Thank you for providing me with an ARC copy of both the E-book and the audiobook of Hera.

This was a really engaging retelling of the story of Hera. This retelling highlights Hera before, during and after Zeus and the impact that a number of Gods, Demi-gods, and monsters had on her. This is something often overlooked in other retellings. Most stories of Hers focus on her vengeance and attacks on other lovers and victims of Zeus and whilst this remains part of this story, I loved that we got to know Hera before marrying Zeus and the threats and actions she faced if she wouldn’t go through with the marriage. It allowed the reader to get more of an understanding of Hera and why she acted in the way she did. Of course Hera still focused on the punishment of other women rather than Zeus for his actions and often engaged in mistreatment of the children who resulted from these relationships. However, Jennifer Saint also skilfully demonstrated Hera’s growth and focused on her realisation that Zeus’ behaviours were his own and her acceptance and understanding of the impact of the Gods on humans and each other. Although, this book doesn’t aim to redeem Hera for her wrongful actions, it does show her as someone dealing with raw and human emotions including hurt, abandonment, and betrayal, without taking away from the impact her actions had on others but whilst providing an understanding of why her feelings and actions were misdirected.

I enjoyed that this was a story about Hera but that many other monsters, Gods etc. featured in and were interwoven into the story. It also helped me to link together other retellings and stories I have previously read from Greek mythology which helped my understanding. I loved the character growth Hera had and that her story could be shared rather than overlooked or overshadowed and that the Greek Gods are acknowledged to have faults and make mistakes just as humans do.

I did enjoy reading the E-book more than listening to the audiobook in this case as sometimes it was narrated without much emotion or change in tone of voice to show the feelings of Hera and other Gods. There were also some different pronunciations which were a little off putting. However, the audiobook did pick up more towards the end, I just would have liked to have seen it get across the emotional aspect of the story as clearly as the writing did.

I will start this review by saying Jennifer Saint is one of my favourite authors, and no matter what she writes, I will read! However, will I enjoy it?

The short answer is YES! The long answer is…

I love the retellings Jennifer, writes because they give a perspective to each of the stories that we have all known and loved growing up. But changing the POV to the narrative of the female protagonist give you a way to view these characters in a new light.

I am giving Hera a 5 stars rating. This is a book we should ALL read and enjoy!

Saint's narrative highlights Hera's evolution from a carefree deity to a scorned wife grappling with subjugation and betrayal, providing readers with a more nuanced understanding of her character. In my view, I have a penchant for narratives featuring robust, unlikable female characters, yet while I found "Hera" enjoyable, I sensed a dearth of emotional depth and connection with the protagonist. These type of characters were much better executed in ‘Clytemnestra’ or ‘Lady Macbethad’, where they exude a palpable complexity that resonates with me on a deeper level. Moreover, "Hera" primarily revolves around retelling various Greek myths from Hera's perspective, spanning the entire timeline of her experiences. However, in sprawling epics such as this, the intricate layers of character development often become diluted, and unfortunately, I felt that this was the case here.

Despite its occasional shortcomings, "Hera" remains a thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics, gender inequality, and the enduring impact of betrayal. Through Hera's story, Saint challenges readers to confront the injustices perpetuated by the patriarchy and to empathize with those who have been marginalized and silenced. While some scene transitions may feel disjointed, Saint's third-person narration is emotionally evocative and lyrical, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the world of Greek mythology.
Overall, "Hera" is a captivating read for both Greek mythology enthusiasts and newcomers alike. It offers a fresh perspective on a complex deity and prompts readers to reconsider their preconceived notions of heroism and villainy in ancient mythological narratives. Despite its flaws, "Hera" is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling to challenge societal norms and amplify the voices of those who have been marginalized throughout history.

Having previously delved into Jennifer Saint's works with "Ariadne," "Atalanta," and "Elektra," I approached "Hera" with eager anticipation. However, upon completing the journey through this retelling of Greek mythology, I must admit that it fell short of my expectations. While I appreciated the exploration of Hera's character and the weaving together of various myths from her perspective, it didn't captivate me in the same way as Saint's other works did. "Hera" ended up being my least favourite among the four, as I found myself longing for the emotional depth and connection that I had experienced with "Ariadne," "Atalanta," and "Elektra."

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the e-arc of ‘Hera’.

Thank you for this arc!
This was my first book by Jennifer Saint and I was thoroughly impressed. I absolutely adored the way that Hera was portrayed in this book she was such an interesting character and was written so well!
The narrator did a phenomenal job!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Audio | Wildfire for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Saint has well and truly done it again, another incredible feminist retelling under her belt. I absolutely adored the characters, and they were all so strongly developed. This book told so many stories intertwined and it was truly beautiful to read.

The narrator for this book was not my favourite, the Greek pronunciations were poor and took away from the enjoyment of the story as it was rather distracting.

This latest feminine retelling was probably not aimed at me. I've read quite a lot of Greek myth - both the original stories and the new feminine retellings - most of which have been really excellent.

I'd say that this is aimed at someone who has read little on the subject. It certainly adds very little to the party, as it were.

We follow Hera's life from birth to a point where the gods are out in the world rather than on Mount Olympus. The stories are pretty much as the original texts with a few twists regarding Hera's state of mind as she took revenge on various nymphs, mortals and goddesses for Zeus' infractions.

I'd hoped that we'd see a totally different Hera but we get a petty, frustrated woman who can't get even. At least in the earlier tellings we were given a woman who (even though she always picked the wrong party) was pretty spectacular in her punishment. Let's face it, trying to get even with the ultimate ruler, you're always going to come off second.

I just felt Jennifer Saint has missed a trick. I felt that Hera was a much paler version of her original self and she came out looking even less of a feminist.

I listened to the audio version and there lay another problem since the narrator insisted on changing virtually every pronunciation. I am still convinced that there is now a new goddess called Hair Bear. It drove me potty. It wasn't even the Greek pronunciation. If I hadn't had the printed version to refer to I'd probably never know it was Hebe or which other gods were there.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Headline for the advance review copies - both audio and ebook.

Hera was a beautiful story about a woman trying to claim the power she is owed by any means necessary.
Hera was an interesting character to follow because many of the choices she makes are questionable yet you can understand the reasoning behind them.
The writing (as to be expected from Jennifer Saint) was beautiful
This book rlly made me hate Zeus.

Side note: for the audiobook itself there were some gods who were pronounced very differently to how they are commonly referred to and unfortunately it kept taking me out of the story whenever I heard that. Would be interesting to know if that’s how they are meant to be pronounced, but just a note I thought I would make nonetheless.

This story is a testament to a woman who only wants what is rightfully hers.
Saint demonstrates the generational cycles from Uranus to Cronus to Zeus. How each is entitled, greedy for power, and selfish.

”Hera, Goddess of marriage. Doesn’t that please you?”
“Is that what they call me?”
“It’s what you are,” he says. “It’s the title I’m giving you. What else could you be?”
Once, she thinks, there were so many answers to that question.
It’s a reminder now and always that no matter who she was before, in the eyes of the world she is Zeus’s wife.

Saint shows how the lesser Olympians are the ones who are the ones who end up being the most important and influential to the workings of the human world.

By demonstrating the importance, yet snide undercutting and power-grabbing, the insulting and vindictive gods, Saint shows that there is no real hero in Greek myth.
Indeed, everything seems more a tragedy.

As a side note, I would love a book on Athena after this book. She is disliked by so many and yet delivers her cutting lines with such clear wisdom despite her antagonism.

Ranking:
1. Atalanta
2. Hera
3. Elektra

Thank you to Headline Audio for providing the arc in exchange for a review.

HERA is a tale of the capricious gods who sow the seeds of their own destruction.

Unlike Jennifer Saint's other novels, HERA does not follow a mortal tangled in the schemes of gods and the cruel men they favour. This is instead a tale of the gods (though the male gods are certainly still cruel and selfish.) This means the tale does not focus on a certain event, a single myth the heart of the retelling, but rather weaves many of them together into a tale of fighting for power and change.

Hera is an unlikeable main character, as grasping for power as the men around her, full of vengeance and cruelty. She is powerful but afraid, lashing out in fear, plotting to hurt those who Zeus seduces because she can't revenge on him. It made for an interesting main character to follow because you don't agree with her but understand the flaw at her centre.

The ending was the part I enjoyed most, following the story to a place Greek mythology retellings rarely go. The story of Hera in the myths doesn't come with a triumphant victory, some way she triumphs in the end. Jennifer Saint finds a way to bring a closure around the idea of power, using a hollow victory that challenges Hera's world view. It's very satisfying to see it all crumble around the gods and who is able to find a way to survive.

Naomi Frederick narrates. I liked how stately it was, reflecting the queenly aspect of Hera. It was also interesting to hear the names of the Greek gods, different to the ones I'm probably pronouncing wrong.

This was my first Jennifer Saint book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator brought the story to life and kept it interesting till the very end. I will be picking up this author's other books

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this new portrayal of Hera! Usually she is the jealous and angry wife, but Jennifer Saint portrays Hera as a warrior, a diplomat, a mother and so much more. I enjoyed that the more problematic aspects of mythology were kept in, and the ending left me hopefull about the Olympic gods.

Saint has breathed new life into the Hera myth, telling her side of the story in a unique way. Was she in the wrong sometimes, yes but honestly Zeus is just an asshole.

I liked how this had a hopeful ending, making it seem like the Olympians (not Zeus thankfully) are still out there today.

4.5 stars! A beautiful, evocative feminist retelling of Hera's story. I am convinced that Jennifer Saint can do no wrong. I have been waiting to read this for so long and it did not disappoint.