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Heroes or Zeroes?: A brand new collection of mythical retellings from the bad boys of antiquity for 2026
Tales of lore from f*ckboys and more…
Myths and legends would be nothing without their shining star of a hero at the forefront … right?
Heroes or Zeroes? looks at the dashingly handsome and oh-so-brave men from antiquity in a whole other light.
From 'famous' Heroes, Rowdy Royals, Underdogs and more, Lizzy takes us on a wild ride through their stories. Uncovering the unsung heroes and wrongly forgotten sidekicks, Lizzy has us ask, what is it to be a ‘hero’? And should the so-called ‘zeros’ really be labelled as such?
With her signature wit and humour, Lizzy narrates the legends we've all become so familiar with while also opening up an undiscovered chapter. So, dive in a prepare to decide, who's really a hero?
Heroes or Zeroes? looks at the dashingly handsome and oh-so-brave men from antiquity in a whole other light.
From 'famous' Heroes, Rowdy Royals, Underdogs and more, Lizzy takes us on a wild ride through their stories. Uncovering the unsung heroes and wrongly forgotten sidekicks, Lizzy has us ask, what is it to be a ‘hero’? And should the so-called ‘zeros’ really be labelled as such?
With her signature wit and humour, Lizzy narrates the legends we've all become so familiar with while also opening up an undiscovered chapter. So, dive in a prepare to decide, who's really a hero?
- GenresMythologyNonfiction
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2026
About the author
Lizzy Tiffin
2 books13 followersLizzy Tiffin is a journalism graduate from the North East of England. She has always been interested in mythology and is especially passionate about creating accessible content to engage everyone in all things Classics.
She spends her time reading everything she can on the classical world and planning her next trip to Greece! You can find her on social media @tiffinlizzy.
She spends her time reading everything she can on the classical world and planning her next trip to Greece! You can find her on social media @tiffinlizzy.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 2, 2026
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
A comprehensive look at the boys, men and Gods of ancient Greece told with a touch of tongue in cheek. I like how broad this went in topic - Tiffin doesn't just stop at the major players and heroes of Greek mythology, but also touches on all the kings and their numerous offspring. Anyone with any kind of story to tell is giving the space to tell it.
However, because this is so broad in scope the storytelling itself is very all over the place. Odysseus and his many travels, Hercules and his labours, they're all broken up over various chapters making the flow of this feel very all over the place. I get that it's hard to separate the myths sometimes, as there's often a lot of overlap, but I think for a couple of the 'main guys', exclusive chapters probably would have been better.
Still an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning about some Greek myths in a very accessible format. Also a great companion book to Tiffin's early book Bad Girls of Ancient Greece: The guide to mythical retellings of women from antiquity - which admittedly is still my favourite. The women of Ancient Greece are infinitely more interesting. There's only so many times I can read about Zeus taking advantage of women. Which is a lot.
A comprehensive look at the boys, men and Gods of ancient Greece told with a touch of tongue in cheek. I like how broad this went in topic - Tiffin doesn't just stop at the major players and heroes of Greek mythology, but also touches on all the kings and their numerous offspring. Anyone with any kind of story to tell is giving the space to tell it.
However, because this is so broad in scope the storytelling itself is very all over the place. Odysseus and his many travels, Hercules and his labours, they're all broken up over various chapters making the flow of this feel very all over the place. I get that it's hard to separate the myths sometimes, as there's often a lot of overlap, but I think for a couple of the 'main guys', exclusive chapters probably would have been better.
Still an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning about some Greek myths in a very accessible format. Also a great companion book to Tiffin's early book Bad Girls of Ancient Greece: The guide to mythical retellings of women from antiquity - which admittedly is still my favourite. The women of Ancient Greece are infinitely more interesting. There's only so many times I can read about Zeus taking advantage of women. Which is a lot.
July 22, 2026
A fun and quick witted collection of stories of Greek Heroes… and some Greek Zeroes!
I loved the author’s style of writing and I laughed out loud many times. The stories are a quick snap shot into some of the very well known Greek gods, alongside many of the smaller characters you may recognise.
A lighthearted read while learning.. highly recommend!
I loved the author’s style of writing and I laughed out loud many times. The stories are a quick snap shot into some of the very well known Greek gods, alongside many of the smaller characters you may recognise.
A lighthearted read while learning.. highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Please note, I was provided with an ARC version of this book by NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review*
This is essentially a beginners guide to the mortal and demigod men, heroes and villains alike, of Greek mythology. Stripping everything back to basics, each entry provides a glimpse at their heroic (or not so heroic) acts, relationships and life stories in bite-sized chunks. It's written in a lighthearted and colloquial style that gives enough for the reader to recognise where they might have heard these stories before, but without being overwhelming. Definitely a book to have on hand if you're picking up other stories based on the myths and need a little cheat sheet!
I like that this doesn't just stop at the names you know. Yes, the likes of Heracles, Jason, Theseus, Achilles etc are all included, but there are plenty more besides. Even some side-characters have their own small amount of recognition in here, and while they may not have the longest or most impactful entries, it definitely serves to give a more rounded view of the world they all inhabit.
It was also good to see the discrepancies in competing myths highlighted where they exist. It's dealt with in a very matter-of-fact way, with the various scenarios described in simple terms allowing the reader to consider which version of the story they prefer. Of course, these are just overviews and so detail is somewhat lacking, but nonetheless it still feels like the reader gets a clear enough idea of the story. As a result, the writing definitely achieves what it sets out to do!
I will say that this is not necessarily a book for reading cover to cover. It's perfect for reference purposes; grabbing and flicking to the relevant entry to refresh your memory or understand where a character fits in. But when reading it straight through, because of the categories teh author has used to separate the book into sections it does feel like you're bouncing all over the Greek world and through different family trees like a pinball - there might be three or four generations of the same family mentioned, but they are spread throughout the book. So, by the time you get to the last one, you know you've read about the father and grandfather as you recognise the names, but my brain couldn't always immediately grasp which stories were being referenced. I personally didn't find the categories all that helpful - as I was reading I though that it may have been better to divide them by hero as so many of the entries ultimately reference the labours of Heracles, Jason's Argonauts etc. Alternatively, some kind of visual graphic or "family tree" to show the links would help. I can certainly imagine that a final ebook version should include links within the text so that you can jump back and forth to relevant entries each time a name is mentioned, just to help keep things on the straight and narrow!
Is it a scholarly work? No. But it manages to reduce the sprawling world of the Greek pantheon to something manageable, enjoyable, informative and a little bit fun. I bought the author's first book on the women of Greek myth just a few days before I applied for this, so I'll definitely be heading back to read that one shortly!
This is essentially a beginners guide to the mortal and demigod men, heroes and villains alike, of Greek mythology. Stripping everything back to basics, each entry provides a glimpse at their heroic (or not so heroic) acts, relationships and life stories in bite-sized chunks. It's written in a lighthearted and colloquial style that gives enough for the reader to recognise where they might have heard these stories before, but without being overwhelming. Definitely a book to have on hand if you're picking up other stories based on the myths and need a little cheat sheet!
I like that this doesn't just stop at the names you know. Yes, the likes of Heracles, Jason, Theseus, Achilles etc are all included, but there are plenty more besides. Even some side-characters have their own small amount of recognition in here, and while they may not have the longest or most impactful entries, it definitely serves to give a more rounded view of the world they all inhabit.
It was also good to see the discrepancies in competing myths highlighted where they exist. It's dealt with in a very matter-of-fact way, with the various scenarios described in simple terms allowing the reader to consider which version of the story they prefer. Of course, these are just overviews and so detail is somewhat lacking, but nonetheless it still feels like the reader gets a clear enough idea of the story. As a result, the writing definitely achieves what it sets out to do!
