Natalie Haynes has gotten me to learn more about women and goddesses in Greek myth than I could have ever imagined, and I love her for it. I have loved both of these and can't wait for her next installment of centering women in their own stories without all the male blah blah blah.

Thank you Netgally and Harper Collins for providing me with a digital Advanced Copy of this book. I love mythology and retellings and so when I saw this book I was really excited. While this book is non-fiction it reads easy like a fiction book. This book gives a modern take on some of the Greek gods and tales. I loved learning about the different Greek Gods and seeing them in a different light. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mythology or even those whose introduction into mythology is the new Percy Jackson series on Disney Plus.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for an honest and unbiased review.

Man, Haynes knows how to do it.

I am in my, self-proclaimed, "greek mythology obsessed era"... and this book was perfect! Haynes' prose and humor brought me literal, emotional and mental life while reading this. I love the way she makes good ole' Greek mythology something that is relatable and human. After all, the Greek gods were made in the image of man... so it makes sense.

I will come back to this book over and over again to mull over the stories of these Greek goddesses.

If you like Greek mythology... or even if you don't... this book might just be for you. Read like fiction, with humor and sass all throughout.

Would HIGHLY recommend.

Content Warning: Much like any story about Greek mythology... you are going to find death, murder, rape, revenge, body horror, infidelity.

5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!

In a time where retellings and reimaginings of Greek mythology are at the height of their cultural relevance—see the current adaptation of Percy Jackson & the Olympians and the continued success of Hadestown on Broadway—Natalie Haynes never fails to breathe some fresh air and new ideas into the public conversation around these myths. This is true of her previous works and of Divine Might, which delves into the goddesses at the heart of many Greek myths... and some who, despite their lack of narrative importance in such stories as the Titanomachy, still held an almost omnipresent space in ancient Greek culture.

Haynes does not just focus on the past importance of these goddesses to ancient Greeks and Romans, though she does excellently examine their roles throughout various poems and epics and their role in the lives of ancient Greeks. She also looks at the way the modern world and media landscape continues engage with these myths and divine figures, our current ideas and values shaping our own perceptions of these goddesses and their stories. (The chapter about Artemis features a brief but delighted mention about the character of Katniss Everdeen.)

The standout chapters for me are on Hestia, Demeter, and Athene, with an honorable mention of The Furies, but every chapter is well written and infused with Haynes' pension for dry humor, candor, and nuanced love for these myths. I always come out of Haynes' works with new eyes for the iconic stories from Greek mythology.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I’ve always been fascinated by mythology and Divine Might by Natalie Haynes delivered in spades. A fascinating study of the women in Greek mythology, in addition to introducing us to these goddesses and other female characters, Haynes also brings parallels to issues and characteristics experienced today. This is thoughtful, well researched, and well written. I recommend it for anyone with an interest in mythology or a study of history and folklore. I only wish this had been available when I was first becoming interested in mythology as I would have learned so much through one book versus the several I had available, with a fraction of the information.

I will be honest in that I am a biased reviewer simply because the only thing I love more than Natalie Haynes is Greek mythology. She is just so good at bringing it to life even in a Non-fiction format, it's honestly incredible. Her knowledge and insight into mythology is delivered so passionately that I think its impossible not to fall in love. Plus no matter how much you think you already know even about a specific story or moment, she will teach you something new every single time.

Divine Might by Natalie Haynes is an in-depth look at the histories of the goddesses through their acts of rage, fury, power, and justice. The author reveals the true characters of Hera, Artemis, The Muses, Demeter, Hestia, Athene, Aphrodite, and the furies. Haynes deftly blends storytelling with study. She introduces readers to new aspects of the goddesses and spins their tales with nuance and appreciation for the lives of the women who worshipped them. Women’s lives both mortal and immortal as represented in the Greek histories are fraught with tragedy and suffering. Haynes recognizes the horrors of being female in patriarchal society, as well as the righteous fury of the divine. She doesn’t shy away from condemning the violence of the gods, nor does she scorn them for their acts of might in the face of gross injustice and oppression from the Male gods. Haynes is a master scholar, riveting storyteller, and a keen observer. I am always delighted by her work.

I really loved the book. I was expecting another historical fiction book like Stone Blind (yes, I didn't read the description!) so I was a little surprised when I started reading it but I really enjoyed it. It was an engaging reading, and I learned some interesting things in a very enjoyable way.
I wish I had a book like this when I was studying Greek ceramics!
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Perennial for the digital copy.
I hope they will make a printed edition with the illustrations of all the sculptures and Greek ceramics indicated in the book.

Highly recommend this book to anyone needing a starting point in Greek mythology or even expanding your knowledge when it comes to the mighty Greek goddesses that history needs to remember. Smart and intelligent writing. Thank you Netgalley and Harper Perennial for the digital arc!

Everything Haynes does is great, some fantastic retelling of old stories and old myths. I love the idea of a more modern take on these stories, with a feminist edge.

The masterly Natalie Haynes has gifted us with another incredible work of brilliance. I do not know if this is intended to be a companion book to her 2020 book Pandora's Jar, but as I own both of them, I'll continue to read them together. Her examination of female dramatis personae in Greek myth offers valuable insight to the realm of women's studies and classical studies (and to anyone who just happens to like reading about mythology and women's literature like yours truly). Haynes presents each chapter almost as an autobiography of the Goddess in question, discussing Her connection and relevance to women both past and present. As a Dianic Pagan, the Goddess of the Greek and Roman pantheon are not mere figures of legend to me but a part of my spiritual practice. The Goddess Hestia figures largely in my devotions, and I was delighted to find Her included in this study as She is often overlooked for more glamorous figures. Haynes gives us a different view of the Goddesses and their mythological actions; she reprises their roles in ancient society and offers them to us in relation to modern women's issues and challenges. I have been a fan of Natalie Haynes since I first read her novel A Thousand Ships. Her fiction is spectacular, and her nonfiction works are peerless.

For readers whose knowledge of Greek mythology is elementary, Divine Might is a wonderful and accessible introduction to the pantheon. Haynes introduces the book with a fascinating proposition from philosopher Xenophanes:

“If oxen and lions and horses had hands like men, and could draw and make works of art, horses would draw gods like horses, and oxen like oxen, and each would draw pictures of the gods as if they had bodies of their own.”

In simpler terms: the divine are a bolder reflection of their believers. The Greek pantheon is no exception, reflecting ancient Greek society’s appearance and values. And, as in many ancient (and modern) societies, men ruled ancient Greece. Their gods, of the male and female persuasion alike, are deeply patriarchal as a result. Haynes tells us about her favorite goddesses and female figures, dedicating a chapter to each one, through a modern feminist lens.

Any mythological figure’s lore, history, and relevance in modernity are essential to understanding them. Haynes relays important information on each goddess/figure in an accessible and witty voice. Each chapter holds quite a bit of history, regarding surviving tales and physical artifacts, which can naturally be dry. Haynes’ commentary dispels any boredom readers may face. There are also clever connections to pop culture, which reveal how the goddesses have stood the test of time. My only complaint is that the connections are sometimes outdated (Woody Allen is the most glaring example).

Most impressive, though, is how adeptly Haynes weaves these three aspects concerning Xenophanes’ quote above. Greek gods, goddesses, and their mythological counterparts were shaped by Greek men. Even many of their modern iterations retain echoes of patriarchy. But, as Haynes reiterates, this doesn’t mean there isn’t room for reclamation. Many women can now make art without restriction. Myth can be reshaped and reborn by femininity in all its marvelous complexity. If you’ve so much as heard of Haynes’ other work, as well as that of her contemporaries, you know modern interpretations and retellings of myth have become rather popular. The world becomes clearer when we can see ourselves in it.

And that brings me to my main criticism of Divine Might–its perspectives on mythology are very white. Apart from bringing up Lizzo and Cardi B’s Rumors music video in the introduction, there are no further modern examples featuring people of color. I understand that mainstream media is overwhelmingly white. I understand that many popular writers of mythological retellings are white women. What I don’t understand is how a book, at least partially written as a response to the erasure of the female perspective, can not even mention the perspectives of women of color. I wish there had been a mention of the racial gap in mainstream interpretations. Work like Divine Might is a good step forward in normalizing women’s art. But art by women of color matters deserves a spotlight, too. The lack of recognition often left me feeling isolated from Haynes’ general feminist sentiments as a result.

Natalie Haynes’ Divine Might offers readers a modern introduction to prominent Greek goddesses, one critical of their patriarchal foundations and interpretations. I would recommend it to readers who are unfamiliar with Greek mythology, particularly those who find the sexism of history exhausting. I would also recommend it, however, to more knowledgeable readers who are interested in a fun refresher. I’m definitely going to pick up more of Haynes’ fiction work in the future–her expertise and wit have me intrigued!

I am just a Percy Jackson kid at heart and I would be remiss to admit that that drives most of my love for Greek mythology. However, Natalie Haynes writes the women of Ancient Greece with such care, even when the characters (in this case the goddesses) actions can be vindictive and spiteful. This book follows each of the main goddesses in the pantheon, telling the stories that shape their character and the way they were viewed both by the Greeks and by us today. I loved looking at myths through Haynes' lens and will continue to read anything and everything she writes.

First thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC. 3.5 Stars

This is my first time reading anything from Natalie Haynes. She provides a very dense and rigorously researched non-fiction book about female roles in greek mythology. I loved her attention to detail in each chapter but did find at times my eyes glazing over some more wordy and detail packed parts.

I also found myself googling a lot of what was described so I hope the end book has photos or drawings but overall it was a good read.

It wasn't really the read I was expecting, but the author did well in connecting the story to find an awesome expression in the hearts of readers. The Aphrodite, Hestia, Athene, and all, just nice tales.
I got my 3/5

A very well written and researched book. Fairly interesting. I was expecting fiction, but this is nonfiction. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

4.5⭐️

Having read and loved Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes, I was eager to read the author’s latest work of non-fiction and I was not disappointed! Meticulously researched, factual, informative, and laced with the author’s insightful observations and trademark wit, Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth is an immersive read.

While most existing texts (and much of the inspired art) depict female characters from the Greek myths predominantly from the male perspective which, though interesting, can certainly feel (on occasion) unidimensional, the author allows us to explore each of the goddesses and their myth with a fresh interpretation of their gifts and motivations, vices, and their lasting impact on the modern world.

My favorites were the chapters on The Muses, Hestia, Demeter and The Furies but I did enjoy the remaining chapters on Hera, Athene, Artemis and Aphrodite as well. Referencing several sources, the author delves deep into the characters, their stories from the myths and how their stories have inspired various art forms all around the world ranging from paintings and sculptures and artifacts to movies, music and much more.

Please note that this is not a “retelling” but a series of discussions about the goddesses in Greek Myth drawn from various existing sources with the author’s observations interwoven throughout the chapters.

Many thanks to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks and NetGalley for the digital review copy of Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love this book. I love this book so much that I ordered the special edition UK version to permanently have in my home library. I’ve loved other books by Natalie Haynes, although the ones I’ve read have been the fiction books. I love that her focus is on the females in mythology in all of the books of hers that I’ve read so far (and I will be reading more of them).

This book is a non-fiction look at how some goddesses are framed both in the tales from mythology and in the art world along with pop culture. If you are looking for a scholarly deep dive into the Romans/Greeks and their mythology, this isn’t it. If you are looking to learn more about some of the Roman/Greek Goddesses in a less dry and more accessible way because you like the more recent retellings or because you want to start to get into the subject, then this is a perfect blend of more modern influences in pop culture mixed with some brief introductions to the stories written by classical Greek and Roman authors.

I get that not everyone wants the pop culture angle when it comes to classical history. As a history major and a history lover, I do appreciate that this will not be for everyone… I do enjoy the more academic books about the subject. However, I do also enjoy seeing old mythology which influences today’s music and movies and appreciate Haynes’s view points on both aspects.

Another great deep dive on mythology from Natalie Haynes. I enjoy both her fiction (“Stone Blind” was fantastic) and her nonfiction like “Divine Might” which explores how mythology intersects with art, history, and film. If you love myths, then she is a must-read author.

DNF 38%
Received an ARC from NetGalley.
This is a very dry book and I don’t like the writing style at all. The book itself is a good idea, and I had thought that I would like it; unfortunately, I feel that the execution is poor.