My FIve Word TL:DR Review : Hera: Misunderstood or Jealously Vicious

I’ve loved all the Greek mythology retellings by Jennifer Saint and Hera is no exception, although ultimately, my overall feelings reading this book were frustration, anger and ultimately sadness.  Hera’s tale is such a complicated one and the story portrayed here covers vast swathes of time.  There’s a lot to take on board starting with the fall of the TItans, Zeus and Hera united in their battle to overthrow the monsters, then ranging to the Trojan war and beyond.  And, throughout we have Hera, well known for her jealous rages and venting her fury on those that Zeus has thrust his passions upon, but here perhaps given a little more context.

Okay, I’m not in love with Hera, so there is that.  She’s one of those women who takes out her anger on the other women that Zeus uses and abuses and being a powerful God her punishments are harsh.  You can’t help thinking why not take her vengeance out on Zeus?  Basically, in a nutshell, this story demonstrates that she didn’t have the power to confront Zeus.  He thwarted her at every turn.  He used her to help defeat the Titans, then he took the power of Olympus for himself.  Hera he forced into an unwanted wedlock, trying to sweeten the deal by saying she would be his Queen, then he made her the Goddess of marriage, a role she didn’t seek out but one that held her within the constraints of her own wedlock whilst he roved the world, raping and having children with countless other women.  Yeah, I pretty much wanted to punch him in the face almost every waking minute of the day.  I’m not sure that level of anger is healthy but I have to hand it to Saint – she can inspire such passions!

Herein lies the conundrum.  I would say that Hera is still not my favourite, but this story at least gives  a little more context to her rage, her sadness, the way she was trapped, misunderstood by her sisters and rejected by her own children (although she was very frosty herself so didn’t really encourage loving embraces).  It’s an intriguing tale and one that frequently makes you want to slap your head.

I loved the writing.  Saint is brilliant at setting the scene.  Everything flows so easily.  No info dumps or over wieldy descriptions.  You’re totally sucked into the place and the era but in such an easily accessible way and Hera is a good storyteller, unflinchingly honest.

Ultimately, my overall feelings reading this were sadness.  Here we have an immortal, powerful and beautiful woman who is trapped by the machinations of an abusive and controlling male and unable to escape her gilded cage becomes petty and cruel.  Yet, even with this feeling of sadness I would say this is a very good read and I would recommend all the retellings by this author.

A powerful look at the Greek Gods and their ultimate demise that ends with a slightly more hopeful note.

I would say that this book almost feels like the finale to the series, particularly given the ending, but I shall keep my feelers out in case there are more books planned.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4 of 5 stars