I want to preface this review with the fact that I love that we're still interpreting these myths thousands of years later. Like the ancient Greeks, we take these stories and change them based on our view of the world and what we wish to relay. 

That being said, this book is an interesting thought experiment, but it wasn't for me. This novel follows Heracles, a son of Zeus, who spends his life trying to do exactly what his name suggests: give glory to his "aunty" Hera. Hera, on the other hand, resents Heracles as a product of her husbands infidelity. 

Like in the original myth, she pushes him to murder his children, setting off a chain of events. Rather than slaying the beasts as he is tasked with for his labors, Heracles cannot bear to do anymore harm. Instead, he befriends them. 

This is definitely a story that focuses heavily on redemption and personal growth, but it just didn't do much for me. I found it kind of trivial in places (i.e. naming the nemian lion "purrrseus"). I can definitely respect the point the author makes with this novel, but it just wasn't for me. 

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @dawbooks for the opportunity to review this book! Wearing the Lion publishes June 17 if you're interested in checking it out.