day all Sephy wants is to be with the love of her life and there has always been SOMETHING standing in their way. I think things really come to a head in MALICE not just between Hades and Seph but in general and the reader gets a really great look at how far people (and gods) will go for their love. I also must say that I love the way St. Clair used sex as a tether for Hades and Seph and while these scenes were AMAZING (in detail and emotion) I felt like they were also always really important moments for both characters, especially in this book. The ending had me in tears and honestly stressed. AH I just can’t say enough fun positive things of the HadesxPersephone series. Thank you Scarlett for writing another epic story! ["

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July 1, 2021 Verified Purchase

Angelica

Greek Gods…count me in

"This is book 3 in the Hades and Persephone retelling and it doesn’t disappoint! There is love, Greek gods, smut, laughter, action, and a cliff hanger. What more could one want? ["

September 30, 2025 Verified Purchase

hannah bishop

Completely and hopelessly addicted!

"Umm WHAT??!! This book is by far my absolute FAVORITE in the series. I cannot put into words how much this book rocked my world. Scarlett St Clair wields her knowledge of Greek Mythology masterfully in A Touch of Malice. I finished this book in one day because I just couldn’t put it down. This book continues with Hades and Persephone slowly learning to communicate with each other. I absolutely loved the way the author wrote about Persephone’s PTSD from her experience in A Touch of Ruin. The character development for Persephone was so well written and Percy is SUCH A BADASS. Plus the spice in this book is HOT. By far the spiciest of this series for sure. The world building in this book has me reeling . Honestly I never missed a beat throughout this book and was enraptured in this amazing character arc for Hades and Persephone. I also loved the conversations about grieving and learning to live with the hurt that losing Lexa caused. It made me tear up honestly because she made the emotional components to this book so completely relatable. I completely recommend this book!! I have no idea what I will do with my life until the next one comes out, but I’m definitely a fan. ["

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May 26, 2021 Verified Purchase

Boitatá 4ever

So much excellent potential unfulfilled, in favor of excessive smut

"This had the potential to become the best book of the series, and yet... On unfulfilled potential: Main character has the means to publish and expose information and control the narrative and she does not-a-thing about it, completely ignoring this resource/weapon. Every time there is a burning truth that needs to be exposed and is twisted by the media and she does not react, it feels like she lost a couple of IQ points. Where is the Advocate? Plot holes and inconsistencies galore. There are so many ways in which power can be wielded that are not explored. Glaring opportunities that are not taken, and even contradictions between what is and what is not possible. Opportunities for strategic dialogue that are substituted with impetuous, petulant rebukes at the worst possible time, from a character that often responds as an ornery, overindulged child. Since Persephone has learned so much since coming to the mortal realm, she should be able to know when to shut up and when to be diplomatic, and when to ask questions and listen further in order to find the best angle to act. This character could have been developed further. There is an existential and philosophical teaser of an interesting conversation at a very informal and simple level that never happens. There are short, loose phrases that are provocative to think about power and human nature and even religion, and these snippets go nowhere. There is so much interesting stuff that could be woven into the story (without detracting from the story), but it remains just a distant reference. There are two extremely interesting plot lines - one along the human realm, including political intrigue and scheming that gets rushed through, and there is another one along the realm of the gods that could also be explored further. There is little space in the book for this as there is a ton of smut for it to contend with. On the smut: I caught myself rolling my eyes at it as it feels like the smut is taking such a huge chunk of the book and completely eating into the space of the plot and character interaction. In fact, the excessive smut slows the pace of the book, and could make it boring for some. Without the smut the plot is fast paced. After a while I just skipped the smut because it was just too much. For those of you who are looking for erotica and the plot is really not important, then yes, this is it. Now, if you want a paranormal romance where steamy scenes are part of telling the story, and the romance of a couple takes center stage along an interesting plot - with obstacles and challenges, etc, then this book may prove frustrating, unless you skip over some of the smut (like I did). Essentially, in my opinion, it's a good book that could have been truly great, if more effort had been put into the plot rather than into the smut. There is a gold mine of opportunity right beneath the surface of what has been written so far. It's a great magical world, with interesting characters and compelling plot-lines. I will be reading the next installment and look forward to it. I am hoping the main character will have evolved a little more, and more opportunities are explored in this next one. ["

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February 8, 2023 Verified Purchase