Review of A Touch of Malice by Scarlett St. Clair

 A Touch of Malice (book #3) by Scarlett St. Clair

"All I could think is that I could have brought them peace and instead they brought me agony." pg 114

Buckle up because here we go again! St. Clair's third book in the A Touch of Darkness series is another hit! The way St. Clair is able to interweave such a powerful romance along with adding the actual myth stories from antiquity is truly brilliant. She makes the modern age and ancient times blend into this new fantasy world that I'm honestly dying to be a part of! This book is a really good addition to the story because it's about so much and makes really powerful comments on tough subjects. It covers topics of love, sex & sexuality, death, grief, and faith; all with the background of a war brewing. This story discusses the different types of trauma and how the fear of that trauma can present itself. 

We pick up with Hades and Persephone engaged and trying to figure out how to move on from the events of A Touch of Ruin. Their love is as passionate and strong as it's ever been, but Persephone finds herself wanting to untie the darknesses of Hades and his sexual fantasies. Along with those troubles, Demeter is raging a horrific winter in the Upperworld that is causing distress on all fronts. Lastly, we find a new terrorist group emerging determined to bring down the Olympians. There's training, death, carnage, fear, loss, and tragedy around every corner. It's honestly incredibly exciting! My favorite part is how Persephone must come into her powers in order to protect herself. I love that even though she has Hadas, a God, and a King, she refuses to be the damsel in distress and instead fights to protect herself. 

Stand out quote: 

"Before you, I only knew loneliness, even in a room full of people  -- it was an ache, sharp and cold and constant and I was desperate to fill it." pg 69 

Some questions to ponder: 

If you could expand on anyone's story within this novel who's would it be? 

On p. 195-196 Helen and Persephone discuss the role of the divine, how would you connect this to real-world religion? 

Persephone still visits with Lexa through this novel, do you think this helps or hinders her in moving on? 

On p. 307, Tyche and Persephone discus Demeter's why in her rage, how does understanding this help you understand the Goddess? 

What do you think will happen in book four? 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to read A Touch of Darkness and A Touch of Ruin! 

-MDB