A Touch of Darkness Summary and Themes
Persephone, Goddess of Spring, has been without magical
powers her entire life. She poses as a mortal woman; she attends college to
study journalism and is about to start an internship at the illustrious New
Athens News. Her best friend, Lexa, convinces her to visit Nevernight, a casino
and nightclub owned by Hades; at the club, they encounter Adonis, Sibyl, and
other mortals who become their friends. Persephone becomes separated from Lexa
and enters a private gambling den, where an attractive stranger teaches her
poker. She soon realizes that he is Hades himself. Hades is well-known for
making impossible bargains with mortals, so Persephone leaves in fear and
frustration. At home, she notices a mark on her wrist where Hades touched her.
Persephone goes to her internship, where her editor gives her
creative freedom. She discovers that Adonis is a senior reporter. She then goes
to Nevernight and demands an audience with Hades, who tells her that because
she gambled with him and lost, she must now fulfill a contract with him. He
demands that she create life in the Underworld. She reveals her powerlessness
before returning home. Later, her mother, Demeter, questions her about having
gone to Nevernight, but Persephone hides the truth. She decides to write an
article about Hades and his contracts. After a brief confrontation in front of
Adonis, Hades commands her to return that night and get a tour of the
Underworld. She returns to the club that evening but, in her impatience,
stumbles into the Underworld without Hades’s supervision. There, corpses attack
her until Hermes intervenes. Hades arrives, tends to Persephone’s wounds, and
kisses her to give her teleportation magic so she can enter the Underworld
whenever she wants.
Persephone tries to plant seeds in an Underworld garden. She
meets Hecate, Goddess of Magic, and sees Asphodel, where most souls are sent
when they die. She and Hades play rock, paper, scissors and debate a man’s
petition for his wife’s return. The next day, Persephone writes an impassioned
first draft of an article, which Adonis reads without her permission. She and
Hermes secretly watch Hades cure a woman’s daughter of cancer. Later,
Persephone and Hades again debate the nature of his contracts. The next
morning, she discovers that her article was published. She confronts Adonis
about publishing it without her permission, but her editor asks her to write
more articles about Hades. Lexa takes Persephone to another nightclub to
celebrate; they again encounter Adonis and his friends. The two women dance and
drink but ingest drugged cocktails without their knowledge. Adonis grabs
Persephone and begins forcefully kissing her against her will, but Hades repels
him and takes her to the Underworld to recover from the assault.
The next morning, Hades and Persephone argue about her new
article. Hecate comforts her and challenges her to see Hades’s contract in a
new light. Persephone’s editor gives her tickets to the Olympian Gala before
Minthe arrives and gives her a clue for growing life in the Underworld.
Persephone visits with the souls in Asphodel, who give her a crown. She and
Hades share an intimate moment that is interrupted by Minthe. Several days
later, Persephone and Lexa attend the Gala. Hades presents the Halcyon Project,
an outreach program devoted to helping mortals who struggle with addiction. In
his speech, he thanks Persephone for inspiring him. Aphrodite tries to corner
her for a conversation, but Persephone escapes and starts to leave. Hades
invites her to dance and then invites her back to the Underworld. There, the
two consummate their relationship.
The next morning, Persephone feels her magic for the first
time but is unable to find its source. With Hades’s permission, Persephone
travels to Elysium with the god Thanatos. He reveals that Hades’s bargains are
actually attempts to make deals with the Fates, and all the souls who fail
their contracts are sent to Elysium to recover and eventually reincarnate.
Persephone trains with Hecate to master her magic and plans a ball with some of
the Asphodel souls. At her internship, she fights with Adonis, who is fired for
his misbehavior. Several weeks later, she receives a threatening email from
Adonis with incriminating photographs of herself and Hades. She tries to ignore
the threat and enjoys a date night with Hades, which culminates in her mother’s
intruding on them and discovering their contract. The next day, Persephone
arrives at work to find Aphrodite waiting for her. Aphrodite reveals that she
and Hades had a bet as to whether he could make someone fall in love with him
within six months. Heartbroken at having been used, Persephone leaves for the
Underworld to find the Well of Reincarnation, hoping to complete her contract.
At the well, a soul that is chained to a pillar as punishment
attacks her. Hades rescues her, and the two fight about his bet with Aphrodite.
Persephone confesses that she loves him, but when he does not reciprocate, she
summons vines to capture him, fulfilling the terms of her contract. She returns
to the mortal realm, where she has Lexa’s boyfriend hack Adonis’s devices and
delete the pictures of her and Hades. She confronts Adonis and Minthe, the
person who supplied the photos, turning Minthe into a mint plant. She then
travels and confronts her mother for withholding worshippers and, thus,
preventing her magic from manifesting. Demeter refuses to accept Persephone as
an adult and a goddess, causing a rift in their relationship.
Persephone graduates and works full time at New Athens News.
She is eventually visited by Hecate, who asks her to return to the Underworld.
Hades waits for Persephone, and the two have an emotional reconciliation after
sharing words of love. Persephone gives him the mint plant, which they place in
the Underworld gardens. Hades gives Persephone a private grove to practice her
magic.
A Touch of Darkness Summary and Themes - Character Analysis
PERSEPHONE
Persephone, the
Goddess of Spring, begins the novel as a powerless goddess who poses as a
mortal while attending journalism school in New Athens. She is a beautiful
blonde with green eyes who must rely on her mother’s magic to create a glamour
that hides her horns,
a symbol of her divinity. She enjoys her quiet life of relative anonymity but
struggles to meet the demands of her overprotective mother, Demeter. She has a
strong moral compass, which is quickly revealed by her disdain for Hades and
the contracts he creates with mortals.
As Persephone
gains power, experience, and social standing, her desire to impact the world
grows. She points out things that she perceives to be wrongs, challenges
authority, and stands up for her beliefs. This shows a fundamental shift in her
ideology; she moves from personifying her mother to wanting to actively change
the world she lives in. Her actions culminate in her claiming agency over her
life and shedding ties with toxic people as she becomes empowered enough to
make her own decisions. The time she spends masquerading as a mortal gives her
much-needed insights into mortal struggles, granting her a perspective that many of the divine beings lack. Thus, when she comes into her magical
ability, she manages to follow her moral compass and seeks to be a positive
force in the world.
HADES
Hades is a
powerful god with several domains, including wealth, and is the King of the
Underworld. He is tall with black hair and has horns like a gazelle, which he usually covers with glamour. He owns a nightclub,
Nevernight, and is well-known for making impossible bargains with mortals while
he gambles. This is later revealed to be an attempt to help them change their
lives for the better, but his disdain for rumors leads him to keep this
information to himself, even in the face of public scandal and derision. He
also has a complicated sense of self-worth, as he sees himself as unworthy of
the worship of the souls in his domain. The narration suggests that his current
self-doubt is the result of cruelties that he perpetrated in the past.
Hades shows his
true self through his actions, rather than through his words. He has little
regard for what people say. Instead, he tries to let his choices speak for
themselves. This is made clear through his development of the Halcyon Project,
which he designs in response to Persephone’s critique of his methods for
helping mortals. He takes her feelings and concerns into consideration and
turns those worries into actionable steps, showing that he really is listening
to her. This counteracts the images of more toxic masculinity shown in the
novel, such as Adonis’s regular disregard for Persephone’s opinions and
desires. However, Hades’s belief that actions speak louder than words also
contributes to his rift with Persephone and his poor reputation among the
mortals. He shows disregard for gossip and, thus, makes no effort to clarify his
actions, just as he does not verbalize his love for Persephone. This
communication barrier negatively impacts the way others view him, damaging his
relationships.
LEXA
Lexa is
Persephone’s closest friend and her roommate. Lexa is a full-blooded mortal who
is unaware of Persephone’s goddess status at the beginning of the novel. She
has black hair and tattoos and is often more outgoing than Persephone. She
enjoys visiting clubs, and her love of night life is what initially grants the
two girls access to Nevernight. She begins the novel with romantic interest in
Adonis, but when he reveals his connection to Aphrodite, she begins a romance
with the mortal who helps Persephone delete explicit photographs from Adonis’s
possession.
Lexa is
Persephone’s biggest advocate and spends much of the novel supporting her
endeavors. Lexa often reminds Persephone of her strengths and beauty, and she
repeatedly demonstrates that she wants what is best for her friend. Further,
when Lexa learns that Persephone is divine, she continues to support the
goddess by showing her all the ways that she can be a positive influence on the
gods. Lexa’s perpective helps Persephone to realize that there is Power in Everyday Heroism, and even
without magic, she can make a positive impact on the world. Lexa supports the
development of Persephone’s moral compass in this way, validating her efforts
and supporting her desire for change.
ADONIS
Adonis is the most
active antagonist in the novel. He is described as exceptionally handsome, with dark curls and
bronze skin. Adonis begins the book as a senior reporter at New Athens News.
He also has Aphrodite’s favor, and it is implied that they are in a sexual
relationship. Their connection also grants him access to exclusive clubs, which
is how he meets Persephone and Lexa.
While Adonis
initially seems kind and welcoming toward Persephone, it quickly becomes
evident that he has ulterior motives. He publishes an article without her
consent, abusing the trust she put in him when she initially promised to let
him read it. He is malicious and predatory when he drugs Persephone and
attempts to force himself on her; only Hades’s timely intervention protects
Persephone from further abuse. When Persephone defends herself to him later,
Adonis’s behavior results in his termination, which he later tries to resolve
by blackmailing Persephone with sexual pictures of herself and Hades. These
actions show an escalation of cruelty and manipulation that showcases him not
only as a villain but also as unrepentant. He does not learn from his actions,
nor does he offer any of his fellow mortals compassion. He seeks to advance his
own social standing through manipulation, and it is only when he is made truly
afraid that he moderates his behavior. Even so, his oath to never engage with
women without their consent comes only after the threat of bodily harm. He does
nothing to earn his transformation or improvement, prompting doubt that he will
ever genuinely change.
DEMETER
Demeter is the
Goddess of the Harvest and Persephone’s mother. She has antlers as a marker of
her divinity. She is blonde with multi-hued eyes, and even when she uses a
glamour, mortals see her as beautiful. She often tries to make Persephone look
and act more like her. She also employs nymphs both to perform tasks and to spy
on her daughter. She allows Persephone to attend college as a mortal because
her powers have not yet manifested; it is eventually revealed that by keeping
Persephone locked away, Demeter contributed to her lack of magic. In this way,
Demeter is a more subtle antagonist than Adonis, still harming Persephone but doing so through the guise of love.
Demeter represents
the ways that love can be toxic and harmful. Although she loves Persephone, she
also wants to exhibit ownership of her. She hides her existence and identity
from the rest of the divine pantheon and the mortal world, keeping her locked
in her magic domain under the guise of trying to keep Persephone safe. While
that may be true in her eyes, this safety comes at the cost of Persephone’s
autonomy. Demeter manipulates Persephone through threats, such as threatening
to take her away from the mortal plane, and through her magical power, such as
freezing her when she tries to leave a conversation. Her desire to control her
overcomes any good will that she demonstrates toward Persephone, ultimately
blinding her to her own failures. She refuses to accept the consequences of her
actions and remains unwilling to acknowledge that her overbearing nature
prevents her and Persephone from having a close relationship. Her refusal to
apologize to Persephone also represents her failure to understand her own
faults, making it impossible for her to advance her relationship with her
daughter into a phase that respects her adulthood. Instead, she tries to keep
Persephone under her control; in doing so, she ignores the power that her
daughter gained. When Persephone exerts this power, she physically breaks
Demeter’s greenhouse, an act that symbolizes breaking their relationship.
Themes
LOVE IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR
Three different
types of love are shown in A Touch of Darkness: familial, romantic, and
platonic. Persephone’s struggle to learn and navigate these different types of
relationships makes up one of the central conflicts of the novel, as she often
finds the desires of her loved ones in conflict with each other. Her reconciliation with Hades,
her friendship with Lexa,
and her attempts to fix her relationship with her mother all relate to the
theme that Love is Worth Fighting For.
The romantic love
between Hades and Persephone
is also the love that is most fraught with difficulty. They meet under the
guise of Hades’s contract, a system that Persephone deplores and believes
herself to be trapped by. Her disdain for his attempts to improve mortal lives
is a source of conflict that seems irreconcilable between the two of them,
despite their mutual physical attraction. However, when Hades shows that he
endeavors to help people and follows Persephone’s guidance in doing so, he
proves that he is willing to fight for her affection by changing his behaviors.
He overcomes his preconceived notions to help her feel seen and valued. After
their rift, Persephone spends much time reflecting on Hades’s love and her own
role in her future happiness. She concludes that she is capable of forgiving
him, and that forgiveness opens her heart to him again. Thus, they fight both
internal and external conflict to develop and reconcile their relationship.
