In this re-telling of Hera, the Greek goddess of marriage and women, we follow the journey of ups and downs during the rule of the Olympians. It can be picked up without prior knowledge of Greek mythology, and opens the gateway to intrigue for learning more as someone who personally has limited knowledge of Greek mythology.

Saint's writing is rich, painting effortlessly beautiful scene after beautiful scene and shares an appreciation for the smaller things in life before Hera's world is upturned. However, while visually vivid, this also brings a sense of distance in connecting emotionally with Hera, it's passive. We watch the story unfold through Hera's eyes... and that's about it. It feels as though she lacks motivations and action. As we move through the different eras and the more renown tales, each segment doesn't seem to hit as we breeze through them quickly - there's no journey, just a summary thus the detachment.

We know that the Greek gods and goddesses are not morally good, full stop. Here, there's a contradicting blend. Hera's morals are so dark grey and close to black as is with the other gods and goddesses on Olympus, she does not care particularly for the nymphs. She barely bats an eye at the humans. She likes to feel powerful by the tyranny she imposes yet judges Zeus for it.

Still, this re-telling has convinced me to lean into the appeal of the Greek mythology stories and seek other books on this topic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for providing me with the eARC and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review!

One of the reasons I was keen to see how Saint approached Hera’s story was that I’ve really only seen bits and pieces of her popping up in someone else’s story, and generally the portrayal is negative. She’s jealous, she’s mean, she’s spiteful, she cursed poor Heracles (I have recently read HERC so maybe more about that in another review). I think we know from real life that if those are the first things we notice about someone there is probably a story behind those sorts of behaviours, and that was something I was looking forward to exploring through this book. In Hera, Saint does really focus on the story behind the Hera we have seen before, in terms of her motivations and experiences, and the pain and grief that comes with what she loses to Zeus – and his children. I really liked the way Hera looks at that cycle of violence and cruelty and distrust that we see in Zeus, as mentioned in the synopsis, overthrowing Cronus and then sort of becoming him.

Where Hera fell a little bit short for me, compared to Saint’s previous works, was that I never felt a connection with Hera, or like I was immersed in her world. As I read, I always had the feeling of being held at arm’s length from Hera, and like I was watching her story unfold from a distance rather than seeing it through her eyes and being there by her side. I’m not sure whether this was a deliberate choice in how the story was told, or due to the book cover such a long span of time (from the victory over the Titans all the way to the fall of Zeus) that it has to skim the surface a bit in places. I’m really interested to hear what other readers think. The times when I felt closest to Hera were the bits about her children – especially Hephaestus and his children.

Overall I did still enjoy this, and I’m sure people with an interest in Greek myth will probably find plenty to like about it too. I think I would describe it as reflective rather than active, if that makes sense, as I didn’t find it very plot driven but there was a lot presented about Hera to think about.

🏺Hera by Jennifer Saint 🏺

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

long story short: adored it, my favourite Jennifer Saint yet & greek historical fiction lovers should buy this immediately when it is released.
🏺

there haven't been many books that i've read involving greek gods where i've had a lot of time for Hera. obviously, it can't be easy having a husband who jumps at any opportunity to sleep with another person (or creature or titan or god .... Zeus really needed a different hobby), especially as the goddess of marriage. however, in most books i've read, there have been very few redeeming qualities of Hera that make you even begin to like her. you also usually only get snippets of her as a character, and not a lot of her story, so there's not necessarily the time to find redeemable moments.

i can't say Hera was always likeable in this book either, but having the full scope of her story meant I saw her as Hera:
🏺fierce warrior and fighter who was key in bringing down the titans
🏺goddess who was forced to marry the man who SA'd her
🏺olympian who felt what power was owed to her had been taken from her, being forced into the background and betrayed by her family
🏺 woman that was repeatedly insulted by her husband's infidelity and the many children that were born from it

her reasons for acting the way she does become so much clearer and more understandable with the whole picture (even if her anger is misdirected in a lot of instances).

i also thought that the ending was so so good, and i loved seeing Hera's growth as a character and her understanding of her role/place in this world - even if it took a few millennia!

well-written, absolutely heart-wrenching at times, and a must for any greek myth fan.

🏺 to @hachetteaus & @netgalley - thank you SO much for the gifted e-ARC, it was a privilege to read one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 early 🤍

// as above, there is SA mentioned and scenes described in the book, tread with caution if this is something sensitive to you //

Thank you to Netgalley, Hachette and Jennifer Saint for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes. The following review is my opinion, freely given.

Intellectually, I knew the story of Hera, and I was aware that Zeus was her brother. I just don't think I was prepared for how forcefully the author was planning to slam home the incest angle. I would like to say it was the authors intent to make you as the reader aware of just how brutal the betrayals and actions of Zeus were, however early in the book there is a line about "God's doing as they will" or something that seems to be trying to erase the incest piece as acceptable. Now this would be fine, if the author then went on to glaze over that piece - That would be fine, but instead, she agonises over it with Hera but dismisses it with Zeus and Demeter etc. So it makes Hera feel self important and a bit whiny. Either its acceptable in their world or it isn't - The author hangs most of Hera's bitterness and sense of betrayal off this piece which quickly makes Hera insufferable.

I read this to get to the end of the story - I wasn't transported into the story. This is the first Jennifer Saint Book I have read so I wasn't sure what to expect but this just wasn't for me. It is very dark and there are several triggers in this book that readers should be aware of. More than just the incest.

I have given this 3 stars because the author writes beautifully, her prose is lyrical and descriptive. The research into Hera's story seems to be deep and far ranging and there is very definitely an audience for this. If you go in knowing what you are getting, this is probably a really great read.

I am glad I had the opportunity to explore this authors work and I would cautiously read more of her work but maybe not as an ARC reader.

I wanted badass but I got ... mopey. Not quite what I wanted, and sadly kind of dull.

When I think of Hera, Queen of the Gods, I think of petty vengeance and ferocity. I think of her as bold, brave, and confident.

I was excited for a book that would take these things and show us a villain in a new light, but instead this book tries to make her something of a beaten-down heroine? It really didn't work for me.

I didn't like Hera as a character here at all, and I felt the story really washed her out and turned her into a victim. It seemed to be fighting so hard to tell a feminist story that it forgot women can be villains, too. Hera is well-known for her wrath and it was so washed out, here.

The storytelling was also to blame, I feel. It takes all the big stories from Greek mythology and mostly glosses over them all in a sentence or two - as though it was essential to include all these things but the author didn't really want to. I would have preferred less references in lieu of further detail. As a consequence of the sparse detail, it feels like nothing really notable happens - it's just the bland passing of time.

I just wanted so much more story than what I got. It was disappointing to get to the end and feel that I hadn't really felt anything at all.

An ambitious goal, but I do feel it fell flat. Others may appreciate this more sympathetic take on the famous Queen, but it didn't quite meet my expectations.

With thanks to NetGalley for an e-ARC

*3.5 stars
This is my first book by Jennifer Saint and it definitely won’t be the last! Such beautiful prose and great descriptions of the Greek gods and goddesses as well as monsters! I liked how she described each of the relevant characters and their importance/role in Olympus (it really helped with Greek mythology knowledge). Hera is such an interesting goddess to read about as she is mostly well known for being Zeus’ sister and wife but this novel really highlighted her inner struggles and the constant betrayal she suffered. She is a strong woman whose main goal is to take down Zeus and regain her independence and power, no matter it takes. I did feel bad for some characters who got caught in the crossfire such as Zeus’ lovers as Zeus is the cheating bastard here but that’s Hera’s own personal way of getting back at him 😭

The ending actually made me kinda sad but it was bittersweet.

TW: rape

Thank you to netgalley and Hachette + Wildfire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨

I wasn't familiar with Hera's story before reading this, but I did know that I love a greek mythology retelling. Overall I found this story really well told and interesting to read. Hera was a written in a way that encouraged me feel both frustrated at times as well as deeply empathetic towards her. From some further research into her character I believe she is often depicted as a very unlikeable figure, and I believe Jennifer had an engaging way of still depicting Hera's vindictive, obsessive nature whilst also giving us a deeper understanding for why she was lead to be that way. Whilst her actions towards Zeus' lovers and their children was often cruel and horrific, seeing her side of things really made me understand why she felt justified in her actions, and in many occasions I really felt for her. She suffered greatly, and I'm so glad to know more of her story.

A feel this was an incredible exploration of how a powerful woman who was forced into silence and submission reclaimed her autonomy and fights for a world she believes in - even if her methods weren't honourable. It was also heartbreaking and frustrating reading about a woman who had suffered so greatly then punish other women so horrendously herself.

The pacing of this novel was for the most part everything I could ask for in a story that is expanding over centuries. It really captured the essence of just how brief our lives as humans are here on earth. I loved seeing the appearances of SO MANY other gods and demigods, and as someone who isn't closely familiar with the mythology, it was like seeing all the pieces of a puzzle come together as we follow this story of the rise of the Olympians to their downfall.

I think the writing style really suits the genre, but personally I did occasionally find it a little plain spoken which would remove a layer of emotional investment in the scene. Also being someone who isn't thoroughly across greek mythology, this novel had an incredibly large cast and I did find myself confused about who was being spoken about, what their relevance and role in the story was etc which did sometimes take away from the story.

Thank you to Netgalley + Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this.

Hera is a retelling of the story of the Greek God of the same name. The novel is wonderful in the way that it showcases not only the beauty of the gods but also the ugliness. From the beginning we see who Hera was before Zeus (a powerful, thoughtful, battle-experienced goddess) to after she is hurt time and time again by him (a vengeful, spiteful and reluctant wife). While Hera can never be called a likeable character, we are taught to understand the reasons behind her vengefulness by focusing on her human qualities and what drove her to these extremes.

As someone whose favourite class in school was Classical Studies, where I'd spend every minute digesting these myths, I was very excited to receive this ARC. Unfortunately, I was left underwhelmed. The stories of Hera’s vengefulness towards Zeus, his lovers and offspring are numerous, and while the author has tried to include all of these in here, it has left the story feeling over-encumbered by events that keep happening one after another. This leaves the narrative suffering as the story becomes one note rather than having peaks and valleys of tension and climax. Due to this, there were many times that I had to go back and re-read the last page as I had become lost. The speed at which scenes changed was just too fast for me to keep up. After I had read two-thirds of the story, I had to put the book down. My interest was lost and I was struggling to retain all of the events and characters. A slower pace and more detail which focused on a few events may have served the story better and provided a better platform for the plot and tensions to develop.

But in saying this, those who have a keen interest in Greek mythology will still find enjoyment from this novel. The beauty and horrors in which the world is described is unparalleled. The author is clearly well-versed in their knowledge of Greek myths, and it shows within the novel.

Thank you to Hachette Australia & New Zealand, Netgalley and the author Jennifer Saint for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll be the first to admit Greek mythology and classical studies isn’t one of my strengths. Perhaps that is why this book didn’t seem to click with me. It read more like an account of history than a story or a retelling.

I did like the exploration of a character who wasn’t always that likeable. I also found the lesser Olympian characters to be some of the more interesting.

This book may very well be my favourite read of the year. I have adored all sorts of mythology since I was a kid and now that I have re-discovered a love of reading I am greatly looking forward to getting around and reading more of these re-tellings and researching these mythologies in more depth.

Now Hera is a retelling of the Myths and legends that concern the Queen of the Greek gods.
I do believe there may need to be trigger warnings in this book concerning rape, sexual harassment and sexual assault.

This retelling is almost written as if it were autobiographical, that Hera herself wrote it, demonstrating that she is not this perfect representation of a powerful queen, but a deeply flawed and traumatised being. It makes her feel more relatable in a way, more human I suppose.
The plot begins at the final battle of the Olympians against the Titan Cronos, and progresses through Hera's ascension to Queen of the gods, her journey as a mother and wife and navigating all that was thrown at her, misguided as it was.
I enjoyed the way this book was written and the tale it told that allowed me to look at Hera with more compassion and understanding of the difficulties and situations she went through. Jennifer's writing worked really well at eliciting the emotions that Hera felt in myself as the reader. The feminine rage, the hurt and humiliation, and then the growing and healing past the trauma.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the connection I got from it and will probably be recommending everyone to read this.

I’ve read a couple of this author’s work now and I feel like her writing style may just not be for me.

I find it hard to focus and really get involved with what is going on which is unfortunate.

I find her books to more of a regurgitated history lesson rather than a unique, retold story.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity!

Have you ever wondered how the Queen of the Olympians, Hera, became the bitter goddess she is known as in most mythological stories? Well, Jennifer Saint's new book, Hera sums that perfectly well.

A fascinating aspect is that you see her personality change with every child that is born to Zeus' constant affairs with both mortal and immortal women. It would embraces Zeus' hypocrisy where he's allowed to consistently cheat on his wife, who he wanted to marry in the first place, yet she is not awarded the same allowance.

In our review, which is linked below, we give a wider look at Hera as well as the trigger warnings that come with this book.

"A reminder, now and always, that no matter who she was before. In the eyes of the world she is only his wife."

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for letting me read and review.

I love mythology, and I was so intrigued to read a book from the point of view of Hera. Some knowledge of Greek mythology beforehand may help ease you into the story.

Be aware that there are trigger warnings because ancient times were cruel and unforgiving. However, the themes of this book can be seen in parts of our modern society, which is equally terrifying.

We begin just after the fall of the Titans, where Zeus and Hera, along with the other Olympians, are victorious over the Titans. With all their power comes greed and the need to stay strong to stop anyone from challenging them. This also means keeping each other in line.

Hera is typically seen as the jealous wife who torments and punishes Zeus's lovers and their children. This is what I initially thought going into this book, but Hera's POV has definitely steered me to empathise with Hera. You understand why she was portrayed the way she was.

"Now he's conquered a disobedient son-" " - and a disobedient wife."

Zeus is a horrid god, a horrid man and is a sexual predator to all the other lesser goddesses and creatures. After capturing and raping Hera, he forces her hand into becoming his wife, and she fears that after all the power and glory in the battle against the Titans, she will only ever be known as Zeus's wife. Poseidon and Apollo are much the same.

The themes of this book are very much focused on a woman's constant struggles against the patriarchy and the constant fear, ridicule, and hopelessness that can come with it. Hera is the driving force trying to break free of this cycle. I felt so many things while reading, which both involved me more in the story and made me contemplate today's social setting.

Many other gods and demi-gods appear throughout, such as the well-known Poseidon, Aphrodite, Ares, Appollo, Artemis, Typhon, and Ekhinda. Many characters that I had mistaken as Greek Gods were actually Titans, so I also learnt something new there.

I loved Jennifer's style of writing. It was a very different pace to most of my recent reads, and I loved the imagery and the minimal dialogue. The world-building is an experience in itself. The third-person narrative is written so emotionally and has such rhythm that it's hard to stop once you start.

'Immortal and ageless, reinvented a thousand times, remade for a thousand narratives, throneless and wandering but forever the ruler of her own destiny.'

Hera is a gripping retelling that delves into mythology you may and may not know about the Queen of the Heavens. Saint is able to peel back the original narratives of Hera being jealous and vengeful, giving reason to why Hera is the way she is. As a Greek Mythology lover myself I enjoyed how much depth was added to Hera as both a woman and a goddess. She’s so deeply misunderstood within mythology and Saint was really able to tailor her book to make you both love and hate Hera. Saints is an extremely talented writer and it shows with how visual and emotional this book is. The book did feel a bit long at times with some lulls in the overall progress of the book but it was still a fantastic read.

Hera is an fascinating retelling that plunges into the depths of both familiar and lesser-known aspects of the Queen of the Heavens. Jennifer Saint masterfully peels back the layers of Hera's character, surpassing the traditional narratives of jealousy and vengeance to unveil the intricate reasons behind her actions. As a lover of Greek mythology, I found myself immersed in this retelling of Hera's complexities as both a woman and a goddess. Saint's narrative shines, offering readers a portrayal of Hera that elicits a range of emotions from admiration to frustration. While Hera occasionally slows in its pacing, with some lulls in its story progression, the overall reading experience was excellent. Saint's remarkable talent as a writer is obvious, making this book a truly beautiful retelling of the Goddess Hera.

Hera by Jennifer Saint is a 4/5 star read for me and should be immediately added your “To Be Read” list if you love Greek Mythology!

I knew I needed time to digest and reflect on this truly incredible retelling of Hera's story, which has lingered in my thoughts since I finished it. The narrative, a profound exploration of what it means to be both human and divine, culminates in an ending filled with acceptance that resonated deeply with me.

This story is a deep, emotionally charged journey through Greek mythology, tracing Hera's path through power, abuse, betrayal, anger, and, ultimately, curiosity. Like many, I perceived her anger as misdirected, yet it vividly illustrates the complexity of a woman scorned and in pain.

Admittedly, Greek mythology is a relatively new genre for me, so there are still many stories and nuances that remain unfamiliar. Nevertheless, this book served as a wonderful introduction to Hera's story, from beginning to end. The end, in particular, showcasing the wonders of humanity—our complexity, nuances, and, most importantly, our capacity for change and transformation.

This is going to be one of those stories that I wish I could read again for the first time.

I always find it interesting to try to understand the perspective of an unlikeable character. For example, June Hayward/Juniper Song in Rebecca Kuang’s Yellowface. Or Amy Dunne in Gone Girl. Nesta in ACOTAR. Even Walter White in Breaking Bad (who in the beginning, I liked). And Hera, the all-powerful Queen of the Gods, wife and sister to Zeus, daughter of Cronus, Goddess of Marriage... and possibly the gnarliest of them all.

Hera is often vilified in Greek mythology, due to her jealousy and vindictiveness towards Zeus' lovers and their children. She frequently punished Zeus' mistresses/victims and their offspring, even though it was her husband who was the philanderer, sexual predator and rapist.

But before Hera was a vengeful deity, she enjoyed hanging out in the forest with river gods, shapeshifting and winning wars against the Titans etc. you know, the regular. Jennifer Saint’s retelling highlights who Hera was vs. how she got to be that way.

For people unfamiliar with where the root of her wrath began, it had a lot to do with the pain that kindled inside her following Zeus pretending to be an injured bird, then surprising Hera and raping her. That’s just the beginning, there is a lot more that unfolds after these first chapters which I won’t spoil for people who aren’t familiar already.

Notably, this retelling isn't going to redeem Hera’s actions. Yet it will humanise her as someone grappling with subjugation, suffering, ridicule and betrayal, without absolving her. More than anything, it’s probably going to make you despise the patriarchy and Zeus AKA the Greek god version of Harvey Weinstein, more than you already did.

You'll meet a lot of the famed gods, demi-gods and their divine offspring (mostly Zeus'). Some are cameos but it's still cool. I learnt a lot. One of my favourite things I learnt while reading this was also about the monsters of Greek mythology, such as Ekhidna, Typhon and the Hydra. And Jennifer Saint made me empathise with them and see a rounded perspective of their story.

Whether you’re a Greek mythology rookie, dabbler (⬅️ me), or expert/classicist, I’d recommend this for a more holistic perspective of Hera. Although some scene transitions were slightly disjointed, overall the third-person narration was emotionally evocative and lyrical and I felt connected to it.

You'll have to mind your triggers should you choose to read this, because the Greek Gods didn’t know that No Means No and Jennifer Saint does not shy away from lack of consent in ancient times. The Greek Gods can ALL get in the bin. Yep, you too Apollo, you're one of the worst.

My heartfelt thanks to Hachette Australia & New Zealand | Wildfire for the advanced digital review copy.

As a Greek mythology geek that grew up reading Rick Riordan’s works, I’ve always wondered about how bombarded we are by testosterone with each epic tale. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Ares, Apollo – we’re all very much aware of the extent of their powers and influence. Jennifer Saint shatters all of that.

In Hera, we’re taken away from the glamour of Olympus, and straight into the heart of all the betrayals, politics, and scheming that we’ve been privy to in mainstream mythology adaptations. Hera is portrayed both as an emotionally-driven mastermind and a symbol of dysfunctional marriages. We also hear the soundest of advice from the women surrounding her – Athena, Hestia, and even Ekhidna in her cave. We’re made to rethink everything we thought about the untainted images of the gods – even Heracles isn’t safe – and the villainised monsters they took pride in slaying.

I was frustrated with Hera for most of the book, mostly at how she seemed so afraid to face Zeus, taking out all her anger on his victims instead. But I realised how reminiscent it was of what most women are made to go through everyday. I might not have agreed with how she chose to deal with her demons, but I felt for her and how the men around made such a mockery of her actions, never taking her seriously since to them she was just “Zeus’ wife”.

I’m truly excited for Hera’s release and am grateful to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the opportunity to read its ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There is a certain allure in delving into the perspective of an unlikeable character, such as Hera, who will be remembered in literary history as one of the most unappealing figures due to her cruelty and vengeful behavior towards Zeus' partners and children. Hera's character is complex, portraying a tragic narrative of how a once powerful and admired goddess transforms into a resentful and malicious being as a result of her husband's actions. Despite facing adversity, she remains resilient and refuses to succumb to the challenges she faces, believing she is destined for more.

You truly pity Hera in this story, who has such a vast and great potential - if only she was treated with the respect and love she required. She tries in vain to manipulate her children against her husband, only to fail in her attempts to overthrow him. This fresh perspective on her narrative is long overdue. While I do not support Hera's actions towards Zeus' partners or offspring, it becomes evident that she was constantly provoked and punished by her spouse, leading to her reactions. Few individuals could endure the daily disrespect she faced and not respond similarly, especially in ancient Greek times.

The story is concluded flawlessly, although, the majority of this tale sees little to no character development until the final act. However, towards the end, significant changes become evident, illustrating Hera's growing affection for the humanity surrounding her.

Another brilliant mythology retelling by Jennifer Saint. As a huge fan of her previous titles, I was looking forward to Hera immensely, and it did not disappoint. Saint has repositioned Hera as a woman stripped of her power in marriage - beholden to an unfaithful husband, we watch as she slowly spirals into bitterness and resentment. She is cruel and vindictive, but remains a sympathetic character as we follow her through all the major events that mark the stories of Greek mythology. These events (Typhon's attack on Olympus, the labours or Heracles, Jason and the Argonauts, the battle of Troy) are always tense, violent and majestical; and yet we never lose sight of Hera. She remains front and centre, and Saint has crafted a heartfelt and striking story of a woman wronged, defined by the men around her and the roles they impose upon her, instead of being able to forge her own path.

Jennifer Saint once again proves herself to be one of the very best writers of this genre. I adored this book and would've happily read another 500 pages!

Jennifer Saint is an absolute pro when it comes to writing women in Greek mythology. Her work is always soaked in history and you can just tell she loves what she writes and that makes me enjoy it all the more.

Hera reclaims the story of Zeus’ long-suffering wife as a feminist hero’s tale. Hera is often portrayed as Zeus’ equally cruel and violent partner but Saint pulls apart what we know about the goddess and poses the question: what other choices does she have? The power imbalance between the rulers of Olympus is also a very interesting dynamic that this book explores.

Hera is a beautifully written book (not that I suspected anything less!) and I definitely wasn’t expecting to be a Hera-apologist but here we are. Saint transforms her character from a jealous wife we have all heard harrowing stories about to a woman who will stop at nothing to end the cycle of unnecessary cruelty of her people. I live Greek mythology retellings and I can always rely on this author to live up to my expectations.

The only detractor for me is, having read the author’s other work, I do find that all of her books read very similarly and even when something exciting is happening I often feel like I’m being told and not shown - events feel more reported to the reader instead of being immersive.