I will say that this is not necessarily a book for reading cover to cover. It's perfect for reference purposes; grabbing and flicking to the relevant entry to refresh your memory or understand where a character fits in. But when reading it straight through, because of the categories teh author has used to separate the book into sections it does feel like you're bouncing all over the Greek world and through different family trees like a pinball - there might be three or four generations of the same family mentioned, but they are spread throughout the book. So, by the time you get to the last one, you know you've read about the father and grandfather as you recognise the names, but my brain couldn't always immediately grasp which stories were being referenced. I personally didn't find the categories all that helpful - as I was reading I though that it may have been better to divide them by hero as so many of the entries ultimately reference the labours of Heracles, Jason's Argonauts etc. Alternatively, some kind of visual graphic or "family tree" to show the links would help. I can certainly imagine that a final ebook version should include links within the text so that you can jump back and forth to relevant entries each time a name is mentioned, just to help keep things on the straight and narrow!
Is it a scholarly work? No. But it manages to reduce the sprawling world of the Greek pantheon to something manageable, enjoyable, informative and a little bit fun. I bought the author's first book on the women of Greek myth just a few days before I applied for this, so I'll definitely be heading back to read that one shortly!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Heroes or Zeroes is a pleasant and quick-witted dive into the chaotic world of Greek mythology. If you are looking for a light-hearted, fast read to pass an afternoon then this book has got you covered.
Tiffin’s writing style is definitely the highlight of this book. She approaches these ancient, and often heavy stories with a modern, humorous wit that makes them incredibly accessible. The prose is charming, funny, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It also captures just how ridiculous some of the characters in Greek myth were perfectly.
However, the book’s strength is also its biggest weakness: the tales are very short. Because each story is boiled down to a brief one- or two-page snapshot, there isn’t much room for depth. If you are already familiar with Greek myths, you won’t find anything new. The rapid pacing also makes the chapters start to blend together after a while.
Overall, it is an amusing collection that is great for the layman or anyone looking for a casual, comedy driven introduction to mythology. If you are after something with a bit more meat on its bones then this isn’t for you.
I did enjoy the book and it has pushed me to look further into the lesser-known tales in further detail so I guess it has done its job!
Heroes or Zeroes is a pleasant and quick-witted dive into the chaotic world of Greek mythology. If you are looking for a light-hearted, fast read to pass an afternoon then this book has got you covered.
Tiffin’s writing style is definitely the highlight of this book. She approaches these ancient, and often heavy stories with a modern, humorous wit that makes them incredibly accessible. The prose is charming, funny, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It also captures just how ridiculous some of the characters in Greek myth were perfectly.
However, the book’s strength is also its biggest weakness: the tales are very short. Because each story is boiled down to a brief one- or two-page snapshot, there isn’t much room for depth. If you are already familiar with Greek myths, you won’t find anything new. The rapid pacing also makes the chapters start to blend together after a while.
Overall, it is an amusing collection that is great for the layman or anyone looking for a casual, comedy driven introduction to mythology. If you are after something with a bit more meat on its bones then this isn’t for you.
I did enjoy the book and it has pushed me to look further into the lesser-known tales in further detail so I guess it has done its job!
July 31, 2026
A light hearted look at the mortals and demi-gods which filled the myths of ancient Greece.
The author takes an irrelevant, humour filled look at these tales, recounting them with modern slang and letting each hero or zero's story unfold.
I loved that alongside the really famous names that anyone could name - Achilles, Odysseus etc there are also plenty of minor characters that you won't, at first glance, recognise. Of course, with them being minor, with almost no evidence about them, those chapters are often little more than a page. If that. But it's still nice to see them included, and given a moment to shine.
I was sometimes a little confused as to why a character was placed within that section - some of the underdogs for example didn't seem to fit - but it was entertaining enough that I didn't really question it.
