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cathy_alice's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Incest, Misogyny, and Rape
Moderate: War, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
audreytrml's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Death, Infidelity, Incest, Gaslighting, War, Sexual violence, Violence, and Rape
withlivjones's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is Jennifer Saint’s best book yet. The scope of the book is insanely huge, spanning from the Titanomachy and foundation of Olympus, through the age of heroes and the Trojan War, all the way to the Classical Greek period and beyond - it essentially covers all of Greek mythology from the perspective of Hera, which is a massive achievement.
And Hera is a fantastic protagonist - her anger and bitterness is clear throughout the whole story, and she’s a flawed and morally grey character whose actions are fully explored but never fully excused. She also has a convincing character arc over the course of the book. Many of the other gods were also explored in a lot of depth - my personal favourites were Hestia and Hephaestus.
This book also has an in-depth exploration of the relationship between gods and mortals, and the nature of ancient religion as a whole, which I thought was really interesting and insightful - I love when retellings get all meta and start discussing why we keep telling these stories over and over in the first place.
I did have a couple of minor issues with the pacing, and I felt that a few of the myths were very quickly brushed over when they could have been explored in a little more depth, but for a story that covers so much content it’s inevitable that some parts will have less time dedicated to them. Overall, however, this was a fantastic retelling and potentially a new favourite of mine. I would definitely recommend, especially if you’re a fan of Circe by Madeline Miller, I think both books share quite similar vibes!
And Hera is a fantastic protagonist - her anger and bitterness is clear throughout the whole story, and she’s a flawed and morally grey character whose actions are fully explored but never fully excused. She also has a convincing character arc over the course of the book. Many of the other gods were also explored in a lot of depth - my personal favourites were Hestia and Hephaestus.
This book also has an in-depth exploration of the relationship between gods and mortals, and the nature of ancient religion as a whole, which I thought was really interesting and insightful - I love when retellings get all meta and start discussing why we keep telling these stories over and over in the first place.
I did have a couple of minor issues with the pacing, and I felt that a few of the myths were very quickly brushed over when they could have been explored in a little more depth, but for a story that covers so much content it’s inevitable that some parts will have less time dedicated to them. Overall, however, this was a fantastic retelling and potentially a new favourite of mine. I would definitely recommend, especially if you’re a fan of Circe by Madeline Miller, I think both books share quite similar vibes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Moderate: Incest, Death, and War
aftereliza's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence
emmsbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Hera is the novelisation of the experiences of the Greek Goddess of the same name. As Queen of the Gods, popular culture has often minimised her to a nagging wife or even a villainous character that antagonises and poses a threat to the great heroes whose stories we have been told, from Hercules, to Percy Jackson. Jennifer Saint masterfully gives us access to the inside of Hera’s head and makes us privy to her motivations, strengths and fears in this novel.
Firstly, the pacing of the novel was fantastic, we travel millenniums with Hera and at no point did I feel the plot lagged or that nothing happened. Instead, I was able to really get a sense of the passage of time and how fleeting the lives, loves and wars of humanity were from the perspective of the gods. The characterisation of the Olympians was fleshed out, they truly embodied what they were the patron deity of, without being relegated to hollow stereotypes, especially Hera. Her motivations and actions are presented in a manner that makes them seem logical (even if they are less than palatable) without erasing her agency or engaging in revisionsm. Yes, Hera still does horrendous things to Zeus’ victims and his children, but when told from her perspective, her actions make sense. Hera is given agency that many other modern adaptations have stripped her of, we see her first and foremost as a warrior, before she is a wife or a mother and a very strong warrior at that.
The subtle references to the subjects of Jennifer Saints other books, both characters and events were a welcome addition to the story and helped anchor it into the chronology of Greek Mythology, showing that, no matter what is occurring, Hera is there to bear witness (even if she is completely uninterested). This is the perfect read for anybody interested in Greek Mythology, retellings and books with a strong female voice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Rape, Pregnancy, Incest, Grief, Death, War, Violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
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