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Hercules Must Die #1
Immortal Fury
They call him the greatest hero who has ever lived. I call him the man who slaughtered my family.
That night I learned the truth about monsters. They wear the faces of heroes.
I’m the girl who ran. The little red-head who escaped, and Olympus forgot. For twenty years, I've lived in the shadows while the world worships my family's killer, knowing I can never face him. He's untouchable, beloved, divine. I'm nobody.
But now the gods are offering the strongest of heroes a prize nobody thought possible. Immortality. And we all know he’s going to win.
I can’t let that happen. An eternity of his cruelty is unthinkable.
To stop him, I have to become one of the four heroes to enter the twelve deadly trials. And fates, am I the underdog. No money, fame or status. But, I have friends. I have Rage. Plus, I have a god on my side.
I might actually stand a chance, until everything is turned upside down by Alexios, son of Dionysus, and the worst person I’ve ever met. He’s everything I hate; charming, powerful, beautiful and rich. And, he tricks me.
Now I’m forced to pretend to the world that we’re in love. If I don’t, Hercules will know exactly how to finish what he started twenty years ago.
But I'm not the terrified child who fled anymore. If taking down a hero kills me, so be it. Because whatever else happens, Hercules must die.
Ready for a story where the villain pays for his crimes? You've not read a romantasy like this before...
If you
Fake Dating
Feminine Rage
Revenge plot
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Underdog Story
Mutli-POV
Then dive into Olympus now.
Be aware... The slow burn is slow. This is a four book series, and it will build significantly.
And please check the trigger warnings at the start of the book.
That night I learned the truth about monsters. They wear the faces of heroes.
I’m the girl who ran. The little red-head who escaped, and Olympus forgot. For twenty years, I've lived in the shadows while the world worships my family's killer, knowing I can never face him. He's untouchable, beloved, divine. I'm nobody.
But now the gods are offering the strongest of heroes a prize nobody thought possible. Immortality. And we all know he’s going to win.
I can’t let that happen. An eternity of his cruelty is unthinkable.
To stop him, I have to become one of the four heroes to enter the twelve deadly trials. And fates, am I the underdog. No money, fame or status. But, I have friends. I have Rage. Plus, I have a god on my side.
I might actually stand a chance, until everything is turned upside down by Alexios, son of Dionysus, and the worst person I’ve ever met. He’s everything I hate; charming, powerful, beautiful and rich. And, he tricks me.
Now I’m forced to pretend to the world that we’re in love. If I don’t, Hercules will know exactly how to finish what he started twenty years ago.
But I'm not the terrified child who fled anymore. If taking down a hero kills me, so be it. Because whatever else happens, Hercules must die.
Ready for a story where the villain pays for his crimes? You've not read a romantasy like this before...
If you
Fake Dating
Feminine Rage
Revenge plot
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Underdog Story
Mutli-POV
Then dive into Olympus now.
Be aware... The slow burn is slow. This is a four book series, and it will build significantly.
And please check the trigger warnings at the start of the book.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2026
About the author
Eliza Raine
42 books2,772 followersEliza Raine writes Greek mythology inspired fantasy that is fast paced, full of new worlds and creatures and sprinkled with a healthy dose of romance. She lives near Reading in England with her husband, three cats and outrageously cute puppy. She has a BA Hons in History and has a deep-rooted passion for mythology and stories about women who don't need rescuing.
She can usually be found reading fairytale retellings, playing board games or binge-watching Netflix shows.
You can read some of Eliza's stories for free by visiting her website at www.elizaraine.com
She can usually be found reading fairytale retellings, playing board games or binge-watching Netflix shows.
You can read some of Eliza's stories for free by visiting her website at www.elizaraine.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
April 6, 2026
✦ Rating: 3.75 ⭐️
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the EARC! All thoughts are my own.
☾ Yes/No/Maybe? Yes
☾ For readers who love: Magic, Gods, and deadly trials. Slow burn 🔥 Greek mythology retellings, strong heroines looking for revenge.
✧✧✧✧✧
✦ Mood: Emotionally charged with anger, grief, and defiance. Found family vibes
✦ Setting: Greek Olympus type world with Gods like Zeus and Hercules
I had a good time reading this! It def had a lot of characters that I liked and made the story even more enjoyable. I will start off with saying my fav so far is Eryx 💙
Greek mythology stories with Gods and revenge type stories are something I enjoy so this had a lot of what I usually seek out. We start the book getting into the world of flying ships that they control with their minds which was something I haven’t read much of. There were a lot of different crews and types of flying ships to know but it did add something unique to the story.
The FMC is a captain of one of these ships and we get insight into her story and her rage fueled revenge thoughts. She gets a chance to act out this revenge through a series of trials. During this, we see many characters introduced and end up being a big part of the story. Everyone has their role in these trials.
There are many POVs that you get in this book and you get to know what each characters thoughts and intentions going into the trials. I liked that and had a good time. I also really liked the excerpts like the historical story part of it .. was really cool!
There is some action in the trials and you see how everyone works. I really liked Eryxs side story and cant wait to see more of that in the next book! I did think the connection between the FMC AND MMC was a little quick to happen as they didn’t have much going on before the feelings started however I do understand the tension and being near each other sometimes it just happens.
It did end on cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2 !! ⚔️🤞🏽
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the EARC! All thoughts are my own.
☾ Yes/No/Maybe? Yes
☾ For readers who love: Magic, Gods, and deadly trials. Slow burn 🔥 Greek mythology retellings, strong heroines looking for revenge.
✧✧✧✧✧
✦ Mood: Emotionally charged with anger, grief, and defiance. Found family vibes
✦ Setting: Greek Olympus type world with Gods like Zeus and Hercules
I had a good time reading this! It def had a lot of characters that I liked and made the story even more enjoyable. I will start off with saying my fav so far is Eryx 💙
Greek mythology stories with Gods and revenge type stories are something I enjoy so this had a lot of what I usually seek out. We start the book getting into the world of flying ships that they control with their minds which was something I haven’t read much of. There were a lot of different crews and types of flying ships to know but it did add something unique to the story.
The FMC is a captain of one of these ships and we get insight into her story and her rage fueled revenge thoughts. She gets a chance to act out this revenge through a series of trials. During this, we see many characters introduced and end up being a big part of the story. Everyone has their role in these trials.
There are many POVs that you get in this book and you get to know what each characters thoughts and intentions going into the trials. I liked that and had a good time. I also really liked the excerpts like the historical story part of it .. was really cool!
There is some action in the trials and you see how everyone works. I really liked Eryxs side story and cant wait to see more of that in the next book! I did think the connection between the FMC AND MMC was a little quick to happen as they didn’t have much going on before the feelings started however I do understand the tension and being near each other sometimes it just happens.
It did end on cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2 !! ⚔️🤞🏽
March 26, 2026
PSA firstly, can we stop marketing books as enemies to lovers when they’re not 😭😭
ugh i really wanted to like this but this is going to be a negative review. now l loved the premise of this book: lyssa our fmc enters the trials with one goal in mind which is to kill her father hercules so he can’t win the gift of immortality. but the execution just didn’t hit at all.
hercules is described as this god awful violent person whose behaviour is “appalling towards women” but i barely saw any of this. he’s supposed to be the villain in this story and i literally felt nothing for him. i didn’t feel any kind of anger or disgust and i wasn’t even bothered about reading his pov.
speaking of povs, there are far too many. 6 in total. we literally didn’t need them.
there are 65 chapters in this book, 31 of them are of the fmc and only 6, yes SIX are of the mmc (and yes i counted). the others are characters i cant even remember who they were or what role they had in the story so i struggled to understand why we needed their pov as it brought nothing to the plot. there was a real lack of character development and i didn’t find myself rooting for any of them.
the only characters i did like in this book were epizon, len and lucas. they get my one star. id have preferred to have had their povs.
apparently lyssa and alexios were fake dating??? and enemies???? she was annoyed by him, that’s it. stoppppp with the enemies to lovers when they’re not 😭😭 they barely interacted with each other but suddenly 80% in alexios is lusting after her in his pov and lyssa starts feeling all this “desire” for him? ugh please. even a friggin centaur said he couldn’t tell they were in “love.” there was zero romance, zero chemistry and zero tension.
also the ending was…anticlimactic. it did nothing. i felt nothing except disappointment.
i won’t be reading book 2. i feel like such a hater but sadly this book just wasn’t for me!
thank you nerd fam for the arc!
ugh i really wanted to like this but this is going to be a negative review. now l loved the premise of this book: lyssa our fmc enters the trials with one goal in mind which is to kill her father hercules so he can’t win the gift of immortality. but the execution just didn’t hit at all.
hercules is described as this god awful violent person whose behaviour is “appalling towards women” but i barely saw any of this. he’s supposed to be the villain in this story and i literally felt nothing for him. i didn’t feel any kind of anger or disgust and i wasn’t even bothered about reading his pov.
speaking of povs, there are far too many. 6 in total. we literally didn’t need them.
there are 65 chapters in this book, 31 of them are of the fmc and only 6, yes SIX are of the mmc (and yes i counted). the others are characters i cant even remember who they were or what role they had in the story so i struggled to understand why we needed their pov as it brought nothing to the plot. there was a real lack of character development and i didn’t find myself rooting for any of them.
the only characters i did like in this book were epizon, len and lucas. they get my one star. id have preferred to have had their povs.
apparently lyssa and alexios were fake dating??? and enemies???? she was annoyed by him, that’s it. stoppppp with the enemies to lovers when they’re not 😭😭 they barely interacted with each other but suddenly 80% in alexios is lusting after her in his pov and lyssa starts feeling all this “desire” for him? ugh please. even a friggin centaur said he couldn’t tell they were in “love.” there was zero romance, zero chemistry and zero tension.
also the ending was…anticlimactic. it did nothing. i felt nothing except disappointment.
i won’t be reading book 2. i feel like such a hater but sadly this book just wasn’t for me!
thank you nerd fam for the arc!
March 14, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ this was amazing!
I will say it is different from what I am used to reading but wow was I sucked in and did not want to leave!
This is a greek, mythological fantasy with powers, realms, gods/demigods, creatures, monsters, struggles and wildly intense characters dynamics!
You get multiple POVS which was interesting but also kind of cool to see more than one or two sides.
I was also thinking hunger games, as there are trials that a select few get chosen for 👀 it keeps you at the edge of your seat to see how it’s going to play out!
We have an underdog in the mix and I of course and rooting for her however a couple side characters have peeked my interest.
It’s fast paced and a full on adventure you don’t want to miss! I cannot wait for book two!
Thank you Nerd Family Early Bookclub and Eliza for the arc 🫶🏼
I will say it is different from what I am used to reading but wow was I sucked in and did not want to leave!
This is a greek, mythological fantasy with powers, realms, gods/demigods, creatures, monsters, struggles and wildly intense characters dynamics!
You get multiple POVS which was interesting but also kind of cool to see more than one or two sides.
I was also thinking hunger games, as there are trials that a select few get chosen for 👀 it keeps you at the edge of your seat to see how it’s going to play out!
We have an underdog in the mix and I of course and rooting for her however a couple side characters have peeked my interest.
It’s fast paced and a full on adventure you don’t want to miss! I cannot wait for book two!
Thank you Nerd Family Early Bookclub and Eliza for the arc 🫶🏼
March 29, 2026
I always knew something was fishy about Hercules. Too perfect. Too strong. Too deadly. Hercules must die.
This is the Greek mythology “retelling” I very much needed in my life. Enter the trials. Four heroes. 12 trials they must survive and win. The prize? Immortality. Guess who one of the heroes is? That’s right. Asshole Hercules has a chance at immortality. Who better to stop the killing machine than his rage-filled daughter Lyssa? No one, that’s who. There’s just one catch… nope. No spoilers for you. You have to read it to find out! (It’s juicy tho!)
This was an absolute blast to read! It’s fast, furious (get it? get it?!?) and filled with fun. (Alliteration for the win!) I devoured this book. I blinked and it was 30% then it was 99%. I didn’t want it to stop. And Lyssa…girl. You’re definitely my hero. That rage was something else! The scream I scrumpt at that ending!!!! More! More! More!
Seriously though. When’s the next book please and thank you…
Thank you to @thenerdfam Early Reads Book Club and @elizaraineauthor for the ARC of Immortal Fury. All opinions are my own. My opinion is that you need to read this posthaste when it hits shelves April 3!
This is the Greek mythology “retelling” I very much needed in my life. Enter the trials. Four heroes. 12 trials they must survive and win. The prize? Immortality. Guess who one of the heroes is? That’s right. Asshole Hercules has a chance at immortality. Who better to stop the killing machine than his rage-filled daughter Lyssa? No one, that’s who. There’s just one catch… nope. No spoilers for you. You have to read it to find out! (It’s juicy tho!)
This was an absolute blast to read! It’s fast, furious (get it? get it?!?) and filled with fun. (Alliteration for the win!) I devoured this book. I blinked and it was 30% then it was 99%. I didn’t want it to stop. And Lyssa…girl. You’re definitely my hero. That rage was something else! The scream I scrumpt at that ending!!!! More! More! More!
Seriously though. When’s the next book please and thank you…
Thank you to @thenerdfam Early Reads Book Club and @elizaraineauthor for the ARC of Immortal Fury. All opinions are my own. My opinion is that you need to read this posthaste when it hits shelves April 3!
April 5, 2026
Fast paced and addicting!!! Once you pick this up, you’ll have difficulty putting it down!
Lyssa can’t forget the man who killed her mother and brother. Now he’s being given the chance at immortality and Lyssa is the only one who can stop him from getting it. Lyssa will do anything to make sure she gets her revenge and kills Hercules.
I absolutely loved the world that was created around the Olympians and the zodiacs. Each realm hosts a trial similar to Hercules and his labors. The trials are dangerous and keep you guessing at who will be successful.
The multi-POVs are so well done. It allows you to view the competition from all of the different sides and really made this an interesting and refreshing read. The only part that hasn’t landed for me quite yet is the romance. This is an extremely, extremely slow burn. The banter is there but I’m still waiting for an emotional connection between the two.
Other than that, this is a such a fun read. If you enjoy a spin on Greek mythology and are looking for a fast paced, easy read that will captivate you from the start, this is definitely it.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam Early Reads Book Club and the author for an advanced copy.
Lyssa can’t forget the man who killed her mother and brother. Now he’s being given the chance at immortality and Lyssa is the only one who can stop him from getting it. Lyssa will do anything to make sure she gets her revenge and kills Hercules.
I absolutely loved the world that was created around the Olympians and the zodiacs. Each realm hosts a trial similar to Hercules and his labors. The trials are dangerous and keep you guessing at who will be successful.
The multi-POVs are so well done. It allows you to view the competition from all of the different sides and really made this an interesting and refreshing read. The only part that hasn’t landed for me quite yet is the romance. This is an extremely, extremely slow burn. The banter is there but I’m still waiting for an emotional connection between the two.
Other than that, this is a such a fun read. If you enjoy a spin on Greek mythology and are looking for a fast paced, easy read that will captivate you from the start, this is definitely it.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam Early Reads Book Club and the author for an advanced copy.
March 29, 2026
This book was a lot of fun to read! I loved all of the different POVs. I don’t remember much about Greek mythology but it was a great element to this book. The ending was brutal so I am hoping there isn’t a huge wait until book 2!
Thank you to @thenerdfam Early Reads Book Club and Eliza Raine for the ARC of Immortal Fury.
Thank you to @thenerdfam Early Reads Book Club and Eliza Raine for the ARC of Immortal Fury.
March 11, 2026
I was lucky to get this on ARC and finished it in 2 days! A great light read but so can’t wait for the next book. Loving the character from each of the teams but Hercules must die!
My favourite characters are Alexios and Eryx. Looking forward to seeing where the relationships lead and the other trials to come.
My favourite characters are Alexios and Eryx. Looking forward to seeing where the relationships lead and the other trials to come.
April 6, 2026
HERCULES MUST DIE!! that is one true statement ...This story brings the story of the almighty Hercules to a different level. Through the eyes of his daughter. He is ruthless and cares nothing but for himself and glory and Wtf!! And I say that in the nicest way possible because those last few chapters had me locked in and then boom cliffhanger outta left field lol when a book is that good that you actually forget that its almost done. This was family trauma; Trials; meddling gods; found family; tension; and banter.
March 22, 2026
Thank you Eliza for an ARC of Immortal Fury in exchange for my honest review.
This is a short, fast paced read with games & trials in a Greek mythology setting. We follow 4 chosen “champions” & their crews as they enter a competition to gain immortality. They will undergo trials in each of the 12 realms of gods/goddesses but in this book we only follow 3 and it ends rather abruptly in my opinion.
The FMC is the daughter of Hercules & she enters the trial with one goal: to kill her father. I liked the idea of following a story of vengeance but unfortunately we switch between about 6 different POVs so it doesn’t end up being the primary focus. This also results in characters that lack depth & don’t really show much development. I would have preferred single POV or dual with the love interest for the first book, with the addition of more characters later in the series once we have a better understanding of the world.
This is a short, fast paced read with games & trials in a Greek mythology setting. We follow 4 chosen “champions” & their crews as they enter a competition to gain immortality. They will undergo trials in each of the 12 realms of gods/goddesses but in this book we only follow 3 and it ends rather abruptly in my opinion.
The FMC is the daughter of Hercules & she enters the trial with one goal: to kill her father. I liked the idea of following a story of vengeance but unfortunately we switch between about 6 different POVs so it doesn’t end up being the primary focus. This also results in characters that lack depth & don’t really show much development. I would have preferred single POV or dual with the love interest for the first book, with the addition of more characters later in the series once we have a better understanding of the world.
March 16, 2026
This is the definition of a vibe read. If you’re looking for a super intense or heavy fantasy, just know you’re not going to find it here. But if you’re looking for the greatest vibes, you’ll definitely get it here.
Now, while this book is all vibes, we get so much out of it. The found family is impeccable. We have a ragtag group who all have their own troubled pasts together in one ship crew. Our captain, Lyssa, witnessed her father murder her brother and mother. Her second in command has a tragic story that we don’t know that helps bond them together, her medic clearly has a story to tell, and new addition Lucas absolutely has a story that cements his place on the crew.
Then we have this wild plot. Four champions and their crews are competing for immortality. Except technically Lyssa is competing to make sure her father doesn’t win. And things just get so complicated.
I can’t wait to see more of Lyssa’s relationship with Alexios develop. This man does everything in his power to rile her up, and that’s before he even really knows her. If you’re a spice lover, you won’t get any in this book, but it’s definitely coming in the next. If you’re a slow burn lover, this one is definitely for you. I just know this man is going to grovel for her at some point and I’m so excited for it.
If you like mythology, slow burn romance, found family, games/trials that are really unique and fun, forced proximity, bonds/bargains of sort, and feminine rage, read this book!!
Thank you so much to Eliza Raine for an arc of this book!
Now, while this book is all vibes, we get so much out of it. The found family is impeccable. We have a ragtag group who all have their own troubled pasts together in one ship crew. Our captain, Lyssa, witnessed her father murder her brother and mother. Her second in command has a tragic story that we don’t know that helps bond them together, her medic clearly has a story to tell, and new addition Lucas absolutely has a story that cements his place on the crew.
Then we have this wild plot. Four champions and their crews are competing for immortality. Except technically Lyssa is competing to make sure her father doesn’t win. And things just get so complicated.
I can’t wait to see more of Lyssa’s relationship with Alexios develop. This man does everything in his power to rile her up, and that’s before he even really knows her. If you’re a spice lover, you won’t get any in this book, but it’s definitely coming in the next. If you’re a slow burn lover, this one is definitely for you. I just know this man is going to grovel for her at some point and I’m so excited for it.
If you like mythology, slow burn romance, found family, games/trials that are really unique and fun, forced proximity, bonds/bargains of sort, and feminine rage, read this book!!
Thank you so much to Eliza Raine for an arc of this book!
April 5, 2026
Arc review
Immortal fury by Eliza Raine is book 1 of 4 in the Hercules must die series.
Thank you to The nerd fam for this advanced copy!
Immortal Fury is a Greek mythology retelling of the 12 trials of Hercules. In this version, Hercules is a narcissistic monster who needs to pay for the crimes he committed. The Gods announce they will pick 4 champions to compete in 12 trials to win immortality. His daughter refuses to let him become immortal after what he did to their family, so she enters the trials with one goal. Hercules mustn’t win.
This book was fast paced and easy to read. It was overall a fun time.
I put 1 🌶️ because there are mentions of sex and twitching 🍆. That’s about it for the spice.
I don’t know how I feel about the book because it didn’t really make me feel much honestly.
I would recommend if you are looking for a good book of deadly trials, but know that we only see the first 3/12 trials.
Also, this is a multiple POV book. We get about 5 different POV.
Immortal fury by Eliza Raine is book 1 of 4 in the Hercules must die series.
Thank you to The nerd fam for this advanced copy!
Immortal Fury is a Greek mythology retelling of the 12 trials of Hercules. In this version, Hercules is a narcissistic monster who needs to pay for the crimes he committed. The Gods announce they will pick 4 champions to compete in 12 trials to win immortality. His daughter refuses to let him become immortal after what he did to their family, so she enters the trials with one goal. Hercules mustn’t win.
This book was fast paced and easy to read. It was overall a fun time.
I put 1 🌶️ because there are mentions of sex and twitching 🍆. That’s about it for the spice.
I don’t know how I feel about the book because it didn’t really make me feel much honestly.
I would recommend if you are looking for a good book of deadly trials, but know that we only see the first 3/12 trials.
Also, this is a multiple POV book. We get about 5 different POV.
April 1, 2026
Hercules: strength of a god, emotional regulation of a damp paper towel. And in this story, he is not the hero.
Lyssa is our FMC, she is the daughter of Hercules and determined to get revenge against him for slaying her family. She enters into some deadly trials for the chance to end Hercules once and for all.
This book is giving:
✨ multiple POVs
✨greek mythology (gods,demigods, monsters)
✨ power struggles and tension-filled dynamics
✨ secrets, betrayal, and “oh no why am I attracted to him” energy
Definition of a vibe read. The characters and back story never get too deep but that keeps the pace at lightening speed. At 350 pages it was a fast read.
Thank you to The NerdFam for the ARC.
Lyssa is our FMC, she is the daughter of Hercules and determined to get revenge against him for slaying her family. She enters into some deadly trials for the chance to end Hercules once and for all.
This book is giving:
✨ multiple POVs
✨greek mythology (gods,demigods, monsters)
✨ power struggles and tension-filled dynamics
✨ secrets, betrayal, and “oh no why am I attracted to him” energy
Definition of a vibe read. The characters and back story never get too deep but that keeps the pace at lightening speed. At 350 pages it was a fast read.
Thank you to The NerdFam for the ARC.
March 19, 2026
Sometimes all you need is a little rage…
This book hooks you right from the get go and it is a nonstop ride!! Everything about this book is extraordinary. The world building of the author’s version of Olympus, the magic, the characters, the trials and the plot. The author definitely ends the book with you desperately wanting the next book.
We have our rage filled underdog FMC, Lyssa, who enters into a competition of 12 trials, with a nudge from a meddling goddess. Winner is granted immortality. She decides to stop running and finally exact her revenge on the one who took away the people she loved the most. Luckily she has an amazing crew of friends to support her.
Turns out she isn’t the only one who wants to take Hercules out. 👀 Some of the players have their own agenda and secrets regarding the trials. As do the gods and goddesses. They are playing their own individual games.
Then we have the mysterious Alexios who has his own secrets for wanting to be in the trials. He tricks Lyssa to join her crew and now she must act like he is not insufferable. At least he has a cute fox companion.
🏛️Fake Dating
😡Feminine Ragę
🏛️Revenge Plot
😡Enemies to Lovers
🏛️Forced Proximity
😡Found Family
🏛️Underdog Story
😡Multi POV
🏛️Slow Burn
Thank you to @thenerdfam Early Reads Book Club and the author for this gifted eARC!!
This book hooks you right from the get go and it is a nonstop ride!! Everything about this book is extraordinary. The world building of the author’s version of Olympus, the magic, the characters, the trials and the plot. The author definitely ends the book with you desperately wanting the next book.
We have our rage filled underdog FMC, Lyssa, who enters into a competition of 12 trials, with a nudge from a meddling goddess. Winner is granted immortality. She decides to stop running and finally exact her revenge on the one who took away the people she loved the most. Luckily she has an amazing crew of friends to support her.
Turns out she isn’t the only one who wants to take Hercules out. 👀 Some of the players have their own agenda and secrets regarding the trials. As do the gods and goddesses. They are playing their own individual games.
Then we have the mysterious Alexios who has his own secrets for wanting to be in the trials. He tricks Lyssa to join her crew and now she must act like he is not insufferable. At least he has a cute fox companion.
🏛️Fake Dating
😡Feminine Ragę
🏛️Revenge Plot
😡Enemies to Lovers
🏛️Forced Proximity
😡Found Family
🏛️Underdog Story
😡Multi POV
🏛️Slow Burn
Thank you to @thenerdfam Early Reads Book Club and the author for this gifted eARC!!
March 27, 2026
3.5⭐️
I don’t know what was in this but I binged it in two days. Normally books with so many different points of view can be overwhelming but this one sucked me in. Makes the book very fast paced so there is no room to get bored with the story. Think Greek Mythology with a revenge plot and a little side of fake dating. The book focuses more on the intense trials, group of characters, and the fantasy aspect than the actual romance. Interested to see what happens in the next book.
Overall a great read if you're looking for something unique, quick, and easy to digest that will have you thoroughly entertained.
Greek Mythology
Multi POVs
Fast Paced
Feminine Rage
Epic Trials
Forced Proximity
I don’t know what was in this but I binged it in two days. Normally books with so many different points of view can be overwhelming but this one sucked me in. Makes the book very fast paced so there is no room to get bored with the story. Think Greek Mythology with a revenge plot and a little side of fake dating. The book focuses more on the intense trials, group of characters, and the fantasy aspect than the actual romance. Interested to see what happens in the next book.
Overall a great read if you're looking for something unique, quick, and easy to digest that will have you thoroughly entertained.
Greek Mythology
Multi POVs
Fast Paced
Feminine Rage
Epic Trials
Forced Proximity
April 13, 2026
This was a fun one. We follow multi-POV’s through a deadly competition for immortality held by the Greek gods. The continent of aolympus are names after named after the horoscopes and each worship one of the gods. FMC Lyssa is the captain of a floating sky ship which is literally fueled by female rage and crewed by various mythical creatures.
Lyssa has maaaaad daddy issues because she’s the daughter of Hercules- a total POS who murdered her mother and brother. Athena convinces Lyssa to join the competition to kill her father once and for all. She picks up new crew members along the way including a flirtatious rich boy who’s true motive has yet to be revealed and these supporting characters really shine throughout the story.
Hercules makes for a great villain, I’m looking forward to more interactions between him and Lyssa in the next book.
Thank you to the Nerdfam for the gifted book!
Lyssa has maaaaad daddy issues because she’s the daughter of Hercules- a total POS who murdered her mother and brother. Athena convinces Lyssa to join the competition to kill her father once and for all. She picks up new crew members along the way including a flirtatious rich boy who’s true motive has yet to be revealed and these supporting characters really shine throughout the story.
Hercules makes for a great villain, I’m looking forward to more interactions between him and Lyssa in the next book.
Thank you to the Nerdfam for the gifted book!
April 3, 2026
⭐ 4+ stars
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the EARC! All thoughts are my own.