This is going to be of greatest benefit and entertainment to someone coming into myths with a completely fresh take, who maybe hasn't learnt anything about them before watching a movie. It's less useful to someone who is deep in myths because there is very little that is actually a 'new retelling' but you're bound to find a zero or two you've not heard of before.
And man this book just reminds me that Zeus is the worst. Not that I needed the reminder. Plus. Jason. Boo.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
The author takes an irrelevant, humour filled look at these tales, recounting them with modern slang and letting each hero or zero's story unfold.
I loved that alongside the really famous names that anyone could name - Achilles, Odysseus etc there are also plenty of minor characters that you won't, at first glance, recognise. Of course, with them being minor, with almost no evidence about them, those chapters are often little more than a page. If that. But it's still nice to see them included, and given a moment to shine.
I was sometimes a little confused as to why a character was placed within that section - some of the underdogs for example didn't seem to fit - but it was entertaining enough that I didn't really question it.
This is going to be of greatest benefit and entertainment to someone coming into myths with a completely fresh take, who maybe hasn't learnt anything about them before watching a movie. It's less useful to someone who is deep in myths because there is very little that is actually a 'new retelling' but you're bound to find a zero or two you've not heard of before.
And man this book just reminds me that Zeus is the worst. Not that I needed the reminder. Plus. Jason. Boo.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
July 22, 2026
Best description of this book? Mythological soap opera, perfect for a beach bag.
Don't expect an academic textbook, don't expect The Odyssey (you can always dive into The Odyssey later). This reads a bit like Greek mythology for beginners.
It gives Kaos series vibes (with Jeff Goldblum as Zeus): funny, entertaining, high-drama soap-opera quality.
Lizzy Tiffin focuses on "heroes" and "zeroes" of the ancient world, but with modern wit.
Warning: the ancient Greeks had zero boundaries. The book is packed with casual abductions (wild frequency). incestuous family trees, gory murders, and quite unhinged violence. Fortunately, these ancient horrors are treated with a light, modern touch, and the book works well as a beach read.
Overall, it's a fun, lightweight, highly readable entry-level book to the ancient world. You just need to keep your focus to keep track of who is murdering, abducting or marrying their cousins.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins/HarperNorth for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Don't expect an academic textbook, don't expect The Odyssey (you can always dive into The Odyssey later). This reads a bit like Greek mythology for beginners.
It gives Kaos series vibes (with Jeff Goldblum as Zeus): funny, entertaining, high-drama soap-opera quality.
Lizzy Tiffin focuses on "heroes" and "zeroes" of the ancient world, but with modern wit.
Warning: the ancient Greeks had zero boundaries. The book is packed with casual abductions (wild frequency). incestuous family trees, gory murders, and quite unhinged violence. Fortunately, these ancient horrors are treated with a light, modern touch, and the book works well as a beach read.
Overall, it's a fun, lightweight, highly readable entry-level book to the ancient world. You just need to keep your focus to keep track of who is murdering, abducting or marrying their cousins.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins/HarperNorth for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This is an entertaining, humorous read and while I knew the vast majority of the stories behind the heroes (and the zeroes) this would be the perfect read for those getting into Greek mythology or those wanting more information on the lesser known figures in mythology.
The information is easily digestible and while the sections for each of the male figures aren’t particularly long they do provide enough knowledge for beginners, however if you’re someone with a vast knowledge of Greek mythology it doesn’t really expand or deeply explore the information you already know about them.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is an entertaining, humorous read and while I knew the vast majority of the stories behind the heroes (and the zeroes) this would be the perfect read for those getting into Greek mythology or those wanting more information on the lesser known figures in mythology.
