Summary
Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas merges fantasy with mythology. As the first novel in the Villains of Lore series, it presents a retelling of Greek myths focused on Alexis Hert, a young foster child who uncovers her Spartan heritage. This revelation places her in a world dominated by immortal Spartans with significant powers. At the Spartan War Academy, she encounters difficult relationships and demanding trials. The story explores her resilience and courage as she learns to navigate her newfound abilities.
Plot
Blood of Hercules is set in a dystopian world controlled by a dozen influential Spartan families, where ancient mythology merges with modern threats. Alexis Hert, initially perceived as an ordinary orphan, uncovers her true identity as a Chthonic Spartan, a direct descendant of Hades and Persephone. This discovery forces her into the chaotic Spartan Federation, divided between Immortal Olympians and Chthonic Spartans tasked with fighting the Titans.
The story opens with immortal Spartans returning to Earth, which coincides with chaos from the Titans. This triggers Alexis's transformation. Her ordinary life changes after a blood test reveals her heritage, leading to her enrollment in the Spartan War Academy. There, Alexis undergoes the "crucible," an initiation testing her combat abilities. As a rare female initiate, she encounters skepticism and hostility, particularly from mentors Patroclus and Achilles, known as the "Crimson Duo."
Alexis's emerging Chthonic powers help her succeed in the crucible. Her academy days are fraught with danger and manipulation, as characters like Kharon and Augustus plot around her. Tension peaks at a masquerade ball when Theros, Zeus's heir, kidnaps Alexis, revealing a conspiracy threatening her life.
The story culminates with Alexis confronting her identity and adversaries, battling Titans, and revealing her divine heritage to the Spartan elite. She becomes part of a forced marriage with Kharon and Augustus, driven by deceit within a patriarchal society. Motivated by vengeance, Alexis aims to dismantle the Spartan power structure as her struggle continues.
Characters
Alexis Hert: The protagonist, Alexis is a foster child who discovers her lineage as the daughter of Hades and Persephone. Her Chthonic heritage becomes vital as she enters the world of Spartan elites and faces Spartan trials that test her resilience and strengths.
Nyx: Nyx, a snake, is Alexis's closest ally. Her personality provides comic relief and support during tense moments, offering unwavering loyalty to Alexis.
Achilles and Patroclus: Known as the "Crimson Duo," these mentors at the Spartan War Academy challenge Alexis from the beginning. Their demanding training represents the significant obstacles she must overcome to prove herself.
Kharon: Kharon acts as both the ferryman of death and an instructor with hidden motives. His influence tests Alexis’s determination and plays a crucial role in her journey through the Spartan ranks.
Augustus: Augustus is involved in the complex workings of Spartan politics, especially concerning Alexis. His interactions illustrate the power dynamics and control issues present in the story.
Themes
Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas delves into themes of identity, power dynamics, and survival. Identity forms a central theme as Alexis Hert undergoes a journey of self-realization. Alexis evolves from a marginalized orphan to a formidable member of the Spartan elite. This evolution underscores her internal conflict with her Chthonic Spartan heritage as the offspring of Hades and Persephone, and the burden of her divine duties.
Power dynamics appear within Spartan society’s rigid structure, confronting Alexis with the realities of a patriarchal order. She navigates this environment, maneuvering through manipulation and gender norms. Her endurance at the Academy represents her battle against societal limitations and her potential to challenge imposed expectations.
Themes of trauma and resilience emerge as Alexis confronts her past’s scars. The narrative unfolds in a world of violence and deceit, where survival depends on fragile alliances amid constant betrayal.
Setting
In Blood of Hercules, Jasmine Mas sets the Spartan War Academy as a mythological battleground. The academy acts as a crucible for characters like Alexis Hert, turning them into warriors. It is described as a place “where the heroes are villains and classrooms battlegrounds.” The narrative emphasizes life-threatening trials, notably the initiation test called the Crucible. This test acts as a rite of passage, distinguishing the weak from those with potential for greatness. Students face ancient beings and Titans, fostering a competitive and tense atmosphere. This setting challenges Alexis's resilience and ingenuity, forcing her to confront her lineage and strength in an environment where power and survival are deeply connected.
Mythological influence
In Blood of Hercules, Jasmine Mas offers a reinterpretation of Greek mythology with contemporary elements. Alexis Hert, a modern descendant of Hercules, challenges traditional perceptions by portraying Hercules as a flawed yet relatable young figure. Alexis embodies characteristics that contrast the conventional image, such as vulnerability. Mas incorporates Chthonic elements, focusing on the darker aspects of mythology associated with death, and contrasts them with Olympian myths of life and light. This contrasts the struggle between good and evil, and light and dark. Mas combines ancient myths with settings like the Spartan War Academy. Characters such as Achilles and Kharon appear as mentors, adding complexity and tension to Alexis's journey through a world nearing apocalyptic chaos.
Quick facts
Blood of Hercules is a modern, gender-bent retelling of the Hercules myth featuring a strong female protagonist who happens to be the reincarnation of Hercules.
Protagonist Alexis Hert discovers her divine parentage as the daughter of Hades and Persephone through a blood test.
Author Jasmine Mas has a degree in ancient Greco-Roman studies and was influenced by the Disney movie Hercules and Rick Riordan’s works.
Blood of Hercules is set in the Spartan War Academy, a training ground for immortals in a world dominated by Titans after a catastrophic collapse in 2050.
Blood of Hercules became an immediate bestseller, notably ranking at #2 on the Sunday Times list, and was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award.
Themes in the novel include identity, resilience, and survival against restrictive societal norms prevalent in Spartan society.
Alexis Hert, portrayed as a humorous and sarcastic 19-year-old math prodigy, uses humor to cope with trauma, reflecting Mas's own experiences.
Alexis bonds uniquely with a wise-cracking snake named Nyx, reflecting her supernatural ability to communicate with creatures.
Characters from Greek mythology, such as Achilles and Patroclus, act as ruthless mentors who significantly shape the narrative.
Blood of Hercules contains elements of dark fantasy, romance, political intrigue, and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers relationships.
The first installment in Mas's Villains of Lore series, Blood of Hercules ends with a cliffhanger.
About the author
Jasmine Mas is a New York Times bestselling author of fantasy romance novels set in dark, magical worlds and driven by strong, complex women. A former lawyer, Mas holds a degree in ancient Greco-Roman classical studies from Georgetown University. She made her publishing debut in 2022 with the Cruel Shifterverse series. Her subsequent Villains of Lore series, launching with Blood of Hercules (2024), incorporates Greek mythology, a subject of fascination since her childhood. Her books have been translated into 20 languages. She lives in Florida with her husband and cat named Boo.
