A Touch of Ruin

Hades and Persephone together are just chef's kiss. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first, because I just enjoy them coming together and being together more. The complex emotions in this book really make you think, though. I genuinely enjoyed the different perspectives on the afterlife, and rules the gods follow, morally gray areas and struggles of both the mortals and the gods.

spoilerish
I wish there hadn't been so much miscommunication as the focus in this book. I know it's important that couples (both mortal and gods) learn their love languages together and certain strengths of each relationship, but it felt like miscommunication after miscommunication and miscommunication... that being said when they do work well together, they are magic.

I've finished A Touch of Ruin today, and again, a 3.5 stars.

Was it better than A Touch of Darkness? Yes.

Was it "Persephone not listening to anyone, fucking up and then crying about it" three times in a row? Also yes.

I liked that Scarlett explored Hades and Persephone's relationship and that all those toxic flaws got out. If they managed them well or not, that's another day's conversation.

Also Persephone's way to understanding her surroundings was good but I just wished it didn't feel like she had to be explained things a thousand times before she understood them. It was so frustrating.

Also... can they, like, talk to each other to solve their problems? Okay, I get it, the need to have sex with each other is DEFINITELY there. But... I don't know, I feel like just having sex won't solve your problems... don't you think? After the second time they made this mistake... I honestly lost hope for them.

In A Game of Fate I left in Aphrodite & Hephaestus' ship. In this one I left in Apollo & Hyacinth AND waiting to board Lexa & Thanatos' one.

I'd LOVE a book about Lexa and Thanatos. That'd be such an interesting pair to put together, it would bring a lot of conversation to the table.

I have slightly higher hopes for A Game of Retribution, seeing as I like Hades POV's much better and have much more action.

Still, I would recommend this books, they've been entertaining and I couldn't put them down which gives them points in their favor. And also Greek mythology, am I right?

Second book in the Hades x Persephone series. I started it right after the first book. But then my Ruth Ware hold came in, so A Touch of Ruin was put on pause.

It took a bit for me to get back into it. I felt the ending was kind of rushed, but that story arc continues into the third book (which I've started haha).

Persephone can be bratty and selfish in this book. Maybe that's why I had a hard time getting into it. But even though her actions and decisions have consequences, it turns into a good thing.