The information is easily digestible and while the sections for each of the male figures aren’t particularly long they do provide enough knowledge for beginners, however if you’re someone with a vast knowledge of Greek mythology it doesn’t really expand or deeply explore the information you already know about them.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed the structure of this book, especially the short chapters, which made it easy to binge‑read. The writing is clear and accessible, and the variety of figures introduced kept me interested throughout. It’s the kind of book you can dip in and out of — perfect for a train journey or picking up for a few chapters at a time.
It covers the major names in Greek mythology as well as many I hadn’t come across before, and I really enjoyed learning a little about each of them.
3.5 stars
Publication Date Jul 16 2026 |
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperNorth& the Author for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ebook) of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It covers the major names in Greek mythology as well as many I hadn’t come across before, and I really enjoyed learning a little about each of them.
3.5 stars
Publication Date Jul 16 2026 |
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperNorth& the Author for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ebook) of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2026
Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper North for the opportunity to read this book.
A look at the various men and gods in Greek myth and what they got up to.
This was well written, informative and humerous. The author keeps each entry short so its easy to read and not weighed down in detail. The entries often have some humour in them which helps given the amount of death and destruction. Oh and all the sex of course. Its not graphic at all. Each entry also has how to pronounce the name which I found really useful. This is a fun way to learn about Greek myth and i really enjoyed it. I'm off to find the book about the girls now.
A look at the various men and gods in Greek myth and what they got up to.
This was well written, informative and humerous. The author keeps each entry short so its easy to read and not weighed down in detail. The entries often have some humour in them which helps given the amount of death and destruction. Oh and all the sex of course. Its not graphic at all. Each entry also has how to pronounce the name which I found really useful. This is a fun way to learn about Greek myth and i really enjoyed it. I'm off to find the book about the girls now.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Why can't more history books be written like this? Humour and sass balances the dates and info in this coffee table book of Greek myth.
Initially picked it up thinking I'd dip in an out with a few characters each night, but it's addictive. Stayed up well passed my bedtime because it's interesting, but also funny and amazingly well presented.
Dust if the history and myth and grab this book for a bedside table read. Stay up well after your bedtime and devour this well told mythology
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.
Initially picked it up thinking I'd dip in an out with a few characters each night, but it's addictive. Stayed up well passed my bedtime because it's interesting, but also funny and amazingly well presented.
Dust if the history and myth and grab this book for a bedside table read. Stay up well after your bedtime and devour this well told mythology
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A clever book offering witty and bite-size introductions to the Greek myths.
The writing was extremely witty, and whilst there can be hundreds of variations of each myth, the author did a cracking job of staying on topic.
I loved that I found out new myths to look up and read more about, which i personally feel is an absolute win as it means the book kept me focused on wanting more.
Thanks to the publishers and Netgallery for an advanced copy.
The writing was extremely witty, and whilst there can be hundreds of variations of each myth, the author did a cracking job of staying on topic.
I loved that I found out new myths to look up and read more about, which i personally feel is an absolute win as it means the book kept me focused on wanting more.
Thanks to the publishers and Netgallery for an advanced copy.
July 17, 2026
Another bingeable, lovable book from Lizzy. Devoured this in 24 hours, funny, informative, the perfect way to get into Greek mythology
July 19, 2026
Entertaining account of Greek heroes that is great for dipping in and out of. Makes a great introduction to the subject in a light-hearted manner. Easy to read and a lot of fun.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heroes or Zeroes? is a fresh and entertaining take on Greek mythology that brings familiar figures to life with plenty of humour and personality. Lizzy Tiffin makes ancient myths feel accessible without losing what makes them so fascinating, and I enjoyed the focus on lesser-known characters alongside the famous names.
Overall, it’s an engaging, witty read that’s perfect for anyone interested in Greek mythology, whether you’re new to it or already a fan.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. I’m looking forward to whatever Lizzy Tiffin does next
Overall, it’s an engaging, witty read that’s perfect for anyone interested in Greek mythology, whether you’re new to it or already a fan.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. I’m looking forward to whatever Lizzy Tiffin does next
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews