I absolutely love this book. It is so well written. Typically at first glance Hera is not a very likeable character, but Jennifer's writing of her in this story helps you to understand why the Goddess of Marriage, Women and Childbirth became so vengeful.

We read about how she spent most of her time before shape-shifting, hanging out with river gods, and battling the titans - just a typical day in Ancient Greece!

Jennifer does not hold back when describing just how manipulative and horrid Zeus (and some of the other gods let's be honest) treated women. Hera cannot be absolved of her crimes but after reading this you will understand why.

Highly recommend this regardless of how much you know about greek mythology. It's just a brilliant read though there are definitely some trigger warnings that may be too much for some.

I really enjoyed this retelling of Hera’s story. She wasn’t a woman to be messed with - and Zeus pushed her to her limits on many occasions. While she couldn’t punish the King of the Gods, she could certainly punish the women that he cheated on her with.

In the original stories, Hera is vilified, portrayed as unreasonably vengeful, spiteful even. In this version, we can see her motivations. She can’t possibly direct her revenge on her monarch - that would endanger her position and Zeus would deal with her like all those who acted against him.

Hera is complicated woman, and she acts in the only way she knows how to. Her anger has centuries to mature and grow, and there’s a real sense of the passage of time. It’s just that that passage is pretty meaningless to a God!

This novel doesn’t excuse Hera’s behaviour, but it certainly gives the reasons for it. I love Greek mythology, and Jennifer Saints retellings have been excellent. This is another great addition to the series.

2/5, huge thanks to NetGalley and Wildfire for my copy

Another Greek goddess enters the canon in the female retellings trend. Hera is the wife of Zeus, a vengeful powerful goddess of wives and of childbirth, mother of monsters and changer of shape. However, Hera is also (whisper) pretty boring…

The Olympians beat their child-eating father Cronus and the rest of the Titans to take their place as rulers. Zeus and his lightning bolt emerge as the ruler of the rulers and the other gods and goddesses are given their own realms, except for Hera. His powerful sister doesn’t play the game well and so Zeus rapes her and takes her as her wife. She never recovers from feeling like she has had what was hers taken and spends the rest of the book trying to get her own back on Zeus, going after his mistresses and illegitimate children and scheming with Gaia’s monsters. All to no avail, the Gods continue as they always did, until the mortal world becomes not just a diversion (as with Hercules and Jason) but a fixation (Troy) and eventually a lure too great, bringing our immortals down from Mount Olympus, where Zeus is finally turned to stone.

This book was too wide in its scope, trying to tell us all of Greek mythology and failing to flesh out its characters or world in the process. Hera was mopey and unlikeable and comes off as a bitter wife or someone relying on the men to rescue her all the time. The narrative is plodding with no forward momentum - I appreciate this is difficult to achieve when dealing with immortals, but it’s precisely why the books focusing on limited events work better.

Just go back to the Odyssey and the Iliad instead, or if you want feminist, Madeline Miller or Pat Barker’s books. This isn’t worth your time.

I love mythology and was excited to read Hera's story. Sadly, this didn't work for me. Instead of the vengeful, powerful Hera having her plots work and Zeus being punished, I had whining.

The book has been on my ongoing reads list for months but despite being quite a way through it, I just don't want to finish it. I'm not enjoying how whiney Hera sounds, the third person POV isn't working for me and I don't like how Hera feels like a victim rather than the powerful, smiting goddess I expected to get.

I would've liked more world building rather than long descriptions of scenery. I wouldn't liked more in depth story details instead this felt like a speedy, factual overview of her sad life. Mainly I wanted Hera to be the strong, fierce woman that I imagined.

I think it also suffered from me knowing the Greek myths so well, I didn't feel at though I was reading something new. I do feel that this will be enjoyed by may readers, just not me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline books for an arc, all opinions are my own.

I struggled a lot with Hera. I loved Saint’s books about Ariadne and Elektra, but I just couldn’t get through Hera. It started out fine, but most of the middle was just a lot of nothing happening. I think if the book was half its length, it would’ve been so much better.

I received an ARC for this book back in April, yet never got the chance to read it at the time. I ended up reading it on a trip to Istanbul early this September, which seemed like the perfect time and place to read a book like this. Despite that, I didn't enjoy the book- not like I expected to anyway- and it's taken me a few weeks to finish my review, but here it is:

My favourite genre (or sub-genre?) of literature used to be mythological retellings. However, recently, I've grown increasingly tired of 'feminist' retellings that end up only reducing their protagonists. More and more, I feel like modern retellings, while setting out to give their character agency and voice, take away whatever they had to begin with. These characters were compelling *and* women, not compelling *despite* being women. Still, most recent retellings seem to take the latter attitude when writing their stories.

Anyone who knows anything about Greek mythology knows how complicated a figure Hera is. I was excited to read a portrayal of such a character from her own perspective- to see what nuance and internal conflict a figure such as that must contain. Jennifer Saint definitely made me sympathise with her version of Hera and feel all she felt. However, such an interesting life was taken and made into a simple response: a one-note caricature of a scorned woman even. Her version of Hera was not one I had expected- or wanted- to encounter.

Zeus, from the beginning, is allowed to be a morally questionable character. He does not need to explain away and justify his choice to be such. Why, then, must female characters have to go through sexual violence to achieve the same moral questionability? Women are not allowed to be morally questionable in the same way- they are sweet and innocent until ‘corrupted’ by the actions of a man. In attempting to give Hera agency, all that was done was give Zeus more power- to make her entire life a reaction, a response, to something he had likely already forgotten, or at least definitely moved on from. Her figure in the original myths was unpredictable- one to be feared, never to be trifled with. In this novel, we see the once near-infallible Queen of Gods become a joke in the eyes of even her own worshippers.

Is this story (and others like it) not reductionist? Are we not removing from these characters what makes them them? To take all their nuance, the internal strife they must face, and to throw it all away with the explanation that they were once harmed by a man and now everything they do, every choice made in a millennia-spanning existence, was simply in response to an act of violence perpetrated against them. I thought this story was meant to step out of that mould, to tell the side we didn't (perhaps wrongly?) infer from our childhood books of summarised Mythology. We could have explored the complex morality behind Hera's questionable decisions through the various myths and the justifications she may have given herself, if any. Instead, we only see her trying to get back at Zeus through (by her own admission) petty games.

It could be argued that that is the point of the novel. We get to see a once-warrior goddess become someone who cannot see past her game of tug-of-war with her abusive and narcissistic husband. Still, this is not the new take on the story we were promised, so at the very least, it is a disappointing case of false advertising.

"Even when they no longer worship at her alters, she won't disappear. The mortals can determine their own lives, and she will carry on. Immortal and ageless, reinvented a thousand times, remade for a thousand narratives, throneless and wandering, but forever the ruler of her own destiny."

The quote above is the finishing paragraph of the book, and it stuck out to me when I read it (and still does now) because, fundamentally, I agree. It's an idea I've been wrestling with since shortly before I read this book, and still something I think about now. Ultimately, I feel that through retellings, we join conversation with the writers and thinkers of the past. It was their own habit to tell and retell the same stories, and we can see that through the many different versions of myths that were passed down to us. They used their current ideas and context to impact and inform the stories they told, so in this regard, why are we any different to them? Still, I agree that myth retelling can be overdone and oversaturated, especially when looking through the same lens (and ignoring the bits that don't fit) each time, and I think that holds true for this novel. This was a story worth telling, but not in this way.

Ultimately, Saint set out to make Hera a sympathetic character, and she succeeded. But at what cost?

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel.

The main narrative starts with the Olympians having just taken power and continues through the famed myths of heroes to a scene in Athens that feels firmly grounded in the realm of recorded history. In less practised hands this might lead to an unfocused story, for the classic narrative structure of a life is not really applicable when dealing with immortals. However, Saint is able to both humanise Hera’s development, and so provide an understandable series of character changes that feel deeply grounded in human experience, and use that development to chart the story of all the gods, and so the wider world.

In doing this, threads from many sources are woven into a smooth textual fabric, stitching together stories of Gaia and so the world’s creation, aetiological stories that explain volcanoes and echoes, and the more tangible historical stories of Troy. I would almost go as far as to say this is done with a keener hand than by classical authors themselves, for Saint understands how to obliquely tack in the outline of a story, without distracting the reader from the overall narrative pattern, but truly it is a matter of genre, for this is most assuredly a novel with an undeniably skilfully paced plot, not a meandering pseudo-epic.

I am a huge fan of Greek mythology and was so excited to get my hands on this retelling of Hera’s story – she is one of the major players in the world of Greek gods and has multiple aspects to her story – from her childhood to her relationship with her brother/husband and all her children. The cover of this book is sublime and will for sure help to sell the story. Alas, in my opinion, Jennifer Saint does such a poor job. I cannot count how many times I rolled my eyes while reading the book – it felt like I was reading a “simplified re-telling” aimed at teens (beware: some queasy attempts at 18+ scenes). And it kind of makes sense – Jennifer Saint is (was?) a teacher so perhaps she imagines her former students as her audience? I felt Hera’s story was told in chosen facts, there was no depths, no passion to the story. The characters read like caricatures and the narrative… It was all about telling, not showing: “Hera did that, Hera flew there, Hera drank ambrosia”.

