Corruption of Chimeras: A King Midas Retelling

by Jes Drew

A sacrificed maiden. A desperate king. True love . . . or obsession?

Iphigenia is a scholar first and princess second. When her father summons her as a ceremonial sacrifice to Artemis, she is eager to go to him–until she discovers it was a ploy for an arranged marriage. Since any life is preferable to matrimony, Iphigenia flees into the wild and soon finds herself caught up in the hunt for a chimera. But there is more than one hunter in the forest . . .

Midas’ kingdom is on the brink of ruin. He needs more than a political union–he needs a woman who can teach his kingdom literacy and currency. So, when Iphigenia abandons him at the altar, he does something no man has ever done before and strikes a deal with Artemis. If Midas can woo his runaway bride into a willing wife, Iphigenia is his. But could Iphigenia ever be happy as his queen . . . and can Midas be content with only a contract marriage?

Corruption of Chimeras is Book Five in the Forbidden Bonds Collection. A multi-author fantasy romance collection where forbidden love, fire magic, and high-stakes danger collide. Featuring standalone romantasy adventures with smoldering tension, impossible choices, elemental magic, and lovers who should never be together. Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order.

Genres: Fantasy

512 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2026

About the author

Jes Drew is the author of 60+ books including the Cursed Fae of Orphydice Manor Series, the Sunset at Dawn trilogy, Love of Legends, and Bound by Death.

She has three degrees, including a Master of Arts in Behavioral Counseling. A gremlin that resembles a cat keeps her busy when she's not writing about hard-won happily ever afters.

Reviews

[Bess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Not my favorite Midas retelling. However, it was quite dense.
Set in Greek mythology times, it was rich with the flavor of myths and legends. That I really enjoyed!
I didn't not like Iphigenia. She was cruel. Unnecessarily so. I mean, I get wanting to be free of having to marry, but to poison two bethroths in order to escape is beyond desparate. Regardless, with her abusive father, it would make sense she believes all men to be the same. She ends up with three names! That was super confusing!
Midas was obsessed. He saw Iphigenia's photo and immediately had to have her for his wife. But the Fates planned his downfall the moment they set him up as king.
So, there's some political intrigue. This was not gory at all. I liked Marigold and Lityerses the Chimeras!
The whole book was hard to swallow. However, that didn't make it bad. The writing was well done, Jes delivers unconventional stories. You never really know what to expect. I loved the ending! It was super statisfying and the Creator came out on top of all the other gods. So, I thought that was cool!

[✝️ H J Palmer ✝️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly enjoyed 'Corruption of Chimeras.' It is a deeply historical romance with strong adventure and fantasy elements. The novel manages to retell the Greek myth accurately, while weaving in historical elements, and also keeping the tale clean. Though many Greek 'gods' appear in the novel, they are discovered to be merely magical beings rather than literal gods. This fact is not at the forefront of the story, but it makes it a lot more appropriate if you are of a religious persuasion.
I found our heroine a little off putting a few times at the start of the book, but Drew's characterisation is phenomenal and her growth is a beauty to behold. There were also a few times where I was worried about where the plot was heading, but I should not have been. Everything was clean and worked out perfectly - just keep going until everything is explained!
This is a book that is definitely worth reading. It is a great expansion on Drew's other Greek myth retellings, but can be read as a stand alone. Fans of history, retellings, and romantasy will enjoy.

POV: dual first person
Tense: current
Mature themes: war, battle scenes, pillaging (implied), poisoning, murder, execution, spying, tense scenes, marital sex (off page)
Reading age: adult

[Layla Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As always, Jes Drew creates a story with an amazing plot, mind-blowing world building and compelling characters.

The main character of the story is Iphigenia, both princess and scholar, a clinical young woman who expects to be a sacrificial maiden but soon realises her father has other plans for her. Running away, she finds her herself in the middle of a hunt for a chimera. She is definitely my favourite character. Though she may seem cold and uncaring, that didn't prevent me from liking Iphigenia, and I actually liked her more because of that.

The man her father planned to marry her off to id Midas, a king whose kingdom is on the verge of ruin. I liked Midas. He's the "golden retriever" type of male lead, which means he's not only a green flag, but a green forest (like all of Jes Drew's male leads that I've read about till now). He's resourceful and intelligent, and I honestly loved everything about him.

The romance was amazing. I admit that, because of course they were going to end up together, I shipped Iphigenia and Midas from the very start. I like the way Jes Drew handled serious topics such as arranged marriage, post-partum depression, and war.

The world-building is amazing, heavily inspired from Greek Mythology, with nods to historical events. Thought, by the end, we learn that the gods are actually supernatural beings and not gods, we also have different creatures present, such as the chimera.

So, if you like stories inspired form Greey mythology, with a cold female character as a protagonist and a male lead who is her complete opposite, that deal with heavy themes and take place in an intriguing world, "Corruption of Chimeras" by Jes Drew is exactly what you're looking for!

[Elinor Harker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Greek mythology and I liked the addition of the legend of King Midas. Though I tried, I had trouble liking Iphogenia/Hermodike/Damodice. I know she is supposed to be "clinical" but she was seriously selfish and cold. Mida was a golden retriever type and I feel like he deserved better. The political storyline is a bit of a downer-a little too close to reality these days-but is probably fairly typical of ancient Greece as well. I have to say the ending was not what I expected, but I think it all worked out.

Advance reader copy review.

[Sarah Ryder]

Full review and rating to come!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Midas retelling! Absolutely fantastic. Tons of action and dangerous dealings with the gods. Romantic, with some humor and heartfelt sacrifice..

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting King Midas retelling.

Iphigenia and Midas didn’t have the best start to their relationship at all.

Iphigenia was a hard character to like at times. She was so hard on Midas and all he wanted was her love. Did he do questionable things? Yes, but he did them for a reason. Her father can be blamed for a lot of the issues she has with men because he wasn’t a good role model at all.

Midas just wants an equal and someone to love. He wasn’t born to be king but he is and he needs a queen. He wants Iphigenia as that queen after seeing her portrait and does everything he can to get her hand.

Their relationship was a rollercoaster to say the least. They had highs and lows they had to work through.

The golden touch isn’t introduced until later in the book. The one thing that happens because of it had me on the edge of my seat needing to know what happened next.

I loved the Chimeras. They were fun additions to the story. I would say more about them but I don’t want to risk spoiling anything.

The gods were interesting and sometimes problematic.

One thing I found confusing at times was how Iphogenia went by three different names in this book. First was her birth name Iphogenia, then the name Midas gave her Hermodike, and finally the name she picked for herself Damodice. I just felt like they kept going back and forth and it was hard to keep track at times.

I’ve been going back and forth on the rating because I liked the story but it was dense and at times I was struggling. I ended up deciding on 3.5 rounded up to 4.

Overall I did like this book. It just felt a little dense and longer than it was. I read this book as an arc.

[Cnm_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

{6⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️}

An absolute favorite ARC for the year! This King Midas, retelling centers around our 34 year old FMC Iphigenia and 46 year old MMC
Midas.

Iphiginia is a scholar, she is analytical, practical and has to find a use for everything including her feelings. She is an intelligent woman living in a man's world and trying to secure her place. Men have proven to be unreliable and better at a distance.

King Midas has lived his life in the service of his Kingdom with two friends he trusts. He is good natured, reliable, honest, and flirty. And he has loved her since he saw her.

Their arranged marriage goes through many challenges, many battles, and a lot of tense moments. The FMC at one point become difficult to like for obvious reasons, but it's hard to read the conflict. The MMC who is our reliable “golden retriever” takes a bleak and dark turn that is also for obvious reasons but the heartbreak is real. I love a book that can make me cry and this one certainly did. The characters face so many challenges internally and externally. When they hit their own rock-bottoms, it's a nail biter to see if they can dig themselves out or do it together

[Mariem · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 1🌶
This book was AWESOME!
I loved every second of it,
I hated the FMC in the middle of it for a good reason but was soon to change my mind.
This book made me cry, laugh, and gasp all at the same time.
It has an easy flow of events and beautiful writing.
And it's Greek mythology, so I have to love it.
So, in the end, I highly highly highly recommend this book.

[Chaos · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the strongest positives for this story was the world building. Absolutely amazing with details and the characters. I could picture everything so clearly because of how they world and story was being build. Unfortunately, i didnt like the characters themselves too much. I felt for Iphiginia and what she was being forced into. Women in that time period really didnt have a voice. But I felt some of her reactions and coldness towards innocents was uncalled for. Midas annoyed me with his obsession with her. I finished it because I loved the world built not so much the characters.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster.

The plot of Midas's kingdom woes combined with their relationship difficulties made for plenty of tension, humor, and emotional beats. Midas and his wife have a very rocky relationship for the majority of the story. When we first met Midas, I had my doubts, but he became a wonderful husband, especially as he proved true to his word that he saw her as an equal. Iphigenia is an exercise in contradictions, but her reasons for being emotionally closed off are realistic after living for thirty years in her father's house. Her scholarly pursuits added depth to her character and an appreciation for her dedication to research. The chimeras and Greek deities added entertaining moments and opportunities for the characters, and I loved the illustration of the baby chimera. Domesticating one had not been on my bucket list, and while it's still not on mine, I'm glad to see someone tried!

There are heavier topics, such as separation soon after marriage due to war, pregnancy side effects like brain fog, and post-partum depression/anger. I don't think I've often, if ever, seen pregnancy side effects combined with post-partum in this genre, and thought it was handled well in a way that made sense for Iphigenia. 4.5 stars. Altogether, Corruption of Chimeras is an excellent read that's clean in language. It is no spice with multiple fade-to-black and closed-door scenes along with several innuendos. There are Christian elements with references to the Garden of Eden and the Creator. Readers who enjoy Greek mythology-inspired stories with compelling characters, emotion, and a very slowburn romance will like this book.

Age Range: 16+

Genre: Romantasy

Profanity: None

Romance: There is a forced marriage. There are kisses and hugs between a married couple. They share a bed, and there is physical intimacy. Everything is either fade-to-black or closed-door, so it's still considered no-spice.

Violence: Moderate. There's a hunt to slay a chimera near the beginning of the book. Later, there is a war in which Midas fights and kills soldiers in battle. Characters are injured by sword, poison, and immolation. There's an attempted assassination of multiple characters, including a baby. Iphigenia and her female family members are physically and emotionally abused by her father, King Agamemnon. The dangers of women and children as spoils of war are mentioned with enough hints given that the implications are clear without being specifically stated.

Mood: Moderate-Heavy. The characters ended up emotionally hurting each other and let their hurt and fear prevent their relationship from working for much of the book. The problem of the war and the kingdom's empty treasury also made the tone and mood much heavier. The situation never totally hopeless though.

Worldbuilding: Solid. The Greek culture is prevalent throughout the book. There are nods to historical events and mythology throughout. It's clear that the author conducted research, and any timeline discrepancies regarding real events were by choice as indicated by the author's note at the end of the book. The world feels bigger than the book without bogging down the story with worldbuilding, which is awesome.

*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Moonburst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iphigenia knows better than to trust men. She's seen the violence of men first hand from her father, and given that she is a scholar, she's taken great pains to remain unmarried. Unfortunately, her father tricks her, marrying her to King Midas. To escape the marriage, Iphigenia invokes Artemis and soon partakes in the hunt of a chimera. But her new husband is also on the hunt, and if he succeeds in convincing her to return with him, she will have to help him face his own treacherous kingdom.

Iphigenia is incredibly intelligent and driven. Unfortunately she is also extremely hardhearted and slow to recognize her own errors. Driven by scientific pursuits, she cares little about emotion, and her own family has shown her she can't trust her new husband's claims of love. She does her best to support the country she runs, but her lack of compassion truly makes her difficult to understand or like. I really struggled to appreciate her when her stubbornness and inability to perceive that she might be wrong made her treat Midas horribly. However, having known more than a few people who were extremely smart and logical, the hardest thing for people like Iphigenia is to truly recognize when one of their founding premises is wrong. In this way, Drew truly writes reasonable character growth for Iphigenia, even if I wanted to throw her out of a window for a good chunk of the story.

Midas truly is the best character. He is a true romantic, and he truly loves Iphigenia despite her flaws. He appreciates her for her intelligence, wit, in addition to her beauty, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to have her in his life. He also wants to support his country to the best of his ability, but the treachery of his own council and supposed friends continually undermines his best efforts. Ultimately, running a country is extremely difficult, especially when his youthful exploits helped drain the country's treasury. And as the pressures and dangers surrounding his kingdom continue to grow, he knows his time is limited.

Corruption of Chimeras is a fantastically written mythology retelling that features plenty of Grecian gods, tricks, and treachery with a golden retriever king and a coldly efficient queen. Characters are fully realized and have substantial character growth as the plot progresses. A wonderful read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sonderous Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even promises have their price. Iphigenia has, so far, avoided her fate by poisoning her previous betrothals. Hoping to age out of such a maidenly task and dedicate herself to other more worldly pursuits, she gladly prepared herself to become a priestess of Artemis so her father might have the wind in the sails of his army. That is, until she realizes that she was not a promise… but a price paid to a King. Midas, too, knows that promises weigh heavy on the coin purse but heavier on the mind. But, with Iphigenia, he finds he may just be willing to pay any price, to gods and mortals alike, for her. The question remains, what promises will they make, and what price will they have to pay?

“Corruption of Chimeras” by Jes Drew is the fifth book of the Forbidden Bonds collection. This particular standalone is a retelling of both Greek mythology and historical events. Here we follow King Midas as he navigates the fate of his kingdom and the interplay of gods as he seeks out Iphigenia. Although a standalone novel, there are callbacks to several other characters in Jes Drew’s oeuvre, making this story a perfect starting point (or giving you some-novel-else to go to when you flip the last page here). 

I have always been fascinated with Greek Mythology. As soon as I could pick up a compendium of the myths, I was reading and studying. I adore stories that reimagine the history, but I love the stories that reimagine the myths all the more. If you're anything like me, then this book needs to jump to the top of your TBR. I couldn't put this book down and spent most of the second half of the book fighting tears and sleep to finish it. I'm pretty sure my sobbing could be heard from outside. Despite everything, I fell in love with Iphigenia, Midas, and Phrygia. And I'm certain you will too.

[Magpie's Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Thank you Jes Drew for the ARC. All opinions are my own.***

“Would you prefer to share a room with a corpse?” “Rather than you? Actually, let me consider that for a moment. The corpse is quieter and therefore less frustrating.”

I am a huge fan of Greek mythology and re-tellings of all kinds; Corruption of Chimeras did not disappoint.

I loved Iphigenia and Midas. They were older, believable characters who were fleshed out with flaws, desires, and goals. The banter between the two of them was top-tier, Midas’ softness and loyalty complementing Iphigenia’s sharp edges and logical mind.

Not only does Jes Drew create a cunning, headstrong, and fearless FMC in Iphigenia, but she also captures years of oppression at the hands of men in ancient times. The cell may change, but the captivity remains the same. Corruption of Chimeras also touches on the very real and debilitating side effects of pregnancy, as well as the aftermath of bringing a child into the world. It was a raw, realistic depiction of postpartum depression/rage, and should be praised for being included.

Midas is a walking green flag, falling desperately in love with his wife from her portrait alone. Reminding me of Westley from The Princess Bride, the king proves time and again that he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his queen safe. Midas may have fallen in love with her beauty and her intelligence, but by the end he loved her for who she was and the life they had created together.

I also adored the fact that the Greek gods and goddesses play an active part in the story. I have found myself disappointed on more than one occasion by the lack of participation from the gods and goddesses in the story.

Jes Drew is incredibly talented and I applaud her for creating this wonderful standalone that will linger with me long after the book is closed.

[Ameraude · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Title: Corruption of Chimeras: A King Midas Retelling

Author: Jes Drew

Rating: 3,5★

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of Iphigenia, a scholar and princess who escapes an unwanted arranged marriage disguised as a sacrifice to Artemis, and King Midas, a ruler whose kingdom is struggling with financial problems. Their story combines mythology, fantasy, political intrigue, and romance.
As usual, I don’t want to write any spoilers, just some pros and cons…

Pros:
💚 I really enjoyed the unique take on the King Midas myth.
💚 The chemistry between Iphigenia and Midas was one of my favorite parts of the story. The forced proximity and contract marriage created a lot of tension.
💚 I loved the combination of romance, mythology, magic, and adventure.
💚 The chimera hunts and the bargains with Artemis added an exciting element to the story.

Cons:
🥀 At times, I would have liked a little more detail in the world-building.
🥀 Some of the political and financial aspects of the story were a bit slower for me.
🥀 Iphigenia personality. She is a really independent heroine who is selfish and cold sometimes.
🥀 I think some parts of the romance could have been developed a little more.

Overall, Corruption of Chimeras was an entertaining and atmospheric retelling with an interesting fantasy world and a great enemies-to-lovers/forced-proximity dynamic. I especially enjoyed seeing the familiar King Midas myth turned into something more.
If you enjoy mythological retellings, morally grey characters, fantasy romance, and complicated royal relationships, I think this one is worth giving a try.
Thanks to Booksiren’s and the author for the opportunity!

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iphigenia has got rid of two suitors already, but Midas is too determined - and her father too crafty - to let her get away with such actions a third time. So the woman who only ever wanted to be a scholar ends up queen of an impoverished kingdom beset by enemies - and with a husband determined to woo a wife who's determined not to be wooed. From the moment Midas saw a picture of Iphigenia he was enamoured of her, and meeting her and getting to know her only cemented his love - to the point of being willing to capture a chimera for her. But the chimera is not a safe pet to have, and its presence threatens all he holds dear. Can the pair (and their chimera!) find their way to a truly meaningful relationship or are they doomed from the start? And what of Midas' kingdom?

I know nothing of the stories and legends this may be based on, so I can make no comment about historical accuracy or anything like that. However, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The relationship between Iphigenia and Midas is slow-moving and beset by pitfalls, but Iphigenia in particular does a lot of much-needed growing up in the meanwhile. It's a very long way from a straight path, and I appreciated all the twists and turns and how it kept me guessing in the best of ways. The chimera is a new beastie to me, and seemed not exactly the sort of thing I'd want as a pet myself! but made for an interesting character. The writing is good, the characters intriguing and good to get to know, the storyline varied and the ending very satisfying - far more than looked possible for much of the story! All in all, a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨🖤 ARC REVIEW 🖤✨
Corruption of Chimeras: A King Midas Retelling
by Jes Drew

Thank you so much to Jes Drew for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. 💙

✨ A tale of greed, power, magic, and the consequences of wanting too much… ✨

Corruption of Chimeras takes the familiar legend of King Midas and transforms it into a dark and captivating journey filled with mystery, danger, and unforgettable moments.

I loved the way Jes Drew reimagined this classic tale, adding a fresh perspective while exploring themes of ambition, desire, and the price that comes with chasing power. The story carries a haunting atmosphere that pulls you deeper into its world, making you wonder where the line between a blessing and a curse truly lies.

The characters bring so much complexity to the story, each carrying their own motivations, struggles, and secrets. I enjoyed watching the layers slowly unfold and seeing how their choices shaped the path ahead.

There is something so fascinating about retellings that take a story we think we know and twist it into something completely new. Corruption of Chimeras delivers a darker, more immersive take on the legend of Midas and creates a world that will keep fantasy lovers turning the pages.

A beautifully crafted retelling filled with magic, temptation, and consequences — this was such an intriguing addition to my fantasy reading list. ✨

Thank you again for the ARC, Jes Drew! 💙

[LoghanJoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️½

I think Midas completely stole the show for me. He fell in love with Damodice from the moment he saw her portrait, and all he wanted was to prove how much he cared for her while she was over here being stubborn about it. I really loved watching their arranged marriage slowly turn into something real, especially once Damodice finally realized she wanted to be with him too. I wasn’t quite as attached to Damodice. I liked her, especially with Midas, but her dangerous research and obsession with it got a little frustrating for me. I definitely preferred Midas' chapters, especially while he was away at battle.

The worldbuilding was probably one of my favorite parts. There were SO many details, and I loved how easy it was to picture everything in my head. I also really liked the chimeras, especially the baby, Lityerses!

The King Midas retelling really came through, and I felt so much for Midas during that whole situation. I’m so glad things were eventually healed, and I loved the lesson that came from it. And Midas learning to braid his baby daughter Zoe’s hair for the future?? 🥹

The last 100 pages were probably my favorite. There was so much happening, especially with Damodice finally realizing she wanted to be with Midas and everything they were willing to give up to protect him.

This was a detailed and interesting retelling with some really sweet moments! Thank you so much to Jes Drew for the ARC! I really enjoyed getting to read the Corruption of Chimeras.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jes has woven a beautiful tale from Greek and Roman mythology and crafted a tale of her own. Iphigenia is a scholar and just wants to spend her life learning. She has dealt with two previous suitors and does not wish to wed, much to her father's, the King, dismay. He tricks her to into a marriage to young King Midas, but she ends making a deal with Artemis instead by dedicating her life to her.

Midas makes his own bargain with the goddess and wins Iphigenia's hand by saving a chimera. Midas is obsessed with her and finds that it is difficult to deal with this young lady who does not wish to lose her identity in matrimony. Midas does ask her to bring currency to his kingdom as the war has depleted the treasury.

The story follows the tale of Iphigenia and her quest for knowledge, identity, grief, and control; and of Midas and his quest of love (obsession), duty of kingdom, communication, and compromise. Both people need to learn how to grow together and their journey is fraught with tragedy - would it be a Greek\Roman myth without some tragedy?

We do get a happy ending, but I did shed many tears and yelled at both of them before getting there.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Drew's myth retellings, and this one was no different. Drawing inspiration from Midas and his golden touch, this story will take you on a rollercoaster (especially since the golden touch is not something that appears until at least halfway through the story). And other elements of the myth are nicely incorporated through as well.

It was interesting to have glimpse of a little history at the end of the book to explain some of the choices within the story. It's not a long note and I highly suggest reading it to get a fuller picture.

Anyway, Midas is a king who never planned on being a king and finds himself in need of a queen. Which leads him to cross paths with Iphigenia. Both characters go through quite the journey. And if you don't find Iphigenia/Hermodike/Damodice ungrateful and irritating at times, I would honestly be surprised. Granted, anyone who came from a household like hers would be very distrustful of men's motivations (but come on, the man is clearly showing you that he's not anything like your scummy father.).

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I am so, so excited that there will be another myth retelling coming from Drew this year.

[Penny Thibodeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mighty king has met his match. In the beginning, I truly supported the main character in her right to choose who and when she marries if at all. Being forced into marriage as agreed between her father and the groom, yikes! I thought the interaction between the FMC and the goddesses was so cool. After the groom showed his commitment and sincerity, I was happy they were married. I really felt like the FMC should give him a chance. But then he makes one blunder after another; I felt so sorry for him. Even after she uncovers the real story behind why he has her portrait, I still believed she was too harsh and should give him a chance. But once he turned her baby to gold all bets were off. As a mother, I felt just as angry as she was. Later, they endure a siege on their kingdom, and a sweet twist gives them the happy ever after they truly deserve. I really enjoyed all of the angst, snark, devotional love throughout the whole book. A worthwhile read for me!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! This was a unique retelling of King Midas (where Midas isn't an absolute jerk the whole time) and features several themes including pride, feminine rage, forgiveness, and redemption. The story uniquely blends Greek mythology with Judeo-Christian theology, featuring both the Olympian gods and Creator God.

Both the FMC and MMC are well-developed, with strong character arcs, individual motivations, and character growth throughout the story. I was fully engaged in the story and wanted to keep reading.

Rated PG-13 for some violence
--clean/closed door romance (mild innuendo)
--little to no language
--some mild to moderate violence, death, war

I received this eARC free from the author without expectation of a good review. My opinions are my own and voluntarily given

[Ami Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mashup of Greek mythology and deity with some wonderfully placed references to the “Unknown God” was well worth the time it took to read! I loved seeing new twists on the classic Greek tale, and discovering how the author wove their deity into the tale, all while bringing about a happy ending made for an engrossing book! I had a hard time putting it down when I needed to! The author skillfully built the classic myth into a historically believable story with people that felt real, and had to overcome human foibles and emotional scars just like we do now. The story does deal with past abuse and present violence, but the language and romance are clean. I received an ARC copy and this is my review.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this unique take on the story of King Midas! Iphigenia and Midas were both interesting characters, and I especially enjoyed seeing their relationship develop from what was supposed to be a political arrangement into something much deeper. Iphigenia is intelligent, independent, and determined to make her own choices, while Midas has much more depth than I initially expected. I also loved how elements of the original myth were woven into the story without giving everything away too quickly. There was plenty of fantasy, romance, and intrigue to keep me turning the pages, and I really enjoyed seeing how everything came together. A fun and creative myth retelling with a satisfying ending!

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corruption of Chimeras is part of the Forbidden Bonds Collection.

Here we have a King Midas retelling and I thought it was quite creative with everything. Iphigenia was an intense character with how she reacted to certain situations. I think she was a bit too stubborn for Midas. You could tell he had great affection and love for her, but she didn't want to succumb to her feelings. This causes a lot of problems between them, which leads to a bunch of misunderstandings.

The story was quite creative in bringing in Midas and his gold curse. We get Chimeras brought in as frightening creatures, but also docile and loveable.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jes Drew does a great job in writing this book It had that element that I had come to expect from other books that I read from the author. I love the use of Greek mythology and King Midas, It uses that concept perfectly to create something new but still in a way that you can tell it's King Midas. I thought the romance worked well and was a great fantasy as well. The characters felt like they were supposed to and I'm glad I got to read this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Macy Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just want to let you know that I’m not the most knowledgeable when it comes to Greek mythology and history, so reading this book was a huge leap of faith. What that being said, the author Jes makes it very easy to understand and follow the story if you know the basics of the Greek culture and ideologies. This is a King Midas retelling which has the trope of runaway bride, mischievous gods/godesses, impressing significant other and a few other sub-tropes that are honestly super cute.

[The_enchanted.Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. I really loved the characters and their complexities. It is a King Midas retelling, yet so much more. More dark. More secretive and immersive.

I loved how realistic the characters were and their interactions either had me giggling, frustrated or swooning :) But there was also a lot of depth to them and their journeys throughout the book. I loved the writing style and enjoyed so much of Greek Mythology spin.

Thank you for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[emeraldragonlady (Maddie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hefty but enjoyable book. I liked all the Greek mythology in there. It was so much fun with the chimera in it. The FMC is a little mean about 2/3 of the way through the book more so than in the beginning of the book, but there is some foreshadowing in the beginning of the book that explains that and once things have been set to write everything gets a little bit nicer and I really enjoyed the ending. It was probably my favorite part of the book

[Brooke Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an epic wild ride. I loved the banter. Both characters are deeply flawed but make each other better. I hadn't read a book like this before ( the Greek myth Retelling). One of my favorite things was how the author hinted at Christianity.
Kisses only, hea, no cursing, moderate infrequent violence