We begin with a war; the Titans and the Olympians are fighting and, as a child of two Titans, Hekate is taken along by her mother Asteria as she flees from the victorious Olympians. Asteria knows she cannot outrun them forever, especially with a child to care for, so she leaves Hekate under the care of other gods and keeps running.

Hekate grows feeling alone and with no purpose - what is her destiny, what is her place? There is a lot going on, the betrayals and secrets that seemingly everyone is keeping, Hekate's continuous growth in power as she discovers what her fate truly is. Personally, she befriends a young Hades and later on doesn't recognize the paranoid and cruel god she once knew. She longs for family, and when she finds it, she wonders if she can trust them. Her bond with Thanatos is a tender one, but it may spell doom for both of them.

Just as we begin, we end this book with a war, and Hekate's part in it speaks of a goddess who has found her purpose and has embraced who she truly is.

Poetic, lyrical prose and ancient mythology are the perfect blend - the stories of old are so grand and involve such massive versions of the human experience that in this book by Nikita Gill, the lush writing brought out every feeling and gilded the story of Hekate, goddess of witchcraft and necromancy.

Also, and as usual, Zeus is an asshole.

Hekate is not a plot-driven story. If you're hoping to dig into the rich backstory of Hekate and truly understand who she became, this isn't that. Instead, it's a lyrical exploration of her early years - an origin story, if you will - told through the lens of a war-torn child caught in the middle of the Titanomachy (the great war between the old gods, the Titans, and the new gods, the Olympians). It's a refreshingly unique take. For a goddess, it gives her a striking sense of humanity.

This book is perfect for fans of Madeline Miller's Circe. While it doesn't quite carry the emotional gravitas of Circe, the lyrical progression and emotional pacing are similarly compelling. Again, this is more of a personal journey than a sweeping mythological retelling.

I was unfamiliar with Nikita Gill's writing before listening to Hekate, but knowing now that she has primarily published poetry makes a lot of sense. She also narrated the book, which I thought was lovely. I love when authors perform their own work because you know they're interpreting it as they intended. Gill has a lovely Indian accent, voice, and pace. It's very soothing and gentle, and given how Hekate is held apart and different from the other gods, it only enhances how Hekate is interpreted by Western listeners.

I'll admit, of all the major Olympians and Titans, Hekate has always been a mystery to me - so I jumped at the chance to read this. It wasn't what I expected, but not in an unpleasant way. I enjoyed it, and it was a very easy listen.

I see this is meant to be a series, and I hope future installments will offer an equally imaginative exploration of Hekate’s later life. There’s so much left unsaid.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and the author for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

From the very first line I was dragged into this confusing and spiralling world that Hekate inhabits. It’s full of grief and magic, and every moment was insane from start to finish. It was truly something else, and I will have to check out the other books by this author because I don’t think I will ever get enough of how haunting and poetic their writing was.

If you don’t know anything about Hekate and her myth then this will be such a unique and interesting book to read! She’s the Greek goddess of magic, the night, ghosts and crossroads. She’s the mysterious figure who shows up at the edges of life and death, moments of change (hence crossroads). She is fierce, protective, a little scary but also kind of nurturing (in a dark and protective/powerful way). Nikita Gill captured all of this perfectly 🖤

The imagery throughout was truly insane. I felt like I could feel the fire and the moonlight, the grief and the magic through every word that I was reading. It had me hypnotised and desperate to find out what would happen next, and I frequently found myself pausing on lines, rereading and trying to make sense of every magical thing that was happening.

I also loved how this book weaved in themes from the myth itself, and almost made its self something unique in the sphere of myth retellings. Hekate is a guide, a protector of women, a goddess of transformation and endings, and all of it was captured so beautifully.
This is gonna sound super “woo woo” but reading this almost felt ritualistic and I came out of this one feeling recharged and raw.

If you like greek retellings then please pick this one up. It isn’t so much of a retelling as a reminder, but it was dark and magical, deeply human (ironically). It was wild, messy and completely unforgettable and captured perfectly everything that this myth represents.

I really enjoy mythology retellings, so when I discovered Hekate's story told by Nikita Gill, I immediately requested it. I particularly enjoyed the audiobook version, as it is definitely the best way to experience the story. Nikita Gill narrates it herself, which adds depth to the narration. If you like mythology and poetry, I highly recommend picking up this book. Also, it appears that this is the first book in a series, so I'm curious to see whose story we will get to read next. Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was so interesting! I loved it. The thought and research put into this was just amazing. I am very thankful for the opportunity to listen to this and the narrator did a fabulous job. I loved her accent, I felt it really brought this to life. I 100% recommend this.

This book continues to be compared to Circe, but the only similarity is that both are retellings of mythology.
This book was….fine? This is the first I’ve read from the author and I understand the appeal of their work in general but this book didn’t do anything novel. I remained detached throughout, unable to escape fully into the story.

The audiobook was enjoyable and I would recommend to those who plan to read the book.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Hekate was a titan, born just as the war between the Titans and Olympians was taking place. Her mother takes her, fleeing into the Underworld and leaving her with the goddess Styx and Hades in order for her to be protected from Zeus and Poseidon. While there, she learns about who she is, but she’ll have to leave in order to heal from her past and become the goddess she was always destined to become.

This was an extremely feminist retelling of the Hekate myth. I will say, there are some moments in this that I found to be interesting, but it was slow – despite the fact that there’s like a new chapter every other page. I don’t honestly know how often the chapters switched but there were so many, and with the audio it felt a little tedious constantly switching to the next chapter. However, that being said, I did enjoy this. I liked the way the plot went, from her journey through the Underworld to meeting her father, to her run-in with Kronos, her romance, and her eventually helping to save Kore. There’s a lot of great imagery, and the language was gorgeous, but the super short chapters made it feel a bit choppy. And while I wasn’t a big fan of the audio because of the format, I did think that the narrator does a fantastic job.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to listen to Hekate: The Witch, Goddesses of the Underworld by Nikita Gill. I rated this novel 4.25.

This is a thoughtful retelling that brings one of mythology’s most enigmatic figures to center stage. As a fan of Greek mythology retellings, I found it both beautiful and lyrical.

Told in verse, this collection of poetry follows Hekate’s journey from birth to womanhood, weaving together fragments of myth and lore into a cohesive narrative. Along the way, Gill explores complicated family ties, the capricious nature of gods, and Hekate’s search for purpose.

The listening experience was smooth and immersive, with Gill’s narration enhancing the lyrical quality of the verse beautifully. I’ll be eagerly awaiting book two.

This book was phenomenal, especially considering I knew of some of the tales that were told, but not of Hekate's involvement. Going into this book, I thought Hekate was a dark creature who was portrayed as evil. This story portrays a child whose parents were taken from her, a girl who went through trials, and a woman who made decisions based on kindness and caring rather than greed and self-indulgence. The gods she despises, she helps because it is the right thing to do in order to also help out humans. The gods are portrayed as what our leaders and politicians exude, which is their own self-interest and covetousness. They suppress what and who they fear may rise against them or take power from them. I absolutely am appreciative of this story and cannot wait for more!!!

I received an advanced listeners(?) copy of this book from Net Gallery!

Hekate’s story is not one that is told a lot, so I was really excited to listen to this audio book. I’m afraid, and I’m so sorry to say, this book was not for me. 🙈I thought that it was monotonous. I kept looking forward to it ending. But don’t let this discourage you from reading/listening to it and forming your own opinion!!!

3.5 ⭐ (rounded up)

As a fan of Greek Mythology, I was very excited for this. Hekate has always intrigued me. I feel like I would have enjoyed this more had I had a physical copy or one to read alongside the audiobook. With this book having more of a poetry format, it translated a little rough as audio only. The pauses seemed unnatural/too long since I could not tell when the prose ended. I definitely want to revisit this with a physical copy along with the audiobook.

I think the narration was beautiful. Nikita really knows how to bring her own story to life and make you feel the emotions.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and the author for the ALC! ✨

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette for the ALC! I absolutely love Greek mythology retellings and this book intrigued me from the moment I saw the title and cover. Hekate the witch goddess has always been a favorite of mine. After reading the blurb about the book, I was expecting a novel about her. However, this isn’t really a novel and I find it hard to even call it a book. It’s more like a string of prose about the life of Hekate. I don’t think this translated to an audiobook well at all. It feels very choppy and often ends mid conversation and sometimes even mid sentence. I’m not really a fan of flowery writing or poetry so unfortunately this was not the book for me.

4.5/5. Thank you to Nikita Gill, the publisher, and Netgalley for the ALC!

Mythology is one of my favorite topics and you can tell that Nikita Gill also has a great love for it. This retelling of Hekate's story is lyrical, engrossing, and (in the audiobook format) a pleasure to listen to. Gill's voice is a pleasure and she reads it as she intended it to be read, which I always appreciate.

We follow Hekate from birth, where she shortly after must flee with her mother as the Olympians take over. Our journey to the Underworld with her follows her maturity into discovering who - and what - she is as she finds new allies, family, and selfish Gods who take what they want.

This isn't written fully as the narrative many young adult readers may be used to, but I think it fits the mythological setting very well. Half poetry, half prose, it holds that nebulous line about how myths have been presented to audiences before. While in an audio format, it can be a little jarring, but the rhythm starts to come together quickly.

Overall, a very enjoyable read! Adding it to my collection once it comes out.

I’ll be honest—I went into Hekate with sky-high expectations. Greek mythology retellings have absolutely flooded the market lately, and frankly, I’ve grown a bit weary of the same old stories told in predictable ways. But Nikita Gill? She’s different. And this book proved exactly why I keep coming back to her work.

From the very first lines, I knew I was in for something special. Gill doesn’t just retell Hekate’s story; she breathes life into it through verse that flows like incantations. There’s something almost hypnotic about the way she weaves words together—it’s poetry masquerading as prose, or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, it works beautifully.

What struck me most powerfully was how Gill positions Hekate as a child refugee at the story’s opening. We meet her at the tail end of the Titanomachy, this brutal war between Titans and Olympians, and she’s literally running for her life. Reading this in 2025, with everything happening in our world, those passages hit differently. Gill’s words about children caught in conflicts they didn’t create—they linger with you long after you’ve finished reading.

The audiobook experience elevated everything to an almost otherworldly level. Having Gill narrate her own work felt like sitting across from her as she shared this sacred tale. Her voice carries the weight of each carefully chosen word, and honestly, there were moments where I had to pause just to let the beauty of a particular passage settle in. It’s rare when an author’s narration enhances rather than detracts from their written work, but Gill absolutely nails it.

I found myself completely enchanted by the underworld sections. Hekate’s journey through these mysterious realms felt like genuine exploration—not just of physical spaces, but of power, identity, and belonging. Her relationships with Thanatos and Charon developed with such organic warmth that I genuinely looked forward to their scenes together. These weren’t just plot devices; they were real connections that anchored Hekate’s transformation.

And speaking of transformation—watching Hekate come into her own power was nothing short of thrilling. Gill doesn’t rush this process. She lets it build slowly, deliberately, until that final crescendo where Hekate fully embraces who she’s meant to become. The parallel moment with Kore (Persephone) had me literally cheering out loud. Two women, two goddesses, refusing to be diminished by the expectations and cruelties of those around them.

Which brings me to one of the book’s most unflinching elements: Gill’s portrayal of divine brutality. The gods in this story aren’t distant, benevolent figures. They’re petty, cruel, and absolutely terrifying in their disregard for anyone they deem beneath them. The misogyny runs deep, the power plays are vicious, and the fear that drives these supposedly all-powerful beings is palpable. It’s uncomfortable to read at times, but it should be.

The mother-daughter relationships throughout the book absolutely wrecked me emotionally. Gill captures that fierce, protective love that transcends even death itself. These aren’t just plot points—they’re the emotional core that gives weight to every other element in the story. The sacrifices, the separation, the desperate attempts to shield children from horrors they’re too young to understand—it’s all handled with such tender brutality that I found myself crying more than once.

What sets this apart from other mythology retellings isn’t just Gill’s gorgeous verse-like prose (though that certainly helps). It’s her ability to make ancient stories feel urgently contemporary without losing their mythic power. Hekate’s journey from refugee child to goddess of her own destiny speaks to something timeless and universal, yet it feels specifically crafted for this moment in history.

I’ve read my fair share of Greek mythology retellings—trust me, the competition is absolutely fierce in this genre. But Hekate has claimed a permanent spot on my favorites shelf. It’s the kind of book that changes how you think about familiar stories, that makes you see new depths in characters you thought you knew.

Nikita Gill has outdone herself here. This isn’t just a retelling; it’s a reimagining that honors its source material while creating something entirely fresh. Short enough to devour in a single sitting but rich enough to reward multiple readings, Hekate is easily one of my top reads this year.

For readers who like:
If you’re drawn to Madeline Miller’s lyrical approach in Circe, you’ll absolutely love Gill’s poetic storytelling style. Fans of Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne and Elektra will appreciate the unflinching look at divine cruelty and female resilience. Those who enjoyed Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls for its fresh perspective on familiar myths will find similar innovation here. And if you’re someone who loved the verse novel format of Elizabeth Acevedo’s work or the mythic reimaginings in Natalie Haynes’ A Thousand Ships, this book bridges those worlds beautifully.

