A Touch of Malice by Scarlett St. Clair

The reader should know ahead of time that A Touch of Chaos (the last book of the series) will not be out until November (**edit after writing this review the release date was changed to March 2024). This is important for readers, so they know how to pace their reading, because the ending leaves you hanging for the next part of the story. Persephone and Hades are engaged and Demeter is blanketing the world in snow to show her displeasure. Persephone is dealing with planning a wedding, feeling guilty for what her mother is doing, and dealing with a betrayal from Helen while also trying to track down who is attacking the Gods (and how?). Aphrodite asks Persephone to find out who attacked her sister, Hades makes Aphrodite swear she will let him know where she goes while figuring this out. Don’t forget that there are also the games! Demi-gods who want to wage war against the Olympians, and Hades and Aphrodite getting Zeus’s blessing on their engagement (like that would stop these two). While Hades may be a God that the other Olympians fear, it is lucky for him that Persephone has been making friends among the Olympians. When the battle comes it is not a surprise who is on the side of Hades and Persephone, and only slightly a surprise with who was not willing to fight. The ending leaves the reader’s heart in their throat for Hades. That is the only spoiler you will get, and again think about pacing your reading so there is not a large gap between this book, A Game of Gods, and A Touch of Chaos.

Character List/Book Summary:

Persephone “Goddess of Spring” – started her own paper “The Advocate” to give a voice to those who have been wronged, Helen and Leuce work for her. Her magic physically manifests when she is angry she is working with Hades and Hecate on how to control her anger and her magic. Is attacked at the cafe by Lara and ends up questioning her once Hades’s men have her. Her magic makes her bleed when she, Hermes, and Aphrodite break up the Triad meeting that involves hurting Tyche. Hades takes her away to heal. Is shot during the attack at the Games. Agrees to go with Theseus and blocks Hades from following with vines, Hecate helps her save Sybil and Harmonia from Theseus and Demeter. Has to fight her mother in the Underworld.

Hades “God of Precious Metals” “God of the Dead” – cannot heal Harmonia after she is attacked because she is hurt too badly. Gives Persephone an office in his tower for her newspaper and will have an office in all of his buildings for her since she shares in his life. Takes Persephone to his island after the Triad meeting to help her heal after she collapsed in his arms. Gets Zeus’s approval for his engagement to Persephone, but not trusting his brother surprises Persephone with a wedding. After breaking free from Persephone’s vines he looks for her and is taken to the wrong location based on where Theseus placed her wedding ring.

Zofie – Persephone’s aegis and Persephone kept her after she was kidnapped and Hades wanted her gone. Keeps Sybil and Leuce safe at the Triad meeting and was killed by Theseus’s man when she tries to save Persephone from him.

Thanatos “God of Death” – helping Lexa’s soul heal and Persephone realizes he has feelings for her best friend. Brought hundreds of souls that died from the wreck down to the underworld with Hermes and to a waiting Persephone and Hades (Persephone wanted to make the transition easier). Explains to Persephone that Lexa’s soul will be healed and she will not remember him so he is choosing not to love her and be around her so he will not have heartbreak forever.

Hecate “Lady of Tartarus” “Goddess of Witchcraft” – started planning Persephone’s wedding, and explains the traditions behind the Olympians weddings to Persephone. Can reads minds and uses this when she is helping Persephone save Sybil and Harmonia from Theseus. Helps Persephone transport Sybil, Harmonia, Theseus, and Demeter to the Arsenal at Theseus’s demand.

Demeter “Goddess of the Harvest” – attempted to outwit the Fates by keeping Persephone, her daughter, isolated. Her magic is helping those that are attacking the Gods, Harmonia felt Demeter’s magic and hoped she was there to help save her. Had been friends with Tyche. When Persephone found her mother in a museum hiding in plain sight, Demeter admitted that she killed Tyche and she was helping those attacking the Gods. Fought her daughter in the Underworld.

Aphrodite “Goddess of Love” – was a gift to Hephaestus, but wanted to marry him. Sent Hermes to get Hades and Persephone when her sister was attacked while walking her dog. Asks Persephone to find out who hurt her sister. Crashes the meeting that Persephone and Hermes went to in hopes of finding out who was hurting the Gods. When Zeus wants to fight Persephone and Hades, she sides with Persephone.

Hephaestus “God of Fire” – tells Hades he does not know what happened to his sister-in-law she just appeared in their house beaten, bloodied, and with her horns cut off. He wants to know why anyone would hurt a God, and his sister-in-law specifically. When Zeus wants to fight Persephone and Hades, he sides with his wife and Hades and Persephone.

Zeus – must approve all Divine marriages. Throws Persephone and Hades an engagement party and blesses their wedding after his oracle says they will create a god more powerful than Zeus. Hades explains the Fates took away his ability to father a child so it is not going to happen.

Hera “Goddess of Marriages” – her hero died in the Games, before the attack took place. Blesses Persephone and Hades getting married and puts the condition that if they have a child it will be terminated. Theseus tells Persephone that Hera has been helping him the longest.

Leuce – a water nymph, recently human again and living with Zofie. Tells Persephone that Helen is brainwashed and fighting on the wrong side after Helen betrays Persephone.

Ilias – works with Zofie to find the woman who attacked Persephone at the cafe. Manages Hades’s estate, which is at least six (6) houses.

Sybil – does not like Ben who seems to really like her. Persephone notices something strange about the way Sybil looks at Harmonia but does not tell her about it. Is kidnapped along with Harmonia by Theseus.

Hermes “God of Thieves” “God of Mischief” – tells Persephone about his son Pan who died when he finds her at Lexa’s grave. Swears to protect Persephone with his life when he takes her to the Triad meeting. Attends the wedding, and shortly after tells Persephone and Hades Zeus has called for their separation. Sides with Hades and Persephone when Zeus is ready to fight.

Apollo “God of Music” “God of the Sun” God of Healing” – was called to heal Harmonia, and Hades asks him what he saw. He was not able to see what caused the damage as Harmonia was blocking the trauma. Silent about Hades and Persephone during the first council meeting. Comes to Persephone to after he messed up and kissed both Ajax and Hector, his heroes for the Games. Persephone gives him advice he does not like but listens to. Sides with Persephone and Hades when Zeus wants to fight.

Ben – claims he is Sybil’s boyfriend, works at 4 Olives. Claims he is an oracle, Sybil yells at him because he is not trained and just spouting out stuff that may not be coming from an oracle does not make him one. When Persephone questions him on where Sybil is he admits Demeter was telling him what to tell Persephone and he is not a real oracle.

Harmonia “Goddess of Harmony” – Aphrodite’s sister, least combative of the gods, visits Persephone after she is healed to tell her that Demeter’s magic was used in her attack. Kidnapped by Theseus with Sybil, Persephone heals her at the entrance to the Underworld.

Lara – attacked Persephone at the cafe. Explains she believes in the triad because Zeus raped her and he has no consequences. Hades sends her to Hecate’s safe house and encourages her to tell Hecate what happens if she wants, but that she will be safe and cared for at the safe house. Hecate castrates Zeus after she hears what he did to Lara.

Ivy – receptionist/guard at Hades’s office tower. Is in debt to Hades and Persephone. Tells Harmonia about a horse rescue ranch that Hades is just starting.

Hypnos “God of Sleep” – Thanatos’s brother, sentenced to live in the Underworld after putting  to Zeus to sleep twice. Hades asks him to help Persephone with her inability to sleep. Questions Persephone on her kidnapping by Pirithous and suggests how to change the dream and that might help her sleep.

Tyche “Goddess of Fortune and Prosperity” – restrained of the meeting of the Triad. Speaks with Persephone in the Underworld about Demeter – how she was raped by Poseidon and Zeus refused to punish him. Reinforces that Demeter’s trauma is making her act this way it is not Persephone’s fault or responsibility to fix her mother.

Jaison – attacks Persephone at the meeting because she did not save Lexa. Persephone’s magic breaks and she ends up killing him.