A Touch of Ruin / A Game of Retribution (Tandem Read)
Hades x Persephone #2
Hades Saga #2
By Scarlett St. Clair
*Read in tandem*
*A Game of Retribution is Hades’ perspective during A Touch of Ruin*
TheStory
A Touch of Ruin follows Persephone and Hades’ relationship after it has become public. Even though they are gods, they are living in the mortal realm, and with that comes a lot of public scrutiny into their relationship. While dealing with her status as a goddess and working as a journalist, Persephone also has trials and challenges being thrown at her just as a woman.
When Hades refuses to help, Persephone enters into yet another deal with the god Apollo. Thus, a rift forms between the two lovers. Deals with gods don’t always go according to plan, and this one might disrupt Persephone’s life permanently, as well as Hades’.
TheReview
These books were intense to say the least. But we won’t just say the least. We will dive into full blown detail about why.
It was just one disaster after another. One fight after another. Etcetera, etcetera. They took a little bit of time to really get into but shortly after starting, they were incredible.
This is one of the first fantasy books that felt like the main characters had a real relationship. There were real issues between Hades and Persephone. There was mistrust on both sides. Doubt was a central issue. Miscommunications were happening all over the place. The fights, anger, and betrayal were rough. It is certainly a roller coaster of a relationship.
Additionally, Hades and Persephone have their own inner demons and personal issues to deal with on top of their relationship problems. They both have a serious lack of communication skills and control issues. But it made watching them learn and grow so special.
Persephone specifically grew so much in these books. She learns to stop forcing herself into a box that she created herself. I wasn’t her biggest fan in the previous books but this one made me really like her. She starts to take everything in stride and accept her Fate.
Let’s talk about Persephone’s dark side a little bit! *ooohh.* She fully embodies that someone is not all one thing - not necessarily good or bad. When dealing with betrayal, a darkness can come out. Suddenly, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.
A Game of Retribution follows Hades’ life and situations apart from Persephone much more than A Game of Fate did. It’s such a big eye opener into seeing what is going on “behind the scenes” with Hades.
TheTandemRead
Doing these two reads in tandem gave us so much more insight into Hades’ character. A Touch of Ruin would have been great even without the Tandem read but doing both books together was so worth it. I appreciated the tandem read of these two even more than the previous ones because it seemed so much more insightful. It seemed like there was a deeper purpose to A Game of Retribution.
Highly recommend reading these two side by side.
A Touch of Ruin
and
A Game of Retribution
Tandem Reading Guide
TheRating
Storyline: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 4/5
Spice: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Overall: ATOR - 5/5; AGOR - 4/5
Hades x Persephone Series
A Touch of Darkness
Hades x Persephone #1
A Touch of Ruin
Hades x Persephone #2
A Touch of Malice
Hades x Persephone #3
A Touch of Chaos
Hades x Persephone #4
Hades Saga
A Game of Fate
Hades Saga #1
A Game of Retribution
Hades Saga #2
A Game of Gods
Hades Saga #3