This also works perfectly for readers who want their mythology with contemporary relevance—think along the lines of how Rick Riordan makes ancient stories feel immediate, but with more sophisticated, adult themes.

Final Verdict
Hekate is a masterclass in how to breathe new life into ancient stories. It’s fierce, beautiful, heartbreaking, and ultimately triumphant. The audiobook narration transforms it into an almost ritualistic experience, while the written version rewards careful, contemplative reading. If you’re looking for mythology with teeth, heart, and absolutely stunning language, this is it. Highly recommended for anyone ready to fall in love with Greek mythology all over again—or for the first time.

Grateful to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Nikita Gill for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Hekate
Nikita Gill
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book: 67
Favorite quote:
It seemed to me that anything unpredictable was named dangerous by Gods and men alike. But the word unpredictable seemed reserved for women alone. A woman they cannot control, whether Goddess or mortal, is a dangerous woman.

Thank you NetGalley, Hackett Audio, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Nikita Gill for the opportunity to read the ARC for Hekate.

I was a little off put by this book at first due to the formatting but I quickly got over it. The story was so good. The writing was not quite Madeleine Miller level of entrancing but I loved learning more of the Triple Goddess. Her origins, how she came to befriend Hecuba, the titanomachy, and the “reduce” of Kore. This book was well written and beautiful. I also LOVED the narrator for the audiobook. Her voice is lovely and the emotion she lends to Hekate also lends itself well to the story. Hekate goes on a hero’s journey, where a young god child began her quest and comes back a seasoned Titanide and Goddess.

Definitely a 4.5 for me. Nikita Gill's voice does Hekate justice and I love it. She brings her to life in ways I never would have expected.

I loved this retelling. I feel like Hekate is so overlooked, so to have a retelling of her was amazing. I loved Hekate's journey from childhood to womanhood. I'm so used to father and son mythology retellings that having a mother and daughter was refreshing even though it was also devastating. The proses were great and having them read the way it did told such a beautiful story of self discovery and love. And Thanatos!!! I needed more.
But I think what I loved the most was the feminist reimaging of it all. How she--goddess of witchcraft and necromancy-- is feared by all the gods. We get so many stories of the men of mythology, this was a great change from that.

The story of the goddess Hekate told in part through verse comes to life through Nikita Gill's own narration in the audiobook. I was absolutely hooked from the start and read the book (listened to it) in one go. I always enjoy when an author narrates their own work, as they themselves know best where emphasis should be given or which emotions should be heard through their voice. This was no exception. Considering some other reviewers have mentioned struggling with the verse I especially recommend giving the audiobook a chance.

Hekate plays a minor role in several myths, but I've never come across a story centered on her. So it was very nice to read her story of both her origins, her coming of age and her claiming her own place among the immortals.

It didn't quite stole my heart like some other myth retellings, so that's why I'm giving it 4 stars. The audio narration is 5 stars however!

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with this ARC. All opions are my own.

Also, like always, Zeus is the worst. Luckily he played only a tiny part in this book.

Renown poet Nikita Gill delivers a thought-provoking retelling of HEKATE. Despite being based in Greek mythology, it’s a rather timely story, dealing with the overwhelming grief and cruelty of families torn apart by war, power-hungry men and the challenges of building a life in foreign lands. The languages shines in this book, unsurprisingly, given Gill’s other work, and the delivery makes it seem like you’re at a poetry reading in the best way. Every word and very pause is deliberate, every emotion palpable. It’s an unusual blend of soothing and captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this arc.

4.5⭐️

This was such an interesting book. I’ve previously really enjoyed other Greek mythology retelling including Circe and this was exactly what I wanted.

Going into this I had no previous knowledge of Hekate or her story so it was so interesting to hear where she fits in to the Greek mythology that I do know.

The narrator was great and she really brought life to the emotions and added intrigue and interest throughout.

If you’re a fan of Greek mythology this is definitely one for you to try.

I absolutely adored this book. I loved Hekate’s journey through girlhood into womanhood. The way that some of the struggles that girls and women have to work hard in male dominated societies really hit the way it was intended. I loved how this book addressed a mothers love through sacrifice and really made you feel what was given up.

The narration was good. It was very easy to follow and this is one of those books that I would recommend to anybody, but specifically a mother or girl/woman coming in to her own. While Hekate is a goddess of transition, this book is such a great reminder to keep going and moving forward. I really enjoyed her story.