An engaging and entertaining take on the story of Heracles, this version of the tale focuses on the relationship between the great hero and the goddess he was both named for and owes all his suffering to, creating an emotionally fraught dynamic that will keep you on your toes until the final chapter! Thank you to NetGalley and to DAW for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is so quotable. This was a great retelling of the labors of Hercules and I really enjoyed seeing from both Hercules' and Hera's point of view. Again, the gods are truly terrible but I enjoyed the great found family story. The idea of no matter how terrible things are, those who truly love you will never give up on you and never leave you.

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Although I did sort of get lost in the last third of the book and wasn't always sure of what was going on or how I was meant to be understanding the story. The alternating viewpoints of Hera and Heracles are wonderful, though, and the general premise of Heracles befriending the monsters of his Labours rather than killing them is a great one. I particularly enjoyed Purrseus and Logy. There are places, particularly in the beginning, where the book is quite funny, but it also has considerable poignancy and darkness, all handled very well.

John Wiswell's "Wearing the Lion" is a delightfully absurd and unexpectedly heartwarming twist on the classic Heracles myth. It's a book that manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely moving, a rare feat that Wiswell pulls off with aplomb.

The premise alone is comedic gold: Heracles, the legendary hero, is Hera's biggest (and most oblivious) fan, completely unaware that his very existence is a constant, painful reminder of Zeus's infidelity. Hera, in turn, is a hilariously exasperated goddess, forced to endure Heracles' well-meaning but utterly infuriating devotion.

Wiswell's writing is sharp and witty, filled with clever dialogue and absurd situations. The interactions between Hera and Heracles are a constant source of amusement, particularly Hera's increasingly desperate attempts to sabotage her unwanted devotee. The humor, however, is never mean-spirited; it's rooted in the inherent absurdity of the situation and the characters' flawed but relatable personalities.

But "Wearing the Lion" is more than just a comedy. It's also a poignant exploration of grief, trauma, and the unexpected bonds of family. After a tragic event, Heracles' journey takes a surprising turn as he rejects violence and instead embraces compassion, forming unlikely connections with the very monsters he was sent to slay. This shift in Heracles' character is beautifully rendered, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.

The book's reimagining of the classic myths is fresh and inventive, breathing new life into familiar tales. Wiswell's unique perspective and storytelling voice make "Wearing the Lion" a truly memorable read. The monster family that Heracles collects along his journey is both hilarious and touching.

"Wearing the Lion" is a breath of fresh air, a funny and heartfelt story that will leave you smiling. It's a testament to Wiswell's talent for blending humor and emotion into a truly unique and satisfying reading experience. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, think, and feel, this is it.

When you open the book to the first page and see Hera calling Zeus her ‘dipshit husband’ you know you’re in for an interesting retelling. When reading Greek mythology retellings, usually there’s an element of ‘oh yes I remember this myth and what happens next’ and enjoying the way in which the story has been retold. With this retelling however the story took so many twists and turns that I didn’t expect but really enjoyed! I loved the theme of found family and healing that the author wove into the story. Heracles and Hera’s relationship and how their stories entwined and evolved was fascinating and I loved the idea of a clueless Heracles worshipping Hera with no idea that she hates him and is the one responsible for his labours. Hera’s character was fascinating, and I loved how she developed – almost reluctantly- through following Heracles journey. Also loved her relationship with Ares, the god of war and her son. Some of those scenes (and one line in particular) made me tear up! The style of the book was anachronistic sometimes – i.e. Zeus the dipshit husband – but I really enjoyed that, and it certainly didn’t take anything away from the emotional punches of the story. In terms of a retelling of the Labours of Heracles I thought it was incredibly unique in how in portrayed Heracles – not as an angry brutish hero – but as man grieving for the family he lost and trying to find answers, and the goddess responsible trying to come to terms with how she has changed this man’s life and what it says about her. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy unconventional retellings that humanize the gods and their heroes, and the found family trope. I look forward to reading more retellings and stories by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and DAW Books for the ARC!

John Wiswell's Wearing the Lion offers a refreshing and humanizing retelling of the Heracles myth, blending humor, warmth, and introspection. The narrative reimagines Heracles not as a mythic paragon of strength, but as a relatable figure grappling with guilt, grief, and the quest for redemption. Wiswell's portrayal invites readers to explore themes of family dynamics, personal responsibility, and the complexities of heroism.

The novel's charm lies in its character development. Heracles is depicted with depth, showcasing vulnerabilities that resonate with contemporary audiences. The supporting characters, including his wife Megara and the enigmatic Hera, are equally well-crafted, each contributing to the story's rich tapestry. Wiswell's talent for crafting authentic dialogue and memorable character moments shines throughout the book.

The pacing is deliberate, allowing for thoughtful exploration of the characters' emotional landscapes. While some readers may find this introspective approach less fast-paced than traditional epics, it adds a layer of depth that enriches the overall experience. The infusion of humor provides a delightful contrast to the heavier themes, balancing the narrative and enhancing its appeal.

However, the novel's modern language and colloquial expressions may not align with everyone's expectations for a mythological retelling. Some readers might prefer a more traditional or poetic tone when engaging with ancient stories. Additionally, the portrayal of certain characters, particularly Hera, deviates from classical representations, which may be jarring for purists.

In summary, Wearing the Lion is a heartfelt and imaginative reimagining of a classic myth, offering readers a nuanced perspective on familiar tales. John Wiswell's skillful characterizations and engaging prose make this novel a worthwhile read for those interested in contemporary takes on ancient stories. While it may not adhere to traditional expectations, its unique approach provides a fresh and thought-provoking experience.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my advanced copy! <3

With Wearing the Lion, John Wiswell has cemented himself as a master of the found family. After a tragic and horrific loss, Heracles sets out to seek justice against the god responsible for his family's destruction. Little does he know that the god responsible is none other than Hera, the Goddess of Families and his own namesake that he prays to every day.

When Hera, our other POV for the book, realizes what she's caused she panics and does anything to stall Heracles' mission by sending him on a fool's quest to defeat some undefeatable monsters. Instead Heracles befriends the Lion of Nemea, aids the Hydra of Lerna, and more along the way.

Heracles' story is heartbreaking and bittersweet. There is no perfect happy ending for our tragic hero, but that's how dealing with grief and loss works in real life. Loss can tear our relationships apart and fundamentally change us, but it doesn't have to define who we are.
Heracles finding love and friendship with the monsters he meets is tender and sometimes tooth-achingly sweet but it's a healing journey that we get to join him on.
Meanwhile, Hera is a spiteful, angry mess and it takes the majority of the story for her to recognize her faults. To be fair, I suppose if you're a goddess it's hard to recognize that you could be wrong about anything. But her actions against Heracles damaged her own family, and her journey to recognize her mistakes is arguably just as touching as Heracles'.

I think the middle section of the story felt a little meandering and the pace of the plot slowed down, hence the less-than-perfect star rating. And it's a personal preference but I'm not the biggest fan of Greek gods using modern language (Hera loves to use the word "weirdo" which ripped me right out of the story). There are also a couple parts where, if you're not familiar with Greek mythology, may leave you a little confused.

But at the end of the day Wearing the Lion is touching, sweet, heartbreaking, and lovely. Additionally the representation of plus-sized people, disabled folx, and queer characters is amazing. If you're looking for a read that's both tragic and cozy this is the book for you. I also recommend Someone You Can Build a Nest In, my favorite of Wiswell's two books.

Heracles may be the son of Zeus, but he does all his deeds in the name of Hera, the goddess of families. When he is struck with madness by a mysterious god and kills his children, he’s sure Hera will return that devotion and help him gain revenge on whoever it was that did it – not realizing that she has hated him all along.

Greek mythology retellings have been in vogue in the last few years, following heroes and villains alike and reinterpreting their stories. What sets this book apart from the crowd and caught my attention is that Wiswell deviates from the myths in that Heracles chooses to befriend the monsters he is meant to capture or slay.

I expected humor from the premise, and there’s plenty of that in this book. But there’s a heartfelt exploration of grief too, and what it means to be mortal and carry mortal burdens. I loved how Wiswell interpreted the 12 Labors of Heracles in the light of processing guilt and grief, as well as the meta twist on how those stories might have come down transformed through the ages. As such this kinder, quieter retelling has more emotional heft than if the story had just been told straight.

However, I did think the pacing was slow in the middle, as Heracles wanders the land and Hera wrestles with the new concept of accountability. After the first few tasks, you begin to anticipate the pattern and then it just wears on you. That both Hera and Heracles makes for such unreliable narrators means that the story becomes disjointed at times, their interpretation of other characters’ decisions so off-base I found myself getting confused too.

DNF @30%

This book is not for me at all. Maybe it just not my style of comedy, but, wow, was this bad. The story was interesting and I've never read a Hercules retelling, so I was very excited. I liked the modern nature of the language and even though some people might not like that, I think it makes myth retellings much more accessible. However, it just was not executed well. I saw what was supposed to be comedic moments, but it all fell flat to me. It was especially painful how utterly stupid and incompetent Wiswell made Hera. Everything bad she did was an accident and out of her control and then she would flail around trying to fix it but just made it worse. She's supposed to be this vengeful, rage-filled scorned wife that's unfairly punishing Zeus' offsprings, but this book just made her out to be a bumbling idiot.

Again, I know this was supposed to be a comedy, but none of it hit the way it was supposed to. I didn't think anything was funny, but truly the worst part of the book was the amount of times "dipshit" was used. I honestly think I read it more in this book then I've ever read or heard it in my entire life. I think I might have been able to get around the other aspects I didn't love and read the whole thing, but this just made it painful to read. It all came across as juvenile and just stupid.

Obviously other people really liked this book, so this is definitely for someone, but definitely not for me and I just can't bring myself to finish it.

A surprising adaptation of one of the oldest stories in the western canon. Ancient enemies Hera and Heracles share a dual POV that manages to gently subvert and humanise gods and monsters and everything in between. A knowledge of Ancient Greek myth isn’t necessary, but does add a palimpsestuous layer of meaning. Both sad, and funny, it is a worthy follow up to the wonderful Someone to Build a Nest In.

I love a good redemption arc — and this one has that in spades. While it’s, on one hand, the story of Heracles and his labors, of how stories of his pain and struggles grew and warped his actions, shaping them into a more acceptable myth, it’s also the story of Hera, who put snakes into his cradle in order to kill him, who in her pain and offense caused him to kill his own children.

You can’t have a good redemption story without a truly sympathetic villain, someone who did horrible things — and owns them — but who wants to do better, who wants to be more, to take accountability for what they’ve done and who want to both heal the damage they’ve done and grow into a better person, to be worthy of forgiveness. Hera, in this book, is pain and wounded pride, insecurity and rage, lashing out at the sons of Zeus in a way she cannot lash out at him. She blames the children for their father’s actions, both Zeus’s mortal offspring and her own sons by him.

Hera causes Heracles to murder his own sons, something that is unforgivable, and then does her best to push the blame onto something, someone else, until she finally realizes what she’s done, what she’s really done, and decides to tell him the truth, to own her vile act and accept what comes next. This is complicated by the other gods of the pantheon to whom Hera is their queen, their mother, the authority even when Zeus is present. They do not want to see her hurt, willing to let her slide the blame elsewhere.

Heracles, in this book, is a good man. Too nice, too ready to believe in the good of others, to trust in others, he takes on his famous labors in hopes of earning from the gods the name of the one responsible for his children’s death. Instead of acting with rage and violence, he offers compassion, friendship, and love to the lion, the hydra, the Minotaur, the bull, the hind and even the horses. Again and again he is kind to everyone but himself, leaving his wife behind to find comfort elsewhere while he holds his own grief and pain to himself.

This book worked for me on many levels though it did take me some time to get into it. The writing style isn’t my favorite, but it’s well done and well written. The pace is strong, and while it did fall into a bit of a lull in the last third, I think the ending worked well with the rest of the book as Heracles, once again, chose kindness and compassion.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

I had the hardest time finishing this book because of the constant swearing. This is not the typical Greek myth retelling I was expecting and I wasn’t impressed.

I read greek myth retellings because I love the articulate and graceful language that often accompanies it. The language also often reflects the language of the time period, and this book just did not hit the mark for me.

The constant swearing, the modern language, and the representation of the characters just weren’t what I had hoped for. To be honest, I was skeptical about a Greek myth telling being told by a male author, and I’m not sure if that’s the reason for the seemingly macho bravado that all of these characters seem to possess (which makes them indiscernible from each other), but I suspect that could be a reason why all of the characters feel the need to act like the obnoxious people from WWE.

From what I understand, this is the author's first attempt at a Greek myth retelling and I’m not sure if he purposefully strayed from the norm or if just didn’t do his research. A greek myth retelling is not supposed to read as rough, jagged, and coarse. It’s supposed to be poetic, lyrical, and beautiful.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC for early review.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

What if Hercules never killed the Nemean Lion, but instead adopted it as his best friend? What if he helped monsters in their labours instead of killing them for his? What if... Instead of Zeus's son, Heracles dedicated himself to Hera's Glory?

What an incredible take on the legendary tale of Hercules, the greatest son of Zeus to ever live, the strongest hero of Greece, the toughest demigod to date--- but what if all of that was just exaggeration? What if Hercules was actually just a rather down-to-earth, kind fellow who loves his children, his wife, worships the gods and prays each day, and desires nothing more than peace?

I can't go too much into a synopsis for this book or I'll ruin the whole thing for you--- just go pick it up. Wiswell has this extraordinary talent for irreverent humour mixed perfectly with heartfelt coziness. It's an unbeatable combo that makes you laugh and cry in quick succession, especially when it comes to Heracles, also known as Alcides, and his gaggle of adopted monster family members.

While this is certainly a tragic story, I laughed very hard sometimes, and cried with happiness at others, and felt upset occasionally. Grief, depression, suicide ideation, apathy, and self-harm are very present in this story, please be careful while picking it up, but I promise there is such a kind heart at the middle of this book.

Can I please just say. That I have not laughed so hard. Ever before. As when some of the quotes from Hera in this book hit?

"What the hell, Athena? You fucked a snake?” “They are not a snake.”

“Because if you go to its home region, and you examine the creature very closely, you will find it is a big fucking lion that kills everything.”

"Is Oedipus still alive? He’s easy enough to fuck with . Just tell him he’s related to Heracles and that’ll do it.”

Genuinely some top tier comedy becomes available when you're really not expected Hera, Queen of Olympos, to swear like a sailor.

Overall, I was so pleased and honored to get to review something as unique and cozy as Wearing the Lion early. John, you've earned yourself a dedicated fan.

This book was so compassionate, funny, heartbreaking, kind, and creative. It's not easy to incorporate all of those elements, but the author managed to. I truly enjoyed this! It won't be for everyone - if you aren't familiar with the story of Heracles, or a fan of Greek mythology, you likely will not enjoy this.

Somewhat a retelling of the 12 labours of Hercules (Heracles), but instead of slaying all of the monsters, he ends up befriending them and creating a found family.

This book alternates viewpoints from Hera and Heracles. Hera resents Heracles - him being the result of her "dipshit" husband's infidelity, Hera sees Heracles as the embodiment of Zeus's unfaithfulness and disrespect. She is actively rooting against him, wishing to see him fail and suffer. Heracles (meaning "Hera's Glory"), worships his namesake. His chapters are told as prayers to Hera, thanking her for his beautiful life. I found myself feeling sympathy for and rooting for both of them. The character development in this was we well written - both characters are deeply flawed and emotional beings. They both struggle through their own grief, feeling lost and searching for their purpose. Their individual journeys were so well written. The side characters of Granny, Ate, and Athena were wonderful - the humour brought to the story by Logy, Purrseus, and Boar was amazing. I laughed so hard at some of the dialogue. The humour was well placed and well timed - it didn't interfere with the heavier parts of the story.

I loved this book, the story it paints and the characters introduced. I will absolutely read this again, and keep an eye out for other works by this author!

Wearing the Lion is the second novel by award winning SF/F author John Wiswell. The novel is Wiswell's take on the story of Heracles - better known by his roman name Hercules - told from dual perspectives: the perspective of Heracles himself and the perspective of Hera, queen of the Olympian Gods, who in most stories is Heracles' antagonist who hates him for being born from Zeus' infidelity.

But Wiswell takes the story in a very different way than I've ever seen before. Here, Heracles is an extremely well meaning Himbo (super strong and pretty, but not the brightest) and Hera is a very sympathetic goddess who finds that her anger at his existence is going horribly wrong and finds herself desperate to find someway to undo her mistakes. The story take the established myths of Heracles and reframes and re-adapts them into a story with multiple found family arcs as well as themes of justice, vengeance, forgiveness, and accountability. And it works really really well. Oh and the story retains Wiswell's amazing gift for dialogue, naming, and character beats (some of the reframed Olympic Gods are just....perfect). You'll want to read this one for sure.

More specifics after the jump:

Plot Summary:
When Zeus came back to Mount Olympus and declared that he's made a new "king of the mortals", Hera just knew her disphit husband had fathered yet another illegitimate child. And she fumed about it, especially after her husband exiled her close friend Até (Goddess of Ruin) for messing with Zeus' plan to make that child's twin brother the King of all of he surveys. And so she decides she will destroy that child.

But to her surprise and frustration, that child, Alcides, is devoted to her above all - his Auntie Hera - and even is given the name "Heracles" (Hera's Glory). And he keeps misinterpreting all of her attempts to get him killed as fun challenges. Until in a moment of full on rage she goes on step too far and takes out her rage accidentally on both Heracles' family....and her own.

Now, Heracles is desperate to find the god or goddess who caused his pain....to find out why and to get some form of justice. In doing so, he will be forced to perform some spectacular labors...but will do so in unexpected ways, for Heracles is loathe to cause more harm upon anyone after the pains he himself as suffered. And Hera is desperate to reverse her mistake: to make amends to her own family...and to figure out some way to help heal the person she soon realizes might not be the insult he first appeared. But both Hera and Heracles will soon find themselves running out of time before their inevitable confrontation, which might break them both...

Wearing the Lion has its story told in chapters that alternate between Hera's Point of View and that of Alcides/Heracles, whose chapter title names change depending upon basically what is going on with him in the story. The story essentially takes us from Heracles' birth up through the end of his labors and a little bit beyond, as both Hera and Heracles deal with what's happening at roughly the same time - although time moves a bit faster on Olympus, so there are some kind of amusing time jumps at the beginning. It's a story that begins on a really light note and will make you smile immensely....up until Hera takes an action that drives Heracles to do his most famous tragic act from the ancient myth and causes the death of Heracles' family. And then we wind up with both characters trying to figure out what to do after everything has gone wrong.

And I mean both characters, for Hera isn't here as an antagonist but really as a sympathetic protagonist in a way you usually don't see in most stories dealing with Greek myths. Hera is the goddess of mothers and families, but she herself deals with an extremely disrespectful family situation: Zeus is incredibly unfaithful and often shoves the children of his affairs in Hera's face and not even in a deliberately cruel way: Zeus is just a clueless fool about Hera, his family, and the humans, and constantly stops paying attention to his works within just a short time. And so when he shoves Heracles in Hera's face, Hera can't help but despise Heracles...even if Zeus himself couldn't care less. It's not made any better by Heracles' clueless prayers to her. But Hera is still the goddess of family and genuinely does care about mortals...so when her desperate acts of hatred don't kill Heracles but do kill his family, well it devastates her... And this becomes even more so when the act of doing so causes Hera's closest companions, the goddess of ruin Até and the fury Goddess, to be hurt themselves and unable to be with her. And so we have this character here whose wrongs were done out of a very understandable rage and who finds herself desperate to find some way to make amends: to her own family and to Heracles...but also so desperately scared of having to face Heracles for what she's done.

And then we have Heracles, our adorable himbo. Heracles is probably the most likable Greek Hero you've ever seen: sure he's super strong and able to do miraculous feats, but he attributes all of his success to Hera (like a modern day athlete does to "God") and means it, only wants to do good, and never wants to believe the worst of anyone. And that even means monsters - whether they be Lions, Hydras, or whatever - or even men who come at him with intent to kill him. So he mistakes the snakes Hera puts in his crib as friends she provides for him and refuses to believe that a god could be responsible for actually causing the death of his family. And he loves so much his wife Megara (herself a fun character we don't see enough of) and his children, which makes that betrayal all the more painful. I'm trying not to spoil things here because so much of what happens is so delightful, but along the way in this story Heracles grows up a bit to learn how to deal with the pain with the help of a second found family he forms of the most spectacular form. You'll care so much for this character in the end, such that the final act can be quite a bit painful, but it's all worth it.

I should mention as well that this book does a great job with its other characters as well, not just the two main characters. The found family Heracles builds in the second act is wonderful, with a character named Logi proving a fun highlight, but really the big plus here is Wiswell's take on the Olympic Gods. Other than Zeus - who is the classic philandering asshole who can't keep his focus on things and doesn't understand why others don't respect him - they're all really different takes than what I've seen before. For example, Apollo is an utter asshole super eager to add new things to his godly domains (hence why he's the god of so much) above all else. Moreover, there's Ares, usually the dumb antagonistic god of war, but is instead an utter highlight, as he genuinely acts here not just to cause conflict but in ways he hopes will help his mother Hera ("all veterans love their mothers") and which sometimes are a bit more clever than you'd expect. He grows too throughout the book, and I loved him so much.

The result is a story of not just found family and of performing tasks without violence, but also one of accountability and responsibility. Hera herself declares that by the book's middle point, but even there so much of the journey is her learning to figure out a way to be accountable for her mistakes and to make up for them: at first she's afraid to be seen as the one who committed these horrible acts; then she accepts that she should admit fault but wants to take the easy way out; and finally she learns that the only way to truly be accountable is to try to take action to repair the damages she's caused as much as possible. It's really well done for the most part, although I think Heracles' story arc ends with him changing his mind about Hera a bit too easily. But overall it works out really well and is charming at times, devastating at times, and immensely satisfying and relieving by the end.

Just a terrific book and another tour de force from John Wiswell.

At first glance, this book seemed like it would be right up my alley, and I have to say, it truly delivered an enjoyable experience! I’m thrilled I took the time to finish it, especially as a fan of Greek mythology. The unique perspectives and imaginative scenarios it presents are not only thought-provoking but also entertaining. While the writing style didn’t quite resonate with me personally, I can definitely see how it would captivate many readers. There’s a silliness to the narrative that keeps things lively, even if it challenges my attention span at times. This book is an excellent choice for anyone looking to dive into fresh interpretations of mythology. If you’re ready to explore different facets of these timeless tales, I highly recommend giving it a try!

Gently DNF'ing this one at 48%.

I appreciate the angle John Wiswell has taken on this story. It's refreshing, it's clever, and it's deeply kind in a way you wouldn't think to find in a story about a man driven to kill his family in a fit of god-inspired madness. It's also, unfortunately, extremely repetitive. The conversations between the gods, the chapter volley between Hera and Heracles, and the trials of Heracles all fall very quickly into predictable patterns. I admire what this book is going for, and I'll continue to keep an interested eye on John Wiswell's work, but this one has fallen into the "not for me" category.

Honestly, this was one of the best books I could've read about as the early days of Trump 2.0 start to fucking explode all around us. What if Heracles was, in fact, just genuinely that loved and naive and thought Hera truly loved him, and what if Hera was so wrapped up in her own anger and rage at Zeus that Heracles became enmeshed with it, and oh shit what the fuck did she do??? There is a lot of focus on the messy family dynamics of Olympus and healing and how people react to trauma that hurts in the best kind of ways to read. Also Heracles tries to pacifist run all the Tasks. It goes remarkably better than you might expect. Pick this up this July and get ready to cry in the best way.

Ancient Greek mythology gets the Wiswell treatment, making this book an absolutely amazing read! Even if you're not current with which Greek gods are which, you'll love meeting them here and discovering their quirky, all-to-humanly-relatable personalities as you follow the half-mortal, half-divine protagonist, the hero Heracles. Wiswell sticks to the lore surrounding Hera's hatred of Heracles--proof of her husband Zeus's infidelity--but there the likeness ends. Yes, there are the monsters, and the quests to overcome and presumably slay them, but in Wiswell's hands that becomes something quite a bit delightfully different. Hera sets the impossible quests, and Heracles neatly avoids death by accomplishing each in his own unique and "ungodlike" way--with empathy. In the end, it's hard to say who changes more--the hero, or the god who provoked and plagued him. This is definitely a book where you'll guffaw aloud at the puns, and then run to tell all your friends to read so you can laugh together over the best parts. And it will make you think, too--long after the book is over, your outlook will be slightly altered for the better. It's the Wiswell way.

CW: It should be noted that there is a rather gruesome scene, told mostly in passing but the memory of which troubles Heracles throughout the book--the deaths of his children by fire.

I really liked Wiswell's debut novel, Someone You Can Build a Nest In, but his new book lacks the cleverness, wit, and charm of the first, which had excellent plot twists and moved at a good clip. Wearing the Lion seeks to rehabilitate Heracles from the murders of his family, and while I'm all for a good rehabilitating-the-gods tale (I've written one myself), WIswell's approach here doesn't work. Determined to clear Heracles of all wrongdoing or all kinds, Wiswell makes the demi-god a simple, earnest fellow, who is manipulated by the gods he reveres and makes friends with the creatures he's sent to kill. Wiswell tries to rehab Hera as well, making her attacks against Heracles, particularly the one in which she drives him to madness and he kills his family, all a terrible misunderstanding. Throughout, the tone is uneven, with the Erymanthian Boar depicted as a traumatized man and the hydra, who is written as kind of a borscht-belt comedian, as suffering from migraines in all of its heads. Heracles does him a favor when he gets rid of all those extra heads: "here, take my head, take two, why doncha?" The luminous Ceryneian Hind is a brief instance of beauty and magic in the novel. The characters are mostly regrettably flat—Athena is about as deep as onion skin—and awfully repetitive. I get that Hera's perpetual epithet for Zeus is "my dipshit husband," but it grows old quickly, as does Heracles's "Dear Auntie Hera" prayers. The pacing is slow and the repetition doesn't help, and the novel drags towards a dull finish.