Platonic love
plays out through Lexa and Persephone’s relationship. Their friendship is
strong, but Persephone limits its depth by withholding her divine status. This
is ultimately revealed after revokes her favor, unintentionally exposing Persephone’s true nature as a
goddess to her best friend. Lexa quickly adjusts to Persephone’s divinity and
even goes so far as to comfort her friend when she is faced with the idea of a
magicless life, stating “[…] you are kind and compassionate and you fight for
your beliefs, but mostly, you fight for people. That’s what gods are supposed
to do, and someone should remind them, because a lot of them have forgotten”
(332). Her unwavering support of Persephone, even in the face of huge
revelations, shows that friendships are built on more than convenience or
superficial connections. She fights through her discomfort that Persephone is a
god and the sense of betrayal provoked by having her roommate’s true identity
kept from her; instead, she chooses to continue showing support, love, and
affection for her friend. She negates her negative emotions and fights for her
friendship, providing an example of devotion to platonic love.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RUMORS AND TRUTH
As a young,
powerless goddess, Persephone has one foot in the mortal world and the other in the divine realm. This
provides her with access to information from both sources, culminating in her
receiving conflicting information that shapes her approach to life. She joins New
Athens News in pursuit of truth, seeking to parse the rumors that
surrounded her in childhood. Many parts of Persephone’s journey reinforce the Difference
Between Rumors and Truth, tracing her path to autonomy alongside her pursuit
for accuracy.
A Touch of Darkness Summary and Themes Hadesis the novel’s clearest victim of rumors, as much of the is spent grappling with his contracts and what they really are. People
speculate on and misconstrue his actions, painting him as deplorable. Hades is
reluctant to address the claims people make about him, eventually explaining to
Persephone that “Words are used to spin stories and craft lies, and occasionally
they are strung together to tell the truth” (257). This serves as justification
for the infrequency with which he interacts with the media of the mortal world,
despite Persephone’s previous attempts to formally interview him. He views
words as a tool used more to inflict harm than to help others. His commitment
to actions, therefore, shows his commitment to the truth, because he views
actions as undeniable evidence of a person’s true devotions, while words are
often deceptive or insincere. In this way, Hades represents the futility that
is felt when there is no one clear culprit in spreading falsehoods, as well as
the importance of finding ways to fight against untruths in whatever way is
possible.
Persephone falls into the traps of the rumor mill after she steps into the limelight as a writer, drawing additional attention when she and Hades are seen dancing together. She is frequently cornered by classmates and near-strangers who want details about her relationship with him. However, both the complicated scenario she is in and her unwillingness to spread information about Hades beyond what is necessary for her job restrict her ability to tell the truth. Revealing the true reason for her closeness with Hades—their contract—would also expose her to further speculation and cast doubt on her reporting. Persephone’s journey shows how easy it is to become caught in rumors and how difficult it can be to express the truth.
THE POWER OF EVERYDAY HEROISM
One of
Persephone’s defining characteristics is that she is a goddess without power.
She kills plants she encounters and is unable to control their withering; she
cannot grow anything and cannot charm mortals. She relies on her mother’s power
to disguise her true form, just as she later depends on Hadesto allow her to enter the Underworld. Despite these limitations, persephoneestablishes herself as someone who is worthy of trust and respect. She pursues
truth, addresses wrongdoings, and treat all people with fairness. Persephone
embodies the Power of Everyday Heroism, showing the importance of common
goodness and strength even in the face of immortal power. She highlights the
importance of contemplating one’s own actions and considering one’s ability to
change the world, even within limited circumstances.
Persephone’s first act of heroism is her conscious choice to write about Hades even after being warned against it by her peers at New Athens News. She believes that Hades is wronging mortals, so she sets out to shame him and warn others away from his tempting offers. She does so with the knowledge that this may make her a target and provoke his wrath, pursuing her story because she believes that it will make the world a better place. She puts herself in social and emotional danger to help mortals. Her choice to do so showcases the importance of identifying and verbalizing conflicts, especially when they manifest as power inequalities.
Persephone’s interactions with the Asphodel souls further showcase her devotion to the mortal experience. She treats the souls with respect and support, speaking with the adults and playing with the children. She does not treat them as any lesser or as the other simply because they are dead or mortal. Instead, she supports their endeavors and uses her sway to help them. This is evident in the Ascension Ball: She convinces Hades not only to host the ball but also to attend it, helping bridge the gap between him and his subjects. This support, in turn, earns her the title of queen, which is both a reward and an obligation. She becomes the mistress of the Underworld through her own merits, not by divine right or magical power.
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