Author: Jasmine Mas
Published: August 1, 2024, by Jasmine Mas
Format: Paperback, 512 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Villains of Lore #1
First Sentence: Chapter 1 Serpent Alexis: Year 2090. “Who are you?” a female voice whispered in my ear. I sat up with a start and blinked groggily.
Blurb: I'm struggling to survive in a Titan infested world where Spartans, immortals from twelve royal families who have god-like powers and obscene wealth, rule over all. A shy-stammering foster child with nothing, I keep my head down, cover my scars, and focus on excelling in school. At least, I try to. Then it happens.
My blood test reveals I'm part of the powerful elite. I'm one of them. A Spartan.
Forced to attend the Spartan War Academy, I undergo the most harrowing test of all time to see if I have what it takes to be an immortal. There's just a few problems. Achilles and Patro are my scary mentors. Kharon, the ferryman of death, and Augustus, the son of war, are my terrifying professors. Also, I'm pretty sure either someone's stalking me everywhere I go, or my sanity's slipping––I have a bad feeling both are true.
I'm surrounded by Villains and they're smothering me with their hate, obsession, and dark possessiveness. Too bad for them, they have no clue just who they're messing with. (GoodReads)
My Opinion: Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas is a retelling that takes considerable liberties, playing on preconceptions and delivering an intense narrative that leaves the reader both mystified and fascinated. The story is set in the age of gods and monsters, beginning in 2090, forty years after the arrival of the Titan problem. Alexis Hert, living in abysmal conditions in rural Montana, is first introduced at the age of ten, abandoned as an infant with a scar across her sternum. Fast forward a few chapters, and she’s nineteen, embarking on the Spartan test that catapults her into a parallel world, changing her life forever.
Alexis is a unique character—a female mutt abandoned but somehow qualified for the crucible. She initially cannot stand to be touched but eventually warms up to it, despite being treated as prey. As the story unfolds, Alexis discovers powers she didn’t know she possessed. There’s a reverse harem dynamic involving the Crimson Duo and her mentors Patros and Achilles, all of whom have their own intriguing subplots.
The first 100 pages of the book are slow, reminiscent of a young adult fantasy. However, the pace picks up in the middle with enemies aligning and humor woven into the narrative. The ending, though, is where the book truly transforms, diving into adult themes with twist after twist, keeping the reader on their toes.
As the anticipation builds for book two, Bonds of Hercules, coming in the fall of 2025, the unpredictable nature of Alexis's journey leaves one guessing what could possibly happen next. This novel that will have your head spinning with its themes, analogies, science, philosophy, and hard truths.
Blurb: I'm struggling to survive in a Titan infested world where Spartans, immortals from twelve royal families who have god-like powers and obscene wealth, rule over all. A shy-stammering foster child with nothing, I keep my head down, cover my scars, and focus on excelling in school. At least, I try to. Then it happens.
My blood test reveals I'm part of the powerful elite. I'm one of them. A Spartan.
Forced to attend the Spartan War Academy, I undergo the most harrowing test of all time to see if I have what it takes to be an immortal. There's just a few problems. Achilles and Patro are my scary mentors. Kharon, the ferryman of death, and Augustus, the son of war, are my terrifying professors. Also, I'm pretty sure either someone's stalking me everywhere I go, or my sanity's slipping––I have a bad feeling both are true.
I'm surrounded by Villains and they're smothering me with their hate, obsession, and dark possessiveness. Too bad for them, they have no clue just who they're messing with. (GoodReads)
My Opinion: Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas is a retelling that takes considerable liberties, playing on preconceptions and delivering an intense narrative that leaves the reader both mystified and fascinated. The story is set in the age of gods and monsters, beginning in 2090, forty years after the arrival of the Titan problem. Alexis Hert, living in abysmal conditions in rural Montana, is first introduced at the age of ten, abandoned as an infant with a scar across her sternum. Fast forward a few chapters, and she’s nineteen, embarking on the Spartan test that catapults her into a parallel world, changing her life forever.
Alexis is a unique character—a female mutt abandoned but somehow qualified for the crucible. She initially cannot stand to be touched but eventually warms up to it, despite being treated as prey. As the story unfolds, Alexis discovers powers she didn’t know she possessed. There’s a reverse harem dynamic involving the Crimson Duo and her mentors Patros and Achilles, all of whom have their own intriguing subplots.
The first 100 pages of the book are slow, reminiscent of a young adult fantasy. However, the pace picks up in the middle with enemies aligning and humor woven into the narrative. The ending, though, is where the book truly transforms, diving into adult themes with twist after twist, keeping the reader on their toes.
As the anticipation builds for book two, Bonds of Hercules, coming in the fall of 2025, the unpredictable nature of Alexis's journey leaves one guessing what could possibly happen next. This novel that will have your head spinning with its themes, analogies, science, philosophy, and hard truths.
No comments:
Post a Comment