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mhmrose's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
From my first read of Atalanta, I knew Jennifer Saint was going to be one of my new favourite authors and Hera has cemented that. Another amazing mythological retelling seen through the eyes of one of Greek mythology's most prosecuted Goddesses and giving her back her voice to tell her tale of trials and dangers. Saint gives us the tale of the Goddess Queen, Hera, as she hopes to be a part of the changing Olympus alongside her family, but things are not always that easy, especially for women in mythology.
I absolutely adored Hera from the beginning with the battles against physical foes and mental forces set to make her fail. But Hera proves herself as a Goddess and warrior. That isn't to say she is full of virtues, especially after what she's been through; she is compassionate, angry, irrational, and diplomatic; Hera is a character full of complexities that make her feel human even for a mythological being. Just as the trials her mythological counterpart puts heroes and heroines through, Hera fights through her own and comes out a true queen.
Written with her unapologetic, lyrical style, Saint had me hooked from cover to cover with the compassionate, and beautiful tale. I devoured the book within a few days because the story was so engrossing with the worldbuilding adding depth to the tale. I also love how Saint does not shy away from showing her characters' faults and virtues equally, creating believable and relatable characters even if they are seen as non-human.
I thoroughly recommend Hera to anyone who adores Greek mythology retellings and fantasy lovers who adore a strong female lead who prevails against the worst of adversaries.
Thank you, NetGalley and Headline for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely adored Hera from the beginning with the battles against physical foes and mental forces set to make her fail. But Hera proves herself as a Goddess and warrior. That isn't to say she is full of virtues, especially after what she's been through; she is compassionate, angry, irrational, and diplomatic; Hera is a character full of complexities that make her feel human even for a mythological being. Just as the trials her mythological counterpart puts heroes and heroines through, Hera fights through her own and comes out a true queen.
Written with her unapologetic, lyrical style, Saint had me hooked from cover to cover with the compassionate, and beautiful tale. I devoured the book within a few days because the story was so engrossing with the worldbuilding adding depth to the tale. I also love how Saint does not shy away from showing her characters' faults and virtues equally, creating believable and relatable characters even if they are seen as non-human.
I thoroughly recommend Hera to anyone who adores Greek mythology retellings and fantasy lovers who adore a strong female lead who prevails against the worst of adversaries.
Thank you, NetGalley and Headline for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Incest, and Injury/Injury detail
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