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The god of magic has lost his mind. Literally. A reluctant nurse with a healing touch may have the power to save him...She only needs to be convinced.

HERMES is the fourth book in a new paranormal romance series, based in a dark, sexy city ruled by Hades and his court of gods and monsters.


If you like a no-nonsense heroine with an attitude to keep even a mad god in check, you'll enjoy this fun instalment of 'The Court of the Underworld.'

Thanks to a curse he can't remember getting, Hermes's memories are locked away so tight that even the god of thieves has no way of picking the locks. After twenty years of being held prisoner, he's not even sure he wants them back.

Selene has worked off her shitty ex-boyfriend's debt to Hades, but the Lord of Styx can't be denied when he wants something. He needs Hermes back and the information he has on Pithos to take them down forever, and Hades wants Selene to help him get it.

It doesn't matter that the mad god kind of scares parts of her and makes other bits heat up, Hermes is refusing to tolerate anyone else's help, and for a god of boundaries...he sure has none.

HERMES is a new story based on characters from Greek Myth. It contains adult content, including violence, swearing, and steamy sex scenes.

Audio CD

First published June 14, 2020

241 people are currently reading
742 people want to read

About the author

Alessa Thorn

60 books970 followers
Alessa Thorn believes that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. She prefers her clothes black, eyeliner winged and books full of hot romance. She thinks heroes are boring, so her first series 'The Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from her favorite Greek Myths.

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5 stars
1,034 (44%)
4 stars
862 (37%)
3 stars
379 (16%)
2 stars
47 (2%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,419 followers
April 2, 2022
I'm gonna be honest here... I think this may have been my favorite book of this series yet!

Hermes, the herald of the Olympian gods, the protector of human heralds, travellers, thieves, merchants, and orators, is no longer the male everyone used to know and love. After being struck by madness by his father (Zeus was one messed up dude) and kept prisoner by a cult of monster hunters, he was finally rescued by Hades and working on putting the pieces of himself back together. The person who helped him the most... everyone's favorite nurse, Selene.

She's had her share of heartbreak and only a fool would fall for the god of tricks. But what could she do when he was so gosh darned irresistible? I know I couldn't resist how delicious this male was so who could blame a girl for falling?

I felt so much from this story, from its characters and the continuing background plot to all of the side characters. I'm so in love with these people! And I was a sucker for the way that Hermes both suffered and grew in this book. He made my day with his reaction when he met his new brother, Perseus.

He might look like Zeus, but he is much kinder, Hermes decided. Zeus would've destroyed him. Which made him happy all over again that his father was dead.
After Perseus left, Hermes decided that maybe having siblings might just be enjoyable for once.


The way the brothers bonded (Hermes, Asterion, Perseus), the ease of their connection, really helped to sell this story to me. The patience and understanding everyone had for everything Hermes was going through, Selene's compassion... It was very easy to give this story all of the stars!

If you're a lover of romance, broken heroes who still have it going on, sweet heroines with bits of fire, and a plot that won't quit, read these books! Thanatos is next and I've already got it on lock!!

Always find more on the blog

Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews130 followers
Want to read
December 5, 2020
🎁 The Court of the Underworld Collection (Books #1-4) is FREE on Amazon today (12/5/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for T.B. Wittkofsky.
Author 10 books12 followers
August 7, 2020
Out of all of the Court of the Underworld books, this one takes place as my favorite so far. With the vast development of Hermes and the further dive into one of the characters that left mysteries throughout the other books, this one encases you in wonder and lore. The romance is even more steamy and loving!
Profile Image for ❤️Court - Villains Do It Better❤️.
1,088 reviews774 followers
September 18, 2020
2 DNF Stars

Just an okay series but nothing really exciting ever happens and the characters are all just okay. I do like how all the books are retellings, but everyone is just a bit too similar in personality for me and nothing new ever happens. So overall, just an okay, but easy read to pass the time.
Profile Image for Martina P.
452 reviews11 followers
April 11, 2023
I didn't vibe with it.
I felt nothing.
Then again the whole chosen family thing made me smile.
And I was happy whenever other charecters we in the scene.
Profile Image for Kerry.
648 reviews22 followers
February 26, 2025
Alessa, the author you are. After we met Hermes in the previous book, I wasn't sure where this book was going to take things, but I need not worry because this is Alessa we're talking about. I was blown away by how well this book balanced the romance with Hermes's recovery from his torture and advancing the overarching plot with some critical reveals. Ugh, so good!
Profile Image for Rebeca Ortiz.
118 reviews4 followers
April 9, 2025
*** 4.5 ⭐️***

I really loved this book!

Hermes and Selene really balance each other out, him being the god of tricks and tricksters, music, magic, etc and her being of the moon, healing, etc.

I love the part where Hades and Persephone are getting on to her for being with Hermes, it’s such a funny and real look into the fact that gods were probably just like us, into love and gossip. It was truly a real time joy to experience that.

I’m glad they finally caught Pandora, I’m still confused on her role here but I’m sure it’ll be explained more. I know she’s just a small piece in the bigger puzzle. Also i had a moment of thinking that Hermes knew the prophets from being brought there by Pandora, so I’m glad my three prophet sisters remain good (for now, we’ll see).

Overall, a good time was had! I’m really enjoying this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Courtney.
330 reviews
October 28, 2020
I loved this. I honestly didn't think I was going to, it seems like there's always one character in each book through this series that's unnecessarily insecure or too perfect, but I don't feel like that was the case with this book. Both characters had things to work through, but they worked through them and grew. This was a really fun read.
Profile Image for Krystin Rowley.
463 reviews6 followers
March 16, 2023
Ohhh Hermes!! You magnificent crazy god.
This series is really amazing. Modern ancients, and the strength of the characters, I cannot wait to keep reading!
Profile Image for Amanda.
705 reviews
April 3, 2025
Ebook. Purchased. Hermes may be my new favorite Alessa MMC. Loved this one and really enjoying this series.
Profile Image for Cass (wonderlandandwhisky).
132 reviews452 followers
April 10, 2022
I adore the depiction of Hermes in most Greek myth retellings. The trickster always brings a smile to my face bu† this depiction was something else entirely.

Given that we start with Hermes in a very bad mental state, I loved seeing the many different sides of the God and how his journey through that battle evolved. It gave so many more dimensions to this character and I adore him.

And Selene?! I enjoyed seeing her briefly in the first three books so I was really eager to understand her character further.

I love that the court is growing and with such a variety of characters.
Profile Image for Mak ♡.
1,098 reviews7 followers
February 27, 2022

🥰 A autora voltou com tudo nesse livro . . .
Hermes e Selene❗ O Deus e a Enfermeira❗
Eu amei. . . 🥰 Nossa que felicidade de ler esse livro e me encantar de novo. . .
Tudo foi divertido, emocionante e apaixonante. . .
Esse Deus louco me deixou maluquinha por ele, e a enfermeira que brilha como a Lua. . . Sério fofo demais. . . 🥰
Próximo livro temos o primeiro dos trigêmeos 🤭, morrendo de curiosidade para ler sobre eles . . .
Boa leitura e até o próximo. . . Happy reading, and until the next reading. . . 😘
Profile Image for Becca.
302 reviews78 followers
November 7, 2022
I am decidedly obsessed with this series. I cannot be stopped. 2am and I’m still reading? I’m fine with it.
Profile Image for Kristen.
481 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2021
As soon as I read the epilogue to Hades I knew I had to read this book right away.

Unlike the previous books in this series, Hermes and Selene don’t start off on the wrong foot. She doesn’t kill him. He doesn’t kidnap her. Nothing gets stolen but hearts. Watching them fall in love while also healing each other’s wounds was such a joy. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved the action and the sass of the last three books, but the shift to this softer quieter romance was a welcome turn.

Selene isn’t as bloodthirsty as her predecessors, but it would be a mistake to think she isn’t strong. She manages to keep herself composed among the various super hot faces of the Court of Styx, and even though Hermes scares her in the beginning, she is resolved to help him if she can.

Hermes himself is locked in a form of madness. Pieces of himself trapped away and hidden from him by worst father of the year and everyone’s least favorite brother Zeus. Seeing that Zeus specifically took from him the things he valued most was heartbreaking, and I appreciate that this book does not shy away from how AWFUL the king of the gods was.

This is another book where I wish it was longer. I think another hundred pages in each of these books to expand things and deepen relationships would easily push the series from a four to a five. I also love that this story wasn’t really steeped in a myth (at least not one I remember). Not to say it’s completely disconnected from mythology, but I did feel like it had a chance to be a little bit different because it was tied to its roots but not confined by them. I love this series so much.
Profile Image for Jewels.
148 reviews
November 9, 2024
I’m reading this book for the second time and updating my review. The second time reading it is even better because I know what happens so I can focus on all the little details. And I actually think our Hermes is my favorite character. he’s so complex in what happened to him, then coming back to himself slowly and then getting back to himself. It’s such a good character arc.

Series: This series is so good!!! I love that all of the books have a great amount of humor, and family, and love stories, and mythology and magic, and keep me wanting to read them all and not sleep.

