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mom2three's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! I instantly hated Henrick. He is the epitome of all that is evil, and really doesn't care how anyone feels about it. He is hard, dangerous, sadistic, and regrets nothing he does to stay on top. Then you have Megara, who only wanted to live her life on her own terms. Let the drama begin!
This story is sexy, dirty, dark, and amazing from beginning to end. There are all these little moments of calm and joy that peek out from between all the shadows that keep the story from being overly dark, but it's not a light read in any stretch of the imagination. The characters are very likeable, which is surprising in the case of Henrick, and by the end of the story I was totally in love with him. Meg was a lot more than I imagined in the beginning, too. It's that richness of character detail that is something Ms. Stone does so well. All of her characters are multi-faceted and the more you read the more you discover. Her worlds are full of amazing side characters, too, and I'm hoping to see more books set in this world because of that.
This story is sexy, dirty, dark, and amazing from beginning to end. There are all these little moments of calm and joy that peek out from between all the shadows that keep the story from being overly dark, but it's not a light read in any stretch of the imagination. The characters are very likeable, which is surprising in the case of Henrick, and by the end of the story I was totally in love with him. Meg was a lot more than I imagined in the beginning, too. It's that richness of character detail that is something Ms. Stone does so well. All of her characters are multi-faceted and the more you read the more you discover. Her worlds are full of amazing side characters, too, and I'm hoping to see more books set in this world because of that.
lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
3.0
A hot and steamy re-telling of greek mythology.
Other than watching Jason and the Argonauts, I don't have much knowledge of greek mythology. However this was clearly based on some of the myths and legends of old. My lack of knowledge didn't affect my ability to enjoy the story as clever world building filled in any knowledge gaps.
Rather than gods and goddesses, the individuals in this story are the members of several crime syndicate families. The plot was engaging and the pace moved things along nicely, so that my attention never wavered. Both main characters were written with dimension and depth and, despite being very different, seemed to fit together perfectly. There were some great darker moments in the book too.
Megara was strong and determined, picking her battles wisely and making the best of a situation where she had very little control. I very much liked her, and could believe in how her gentle and sweet nature would impact on Henrik. My first impression of Henrik was that he was a complete and utter **** . There was very little to like about this arrogant, egotistical and self-centred individual at first. Thankfully he did make amends, including knowing when he was in the wrong and needed to apologise. He definitely went through the most growth in the story, totally fulfilling the fantasy we all have of taming the bad boy!
Whilst I very much enjoyed the story, there were two aspects that prevented it from hitting the full 5 stars for me. First was the speed with which Megara went from hating and fearing Henrik to not being able to get enough of him. Given the non-con scene and I couldn't quite believe that by the next night she was all up for lots of bedroom shenanigans with him.
The other was how Henrick went from menacing bully to swooning suitor in the blink of an eye. Given that pair aren't even together 24/7 in those first few days it was too quick for me personally. I'm just not a fan of insa-love so I personally needed just a little more time of them building a connection, developing a bond. A time frame of a few weeks would have made all the difference, allowed me to believe in the D/s relationship that was emerging.
Despite how it might sound, they were two minor issues that I overcame fairly quickly, allowing me to really enjoy what is a well written story. The amazing mix of steam, intrigue, politics, kink and power battles add up to make a really good read.
Other than watching Jason and the Argonauts, I don't have much knowledge of greek mythology. However this was clearly based on some of the myths and legends of old. My lack of knowledge didn't affect my ability to enjoy the story as clever world building filled in any knowledge gaps.
Rather than gods and goddesses, the individuals in this story are the members of several crime syndicate families. The plot was engaging and the pace moved things along nicely, so that my attention never wavered. Both main characters were written with dimension and depth and, despite being very different, seemed to fit together perfectly. There were some great darker moments in the book too.
Megara was strong and determined, picking her battles wisely and making the best of a situation where she had very little control. I very much liked her, and could believe in how her gentle and sweet nature would impact on Henrik. My first impression of Henrik was that he was a complete and utter **** . There was very little to like about this arrogant, egotistical and self-centred individual at first. Thankfully he did make amends, including knowing when he was in the wrong and needed to apologise. He definitely went through the most growth in the story, totally fulfilling the fantasy we all have of taming the bad boy!
Whilst I very much enjoyed the story, there were two aspects that prevented it from hitting the full 5 stars for me. First was the speed with which Megara went from hating and fearing Henrik to not being able to get enough of him. Given the non-con scene and
Spoiler
the loss of her virginityThe other was how Henrick went from menacing bully to swooning suitor in the blink of an eye. Given that pair aren't even together 24/7 in those first few days it was too quick for me personally. I'm just not a fan of insa-love so I personally needed just a little more time of them building a connection, developing a bond. A time frame of a few weeks would have made all the difference, allowed me to believe in the D/s relationship that was emerging.
Despite how it might sound, they were two minor issues that I overcame fairly quickly, allowing me to really enjoy what is a well written story. The amazing mix of steam, intrigue, politics, kink and power battles add up to make a really good read.
kelly_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
Finding his strength was intense from the first paragraph! What an opening! Those first words set the tone for the rest of the book.
These characters came together in the most bizarre and unusual way and adjusted and adapted from there.
I loved this story because of strength of Megara and the grace with which she survived whatever was thrown at her.
These characters came together in the most bizarre and unusual way and adjusted and adapted from there.
I loved this story because of strength of Megara and the grace with which she survived whatever was thrown at her.
oddlysmutty's review against another edition
4.0
- Hercules & Megara retelling
- arranged marriage
- mafia romance
• tw: non-con* between the H & h, breeding, spanking/flogging
Henrik is asked by Christian Creon to handle a competitor, while doing so he discovers that Christian’s niece had been the one selling information about their family operation. Henrik kills the traitor (hence the first liner i shared yesterday lol) & while Christian cares little for his niece, her brothers are demanding he pay for what he did. This results in an arranged marriage between Megara (Christians daughter) and Henrik.
Both Henrik & Megara are less than happy but since Henrik is his father’s bastard, his step mother Hera is requiring him to have an Heir before he can named a legitimate son. So Henrik is determined to do just that, no matter if Megara is willing or not.
This is a dark romance so keep that in mind going in, i was caught off guard by some stuff, I’m not heavily triggered & don’t mind most dark themes but i really needed Henrik to grovel more after everything & well, he is an alpha asshole through & through lol and i felt that the ending was a little rushed.
*HENRIK RAPES MEGARA THEIR FIRST TIME TOGETHER. I WASN’T GOING TO POINT IT OUT BUT I DIDN’T WANT ANYONE TO TAKE THE NON-CON TW LIGHTLY.
- arranged marriage
- mafia romance
• tw: non-con* between the H & h, breeding, spanking/flogging
Henrik is asked by Christian Creon to handle a competitor, while doing so he discovers that Christian’s niece had been the one selling information about their family operation. Henrik kills the traitor (hence the first liner i shared yesterday lol) & while Christian cares little for his niece, her brothers are demanding he pay for what he did. This results in an arranged marriage between Megara (Christians daughter) and Henrik.
Both Henrik & Megara are less than happy but since Henrik is his father’s bastard, his step mother Hera is requiring him to have an Heir before he can named a legitimate son. So Henrik is determined to do just that, no matter if Megara is willing or not.
This is a dark romance so keep that in mind going in, i was caught off guard by some stuff, I’m not heavily triggered & don’t mind most dark themes but i really needed Henrik to grovel more after everything & well, he is an alpha asshole through & through lol and i felt that the ending was a little rushed.
*HENRIK RAPES MEGARA THEIR FIRST TIME TOGETHER. I WASN’T GOING TO POINT IT OUT BUT I DIDN’T WANT ANYONE TO TAKE THE NON-CON TW LIGHTLY.
lizzypantss's review against another edition
5.0
it’s a yes for me dawg!
I just love novella’s!! I loved this one too, perfect amount of all things dark and sweet. Mafia bad boys, anti-hero’s, smut
I just love novella’s!! I loved this one too, perfect amount of all things dark and sweet. Mafia bad boys, anti-hero’s, smut
erikawastaken's review against another edition
4.0
I may be a little biased, since Meg & Hercules are my favorite Disney couple, but this has been my favorite of the collection so far.
It was fun to see a world where the Greek Gods were monsters running empires. I liked that there was a lot of fun bits of mythology sprinkled in, but it wasn’t too on the nose.
It also *definitely* has me wanting to read more by this author!
It was fun to see a world where the Greek Gods were monsters running empires. I liked that there was a lot of fun bits of mythology sprinkled in, but it wasn’t too on the nose.
It also *definitely* has me wanting to read more by this author!
slmbooks's review against another edition
3.0
After reading the Skeleton King, which is apart of the Dirty Heroes collection, I gave this book a chance.
I can't say I was impressed, but I also wasn't disappointed.
I can't say I was impressed, but I also wasn't disappointed.
mairio's review against another edition
1.0
I've read some crappy fairy tale retellings... but this one was one of the worst.
this wasn't even dirty, this was disgustingly irritating.
this wasn't even dirty, this was disgustingly irritating.
acozyreader's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
kathleenabby's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Overall this was a decent dark and smutty read.
But there was a lot of shock factor for the sake of shock factor. I wish the author had taken the time to explore repercussions/consequences of some actions. The MFC just kind of lets things go without much of a reaction.
But there was a lot of shock factor for the sake of shock factor. I wish the author had taken the time to explore repercussions/consequences of some actions. The MFC just kind of lets things go without much of a reaction.