Published: August 1, 2024
Length: 496 pages
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Villains of Lore #1
Characters: Alexis Hert, Achilles, Patro, Kharon and Augustus
POV: multiple, 1st person

𝒞𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓃𝓉:
reverse harem • dark romance • cruel hero • virgin heroine • enemies to lovers • age gap • Greek mythology

TW: abuse • graphic violence • slut shaming• dubious consent • misogyny • animal abuse• self harm • non-consent

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Your mental health matters. If any of these topics are sensitive to you, please proceed with caution or skip this one ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

Review

I think authors are going too far when writing dark romances. Abusive relationships— or any nonconsensual sexual act— is NOT erotic, let alone romantic!

I think when you have a sort of influence over someone, as writers have over their readers, you gotta use it positively. Normalize rape, physical abuse, psychological abuse or any kind of women’s degradation in a relationship is absolutely crazy. Live in an abusive relationship isn’t healthy and good for anyone.

If you watch some true crimes, you will see that the story there isn’t different than the story these authors are writing and selling as romance novels. Glorifying rape culture through the use of misogynistic language, objectification of women’s bodies, and glamorization of sexual violence, it will only be encouraging a society—that is already sexist— to disregard women’s rights and safety even more.

“The devil has a pretty face, and humanity is going to hell for worshipping it.”

“There has been no great wisdom without an element of madness.”

Blood of Hercules
Bonds of Hercules

Blurb

I’m just a girl. And it turns out, I’m Hercules.

I’m struggling to survive in a Titan infested world where Spartans, immortals from twelve royal families who have god-like powers and obscene wealth, rule over all. A shy-stammering foster child with nothing, I keep my head down, cover my scars, and focus on excelling in school. At least, I try to. Then it happens.

My blood test reveals I’m part of the powerful elite. I’m one of them. A Spartan.

Forced to attend the Spartan War Academy, I undergo the most harrowing test of all time to see if I have what it takes to be an immortal. There’s just a few problems. Achilles and Patro are my scary mentors. Kharon, the ferryman of death, and Augustus, the son of war, are my terrifying professors. Also, I’m pretty sure either someone’s stalking me everywhere I go, or my sanity’s slipping––I have a bad feeling both are true.

I’m surrounded by Villains and they’re smothering me with their hate, obsession, and dark possessiveness. Too bad for them, they have no clue just who they’re messing with.