Review: Hera by Jennifer Saint

Hera by Jennifer Saint

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'm very excited to be taking part in my first blog tour courtesy of Random Things Tour. A huge thank you to Anne for organising everything! <3

Jennifer Saint's Hera is absolutely magnificent. I couldn't put it down and finished it in a matter of days. An immersive journey into the world of Olympus, Saint leads you through the creation of humanity, centuries of wars - both celestial and mortal, love affairs and betrayals, all in aid of Hera and Zeus' struggle for power. This was a fascinating dive into Greek mythology and is clearly very well researched. I feel like I learned so much without even realising it! Despite the novel's vast timeline, it never feels like it lags or loses pace because you are so intimately connected with Hera's perception of events. She was a deeply interesting character who was surprisingly relatable for a supreme goddess. A woman so often eclipsed by the infamous shadow of her husband, Saint dredges her from the outlines of Greek mythology and shines the spotlight on the achingly familiar archetype of the slighted wife. The quote ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ repeatedly sprung to mind when reading Hera. This is a woman pushed to the edge and ready to push back. Savage and satisfying.

I really enjoyed the way Saint analysed and critiqued the misogyny and sexual violence that is so common place in Greek mythology. The focus that was placed on the goddesses' desire for their own safety and freedom was both moving and enraging. Even for goddesses it seems, the gods still tower above, wielding that eternally revolting tool; the patriarchy. As the novel progresses your frustration grows with Hera's and I found myself to be very much emotionally invested in her struggle for power with the arrogant Zeus. It was quite a different portrayal of Zeus to anything I've read before, but to me felt much more real and believable.

I would highly recommend Hera for anyone interested in mythology and a novel that deals with female desire, autonomy and what it means to have power and to be free.

Hope you enjoyed!

Love, Grace xx