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ClareR (6225 KP) rated Hera in Books

Nov 1, 2024  
Hera
Hera
Jennifer Saint | 2024 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really enjoyed this retelling of Hera’s story. She wasn’t a woman to be messed with - and Zeus pushed her to her limits on many occasions. While she couldn’t punish the King of the Gods, she could certainly punish the women that he cheated on her with.

In the original stories, Hera is vilified, portrayed as unreasonably vengeful, spiteful even. In this version, we can see her motivations. She can’t possibly direct her revenge on her monarch - that would endanger her position and Zeus would deal with her like all those who acted against him.

Hera is complicated woman, and she acts in the only way she knows how to. Her anger has centuries to mature and grow, and there’s a real sense of the passage of time. It’s just that that passage is pretty meaningless to a God!

This novel doesn’t excuse Hera’s behaviour, but it certainly gives the reasons for it. I love Greek mythology, and Jennifer Saints retellings have been excellent. This is another great addition to the series.
  
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ClareR (6225 KP) rated The Shapeshifter’s Daughter in Books

May 25, 2026  
The Shapeshifter’s Daughter
The Shapeshifter’s Daughter
Sally Magnusson | 2025 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Shapeshifters Daughter is a thoroughly enjoyable story, where Hel, Norse Goddess of the Underworld, escapes and makes her way to Midgard (the human world). Hel’s story is told alongside that of Helen, a woman in her 50’s, who on finding out that she has terminal cancer, decides to return to Orkney to make peace with her past and die there. Helen reconnects with Thorfinn (Thor), who helps her to navigate her final weeks with both friendship and love.

Hel and Helen’s stories are told pretty much separately, and they work well as such. It was interesting how they later became connected via a community grief group, and Hel’s role in Helen’s death.

It’s all beautifully told: Helen’s story is tragic, Hel’s is equally so but from a different perspective (it seems Gods are never very nice to one another).

I’ll warn you now: it’s a sad story, and I’m very sure that you can guess what happens in the end - the journey is worth it though!
  
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David McK (3791 KP) rated Monstrous Regiment: (Discworld Novel 31) in Books

Mar 31, 2023  
Monstrous Regiment: (Discworld Novel 31)
Monstrous Regiment: (Discworld Novel 31)
Terry Pratchett | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
One of the rare Discworld Standalone novels
Updated 2023 review

I wonder how this was affected by Pratchett's 'embuggerance'?

Original 2011 review

Not one of the strongest of Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, this is only loosely - even more so than normal - connected to any of his other books in the series. Loosely connected, but not to the level of ""Small Gods"" (which is set centuries before the rest of the series), or "Pyramids".

In "Monstrous Regiment", Pratchett introduces a whole host of new characters - none of who have yet, been heard of again - as well as some new nations, with Commander Sam Vimes (from the City Watch books) and William De Worde (from "the Truth") only really having cameos in the story. He also exaggerates, to comic effect, the famous stories of women secretly joining the army, with this providing the basis for his plot.

As I said at the top, this is not one of the best of Pratchetts works, but even a below-par Pratchett is miles above any other author in the same genre
  
    Lords of Ragnarok

    Lords of Ragnarok

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    Tabletop Game

    In this 1-4 player strategic board game, you will lead a unique, asymmetric hero and their army,...