Thank you for the ARC! I am leaving this review as a placeholder. My kindle formatting was messed up and is making it hard to read. I am waiting for either my physical copy or for my kindle to fix the file.

So far so good, I love the way it’s written, showcasing wit and humour. Can’t wait to read more when able!

I had heard of Phoenicia Rogerson before now, and vaguely come across 'Herc' but hadn't read any reviews, but I thought I'd give this a try. I'm always a fan of mythology/mythology retellings, particularly feminist ones, particularly if they're trying to do something a bit different - and this ticked all the boxes! For every good retelling, there are about six mediocre ones though... I'm happy to say, I enjoyed this thoroughly.

It was absolutely fascinating to see the way Rogerson played with the different versions of mythologies; she took the parts she liked and augmented them, and discarded or rewrote the parts she didn't like, or didn't fit with the story she wanted to tell. I hadn't come across Aphrodite being a Fate before, and this confused me for a while, but it all works - and makes for some cracking character development! Aphrodite is the central protagonist, but we have PoV sections from a lot of other characters - Zeus, Ares, Apollo, Eros, Hera... the characters were butting in on one another and contradicting each other, very much in the way that an extended family might, which is how the Olympians are portrayed. It really feels familiar, despite being about gods, eternity and huge life-changing events!

Aphrodite isn't my 'favourite' goddess is Greek mythology (the goddess of love has always seemed a bit... well, dull, to be honest), but she sings in this original retelling. It's a complex read because it covers from the Titans right up to the end of the Trojan war (I can't even count the number of characters there are) but with Aphrodite as the thread tying them all together, it really does work! In the finished copy (I read an ARC), there will be extensive family trees and diagrams, which sounds fantastic; I'd like to get a physical copy from the library just to see it all, and get my head round some of the complexities! However, as the author says, it isn't necessary to do that; you can read it and enjoy the racing plot line(s) without getting into the geekery if you want - it's more of an added bonus.

Despite all of the characters being deeply flawed, I felt such sympathy - empathy! - for just about everyone! I wouldn't have thought I would feel anything much for Ares, but in Rogerson's hands... well, it says something about her writing ability, that's for sure.

A confident, assured novel that's not necessarily only for Greek mythology nerds, but it definitely helps! Still, even if you're new to this cast of characters and myths, I think it would be hard to be unmoved by Aphrodite herself: her progression, her yearning to fit in, her manipulation, her lying, her loving, her loneliness... her all around complexity. It's fast-paced, but not necessarily a fast read; I think it's best savoured.

Thanks to NetGalley, HQ and Phoenicia Rogerson for the review copy - all thoughts/opinions are my own and not swayed in any way :)

Aphrodite is such a refreshingly unique take on myth retellings & I’ve read my fair share. It took me a little while to adjust to the modernised language but once I settled into it, the style became part of the charm.

Aphrodite’s portrayal was a particular highlight for me, she’s sharp witted & she knows exactly when to play her cards yet we also see her in moments of despair & rage (unsurprisingly much of that is courtesy of Zeus who I absolutely cannot standddd)

I loved the cameos & mentions of other iconic figures from mythology. For those who loved The Song of Achilles will be delighted to know a certain beloved ‘couple’ are mentioned a few times which made me so happy but also thanks for reminding me of THAT!!😭

I’d say if you love myth retellings with plenty of heart & wit (& don’t mind the use of modern language) then this one is sure to win you over.

Aphrodite is a gorgeously funny, uniquely presented retelling of Greek myth. Multiple POVs create engaging and amusing characters and break up the complication of the Ancient Greek creation story. The prose is modern but perfectly tailored to the storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

I was super excited for this and hadn't read any of the author's previous work. Unfortunately I like my mythology with all the ancient vibes and this was the opposite. If you like your retellings with a modern reality show slant, current lingo and a good bitchy gossip hit then this is for you.
For me it was too modern which I found hard to take seriously and not to my humour either. I don't feel like I know Aphrodite any better, the name dropping was intense and confusing at times. The pacing felt a bit off too, but ultimately I'm just not the target audience for this.
Thanks to HQ and Netgalley for the arc opportunity, all thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Phoenicia has made this retelling of Aphrodite's story unique and new. It's written so well that Phoenicia has managed to weave in snippets of all the well known myths flawlessly.

Each POV is told more like a quick interview where the character spills all the gossip. This makes reading it feel like I'm getting all the juicy details of the story while progressing with the plot quickly.

Reading this was new experience for me (for a Greek retelling). It took a couple of chapters to really get into it but as more character POVs were introduced and their own personalities shined through, I became more engrossed and hooked!

As a lover of Greek mythology, this was such a great read. I think every retelling presents the characters differently and I, for one, adored this portrayal of Aphrodite and her story.

“I’m a liar, to begin with.” This bold, cheeky line on the blurb perfectly captures the tone of one of the most captivating Greek mythology retellings I’ve read recently. This book doesn’t just rehash the usual tales it breathes fresh life into the gods of Olympus through sharp, witty narration and multiple perspectives that keep you hooked from start to finish.
More than just the goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite is portrayed as a complex, cunning figure whose story is intertwined with the fate of Olympus itself. I have seen other say that the narrative feels like a mythic “Real Housewives of Olympus”, full of scheming, power struggles, and unforgettable drama and I couldn’t agree more.
Phoenicia brilliantly weaves well-known myths alongside lesser-known stories, using modern language and humour to make the dialogue and narration both accessible and entertaining. Fans of Greek mythology fiction will appreciate the detailed exploration of events from Cronus to the Trojan War, with each god and goddess given a distinct, memorable voice.
This book moves beyond the usual jealous beauty trope and dives deep into Aphrodite’s ambitions and influence, making it a standout among recent mythological fiction. With sharp characterisations and playful imagery, it’s as funny as it is epic.
If you loved Rogerson’s Herc, this novel delivers the same humour and fresh energy, making it a must-read for anyone interested in Olympus gods stories and Greek myths.

This book is fantastic. I'm always on the lookout for new perspectives on classic greek myths and this book told primarily from Aphrodite's POV was refreshing. The dry humour sprinkled throughout had me chuckling and I liked how the author included other POVs of the Gods and other notable characters to really add depth to the story

Thank you NetGalley & HQ for the ARC. DNF @ 30%.

Simply put, not for me. I'm not familiar with Phoenicia Rogerson's previous work and perhaps this is just for a specific audience. If you're up for Greek mythology being stylized as an American reality TV show with all the modern slang (e.g. "That sounds like a you problem"), this would be up your alley. I'd thought it could be a potentially refreshing take given how overdramatic these myths could be, but ultimately I found it terribly unfunny and as unentertaining as you can get with flattened one-dimensional characters.

Not sure how true this is to the myth, but Aphrodite being presented as intersex was interesting at least.

I greatly enjoyed Herc when I read it last year, the right blend of comedy and serious plot revolving around a character who previously had been seen as 'just the bulky hero' played by actors on screen like Arnie and Jason Momoa.

Aphrodite is written using a similar tone, modern linguistic patterns and sometimes with the use of letters, text-style conversations and at one point an entire chapter of nothing but names!

I enjoyed this tale. While Aphrodite is often mentioned in the mythological retellings I have read previously, she is never the core focus of the story, and this was refreshing. It took a story we all know, blended it with other versions of the myth, and created a new story, one with funny characters, sarcastic perspectives and moments of sadness and reflection.

Aphrodite wasn't just the self-centred narcissist whose ego was held up by flattery from those who admired her; she was a duplicitous, vengeful goddess who loved deeply and was betrayed by the ones she trusted.

I liked this read, found the writing creative and will definitely be back for the next book by Phoenicia Rogerson.

I have mixed feelings about this book ... it is not quite what I was expecting, that is for sure. I could accept that there was a modern format for the story - idioms, language (did we really need the F word so frequently?) but it was VERY busy. There were areas that dragged, areas that confused and areas that were fascinating.
Three and a half stars overall.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Phoenicia Rogerson/HQ for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Greek Gods, Sass, and Surprisingly Modern Drama—Aphrodite Has Never Been This Relatable

Phoenicia Rogerson is back, this time with Aphrodite, not a subsequent sequel to Herc, but a sequel in spirit in that both novels are full of laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of emotional trauma and petty drama.

Much like its predecessor, Aphrodite takes a deity we’ve all heard of and actually makes them feel human. Rogerson gives Aphrodite a voice that’s as sharp as a stiletto heel and just as likely to make you wince and laugh at the same time. Readers will become embroiled and invested in Aphrodite’s schemes in a way that make them feel like an accessory to a crime, all to annoy the notorious hot mess of Greek Mythology character dynamics. But the author distills divine chaos into clean, clever and modern day storytelling. It’s the kind of storytelling that feels like juicy celestial gossip yet packs an emotional punch.