I have a feeling Ms Saint wants to write as many books on Greek mythology as she can, it seems she found her “niche” and wants to cash in on it (are the publishers pushing?). I much prefer works of Natalie Haynes – she writes brilliant books on Greek mythology!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review.

It wasn’t very emotive but I was very impressed at how much narrative was crammed into this book. Loved the way Zeus was depicted with all of his weaknesses and the way all the tales flowed from one to the next.

This is possibly Jennifer Saint's best book yet! (Or at least it's tied with Atalanta in my mind). Unlike her other books, there's not one or two central myths that provide the structure for the plot, and the protagonist is immortal, allowing this to take on a life of its own as a richly character-driven novel,
Hera is remembered by modern culture in a largely unsympathetic light – jealous, proud, cold – but this novel slowly picks that image apart, introducing her when she's still young and has the whole world at her feet. The trauma and violence that she is exposed to at a relatively young age is treated with so much care and sympathy, and the limits of her agency are interrogated without. The result is a powerfully humanizing portrait of a goddess, and a nuanced exploration of what it takes for a woman to heave power in a patriarchal world – is it worth it? Does it do any actual good? Are generational cycles inescapable in such a world?
As always, Saint's prose is evocative and lyrical, conjuring up an Olympus that is both magical and haunted. The passage of time from an immortal perspective is captured so effectively, and although the cast of characters is sprawling, the key players are memorable and distinct enough to stand out. I absolutely loved the ending.
Any fan of mythology would do well to make room on their shelf for this one!

Wow this book was incredible and by far my favourite Jennifer Saint book to date- Hera's story is massive and because of that this book is such an engaging page turner because there's simply so much ground to cover, having said that it never feels messy or chaotic it flows so well. I have always loved Hera and I think Jennifer Saint gave us Hera in all her dimensions and sides not all of them are likeable but most are justifiable.
Thank you for bringing this powerhouse Goddess to life!

Hera is the Goddesses story - retold from her perspective. Her volatile marriage to the powerhouse Zeus and her reckoning with her place among the Gods.

Saint gives Hera her voice back, not exactly rewriting her history but allowing for her perspective to be told. We finally see Hera’s side of the story - how she is forever shunned by her siblings, forced into an unlovable and manipulative marriage to Zeus and stripped of any ‘worthy’ purpose. Her identity is tied up with being the goddess of marriage and childbirth, two things which Zeus continually makes a mockery of. Saint does well at highlighting this to the reader, showing how Hera - always portrayed as the jealous and obsessive wife - came to be known this way.

Hera’s story is one that I wasn’t overly familiar with and this book is certainly a digestible answer enjoyable way to learn some more about Greek Mythology. However, I will say it didn’t move me in ways that other retelling have. Although, that may be because Hera’s story I didn’t connect with as much.

I loved this one and the opportunity to hear about a character I didnt know much about. Hera is a fascinating and thought-provoking retelling of a classic myth. It offers a fresh perspective on a well-known character and is a must-read for fans of Greek mythology and historical fiction.

In her previous novels, Jennifer Saint has retold the stories of several women from Greek mythology including Ariadne, Elektra and Atalanta. Her new book, Hera, as the title suggests, is a retelling of the life of Hera, Greek goddess of marriage.

The novel opens with Hera helping her brother Zeus to overthrow their father, the Titan Cronus, in a great war. With Cronus and the other Titans defeated and banished, Zeus divides control of the world between himself and his two brothers, Poseidon and Hades. Hera wants nothing more than to rule beside Zeus, so while her sisters Demeter and Hestia find new roles for themselves as goddesses of the harvest and the hearth respectively, Hera ends up marrying her brother. She isn’t able to gain the power she desires, however, and begins to grow increasingly resentful of Zeus.

Zeus makes Hera the goddess of marriage, presiding over weddings and childbirth, but their own marriage is far from perfect. Zeus is an unfaithful husband, cheating on Hera with nymphs, mortals and other goddesses, producing a multitude of children who either join the gods on Mount Olympus (such as Artemis and Apollo) or become heroes in the mortal world (Heracles and Perseus). Hera is determined to take revenge, but is this really her best route to happiness?

Hera is usually depicted in Greek myths as vengeful, jealous and vindictive and although Jennifer Saint has clearly set out to paint a more nuanced picture of her here, she doesn’t really do much to change that overall impression. I could certainly have sympathy for her as she’s repeatedly betrayed and treated badly by Zeus and struggles to achieve what she sees as her rightful position as his equal, but Saint’s Hera is still not an easy character to like. Her actions often seem petty and spiteful, taking out her frustrations not just on Zeus but on his children and their mothers, despite the fact that most of those women were actually raped or tricked by Zeus.

Hera is involved in many of the key moments and incidents from Greek myths and I felt that Saint tried to include absolutely everything in this book. Some episodes are fascinating and gripping, but I think others could probably have been left out. My favourite parts of the book were Hera’s visits to the caves inhabited by Ekhidna (usually spelled Echidna), the half woman-half snake who is mother to many of the most famous Greek monsters including Cerberus, the Hydra and the Chimera. In this version, Hera is the mother of Typhon, a monstrous snake-like giant, whom she gives birth to secretly and gives to Ekhidna to raise without Zeus’s knowledge.

This isn’t my favourite Jennifer Saint book – that would probably be Ariadne – but I did find it quite enjoyable and it was interesting to see Saint writing from the perspective of a goddess rather than a mortal woman for a change. Ultimately, though, I was left with a feeling of sadness because Hera seemed so bitter and unhappy; I wished she could have carved out her own path in life like Demeter and Hestia instead of allowing Zeus to do it for her. I’ll be interested to see who Saint writes about next; I would love a whole novel about Ekhidna and her monsters!

i love greek retellings, reframing them in ways that are kinder, more true towards women, and for putting a different spin on them. i loved the writing style

Hera is beautiful, elegant and has a lyrical flow that is so mesmerising you instantly fall into the world she has created, refusing to stop reading until the very last word! And that is exactly how I felt about Hera.

Knowing the least about Hera than the other deities, I went into this without any preconceived notions of what to expect and I’m pleased I did.
I loved and loathed Hera in equal measure. Walking side by side with her, you absorb the emotions she goes through helping you to understand, (not excuse), her vengeance and cruelty. At times my heart ached for her and at other times I was screaming at her but, that highlights the power of a fascinating & ferocious woman.

I fell in love with Elektra. Adored Atalanta and now admire Hera. The ultimate goddess.
(Yes, I know she wrote Ariadne first but I’m yet to read it). This was stunning, provocative, heartbreaking and beautiful.

Jennifer Saint’s retellings are exquisite.

Thank you so much, Headline/Wildfire & NetGalley, for the arc. I’m only sorry it took me so long to read.

I love Jennifer Saint. Her writing style is so engaging and I love how she writes the stories of these Greek women. Especially when she takes on the challenge of writing the POV of someone that is historically unliked. SO GOOD

Hera was an incredible read and I love how the author wrote about a well known unlikeable character. Before reading this book, I didn’t know much about Hera but it was intriguing to read this feminine retelling. Jennifer Saint’s retellings are always packed full of action and they are so easy to read.

In this retelling, we got to read about Hera when her and Zeus are overthrowing their father, so the start of her story. It was heartbreaking to read about how Zeus treat her and their children. It can be easy to see how Hera can be an unlikeable character because of her rage towards Zeus, but she has a reason to act this way, in this book. Jennifer Saint shows how Hera justifies her actions by trying to survive amongst the other Gods.

I loved reading how the family dynamics between Hera and her siblings and how they find their places on Olympus. The ending of the book was satisfying and I thought the book told Hera’s story in a thrilling and exciting way. I also love how captivating Jennifer Saint’s books are and how much can be learnt! I will always recommend these books and I’m excited to see what story we will get next.

Jennifer Saint's "Hera" offers a fresh and compelling perspective on the queen of the gods, inviting us to reconsider her motivations and complexities. Saint masterfully weaves a tale that humanizes Hera, portraying her not as a jealous shrew, but as a woman navigating a patriarchal world with strength and resilience.

The novel vividly captures Hera's journey from a young goddess filled with ambition to a powerful queen grappling with betrayal and heartbreak. Saint's prose is rich and evocative, will immerse students in the vibrant world of Mount Olympus and the mortal realms below.

WOW! Hera is a book I absolutely adored. Really no secret considering Jennifer Saint’s incredible talent, Hera was written with such tenderness, brutality and it made for an extraordinary novel. The book opens with Hera standing in the battlefield right after defeating the Titans gave me chills and put me in awe of her, so I got hooked from the first chapter.

I think I would honestly read anything Saint writes, she covers Greek mythology with clarity and deep research, so not only does the book read like a modern feminist retelling but I always feel like I’ve learnt so much more about ancient Greece.

Thank you so much to the publishers for this advance copy!