A review by tyriek
Hera by Jennifer Saint

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I am conflicted about this book. Saint showed Hera as flawed and her actions were taking her rage and injustice out on the weaker victims of Zeus because of her inability to lash out at him. I liked that element, although the book skimmed over some of the worst things she did to Zeus’ victims (torturing Io) and also made her victims more complicit than they were in the myths (Echo being a lookout for Zeus) which made me feel the book was trying to make Hera more sympathetic. To me, Hera is a villain. She doesn't need to be made sympathetic just because she is a woman or a victim. Experiencing abuse is not an excuse for causing other people (especially other victims) pain. I do feel that Jennifer Saint was vaguely aware of that, and gave her self-reflective moments where she acknowledges what she is doing. It just rubs me up the wrong way that even by the end where she changes and evolves, she was never remorseful. I liked that Saint wrote her as a complex character, both a victim and perpetrator. I just didn't feel that she really reflected on it by the end, and glossed over the worst of Hera's behavior to make her more morally grey. It was, however, beautifully written and I enjoyed the relationships between the gods, especially her sons. I enjoyed the ending, of the shift in power from God's to humans, the gods changing with it, reclaiming her autonomy.