Book: If I could curse in my subject line I would… Because I just finished this book and it was so good I couldn’t put it down and read it in one read. Honestly, I almost didn’t read it because I tend to like the darker male characters and was worried that he wouldn’t match up to those. And he didn’t in the way that I would think of darker male characters but he was so complex and interesting that he was just as good to read. And Selene was such a breath of fresh air of a female character. She was strong in a loving, caring way. Not fighting or strength but strengthen a different way that was very endearing. I loved how much they loved each other and found this story to be so good.

One of the themes that I love in this whole series is the found family between all of the characters in the books before this book and characters that will be in future books. It’s so lovely and sweet and makes me come back to the series to read over and over again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Littlebookishbirdie.
190 reviews6 followers
August 16, 2022
The first three books in this series are hands down the best in my opinion. Though I do love my triplets later on. But I have to admit, Hermes was my least favorite.

This has more to do with the fact that I wasn’t attracted or invested in either main character. It feels a little weird to me having a romance develop with a man who literally is a barbarian at first. This deals more with a sweet more nurturing fmc who takes care of the mmc.

I just found Selene to be a little boring. She is the main nurse who takes care of Hades and his family. So he asks her to help with Hermes which is how that relationship begins. She prefers to be peaceful and therefore asks Hermes to refrain from fighting.

So it lacks that intensity for me. I won’t lie, I haven’t revisited them. It wasn’t bad. Let me be clear. This is probably great for many. It just wasn’t my type of romance.

I WILL say that Hermes is a funny character and the comments he makes away from Selene had me laughing, especially in the other books. His own jokes about being a dog on a leash just crack me up.
Profile Image for Joharis.
1,071 reviews113 followers
March 11, 2022
YouTube

3.5

This modern retelling of the Greek god Hermes falling in love with a nurse with unknown powers was, in my opinion, better than the last 3 books. It is very noticeable how the author has improved her writing and while it still needs work, it was very enjoyable.

Their love story is different, they start out as patient and caretakers and slowly start to help each other heal. This premise allowed their relationship to develop far more naturally than the previous couples and I enjoyed immensely seeing them interact and come to realize their feelings, unlike the previous books in which we were just told they were suddenly in love.

Their relationship was cute, the story focused on them before bringing in the chaos of the plot which also helped the book in my eyes. Also, the sex got better!

Overall, better than the rest but still not outstanding.
Profile Image for Krys (spicy.spine.breaker).
1,055 reviews59 followers
July 9, 2021
Thorns writing & the books in this series just keep getting better. Hermes is my favorite thus far.

After being tortured & cursed (not giving too much away) Hermes is brought to stay with the Court. He has forgotten a lot about himself, and his verbal communcation abilities are sorely effected by his acute PTSD and being unable to make sense of his scrambling thoughts. Thorn demonstrated conflict between his emotions and his ability to articulate them, the frustration and confusion very well in my opinion.

The twins Erebus, Charon, and Thanatos just keep getting better. I also LOVE the dynamic between the woman as more are joining the Court.(Medusa was the only one, then Ariadne, Persephone, Selene was always around but not in a leisure capacity). This ends with more than just a mention of Hecate - I'm PUMPED.

Onto Thanatos's book!
Profile Image for Natalie.
284 reviews
November 13, 2021
The saga continues

Hermes is the 4th book in this series.

The further I get into this series, the more engrossed I become.

After being imprisoned for 20 years, Hermes can’t get his thoughts straight. Things don’t make sense. He is a shadow of his former self. That is until he meets Selene, a nurse who is more than she seems. Around her he can think straight, and more and more doors in his mind start to open. But, are they meant to be??

Aside from the romance storyline, Hermes also has valuable information about PITHOS and what they are up to.

Both storylines are progressing nicely and Hermes and Selene are great additions to Hades’ crew, bringing their own unique skills to the PITHOS hunt. Their chemistry is fiery, leading to many steamy scenes.

I’d recommend for any paranormal/mythological romance reader.
25 reviews
February 19, 2025
Ok, But Not In Love

Few too many missing words that caused me to have to read a sentence over because it sounded funny and I had to figure out why. Which doesn’t make the story bad, it just messes with the flow of the reading. The story itself was fine, but some plot parts were just left hanging which is frustrating. Glad I read it for context with past and future stories in this series, but it wasn’t that great on its own. Also, the storming the compound section where the MFC cant handle some well deserved revenge violence is just kind of ridiculous. Her squeamish morality there just didn’t fit and it didn’t show any respect for those who had suffered under the control of the villains. But hey what’s 20 years of being drugged while being held captive compared to a non-victims higher standards? Hoping the next book gets its act together.
Profile Image for Kylee.
471 reviews3 followers
May 2, 2022
I was a little disappointed when I realised Hermes was next in the series as I’m itching for the triplets stories. Hermes only came into the storyline at the end of Hades.
However that disappointment was short lived once I started reading. Especially as Selene is his love interest. Selene has been in the series from book 1, as the human nurse on Hades payroll. Human ha! Truth came out she carries Hecate’s power, sorceress? Loving these revelations!

This book I found slightly less fast paced and focused on Hermes overcoming his madness from a curse Zeus placed on him.
Lots of mysteries solved in this book and new ones introduced which I’m assuming will span through the next 3 books which focus on the triplets YAY!! (Thanatos, Charon & Erebus)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for One Sassy Reader.
570 reviews7 followers
June 17, 2021
So, yeah I binge-read this series.

As I said, it was very entertaining.

I will post this review on each of them because I don't care and I am not reviewing every single one of them.

However, this combination of dystopian elements with Modern Day Greece and Ancient Greek Gods reemerging, was chefs' kiss! I need to find this, but better than this.

Although I enjoyed it there are many issues with these books, so I am rating all of them 2 stars.

However, do not doubt that Alessa Thorn will be an author I will be adding to my list because whenever I need a fast read with smut, fantastical elements I'll be checking her out.
219 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2022
Not To Be Missed.

This series is a great time. If you love the old myths it simply interested in trying a new genre of romance novels start here. This whole series about the Greek Gods and Egyptian Gods is an awesome experience not to be missed. The romance is there in spades. Ms. Thorn weaves a whole world where Hades rules his court with love, care, and a lot of humor. As each God falls in love with a strong woman the sparks fly ensuring a pleasurable time for the reader. I can't say enough about this series. Hades and Set are my favorite Gods. Powerful, steadfast, take no prisoners kind of males women can only dream of.
Profile Image for Anna Beste.
415 reviews
September 11, 2024
I was a nice change of pace reading a story that had Hermes as the main character. Selene was the perfect balance of independent, caring, and sassy to Hermes' slightly mad and manic personality. Their love story is sweet and slow burning but no less passionate. I enjoy that the story continues with each book but focuses on a different character to keep it interesting. I love that Alessa Thorn gives happy endings to the "monsters" and "villains" of Greek mythology, it humanizes them and gives them a more complex backstory that makes you sympathize with them and want the best for these "bad" guys.
Profile Image for Chaos.
3,542 reviews115 followers
September 26, 2022
And the plot thickens!! So glad that Hermes is free of the crazy bitch Pandoda! And so glad that finally she got what she deserved. I was so over her BS in the other books. Freaking lunatic! Selenes name definitely gave me the idea of who she was. And oh I so hope Hecate is alive and will receive Selene well!! I'm hoping this plot with Pithos will resolve soon. It seems like it's winding down but there is still 3 more books. I adore how the court is expanding! So many new additions and only for the better!
49 reviews1 follower
December 24, 2020
My least favourite of the four books so far, but still an enjoyable read and definitely won't deter me from reading the rest of the series. What I especially like is how the characters in previous books are still present in subsequent novels. Feels like you're part of the family as you read. Also appreciate how a little more of the larger back story is being divulged with each new instalment.
Profile Image for Leah Eugenia.
Author 23 books10 followers
December 13, 2021
Hermes and Selene, what an unexpected pair...

Each book I read in this series makes me more certain that I need them in paper for my permanent library. I want to pick them up and read them like old friends. Crazy sexy gods, crazy sexy magical beings, children of the gods and goddesses, what is not to like? If I could sit and chat with them over a good glass of wine, my world would settle firmly in place.
75 reviews
March 27, 2022
If you have read my other reviews on this series, then this one will be repetitive.

I liked the broken aspect of Hermes. He was not his full self, but knew that certain thing were expected of him. He wanted what was right, and to end Pandora. Selene being of the Hecate bloodline was great and tied in the magical aspect of her. Wish that there was more smut, but the book was great nonetheless.

Already bought the next book.
Profile Image for Pet.
3,772 reviews7 followers
June 15, 2023
I’m loving this combination of mythology and contemporary and magic and such strong females it makes all other books I’m reading come up slightly short. Selene isn’t an fighter, quite the opposite, she’s a healer through and through, but that does not make her weak or any less powerful. I love how she gives as good as she gets and never backs down and I really liked Hermes, he’s a lot to take but she‘s more enough to handle that god. Another fascinating and exciting read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews

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