A Touch of Darkness

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.

Hades ends the novel much surer of his fate than Persephone does. He expresses confidence in their love and the longevity of their relationship, but he also tells her that he has faith in her outside the context of their romance. At the novel’s conclusion, he gifts her a part of the Underworld, noting that he thinks of her as a queen because of her actions. His trust that she will maintain this behavior, as well as his devotion to their relationship, contrasts with Persephone’s doubts and reinforces the differences in their life experiences. Hades’s comfort in his divine status empowers his confidence in his life’s projection, but her uncertainty creates an implied source of conflict for future novels to explore.

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 perspective 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 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.