What do you think?
Rate this book
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
41 books2,963 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews
July 15, 2026
3.75 🌟
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐞.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 𝚖𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒 𝚙𝚘𝚟
👩🏻❤️💋👨🏻 𝚏𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐
⛵️ 𝚏𝚕𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜
🏛️ 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝚖𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚢
♑️ 𝚣𝚘𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚌 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍
🏹 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
this was so fun and fast paced! 🙂↕️ we follow Lyssa, daughter of Hercules, as she competes in a deadly trial to win immortality and hopefully kill him 😜 (major daddy issues)
the world in this one immediately grabbed me. greek mythology and zodiac inspired, flying ships you control with your mind, trials + multi pov of the contestant and banter banter banter 😜🤭
now i do like our MMC, Alexiso. i loved his interactions with Lyssa throughout the book. and then our girl Lyssa, loved her from the start! she was such an easy character to root for 🥰
i will 100% be continuing this series. this is only ⌞ 𝟷/𝟺 ⌝ books so i’m excited to see where everything will go after that ending. this has so much potential to get better and better as the series goes on!!
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐞.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 𝚖𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒 𝚙𝚘𝚟
👩🏻❤️💋👨🏻 𝚏𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐
⛵️ 𝚏𝚕𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜
🏛️ 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝚖𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚢
♑️ 𝚣𝚘𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚌 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍
🏹 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
this was so fun and fast paced! 🙂↕️ we follow Lyssa, daughter of Hercules, as she competes in a deadly trial to win immortality and hopefully kill him 😜 (major daddy issues)
the world in this one immediately grabbed me. greek mythology and zodiac inspired, flying ships you control with your mind, trials + multi pov of the contestant and banter banter banter 😜🤭
now i do like our MMC, Alexiso. i loved his interactions with Lyssa throughout the book. and then our girl Lyssa, loved her from the start! she was such an easy character to root for 🥰
i will 100% be continuing this series. this is only ⌞ 𝟷/𝟺 ⌝ books so i’m excited to see where everything will go after that ending. this has so much potential to get better and better as the series goes on!!
August 2, 2026
✦ Rating: 3 ⭐️
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.
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.
May 8, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam Early Reads Book Club and Eliza Raine for the ARC of Immortal Fury.
I had really mixed feelings about this book. The premise had so much potential, with the focus on vengeance and the trials, but some of the execution just didn’t fully land for me.
The multiple POVs made it exciting to see the trials from different sides, which made the world feel larger and kept the story interesting. I also genuinely liked several of the characters across the different groups. However, because the book switches between around 5 different POVs, the vengeance aspect never really feels like the main focus, and many of the characters end up lacking depth or meaningful development.
I think my biggest issue was that Hercules is described as a horrifying, violent man. We see a little bit of the violence in the beginning and somewhat throughout the trials, but I think I needed more from the chapters in his POV as the main antagonist. Yes, I felt negatively towards him, but I think I should have felt more anger and disgust while reading his chapters than I did.
This was definitely an extremely slow burn. I loved the banter, but there was a lack of emotional connection between Lyssa and Alexios. It’s not really an ‘enemies-to-lovers’ because Lyssa is mostly just annoyed by Alexios’ presence, so their relationship felt a little underdeveloped.
Overall, this was still a fun and fairly light read, and I’m curious enough to continue the series because the concept is compelling and I enjoyed some of the side characters.
I had really mixed feelings about this book. The premise had so much potential, with the focus on vengeance and the trials, but some of the execution just didn’t fully land for me.
The multiple POVs made it exciting to see the trials from different sides, which made the world feel larger and kept the story interesting. I also genuinely liked several of the characters across the different groups. However, because the book switches between around 5 different POVs, the vengeance aspect never really feels like the main focus, and many of the characters end up lacking depth or meaningful development.
I think my biggest issue was that Hercules is described as a horrifying, violent man. We see a little bit of the violence in the beginning and somewhat throughout the trials, but I think I needed more from the chapters in his POV as the main antagonist. Yes, I felt negatively towards him, but I think I should have felt more anger and disgust while reading his chapters than I did.
This was definitely an extremely slow burn. I loved the banter, but there was a lack of emotional connection between Lyssa and Alexios. It’s not really an ‘enemies-to-lovers’ because Lyssa is mostly just annoyed by Alexios’ presence, so their relationship felt a little underdeveloped.
Overall, this was still a fun and fairly light read, and I’m curious enough to continue the series because the concept is compelling and I enjoyed some of the side characters.
June 3, 2026
**𝓝𝓞 𝓢𝓟𝓞𝓘𝓛𝓔𝓡𝓢**
⚜️𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- Immortal Fury
𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 The Nerd Fam
𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐢𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.
⚜️ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
(out of 5 stars, my rating scale is at the end)
* 📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5
* 🌡️ 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 🫑/ 5 -𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
* Which books have I also given this same rating? (𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛)
5⭐️ Fourth wing / Bound by inked flame / Anathama / The Lies of Lena / Of silver and Curses
4.5⭐️ Bitten / The Female / Quicksilver / Bride / Lights Out / A Bargain so Bloody
4⭐️ Spellcaster / One Dark Window / From Blood and Ash / Phantasma / Butcher & Blackbird
3⭐️We Who Will Die / The Wolf King / Daughter of No Worlds / The Ex Hex
⚜️𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
* 📖 353 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
* Multi 𝗣𝗢𝗩
* 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲- 03 April 2026
* 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 or 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 driven? 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉ℯ𝓇
* 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 & 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼- Hercules must die, book 1
* 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on 𝗞𝗨? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈.
* 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲- ℱ𝒶𝓈𝓉
* 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈!
* 𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? (Disability, plus size, mental health etc...)❌
* ℳℴℴ𝒹𝓈; 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒚, 𝑳𝑶𝑳 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒓, 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍, 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍, 𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆, 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒚, 𝑨𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔.
* 𝒟𝒾𝒹 𝒾 ℯ𝓃𝒿ℴ𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈?✅
* 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓃ℯ𝓍𝓉 𝒷ℴℴ𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈ℯ𝓇𝒾ℯ𝓈?✅
* 𝒲ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 ℯ𝓁𝓈ℯ 𝒷𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓇?✅
* 𝖂𝖍𝖔 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖎 𝖗𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖙𝖔? Greek mythology lovers, anyone that loves a story of trials and overcoming hardships and temptation, and of course, the true sloooow burn lovers!
🚨🅲︎🅷︎🅴︎🅲︎🅺︎ 🆃︎🅷︎🅴︎ 🆃︎🆆︎!🚨
⚜️𝕊ℙ𝔼ℂ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝕀ℕ 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕐:
💋Humans
⚰️𝑉𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑠
🧙♀️𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔰
🧟♂️ ᗰOᑎՏTᗴᖇᔕ
✝️ Gods and Demi Gods
⚜️𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕤:
🔥𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧- seriously!
🥵𝒟𝒾𝓇𝓉𝓎 𝒯𝒶𝓁𝓀
💘ᖴᗩKᗴ ᗪᗩTIᑎᘜ
💋𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸ℯ 𝒾𝓃𝒸𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓈ℯ𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 ℯ𝒶𝒸𝒽 𝒷ℴℴ𝓀
🌡𝕐𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝔸𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕥, 𝕋𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟
⚜️𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
😈𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 & 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕒𝕝𝕤
🏆TᖇIᗩᒪՏ
🏛️𝑀𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑠/𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔
☯️ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕚𝕠𝕟/𝔻𝕖𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕤
🤩Epic Side Characters
🧩𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
🏹𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐌𝐂
🤬Feminine Rage
🥊 Revenge
🐶Underdog Story
😡Multi POV
🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
This book hooks you right from the get go and it is a thrilling nonstop ride!! The originality of this world really made this book what it was, the inventive communication method & transportation method was creative and intriguing. The entirety of the world building is of the author’s version of Olympus, with creative magic, brilliant characters, a twist on the 12 labours into the trials and then the character relationships and main plot came together into this addictive mythology retelling.
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.
I absolutely enjoyed this new take on Hercules, and his twelve labors. I wasn’t expecting to have flying ships, an antagonist that everyone believes to be a hero, and a FMC with feminine rage and a lot to say on him. Plus, let’s not forget the fake relationship and forced proximity plus the multiple side characters and their love interests made the beginning of this slow burn romance extremely intriguing. I think my biggest issue was that Hercules is described as a horrifying, violent man. We see a little bit of the violence in the beginning and somewhat throughout the trials, but I think I needed more from the chapters in his POV as the main antagonist. Yes, I felt negatively towards him, but I think I should have felt more anger and disgust so the vengeance aspect never really felt like the main focus.
The world building wasn’t vast which made it easy to fall into as there was no big info dumps, but could use some more fleshing out as the books go on.
At this stage, there isn't any real spice yet, there is romance and steam there, but the focus is mainly on the contest and the final goal of the FMC. However I can see this slow burn is going to build into something amazing! I struggled with the romance side of the story, It’s marketed as enemies-to-lovers, but that heavy tension and development just weren’t there for me. The connection between the various characters felt underdeveloped, which made it hard to invest emotionally.
The book is told from different POVs, which I love, and it's so interesting to see the various agendas coming together and clashing.
🧝♂️ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
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.
The villain in particular felt very underwhelming. Being in his head was boring & almost too simple & tame for how utterly evil this character supposedly is.
😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
Overall, I enjoyed the concept, the mythology elements, and the fast pace, but the lack of strong romantic payoff kept me from fully loving it.
⏳ 𝕎𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕚 𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕?
Yes to both
🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Perfect for fans of epic slow burns, multiple pov’s from plenty of side characters and of course, deadly trials. Well worth the read and I’m excited for the next one!
𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;
𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
https://www.tiktok.com/@your_bookish_...
IᑎՏTᗩ
https://www.instagram.com/your_bookis...
***********************
𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF
⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands
⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!
🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!
SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action
🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times
🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more dark / taboo fantasies and realities.
⚜️𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- Immortal Fury
𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 The Nerd Fam
𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐢𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.
⚜️ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
(out of 5 stars, my rating scale is at the end)
* 📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5
* 🌡️ 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 🫑/ 5 -𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
* Which books have I also given this same rating? (𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛)
5⭐️ Fourth wing / Bound by inked flame / Anathama / The Lies of Lena / Of silver and Curses
4.5⭐️ Bitten / The Female / Quicksilver / Bride / Lights Out / A Bargain so Bloody
4⭐️ Spellcaster / One Dark Window / From Blood and Ash / Phantasma / Butcher & Blackbird
3⭐️We Who Will Die / The Wolf King / Daughter of No Worlds / The Ex Hex
⚜️𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
* 📖 353 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
* Multi 𝗣𝗢𝗩
* 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲- 03 April 2026
* 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 or 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 driven? 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉ℯ𝓇
* 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 & 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼- Hercules must die, book 1
* 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on 𝗞𝗨? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈.
* 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲- ℱ𝒶𝓈𝓉
* 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈!
* 𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? (Disability, plus size, mental health etc...)❌
* ℳℴℴ𝒹𝓈; 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒚, 𝑳𝑶𝑳 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒓, 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍, 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍, 𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆, 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒚, 𝑨𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔.
* 𝒟𝒾𝒹 𝒾 ℯ𝓃𝒿ℴ𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈?✅
* 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓃ℯ𝓍𝓉 𝒷ℴℴ𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈ℯ𝓇𝒾ℯ𝓈?✅
* 𝒲ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 ℯ𝓁𝓈ℯ 𝒷𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓇?✅
* 𝖂𝖍𝖔 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖎 𝖗𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖙𝖔? Greek mythology lovers, anyone that loves a story of trials and overcoming hardships and temptation, and of course, the true sloooow burn lovers!
🚨🅲︎🅷︎🅴︎🅲︎🅺︎ 🆃︎🅷︎🅴︎ 🆃︎🆆︎!🚨
⚜️𝕊ℙ𝔼ℂ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝕀ℕ 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕐:
💋Humans
⚰️𝑉𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑠
🧙♀️𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔰
🧟♂️ ᗰOᑎՏTᗴᖇᔕ
✝️ Gods and Demi Gods
⚜️𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕤:
🔥𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧- seriously!
🥵𝒟𝒾𝓇𝓉𝓎 𝒯𝒶𝓁𝓀
💘ᖴᗩKᗴ ᗪᗩTIᑎᘜ
💋𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸ℯ 𝒾𝓃𝒸𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓈ℯ𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 ℯ𝒶𝒸𝒽 𝒷ℴℴ𝓀
🌡𝕐𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝔸𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕥, 𝕋𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟
⚜️𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
😈𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 & 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕒𝕝𝕤
🏆TᖇIᗩᒪՏ
🏛️𝑀𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑠/𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔
☯️ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕚𝕠𝕟/𝔻𝕖𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕤
🤩Epic Side Characters
🧩𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
🏹𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐌𝐂
🤬Feminine Rage
🥊 Revenge
🐶Underdog Story
😡Multi POV
🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
This book hooks you right from the get go and it is a thrilling nonstop ride!! The originality of this world really made this book what it was, the inventive communication method & transportation method was creative and intriguing. The entirety of the world building is of the author’s version of Olympus, with creative magic, brilliant characters, a twist on the 12 labours into the trials and then the character relationships and main plot came together into this addictive mythology retelling.
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.
I absolutely enjoyed this new take on Hercules, and his twelve labors. I wasn’t expecting to have flying ships, an antagonist that everyone believes to be a hero, and a FMC with feminine rage and a lot to say on him. Plus, let’s not forget the fake relationship and forced proximity plus the multiple side characters and their love interests made the beginning of this slow burn romance extremely intriguing. I think my biggest issue was that Hercules is described as a horrifying, violent man. We see a little bit of the violence in the beginning and somewhat throughout the trials, but I think I needed more from the chapters in his POV as the main antagonist. Yes, I felt negatively towards him, but I think I should have felt more anger and disgust so the vengeance aspect never really felt like the main focus.
The world building wasn’t vast which made it easy to fall into as there was no big info dumps, but could use some more fleshing out as the books go on.
At this stage, there isn't any real spice yet, there is romance and steam there, but the focus is mainly on the contest and the final goal of the FMC. However I can see this slow burn is going to build into something amazing! I struggled with the romance side of the story, It’s marketed as enemies-to-lovers, but that heavy tension and development just weren’t there for me. The connection between the various characters felt underdeveloped, which made it hard to invest emotionally.
The book is told from different POVs, which I love, and it's so interesting to see the various agendas coming together and clashing.
🧝♂️ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
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.
The villain in particular felt very underwhelming. Being in his head was boring & almost too simple & tame for how utterly evil this character supposedly is.
😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
Overall, I enjoyed the concept, the mythology elements, and the fast pace, but the lack of strong romantic payoff kept me from fully loving it.
⏳ 𝕎𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕚 𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕?
Yes to both
🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Perfect for fans of epic slow burns, multiple pov’s from plenty of side characters and of course, deadly trials. Well worth the read and I’m excited for the next one!
𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;
𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
https://www.tiktok.com/@your_bookish_...
IᑎՏTᗩ
https://www.instagram.com/your_bookis...
***********************
𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF
⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands
⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!
🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!
SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action
🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times
🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more dark / taboo fantasies and realities.
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.
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.
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 23, 2026
✨ARC Review ✨
“I’ve spent my life wishing my father was dead. There surely can’t be a version of this world where he not only gets away with what he did, not only becomes celebrated and admired, but then gets to live forever?”
✨ Reluctant allies to lovers
✨ Greek mythology
✨ Fake dating
✨ Feminine rage
✨ Trials
This book is messy, intense, political, and packed with that delicious “games within games” energy where you can’t trust a single person on the page. Everyone has an agenda, everyone’s lying, and I ate it up.
“I’m a woman now, with a ship, and friends, and power. A woman who will stand and fight. And it’s up to me to slay the monster.”
The trial structure keeps the pace sharp, the worldbuilding is surprisingly rich without bogging you down, and the found family moments hit exactly when you need a breath. The feminine rage thread? Loved it. Lyssa’s drive is fierce and personal, and it fuels the entire plot.
“She’s human fire. Rage and passion and strength, in a package that looks like it could be broken so easily.”
And then there’s the dynamic with Alexios. Not quite enemies, definitely not friends, more like “reluctant allies who’d rather chew glass.” Their chemistry simmers, nothing rushed, very slow burn. It works because the plot leads, not the romance.
“She was supposed to be a means to an end. She’s dangerously close to becoming a distraction.”
It ends mid-action which is… rude, honestly. But in a way that guarantees I’m grabbing book two the second it drops.
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
Thank you Eliza for the ARC 🫶🏻
“I’ve spent my life wishing my father was dead. There surely can’t be a version of this world where he not only gets away with what he did, not only becomes celebrated and admired, but then gets to live forever?”
✨ Reluctant allies to lovers
✨ Greek mythology
✨ Fake dating
✨ Feminine rage
✨ Trials
This book is messy, intense, political, and packed with that delicious “games within games” energy where you can’t trust a single person on the page. Everyone has an agenda, everyone’s lying, and I ate it up.
“I’m a woman now, with a ship, and friends, and power. A woman who will stand and fight. And it’s up to me to slay the monster.”
The trial structure keeps the pace sharp, the worldbuilding is surprisingly rich without bogging you down, and the found family moments hit exactly when you need a breath. The feminine rage thread? Loved it. Lyssa’s drive is fierce and personal, and it fuels the entire plot.
“She’s human fire. Rage and passion and strength, in a package that looks like it could be broken so easily.”
And then there’s the dynamic with Alexios. Not quite enemies, definitely not friends, more like “reluctant allies who’d rather chew glass.” Their chemistry simmers, nothing rushed, very slow burn. It works because the plot leads, not the romance.
“She was supposed to be a means to an end. She’s dangerously close to becoming a distraction.”
It ends mid-action which is… rude, honestly. But in a way that guarantees I’m grabbing book two the second it drops.
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
Thank you Eliza for the ARC 🫶🏻
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.
April 20, 2026
This was such a fun, fast-paced new spin on a Hercules-inspired story and honestly… the vibes? Immaculate. As a Greek mythology fangirl, I’ve read my fair share of retellings, and this is easily one of the more engaging ones I’ve picked up lately.
The pacing carries this book hard in the best way. It genuinely gave me “once you pop, you can’t stop” energy because I could not put it down. Every chapter kept things moving, the stakes felt real, and the trials were actually exciting to read. No dragging, no filler, just a steady pull that keeps you hooked.
We do get multiple POVs, which naturally takes a bit of time to settle into. That’s just part of the deal when you’re building a wider cast and world. And I did feel that just as I really got my bearings and became fully invested in everyone… the book ended. Rude. I need the next one immediately because this has so much potential.
That said, for a first book, it does a really solid job setting the stage while still delivering enough plot, tension, and little hints of secrets to keep you curious. Every POV feels intentional, and I love that each character seems to have their own angle or hidden agenda. You can tell there’s more simmering under the surface.
The FMC’s energy was a highlight for me. I loved her banter and the dynamic with her crew. Speaking of the crew, they all feel relevant, not just background noise, and I’m really curious to see what they’ll go through next.
The writing style also makes this a super quick read, which just adds to the whole “accidentally read half the book in one sitting” situation.
Overall, this was such a strong, addictive start to a series, and I’m already invested in where it’s going next.
Thank you so much to Eliza for sending me an eARC. All opinions are my own.
The pacing carries this book hard in the best way. It genuinely gave me “once you pop, you can’t stop” energy because I could not put it down. Every chapter kept things moving, the stakes felt real, and the trials were actually exciting to read. No dragging, no filler, just a steady pull that keeps you hooked.
We do get multiple POVs, which naturally takes a bit of time to settle into. That’s just part of the deal when you’re building a wider cast and world. And I did feel that just as I really got my bearings and became fully invested in everyone… the book ended. Rude. I need the next one immediately because this has so much potential.
That said, for a first book, it does a really solid job setting the stage while still delivering enough plot, tension, and little hints of secrets to keep you curious. Every POV feels intentional, and I love that each character seems to have their own angle or hidden agenda. You can tell there’s more simmering under the surface.
The FMC’s energy was a highlight for me. I loved her banter and the dynamic with her crew. Speaking of the crew, they all feel relevant, not just background noise, and I’m really curious to see what they’ll go through next.
The writing style also makes this a super quick read, which just adds to the whole “accidentally read half the book in one sitting” situation.
Overall, this was such a strong, addictive start to a series, and I’m already invested in where it’s going next.
Thank you so much to Eliza for sending me an eARC. All opinions are my own.
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.
May 16, 2026
This is one of those stories you fall into completely and never want to leave 😍
Deadly trials, tension thick enough to cut with a dagger, betrayals around every corner, and a revenge plot that had me fully seated from start to finish. Add in a generous dose of Greek mythology... It's pure perfection 🤌
The world-building felt both magical and wildly original. Eliza Raine really took the love of Olympus, fused it with astrology, added flying ships, and created something that felt fresh, magical, and completely addictive. Absolute genius.
One of my favourite details was the paraphrased references to real 2000-year-old texts. My nerdy little heart was thriving 😂
I also loved the multiple POVs. Each perspective added more depth to an already immersive story and made the stakes feel even bigger.
Lyssa and the crew of the Alastor completely stole my heart 😁 Their found-family dynamic brought so much warmth and humour to the story. The banter between Lyssa and Alexious had me laughing constantly.
Hercules’ villain arc is written so incredibly well that childhood nostalgia disappeared instantly. I now apparently have personal beef with a demi-god 😂😒
This book has such a hold on me that I’m ready to skip the rest of the year and fast-forward straight to October because I desperately need book two 😫 I need more trials. I need answers. I need back on that ship immediately.
If you love deadly trials, revenge plots, epic fantasy worlds, Greek mythology, or stories that completely consume your brain for days afterward, this absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Deadly trials, tension thick enough to cut with a dagger, betrayals around every corner, and a revenge plot that had me fully seated from start to finish. Add in a generous dose of Greek mythology... It's pure perfection 🤌
The world-building felt both magical and wildly original. Eliza Raine really took the love of Olympus, fused it with astrology, added flying ships, and created something that felt fresh, magical, and completely addictive. Absolute genius.
One of my favourite details was the paraphrased references to real 2000-year-old texts. My nerdy little heart was thriving 😂
I also loved the multiple POVs. Each perspective added more depth to an already immersive story and made the stakes feel even bigger.
Lyssa and the crew of the Alastor completely stole my heart 😁 Their found-family dynamic brought so much warmth and humour to the story. The banter between Lyssa and Alexious had me laughing constantly.
Hercules’ villain arc is written so incredibly well that childhood nostalgia disappeared instantly. I now apparently have personal beef with a demi-god 😂😒
This book has such a hold on me that I’m ready to skip the rest of the year and fast-forward straight to October because I desperately need book two 😫 I need more trials. I need answers. I need back on that ship immediately.
If you love deadly trials, revenge plots, epic fantasy worlds, Greek mythology, or stories that completely consume your brain for days afterward, this absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
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
Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews