Hera's Divorce: A YA Sapphic Romance Novel of Greek Gods and Goddesses

by maiwang?, SARIMARI (Translator)

“How could you handle the humans’ marriages for hundreds of years, when you don’t even know love?” - Cia

Hera, the stunning and strong-willed Queen of Greek goddesses, is divorcing the powerful Zeus… at last! But things aren't going as smoothly as they should, so she is forced to turn to her main rival Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, to help her cut the red thread of fate that ties her to Zeus.

But instead of doing her job like she should, Aphrodite gives Hera a sensual (but very clingy) Eros to assist her. How on Earth would an Eros help when she's trying to divorce? Although their personalities are polar opposites, the authoritative Hera and the charismatic and seductive Cia both feel a surprising, but burning passion towards each other growing, as they work together to free Hera from Zeus’ mighty clutches.

Set in a contemporary world of Greek mythology, jealous Greek gods, and playful goddesses, Hera’s Divorce is an emotionally charged YA LGBTQ Romance novel, full of memorable characters and passionate adventures. Can Hera resist Cia’s natural charm and irresistible sensuality?

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Genres: Lesbian, LGBT

351 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Greek Mythology and sapphic romance than be sure to read this one! It is a translation so there is a small bit of confusion, such as an expression or that a scene had changed, but it didn’t deter from the story, just an fyi.

Hera has finally had enough of Zeus’s infidelity and disrespect, and decides to divorce. This of course isn’t a simple matter for the gods to achieve. We get to meet so many gods and goddesses! We see their power and also their flaws and they (some) start to see as well and can learn and grow even after thousands of years. It was quite interesting and all the twists and turns kept me reading and wanting to see how things would turn out. Backstories are mostly familiar but this story is its own. I would definitely read more from this author!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5⭐️

First, thank you NetGalley and Rawikorn Tongsala for the ARC.

Hera's Divorce by maiwang? is a YA sapphic romance book.

As a fan of Greek mythology, I was very excited to read this novel, but unfortunately, it didn’t really catch my interest.
The premise was good, but I wasn't particularly fond of the characters or the romance between Hera and Cia.

[Shelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appear to be in the early minority as i did not enjoy this book. As a regular mythology reader, I was excited about the premise of Hera finally divorcing Zeus. The first half was terribly boring and by the time the second half rolled around with more interesting plot, I had no love for the characters. Definitely bummed, maybe my expectations were too high.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to BookSirens and the author.

[erikoreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an interesting take on Zeus and Hera’s relationship, and what could have been if Hera sought to divorce him. I enjoyed this witty take on this all too familiar relationship, the power struggle and cameos from all your favourite characters from Greek mythology.

Thanks to BookSirens for the eARC of this delightful book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to the author and BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own!

"You are well aware of the duties of a woman, aren't you? That is to marry and have children for the community. People worship you for that."

"I know well the duties of a wife and mother, but those are not the duties of a woman, and I do not have to be with a man who fails to uphold marital fidelity."

Hera's Divorce was an interesting read, and it took me a little while to get into the book. The reason was also my biggest complaint: the writing is somewhat stilted and the characterizations feel a little off. However, as I dug in, I found the story to be a sort of refreshing twist on what felt most similar to fanfiction in style.

We get a lot of details on the clothes Hera wears, and the foods she and Cia eat, and I absolutely love those little tidbits. It almost feels like you're viewing some of the author's favorite things through the characters, and it gave me feelings of warmth and joy. There's a surprisingly (to me) positive representation of polyamory: despite Zeus' infidelity and how it hurts Hera being one of the critical plot points, the author makes it very plain that this is because this is a betrayal of their relationship specifically and a sign of his inherent lack of respect for Hera.

I also enjoyed how the various mythologies interplayed, though I suspect that might be more present in later titles in the series. The author's knowledge of mythology really shows, and I can appreciate the changes made to reflect specific points that the author wished to highlight. If you're going to rewrite mythology, a great way to do it is to explain how an original story got twisted from a basic grain of truth.

So essentially, Hera's Divorce is a really enjoyable sapphic romance if you enjoy the general writing style of fanfiction (which I do). If not, it might be difficult to get into based on some of the awkward writing and phrasing used in the text.

[Ecce Libri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start. There was just so much about this book that didn't make sense to me. Hera has finally had enough of Zeus' shenanigans and wants to divorce him. Aphrodite sends one of her children, an Erote named Cia, to keep an eye on Hera after the divorce because Zeus and Hera are still linked by fate even though their marriage is over. Hera and Cia become close, and develop a relationship of their own. Throughout the book, there are incredibly detailed descriptions of the food that they are eating (almost always desserts) and it just felt really unnecessary. I got really tired of reading about all the food, and I was unsure of why it felt like they were always eating. Also, Aphrodite has a business where she sells beauty products, which also seems really odd. Like the food, there are many descriptions of the beauty products produced. The writing style is also a bit strange, I'm not sure if it's because this is a translation, or if it's just the author's style. The language seems slow and stilted in places, and at times characters refer to one another in odd ways. It was just a very strange read, and I have to say I was a bit disappointed because reading the blurb for this book I was super interested in it. It sounded so good, but the execution was just disappointing. There are some better retellings of Hera that are way more enjoyable to read than this one was.

[Jessica Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐💫
🌶️🌶️
💔🔱🏛️🏹⚡

This modern retelling of the Greek Gods, Hera's Divorce is a unique view of what happens when Hera, the Goddess of Marriage, and queen of heaven divorces the unfaithful King of Gods, Zeus.

Aphrodite, Goddess of Beauty and Love, sends her daughter, an Eros (kind of like cupid) Cia to help Hera find love again, only for the two to connect and help each other in other ways, something not foreseen by any of the Gods or Fates.

There are grumpy vs sunshine dynamics, forced proximity, taking care of her, women in power, sapphic characters, and defying fate. There was tension, angry gods and history told throughout.

The writing style was third person POV, mostly of Hera's. It was translated, so I wonder if some things were lost in translation that made some parts hard to read or seem repetitive, but it was intriguing enough to push through and not want to put down to see what happened next.

Thanks to Netgalley and Book Buzz for a copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An fabulous journey into the tumultuous world of Greek mythology, reimagined in a contemporary setting. In this captivating novel, Hera, the formidable Queen of the Greek gods, takes center stage as she embarks on a daring quest to divorce her powerful and domineering husband, Zeus. The story takes an unexpected twist when she seeks assistance from her rival, Aphrodite, who introduces her to Eros, a sensual and magnetic character.

The narrative skillfully weaves together the elements of passion, rivalry, and the clash of personalities as Hera and Eros form an unlikely partnership. The emotionally charged LGBTQ romance between the authoritative Hera and the charismatic Cia is both electric and heartwarming. Hera's Divorce is a great read for those seeking a fresh take on Greek mythology, filled with memorable characters and a passionate adventure that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

[Sole Valiente · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hera's Divorce by Maiwang falls into the category of an average romance novel. While the premise of the story holds promise, the execution leaves something to be desired. The pacing of the plot feels sluggish, especially when it comes to the development of the main couple’s relationship.

The dynamic between the protagonists lacks the emotional intensity or growth that one might expect in a romance novel. Their interactions are often passive, with little conflict or meaningful progression. This leads to a somewhat monotonous reading experience, where the reader is left waiting for a breakthrough that never truly arrives.

Overall, while the story has potential, the lack of a strong, engaging relationship between the main couple keeps Hera's Divorce from standing out in the genre. It’s a decent read, but not one that will leave a lasting impression.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold onto your laurel wreaths, folks, because Hera's Divorce is a sizzling Greek myth remix that'll make your heart race faster than Hermes on a sugar high! Imagine the queen of the gods, Hera, fed up with Zeus and his shenanigans, seeking help from none other than the goddess of love, Aphrodite. But what does she get instead? A clingy Eros who's as hot as Hades and twice as charming!

