Scorned: Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces

by Z.S. Diamanti

Even the greatest heroes face horrors unknown…Hercules, Greece’s greatest hero, lives under the constant haunting of his past.

Madness has gripped him too many times, leaving loved ones dead in his wake. When clarity returns, he confronts the nightmarish aftermath.

Plagued with his inability to remember his fits of madness, Hercules must battle grotesque monsters and navigate the mind-bending underworld to rescue his friend, Theseus, in the greatest mission of his life.

If he succeeds, he might finally reach Olympus, where the gods could offer mercy and heal his shattered mind. But a pair of pale green eyes lurks in the shadows, watching his every move, determined to ensure his destruction.

Scorned is a tormented retelling of the classic myth of Hercules. This lurid tale is part of the Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces collection, featuring classic beloved characters twisted into terrifying nightmares.

133 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2025

About the author

Z.S. Diamanti is the award-winning author of the Stone & Sky series, an epic fantasy adventure and the result of his great passion for fun and fantastical stories. He went to college forever and has too many pieces of paper on his wall. He is a USAF veteran of OEF and worked in ministry for over 10 years. He and his wife reside in Colorado with their four children where they enjoy hikes and tabletop games.

You can get a FREE series of his stories at zsdiamanti.com

Connect with him on social media: @zsdiamanti

Reviews

[Stacey Markle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short dark tale of Hercules. I'm not sure I'd class this as horror but horror adjacent! 
The story has some darker themes, blood and gore, and suspenseful elements. 
If you like tales of the Gods and the games they play with their children and humans then you'll enjoy this very much!
The ending felt abrupt to me, the explanation of what was happening to Hercules could have been more robust. Otherwise I enjoyed the story!

My rating is 3.75 rounded for GR
Thank you to the author and M4L Publishing for this ARC! My thoughts are my own.

[Christine Fancher · Rating 4 out of 5]

the last of this excellent series, I very much enjoyed this hercules retelling!
I love mythology and hercules already, which made it that much more enjoyable.
this was a very action-packed, quick read with lots of fighting, monsters, and gore.
I enjoyed the perspective given for hades and the gods in Olympus. I've always thought that twist seemed logical for it to be like that.
the ending was surprising and even left it slightly open-ended for more.
I very much recommend this!

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but I don't particularly like cliffhangers/open ended endings. (That's what dropped it to 4 stars for me) I would like to see more, so I hope this author continues the retelling.

[Calista Wielgos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and M4L publishing for an ARC of this book.

I love mythology, so I thought this would be right in my wheelhouse. I liked this short little dark twist on Hercules. There were some parts I wish could have been expanded more, but the story flowed well and it was well written.

[Sarah Nussbaumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this story and am so glad I did. I enjoyed this horror twist story about Hercules, in unexpected ways. I don't read horror regularly, but I have Like Z.S. Diamanti's writing in the past, so I gave this story a try. It wasn't horribly bloody and gruesome just to check the horror box. There is blood and gore, but it has reasoning within the story. Also, a good portion of the horror aspect is in the suspense of the machinations of the gods. And I love good page turning suspense.

In the story Hercules is emotionally torn down due to his past that both haunts him and is unclear in his mind. He is over being in the spotlight and being named the greatest hero, so he decides to undertake the most mind-blowing feat he can imagine to help restore, in a small way, what he has lost. But there is so much peril along the way and so much going on that he can't see, so we as a reader don't see it either. Which keeps you guessing until the last page.
Overall, a quick enjoyable horror twist!

[Trina Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first dive into the Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces collection.

I do not typically read Horror either. I am more of a fantasy reader.

However, my son and I have been huge on the greek mythology lately, and I have somewhat become a sucker for all things a little bit out of the normal when it comes to what we think we know, or have been told.

Scorned has been a fantastic read when it comes to the dark side of the mythology.

If you're looking for a gritty, ever changing, edge of your seat - but a fast flowing easy read then Scorned is something you're going to want to dip your toes into.

If youre into ever questioning if people are manipulating you, something is actually happening or magic is afoot then the detective work you're going to go on though this, while feeling for your MC....

What they say might happen to be very true....something about women scorned...

Thank you Z.S. Diamanti for introducing me to your darker side, and I hope to see more of this in the future.

[Cody Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off this is different than what we normally get from Z.S. Diamanti and I love it. Z was able to skillfully tell a story about Hercules that called on his past and show us a great time. It was a gripping book that had a lot of twists and turns in it that kept you guessing. Through out the whole book Z made me feel like I was right there in the moment and made me want to reach out my hand to help numerous times. So if you're looking for something different that's a gripping story of a beloved hero falling from grace I highly recommend this book.

[Tuney.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a beautifully written work of the story of Hercules and his challenges.

The author really has a way to make you feel what the characters feel and strategically ended each chapter with suspense that made you want to instantly find out what is happening next.

I am very much looking forward to having the physical copy of this book

[Mr.Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing the book,the title is amusing.
This was a fun,fast paced, short and dark retelling of Hercules after his trials. Great first foot into the horror genre as it still feels like a dark fanatsy. If you like these genres or the tale of Hercules check this book out!

[Riann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute of this creepy Hercules retelling! I find Greek mythology fascinating so I was on board right away! I loved finding out more about Hercules and found this story very entertaining.

[Miranda Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wild and scary ride of a take on a famous Hero. A wonderful kind of dark and twisted. So different from Diamanti's latest works, this is a refreshing take of what all this amazing author is capable of.
Bring on some more!

[Amber Valencia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cool reimagining of a tale everyone knows. I have read other books from this author and he never misses. This one took a second to pull me in but once I got there I was hooked. As a lover of horror, this was super cool!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a compelling story and twist on a familiar tale

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on Hercules. The characters are interesting and well written and the world building is cool.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, Hercules then. This one was different for sure. Twisted in so many ways though. I have to say I liked it. The story told me many things that I had forgotten. Recommended read.

[Stefanie Silvestri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short and dark version of the classic story of Hercules. The book was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, trying to guess what would happen next.

[Karleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic addition to the Twisted Tales series. This time we have a retelling of Hercules and his rampage of blood and gore.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but awesome dark retelling of the story of Hercules. Well written and very enjoyable.

[Marlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

[Terry M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisted take on the quests of Hercules, taking you on a path of horror, regret, danger and loss. Enjoyable and highly recommended.

[joshua williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this re-imagining of Hercules. Z.S. Diamanti has a way of grabbing his audience and pulling them. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to future titles from this author.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hercules has an unclear mine from previous experiences. This is a dark version of the myth. It is action packed with some gore that grabs your attention.

[Clive Willcocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the twisted tales. I did enjoy this one. worth a read.

[Ashton Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked from page ONE! Z.S. Diamanti hits another one out of the park! The way it is set up, i'm so hoping for a second book!

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this twisty take on the classic Hercules mythology tale. This is a great short story that is more on the light horror side, not a lot of gore and grotesk, except where needed, and the story was suspenseful enough to keep me reading. I do feel like the ending felt a little rushed and maybe unfinished… maybe leading to more to come? I love mythology and a good retelling so I would love to read more!
Thank you to the author and M4L Publishing for the ARC!