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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The more I read the feminist POV retellings, the more I came to find myself frustrated by one of these two points depending on the book and the character and the way the author handles it. Either the lack of true agency or the lack of true difference. What I mean by that is that in a book where we hear all the main character's thoughts and feelings most of the time they can never truly effect the plot of the story and of course to a certain extent that's the point, the futility of their actions in the face of gods and men and the lack of power they have over their own destiny, Le Guin's Lavinia and Pat Barker's Silence of the Girls I think are the most obvious examples, in SotG Briseis often eavesdrops on the main plot of the Iliad in order to move the story along and to cover the fact that she doesn't actually do that much. I still enjoy those books but it becomes more of a sticking point the more retellings you read.
Saint taking on a goddess rather than a mortal character allows for a refreshing change of pace from that, it's a fresh take on the genre. Hera is allowed to intervene in ways and for reasons we had not thought much about in the myths she is involved with, now she is the divine force that effects others rather than simply having the plot happen around her, and we also benefit from the fact that it can span a greater time period and touch on her involvement in other recognisable legends. And that brings me to my second 'issue' and Atalanta was guilty of this too; in a feminist retelling that's meant to bring women to the forefront I find that where they like to wax lyrical about how different they are from men, how they have different values, behave in different ways, and want different things from life, for all their moral superiority in the end they often end up in the same situations; seeking power, glory and renown and being petty and destructive if things don't go their way. And again that's probably the exact point of it, heroes are heroes are heroes (or gods) whether they're men or women and part of the mortal and immortal condition is being immeasurably and predictably selfish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War
Minor: Incest
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have always been a fan of Greek mythology, so I am always excited to get my hands on any Greek mythos-adjacent novel, especially after Lore Olympus made me reconsider my understanding of the goddess Hera (Lore Olympus is likely still my favorite recharacterization of her). However, Saint‘s Hera was rather disappointing; what is meant to be thoughtful feminist retelling ends up feeling rather superficial and flat, because Hera is written to be more two dimensional than full and vibrant, defined only by her hatred of Zeus. I understand that trauma can cause people to lash out and act in unsympathetic ways, but without providing Hera much depth, Saint ends up leading the reader still somewhat exasperated and unable to root for Hera (and instead root for everyone else whose lives she manages to destroy). I am a more for Hera being a flawed heroine, but her flaws seem to not elaborate on how she’s typically portrayed in Greek mythology. The last few chapters of the novel started introducing some very interesting concepts about what it means to worship, what it means to take hold of your own destiny, and what it means to grow and heal. But I really wish those themes had been a lot more prevalent throughout the entire story, because that would’ve made it more compelling. However, all of this nuance is smashed into the last three or so chapters, so the Hera’s character growth does not have as much impact as it could. Overall only finished this one as quickly as I did because, again I have a migraine and audiobooks were the only way I could occupy my time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, War
Minor: Torture
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape
Moderate: Ableism, Violence
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What the hell did I just read?! Honestly, this book was all over the place. I did like the ending, and I think there were some decent lessons, BUT (and this is a really big but) the author tried way too hard to fit everything in. How can a book have SO MANY stories and still be so slow?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another masterfully written, feminist retelling from Jennifer Saint that I felt beautifully captured the frustration, rage and emotional complexity of one of the most misunderstood Goddesses in Greek mythology.
Like Madeline Miller before her (with the incredible novel Circe), Saint gives a compelling voice to the famously maligned Hera (whose portrayal as the jealous wife of Zeus has been practically set in stone for centuries), laying bare every triumph and heartbreaking tribulation, that not only got under my skin but completely changed my perspective of her. Even in her most vengeful and petty moments I couldn’t really hate her.
I loved exploring such a poignantly vulnerable side to Hera that we don’t often get to see, and felt her story was an in depth and allegorical exploration into the patriarchal distribution of power and the slow simmering rage of women forced to watch their power (and bodily autonomy) diminish before their eyes.
Given the global targeting women’s bodily autonomy and rights, as well as the rise in misogyny and violence towards women— Hera’s experiences are the incredibly relevant.
And, alongside our supporting cast of (female) characters (both mortal and immortal) who’s backstories were just as impactful; we glimpse the most in-depth and humanised portrayal of the Gods that I’ve ever encountered. I was thoroughly engaged in their antics (and furious on behalf of Hera, the other Goddesses and all the women affected by the whims of the Gods.)
It’s painstakingly detailed and well researched without diverting too much from the original stories, which was surprisingly refreshing. And if you’re a stickler for accuracy in Greek myth retellings you should definitely consider checking this out.
I can’t really say anything else without spoiling the plot but overall, this was a powerfully poignant and feminist retelling that historical fiction lovers will want to add to their TBRs ASAP! Though I do recommend checking the TWs.
Also, a huge thank you to Headline/ Wildfire for the gorgeously shiny proof.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Violence, Sexual harassment
Minor: Ableism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery