Bonds of Hercules

Book Review

I have been so excited about this book release. It’s been a while since I counted down the days to a book release. The best is that it didn’t disappoint. And the spiciness is so good. Thank you for not making us wait until the last chapter to get some spice. Now, there will be spoilers so if you haven’t read the book, don’t go further.

            I read Blood of Hercules a couple of months ago in less than a day. The character of Alexis is probably my favourite FMC. In the second book of the series Alexis gets even better. It took me two readings of it to really take everything in. It was worth it to understand her.

            There are a lot of different aspects and themes in this book to get into. There is the Team Professor vs Team Mentor. There is Alexis’s own growth into herself and her powers. There is vengeance, pain, brutality and love. There is hate, to like, to love. Friendship, honour and truth.

            I want to address the Team Professor vs Team Mentor. For me there is no discussion needed. Her husbands are working on their actions waiting for her to make her choices. Patro takes all of that away from her and without realising tries to force her into something. There is no real respect for her, and it shows in the way he speaks to her. But the biggest thing for me is his absolute devotion to Achillies and Achillies to him. When they first met Alexis, she wasn’t interested in a relationship which meant she fit into them easily. This book is different. As Alexis is growing and embracing herself and her power, she wants love whether she admits or not. In the end she would come between Patro and Achillies because they weren’t looking at the woman she was becoming but what they had assumed about her. Achillies even says, ‘Complete devotion or nothing.’ With feelings that strong there is no room for anything else. Though as soon as Achillies chose Patro and abandoned Alexis in Rome there was no going back to them. And once you read Fate’s prophecy it is obvious that the Crimson Duo are not meant for Alexis.

            Alexis grows so much in this book. Through her training, her battle in Rome and entering the SGC. Through her relationship with her husbands, she becomes a stronger, more powerful young woman. She can fight her own battles, even if she would prefer then men too. This plays out in Rome after Patro and Achillies abandon her. The first line ‘I am a strong independent woman.’ Then ‘Actually, I feel like the men should be handling this.’ There is a similar thought process during the SGC. But she is determined, ‘I wasn’t made for a life of ease – I was destined to make those who hurt me suffer.’.

            The book has the same humour as Blood of Hercules which is brilliant. We hear a lot more from Nyx and her thoughts as well as what exactly she is. The most dangerous and powerful beast chose this supposedly weak young girl. However, we do learn that Nyx was illegally bound to the man who kidnapped her. But Nyx stayed with Alexis instead of going with the man. There has to be more to this. The husbands also start to learn more about her childhood, because for now she isn’t ready to tell them everything. They come across a purely animalistic ancient man who had lived near her, someone whose mind Augustus couldn’t see in to. It makes me think about Persephone’s father.

            I loved in this book that we learn more about the animal protectors and the relationships to their Spartans. Especially Augustus and Poco. I mean that little racoon is the absolute cutest creature there is. The best scene I have to say is him coming out into the SGC arena on Augustus shoulder in his own tailored armour. Even Nyx prefers the racoon mother. I mean come on. And Kharon’s hell hounds talk, didn’t see that. But Fluffy Jr’s transformation, in the ring, so awesome.

            Having this book from different POVs adds to the book. We gain a better insight into what her husbands are thinking. Seeing their POV and their own growth and determination to be better for their wife. They both fell hard and fast for this young woman and will spend the rest of their lives fighting for her.

            Her relationship with Hades and Persephone is an interesting one. There isn’t a lot in the book about it. But at times we see Persephone almost begging for Alexis to stay with her. While Hades is proud of her for fighting. The bond between parent and child is only small for now, but I feel there is so much more to know considering all her powers come through them. And the line ‘No one fears the sane’ according to Hades. As Alexis feels like she is going mad at the beginning of the book. I wonder if it is her link to Augustus through the marriage bond or something else passed through Persephone. No one fears the sane becomes almost a mantra for her throughout the book. Even at one point Kharon thinks it ‘Great, my wife is a lunatic.’ Which is saying a lot coming from him.

            Something else I noted was that Alexis is the only one whose parents are still together. For the other Chthonic children, their parents procreated and that was it. Often neglecting them, rejecting them or torturing them. But not Hades and Persephone. They grieved for their lost daughter. They love Alexis and do everything they can to protect her. Even Hades trying to heal Kharon during the SGC because he learns that Alexis is feeling his pain. Such a stark contrast to the other Chthonic parents. Alexis is so loved by everyone. Human, Spartan, Chthonic, Creature. Everyone, Angelus Romae.

            As a side note I’d love to know any music Jasmine Mas listened to writing this book. There is a line that appears a few times, ‘run for your life.’ There is a song by K Flay called Run for your life. Every time I read the line it was the song in my head instead.

            The humour from Alexis doesn’t disappoint. Actually, there are a few one liners from different people that had me laugh out loud. The commentary inside her head about her husbands, the competitors and the animal protectors. It gives a lovely balance to the violence of the book. A distraction for the reader. One of my favourites is, ‘Apparently, I wasn’t asexual; I was just into tattooed, violent, Machiavellian men. A fate worse than death.’

            Throughout the book we see Alexis’s humanity show even if she no longer thinks of herself that way. She even says, ‘in an ideal world I’d be human.’ But she shows it ever time she saves someone else. Every time she wants to protect someone else over her. Her brother, Medusa, Drex, the humans in Rome. Even Kharon during the SGC when she asks them to hurt her because she can’t stand the idea of Kharon having another brand on his chest. She is beautifully flawed. Even going so far as forgiving Patro and Achillies for abandoning her because she didn’t want her husbands to hurt them. It’s at this moment standing up for them, that Poco and the hellhounds move to protect Alexis and stay with her. I found that an interesting development. Animals sense more than people.

            Now, I’ve got a theory, and it’s not about bunnies. It might seem a little out there, but I noticed a bit of theme throughout the book. At different times throughout the book when Alexis is being pushed a storm seems to brew. It happens in the hazing ritual. It happens when her husband’s give her an out from the marriage. It happens during the SGC. I am feeling like it isn’t a coincidence. Another reason Zeus wanted her dead. She is powerful enough to rival him. She is both Olympian and Chthonic. Both of her parents are powerful on their own, plus the dark power from Persephone’s own father. I think Zeus learnt about her power and wanted her dead. Or maybe he is Persephone’s father. During Alexis’s interrogation Zeus seemed relieved that the only secret she knew was that he framed Medusa and that he wanted Alexis dead. I am sure there is more to this storyline.

            I really enjoyed this book. There is so much more to unpack and reading meaning into everything. But the point of the book is Alexis/Hercules. She embraces the name Hercules during her interrogation. She finally embraces every part of herself. Her new life, her husbands and her powers. She wields them and finally allows Nyx to be herself too. The growth and acceptance is the point of the book. Accepting yourself for who you are and loving those around you flaws and all. Protecting those same loved ones and allowing them to love and protect you. As a woman with PTSD although nothing as horrific as Alexis has been through. It is not an easy thing to do.

            I applaud Jasmine Mas for this story, and I am so excited for the next book. Even though I am guessing it is going to be more about Medusa and the Crimson Duo. As long as we continue to see Alexis, her husbands and her parents. I am all for it.