Hera by Jennifer Saint is a retelling of the infamous Queen of God's, Hera. When I started reading Hera, I had a jolt of surprise because I've read tons of Greek mythology and mythology retellings, and I realized I've never read one about Hera specifically. She seems to be a significant presence in many of the stories, and she's always portrayed as jealous, spiteful, and power hungry. Yet we never really see her point of view. Although in this retelling she is jealous, spiteful and power hungry, we get a view into why she is the way she is, and it makes so much more sense. I walked away from this book with such a better understanding of Hera and how all the stories featuring her make so much sense. I loved the end of this story, I can't say too much without a spoiler, but I loved the growth of characters and the storyline itself as it melded Greek mythology to modern time.

Overall, I was spellbound. Hera is such a great read! Jennifer Saint is definitely towards the top of the list of authors of Greek mythology retellings.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for an advanced copy of Hera in exchange for an honest review. I shamelessly squealed when I got approved, and this story did not disappoint. I'd also like to give a shout out to the narrator, Naomi Frederick. She nailed this one. Her voice is so melodic, and she has the perfect tone and accent for this audiobook.

I love Saint's books, her retelling have been some of my favorite books the last couple years. This unfortunately was not what I have come to expect of her writing. I didn't feel that there was any emotion or passion holding this book together. Hera is such a polarized character that there was a lot of potential for this to be equally as polarized as a story. For me it fell flat and the story was stagnate in a lot of places. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and so in the end I just didn't really care. I think that Hera's story was tied together at the end but like I said at that point had already disconnected from the story.

Having enjoyed other titles by Jennifer Saint, I thought this was a safe bet. But it fell flat for me. The characters felt underdeveloped, and there was a lot more recitation of facts... here is something that happened.. and here is something else that happened... and so on.. and I never felt fully immersed in Hera's struggles.

Another great retelling from Jennifer Saint. You love to see a vengeful Hera but Zeus does absolutely suck.
Fully enjoyed.

Jennifer Saint is doing phenomenal work with these feminist retellings of Ancient Greek myths. Hera is typically one of my least favorite mythical characters, but I loved her here. I like the back story, why she punished the victims, her attempts to thwart Zeus, and where she ends up. While her actions aren't admirable at all, Saint gives them an interesting perspective. I really enjoyed listening to this story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Hera was a book that made me think, "So what?" I think that I was expecting an epic and intriguing story like the Song of Achilles or Circe. This one was just a bot lackluster to me. I finished it all but was strongly considering giving it a DNF. The only truly interesting bits were about Hera's monster children and grand children, which did not get focused on. I desperately wanted a fall of Zeus, which may not be realistic since mythology didnt work out that way, but the ending was just so blah. Hera is a character that is also somewhat blah herself. I liked that she was becoming vengeful but it was all pretty pathetic how she carried her vengeance out. Solid Meh to me.

I love a good angry goddess feminist Greek mythology retelling and Jennifer Saint is one of the best at writing them! This book features Hera, Queen to Zeus, King of the Olympians. I didn't know too much about Hera before starting this so it was refreshing to read a book from her perspective.

While it was a little slow to start for me, I found it entertaining overall and quite enjoyable. Great on audio narrated by new to me narrator, Naomi Frederick and perfect for fans of authors like Natalie Hayes and Claire Heywood.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I liked the character exploration and the writing was propulsive. I would read more from this author.

I was provided an Audio ARC of this book via Netgally, all opinions are my own.

The narrator was wonderful in this portrayal of Hera as told by Jennifer Saint.

I've really grown to love Saint's Greek mythology retellings from the female perspective. When I was growing up, all of the Greek mythology featured the male heroes and gods. I don't think I realized how terrible the gods and heroes were, or maybe I was reading more sanitized versions of the myths. Hera was always portrayed as bit of a villain especially when it came to Zeus and Heracles. She was one of my least favorite goddesses of the pantheon. Saint's version paints Hera in a different light and explains the motivation for many of her actions.

This tale begins with Hera, Zeus and the others overthrowing the Titans and takes us through her reign as queen of Olympus. She has always been painted as cruel and vengeful, however we learn that her rage and cruelty was not without purpose and motivation. Hera never wanted to be Zeus' wife or the goddess of marriage. We come to find out how that came to pass, and that she wasn't just a petty and jealous wife, she was always plotting against Zeus for making her less powerful instead of his equal. Her schemes to overthrow him and hurt the things he loves always seem to fail, yet it doesn't stop her from trying.

I really enjoyed this. It takes us through many of the well known myths and features all of the well known gods and goddesses from Greek mythology as well as some lesser known stories and characters. I really appreciated Saint's comprehensive look at the creation of the Olympus and the Olympians through to it's downfall. We walk with Hera through her traumas, her joyful moments, her anger, her frustration, and many other emotional moments on her journey to find a purpose and heal from the hurt Zeus has caused her.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this Audio ARC Copy!

Jennifer Saint will always be one of my favorite authors when it comes to mythology and she did not disappoint again. I have always been interested in Hera story but have not read any books that focus on her story and struggles.

One thing that I like the most about Hera's story is how she could just as easily have been an villain. She was a strong and powerful god who was slighted by the other gods and her choices are questionable throughout the story, but regardless of why she made the choices she did she still never gave in for stopped fighting.

Hera is a captivating retelling of Greek mythology, focusing on the immortal goddess and daughter of the ancient Titan Cronos. Saint masterfully humanizes Hera, portraying her as both ruthless and compassionate. The third-person narration is emotionally evocative, drawing readers into the complexities of her character. However, some scene transitions feel slightly disjointed, preventing a perfect 5-star rating. Overall, a must-read for mythology enthusiasts.

4.5 stars rounded down

Hera follows the titular goddess throughout her rule as Queen of the Gods. We watch as Hera transforms from a concealed child planning a revolt with her brother to a powerful goddess to the unwilling wife of Zeus to the jealous vengeful woman she is known as. Hera’s graces and weaknesses are all on display in this sweeping tale.

Jennifer Saint is known for her retelling of Greek mythology and I couldn’t wait to pick up this one about the jealous queen herself. I loved how Hera was portrayed and how her flaws were not skirted around. The scope of this novel was unlike other retelling I have read and I greatly appreciated seeing the entirety of Hera’s rule. The writing was well done and engaging throughout

The audiobook narrator was fantastic and I enjoyed the way she brought the characters to life!

Highly recommend to fans of Greek mythology or those who enjoy a strong flawed female main character

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Jennifer Saint's mythology retellings have become auto-buys for me. I loved Ariadne and Atalanta. Hera's story is incredible as well. Saint's writing breathes new life into these well known stories. She turns them into something unique and adds such a colorful perspective. Hera in this version is more than Zeus' wife. In fact, Zeus' wife is the smallest of her identities. Here she is an Olympian who orchestrated the overthrowing of Cronos. Here she is born to rule... she overshadows Zeus.

I really enjoyed the narration. This is the first book that I have listened to that is narrated by Naomi Frederick. I will definitely look for her books in the future.

I don't know if I missed the TW or if they are not included, so be aware that there is on page SA and other violence in this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an eARC of this audiobook!

HERA is an eloquent tale bringing to life the queen of Olympus. In her usual style, Saint breathes new life into Greek mythology while maintaining the core elements and events.

Seeing Hera through the eyes of the author gifts the reader with a whole new perspective. Even though she is a god and a powerful one at that, there are many relatable aspects to her personality. Hera becomes more than a spiteful god punishing Zeus’ dalliances and offspring. Her actions have valid emotions behind them and through the expert storytelling of Saint, the reader gets to feel like they know this queen of the gods on a more personal level.

With each retelling the author crafts, we can reimagine the world from which their lore is derived. Hera, like the women in Saint’s previous books, is given a voice. She becomes more than what the stories originally depicted her as. HERA is a beautifully written novel that shows the layers and depth of the character as she navigates Olympus.

Audiobook Note: The narrator, Naomi Frederick, did a superb job bringing to life Hera’s tale. The pace was spot-on. The inflection and diction added to the overall atmosphere of the mythology. There was almost a sense as if I were listening to a theatrical narration of the book, fit for the stage. This audiobook brought life to Saint’s writing.

🏛️Book Review🏛️
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Summary- When the immortal goddess Hera and her brother Zeus overthrow their tyrannical father, she dreams of ruling at his side. But as they establish their reign on Mount Olympus, Hera begins to see that Zeus is just as ruthless and cruel as the father they betrayed. While Zeus ascends, Hera is relegated to the role of wife and mother, a role she never wanted. She was always born to rule, but must she lose herself in perpetuating this cycle of violence and cruelty? Or can she find a way to forge a better world?

In this enthralling retelling, Greek mythology’s most famous and maligned goddess finally tells her own story, as power, passion, and divine strength collide in the heart of Olympus.
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Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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My thoughts- what a book 😍 I’m a sucker for a Greek myth retelling and this one is practically perfect. I grew up hopelessly obsessed with Disneys Hercules so this book was just hand crafted for me ! This one did start a little slow but wow the action really picked up and ended with a truly beautiful lesson. Overall highly recommend this one, but check the trigger warning before starting this one, it can be pretty intense at parts! Thank you Netgalley and Flatiron for the advanced audiobook!
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QOTD- do you enjoy retellings? I love a good fairytale or Greek mythology retelling personally !
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The queen of Mount Olympus finally gets her due in Jennifer Saint's Hera, the latest retelling in Saint's series on Greek heroines and villainesses. Much like with Clytemnestra in Elektra, Saint strives to humanize the goddess maligned in myths--largely succeeding, but never quite reaching the same heights as she did in Elektra. Having been forced to marry Zeus after he assaulted her, Hera's story is framed as one of a shamed woman forever bound to her enemy, wrecking havoc on Zeus' lovers as her only meager way of restoring her pride, and always coming up short. Hera is sympathetic, if not likable, as she flits from one failed plot to another, unable to thwart the man who entrapped her. Although there are a number of notable changes to her story, we see the wide canvas of Greek mythology through Hera's eyes, including the creation of Mount Olympus, the births of new gods, and the wars and quests inflicted on mortals by the Olympians.

At times, Hera becomes too much like a travelogue, reciting all that has happened without much development from the characters. When Hera finally begins to grow beyond her bitterness, it feels almost perfunctory, brought on by resignation rather than self-discovery. This leads to the weakest part of the novel, the ending, which is an elongated withdrawal of the gods from the mortal world. The tonal shift doesn't quite mesh with the rest of the story, nor is the resolution of Hera's arc fully satisfying.

On the audio front, Hera is as magnificent as Elektra and Atalanta before her. Saint's storytelling, much like Greek mythology, lends itself perfectly to the spoken word, and it's effortless to listen to chapter after chapter without noticing the time go by.

HERA by Jennifer Saint is my latest Mythology retelling thanks to @macmillan.audio & @netgalley! Narrated by Naomi Frederick, this gives a fresh voice to the Queen of Olympus.

I have really enjoyed revisiting the Greek Myths through the women's perspectives. Once again, this view shows the limits that were offered, even to the Queen of gods. I forget some of the backstories to some of these old tales, and because of Hera's length of existence being similar to Zeus, this is a quick refresher spanning ages.

I loved being able to listen to these ancient stories. I felt like I could be swept away into all the realms along with the gods. I do still find it fascinating that we don't use Greek accents for audios of Greek Mythology. British accents are beautiful and I love it, but I do find it interesting! (And it is a moot point really, as it isn't exactly historical!)

While I didn't find this story quite as captivating as some, I did enjoy the final chapters where Hera seems to have some internal growth and peace.

For all the retelling fans, this will be another great choice to add to your shelves!

Thanks again, to NetGalley and McMillan Audio!

Yep. Confirmed - Zeus is still an absolute as$hat.
Gods! >>>shakes fist<<< The Hera storyline always feels inherently frustrating (even outside her awful marriage). It doesn’t help that Hera isn’t very warm or likeable either.

Even when Hera is front and center - I felt like I was talked at- told vs. seen- if that makes sense.

Despite Saint’s best attempt, I didn’t like or feel sorry for Hera any more than other retellings. And I understand the pressure to stick true to the original storyline. But by gods, I want a different retelling where Hera gets a different type of redemption.

The more I think about it- the Hera/Zeus generation isn’t my favorite in this category.

As mythology niche grows (and my knowledge of all the characters), I want to be surprised.

I feel like though, if you read Mythos and you thought Hera’s story was too short, this is a decent retelling.

Thank you Netgalley & MacAudio24 for this ARC.

Note for Audio listeners- Hera’s anger sounded more pitch perfect at 1.5x 😅

3.5/5

I've really enjoyed Jennifer Sain't Greek mythology retellings and Hera is no exception to that! Hera is a really interesting character to explore due to the many different (often unfavorable) depictions of her throughout Greek myth stories. I really enjoyed following this perspective that showed more of an idea of 'her story' and how she came to do the things she does. I think Jennifer Saint did an excellent job of showcasing the many complicated aspects of Hera and her role, and her writing is as gorgeous as ever. I read the audiobook version of this one and thought the narrator did a truly fantastic job bringing this story to life. This is an excellent read for any Greek myth fans!

If you, like me, were a die hard Percy Jackson fan as a child, Jennifer Saints retellings are pretty much guaranteed to fill the greek mythology void in your life.

Hera, the immortal goddess and daughter of the Titan Cronos, helps her brother Zeus overthrow their tyrannical father, hoping to rule alongside him. However, as they establish their reign on Mount Olympus, Hera begins to question whether Zeus is as ruthless as the father they betrayed. Born to rule, Hera faces a dilemma: continue the cycle of violence and cruelty or break free and create a better world.

By weaving together various Greek myths, Saint presents this tale in a way that is accessible to readers who may be new to these ancient stories. The book doesn’t seek to redeem Hera but rather to provide a deeper understanding of her motivations. It invites readers to see Hera not just as a controversial figure but as a goddess who was betrayed by those closest to her.

The prose is both lyrical and powerful, offering a complex portrayal of Hera that goes beyond the traditional depictions of her as merely a jealous wife or vengeful goddess. Saint’s narrative is rich with feminist undertones, painting a picture of Hera as a multifaceted figure who was more than just the spiteful deity of myth.

Saint’s portrayal of Hera echoes the experiences of countless women and girls whose voices have been silenced, whose pain has been ignored, and whose struggles have been minimized. It speaks to the fear, frustration, and resilience of women who have been degraded, dismissed, and left to carry the burdens of the world.

I listened to this book on audio, and I absolutely devoured it! The narration gives it a whimsical feel, and really sucked me in to the story. If you’re an audiobook enjoyer and Greek mythology enthusiast, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and @macmillan.audio for a copy in exchange for an honest review!