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Goddesses of the Underworld #2
Styx - The River
Beginning a generation before
Hekate
,
Styx
sings the story of the goddess of the underworld river that bears her name…
The firstborn child of Titans, Styx is revered as the first of her kind – until she is eclipsed and forgotten amid her scores of siblings, the Oceanids and the Potamoi.
Coming of age in a world simmering with paranoia and unspoken fear of Zeus, the volatile and unchecked god-king, Styx learns to conceal the rage ignited by her growing disillusionment with her parents and her vain and unkind siblings. Instead, she finds solace and sisterhood in her cousin, Asteria. Together, they train in the arts of creation and magic. And as they seek to learn their divine purpose and their place within the Titanomachy, they discover both the joy sparked by true love and the fierce resilience birthed from motherhood.
In this lyrical and heartrending tale of sisterhood, identity, love, and war, Styx must carve her own path to womanhood – and ultimately, godhood.
The firstborn child of Titans, Styx is revered as the first of her kind – until she is eclipsed and forgotten amid her scores of siblings, the Oceanids and the Potamoi.
Coming of age in a world simmering with paranoia and unspoken fear of Zeus, the volatile and unchecked god-king, Styx learns to conceal the rage ignited by her growing disillusionment with her parents and her vain and unkind siblings. Instead, she finds solace and sisterhood in her cousin, Asteria. Together, they train in the arts of creation and magic. And as they seek to learn their divine purpose and their place within the Titanomachy, they discover both the joy sparked by true love and the fierce resilience birthed from motherhood.
In this lyrical and heartrending tale of sisterhood, identity, love, and war, Styx must carve her own path to womanhood – and ultimately, godhood.
534 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2026
About the author
Nikita Gill
30 books6,322 followersNikita Gill is a Kashmiri Sikh writer born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and brought up in Gurugram, Haryana in India. In her mid twenties, she immigrated to the South of England and worked as a carer for many years. She enjoys creating paintings, poems, stories, photos, illustrations and other soft, positive things. Her work has appeared in Literary Orphans, Agave Magazine, Gravel Literary Journal, Monkeybicycle, Foliate Oak, MusePiePress, Dying Dahlia Review, The Rising Phoenix Review, Eunoia Review, Corvus Review, After The Pause and elsewhere.
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September 17, 2026
I am my own potent story of rage and tragedy.
A few months ago I reviewed Hekate by Nikita Gill, which became my favorite Greek mythology book of the past few years. Styx was prominently featured in Hekate's book, so I was thrilled when I found out the second book in Nikita Gill's Goddesses of the Underworld would be about her. The book is finally here.
If you know even a little about Greek mythology, you've likely heard of the river Styx. This is the river that the souls of the newly dead must cross to enter the afterlife. You're probably aware of the famous myth of Achilles' mother, Thetis, dipping him into the Styx as a baby to make him immortal and invincible except for his heel, which remained his only vulnerable spot.
Styx, whose name translates to 'hateful', was the daughter of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. She was the goddess of the river Styx and sacred oaths. Any god or mortal who swears an oath on the river Styx can't break it without suffering severe consequences.
☆ Main characters ☆
Styx: read the paragraphs above
Asteria: Titan goddess of nocturnal oracles and falling stars, mother of Hekate
Oceanus: Titan god of the great river that surrounded the world, father of Styx
Tethys: Titanide, consort of Oceanus, mother of Styx
Kronos: King of the Titans, father of Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hestia, Hera, and Demeter
Perses: Titan god of destruction
Pallas: Titan god of warcraft
Metis: Titan goddess of wisdom, sister of Styx, mother of Athena
Leto: Titan goddess of motherhood and childbirth, mother of Apollo and Artemis, sister of Asteria
Zeus: son of Kronos, future king of the Olympians
Gaia: Primordial goddess of the earth, emerged from Chaos, mother of Titans
Nyx: Primordial goddess of the night, born from Chaos
This book takes place long before the birth of Hekate and the events of the first installment. It is set in a time when Titans ruled the cosmos and is told from the POVs of both Styx and Asteria.
Styx was the first child of her parents, Titans Oceanus and Tethys. She was cherished and happy for a little while. But then her parents started having more children. Many, many more children. Styx's parents, aunts, and uncles soon noticed how different she was in both appearance and personality compared to her siblings. Her mother barely paid her any attention anymore. Styx had green hair, small fangs, and was odd. Her powerful grandmother Gaia's prophecy did not bode well for her future. Nobody expected much from her.
Cruel King Kronos decrees that only Oceanus' male children will inherit godhood over rivers with full divine powers, while the daughters will serve and nurture their brother's domains. Styx is furious and heartbroken, even more so when her father doesn't protest Kronos' order. She feels more alone than ever and further isolates herself from her siblings, who always saw her as an outcast. One day, Styx has a chance encounter with her cousin Asteria. It does not go over well due to Styx's antisocial behavior and Asteria's prejudice against Styx's unusual appearance. But despite their initial dislike for each other, they become best friends and confidants. Styx also starts to warm up to Asteria's younger sister, Leto. When Styx's mother gives birth to her last child, Metis, who has strange gifts, she becomes the only sibling Styx cares for. Styx, Asteria, Leto, and Metis spend their days together learning to use their divine abilities until one day when their world is forever changed by war and betrayal.
As some of you know, each myth has a few different versions. Nikita Gill pulled a lot of things from Hesiod's Theogony. That's fine by me because I like Hesiod much better than Ovid. Good ol' Ovid destroyed Athena's reputation by changing the Medusa myth and making her the villain of the story, and I will never stop complaining about it.
Styx and Asteria's friendship was the most impactful part of the book. Asteria was featured in the first installment as the mother of Hekate, and as much as I like Styx, it was Asteria's POV I enjoyed the most in this book. I also loved Styx's slow-burn relationship with Pallas, the god of warcraft, with whom she is forced into an arranged marriage. Asteria's relationship with Pallas' brother Perses, the god of destruction, was beautifully written. But it's also devastating if you read the first book and/or are aware of the myth.
How does Styx go from an Oceanid and a weirdo outcast to a powerful Underworld goddess? Can Asteria escape her destiny? Who will survive the Titanomachy, and which side will they choose?
In my anger, I turned away from her and said, 'I did what I had to do for those I love.' Asteria's voice, soft and shaking, was almost a whisper when she said, 'Once, a long time ago, you loved me too.'
P.S. The third book in the series will be about Nyx, the powerful primordial goddess and personification of Night, whom even Zeus feared. 🖤 "On one side sat burly, yellow-haired Hyperion, his eyes bright like the sun he was known for, a constant smile on his face. On the other sat the most terrifying and mysterious of all the Primordial gods, Nyx - her dark hair loose and filled with glowing stars, her onyx skin glowing dangerously in the subtle light of the hall as her black eyes glittered with story and spite."
A few months ago I reviewed Hekate by Nikita Gill, which became my favorite Greek mythology book of the past few years. Styx was prominently featured in Hekate's book, so I was thrilled when I found out the second book in Nikita Gill's Goddesses of the Underworld would be about her. The book is finally here.
If you know even a little about Greek mythology, you've likely heard of the river Styx. This is the river that the souls of the newly dead must cross to enter the afterlife. You're probably aware of the famous myth of Achilles' mother, Thetis, dipping him into the Styx as a baby to make him immortal and invincible except for his heel, which remained his only vulnerable spot.
Styx, whose name translates to 'hateful', was the daughter of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. She was the goddess of the river Styx and sacred oaths. Any god or mortal who swears an oath on the river Styx can't break it without suffering severe consequences.
☆ Main characters ☆
Styx: read the paragraphs above
Asteria: Titan goddess of nocturnal oracles and falling stars, mother of Hekate
Oceanus: Titan god of the great river that surrounded the world, father of Styx
Tethys: Titanide, consort of Oceanus, mother of Styx
Kronos: King of the Titans, father of Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hestia, Hera, and Demeter
Perses: Titan god of destruction
Pallas: Titan god of warcraft
Metis: Titan goddess of wisdom, sister of Styx, mother of Athena
Leto: Titan goddess of motherhood and childbirth, mother of Apollo and Artemis, sister of Asteria
Zeus: son of Kronos, future king of the Olympians
Gaia: Primordial goddess of the earth, emerged from Chaos, mother of Titans
Nyx: Primordial goddess of the night, born from Chaos
This book takes place long before the birth of Hekate and the events of the first installment. It is set in a time when Titans ruled the cosmos and is told from the POVs of both Styx and Asteria.
Styx was the first child of her parents, Titans Oceanus and Tethys. She was cherished and happy for a little while. But then her parents started having more children. Many, many more children. Styx's parents, aunts, and uncles soon noticed how different she was in both appearance and personality compared to her siblings. Her mother barely paid her any attention anymore. Styx had green hair, small fangs, and was odd. Her powerful grandmother Gaia's prophecy did not bode well for her future. Nobody expected much from her.
Cruel King Kronos decrees that only Oceanus' male children will inherit godhood over rivers with full divine powers, while the daughters will serve and nurture their brother's domains. Styx is furious and heartbroken, even more so when her father doesn't protest Kronos' order. She feels more alone than ever and further isolates herself from her siblings, who always saw her as an outcast. One day, Styx has a chance encounter with her cousin Asteria. It does not go over well due to Styx's antisocial behavior and Asteria's prejudice against Styx's unusual appearance. But despite their initial dislike for each other, they become best friends and confidants. Styx also starts to warm up to Asteria's younger sister, Leto. When Styx's mother gives birth to her last child, Metis, who has strange gifts, she becomes the only sibling Styx cares for. Styx, Asteria, Leto, and Metis spend their days together learning to use their divine abilities until one day when their world is forever changed by war and betrayal.
As some of you know, each myth has a few different versions. Nikita Gill pulled a lot of things from Hesiod's Theogony. That's fine by me because I like Hesiod much better than Ovid. Good ol' Ovid destroyed Athena's reputation by changing the Medusa myth and making her the villain of the story, and I will never stop complaining about it.
Styx and Asteria's friendship was the most impactful part of the book. Asteria was featured in the first installment as the mother of Hekate, and as much as I like Styx, it was Asteria's POV I enjoyed the most in this book. I also loved Styx's slow-burn relationship with Pallas, the god of warcraft, with whom she is forced into an arranged marriage. Asteria's relationship with Pallas' brother Perses, the god of destruction, was beautifully written. But it's also devastating if you read the first book and/or are aware of the myth.
How does Styx go from an Oceanid and a weirdo outcast to a powerful Underworld goddess? Can Asteria escape her destiny? Who will survive the Titanomachy, and which side will they choose?
In my anger, I turned away from her and said, 'I did what I had to do for those I love.' Asteria's voice, soft and shaking, was almost a whisper when she said, 'Once, a long time ago, you loved me too.'
P.S. The third book in the series will be about Nyx, the powerful primordial goddess and personification of Night, whom even Zeus feared. 🖤 "On one side sat burly, yellow-haired Hyperion, his eyes bright like the sun he was known for, a constant smile on his face. On the other sat the most terrifying and mysterious of all the Primordial gods, Nyx - her dark hair loose and filled with glowing stars, her onyx skin glowing dangerously in the subtle light of the hall as her black eyes glittered with story and spite."
Want to Read
December 5, 2025Brother this better be a good book. I was captured by the first book.
September 24, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️ a beautiful story about love and friendship. Not as action pact as Hekate but it was still an emotional rollercoaster
June 5, 2026
This series is just everything I expected from Nikita Gill.
August 28, 2026
So incredible. You have to be such a strong writer to pull off this format. I loved Hekate so I was thrilled to dive into this one and I’m soooo glad to report that it didn’t disappoint! It’s hard to stand out within the resurgence of Greek mythology retellings but Nikita Gill does it so effortlessly. Absolutely obsessedddd please read these!
September 7, 2026
4⭐️- Basically family drama… but make it Gods and Titans. ⚡️🏛️🍿
This was such an interesting and emotional retelling of Greek mythology, focusing less on the usual gods and more on family, power, loyalty, friendship and betrayal. 👀✨
The relationship between Styx and Asteria was definitely the highlight for me, and I loved seeing all the divine family drama unfold. 🌊💔
Nikita Gill’s writing is beautifully lyrical and atmospheric, although at times the story felt a little simplistic and I wanted more depth from some of the characters. Also despite the list of characters, I did find this story overcrowded at times and lost track of who is who 🤷♂️
Still, an easy and enjoyable read with plenty of immortal family dysfunction™️. 😂⚡️
This was such an interesting and emotional retelling of Greek mythology, focusing less on the usual gods and more on family, power, loyalty, friendship and betrayal. 👀✨
The relationship between Styx and Asteria was definitely the highlight for me, and I loved seeing all the divine family drama unfold. 🌊💔
Nikita Gill’s writing is beautifully lyrical and atmospheric, although at times the story felt a little simplistic and I wanted more depth from some of the characters. Also despite the list of characters, I did find this story overcrowded at times and lost track of who is who 🤷♂️
Still, an easy and enjoyable read with plenty of immortal family dysfunction™️. 😂⚡️
August 30, 2026
(I had to write a review for the first arc I got from a giveaway). This was a lyrically written book with a story not often told. A lot of these types of books are full of artificial “girl bossing” but this actually features multiple strong women seeking agency while remaining presumably true to the original myths
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you very much to the author, publisher, and to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Styx is a retelling of the eponymous goddess’s myth. Told in dual POV between Styx and Asteria, it traces Styx’s formative time from when she was born to when she becomes a goddess.
I was very excited to read this book when I first saw it; Styx is one of the least acknowledged goddesses, and many of the deities pre-Olympus often get left behind. Author Nikita Gill has undoubtedly done her research in preparation for this, and conveys the story in a manner that is accessible, flows well, and centres the women in an unquestionably revolutionary manner.
My criticisms of this book are twofold: the first is that I felt the poetry lacked rhythm or melody. When reading verse, I often count a beat on a nearby surface and try to recite it aloud to myself as one would have expected from the epics of the time. In this case, I found no tangible rhythm to follow. While writing extensively in meter is difficult, I nevertheless wanted it to be more lyrical given the form.
My second critique is more personal. As an older reader, I found some of the writing a little too simplified and at times repetitive. While younger readers may consider this simplicity an improvement to their reading experience, I can’t help but wonder if we shouldn’t be challenging them with broader vocabularies and less obvious writing to challenge them to step beyond their comfort zone.
Overall, I think this book will be well-liked by younger readers with an interest in Greek mythology and readers looking for a light, digestible form of the story.
Styx is a retelling of the eponymous goddess’s myth. Told in dual POV between Styx and Asteria, it traces Styx’s formative time from when she was born to when she becomes a goddess.
I was very excited to read this book when I first saw it; Styx is one of the least acknowledged goddesses, and many of the deities pre-Olympus often get left behind. Author Nikita Gill has undoubtedly done her research in preparation for this, and conveys the story in a manner that is accessible, flows well, and centres the women in an unquestionably revolutionary manner.
My criticisms of this book are twofold: the first is that I felt the poetry lacked rhythm or melody. When reading verse, I often count a beat on a nearby surface and try to recite it aloud to myself as one would have expected from the epics of the time. In this case, I found no tangible rhythm to follow. While writing extensively in meter is difficult, I nevertheless wanted it to be more lyrical given the form.
My second critique is more personal. As an older reader, I found some of the writing a little too simplified and at times repetitive. While younger readers may consider this simplicity an improvement to their reading experience, I can’t help but wonder if we shouldn’t be challenging them with broader vocabularies and less obvious writing to challenge them to step beyond their comfort zone.
Overall, I think this book will be well-liked by younger readers with an interest in Greek mythology and readers looking for a light, digestible form of the story.
July 31, 2026
This digital ARC was graciously granted to me by NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers; all opinions are my own.
I would give this book ten stars if I could! It is written in narrative verse, which pays such powerful tribute to the Greek myths and storytelling of the ancient world. Yet, it is an easy, all-consuming read where I found myself immersed in the story from the beginning. Told from
both Asteria and Styx’s POV, we get the complete background to the Titan world and how it falls to Zeus. If you’re like me, and get confused by the Titan world, this book helped me understand it so much more. I will definitely be buying a copy for my classroom! I think my students will love this even more than Circe!
I would give this book ten stars if I could! It is written in narrative verse, which pays such powerful tribute to the Greek myths and storytelling of the ancient world. Yet, it is an easy, all-consuming read where I found myself immersed in the story from the beginning. Told from
both Asteria and Styx’s POV, we get the complete background to the Titan world and how it falls to Zeus. If you’re like me, and get confused by the Titan world, this book helped me understand it so much more. I will definitely be buying a copy for my classroom! I think my students will love this even more than Circe!
August 19, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
A prequel (of sorts) to Hekate, the newest installment of Nikita Gill’s Goddesses of the Underworld series takes place almost entirely before there even is an Underworld to rule over. The eldest of 3,000 Oceanids, Styx is ostracized for her frightening appearance and longs for greatness of her own. A lonely child, Styx finally finds acceptance in the shape of her cousin, Asteria. The narration alternates between the two women, following them from girlhood to motherhood, watching as their divine world is torn apart by the arrival of the Olympian gods. It was a clever idea on Gill’s part to show the war from the perspective of the titans, and it makes for the most compelling part of the book. But most of the story concerns the goddesses’ day-to-day lives before then, and while Gill’s poetry is always strong, the storytelling can lean towards the mundane. Styx and Asteria are too similar, their personalities too muted to make them distinguishable. While much of Styx’s life as a creature of the Underworld is covered in Hekate, that is ultimately what makes her character compelling, and I wish we got to see more of it.
3.5 stars
A prequel (of sorts) to Hekate, the newest installment of Nikita Gill’s Goddesses of the Underworld series takes place almost entirely before there even is an Underworld to rule over. The eldest of 3,000 Oceanids, Styx is ostracized for her frightening appearance and longs for greatness of her own. A lonely child, Styx finally finds acceptance in the shape of her cousin, Asteria. The narration alternates between the two women, following them from girlhood to motherhood, watching as their divine world is torn apart by the arrival of the Olympian gods. It was a clever idea on Gill’s part to show the war from the perspective of the titans, and it makes for the most compelling part of the book. But most of the story concerns the goddesses’ day-to-day lives before then, and while Gill’s poetry is always strong, the storytelling can lean towards the mundane. Styx and Asteria are too similar, their personalities too muted to make them distinguishable. While much of Styx’s life as a creature of the Underworld is covered in Hekate, that is ultimately what makes her character compelling, and I wish we got to see more of it.
October 11, 2026
Wow, this book was so unexpected, but I loved it!!! It took me a minute to get used to the format, but once I did, I devoured it.
This is the story of Styx, a goddess born to a titan who was not granted power due to her gender. She watched over the years as her thousands of brothers were gifted powers and prestige, while she and her sister stayed as nymphs, forced to do men's bidding. But Styx was built differently. She learned that she had power of life. She created eels and crabs, and together with her best friend Asteria, they created starfish and foxes.
The two even married brothers, and were lucky enough to fall in love with them. But Zeus, who had been swallowed whole by Kronos, comes to conquer the Titans. And now a line has been drawn in the sand....this was told from Styx and Asteria's perspectives and it was really melodic. It was written in verse, which made for a quick reading experience, but didn't detract from the quality of the story. I loved it!
This is the story of Styx, a goddess born to a titan who was not granted power due to her gender. She watched over the years as her thousands of brothers were gifted powers and prestige, while she and her sister stayed as nymphs, forced to do men's bidding. But Styx was built differently. She learned that she had power of life. She created eels and crabs, and together with her best friend Asteria, they created starfish and foxes.
The two even married brothers, and were lucky enough to fall in love with them. But Zeus, who had been swallowed whole by Kronos, comes to conquer the Titans. And now a line has been drawn in the sand....this was told from Styx and Asteria's perspectives and it was really melodic. It was written in verse, which made for a quick reading experience, but didn't detract from the quality of the story. I loved it!
October 15, 2026
While I didn't love this as much as Hekate: The Witch, it is still a remarkably powerful novel about how women are forced to make choices in order to have any control over their own lives - even if they're goddesses.
August 30, 2026
Another lovely Greek retelling by Nikita Gill. While I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as Hekate, I liked it and think it would be a great read for anyone interested in Greek mythology, particularly the women who tend to get pushed to the edges of these stories.
Like Hekate, this uses a verse style of storytelling. I wouldn’t necessarily call the writing poetic, but it is cinematic and refreshing, and I think the style suits the subject matter. The plot development felt abrupt at times as Gill pieces Styx’s story together with the larger mythology, but it also felt intentional, almost like moving between scenes in a film.
The relationship between Asteria and Styx was my favorite part. Their earlier scenes together were beautiful, particularly their childhood and the discovery of their magic. I wouldn’t have minded more of it. Styx herself is fascinating. This isn’t really the kind of novel meant to allow for a ton of character development, but it definitely piqued my interest in her and made me want to learn more about her mythology outside of this book.
Overall, a lovely, easy read and a great introduction to another woman from Greek mythology who deserves a little more attention.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Like Hekate, this uses a verse style of storytelling. I wouldn’t necessarily call the writing poetic, but it is cinematic and refreshing, and I think the style suits the subject matter. The plot development felt abrupt at times as Gill pieces Styx’s story together with the larger mythology, but it also felt intentional, almost like moving between scenes in a film.
The relationship between Asteria and Styx was my favorite part. Their earlier scenes together were beautiful, particularly their childhood and the discovery of their magic. I wouldn’t have minded more of it. Styx herself is fascinating. This isn’t really the kind of novel meant to allow for a ton of character development, but it definitely piqued my interest in her and made me want to learn more about her mythology outside of this book.
Overall, a lovely, easy read and a great introduction to another woman from Greek mythology who deserves a little more attention.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was drawn to this because I love Greek mythology retellings. Unfortunately, though, this is not for me.
Nikita Gill's book follows the friendship of Asteria and Styx as they find their voices as Titanides. Both want to be more than mere pawns to their fathers, brothers, and husbands. In the backdrop is Zeus's rise to power, as he plans to overthrow Kronos. Deep throughout the book is the theme of patriarchy--as Asteria and Styx do not fit in a world made for the male gods, by the male gods--and the underlying question of how both Titanides can find their own meaningful place.
While the idea behind this book is intriguing, the execution is not my cup of tea. There's no reason for this to be written in poetic verse. It does not aid the narrative whatsoever. The enjambment used does not make any difference to each poem's meaning, does not bring better clarity or surprise to the individual lines; it doesn't matter if the poem is stichic, stanzaic, or written in prose; none of the stylistic choices changes the story or gives a deeper meaning to any moment. Writing this in poetic form is, in other words, completely arbitrary. This is a straightforward narrative chopped into lines that merely look like poetry, without using any poetic techniques.
The concept of this book is interesting enough. I only wish the writing could have done it justice.
Regardless, thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Books, for giving me the chance to read this early.
Nikita Gill's book follows the friendship of Asteria and Styx as they find their voices as Titanides. Both want to be more than mere pawns to their fathers, brothers, and husbands. In the backdrop is Zeus's rise to power, as he plans to overthrow Kronos. Deep throughout the book is the theme of patriarchy--as Asteria and Styx do not fit in a world made for the male gods, by the male gods--and the underlying question of how both Titanides can find their own meaningful place.
While the idea behind this book is intriguing, the execution is not my cup of tea. There's no reason for this to be written in poetic verse. It does not aid the narrative whatsoever. The enjambment used does not make any difference to each poem's meaning, does not bring better clarity or surprise to the individual lines; it doesn't matter if the poem is stichic, stanzaic, or written in prose; none of the stylistic choices changes the story or gives a deeper meaning to any moment. Writing this in poetic form is, in other words, completely arbitrary. This is a straightforward narrative chopped into lines that merely look like poetry, without using any poetic techniques.
The concept of this book is interesting enough. I only wish the writing could have done it justice.
Regardless, thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Books, for giving me the chance to read this early.
September 3, 2026
Nikita Gill has done it again with another divine Greek mythology retelling through lyrical language and stunning prose. Styx takes place as a prequel to Hekate - The Witch, and we gain further insight into the bond between Styx and Hekate's mother, Asteria.
Much like Hekate, Gill takes us on a journey through Styx's life. Her birth as the first grandchild of Gaia during the reign of the Titans, and a miserable childhood as the oldest of over 3,000 siblings to Oceanus and Tethys. Her cousin and best friend, Asteria, became the only person she could rely on, and they spent their days practising magic in hidden caverns away from the others.
As Zeus and the Olympians threaten the end of the Titanomachy, the Gods resort to their cutthroat and ruthless nature. Gill explores the impact of war on Styx and Asteria's childhood bond and the lengths these goddesses will go to in order to protect their loved ones and their shared secret.
A hidden gem is the relationship between Styx and Pallas. Gill portrays a true partnership of infinite love without flooding the story with lust and romance. Their dedication to one another was beautiful.
I couldn't recommend this more to readers who love Greek mythology, retellings or feminist fiction. I can't wait to read Gill's next book from the Goddesses of the Underworld series! (I hope it's Metis) 🤞
Much like Hekate, Gill takes us on a journey through Styx's life. Her birth as the first grandchild of Gaia during the reign of the Titans, and a miserable childhood as the oldest of over 3,000 siblings to Oceanus and Tethys. Her cousin and best friend, Asteria, became the only person she could rely on, and they spent their days practising magic in hidden caverns away from the others.
As Zeus and the Olympians threaten the end of the Titanomachy, the Gods resort to their cutthroat and ruthless nature. Gill explores the impact of war on Styx and Asteria's childhood bond and the lengths these goddesses will go to in order to protect their loved ones and their shared secret.
“Family split in two is still a family. We had just lost sight of it all.”
A hidden gem is the relationship between Styx and Pallas. Gill portrays a true partnership of infinite love without flooding the story with lust and romance. Their dedication to one another was beautiful.
“Pallas tilted my chin up so that our eyes met. I will always love you. Nymph, Goddess, Monster, my love for you will remain.”
I couldn't recommend this more to readers who love Greek mythology, retellings or feminist fiction. I can't wait to read Gill's next book from the Goddesses of the Underworld series! (I hope it's Metis) 🤞
August 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
STYX is a brilliant, powerful retelling of the Greek myth of the goddess Styx.
I devoured this one. From the first page, Nikita Gill swept me away with her lush, gripping, and emotionally charged writing. Written in verse, STYX features achingly beautiful, tender, and melodic poetry that flows as smoothly as a river.
STYX masterfully followed Styx’s journey from childhood to womanhood to godhood. Throughout the story, Gill thoughtfully explored family dynamics, sisterhood, and siblinghood, especially Styx’s experience with being the eldest sibling. At its heart, STYX was a story of friendship, told from Styx’s point of view and that of her best friend, Asteria. Styx and Asteria found comfort and belonging in each other and realized that they “are different from all of the gods they know,” leading to captivating and touching scenes in which they trained their powers of creation and magic. The rest of the cast was just as vibrant and fascinating, and I loved the exploration of Styx’s relationship with Pallas and Asteria’s relationship with Perses.
STYX highlighted themes of identity, individuality, finding and fighting for your place and power, and the weight of names. It also explored control, autonomy, punishment, freedom, the patriarchy, and the expectations and roles forced upon women. Gill stunningly retold the story of Styx, preserving many elements of the myth while putting her own spin on others. A gripping journey of defiance, rage, prophecy, war, and love complete with addictive pacing and immersive imagery, STYX was utterly spellbinding. I cannot recommend this story enough!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!
STYX is a brilliant, powerful retelling of the Greek myth of the goddess Styx.
I devoured this one. From the first page, Nikita Gill swept me away with her lush, gripping, and emotionally charged writing. Written in verse, STYX features achingly beautiful, tender, and melodic poetry that flows as smoothly as a river.
STYX masterfully followed Styx’s journey from childhood to womanhood to godhood. Throughout the story, Gill thoughtfully explored family dynamics, sisterhood, and siblinghood, especially Styx’s experience with being the eldest sibling. At its heart, STYX was a story of friendship, told from Styx’s point of view and that of her best friend, Asteria. Styx and Asteria found comfort and belonging in each other and realized that they “are different from all of the gods they know,” leading to captivating and touching scenes in which they trained their powers of creation and magic. The rest of the cast was just as vibrant and fascinating, and I loved the exploration of Styx’s relationship with Pallas and Asteria’s relationship with Perses.
STYX highlighted themes of identity, individuality, finding and fighting for your place and power, and the weight of names. It also explored control, autonomy, punishment, freedom, the patriarchy, and the expectations and roles forced upon women. Gill stunningly retold the story of Styx, preserving many elements of the myth while putting her own spin on others. A gripping journey of defiance, rage, prophecy, war, and love complete with addictive pacing and immersive imagery, STYX was utterly spellbinding. I cannot recommend this story enough!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!
October 5, 2026
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
I was over the moon when I received this book, omg I love Ancient Greek Mythology and this was so good!! 🩵💙
Styx is the firstborn child of the Titans and goes on to become the Goddess of the River of the Dead.
I loved this Greek Mythology retelling and the relationship between Styx and her cousin Asteria. It’s a beautiful and easy read that is written in narrative verse which is an unusual concept but really works.
This book is the prequel to the first book Hekate - The Witch by Nikita Gill, which is on the top of my book shopping list now.
We hear the story from both Styx and Asteria’s point of view. It tells the story of the girls growing up, then as they navigate love and motherhood and later the arrival of the Olympian gods and the war Zeus took to the Titans.
Styx The River is a breathtaking story of feminist mythology, sisterhood, identity, motherhood, feminist strength and rage.
This is easily read as a standalone. I absolutely loved this story and if you’re looking to read something on the lighter side of Greek mythology it’s a must read.
Publication Date 29 September 2026
Publisher Solstice Books
Thank you so much Simon & Schuster Australia for a copy of the book
I was over the moon when I received this book, omg I love Ancient Greek Mythology and this was so good!! 🩵💙
Styx is the firstborn child of the Titans and goes on to become the Goddess of the River of the Dead.
I loved this Greek Mythology retelling and the relationship between Styx and her cousin Asteria. It’s a beautiful and easy read that is written in narrative verse which is an unusual concept but really works.
This book is the prequel to the first book Hekate - The Witch by Nikita Gill, which is on the top of my book shopping list now.
We hear the story from both Styx and Asteria’s point of view. It tells the story of the girls growing up, then as they navigate love and motherhood and later the arrival of the Olympian gods and the war Zeus took to the Titans.
Styx The River is a breathtaking story of feminist mythology, sisterhood, identity, motherhood, feminist strength and rage.
This is easily read as a standalone. I absolutely loved this story and if you’re looking to read something on the lighter side of Greek mythology it’s a must read.
Publication Date 29 September 2026
Publisher Solstice Books
Thank you so much Simon & Schuster Australia for a copy of the book
October 11, 2026
I adored Hekate but this novel didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
July 30, 2026
Styx by Nikita Gill is a breathtaking novel-in-verse that transforms one of Greek mythology’s most overlooked goddesses into a powerful, unforgettable heroine. Gill’s writing is as poetic as ever, weaving together themes of sisterhood, identity, rage, love, motherhood, and resilience into a story that feels both ancient and deeply relevant.
I loved how Styx’s journey was about more than mythology, it was about finding your voice in a world determined to diminish it. The relationship between Styx and Asteria adds so much heart to the story, and every page is infused with emotion and quiet strength. Gill has a remarkable ability to make gods and goddesses feel profoundly human while never losing the grandeur of myth.
The novel-in-verse format flows beautifully, making this a quick yet deeply immersive read. Every poem feels intentional, carrying emotional weight without ever becoming overwhelming. Fans of Hekate will appreciate the connections between the books, but Styx also stands confidently on its own as a stunning retelling.
If you love feminist mythology, lyrical prose, and stories that celebrate the strength found in vulnerability, Styx is an absolute must-read. Nikita Gill continues to prove why she is one of the most compelling voices in mythological retellings today, and I cannot wait to see where this series goes next.
I loved how Styx’s journey was about more than mythology, it was about finding your voice in a world determined to diminish it. The relationship between Styx and Asteria adds so much heart to the story, and every page is infused with emotion and quiet strength. Gill has a remarkable ability to make gods and goddesses feel profoundly human while never losing the grandeur of myth.
The novel-in-verse format flows beautifully, making this a quick yet deeply immersive read. Every poem feels intentional, carrying emotional weight without ever becoming overwhelming. Fans of Hekate will appreciate the connections between the books, but Styx also stands confidently on its own as a stunning retelling.
If you love feminist mythology, lyrical prose, and stories that celebrate the strength found in vulnerability, Styx is an absolute must-read. Nikita Gill continues to prove why she is one of the most compelling voices in mythological retellings today, and I cannot wait to see where this series goes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Styx - The River is a standalone prequel of sorts to Hekate - The Witch, but they can be read out of order. Styx is a retelling in poem form of how the eponymous water nymph became the river of the Underworld and the Goddess of Hatred. But at the heart of the story is the friendship of Styx and her cousin, Asteria. These two young women are not merely asking, but begging to have a place and value in the world that ultimately comes at a high cost. It's a quick read, but oooh it packed a powerful punch.
I really enjoyed that this series rehabilitates and fleshes out the Titans, which classical mythology usually paints as “the bad guys”. I also liked how Gill maintains and leans into the wacky, enigmatic lifestyles and powers that fascinated me about Greek gods and goddesses. Your kids are born and grown within a handful of years? Yes! Your dad can just eat you and keep you imprisoned, fully grown, in his stomach? Sure, of course!
I highly recommend Styx - The River for any and all lovers of classical mythology, and certainly for the uninitiated.
Thanks to Little Brown for the eARC via NetGalley.
I really enjoyed that this series rehabilitates and fleshes out the Titans, which classical mythology usually paints as “the bad guys”. I also liked how Gill maintains and leans into the wacky, enigmatic lifestyles and powers that fascinated me about Greek gods and goddesses. Your kids are born and grown within a handful of years? Yes! Your dad can just eat you and keep you imprisoned, fully grown, in his stomach? Sure, of course!
I highly recommend Styx - The River for any and all lovers of classical mythology, and certainly for the uninitiated.
Thanks to Little Brown for the eARC via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3⭐️
Thank you very much to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Syx - The River follows the firstborn child of Titans along with her cousin, Asteria. Styx is revered as the first of her kind – until she is eclipsed and forgotten amid her scores of siblings. As she feels ostracized, she finds solace and sisterhood with Asteria as we see them through the years from the reign of Kronos to the introduction of Zeus and his takeover.
This story is written in prose, and as such, I expected something more lyrical. However, I unfortunately found this to lack that sense of flow in its language, making the story feel rougher around the edges and disjointed. What should have been a rather quick read felt more of a slog to get through at times. I think this story would have been more impactful if it were not written in this poetic form. It just felt like it was formatted into a poetic style, but did not read like poetry in the end.
I did enjoy aspects of the book, primarily with the theme. However, the format was to the story's detriment.
Thank you very much to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Syx - The River follows the firstborn child of Titans along with her cousin, Asteria. Styx is revered as the first of her kind – until she is eclipsed and forgotten amid her scores of siblings. As she feels ostracized, she finds solace and sisterhood with Asteria as we see them through the years from the reign of Kronos to the introduction of Zeus and his takeover.
This story is written in prose, and as such, I expected something more lyrical. However, I unfortunately found this to lack that sense of flow in its language, making the story feel rougher around the edges and disjointed. What should have been a rather quick read felt more of a slog to get through at times. I think this story would have been more impactful if it were not written in this poetic form. It just felt like it was formatted into a poetic style, but did not read like poetry in the end.
I did enjoy aspects of the book, primarily with the theme. However, the format was to the story's detriment.
September 7, 2026
Advanced reader's copy review
I had such high expectations going into this book, and it did not disappoint. Just like in Hekate I was blown away by the beautiful verse and depth of emotion in such short poems; though also just like in Hekate I didn’t love the prose sections. But onto what makes this book unique. For starters, I was thrilled that we got both Styx and Asteria’s perspectives. Styx is filled with so much pain and rage, denied her goddesshood and mistreated by her family. Then she finds Asteria. I love their relationship so much and the magic they made together. They became sisters, with an unbreakable bond of love and trust. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking, since I knew how it would end. I also loved their relationships with Pallas and Perses. They were very different relationships, with so much complexity and external pressure between Pallas and Styx, and a sweet love born from friendship between Asteria and Perses. The ending was dark and devastating with the war, but I loved the epilogue. So overall I highly recommend this book.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I had such high expectations going into this book, and it did not disappoint. Just like in Hekate I was blown away by the beautiful verse and depth of emotion in such short poems; though also just like in Hekate I didn’t love the prose sections. But onto what makes this book unique. For starters, I was thrilled that we got both Styx and Asteria’s perspectives. Styx is filled with so much pain and rage, denied her goddesshood and mistreated by her family. Then she finds Asteria. I love their relationship so much and the magic they made together. They became sisters, with an unbreakable bond of love and trust. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking, since I knew how it would end. I also loved their relationships with Pallas and Perses. They were very different relationships, with so much complexity and external pressure between Pallas and Styx, and a sweet love born from friendship between Asteria and Perses. The ending was dark and devastating with the war, but I loved the epilogue. So overall I highly recommend this book.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
October 15, 2026
This is a novel in verse in stylish prose, which reimagines the Titan era in Greek mythology, up to the time of the Olympians.
