My thoughts on Blood of Hercules (Villains of Lore Book 1) by Jasmine Mas

 Blood of Hercules (Villains of Lore Book 1)

By Jasmine Mas

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.

Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In Blood of Hercules, Jasmine Mas reimagines Hercules in a gritty, near-future world where Spartans — powerful, immortal elites — rule, and Titans still roam. The protagonist, Alexis Hert, is a foster child with a stutter and a lot of hidden pain. When a blood test reveals she’s actually part of the elite, she’s thrust into the brutal Spartan War Academy — a gladiatorial school where immortality has to be earned, and everyone around her is dangerous. 

Mas balances dark fantasy, romance, and gallows humour very cleverly. Alexis is sarcastic, real, and wounded — not your typical hero — and her character growth is compelling as she learns to navigate mentors like Achilles and Patro, as well as sinister professors like Kharon and 

 The world-building leans heavily into Greek mythology tropes (gods, Titans, immortals), but it’s twisted into something new and very brutal. 

If you enjoy dark romantasy with a Greek myth twist, morally grey characters, and a strong, imperfect heroine, this is a fun and addictive start to a series. But if you prefer tight world-building and deeply polished prose, this might feel a little rough around the edges

 

My thoughts on The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

The Lost Bookshop

By Evie Woods

The Echo of Old Books meets The Lost Apothecary in this evocative and charming novel full of mystery and secrets.

‘The thing about books,’ she said ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evie Woods weaves a beautifully layered tale in The Lost Bookshop, blending magical realism, historical fiction, and romance across two timelines. 

 In the 1920s, Opaline flees a forced marriage and discovers her passion in a rare-book shop in Paris, eventually setting up a secret bookshop in Dublin. 

 In the present day, Martha, escaping an abusive marriage, and Henry, a scholar searching for a lost manuscript, both find themselves drawn to a mysterious, vanishing bookshop on Ha’penny Lane. 

What’s especially magical about the bookshop is that it seems to have a life of its own — it appears and disappears, and seems to “choose” who can see it. 

 Woods uses subtle, folktale-style magic: for example, Martha wakes up to tree branches growing into her basement room, with books sprouting on the branches. 

Beyond the whimsy, Woods doesn’t shy away from real, difficult themes: there’s domestic abuse, mental health struggles, and a powerful exploration of identity and belonging. 

 The characters feel deeply real — Opaline’s bravery and love for books, Martha’s quest for safety and a new beginning, and Henry’s scholarly obsession all intertwine beautifully.

The Lost Bookshop is a heartfelt love letter to readers, books, and the magical possibilities hidden in everyday life. If you enjoy stories about second chances, literary lore, and a touch of gentle magic, this is a really lovely one to pick up