Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for feedback.

I knew within a few chapters that this would be a 5-star read for me. John Wiswell has an understanding of mortality and the utter range of ridiculousness of the human experience that is not necessarily new or edgy, but refreshing in its plainness and vulnerability. I’ll admit I often avoid mythology subgenres as I have often found them predictable and uncomfortably colonial. This reimagining is neither of those things.

This novel had me laughing to the point of tears, crying until all I could do was laugh, and occasionally debating if I was brave enough to look up the source material. I'm effing terrified of horses (iykyk).

Something that stands out to me in John Wiswell’s writing is the dynamic nature of flaws and micro-redemptions that build into overall character growth. There’s something organic about all of his characters, who sometimes get a bit better, then a lot worse, then a lot better, just to really, really embrace the worst and hope for a lucky streak. The scathing commentary on the human condition from Shesheshen in “Someone You Can Build a Nest In” had me primed some beautiful articulations about the contrast between gods and mortals, but I was surprised and delighted to see that turned inward on both sides of the narrative here.

This book is incredibly well-attuned to self-reflection but also how self-reflecting in the wrong light can lead you to a path of more harm. There were times where I found myself overwhelmed with the realness of it.

Wiswell humanizes the monstrous, mythologizes the familiar, and challenges social precedence with such gentleness, compassion, and quiet kindness that it left me really stunned. One of my favourite things about this novel is the open redemption at the end and the feeling of possibility. This is hard to pull off without coming off unpolished, dispassionate, or even a copout, but he does it so flawlessly you'll wonder why others haven't figured out the recipe.

Personally, the messy, unhinged, ridiculous, and sometimes anachronistic ways the characters spoke to each other and to themselves was my favourite part of the book, besides the general emotional catharsis and deep-seeded clever wordplay that Wiswell ought to be known for.

This felt like a long book, and I wish it were longer, but only because I never wanted the book to end...this imperfect world with some bad things and happy endings, with disabled folks, queer folks, fat folks, and all the other normal folks who feel anything but…

John Wiswell’s writing isn’t for a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie, but if you’re looking for what it means to find your way home, this is a great place to start.

This book was well-written, but I'm not sure if soft-boy Heracles is for me. I also didn't enjoy the amount of times "dipshit" was used, or cursing in general. It felt like it was just added for the sake of cursing. I'm a fan of retellings that humanize Hera and explain her actions more, but she seemed sort of foolish in this version. However, I did enjoy Heracles' labors turning into friends, even if I didn't like Logy. An interesting read for sure.

Thank you John Wiswell, DAW, and NetGalley for the ARC.

i love love LOVE Greek mythology. something about it is so interesting to me. maybe it's because i was a percy jackson kid? anyway! when i picked this up, i was excited. i was hoping that this would be good! for the most part, it was.

i liked the dual-POV element, and i liked how hera’s and heracles' stories were intertwined. i also thought this was pretty funny! this novel had a good balance of humor and heart. there were some dark moments as is true with the original myth. i also found myself tearing up from the character growth that hera goes through, especially her relationship with ares. i loved reading from hera’s perspective and seeing the relationship she had between the other gods. the dynamics were fascinating to me, and i found myself not really enjoying heracles’ chapters, which sucked. but that might have been me?

overall, a solid read and one i’ll recommend!! thank you again to netgalley & the publisher for the arc. as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. this will be out on june 17th this year!

This second novel is not quite as strong as Wiswell's first, but still worth reading. A re-telling of the myths surrounding Heracles, it's a bit of a loose and baggy monster; but with interesting things to say for those who can keep up.

Wearing the Lion was incredible. It’s a retelling of the Heracles myth in such a unique way, with a truly found family at its heart. This story broke my heart and then wrapped me in a warm hug.

John Wiswell weaves a beautiful tale. His depiction of the gods makes them feel truly divine—different from mortals yet still sharing some of humanity’s best and worst traits. The story never drags; just as mortal lives pass quickly for the gods, the pacing ensures the reader never has to wait long for a payoff.

It’s a wonderful exploration of grief and forgiveness. Honestly, I can’t find a single fault with this book. It was perfect, and I know I’ll reread it one day.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was very pleased to get an ARC of this from Netgalley as I loved John's first novel. I will admit that I am not a huge fan of Greek myth, with the exception of Xena. But I did love this. In many ways it had the same reaction to the myths that Xena did. Treating them both with comedy and also real tragedy. It was a lovely combination. The ending made me cry a LOT. It was beautifully told and a lot of fun. Definitely one I'd recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and DAW for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I don't think Wearing the Lion knows what it really wants to be. Sometimes it feels like it want to be a cozy fantasy where Heracles befriends all the monsters in his way instead of killing them. Sometimes it gives rated-r Disney's Hercules, where the gods are sorta treated as more funny and snarky then scary, but they also get to say fuck and have sex. Sometimes its trying to be a character study, balancing Heracles and his grief with Hera and her changing perspective. All of these things would be good fun on their own, but the problem comes from how poorly the novel fails to blend these into one cohesive whole.

When the book is doing just one of these things I find it too work quite well. John Wiswell is clearly skilled at moment by moment scene crafting. There are many individual chapters that were quite breathtaking. Its just when a cute chapter where Heracles names the Nemean Lion Puurseous is followed by a scene wherein he feels intense grief over his forced murder of his children I get pulled out of it.

I'll be honest I think the character work on Heracles and Hera in this novel is brilliant. Its a nice refreshing take on Heracles where he has such an empathy for everything around him, while hatred of violence that gives his quest so much depth. Hera is more than just Zeus' wife who hates that he cheats, as the novel really dives into the fact that she is the goddess of motherhood and family, and what it means for her to have so blatantly destroyed Heracles'.

Again so much of the book works, its just in the final assembly of it all that I came out saying, "Meh." I do think its worth picking up though if you like Greek myths as it is definitely doing something more than most modern retellings, which tend to feel like bland retellings in modern prose. If you can get past the whiplash that is.

I love me a fun Greek retelling!! It flips the story of Heracles/Hercules on its head and asks "what if it was the friends we made along the way?" We love a sensitive king! Wiswell's writing is at once subtle, laugh-out-loud funny, and thought-provoking. It's a perfect example of "show don't tell" and trusts the reader to come to conclusions about each character's headspace without explicitly spelling everything out.

The strongest part of this book is the character work. Each character is nuanced and more fleshed out than we're used to in Greek mythology. It skillfully handles themes of grief, guilt, and friendship. I love the dimension he's able to add to these well-known figures. Hera is not just a jealous and scorned wife, and Heracles is more than his strength. Also, it tickles me to no end that he calls Zeus "Papa Zeus" throughout the book and ends on a beautiful note. Logy 4 life.

I do feel parts of the book were weaker - the author bit off a little more than he could chew by trying to tackle all 12 of Heracles/Hercules' labors within this story. In the middle, it becomes a little monotonous as each labor ends similarly, then he had to rush to gloss over a few others. If you are in the mood for a book that's action-packed with battles, this is not the book for you! It picks back up near the end, but I struggled a bit through the middle - even with characters that I was invested in.

Overall - I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for fans of Circe/Song of Achilles.

An engaging and entertaining take on the story of Heracles, this version of the tale focuses on the relationship between the great hero and the goddess he was both named for and owes all his suffering to, creating an emotionally fraught dynamic that will keep you on your toes until the final chapter! Thank you to NetGalley and to DAW for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is so quotable. This was a great retelling of the labors of Hercules and I really enjoyed seeing from both Hercules' and Hera's point of view. Again, the gods are truly terrible but I enjoyed the great found family story. The idea of no matter how terrible things are, those who truly love you will never give up on you and never leave you.

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Although I did sort of get lost in the last third of the book and wasn't always sure of what was going on or how I was meant to be understanding the story. The alternating viewpoints of Hera and Heracles are wonderful, though, and the general premise of Heracles befriending the monsters of his Labours rather than killing them is a great one. I particularly enjoyed Purrseus and Logy. There are places, particularly in the beginning, where the book is quite funny, but it also has considerable poignancy and darkness, all handled very well.

John Wiswell's "Wearing the Lion" is a delightfully absurd and unexpectedly heartwarming twist on the classic Heracles myth. It's a book that manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely moving, a rare feat that Wiswell pulls off with aplomb.

The premise alone is comedic gold: Heracles, the legendary hero, is Hera's biggest (and most oblivious) fan, completely unaware that his very existence is a constant, painful reminder of Zeus's infidelity. Hera, in turn, is a hilariously exasperated goddess, forced to endure Heracles' well-meaning but utterly infuriating devotion.

Wiswell's writing is sharp and witty, filled with clever dialogue and absurd situations. The interactions between Hera and Heracles are a constant source of amusement, particularly Hera's increasingly desperate attempts to sabotage her unwanted devotee. The humor, however, is never mean-spirited; it's rooted in the inherent absurdity of the situation and the characters' flawed but relatable personalities.

But "Wearing the Lion" is more than just a comedy. It's also a poignant exploration of grief, trauma, and the unexpected bonds of family. After a tragic event, Heracles' journey takes a surprising turn as he rejects violence and instead embraces compassion, forming unlikely connections with the very monsters he was sent to slay. This shift in Heracles' character is beautifully rendered, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.

The book's reimagining of the classic myths is fresh and inventive, breathing new life into familiar tales. Wiswell's unique perspective and storytelling voice make "Wearing the Lion" a truly memorable read. The monster family that Heracles collects along his journey is both hilarious and touching.

"Wearing the Lion" is a breath of fresh air, a funny and heartfelt story that will leave you smiling. It's a testament to Wiswell's talent for blending humor and emotion into a truly unique and satisfying reading experience. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, think, and feel, this is it.

When you open the book to the first page and see Hera calling Zeus her ‘dipshit husband’ you know you’re in for an interesting retelling. When reading Greek mythology retellings, usually there’s an element of ‘oh yes I remember this myth and what happens next’ and enjoying the way in which the story has been retold. With this retelling however the story took so many twists and turns that I didn’t expect but really enjoyed! I loved the theme of found family and healing that the author wove into the story. Heracles and Hera’s relationship and how their stories entwined and evolved was fascinating and I loved the idea of a clueless Heracles worshipping Hera with no idea that she hates him and is the one responsible for his labours. Hera’s character was fascinating, and I loved how she developed – almost reluctantly- through following Heracles journey. Also loved her relationship with Ares, the god of war and her son. Some of those scenes (and one line in particular) made me tear up! The style of the book was anachronistic sometimes – i.e. Zeus the dipshit husband – but I really enjoyed that, and it certainly didn’t take anything away from the emotional punches of the story. In terms of a retelling of the Labours of Heracles I thought it was incredibly unique in how in portrayed Heracles – not as an angry brutish hero – but as man grieving for the family he lost and trying to find answers, and the goddess responsible trying to come to terms with how she has changed this man’s life and what it says about her. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy unconventional retellings that humanize the gods and their heroes, and the found family trope. I look forward to reading more retellings and stories by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and DAW Books for the ARC!

John Wiswell's Wearing the Lion offers a refreshing and humanizing retelling of the Heracles myth, blending humor, warmth, and introspection. The narrative reimagines Heracles not as a mythic paragon of strength, but as a relatable figure grappling with guilt, grief, and the quest for redemption. Wiswell's portrayal invites readers to explore themes of family dynamics, personal responsibility, and the complexities of heroism.

The novel's charm lies in its character development. Heracles is depicted with depth, showcasing vulnerabilities that resonate with contemporary audiences. The supporting characters, including his wife Megara and the enigmatic Hera, are equally well-crafted, each contributing to the story's rich tapestry. Wiswell's talent for crafting authentic dialogue and memorable character moments shines throughout the book.

The pacing is deliberate, allowing for thoughtful exploration of the characters' emotional landscapes. While some readers may find this introspective approach less fast-paced than traditional epics, it adds a layer of depth that enriches the overall experience. The infusion of humor provides a delightful contrast to the heavier themes, balancing the narrative and enhancing its appeal.

However, the novel's modern language and colloquial expressions may not align with everyone's expectations for a mythological retelling. Some readers might prefer a more traditional or poetic tone when engaging with ancient stories. Additionally, the portrayal of certain characters, particularly Hera, deviates from classical representations, which may be jarring for purists.

In summary, Wearing the Lion is a heartfelt and imaginative reimagining of a classic myth, offering readers a nuanced perspective on familiar tales. John Wiswell's skillful characterizations and engaging prose make this novel a worthwhile read for those interested in contemporary takes on ancient stories. While it may not adhere to traditional expectations, its unique approach provides a fresh and thought-provoking experience.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my advanced copy! <3

With Wearing the Lion, John Wiswell has cemented himself as a master of the found family. After a tragic and horrific loss, Heracles sets out to seek justice against the god responsible for his family's destruction. Little does he know that the god responsible is none other than Hera, the Goddess of Families and his own namesake that he prays to every day.

When Hera, our other POV for the book, realizes what she's caused she panics and does anything to stall Heracles' mission by sending him on a fool's quest to defeat some undefeatable monsters. Instead Heracles befriends the Lion of Nemea, aids the Hydra of Lerna, and more along the way.

Heracles' story is heartbreaking and bittersweet. There is no perfect happy ending for our tragic hero, but that's how dealing with grief and loss works in real life. Loss can tear our relationships apart and fundamentally change us, but it doesn't have to define who we are.
Heracles finding love and friendship with the monsters he meets is tender and sometimes tooth-achingly sweet but it's a healing journey that we get to join him on.
Meanwhile, Hera is a spiteful, angry mess and it takes the majority of the story for her to recognize her faults. To be fair, I suppose if you're a goddess it's hard to recognize that you could be wrong about anything. But her actions against Heracles damaged her own family, and her journey to recognize her mistakes is arguably just as touching as Heracles'.

I think the middle section of the story felt a little meandering and the pace of the plot slowed down, hence the less-than-perfect star rating. And it's a personal preference but I'm not the biggest fan of Greek gods using modern language (Hera loves to use the word "weirdo" which ripped me right out of the story). There are also a couple parts where, if you're not familiar with Greek mythology, may leave you a little confused.

But at the end of the day Wearing the Lion is touching, sweet, heartbreaking, and lovely. Additionally the representation of plus-sized people, disabled folx, and queer characters is amazing. If you're looking for a read that's both tragic and cozy this is the book for you. I also recommend Someone You Can Build a Nest In, my favorite of Wiswell's two books.

Heracles may be the son of Zeus, but he does all his deeds in the name of Hera, the goddess of families. When he is struck with madness by a mysterious god and kills his children, he’s sure Hera will return that devotion and help him gain revenge on whoever it was that did it – not realizing that she has hated him all along.

Greek mythology retellings have been in vogue in the last few years, following heroes and villains alike and reinterpreting their stories. What sets this book apart from the crowd and caught my attention is that Wiswell deviates from the myths in that Heracles chooses to befriend the monsters he is meant to capture or slay.

I expected humor from the premise, and there’s plenty of that in this book. But there’s a heartfelt exploration of grief too, and what it means to be mortal and carry mortal burdens. I loved how Wiswell interpreted the 12 Labors of Heracles in the light of processing guilt and grief, as well as the meta twist on how those stories might have come down transformed through the ages. As such this kinder, quieter retelling has more emotional heft than if the story had just been told straight.

However, I did think the pacing was slow in the middle, as Heracles wanders the land and Hera wrestles with the new concept of accountability. After the first few tasks, you begin to anticipate the pattern and then it just wears on you. That both Hera and Heracles makes for such unreliable narrators means that the story becomes disjointed at times, their interpretation of other characters’ decisions so off-base I found myself getting confused too.

DNF @30%

This book is not for me at all. Maybe it just not my style of comedy, but, wow, was this bad. The story was interesting and I've never read a Hercules retelling, so I was very excited. I liked the modern nature of the language and even though some people might not like that, I think it makes myth retellings much more accessible. However, it just was not executed well. I saw what was supposed to be comedic moments, but it all fell flat to me. It was especially painful how utterly stupid and incompetent Wiswell made Hera. Everything bad she did was an accident and out of her control and then she would flail around trying to fix it but just made it worse. She's supposed to be this vengeful, rage-filled scorned wife that's unfairly punishing Zeus' offsprings, but this book just made her out to be a bumbling idiot.

Again, I know this was supposed to be a comedy, but none of it hit the way it was supposed to. I didn't think anything was funny, but truly the worst part of the book was the amount of times "dipshit" was used. I honestly think I read it more in this book then I've ever read or heard it in my entire life. I think I might have been able to get around the other aspects I didn't love and read the whole thing, but this just made it painful to read. It all came across as juvenile and just stupid.

Obviously other people really liked this book, so this is definitely for someone, but definitely not for me and I just can't bring myself to finish it.

A surprising adaptation of one of the oldest stories in the western canon. Ancient enemies Hera and Heracles share a dual POV that manages to gently subvert and humanise gods and monsters and everything in between. A knowledge of Ancient Greek myth isn’t necessary, but does add a palimpsestuous layer of meaning. Both sad, and funny, it is a worthy follow up to the wonderful Someone to Build a Nest In.

I love a good redemption arc — and this one has that in spades. While it’s, on one hand, the story of Heracles and his labors, of how stories of his pain and struggles grew and warped his actions, shaping them into a more acceptable myth, it’s also the story of Hera, who put snakes into his cradle in order to kill him, who in her pain and offense caused him to kill his own children.

You can’t have a good redemption story without a truly sympathetic villain, someone who did horrible things — and owns them — but who wants to do better, who wants to be more, to take accountability for what they’ve done and who want to both heal the damage they’ve done and grow into a better person, to be worthy of forgiveness. Hera, in this book, is pain and wounded pride, insecurity and rage, lashing out at the sons of Zeus in a way she cannot lash out at him. She blames the children for their father’s actions, both Zeus’s mortal offspring and her own sons by him.

Hera causes Heracles to murder his own sons, something that is unforgivable, and then does her best to push the blame onto something, someone else, until she finally realizes what she’s done, what she’s really done, and decides to tell him the truth, to own her vile act and accept what comes next. This is complicated by the other gods of the pantheon to whom Hera is their queen, their mother, the authority even when Zeus is present. They do not want to see her hurt, willing to let her slide the blame elsewhere.

Heracles, in this book, is a good man. Too nice, too ready to believe in the good of others, to trust in others, he takes on his famous labors in hopes of earning from the gods the name of the one responsible for his children’s death. Instead of acting with rage and violence, he offers compassion, friendship, and love to the lion, the hydra, the Minotaur, the bull, the hind and even the horses. Again and again he is kind to everyone but himself, leaving his wife behind to find comfort elsewhere while he holds his own grief and pain to himself.

This book worked for me on many levels though it did take me some time to get into it. The writing style isn’t my favorite, but it’s well done and well written. The pace is strong, and while it did fall into a bit of a lull in the last third, I think the ending worked well with the rest of the book as Heracles, once again, chose kindness and compassion.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

I had the hardest time finishing this book because of the constant swearing. This is not the typical Greek myth retelling I was expecting and I wasn’t impressed.

I read greek myth retellings because I love the articulate and graceful language that often accompanies it. The language also often reflects the language of the time period, and this book just did not hit the mark for me.

The constant swearing, the modern language, and the representation of the characters just weren’t what I had hoped for. To be honest, I was skeptical about a Greek myth telling being told by a male author, and I’m not sure if that’s the reason for the seemingly macho bravado that all of these characters seem to possess (which makes them indiscernible from each other), but I suspect that could be a reason why all of the characters feel the need to act like the obnoxious people from WWE.

From what I understand, this is the author's first attempt at a Greek myth retelling and I’m not sure if he purposefully strayed from the norm or if just didn’t do his research. A greek myth retelling is not supposed to read as rough, jagged, and coarse. It’s supposed to be poetic, lyrical, and beautiful.