We know of the river Styx, but this retelling focuses on Styx as an actual character in the story.
The format is not my favorite, but you do get used to it, and end up reading it almost as a regular story format after awhile. There are some great lines to ponder, like:
𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏.
Themes include power, control, manipulation, and sacrifice.
It's easy to understand Styx's rage about how she is treated, both in terms of relegated roles for women, and as an individual who is a little different and thus experiences bullying. What is hard to understand, is how the speaker is identified. It sometimes it took me a second to figure out whose thoughts were presented, and who was speaking, until after a few lines. I prefer to know who is speaking from the get-go.
Other than that, a decent job of retelling the rise and fall of the Titans.
We know of the river Styx, but this retelling focuses on Styx as an actual character in the story.
The format is not my favorite, but you do get used to it, and end up reading it almost as a regular story format after awhile. There are some great lines to ponder, like:
𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏.
Themes include power, control, manipulation, and sacrifice.
It's easy to understand Styx's rage about how she is treated, both in terms of relegated roles for women, and as an individual who is a little different and thus experiences bullying. What is hard to understand, is how the speaker is identified. It sometimes it took me a second to figure out whose thoughts were presented, and who was speaking, until after a few lines. I prefer to know who is speaking from the get-go.
Other than that, a decent job of retelling the rise and fall of the Titans.
September 4, 2026
I liked the first book more.
This novel portrays Styx as she grows into herself over millenia. But while I think the novel was trying to show that she was maturing, in my eyes, it really just seemed like she was losing more and more of herself. All of these things that she did not care about or actively did not want ended up happening to her and she was just... good with them. And not in a "grimly accepting her fate" sort of way, but more like "okay, that happened." It felt out of line with her character to push her transition from this wild, independent creature to a loving wife and mother who loses all of her relationships to stay home with the babies. Call me crazy, but it's giving Ancient Greek Trad Wife. (That felt so cringe to type, but I stand by it.) I loved Styx at the start, but just became less and less interested as the novel progressed. This wasn't helped by the odd pacing, which felt very uneven. When things should've been heating up, we went on a meandering journey. When the big fight came, that was supposed to last eons, it felt like just a handful of pages until a quick resolution. Zooming back even further, I think it's odd to have a trilogy of books where the 2nd novel is a prequel to the first. I don't really know where the author can go from here. Are we just telling a whole series in reverse? I'm curious to see what happens there but if I'm being honest, I'm also not sure that I want to read the conclusion. We'll have to see. In the meantime, I put this at 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. Not bad but not a standout.
**Thank you to NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!**
This novel portrays Styx as she grows into herself over millenia. But while I think the novel was trying to show that she was maturing, in my eyes, it really just seemed like she was losing more and more of herself. All of these things that she did not care about or actively did not want ended up happening to her and she was just... good with them. And not in a "grimly accepting her fate" sort of way, but more like "okay, that happened." It felt out of line with her character to push her transition from this wild, independent creature to a loving wife and mother who loses all of her relationships to stay home with the babies. Call me crazy, but it's giving Ancient Greek Trad Wife. (That felt so cringe to type, but I stand by it.) I loved Styx at the start, but just became less and less interested as the novel progressed. This wasn't helped by the odd pacing, which felt very uneven. When things should've been heating up, we went on a meandering journey. When the big fight came, that was supposed to last eons, it felt like just a handful of pages until a quick resolution. Zooming back even further, I think it's odd to have a trilogy of books where the 2nd novel is a prequel to the first. I don't really know where the author can go from here. Are we just telling a whole series in reverse? I'm curious to see what happens there but if I'm being honest, I'm also not sure that I want to read the conclusion. We'll have to see. In the meantime, I put this at 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. Not bad but not a standout.
**Thank you to NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!**
September 13, 2026
Very much worth the wait! Giving this 4.25 ⭐️ I just adore the way that Nikita Gill writes about girlhood and womanhood, and again, the verse is just a lovely change and beautifully written. If I’m totally honest, I don’t think it gripped me as much as Hekate did (this is a hard one to beat) but I still really enjoyed this and will absolutely continue picking up anything Gill writes 🤍
September 16, 2026
I LOVED this and now I'm itching to re-read Hekate. Thank the gods there is more to come in a third installment!
September 23, 2026
Fantastic audiobook. Read by the author in such a lovely way that brings the story to life.
September 3, 2026
Another powerful retelling from Nikita Gill, this time about Styx.
The way Gill writes is so clear and fierce, bringing all the beauty and horror of the plights of women to the fore. Girlhood, sisterhood, motherhood, womanhood and all the love, complexity and howling rage that accompanies us through life rings out like a bell.
After reading Hekate, it is really difficult to hear about Asteria and Perses, knowing what is to come, but somehow all the push and pull of divided loyalties comes together and makes sense in this tale.
I listened to the audiobook. It was really well done.
The way Gill writes is so clear and fierce, bringing all the beauty and horror of the plights of women to the fore. Girlhood, sisterhood, motherhood, womanhood and all the love, complexity and howling rage that accompanies us through life rings out like a bell.
After reading Hekate, it is really difficult to hear about Asteria and Perses, knowing what is to come, but somehow all the push and pull of divided loyalties comes together and makes sense in this tale.
I listened to the audiobook. It was really well done.
October 6, 2026
(audiobook) Loved it. Not 5* because it should have been longer 😅
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