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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
CW: multiple implied r*pes, violence, death, war, enslavement
I'd forgotten how much r*pe there was in Greek mythology :( but Jennifer Saint handles it very delicately, kudos for that. Most of the Greek myths I was familiar with are there, learned a couple new ones as well. I've almost always had a soft spot for Hera, even before I was a neo-pagan, and I love how she's portrayed as a complicated but sympathetic character. The ending was unsatisfying and sad, but I figure it had to be.
I'd forgotten how much r*pe there was in Greek mythology :( but Jennifer Saint handles it very delicately, kudos for that. Most of the Greek myths I was familiar with are there, learned a couple new ones as well. I've almost always had a soft spot for Hera, even before I was a neo-pagan, and I love how she's portrayed as a complicated but sympathetic character. The ending was unsatisfying and sad, but I figure it had to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, War
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Minor: Child death, War
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, War
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Humanizing a god and making her story a clear narrative is a centuries old pursuit, and Saint does a great job of it. The anguish, anger and torment Hera feels is tangible; I absolutely loathed Zeus by the end of this book while also pitying him. I wonder what role Hera would’ve chosen for herself had Zeus not decided her fate for her. A question that is bound to be unanswered.
I also appreciated the shift from humans needing gods to gods needing humans the more they invested in their lives.
And listen, I get it’s all myths… but who knows what gods walk among us now.
I also appreciated the shift from humans needing gods to gods needing humans the more they invested in their lives.
And listen, I get it’s all myths… but who knows what gods walk among us now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, War
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Minor: Incest, Violence, War
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jennifer Saint is such a conflicting author for me. I love that she does all these retellings of women in Greek mythology. They just never seem to fully land for me.
I was hesitant about Hera. Yes, finally someone is going to tell the woman scorned side of the story. No one is ever like well… if your husband chased every pretty woman and sired multiple children outside your marriage… wouldn’t you also be pissed?
Like Ariadne though, Hera’s character fell flat. I was expecting this strong, exciting woman and we got… IDK not that. Where is the Hera who was witty and cunning? Sheeeet even slightly evil would have been great. However, Hera sounds like a tired housewife who just wishes her husband would stop cheating. She devises all these ploys/plots that just kinda work in her favor but don’t?
The end of this book though was chef’s kiss, truly great. It definitely made up for the rest.
I was hesitant about Hera. Yes, finally someone is going to tell the woman scorned side of the story. No one is ever like well… if your husband chased every pretty woman and sired multiple children outside your marriage… wouldn’t you also be pissed?
Like Ariadne though, Hera’s character fell flat. I was expecting this strong, exciting woman and we got… IDK not that. Where is the Hera who was witty and cunning? Sheeeet even slightly evil would have been great. However, Hera sounds like a tired housewife who just wishes her husband would stop cheating. She devises all these ploys/plots that just kinda work in her favor but don’t?
The end of this book though was chef’s kiss, truly great. It definitely made up for the rest.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual violence, Pregnancy
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this is saint’s best work by far. i haven’t read atalanta yet but the depth and complexity she is able to give not just hera, a very polarizing and disliked figure, but to greek mythology as a whole is astonishing.
hera, as we all know, has her flaws. i was wondering how some of her more …cruel tales would be handled or justified, much like i was with eilish quin’s medea. saint doesn’t shy away from hera’s rage and unlikeable qualities. instead, she gives reason to hera’s actions in a way where you can simultaneously relate to & pity hera while still disagreeing with her punishments.
hera is a fully fleshed out character in a way i wish elektra was in elektra. i really hope to see more misunderstood mythical figures from saint, she has a talent for this when they are given center stage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
Hera dives deep into power, manipulation, and the messy relationships of the Greek gods. It’s a fresh take on Hera, and boy, does Jennifer Saint make you feel it.
This book isn't always a breeze. Seeing Hera go from fierce warrior goddess to who she becomes is tough - it's heartbreaking and frustrating, but Jennifer Saint tells it well.
She nails how Zeus pulls Hera's strings with chilling precision. Their dynamic is like watching a train wreck - you can't look away.
The way Saint threads together all these tales into one story is pretty impressive too. She moves smoothly from one myth to the next, keeping you hooked throughout.
However, some parts did drag a bit. The gods, especially Hera, felt a bit distant at times, which made their dealings with mortals feel rushed. I guess that's the trade-off between immortal lives and mortal ones.
While I liked this fresh angle on Hera, I was hoping for more of her legendary wrath and cruelty. Her subdued portrayal left me wanting more fire and brimstone.
Overall, Hera is a popcorn-eating deep dive into divine drama. Jennifer Saint's take on Hera is thought-provoking and adds much-needed layers to her character, even if it left me craving a bit more of that divine fury.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting