3.25 stars
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange of a honest opinion.
A Game of Retribution is the second book with Hades POV, following the story of "A Touch of Ruin". As a fan of the series, I was really excited for this book and although it was nice to see some of my favorite characters again, it felt very much as a re-read.
I really enjoyed to see the "backstage" of Hades dealings, some of his interactions with the other Gods and Titans away from Persephone but I think it wasn't enough. In particular, his interactions with Persephone from his point of view just made me annoyed with her for always doing the complete opposite of what she was supposed to do and ask questions later (I think I was able to accept some of her actions in the main series). Additionally, I love some spice in my books but I think it was a bit too much when I noticed I was skimming through those scenes because I had already seen that before.
The positive points was Hermes and Hecate. I like their relationship with Hades very much and I was savoring the book every time they came into the scene. I also liked to see the foreshadowing of the war that is about to happen after reading "A Touch of Malice".
Overall is a fun read but if you want to stick with the main series, you will get the message the same way.

Thank you Scarlett St. Clair and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader's Copy 3 days prior to the release of the book.

This book has finally answered so many of my questions- Where was Hades in the times he was not with Peresphone? He must have his share of doubts and insecurities regarding this relationship, what are they? More friendship between the three Hs- Hades, Hecate and Hermes!! Loved it. It's best to not talk about the 4th H( Hera), lest she take away her blessings from me! 😛 I can't wait to read A Game of Gods now!

This is the second book in the HadesxPersephone series from the perspective of Hades. I am really enjoying the incorporation of different side quests throughout his series of books, so even with the parallels of the Persephone series there's enough new to keep the reader interested. The divine characters definitely get more depth in these books as well, which is nice because it fills in the blanks from Persephone's series.

There is so much more to this book than "A Touch of Ruin from Hades' point of view". Hades has so much going on that we don't get to see in A Touch of Ruin and Persephone's POV. Part of me is annoyed at Hades for keeping so much from Persephone, but he grew so much during this book (as did Persephone) and I love that we get to see everything leading up to A Touch of Malice and eventually, A Touch of Chaos. This book really shows how complex the world of the Gods is and I can't wait to see how everything ends. I also love Hades' relationships with Hecate and Hermes and all the little moments in the underworld which show his humanity. This series is just so much fun and if you love these characters, Hades' POV is a must read!

With Touch of Darkness, I definitely enjoyed the Hades Saga side much more than the main series. I expected the same to be true here. Especially since I wasn't that big of a fan of Touch of Ruin. My main problem with a Touch of Ruin was the constant lack of communication between Hades and Persephone. I don't mind the miscommunication trope but this was like... the miscommunication couple. I also didn't necessarily love the way that Persephone treats Hades throughout that novel. That kind of brings up the main issue with this novel as well. Seeing Hades side of things intensified my frustration with both characters. The whole novel was miscommunication after miscommunication and then these two fighting.

I like Hades' character and the relationships he has with Hecate and Hermes. I think his internal narrative is hilarious and he's grumpy and jaded in the best ways. I think his handling of Persephone is terrible. I think seeing his thoughts on everything and knowing that he consistently blames himself for all the issues in their relationship, made this that much harder to read. I think I enjoyed this book the most when Persephone was not around, lol. In addition, the book didn't feel that cohesive. It felt like just a BTS of Touch of Ruin rather than its own book.

Hoping for better when I read a Touch of Malice and the following Hades saga books. St. Clair you've let me down with this one.

I absolutely adore Scarlett St Clair - and she never disappoints!

The mix of myth and legend is always a fun read with this series, but the spice in this was *ahem* extra spicy! Hades POV was definitely my favourite aspect, and I love reading their relationship!

Full of drama, emotion and romance - this is one to read if you have enjoyed her previous books!

I did find Hades storyline interesting and was fun to see what he was up to when he disappeared all those times in A touch of ruin. It was also fun to see what went on in that head of his! May I also add that he is a certified alcoholic and everyone knows it because that man went through about 200,000 glasses of whiskey from the start to the end of the book.