The gods might be immortal, but this novel is timely. Aphrodite as a character is multifaceted. She is not just the goddess of love, she is the embodiments of power, ambition, and wit. She is flawed, petty, and loves manipulation more than she enjoys love. Filled with sarcastic charm, Aphrodite is like the chaotic friend that is slightly overstimulating to catch up with but wholly entertaining. It’s worth reading and worshipping.

Gods, I love Phoenicia Rogerson.

I never shut up about Herc, right? I think it's the most original, most refreshing, most clever retelling we've had in years. There are other great retellings, sure, and I love them too, but they follow more traditional patterns. Herc was something new and it was something brilliant.

Aphrodite? GUYS 🤯🤯🤯

Everything that made Herc so memorable and distinctive is still here, but somehow even better. Some chapters are laugh-out-loud funny, and then you turn the page and the next chapter makes you cry. Tons of myths are seamlessly woven into the story, in a way that's largely accurate, relevant and entertaining all at once. Some liberties are taken when they make sense and move the story forward, and some stories that are just footnotes in original sources are built on to create convincing plotlines, but overall Phoenicia knows her mythology and you can tell. Many characters get POVs and all have their own personality and feel unique. Herc had many POVs too and I don't even usually love multiple POVs. But Phoenicia does it in a way that feels so clever and playful; like we're piecing together a puzzle, chapter by chapter. And if a few nicknames are a bit more cringy than funny, it would be sad to let that tiny minuscule detail get in the way of your enjoyment.

It's impossible to sum up the story. It's about Aphrodite, yes, but really it's about the whole of Olympus and what came before and what comes after. It's about love and it's about revenge and it's about power and it's about ambition and it's about fate and it's about family and it's about so much more still. Mini spoiler: the relationship between Aphrodite and Prometheus was a highlight for me and made me smile and cry in equal measure.

So yeah. I loved it. No notes. Actually, one note. We need to stop portraying Patroclus as a cute little baby who can't fight. He WAS a cute little baby, but a perfectly deadly one. However, calling him 'relevant because Achilles decided he was' was hilarious and therefore I forgive the 'not very good at fighting' comment.

Anyway. Thank you, Phoenicia. That was awesome. Please never stop writing.

the goddess of love, lies, and long games
✶ PRE-READING ✶

Phoenicia Rogerson took us into Heracles, Megara and Eurystethus’ head in Herc - now we’re going even bigger. Aphrodite is the goddess I’ve been waiting for someone to do right: clever, ambitious, dangerous, and fully aware of the game she’s playing. I’m expecting sharp prose, divine dysfunction, and a feminist streak that bites back.

✶ POST-READING ✶
As I thought... Aphrodite narrates her own myth with wit, venom, and a slippery sort of charm that makes you both root for her and wonder if you’re being played. I loved the way Rogerson dug into the politics of Olympus, showing how love and power intertwine - and how Aphrodite weaponizes both with masterful precision. It’s not a romantic story; it’s a story about romance as strategy, as vulnerability, and as revolt. The prose was lush, biting, and often funny in a “you’re laughing but you’re nervous” kind of way.

It surprised me by...…slowing down in the middle just a touch more than I expected. There were stretches where things got a bit talky or tangled in divine exposition, and I occasionally found myself wishing for a little more doing and a little less explaining. But it never fully lost momentum - I was always ready to see what Aphrodite had planned next.

✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
📚 Circe by Madeline Miller
📺 House of the Dragon (if Rhaenyra was in love with chaos and looked flawless doing it)

✦ MUSIC PAIRING ✦
Because sometimes, the heart of a story plays out like a song.

🎵 Featured Song: “The Archer” – Taylor Swift (because vulnerability as power, baby)
🎶 Vibe Album: Reputation – Taylor Swift (she’s wearing a golden girdle and burning down a throne room, let’s not kid ourselves)
🎧 Artist Rec: BANKS – moody, seductive, with an edge of menace

✧ VIBE CHECK ✧
🎨 Colour Palette: Gold, oxblood, marble white
🎬 Soundtrack: Dark orchestral pop with dramatic strings and a heartbeat bassline
🌾 Season: High summer, storm incoming
😈 Mood: Sly rebellion
🔥 Scent: Myrrh, pomegranate, and danger

★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★
The Empress (Tarot of the 78 Doors)
She’s framed not as a ruler on a throne, but as a woman welcomed by children - open, vulnerable, and full of grace. For all her games and seductions, this Aphrodite longs to be held, not just admired. She wants love to mean home, not war. In this novel, her power isn’t just in beauty - it’s in her desire to belong.

"Is it any wonder I became addicted to beauty? I was drenched in it, every moment of every day."

Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of 'Aphrodite' by Phoenicia Rogerson.

This is such a masterful retelling of Aphrodite - incredibly funny and gripping! I haven't read any of Rogerson's other books but I definitely will after reading this ARC.

"I didn't want to be traded or bartered or demanded. It doesn't seem like very much to ask for, but it was everything. I had to be so much to get that little."

Rogerson re-tells Aphrodite's story in a way that is interesting and hilarious - yet also captures the dark parts of Greek myths without going overboard. I love mythology retellings but sometimes find the sexism and assaults of women a bit hard to read (Yes I know that's a large part of many myths, that doesn't mean we have to glorify it Game of Thrones style!) 'Aphrodite' gets this balance just right - it is tragic how the women in the story are treated at times, but it isn't all that there is to them. It isn't glorified or sexualised.

"I couldn't believe [he] would do this to me, take the thing in the world I was best at, where I was confident and beautiful, and turn it into a place where I was weak. Changing sex for me - it wasn't the intent, but it was the fucking tragedy."

I really enjoyed seeing Aphrodite's journey to Olympus, how she builds herself up and the complicated relationships she makes along the way. The writing is great, Rogerson shows the different character's points of view really well through their chapters, and I loved the little interjected scenes of conversations between people and Aphrodite's footnotes across the book.

Unfortunately the family trees didn't show super well on my kindle, but I am very intrigued by them so will be curious to see them in print!

Thank you Netgalley and HQ for the ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It felt like the characters were talking directly to the reader, and if you know anything about greek mythology is that it is messy, which this book conveys perfectly.

I loved the author notes at the end, explaining why the author chose some directions over others in the story, again with mythology, different sources offer a conflicting information, to provide us with a cohesive narrative.

It was nice to read about a character that is often forgotten about, and I loved how Aphrodite's personality shone throughout.

A really enjoyable read.

ARC Review - DNF @ 35%

I really tried with this one. The writing is lyrical and intentionally fragmented, which I imagine will really hit for some readers - but sadly, it didn’t work for me. While I appreciated the mythological themes and creative risks, the story felt too abstract and emotionally distant for me to connect with. I kept waiting for a moment of clarity or engagement that never came, and at 35%, I decided to step away.

This one just wasn’t for me, but I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy poetic, experimental narratives with a mythic edge.

Phoenicia Rogerson’s Aphrodite is a fierce and fresh reimagining of one of mythology’s most misunderstood figures. Often sidelined as little more than a symbol of beauty or seduction, Aphrodite takes centre stage as a complex, powerful, and emotionally resonant goddess with wit and sharp intelligence.

Rogerson writes with lyrical precision and modern flair, breathing new life into ancient stories. The novel skilfully navigates Aphrodite’s many roles; as a goddess, lover, mother, and sometimes manipulator, while also challenging the patriarchal lens through which myth has traditionally been told. The author’s attention to historical and mythological detail is impressive, but it’s the voice she gives Aphrodite — simultaneously ancient and refreshingly modern — that makes this story sing.

The supporting characters, from Hephaestus to Ares to mortal women caught in divine crossfire, are vivid and well-developed, and the emotional depth Rogerson brings to their interactions adds richness to the narrative. Themes of love, power, autonomy, and identity are handled with nuance.

Why 4 stars instead of 5? Occasionally, the modern tone feels a bit too contemporary, pulling you slightly out of the mythological immersion. And while the pacing is generally strong, there are a few chapters that slow the momentum. Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise good read.

Aphrodite is a compelling feminist retelling that will appeal to fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes. It’s a book that reclaims and reframes the story of a goddess who has too often been reduced to a stereotype and in Rogerson’s hands, she finally gets her due.

I'm really disappointed to say that I couldn't get on with this Aphrodite retelling. As others have pointed out, this feels like quite a juvenile YA type narrative, and feels unfinished to me. I didn't gel with the point of view and didn't end up finishing this. I hope it finds the right audience.