Rating: 5

While this is found under the popular label romantasy, in my mind, Blood of Hercules: Villains of Lore Book 1) by Jasmine Mas represents the finest aspects of dark fantasy fiction.

I haven’t read this author’s work before but found myself unable to put this book down once I started reading.  Mas has created many imaginative, thrilling and, yes, startlingly twisted ways of looking at Greek mythology and the Greek pantheon, both of which serve as foundation and universal elements of the series. 

Using this as a foundation to establish a dystopian world where Fate still meddles in the internecine politics of the gods , and humans who have borne the brunt of both the actions of themselves and the gods. And not fared well for it. 

Mas’ main character is a girl. Alexis, a incredibly detailed, believable, and heart wrenching character. She’s also when we meet her a very young, damaged one, currently in an extremely abusive foster home, if you could call a broken trailer that. A younger boy, a toddler, will be added to this group. 

This story is full of trauma and triggers. Read them and take note. Among them child abuse. Starvation, physical abuse, violence, and death. And once Alexis is taken, there’s more for her to endure. This is dark, dark, fiction. She’s considered a mutt, along with others. 

Romance? Mas actually refers to the fact that the Greek gods don’t have much in the way of real romance. Or monogamous pairs. Hades and Persephone being the outliers. It’s a free for all in terms of gender and sexuality and numbers.  The love seen here is saved for brutality and violence. Death and destruction.

There’s obsession, acquisition, and power. Romance? Not so much. So don’t expect any.

This is a brilliantly written piece about a young woman’s ability for to survive. To be betrayed, torn down to near death , and forced into new plans for her future. 

There’s multiple POV’s (importantly placed) but luckily, Mas keeps the primary voice to Alexis’, our strong hero of the story. She’s funny, acerbic , brilliant, deeply traumatized, scarred, violent about not being touched. And has a hidden goal of her own. She’s mesmerizing, tragic, persistent. And constantly on the brink of either utter success or failure. The reader is never sure which. 

I found it impossible to remove myself from her horrifying journey to the Spartan War Academy where she struggles through the terrifying physical and mental challenges and courses that the gods have given her and the rest of the applicants. 

Its layer upon layer of excellently constructed vividly described world building and intensely complex relationship dynamics. The characters involved, mostly her god mentors and Professors, present hidden dangers and dangerous narrative twists. 

Like Alexis, the reader learns quickly that any scene that’s seemingly funny or perilously entertaining is very temporary. That’s not a world where easy, casual or enjoyable is to be trusted.  

It ends on a note that’s just shy of being called a cliffhanger. If so, it’s ending that makes that next book even more greatly anticipated and thrilling. 

I’m headed back to reread this immediately.  I’m certain I missed key elements as layered with images and important information as it relates to the gods and history.

I highly recommend reading this but keep in mind that it’s dark fantasy fiction. If you’re looking for romance and high fantasy, this isn’t for you. 

Villains of Lore:

Blood of Hercules #1

Bonds of Hercules #2 – October 28,2025

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        Blood of Hercules: A Dark Romantasy of Myth and Power, Perfect for Fans of Greek Mythology and Spicy BookTok Reads: The Best Fantasy Romance of 2024 (Villains of Lore Book 1)

Blurb 

The overnight viral sensation everyone is talking about, Blood of Hercules, is a sarcastically funny, dark fantasy romance reimagining of Hercules from bestselling author Jasmine Mas—now available in paperback with full color character art, bonus content, and embossed lettering.

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.

A Dark Romantasy for readers who love:

• “Who did this to you?”
• Why Choose Romance
• Extreme Enemies to Lovers
• Morally Gray Alpha Heroes
• Zodiac Academy, Quicksilver and When the Moon Hatched

• Publisher: Canary Street Press (October 1, 2024)
• Publication date: October 1, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 498 pages