Overall I’m really excited to see what A game of gods brings! I highly recommend that you read this as it’s a different storyline to A touch of darkness and those books as, they follow Persephone pov (the last one is a dual pov)

I’m a big fan of Greek mythology so a modern day retelling seemed right up my alley but I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I haven’t read the other books in the series though I did feel like there was enough backstory given in this book that I didn’t feel like I was missing out on a lot. While I enjoy a well-written sex scene, I thought the sex on the book was a lot. Like my eyes started glazing over and I started skipping sections to get back to the story.

I'm not sure what the Hades Saga really adds to what is otherwise a very good series. A complete retelling of A Touch of Ruin but from Hades perspective, it feels like a completely different (albeit action packed and intense) story which pauses occasionally to intersect with the main book. It didn't quite work for me, but I still adore the main series and will continue to pick that up!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

*check trigger warnings - suicide, self harm, abduction, some gore, mention of SA, cheating*

I was so excited to get back into the story that reignited my love for reading!

This was a great addition to the series, and I loved being introduced to other well-known Greek myth characters. The way that the author personifies each character in her reimagining is clever, but doesn’t lead you astray if you’re not too familiar with popular Greek myth characters. It’s not heavy-handed, either.

As was seen in the previous Hades pov, we are given more backstory as to what Hades is up to, as well as more plot progression of the overarching story. I’m not sure what St Clair puts in these books, but they’re so addictive. I finished this in two days. I really enjoyed the dialogue, the character development, banter, spice and action! Each descriptor played out in my head like a movie. I cannot wait for the rest of the series to be released.

Also, I am a Hades/Hermes stan for life. Their banter and friendship is perfection - I can’t get enough. The author is amazing at giving each character so much personality in their limited dialogue. Im so sad that I have to wait to find out what happens next. Until then, I’ll just have to reread them in the order they take place (and not publication order like I have originally done xD).

You definitely cannot and shouldn’t read the ATOD series without reading these, too.

4/5⭐️
3/5🌶 (more scenes than in previous books in the series, but all very similar. They’re more used as a device to enhance Persephone and Hades’ relationship/necessary to the plot and how they express their feelings towards one another)

-miscommunication trope (can be frustrating, but necessary and well done to show character development and development of relationship)
-banter
-queer rep
-morally Grey love interest (“I’ll burn down this world for [her]”/touch her and I’ll torture you in Tartarus forever)
-mommy issues
-coming into one’s own power
-action/some suspense
-found family
-cliffhanger

It has been so long since I read ATOR it almost felt like I was going in blind while reading but I was able to easily get into the story and remember what had happened in the previous book.

I really love reading Hades perspective. We get to see just how far he will go to keep Persephone and how hard he fights for her. We got to see a lot of good character growth for Hades. I binge read AGOR in two sittings it was so hard to put it down!

Just like previous books AGOR is spicy! Sometimes I feel like it was more spicy reading Hades perspective than reading Persephone.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the e-ARC

We continue with Hades POV with A Game of Retribution, which is during A Touch of Ruin.

WOW! The more we read, the more we discover information that we were unaware of. It feels like an iceberg. The books of Hades are the part hidden underwater. I was going over all the emotions when I was reading. The moment with Helios and his cow made me laugh so much. You already know Hermes has been my favorite from the very start. He is hilarious.

“Get wet, Daddy Death,” Hermes said.

I love this book. We understand more about Hades and his fear. I love to see more of Hecate. She helps Hades to understand how Persephone feels about his actions and secrets. I was surprised sometimes like the actions of Hera and I liked being surprised. If you like A Touch of Ruin, you're going to love this book. Scarlett St. Clair is the queen of mythology. Her story of Hades and Persephone is one of the best and my favorites. She continues to prove it with this remarkable book. I can’t wait for the next books.

Arc Copy thanks to NetGalley! I literally squealed when I was approved for this arc! Hearing Hades and Persephone’s story from Hades perspective fills in gaps, and answers questions I had reading Hades x Persephone’s Saga! My opinion of the things Hades did or didn’t do has totally shifted!!! I couldn’t put this down, and only did to sleep!

"darling I would burn this world for you"

Omg
I absolutely tote through this. I am very familiar with the books in A Touch of Darkness trilogy and have read A Game of Fate so I knew what I was getting into with this one. Over the moon the have been able to read this in advance. The writing style is just like previous books so there's no change and the world building is the same as before.
This is the next instalment from Hades POV and I love how it gives an insight to the other half of the story.
Cannot wait for the next one!!

Absolutely and utterly obsessed with anything that Ms. St. Clair has written. This book is no exception. Reading the Hades and Persephone love story from Hades POV was just as riveting as it was to read it from hers in the Touch of Darkness series, and book 2 was just as strong as book one. No matter how many variations of their story I have read, these maintain a unique touch that makes them refreshing for the reader!

This book was really good. I like the story. I am so happy I can say that I liked this one a bit more than the first Hades book.

A big thank you gos to NetGalley and author Scarlett St. Clair for allowing me to read this book. Looking forward to have the book in my bookshelf!
What to say about the cover? It's STUNNING!!
This is the second book from Hades's POV (the first one is A Game Of Fate) that follows the saga A touch of darkness (from Phersephone POV) - the second book of the saga A touch of ruin.
I must say that I really enjoyed this book, more than the saga from Persephone's POV. I like how the author put differences in the writing: Hades is more firm, hard and direct. Persephone is more kind, strong and loving. The difference is clear. And I LOVE IT.
You can actually feel the love that Hades has for Persephone. He will do anything for her, for them.
Is nice to see how Phersephone is growing (read this book and you'll know what I mean) and see it from Hades's POV, how he adores her, encourages her. But, but, but...
The things I didn't like are: Persephone would like an open relationship, how could she not? But I think Hades has too many secrets and he should be more open to her, talk more and not solve everything, (every fight, arguing and all) just with sex. And this is a problem that I found irritating even in the previous Hades's book.
He should listen to people when he askes for advices and not just ignore it. XD
And how he's actually controlling. Persephone has been under her mother control, living inside a glass to protect her, but I found Hades's fear of losing her as much as controlling as Demeter. This is something I didn't notice in the books form Persephone's POV.
Hopes to see more talking from the hottest couple of the Greek mithology.

In the end, reason on why you should read it:

A GAME OF RETRIBUTION is book 2 in the HADES SAGA where we are reunited with Hades & Persephone, and I could not be more excited about it. Scarlett St. Clair is an incredible storyteller and like the last, this book was beautifully detailed with amazing world-building, and I just love having Hades' point of view.

Sequel to A Game of Fate (A Touch of Ruin but Hades POV).

Was this just a book of compiled sex scenes? Pretty much! The sparse chunks of plot seemed to be sprinkled throughout the spice. The spice was great though.

If you haven’t read A Touch of Ruin (main series, this story but Persephone’s pov) you would probably rate this higher. I don’t feel that there is enough substance for retelling the story from Hades’ POV. You do learn some new aspects, but at this point in the series, what you learn isn’t worth the book price (who know what will come into play within the main series).

Having read A Touch of Ruin, it was easy to connect scenes and the order. That said, some scenes felt jumped into. A Touch of Ruin-Persephone’s pov- felt more in order with necessary scene build up/ support.

I will most likely continue with Hades’ pov. I really like the series idea. You will definitely appreciate these more coming from the original series (Persephone’s pov).

Special thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this digital ARC!

So, I’ll be honest. This is my first book is this series. I know I’m reading the books completely out of order. Thankfully, Scarlett St. Clair’s writing is good, and her knowledge of Greek myology make it easy to keep pace.

Hades is willing to move MOUNTAINS, MOUNTAINS for Persephone! Yet, the relationship between Hades and Persephone seems so incredibly unhealthy.

Thanks to the miscommunication trope, I struggled to read the last 90%. I grew so tired of their toxic relationship. It is borderline emotionally abusive. The consistent fighting did not entertain me. An argumentative partner is a huge red flag for me, but that’s just my opinion.

Again, I like the writing and would like to see what Scarlett St. Clair has in the future. And while I did not enjoy Hades and Persephone’s dynamic, I think fans of Neon Gods and Greek mythology might enjoy this book.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and Netgalley for gifting me a copy for review!