ebookreview | [ 674 ]

Hera by Jennifer Saint

Genre:
Anicent Greece, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Mythological, Fantasy, Religion, Retellings, Reimaging, Greek Gods

Publication Date:
August 13, 2024

Page Numbers:
389

Read/Finished Date:
August 17th, 2025 - August 18th, 2025

Rating:
DNF'ed @ 40%

Premise:

Hera, immortal goddess and daughter of the ancient Titan Cronos, helped her brother Zeus to overthrow their tyrannical father so that they could rule the world. But, as they establish their reign on Mount Olympus, Hera suspects that Zeus might be just as ruthless and cruel as their father was, and she begins to question her role at his side. She was born to rule, but does that mean perpetuating a cycle of violence and cruelty that has existed since the dawn of time? Will assuming her power mean that Hera loses herself, or can she find a way to forge a better world?

Traditionally portrayed as a jealous wife, a wicked stepmother, and a victim-blaming instrument of the patriarchy, Hera is ripe for a retelling that shows her as a powerful queen―ruthless when she needs to be, but also compassionate, strategic, and ambitious. With Hera, beloved and bestselling author Jennifer Saint delivers another epic and enthralling reimagining of a Greek heroine we only thought we knew.

Review:

You know, I had high expectations for this book, especially because it was Hera, a character we rarely see anything about from Greek mythology. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed. This book was bland, the storyline went at a snail's pace, and Hera's development seemed to stall somewhere within the first forty percent of the novel. Most of her grip was over her need for revenge, and while I understood her reasons for her anger toward Zeus, especially after what he had done to her, I wish Hera's character had grown. It didn't. It stayed the same, but I did try. I did try to push further but I just could not find it within myself to finish the novel.