A Game of Retribution

St. Clair returns to Olympus with this emotionally charged but frustrating second Hades Saga romance (after A Game of Fate), an exploration of love’s resilience and the complexities godly hierarchy. Hades, King of the Underworld, hopes to marry Persephone and make her his queen, but when he refuses to help Hera, Goddess of Marriage, overthrow Zeus, she interferes with his plans. Hera assigns Hades a series of labors, and only once all are completed will Hera agree to bless the couple’s union. The tasks drive a wedge between Hades and Persephone, as—unfamiliar with her roles as both a new goddess and a lover—Persephone struggles to stay committed to the relationship. Meanwhile, tempers flare among the gods in the wake of a murder and Hades must put the killer to justice before Olympus boils over into war. The intrigue is gripping and St. Clair masterfully balances humorous banter and heat between the central couple, but Persephone comes across as stubborn, self-centered, and immature, and readers will struggle with her choices. Series fans and new readers alike will be invested in the godly politics but will have to be patient to see this couple at their best. (May)