Even the gods must have their queen.

When the immortal goddess Hera and her brother Zeus overthrow their tyrannical father, she dreams of ruling at his side. But as they establish their reign on Mount Olympus, Hera begins to see that Zeus is just as ruthless and cruel as the father they betrayed. While Zeus ascends, Hera is relegated to the role of wife and mother, a role she never wanted. She was always born to rule, but must she lose herself in perpetuating this cycle of violence and cruelty? Or can she find a way to forge a better world?

In this enthralling retelling, Greek mythology’s most famous and maligned goddess finally tells her own story, as power, passion, and divine strength collide in the heart of Olympus.

This book contains scenes that depict sexual assault.

What makes certain retellings stand out from others? For me, it’s confronting the villain of the story and creating a more complex character that allows us to look at a story we’ve heard time and time again in a new light. Jennifer Saint’s latest book, Hera, does just that. With intricate storytelling, Saint creates a new narrative for one of Greek mythology’s most notoriously unlikable figures.

We’ve all heard of Hera—immortal goddess, sister, and wife to Zeus, who did not tolerate Zeus’ infidelity. But what if there was a different side to Hera’s story? After the defeat of their father Cronos, Hera and Zeus take over Olympus. As she observes her husband, she begins to question if Zeus is any better a ruler than Cronos and her own role as queen. In trying to understand her place in this world, Hera will have to face larger questions about what it takes to rule and what she must do if she truly wants to create a better world.

There is something truly special about a story that can flip the script and make you root for a character that has historically been deemed wicked. I found myself loving this portrayal of Hera and eagerly turning pages to discover more of her story. Hera captures a side of Greek mythology I haven’t read before and should not be missed by anyone looking for a truly epic story.