Review by Booklist Review
With her debut, Rogerson manages to retell a Greek myth (perhaps one of the most well-known at that) and be heard over the noise of the swelling subgenre; her bright, pithy voice refuses to be drowned out. Herc never takes itself too seriously, and yet does not make anyone the butt of the joke, poking lighthearted fun at the heavy source material without undermining the pathos at its core. And this story isn't just Hercules' either; Rogerson takes care to give voice to nearly every significant figure in Herc's mythos, giving each person he encounters the chance to tell their own story as it touches his. Rogerson's novel is quick-paced and quick-witted, and although Herc's journey may be long, it never feels arduous for the reader. A refreshing take on an ancient tale and one that reminds us that heroes are rarely as heroic as we remember them being, Herc is an astute examination of mythology and the centuries-long game of telephone we call storytelling.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Rogerson's underwhelming debut retells the story of Hercules, the illegitimate son of Zeus, from the perspectives of his family, friends, and rivals. Hercules's stepfather, Amphitryon, notes that seers prophesied Hercules would be a monster-slaying hero but would also have a painful life. Hercules fulfills that prophecy as a boy, dealing a death blow to his music teacher, Linus, out of frustration during a lesson. The account of that shocking murder is followed by Linus's brother, Orpheus, composing letters to his dead sibling, writing that he uses Linus's lyre--a family heirloom--to "play lullabies to his son." Hercules later seizes his own infant son by the foot and dashes the boy's head against the wall out of jealousy (a prelude to massacring his entire family) when his mother comments on her grandson's fast development ("He doesn't seem so strong," Hercules remarks after the killing). Hercules's punishment for his murders is to carry out the labors (including slaying the Hydra, a beast that grows new heads when one is cut off) assigned to him by his cousin, King Eurystheus. Though the concept intrigues, the tragic material doesn't fit Rogerson's breezy approach. This disappoints.(Sept.)
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