It’s time for some more mini romance reviews – it’s been a while since I’ve done some. So today I’m sharing my thoughts on Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight and A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone #1) by Scarlett St. Clair. These are both recent romances that I have read this year, and both of them were a little out of my comfort zone.
While I love reading retellings, especially mythology bases ones, I haven’t read many that are also romances as well. And while I have read on the darker side of romance, Den of Vipers is way darker than I have read before. Anyway, let’s get into it.
Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight
Pages: 654
Publish date: July 10th 2020
Publisher: –
ASIN: B08818YQB5
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU
Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel—The Vipers.
They run this town and everyone in it. Their deals are as sordid as their business, and their reputation is enough to bring a grown man to his knees, forcing him to beg for mercy. They are not people you mess with, yet my dad did. The old man ran up a debt with them and then sold me to cover his losses.
Yes, sold me.
They own me now.
I’m theirs in every sense of the word. But I’ve never been meek and compliant. These men, they look at me with longing. Their scarred, blood-stained hands holding me tight. They want everything I am, everything I have to give, and won’t stop until they get just that. They can own my body, but they will never have my heart.
The Vipers? I’m going to make them regret the day they took me.
This girl? She bites too.
Den of Vipers:
I didn’t know what to expect when I picked Den of Vipers up. I saw it floating around the bookish community, especially the romance community and it caught my eye. Like I said I haven’t read many dark romances before, but I wanted to give this one a go. And while I did really enjoy it, this book is not for everyone.
This is a dark, complicated, reverse harem romance that has some very questionable moments. Den of Vipers by K.A Knight follows Roxy as she is thrown into the world of the Vipers. Into their complex, messy world. She doesn’t know what to do with herself. Roxy wants out. She wants to be free, but soon she starts to feel at home. The power starts to creep up on her, the violence. Soon Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel aren’t just the men that are keeping her, but so much more. 
Photo by Ed Leszczynskl on Unsplash
As I’ve said Den of Vipers is not for everyone. It’s not for most people really. It’s explicit, harsh and doesn’t hold back. The characters and grey, but more on the dark side of life. Some things happened throughout the story, that if they happened in real life – I would hate. However, in the context of the book – it sorta works.
I really enjoyed all the protagonist of Den of Vipers. Roxy is hard and doesn’t take shit from anyone. Ryder is the leader and the protector, Garrett is the one that is dark and mysterious but will scare you. Kenzo is one of the more ‘normal’ vipers. And then there is Diesel, who I can’t even begin to explain Diesel.
If you aren’t used to dark romances, reverse harem’s and very complicated characters and stories this is not for me. Please don’t just dive into this book. It’s not an easy read. There were times where I had to just put the book down and rejig my brain. But if you enjoy reading dark things – it’s a great read. Just be ready for it.
Overall Den of Vipers was an intense, dark read that I wasn’t expecting to like as much as I did. There are things that happened that took me a while to comprehend, but this is a dark romance that doesn’t shy away. The romance was interesting and not something I’ve delved into reading much. If you are looking for something different and entertaining then this is for you. If you are looking for something dark and questionable, then this is for you.
A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone #1) by Scarlett St. Clair
Pages: 299
Publish date: May 23rd 2019
Publisher: –
ASIN: B07S9HLL34
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU
Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shrivelled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist.
Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favourite bets are rumoured to be impossible.
After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever.
The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows—and it’s forbidden.
A Touch of Darkness:
Mythology-based retellings are my favourite, hands down. Because of that, A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair was an easy pick up for me. It’s a modern romance between Hades and Persephone retelling, what more can I ask for? I’ve read a few modern mythology retellings here and there, but not a whole lot, so this was still new to me. And I loved it.
A Touch of Darkness follows Persephone as she tries to find her place. Instead of her powers flourishing, she kills. She can’t keep things alive. Now in the mortal world, she tries to keep in the shadows as a journalist. Then she makes a deal with the devil – with Hades. Now in contract with Hades, Persophone needs to create life in the Underworld, or she will be stuck there forever.
Persephone was a great protagonist. With all the retellings I have read, there hasn’t been many that had her as the main character. So it felt like a fresh start for me. There were many bumps for her, but I enjoyed that a lot. I loved that I didn’t love her right from the start. She is complicated, sometimes a mess but that is what makes her such a good protagonist.
I adore the first meeting between Persephone and Hades. It was hot, mysterious and left me wanting more. The tension between these two was fantastic! I wanted more and more. I also really enjoyed the banter between the two of them. The back and forth. Because of all this, the romance was fantastic and something that I really enjoyed reading.
Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash
While there were things that happened that were predictable – I don’t hate that. I like that I can guess things and figure out what’s going to happen next. But this didn’t take away from the book at all. It actually made me want to continue reading even more.
Overall, A Touch of Darkness is a great read. Like most books it has, its issues, however, I enjoyed the characters, the plot and the romance. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I already have book 2 and I’m hoping that I can get to it soon. Hades and Persephone are fantastic together and I’m intrigued to see where the story is taken. This is a hot and sexy modern retelling that keeps the reader wanting more.
Have you read either Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight or A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair? What did you think of them? Are you planning on reading them? What are some of your favourite dark romances? What are some of your romance mythology retellings? Let’s Chat!
For more dark romances check out my reviews on Hades Hangman series by Tillie Cole and Dead Man Walking by Giana Darling. For more retellings check out some of my favourite retellings and the 5 reasons why I love The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.
I bought this one very recently, actually while I was out with Angel. It’s not my usual sort of book—it’s an adult historical literary fiction with maybe some kind of fantastical or magical realism elements, but it sounds amazing. I won’t lie—it was the cover that originally drew me into this one, but it’s also set in Scotland. I think Scotland is an amazing setting for historical fiction—there’s just something so mysterious and atmospheric about it. Of course, it’s also a gorgeous place in real life as well. Since it’ll probably be years before I can get back to Scotland for a visit, I’m instead using this as a way of escaping there!
