Thank you NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and I was ELATED to be able to read it early. What a wild ride this was. A Drop Of Venom was one of my fave reads this year and this book takes place around the same time. We follow Eshani, Manisha's older sister, who is surviving a war with her family the Naga people. She makes a deal with shades in order to save her family and the dark deal comes back to haunt her. We also follow Hiran, a disgraced prince of the underworld who is in hiding from his horrible older brother who views him as a threat to the throne. Together, they must work to save both realms and their families from the terrorizing Shadow King and the plauge that is threatening to wipe out the underworld.

I truly loved how this series is meshing indian and greek mythologies. The way the underworld is described is truly haunting and got me a lil spooked at times! I also loved the new details we learn about the world and how it has influenced what we read in A Drop of Venom. This book is just as dark as the first, lots of gore and rape culture is present. Keep that in mind if you would like to pick this series up. I am very excited for this trilogy to be completed, I will be hoping to get approved for the arc of book 3 whenever that comes out!

I’ll read anything that is under Rick Riordans “name” publisher? Whatever it’s called, but I love them all and this one was phenomenal. Can’t wait for the rest!

A captivating read from start to finish, full of action, adventure, mystery and romance. The mix of Greek mythology with Indian lore was just sublime! I loved every second of this!!

A second offering from Patel's Drop of Venom world which weaves Indian and Greek mythology together beautifully! Whereas Drop of Venom focused on the story of Medusa, A Touch of Blood is the story of Persephone and it's really good! I love that RRP is giving more YA stories with a touch of violence and more thrilling elements! My ooooonly quibble is that I feel like this one, like DoV, is just a bit too didactic? I still loved it and look forward to whatever comes next!

3.75 stars

*Rick Riordan Presents: A Touch of Blood* by Sajni Patel is an exhilarating young adult fantasy that blends mythology with modern-day struggles. The story follows its brave protagonist, who discovers a hidden legacy of supernatural power tied to ancient Indian mythology. Patel’s writing is dynamic and fast-paced, filled with engaging characters and thrilling action. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery and her exploration of family secrets adds emotional depth to the narrative. With a rich cultural backdrop and exciting plot twists, *A Touch of Blood* is a captivating read for fans of mythology, fantasy, and coming-of-age adventures.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. Another great read by Sajni Patel. Ive always enjoyed myths and new takes on old ones. I’ve really enjoyed the series and can’t wait to see what’s next!

As an educator and someone who has enjoyed this series for sometime, as well as its imprint, I appreciated how this book added a different dimension to this universe. A perfect tale for readers who enjoy a little bit of fright along with fantastic elements.