This book is like a mythological rollercoaster, and the chemistry between Hera and Cia is hotter than Mount Olympus on a summer day. It's all wrapped up in a contemporary setting with divine LGBTQ romance that'll make your heart skip a beat. If you're looking for a passionate and captivating read that's as spicy as ambrosia, Hera's Divorce is the book for you. Don't miss out on this epic love story that's destined to make waves in the world of Greek mythology!

[Vervada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, I was a bit reluctant to buy this book after reading the sample because I wasn’t sure I would enjoy the writing style. But the premise was too good to resist and I finally took the plunge and I am so glad that I did. The plot was incredible, I wasn’t expecting all the action and drama but I enjoyed it for sure. I also found the portrayal of the various gods to be both accurate and unique; for example the way Aphrodite’s love life was explained made so much sense for the goddess of love. And speaking of love, Hera and Cia’s romance was heartfelt, adorable and funny. And after a few chapters I even started enjoying the writing style, not in spite of but because of its differences.

Recommended for anyone looking for a book containing Greek mythology and sapphic romance.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Because perhaps only anger and hatred could soothe a shattered heart.”

“Hera’s Divorce,” by Maiwang?

Hera, Queen of the gods, is getting a divorce from her cheating husband, Zeus. Aphrodite gives Hera and Eros to help her with the divorce. Both together navigate the rocky end of Zeus’ and Hera’s relationship.

I liked the idea and concept, it was entertaining. I had trouble with the writing style and so many unimportant parts that made me feel bored at times. The Lgbtqia+ aspect of the book was unique but felt a bit juvenile for the age of the characters. They are very old, and they acted like relationships were new water, which didn’t make sense to me. 3 out of 5 stars.

[Emily G · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story but a little bit all over the place at times. The story would flip from the present happenings to the past with no clear indication or pause. This happens a lot and at times it could get a bit much trying to keep track. I do wonder how much of it is due to tonality changes and such being lost in translation, since this story has been translated from the original language. This makes it a little difficult for me to assess the actual writing. But the premise itself is a good one and the main characters really interesting.

[Katharina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hera's Divorce by maiwang? is a cute sapphic love story involving Hera, the Greek goddes of marriage. After Hera divorces her unfaithful husband Zeus, the love god Cia wants to help her find new love and cut the threat of fate binding her to her ex-husband. But Cia doesn't have to search long, as they both start to develop feelings for each other. Will they get together or will Zeus hold Hera in his clutches forever?

Hera's Divorce has a cute storyline and interesting characters. I love how the different Greek gods are portrayed! But at some points the book feels a little raw, as it is sometimes hard to understand the time jumps and the different POVs. I sometimes had the feeling some information was missing, but all in all it is a nice book and I enjoyed reading it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Crim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very very very magical and refreshing twist on greek mythology.

I throughly was entranced by this story. I found myself needing more and more each time I read. If you are bored of all the greek mythology retellings and cant seem to find one that stands out….then try this one! It was like a breath of fresh air.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of any mythology is how interchangeable it can be. One person can be a villain in one story, but be the hero on someone else's. And Maiwang has been great at making Hera (a character that in other retailing has been a villain) into someone I admire. As all mythology retailing, people adapt their own representation of what they believe in.
It is also a great example of all villians are not born but made.
Maiwang wrote such a beautiful retailing, and I was hooked from the very beginning.
If your favorite tropes are slow burn, grumpy-sunshine, FF or little smut, not too much, this is your book.

[Heather Moree · Rating 4 out of 5]

i received an arc of this book in return for an honest review from netgally thank you!

this is a greek retelling. i don’t know much about greek mythology but this book was amazing. it has such a great build up and plot. there is amazing pacing and it kept me reading.

[Teagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay, but I’m not the biggest fan of the writing style. It felt very removed from the characters, made it hard to connect with the story.

[Ceci ⚢ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5★