“He was beautiful in a dark way – in a way that promised heartbreak.” ― Scarlett St. Clair, A Touch of Darkness

Wondering how steamy Scarlett St. Clair’s A Touch of Darkness really is? You’re in the right place.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the spice level of A Touch of Darkness using a 1–5 heat scale. I’ll tell you exactly where the steamy scenes fall, what they’re like, how they compare to other popular fantasy romance reads, and who this book is best (and least) suited for.

Whether you’re diving into fantasy romance for the first time or you’ve already fallen for morally gray gods, this guide will help you decide if A Touch of Darkness deserves a place on your spicy TBR.

With its Greek myth-inspired plot, dark fantasy elements, and passionate fanbase, this book has quickly become a staple in the romantasy world. But let’s be honest: it’s also sparked a lot of curiosity about the steam.

Plot Summary

“I have waited lifetimes for you,” ― Scarlett St. Clair, A Touch of Darkness

A Touch of Darkness is a modern retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth—but with a darker, more seductive twist.

Persephone is a goddess of spring who is trying to live a mortal life in New Athens. She hides her powers, keeps her identity a secret, and dreams of being a journalist. That all changes when she accidentally enters a deal with Hades, god of the underworld, who challenges her to create life in his realm—or lose her freedom.

What begins as a reluctant arrangement quickly turns into a forbidden romance charged with power dynamics, dark temptations, and an undeniable pull between opposites.

This is not your traditional myth. It’s steamy, emotional, and set in a gritty, high-stakes world of gods, mortals, and secrets.

Genre & Tropes in A Touch of Darkness

A Touch of Darkness blends dark fantasy romance with modern mythological retelling. It takes the ancient tale of Hades and Persephone and reimagines it in a contemporary, magic-infused world where gods walk among mortals. The story leans into emotional depth, forbidden attraction, and the gritty tension of a power imbalance turned passionate.

Key Tropes

• Enemies-to-lovers
• Deal with the devil
• Forced proximity
• Forbidden romance
• Grumpy/sunshine (in a darker twist)
• Hidden identity
• Mortal vs. god dynamic
• Slow-burn with steamy payoff

If you love morally gray characters, dark magic, and intense romance, these tropes will hit all the right notes. A Touch of Darkness delivers a rich blend of tension, myth, and heat.

Spice Rating: 4 out of 5

“He was sin incarnate. She could feel it in the way her body responded to his – and she didn’t want him to know.”
― Scarlett St. Clair, A Touch of Darkness

A Touch of Darkness dives into the steam early, but it’s the intensity that stands out. From their first encounter, Hades and Persephone’s chemistry is electric, filled with forbidden tension and emotional stakes.

On a 1–5 spice scale, this book lands at a 4. It features multiple graphic scenes with dominant/submissive dynamics, raw vulnerability, and emotionally charged intimacy. The scenes are explicit, but always tied to character growth and evolving trust.

This isn’t a fade-to-black romance, it’s a bold, passionate story where the spice is just as meaningful as the plot.

Age Rating & Content Warnings

Recommended Age: 18+

Content warnings include

• Explicit sexual content (multiple detailed scenes)
• Power imbalance in the romance
• Dark fantasy themes (death, underworld imagery)
• Mild BDSM and dominance/submission dynamics
• Emotional manipulation
• Parental neglect and trauma
• Alcohol and party scenes

If you’re sensitive to emotional or sexual power dynamics, be aware that this book shows those themes deeply, sometimes without easy resolution.

Steamy Scenes in A Touch of Darkness

Let’s get specific. The most intense scenes happen in the second half of the book, once trust (and obsession) begins to bloom.

First Steamy Scene

“Hades regarded his bound wrists, testing the restraints. When he looked at Persephone, he offered a humorless chuckle, his eyes a dull, lifeless black. “Well, Lady Persephone. It looks like you won.” ― Scarlett St. Clair, A Touch of Darkness

Occurs around the 50% mark. It’s intense, passionate, and represents a shift from desire to action. Expect:

• Dominant/submissive dynamics
• Consent clearly established but not in soft terms
• Language that reflects lust, not romance—at least at first

Later Scenes

“What? Undress you? Happily, and with far more enthusiasm than you realize, my lady.” ― Scarlett St. Clair, A Touch of Darkness

As the story goes on, the scenes:

• Become more frequent
• Deepen emotionally
• Include more intimate communication
• Focus on Persephone’s desires and fears

The sex scenes serve as turning points in the relationship, marking emotional vulnerability and trust as much as physical connection.

One of the book’s biggest strengths? How the physical intimacy reflects Persephone’s inner growth. At the start, she’s unsure, guarded, even resistant. But with each interaction, her confidence builds—not just sexually, but as a goddess and a woman.

Hades, for all his darkness, is deeply respectful of her boundaries. Their relationship flips traditional fantasy tropes on their head. He’s not a villain to conquer—he’s a mirror for her own potential.

So yes, the scenes are hot. But they also matter.

Reader Ratings & Reviews

A Touch of Darkness has become a fan-favorite in the romantasy world, especially among readers who enjoy dark, emotional love stories with spice. Across platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, and BookTok, the book consistently garners solid feedback for both its plot and its steam.

• Goodreads Rating: 4.1/5 based on over 175,000 ratings
• Amazon Rating: 4.3/5 with over 40,000 reviews

What Readers Are Saying

• “Absolutely addictive. The chemistry between Hades and Persephone is off the charts. Couldn’t put it down.”
• “Loved the modern twist on Greek mythology. Emotional, sexy, and surprisingly heartfelt.”
• “The tension was so well-written—I was invested from the start. Hades is the perfect morally gray love interest.”
• “Slow burn but worth the wait. The spice is intense without taking over the story.”

Overall, readers praise the balance of plot, steam, and emotional growth, making it a must-read for fans of fantasy romance with depth.

How A Touch of Darkness Compares to Other Spicy Fantasy Romances

Curious how A Touch of Darkness compares to other steamy fantasy romances? Here’s how it stacks up against some of the genre’s most talked-about titles:

• Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses: Spicier than book one, on par with A Court of Mist and Fury in terms of emotional and physical heat.
• Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash: Very similar spice level, though A Touch of Darkness leans darker in tone and atmosphere.
• Laura Thalassa’s The Bargainer series: Slightly less dark, but delivers comparable tension and sensual payoff.
• Rachel Gillig’s One Dark Window: More romance-forward and arguably spicier, especially in later chapters.

A Touch of Darkness isn’t erotica, but it definitely brings the heat—no fade-to-black, just emotionally charged, myth-infused spice that stays with you.

Spice Check: A Touch of Darkness vs. Other Scarlett St. Clair Books

Scarlett St. Clair has carved a niche for herself in the romantasy genre, known for combining mythological intrigue with emotionally intense, steamy romance. If A Touch of Darkness was your introduction to her work, you might be wondering how it compares to her other series in terms of spice, tone, and romantic buildup.

No matter which book you pick up next, expect vivid emotions, complex characters, and passionate scenes that go beyond just the physical. St. Clair stays consistent in weaving spice with story, and her fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

Conclusion

A Touch of Darkness is a bold, emotionally rich romance that blends dark fantasy with undeniable steam. With a solid 4/5 spice rating, it offers multiple explicit scenes that are deeply tied to character growth, emotional vulnerability, and trust. The slow-burn tension between Hades and Persephone makes each moment feel earned and impactful.

If you’re drawn to mythological retellings with morally gray characters, powerful romance dynamics, and a healthy dose of heat, this book delivers on all fronts. It’s not just about the spice—it’s about the journey, the surrender, and the connection that grows in the shadows.

For readers who want meaningful smut, strong emotional arcs, and stories where the romance is just as powerful as the fantasy world around it, A Touch of Darkness deserves a spot on your shelf—and your heart.