I can’t wait for the next book in this series! As an SLP, I loved that this book had a FMC with a stutter—representation matters, and Alexis totally owns it in her sarcastic, awkward, and endearing way. Her internal dialogue was absolutely hilarious. She’s the queen of witty comebacks (even if they’re just in her head). That said, the constant mentions of wanting to kill herself were... a bit much at times.

Alexis’ backstory as a homeless, abused foster child is heartbreaking, and I couldn’t help but root for her the whole way. While the teacher-student dynamic might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it added an extra layer of tension that kept me turning the pages. And yes, it’s spicy—consider yourself warned (or intrigued)!

I’ve seen some mixed reviews, but honestly, I don’t get the hate. It’s bold, unique, and a little messy—in the best way. If you love strong FMCs who are real, flawed, and still funny as heck, give this one a shot!

At first glance, it might seem like a sweet romance story, but it actually evolves into an exciting survival tale that any fan of Greek gods will love, complete with a surprising twist!

Okay I am obsessed with this book! I'm not sure if I'll be able to wait until October for book 2 ;(
5 stars all the way!!!

A big thank you to Jasmine Mas, Harlequin Audio, and Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook!

This was my first time ever listening to an audiobook and I enjoyed every second of it. The narrators did a fantastic job getting me hooked on the story from the early chapters and making me feel immersed in the story. The narration was easy to follow along with and I hope they narrate the next book when it comes out!

This book combined my love for greek mythology, elements of dark romance, and a little bit of mystery in a dangerous school setting - I loved it!!! From seeing Alexis go from the quiet bullied girl growing up in rural Montana with her foster brother Charlie and abusive foster parents to badass spartan in the crucible through the end events of the book was crazy. The character development was insane and I'm so here for the female rage, especially after the last 20% of this book, iykyk...

Patro, Achilles, Augustus, and Kharon were everything I hoped for and more. I know there's a lot of information that as a reader I don't have yet that might sway my decision, but I am sooooo team professors right now. I knew there was going to be things revealed at the end, but wow my jaw was on the floor. Augustus and Kharon were so mysterious and alluring for the entire book and I was giggling every time an alternate pov was given in the book.

I am so happy that this was the last book that I read in 2024 because its easily one of my favorites of the year! If you're thinking about picking this book up, you have to!!

I listened to the audiobook book for this one, I went in KNOWING this was going to be bad, but thought maybe it could still be fun.

However, the audiobook narration was probably the highlight of the experience for me. The narrators brought distinct voices and energy to the story, making it engaging to listen to even when the story was terrible. The male narrators, in particular, did a great job with their roles, even though they weren't introduced until like 30% into the book.

Unfortunately, the story itself was still a let down even going in expecting to be disappointed. The FMC felt extremely immature for her age. She constantly mentions being tired, hungry, or dizzy throughout the entire book, and the humor felt forced rather than clever. The FMC also has this strange obsession with Carl Gauss (yes... the 18th century astronomer) and constantly fantasized about having a relationship with him?? The romance was also problematic, there was no chemistry between the main characters (guess because she was obsessed with an astronomer and not a chemist 🥁 I'll see myself out). The writing in general was just very poor and focused too much on trying to be quirky.

I don't know that I would recommend this to anyone.

WOW. Buckle up friends let me tell you all about this book and the roller coaster I just went on with it. I genuinely don't think I have ever loved an authors writing style more than Jasmine's in this current moment. Laughing, crying and rolling my eyes so much that my face hurts. (A literal headache from rolling my eyes so much) Before I get far into this review I am gonna say it. I went in blind, I had a small understanding of the book (obviously I read the synopsis) and I've seen there was a lot of hype. However, I had not read any other reviews, or posts about this book. And I am so glad I didn't it made this book so much more fun for me.

Will I probably get hate for saying I don't know much about Greek Mythology to begin with? I might, but that's fine. Going in I was sooooo nervous that I would be confused or even a bit lost knowing literally nothing about Greek Mythology. Yet, that was a non-issue, anytime I was feeling confused or lost, there was an answer or subtle reminder to follow it up with. This book also made me feel super smart reading it, the super advanced math talk made me feel like I was learning about it (don't crush my dreams here I am so bad at math). It was fun to be able to vicariously live that life while reading.

This plot line had me on edge the entire time I was reading. It honestly was more thrilling than most thriller books I've read recently. (oops sorry) I felt like I was digging for the answers and they were being dangled just above my head. The story as a whole didn't feel rushed or stalling at any points, the pacing was really well done and my intrigue never wavered. The moody and snarky writing style really helped me love this book.

Alexis the woman you are. If I could tell someone to read a book to understand my inner dialogue, it would be this book. The character depth and development was phenomenal, the lived experience not being shoved aside was also amazing. Even though she had been through some terrible things, she kept fighting. May I speak about Nyx? And how do I get a sassy snake that goes from 0 to 100 in moments. All of the characters in this story had a wonderful depth to them that just flowed so well. I am excited for the next book in this series.

The narration of this book was wonderful, one reason I really love listening to audiobooks is to help bring the story to life. Sadly I am not someone who can envision what is happening while reading. With that it's nice to be able to hear the story come to life. Hearing the sarcastic comments, and emotion really helps me immerse myself into a book. All of the narrators did such an amazing job really telling this story. I listened to this audiobook in 2.75x speed and had no issues with needing to go back and re-listen to any part.

My rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️
Quote: "Home is not a place" "It's a person"

Thank you to Jasmine Mas, Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for letting me ARC/ALC listen to this book. I am in love with the story and how it was told. Cannot wait for book 2!

The audiobook narrators are fantastic, that was probably my favorite part. I was disappointed that we didn't get either of the male narrators until like 30% thought.

The actual story.... was not great. The FMC is so immature and traumatized that her internal monologue was painful to me. The sexy, dark, dangerous love interests were great but she was constantly having such teenage girl responses to things in very adult situations. Also the amount of times she was like "this deadly test isn't as bad as high school" please... I rolled my eyes so much. I was laughing at it not with it, even though many people say it was funny in a good way.

3.5 to 4
I liked this unique story. It was unique and funny, and I do think it helped that I did this as an immersive read. I listened to it and followed along in the book. Had I not had the audio, I am not sure if I would have enjoyed it because I feel like some of the banter (which was so good!!) could have been taken the wrong way and maybe not as its intended purpose. Some parts were repetitive, and Alexis got on my nerves a lot. I really feel like The Crucible lasted most of the book, and that just made it seem a lot longer than it needed to be. I did enjoy the war college aspect of the book, and the sarcastic comments between characters, which I feel is what saved this. I didn't expect the ending, and because of that, I do want to read book 2 when it comes out. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to listen to the ALC.

I was absolutely obsessed by The Blood of Hercules audiobook—it brought the characters to life in such a vivid way! I can’t imagine experiencing the story any other way. Were there moments of confusion? Sure, but that only adds to my excitement for the second book. I can’t wait to dive back into this world!

I devoured this book and then immediately came running to do an audio reread.

I loved Alexis when I was reading her thoughts - she had me cackling from the start. Easily 90% of my tabs were her inner monologue and she might be one of my favorite fmcs now. So, naturally I just HAD to know if the audio did her sarcasm any justice. Thankfully, it did, and more. Meg Sylvan’s narration of Alexis is fantastic but Nyx?! Absolutely perfect. It’s not easy to voice a bossy snake bestie, but she delivered.

But don’t be fooled, Blood of Hercules is pretty dark. My girl Alexis goes THROUGH it. Then through it again. Then again in the freezing cold. There’s a delicate balance of humor and utter despair thats done so well and made this impossible to put down.

While Alexis sets the sarcastic tone of the story, the mmc’s are the dark and villainous edge that balanced everything perfectly. Their narration is powerful and all consuming and you can truly imagine the presence they would take up in a room. They don’t sound like men, they sound like Spartans… and I’m crossing my fingers for more from their pov in the next book!

Tropes include:
•Enemies to lovers
•Reverse harem
•Slow burn
•Banter!
•Top-tier animal companion
•Secret identity
•Greek mythology

4.5> More please. Please?? I ate this up during the holiday break. I cannot stress how much I loved that the romance aspect didn't even come into play till about half way through. A strong FMC through and through. This is a new standard of how to handle a harem, bold woman, and magic system. Bravo!

I REALLY enjoyed this book! Was it a literary masterpiece? I mean, no. BUT I had the best time reading it. I did dual listen and read the physical book, both experiences were great! It was fast paced, full of action and humor. I just LOVED Alexis and her inner monologue, she had me laughing so hard at times, especially listening to it because Meg Sylvan executed Alexis perfectly! I wasn’t sure how the present day setting/greek mythology was going to mix, but no complaints, it worked for me!

This one was easy to get lost in, forget you were reading and just enjoy yourself! Also, I had zero clues this was the beginning of a reverse harem, so there’s that to look forward to in the rest of the series! 💁🏼‍♀️

Read if you like:
🤍Greek mythology
🖤Dark romance
🤍Hidden powers
🖤Overprotective MMC’s
🤍Strong FMC
🖤Slow burn reverse harem
🤍Multiple POV
🖤Urban fantasy

Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas

Imagine your intrusive thoughts grabbing the reins of your life and steering you into a chaotic spiral of absurd hilarity—that’s what reading (or, in my case, listening to) Blood of Hercules feels like. This audiobook ARC? A certified wild ride. Relatable? Oh, absolutely. Excessive at times? Without question. But somehow, it works.

With narration from a powerhouse cast like Meg Sylvan, Teddy Hamilton, Aiden Snow, and Tristan Morris, how could you go wrong? The voice acting was chef’s kiss and kept me thoroughly engaged, even when I had absolutely no idea what was going on. Ancient Greece? Modern-day? A Denny’s parking lot at 2 a.m.? Truly, it’s anyone’s guess. But I was here for it.

And the “who did this to you” moment? That scene alone gave this book life. If you know, you know.

Initially, I was teetering on a solid three stars, but then the secrets started to unfold. Suddenly, I felt like I was watching an episode of Jerry Springer—the drama, the revelations, the chaos! I had no choice but to bump it up because, DAMN IT, Jasmine Mas, you hooked me. And that ending? Straight to the preorder line for book 2. Another book added to the TBR—like I needed more reasons to procrastinate in real life.

This is the perfect read for anyone looking for a quick course in “Greek Mythology Lite,” sprinkled with unhinged humor and wild twists. The humpback whale bit? Still cackling.

So, if you’re ready to embrace the chaos and laugh your way through a soap opera in mythological form, Blood of Hercules is for you. Buckle up—it’s a ride you won’t forget.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this advanced listening copy.

#mustread #harlequinaudio #bloodofhercules

1.5⭐️for effort…
✨Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC✨
Oh boy, this was a hot mess, and l'm disappointed because I was looking forward to loving this after I saw Fairyloot was releasing a special edition. I also love Greek mythology retellings and the like, but man.. this was terrible.
I knew in chapter one this wasn't the book for me.
Very weird instalove from the MMC, he was a creep. And Alexis-ah, I just didn't like her. Weird dialogue and story-l just didn't even want to listen to it for more than I had to.

Book Review: Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas ★★★½
First off, a heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and the talented author, Jasmine Mas, for providing me early access to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Overview
Blood of Hercules takes readers on a reimagined journey through Greek mythology, where sarcasm, dark fantasy, and romance blend in unexpected ways. The story follows a foster child who discovers she possesses Herculean blood and must navigate a world ruled by Spartans — a class of immortals with god-like powers.

Writing Style
One of the standout features of Mas's writing is her engaging narrative style. Despite the ancient setting, she breathes a modern freshness into the dialogue, making the story feel both vibrant and relatable. Her ability to weave humor into darker themes kept things interesting.

Plot Development
However, while the concept is intriguing and the premise compelling, I found that the plot took considerable time to gain momentum. It wasn’t until quite late in the book—around the 80% mark—that the protagonist's true strength is revealed. This pacing made it challenging to stay fully invested, as I craved a stronger portrayal of her inherent power from the get-go.

Characterization
As for the protagonist, I struggled with the portrayal of her character. The "poor little weak girl" trope, while often prevalent in young adult literature, didn’t resonate with me here. The book summary suggests she is a strong heroine, yet this aspect felt underdeveloped until much later in the narrative. Additionally, the presence of multiple tropes left me a bit overwhelmed, as it seemed Mas was experimenting with a variety of fantasy genres rather than honing in on a single one.

Conclusion
Overall, Blood of Hercules has a lot of potential, and I truly appreciated the author's creative approach and unique writing style. While the plot could benefit from a more focused direction and character development, I look forward to seeing how Jasmine Mas continues to evolve this story in the upcoming follow-ups.

If you're a fan of dark fantasy romance with a twist, this book is likely to pique your interest. I'm excited to see the journey unfold!

Modern society mixed with Greek mythology?? multiple voice actors? yes!!! this book was absolutely delicious and engaging. I went in completely blind and loved what I found through this book. The dystopian vibe mixed with the trials made this book unputdownable. Thank you for this audio copy! Can’t wait for book 2~

Devoured this book. I have never related to an FMC more, in terms of like personality/ sense of humor. If you have or love dark/witty humor- yeah… this one is IT!! I am 100 percent certain I have never laughed as much while reading any other book as I did with this one. Which is saying something considering it’s fairly dark with serious things happening the entire time… I’ve seen this book is garnering very polar opposite reactions and I can understand why, the humor and writing is unique—but to me it’s unique in the BEST possible way. I think depending on your type of sense of humor it will make or break your opinion honestly. I loved it though! Can’t wait for book 2. (Greek mythology reimagining, why choose, morally grey characters, trials)

Didn’t love this one quite like I thought. I liked the narrator but the story wasn’t for me. Finished it but likely won’t be reading the second book in the series

I absolutely LOVED this book! I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews on The Blood of Hercules but it a definite favorite of mine now. I loved the school the spice and knowing exactly what the FMC was thinking. She’s so corky and fun! I love the different MMC perspectives too! The narrators for this audio book were so on point! Will definitely be recommending!

This book/audiobook is worth the hype that I have seen and heard across social media platforms. The story has heavy topics, intrigue, plot-twisted, and humor. I don’t want to spoil this story though I enjoy it from beginning to end, loving every minute. It has been the first book in a while that has kept me up til the wee hours of the morning.

What if Percy Jackson had zero common sense, never picked up on clues, and was completely insufferable?..... You would get this book.
The constant writing that the FMC is dizzy, confused, stumbling, or feeling nauseous was OVERDONE. She is miserable the entire book. Literally the entire book. She is drowning in trauma. She is literally a broken person that is suffering the entire book, YET multiple men see her (from their POV) and ink "oooh look at that bloody frail woman who just vomited.... I want to bang her".
I found the romance so inappropriate. The men see a woman who has been assaulted and starved her entire life and they decide to pin her against a wall, choke her, and then trick her into an engagement.
I am convinced any good review of this book was paid for by a PR company. Not only will I NOT read the next book, I will NEVER read this author again if this is how they see women. I am thoroughly disappointed.