Book review by Corey
A Touch of Malice
A Touch of Malice picks up with Persephone and Hades trying to move forward with their relationship while the world around them becomes more dangerous. Their plans are complicated by the gods, political tension, old enemies, and the growing consequences of Persephone stepping more fully into her own power.
This book feels bigger than the earlier ones because the romance is still important, but the conflict around them starts to take over more of the story. There is more danger, more mythology, and a stronger sense that the series is heading toward something much larger.
The Goods
- Bigger stakes than the earlier books
- More mythology and conflict
- Persephone shows more growth
- Strong chemistry between Hades and Persephone
- Good setup for what comes next
The Bads
- Still very romance-heavy
- Some drama feels repetitive
- A few conflicts take too long to resolve
- Side characters could use more depth
- The pacing is uneven in places
My Recommendation
This is a strong continuation if you already enjoy the series and want more than just the romance between Hades and Persephone. The story opens up quite a bit here, with more danger, politics, and mythology becoming part of the bigger picture. It still has plenty of relationship drama, but the wider conflict gives the book more weight than the earlier entries.