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danny_fox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was crazy funny at times when you would have characters talk in more modern ways than they are supposed to.
It would be absolutely shocking when you would have some dark scenes be described in such a way that left me actually, properly speechless.
And Herc or Herakles/Hercules as a character is just... a rollercoaster. And yet he is so amazingly written, and the fact that you never see his perspective makes the book all the more better.
Instead, you get to see how all other characters saw him, and how their perspectives are different from one another, where some see him in a more positive light and some see him as a monster. And hence there are times when you hate him, and yet when you also feel bad for him.
This book is a perfect mix of depression and happiness and joy and sadness and characters who you will love one moment and then hate (in a good way) next.
It's one of the most unique books I read about Greek mythology, and definitely one of my favorites. I had way too much reading it.
And goddamn it, it almost actually made me cry on a couple of occasions.
I'm looking forward to reading more stuff from the author, as their writing style is so unique and genuinely so nice.
I highly recommend it, but do be aware of trigger warnings, as there are some rather uncomfortable scenes.
Also, I wished there was more Hylas content (especially at the end) cause he was my favorite character, but that's just personal opinion. :(
Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, Alcohol, Grief, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cursing and War
queerloras's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death of parent, Grief, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal cruelty, Murder, Animal death, Body horror, Blood, Medical trauma, Self harm, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Sexual violence, War, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Slavery
itisnatal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Gore, Child death, and Death
emmwalker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love the way this book was written, its use of colloquialisms and jokes made the story fun and refreshing, it was such a good contrast and break from some of the more serious and sadder events happening within the plot. Some parts really had me laughing out loud and the injection of modern vernacular and slang at times made the story feel all the more accessible and like it wasn’t trying to take itself to seriously. Additionally, the varied points of view that made up the story made the story flow quickly and meant that plot didn’t get stale or lag at all. The different voices driving the story made it well rounded and gave the story an added dimension, because Hercules is such a prolific figure in Greek Mythology, the cast of characters is extensive. Keeping track of the names can be difficult at times, utilising the list of characters in the back is a helpful tool that I recommend.
I liked that Hercules could be the subject of the story, but it didn’t glorify him or try to excuse any of his actions. If anything it was quite critical of him, even when the protagonist was one of the characters who had largely positive relationships and interactions with him we saw him in a less than glorious, certainly not Disney positive manner. I am personally not the biggest Hercules fan and the structure of the story was really gratifying at times, but there is a large amount of loss in it.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.
Graphic: Blood, Alcoholism, Slavery, War, Death, Animal death, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Violence, Vomit, and Murder
jamieleepilk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gore, Child death, Mental illness, Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Sexual violence