I always thought Hercules was a little too heroic to be trusted — and Immortal Fury basically confirmed my suspicions in the most satisfying way possible. Because in this story, Hercules isn’t the legend everyone worships. He’s the man who slaughtered a family, destroyed a childhood, and became the reason a girl grew up fueled entirely by rage and revenge. And honestly? I loved that angle immediately.
This book hooked me very quickly, mostly because of the tone. There’s anger, grief, determination, and this constant undercurrent of defiance that makes the story feel emotionally charged from the start. Lyssa isn’t a soft heroine, and I appreciated that. She’s angry, stubborn, and shaped by trauma in a way that feels believable rather than overly polished. Feminine rage is one of my favorite things in fantasy, and this book absolutely delivers that.
The premise itself was also incredibly fun. Twelve deadly trials. Four heroes competing. The prize — immortality. And one of the competitors is Hercules, which raises the stakes immediately. Because Lyssa isn’t just competing to win — she’s competing to stop him from becoming immortal. That revenge-driven motivation made everything feel more intense, and I found myself constantly rooting for her, especially since she’s very much the underdog going into these trials.
The worldbuilding also surprised me in a good way. Greek mythology retellings are everywhere right now, but this one still managed to feel fresh. The flying ships controlled by the mind were such a cool detail and added something unique to the setting. It gave the story a slightly different vibe than the usual mythological fantasy, and I enjoyed learning about the different crews and ships, even if it took a little time to keep track of everything.
Another thing I really liked was the multiple POVs. Normally, I can be picky about multi-POV stories, but here it worked well because it built tension and made the trials feel bigger. Getting insight into different characters’ motivations and thoughts added depth, and I also found myself getting attached to some side characters pretty quickly. Eryx especially stood out to me, and I’m already hoping we get much more of him in the next book.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, which makes sense since this is a four-book series, but the tension is already there. Alexios, son of Dionysus, enters the story with all the charm, chaos, and morally gray energy that I usually love. The fake dating element added another layer of tension, and while I did think the emotional shift between Lyssa and Alexios happened a bit quickly at first, I still enjoyed their dynamic. Forced proximity and shared danger tend to accelerate feelings anyway, and I’m curious to see how their relationship develops over the rest of the series.
The trials themselves were engaging, with enough action to keep things moving, but also enough character development to make it feel like more than just survival challenges. There were moments where I got strong Hunger Games vibes, especially with the competition aspect and the tension between contestants, which made the story even more fun to read.
Overall, I had a really good time with this book. It’s fast-paced, emotional, and introduces a cast of characters that I already want to see more of. Since it’s the first book in a series, it does feel like a setup for something bigger, but it still managed to keep me invested the whole time. And that ending? Definitely a cliffhanger that makes me eager for book two.
If you like
-Greek mythology retellings,
-revenge-driven heroines,
-fake dating,
-found family,
-deadly trials,
-slow-burn romantasy,
this one is definitely worth picking up. This felt different enough from what I usually read to keep things fresh, but still had all the elements I love. And now I’m fully invested in seeing how this story unfolds — and whether Lyssa will actually succeed in bringing down the hero everyone else worships. Because after this book, I’m completely on board with one thing: Hercules must die.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the EARC! All thoughts are my own.
I always thought Hercules was a little too heroic to be trusted — and Immortal Fury basically confirmed my suspicions in the most satisfying way possible. Because in this story, Hercules isn’t the legend everyone worships. He’s the man who slaughtered a family, destroyed a childhood, and became the reason a girl grew up fueled entirely by rage and revenge. And honestly? I loved that angle immediately.
This book hooked me very quickly, mostly because of the tone. There’s anger, grief, determination, and this constant undercurrent of defiance that makes the story feel emotionally charged from the start. Lyssa isn’t a soft heroine, and I appreciated that. She’s angry, stubborn, and shaped by trauma in a way that feels believable rather than overly polished. Feminine rage is one of my favorite things in fantasy, and this book absolutely delivers that.
The premise itself was also incredibly fun. Twelve deadly trials. Four heroes competing. The prize — immortality. And one of the competitors is Hercules, which raises the stakes immediately. Because Lyssa isn’t just competing to win — she’s competing to stop him from becoming immortal. That revenge-driven motivation made everything feel more intense, and I found myself constantly rooting for her, especially since she’s very much the underdog going into these trials.
The worldbuilding also surprised me in a good way. Greek mythology retellings are everywhere right now, but this one still managed to feel fresh. The flying ships controlled by the mind were such a cool detail and added something unique to the setting. It gave the story a slightly different vibe than the usual mythological fantasy, and I enjoyed learning about the different crews and ships, even if it took a little time to keep track of everything.
Another thing I really liked was the multiple POVs. Normally, I can be picky about multi-POV stories, but here it worked well because it built tension and made the trials feel bigger. Getting insight into different characters’ motivations and thoughts added depth, and I also found myself getting attached to some side characters pretty quickly. Eryx especially stood out to me, and I’m already hoping we get much more of him in the next book.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, which makes sense since this is a four-book series, but the tension is already there. Alexios, son of Dionysus, enters the story with all the charm, chaos, and morally gray energy that I usually love. The fake dating element added another layer of tension, and while I did think the emotional shift between Lyssa and Alexios happened a bit quickly at first, I still enjoyed their dynamic. Forced proximity and shared danger tend to accelerate feelings anyway, and I’m curious to see how their relationship develops over the rest of the series.
The trials themselves were engaging, with enough action to keep things moving, but also enough character development to make it feel like more than just survival challenges. There were moments where I got strong Hunger Games vibes, especially with the competition aspect and the tension between contestants, which made the story even more fun to read.
Overall, I had a really good time with this book. It’s fast-paced, emotional, and introduces a cast of characters that I already want to see more of. Since it’s the first book in a series, it does feel like a setup for something bigger, but it still managed to keep me invested the whole time. And that ending? Definitely a cliffhanger that makes me eager for book two.
If you like
-Greek mythology retellings,
-revenge-driven heroines,
-fake dating,
-found family,
-deadly trials,
-slow-burn romantasy,
this one is definitely worth picking up. This felt different enough from what I usually read to keep things fresh, but still had all the elements I love. And now I’m fully invested in seeing how this story unfolds — and whether Lyssa will actually succeed in bringing down the hero everyone else worships. Because after this book, I’m completely on board with one thing: Hercules must die.
March 29, 2026
ARC review
"Immortal Fury" by Eliza Raine is the first book in the "Hercules Must Die" series.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam Early Reads Book Club and Eliza Raine for the ARC of Immortal Fury.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
Read this if you like:
- multiple-POVs
- feminine rage
- revenge plot
- Greek mythology
- deadly trials
- fake dating
- forced proximity
- found family
- underdog Story
I have to say that the Greek mythology inspiration got me to want to read the book.
It took me a while to get used to so many characters and POVs, but I managed to keep up with the fast pace of the story and I enjoyed it.
Lyssa, the FMC, is Hercules's daughter and Zeus's granddaughter. Her plan is to revenge her family and kill Hercules, so she enters the 12 deadly trials.
Alexios, a son of Dionysus, tricks her to join the crew in the trials. He is mysterious and I cannot wait to find out what he's hiding.
There are also chapters from the POVs of Hercules, Edvande (his gunner), Eryx (a half-giant) and Hedone (the demigoddess of pleasure).
I do not think that all the POVs were necessary, but I'm looking forward to read more about these characters.
The romance part is small (with just a bit of spice), and I think it will be developed more in the next books.
My favorite part is the found family and the connection between Lyssa and her crew.
As the book has a fast pace it was also a quick read.
The ending made me want to read the next book immediately.
"Immortal Fury" by Eliza Raine is the first book in the "Hercules Must Die" series.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam Early Reads Book Club and Eliza Raine for the ARC of Immortal Fury.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
Read this if you like:
- multiple-POVs
- feminine rage
- revenge plot
- Greek mythology
- deadly trials
- fake dating
- forced proximity
- found family
- underdog Story
I have to say that the Greek mythology inspiration got me to want to read the book.
It took me a while to get used to so many characters and POVs, but I managed to keep up with the fast pace of the story and I enjoyed it.
Lyssa, the FMC, is Hercules's daughter and Zeus's granddaughter. Her plan is to revenge her family and kill Hercules, so she enters the 12 deadly trials.
Alexios, a son of Dionysus, tricks her to join the crew in the trials. He is mysterious and I cannot wait to find out what he's hiding.
There are also chapters from the POVs of Hercules, Edvande (his gunner), Eryx (a half-giant) and Hedone (the demigoddess of pleasure).
I do not think that all the POVs were necessary, but I'm looking forward to read more about these characters.
The romance part is small (with just a bit of spice), and I think it will be developed more in the next books.
My favorite part is the found family and the connection between Lyssa and her crew.
As the book has a fast pace it was also a quick read.
The ending made me want to read the next book immediately.
March 23, 2026
Oh my god what a cliffhanger of an ending! Be warned that you’ll be waiting on bated breath for the next book!
You dive into the world of Greek mythology, with familiar gods and Demi gods interwoven with a few new different types of half god offspring all coming together to compete in a set of trails to earn immortality. When our FMC is not originally selected but puts her name in the ring and is chosen, her and her crew will do anything to stop the man who both sired her and killed her mother and brother in cold blood from winning - Hercules. Unlikely allies, plenty of tricks and sub plotting between the four crews and of course battles that must be won are what lies ahead for our FMC.
I couldn’t put this book down once I started. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and getting to see inside many of the characters heads to see their motivations and true allegiances throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the little found family in the crew she has that our FMC built after escaping her dad. The author really knows how to write a deplorable male in the best way and it makes me see some famed Greek character in a new light! Overall I really enjoyed it and after the cliffhanger ending I cannot wait for the next book! My rating 5/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You dive into the world of Greek mythology, with familiar gods and Demi gods interwoven with a few new different types of half god offspring all coming together to compete in a set of trails to earn immortality. When our FMC is not originally selected but puts her name in the ring and is chosen, her and her crew will do anything to stop the man who both sired her and killed her mother and brother in cold blood from winning - Hercules. Unlikely allies, plenty of tricks and sub plotting between the four crews and of course battles that must be won are what lies ahead for our FMC.
I couldn’t put this book down once I started. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and getting to see inside many of the characters heads to see their motivations and true allegiances throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the little found family in the crew she has that our FMC built after escaping her dad. The author really knows how to write a deplorable male in the best way and it makes me see some famed Greek character in a new light! Overall I really enjoyed it and after the cliffhanger ending I cannot wait for the next book! My rating 5/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
April 5, 2026
I received this as an eARC and am leaving my honest review.
This was such an interesting take on Greek mythology, following Lyssa as she enters deadly trials to take down her father, Hercules. The premise immediately hooked me, and I really enjoyed the fast pacing, short chapters, and the overall feel of the story. It was easy to fly through and the world had a lot of potential.
That said, the execution didn’t fully land for me. The story leans heavily on multiple shifting POVs, and while I usually enjoy that, there were just too many here. It became difficult to keep track of side characters, and a lot of their perspectives didn’t feel necessary or add much to the plot.
I also struggled with the romance. It’s marketed as enemies-to-lovers, but that tension and development just weren’t really there for me. The connection felt underdeveloped, which made it hard to invest emotionally.
Overall, I liked the concept, the mythology elements, and the fast pace, but the crowded POV structure and lack of strong romantic payoff kept me from fully loving it. I’d still be curious to see how the series develops, but this one fell somewhere in the middle for me.
3.5 ⭐️
This was such an interesting take on Greek mythology, following Lyssa as she enters deadly trials to take down her father, Hercules. The premise immediately hooked me, and I really enjoyed the fast pacing, short chapters, and the overall feel of the story. It was easy to fly through and the world had a lot of potential.
That said, the execution didn’t fully land for me. The story leans heavily on multiple shifting POVs, and while I usually enjoy that, there were just too many here. It became difficult to keep track of side characters, and a lot of their perspectives didn’t feel necessary or add much to the plot.
I also struggled with the romance. It’s marketed as enemies-to-lovers, but that tension and development just weren’t really there for me. The connection felt underdeveloped, which made it hard to invest emotionally.
Overall, I liked the concept, the mythology elements, and the fast pace, but the crowded POV structure and lack of strong romantic payoff kept me from fully loving it. I’d still be curious to see how the series develops, but this one fell somewhere in the middle for me.
3.5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Where immortality burns and power comes at a cost
‘Immortal Fury’ pulls the reader into a world where power is never freely given and trust is a currency more dangerous than any weapon. From the very first pages, the atmosphere feels charged, as if something is always about to break, and that tension never truly fades.
The structure of the story is carefully layered, allowing the stakes to build gradually while revealing just enough to keep the mystery alive. Each chapter adds another piece to the puzzle, making it difficult to step away. The pacing strikes a strong balance between action and introspection, giving space for both explosive moments and the quieter, more emotionally driven scenes.
What stands out most is the psychological depth woven throughout the narrative. The characters are not simply defined by their strength, but by their inner conflicts, their fears, and the choices they are forced to make. Loyalty and power are constantly at odds, creating a dynamic that keeps the reader questioning motives and outcomes.
The worldbuilding adds another layer of immersion, with a sense of danger that lingers in every corner. It never feels static. Instead, it evolves alongside the characters, reinforcing the idea that nothing in this world is ever truly stable.
While some moments could have been explored even further to deepen the emotional impact, the overall experience remains gripping and immersive.
‘Immortal Fury’ delivers a compelling blend of tension, emotion, and intrigue, leaving behind a quiet echo that refuses to fade.
immortal beings | power struggle | inner conflict | dangerous alliances | slow burn tension | dark fantasy vibes | greek mythology
Where immortality burns and power comes at a cost
‘Immortal Fury’ pulls the reader into a world where power is never freely given and trust is a currency more dangerous than any weapon. From the very first pages, the atmosphere feels charged, as if something is always about to break, and that tension never truly fades.
The structure of the story is carefully layered, allowing the stakes to build gradually while revealing just enough to keep the mystery alive. Each chapter adds another piece to the puzzle, making it difficult to step away. The pacing strikes a strong balance between action and introspection, giving space for both explosive moments and the quieter, more emotionally driven scenes.
What stands out most is the psychological depth woven throughout the narrative. The characters are not simply defined by their strength, but by their inner conflicts, their fears, and the choices they are forced to make. Loyalty and power are constantly at odds, creating a dynamic that keeps the reader questioning motives and outcomes.
The worldbuilding adds another layer of immersion, with a sense of danger that lingers in every corner. It never feels static. Instead, it evolves alongside the characters, reinforcing the idea that nothing in this world is ever truly stable.
While some moments could have been explored even further to deepen the emotional impact, the overall experience remains gripping and immersive.
‘Immortal Fury’ delivers a compelling blend of tension, emotion, and intrigue, leaving behind a quiet echo that refuses to fade.
immortal beings | power struggle | inner conflict | dangerous alliances | slow burn tension | dark fantasy vibes | greek mythology
April 5, 2026
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice :🫑
Immortal Fury is the first book in the Hercules Must Die series.
I enjoy this new take on Hercules, and his twelve labors. We have flying ships, an antagonist that everyone believes to be a hero, and a FMC with a lot to say on him. Plus, fake relationship and forced proximity make the beginning of this slow burn romance quiet intriguing.
The book is told from different POVs, and it's interesting to see the various agendas coming together and clashing. We have a wide range of characters, each one with a different goal, all competing in the same contest, but with different goals. Plus, not everyone has revealed their intentions yet, making things even more intriguing.
At this stage, I'd say there isn't any real romance yet, the focus is mainly on the contest and the final goal of the FMC, but we get some strong basis on which the romance can grow from, and I have a feeling that when it does, things will be explosive.
As this is a new series, the book ends on a cliffhanger, and I'm curious to see where the next book will take us.
Spice :🫑
Immortal Fury is the first book in the Hercules Must Die series.
I enjoy this new take on Hercules, and his twelve labors. We have flying ships, an antagonist that everyone believes to be a hero, and a FMC with a lot to say on him. Plus, fake relationship and forced proximity make the beginning of this slow burn romance quiet intriguing.
The book is told from different POVs, and it's interesting to see the various agendas coming together and clashing. We have a wide range of characters, each one with a different goal, all competing in the same contest, but with different goals. Plus, not everyone has revealed their intentions yet, making things even more intriguing.
At this stage, I'd say there isn't any real romance yet, the focus is mainly on the contest and the final goal of the FMC, but we get some strong basis on which the romance can grow from, and I have a feeling that when it does, things will be explosive.
As this is a new series, the book ends on a cliffhanger, and I'm curious to see where the next book will take us.
Review of advance copy
This was such a fun read, I had a really good time with it 😮💨✨ Thank you to NerdFam & Eliza Raine for the ARC
Greek mythology + trials + revenge?? I was locked in straight away. The whole concept of flying ships controlled by the mind was also such a cool, unique touch 👀
We follow Lyssa, a captain driven by pure rage and revenge, entering deadly trials (very Hunger Games vibes) to take down her father… and I was rooting for her the whole time 🔥
There’s a big cast and multiple POVs which I actually enjoyed it added to the chaos and made the trials feel more intense. And the found family vibes with her crew?? Loved 🥺
Eryx was definitely a standout for me 💙 and I’m really excited to see more of his story next.
I think I wanted a bit more with the romance but I can’t moan this is book 1 in a 4 book series and I am ready for it!
Overall fast-paced, chaotic, super entertaining and ended on a cliffhanger that has me READY for book 2!
Greek mythology + trials + revenge?? I was locked in straight away. The whole concept of flying ships controlled by the mind was also such a cool, unique touch 👀
We follow Lyssa, a captain driven by pure rage and revenge, entering deadly trials (very Hunger Games vibes) to take down her father… and I was rooting for her the whole time 🔥
There’s a big cast and multiple POVs which I actually enjoyed it added to the chaos and made the trials feel more intense. And the found family vibes with her crew?? Loved 🥺
Eryx was definitely a standout for me 💙 and I’m really excited to see more of his story next.
I think I wanted a bit more with the romance but I can’t moan this is book 1 in a 4 book series and I am ready for it!
Overall fast-paced, chaotic, super entertaining and ended on a cliffhanger that has me READY for book 2!
March 30, 2026
thank you to the Nerdfam for the ARC! I feel like this book had a lot of stuff but all of it felt superficial and did not make me care.
I loved the pirate vibes in Greek mythology setting!! the flying ships and zodiac sign islands for each god and goddess in the sky is so fresh and different I was really enjoying it! this had female rage and felt like accurate descriptions of the fickle gods (and real snippets of old texts as well)
it had a lot of povs which made this quite fractured and the characters felt shallow because of it. lovely short chapters mean the book, the trials, and plot move fast but the reader also doesn't have time to form a bond to the characters. this was an easy, not romance focused, light fantasy read
lots of theories and possible foreshadowing and ended very abruptly. I like Lyssa and her crew but don't really care for any of the characters. feels like this was an introduction book paving the way for the next one
I loved the pirate vibes in Greek mythology setting!! the flying ships and zodiac sign islands for each god and goddess in the sky is so fresh and different I was really enjoying it! this had female rage and felt like accurate descriptions of the fickle gods (and real snippets of old texts as well)
it had a lot of povs which made this quite fractured and the characters felt shallow because of it. lovely short chapters mean the book, the trials, and plot move fast but the reader also doesn't have time to form a bond to the characters. this was an easy, not romance focused, light fantasy read
lots of theories and possible foreshadowing and ended very abruptly. I like Lyssa and her crew but don't really care for any of the characters. feels like this was an introduction book paving the way for the next one
April 4, 2026
3.5 overall
I was lucky enough to be given an arc for this and was really looking forward to it until I realised a couple of pages in that I'd already read it several years ago. This was originally part of a YA 4x book series called immortality trials and this book was shelve of the gods.
I really don't know why there is a sudden trend to reimagine previous works rather than writing something new, bit like the trend with redoing films. I can see the plan is to redo the remaining 3x books, which will be drip fed over several years, no doubt!
Without giving the story away there is essentially 30 new pages added to this book from the original. The only difference i can see is that the 2x main figures on the Astor are now adults instead of teenagers and this has changed a few scenes. Everything else is identical. Word for word. It's a good story but still falls into that YA category i would say.
I was lucky enough to be given an arc for this and was really looking forward to it until I realised a couple of pages in that I'd already read it several years ago. This was originally part of a YA 4x book series called immortality trials and this book was shelve of the gods.
I really don't know why there is a sudden trend to reimagine previous works rather than writing something new, bit like the trend with redoing films. I can see the plan is to redo the remaining 3x books, which will be drip fed over several years, no doubt!
Without giving the story away there is essentially 30 new pages added to this book from the original. The only difference i can see is that the 2x main figures on the Astor are now adults instead of teenagers and this has changed a few scenes. Everything else is identical. Word for word. It's a good story but still falls into that YA category i would say.
April 8, 2026
Interesting first installment of the Hercules Must Die series! I was fascinated by the world and the gods! I especially liked the floating ships and the different realms under each god. Also the idea of the power struggles and rivalry between the gods was a neat concept to explore.
I really struggled with the format of the POV's. This book includes POV chapters from different characters in each group who is competing, not just the main 2 characters. I think it was meant to expand the world and the story beyond the MC's but I thought it detracted from the MC's story, and then there wasn't enough time to develop their characters very much. I think a good way of putting it is that I think the author tried to bite off more than they could chew with this format.
No spice. I assume we'll get there between the MC's but it was definitely a slow burn with not even kisses in this book.
Not sure if I will continue the series yet or not.
I really struggled with the format of the POV's. This book includes POV chapters from different characters in each group who is competing, not just the main 2 characters. I think it was meant to expand the world and the story beyond the MC's but I thought it detracted from the MC's story, and then there wasn't enough time to develop their characters very much. I think a good way of putting it is that I think the author tried to bite off more than they could chew with this format.
No spice. I assume we'll get there between the MC's but it was definitely a slow burn with not even kisses in this book.
Not sure if I will continue the series yet or not.
March 24, 2026
I flew through Immortal Fury much faster than I expected and found myself more invested than I anticipated. The pacing kept me constantly engaged.I kept telling myself “just one more chapter,” only to realize I was nearly finished (helped, of course, by the shorter chapters).
I appreciated that the “spice” was minimal and didn’t overshadow the storyline. Instead, it added just the right amount of tension and complemented the overall narrative.
I do wish there had been more exploration of Hercules…specifically what happened between him, Lyssa, and her mother. Im left with a lot of unanswered questions and I feel the story ended too soon.I want more…I need more.
That said, I’m very excited for book two. This first book did a great job of establishing the world, and I think the next book has the potential to expand on it even further.
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️
I appreciated that the “spice” was minimal and didn’t overshadow the storyline. Instead, it added just the right amount of tension and complemented the overall narrative.
I do wish there had been more exploration of Hercules…specifically what happened between him, Lyssa, and her mother. Im left with a lot of unanswered questions and I feel the story ended too soon.I want more…I need more.
That said, I’m very excited for book two. This first book did a great job of establishing the world, and I think the next book has the potential to expand on it even further.
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 15, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ A twisted retelling of the 12 Labors of Hercules.
The 12 gods have decided to grant immortality to one champion (and their crew) through a series of 12 deadly trials. “Survive and you will be celebrated. Win and you will be immortal.”
The world building is phenomenal throughout. Each god has a section/island in Olympus named after the zodiac and created by the god. Each trial is on a different island so as we visit each island we learn what hazards await the four heroes and their crews.
The heroes and their crews live aboard flying ships that they control through the power of their mind. Our FMC happens to be the daughter of Hercules who escaped his murderous rampage that killed her mother and brother so incidentally she controls her ship with Rage.
The action keeps the pages turning. The multiple POVs can present a challenge at times trying to keep straight who is telling the chapter but also adds to the interest of the story. Definitely worth adding to your TBR.
💫 Multiple POV/larger cast
💫 Meddling gods
💫 Underdog heroine
💫 Found Family
💫 Greek Mythology
💫 Deadly trials
💫 Fake dating
💫 Slow Burn Romance
Thanks to Eliza Raine for the advanced reader copy.
The 12 gods have decided to grant immortality to one champion (and their crew) through a series of 12 deadly trials. “Survive and you will be celebrated. Win and you will be immortal.”
The world building is phenomenal throughout. Each god has a section/island in Olympus named after the zodiac and created by the god. Each trial is on a different island so as we visit each island we learn what hazards await the four heroes and their crews.
The heroes and their crews live aboard flying ships that they control through the power of their mind. Our FMC happens to be the daughter of Hercules who escaped his murderous rampage that killed her mother and brother so incidentally she controls her ship with Rage.
The action keeps the pages turning. The multiple POVs can present a challenge at times trying to keep straight who is telling the chapter but also adds to the interest of the story. Definitely worth adding to your TBR.
💫 Multiple POV/larger cast
💫 Meddling gods
💫 Underdog heroine
💫 Found Family
💫 Greek Mythology
💫 Deadly trials
💫 Fake dating
💫 Slow Burn Romance
Thanks to Eliza Raine for the advanced reader copy.
March 17, 2026
3.5 ✨ Thank you to The Nerd Fam Early Reads Book Club and Eliza Raine for this eARC!
This is a light and easy romantasy read that isn’t heavily focused on romance. This is truly a sloooooow burn.
This is a unique retelling of characters in Greek mythology. I love how Eliza incorporates snip its from actual Greek lore in between some chapters to relate to the story.
There are a TON of POVs in this book, which I found to be very confusing at first because I couldn’t remember who some of the characters were. Or what “team” they were a part of. I also didn’t care from most of those other POVs either, and really only wanted to read about our FMC.
I enjoyed this story as well as the trials that they go through. Unsure if I will read book 2 when the time comes.
This is a light and easy romantasy read that isn’t heavily focused on romance. This is truly a sloooooow burn.
This is a unique retelling of characters in Greek mythology. I love how Eliza incorporates snip its from actual Greek lore in between some chapters to relate to the story.
There are a TON of POVs in this book, which I found to be very confusing at first because I couldn’t remember who some of the characters were. Or what “team” they were a part of. I also didn’t care from most of those other POVs either, and really only wanted to read about our FMC.
I enjoyed this story as well as the trials that they go through. Unsure if I will read book 2 when the time comes.
April 3, 2026
4.5/5
I stayed up reading this and I couldn’t put it down. I’m still reeling from that ending!!!!! Cause what do you mean I have to wait for the next book to find out what happens????
I really enjoyed the different POV’s in this book when everything was happening! I did not expect to enjoy that as much as I did. I’m really excited to see how all these characters develop throughout the series.
Also, we can’t forget that tension!!!!!! Oh man was it good 👀👀 talk about a developing slow burn! The angst during the trials was real in this book and I’m on the edge of my seat for what comes next.
I stayed up reading this and I couldn’t put it down. I’m still reeling from that ending!!!!! Cause what do you mean I have to wait for the next book to find out what happens????
I really enjoyed the different POV’s in this book when everything was happening! I did not expect to enjoy that as much as I did. I’m really excited to see how all these characters develop throughout the series.
Also, we can’t forget that tension!!!!!! Oh man was it good 👀👀 talk about a developing slow burn! The angst during the trials was real in this book and I’m on the edge of my seat for what comes next.
April 4, 2026
I am a lover of Greek mythology so the premise of this story interested me. I love the tie in of all the gods and goddesses and their children in the novel and how true it is to the actual myths. Lyssa’s hatred for her fathers and want to kill him drives her the whole story. Although the side characters are important, I found it distracting to switch POVs so often. So many different story lines were occurring at the same time, it took away the importance of Lyssa’s journey for me.
Overall, 3/5 ⭐️ for me.
Overall, 3/5 ⭐️ for me.
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