REVIEW: Hera (Jennifer Saint)

Book: Hera

Author: Jennifer Saint

Premise: Hera helped her brother Zeus to overthrow their tyrannical father so that they could rule the world. But, as they establish their reign on Mount Olympus, Hera suspects that Zeus might be just as ruthless and cruel as their father was, and she begins to question her role at his side.

This book is essentially a retelling of all Greek mythology during the time of the Olympian Gods. I like how this book doesn't try to redeem Hera, make her less spiteful or justify her actions. But it does give more context and explores why she might have been led down that path. There's a lot of feminine rage and hunger for power. I did get frustrated at the repetitive nature of Hera trying to thwart Zeus, but I suspect that's just the original myths on which this book is based. I liked how the book ends with the decline of the gods and how they gradually recede into the background of human life without being totally forgotten.