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The Heir of Venus
To the world he's a legend.
To her he's a liar .
Lavinia never asked to be fought over. But now Turnus, her childhood sweetheart, has waged a war that threatens to destroy all she holds dear, because Lavinia's father has promised her to somebody else.
Aeneas, rumoured to be the son of Venus, is famed for his bravery, cunning and his vision for a new great Empire. He is also secretive, slippery, and Lavinia wonders why he will never discuss the past he left behind.
So when a stranger arrives in the camp with stories about Aeneas that suggest he is not what she seems, Lavinia realises she has to take her future, and that of her people, into her own hands.
To her he's a liar .
Lavinia never asked to be fought over. But now Turnus, her childhood sweetheart, has waged a war that threatens to destroy all she holds dear, because Lavinia's father has promised her to somebody else.
Aeneas, rumoured to be the son of Venus, is famed for his bravery, cunning and his vision for a new great Empire. He is also secretive, slippery, and Lavinia wonders why he will never discuss the past he left behind.
So when a stranger arrives in the camp with stories about Aeneas that suggest he is not what she seems, Lavinia realises she has to take her future, and that of her people, into her own hands.
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2024
62 people are currently reading
11729 people want to read
About the author
Laura Shepperson
2 books129 followersLaura Shepperson was born in the UK and has always been fascinated by myths and myth retellings, studying Classical Studies at the University of Auckland. Her first novel, The Heroines, was a Sunday Times bestseller. In 2017 she was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Prize for Fiction. Laura holds a Master of Studies in Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge. Laura lives outside London with her husband and two children. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @LauraShepperson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
July 26, 2024
3.47!
I almost never read Roman mythology- well like I do read articles and stuff but not retellings and this one fairly surprised me. I won't be giving a big review and I won't call it a novella either because it was more of a novella and read like it and even for an audiobook it was very short. So, I was able to enjoy it way more than I should have. I feel like there were so many names to keep up with and there were certain parts where I would zone out because it felt like it was dragging but there were other moments where it was very enjoyable. I liked that it wasn't from the male pov but more from the female perspective and I liked the we saw the war battle and the whole Trojan horse scene from a women's perspective- meaning that it felt more of an observation. Usually I don't like telling and I like showing more but the FMC was telling us what was happening and it was heavily intertwined with her emotions. It feels like a storybook that someone tells you when you're about to sleep and I definitely think that I enjoyed it more of it because of the audiobook. I didn't really form a solid opinion about the characters because I wasn't able to build that connection with them but it was enjoyable to read about them. It's like the story heavily follow Aeneus but his story is not told through his pov but rather the women related to him but I liked the glimpses of romance that we got and men fighting over women 🤭 always fun to read about that!
Overall, an enjoyable read that would be well served as a pallette cleanser.
___
An audiobook of a Roman myth retelling is exactly what I need 🙂↕️
thank you dreamscapes for giving me a audio arc in exchange for a review
I almost never read Roman mythology- well like I do read articles and stuff but not retellings and this one fairly surprised me. I won't be giving a big review and I won't call it a novella either because it was more of a novella and read like it and even for an audiobook it was very short. So, I was able to enjoy it way more than I should have. I feel like there were so many names to keep up with and there were certain parts where I would zone out because it felt like it was dragging but there were other moments where it was very enjoyable. I liked that it wasn't from the male pov but more from the female perspective and I liked the we saw the war battle and the whole Trojan horse scene from a women's perspective- meaning that it felt more of an observation. Usually I don't like telling and I like showing more but the FMC was telling us what was happening and it was heavily intertwined with her emotions. It feels like a storybook that someone tells you when you're about to sleep and I definitely think that I enjoyed it more of it because of the audiobook. I didn't really form a solid opinion about the characters because I wasn't able to build that connection with them but it was enjoyable to read about them. It's like the story heavily follow Aeneus but his story is not told through his pov but rather the women related to him but I liked the glimpses of romance that we got and men fighting over women 🤭 always fun to read about that!
Overall, an enjoyable read that would be well served as a pallette cleanser.
___
An audiobook of a Roman myth retelling is exactly what I need 🙂↕️
thank you dreamscapes for giving me a audio arc in exchange for a review
August 11, 2024
3.75⭐️
“ ‘He led us out of the burning city of Troy and guided us across the ocean to this fertile land. He had cared for us almost as well as he has cared for his own son.’ ”
‘He’s going to found the new Troy, and be the father of many generations of our children. We owe everything to him. Without Father Aeneas, the Greeks would have destroyed everything that is Trojan.’ ”
Set in years after the Trojan War, The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson is a feminist reimagining of the story of Aeneas, the son of the Trojan prince Anchises and Venus (Roman equivalent to the Greek goddess Aphrodite), a demigod who escaped the fallen city with his infant son Ascanius, his aging father and several other survivors.
The narrative is non-linear and is presented in alternating perspectives of the women whose lives and fates were intertwined with Aeneas’s; his wife Creusa who was left behind in the burning city and who was the daughter of Trojan King Priam and Hekuba; and Lavinia, princess of Laurentum where Aeneas and the Trojans set up camp and whom Aeneas is to marry; and from Anna, a mysterious traveler, who tells the story of Queen Dido of Tyre, who founded Carthage and for whose tragic fate Anna hold the Trojan prince responsible and strangely enough, whose story Aeneas has neglected to share while he talked of his travels.
Lavinia’s perspective describes how her life and destiny and that of Laurentum change after Aeneas’s arrival. I was immersed as the narrative follows Lavinia’s thoughts and emotions as the events in Laurentum unfold - Aeneas’s agreement with her father King Latinus, his friction with Prince Turnus of Rutuli, Lavinia’s childhood friend who had hoped to marry her and the war that ensued. I was sympathetic to her situation and her pain and disillusionment are palpable as she is forced to accept that despite her being her father’s only child and having participated with her father in his role as ruler, her father’s plans for her to support her ambitions. I applauded her efforts to accept her father’s decisions but on her own terms.
The prose is beautiful and as a fan of Greek mythology (and retellings), I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The narrative is consistently paced and flows well. The structure of the novel works well to tell the story and allow us to see Aeneas as a person, with his strengths and flaws, as perceived by the women who knew him best. I liked that each chapter began with a quote from the source material. I appreciate that the author has given a voice to these women whose stories are often relegated to the background in the interest of glorifying the heroes of the Greek myths. Dido, Creusa and Lavinia not only present facets of the Greek hero revered for his origins and the prophecy that guided his actions, but they are women who deserve to have their stories told and the author has done a commendable job in this regard.
However, I thought that too much of the narrative was presented through telling rather than showing. I would have preferred that Aeneas’s adventures post the Trojan War before his arrival at Laurentum had been described in more detail. However, the telling of past events will provide those not conversant with the key players and crucial details of the Trojan War with a well-rounded, albeit brief, background to Aeneas’s story.
I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Frances Butt, who has done a brilliant job of voicing these characters and breathing life into this story. The audio narration certainly elevated my overall experience.
Many thanks to Alcove Press for the digital review copy and Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
“ ‘He led us out of the burning city of Troy and guided us across the ocean to this fertile land. He had cared for us almost as well as he has cared for his own son.’ ”
‘He’s going to found the new Troy, and be the father of many generations of our children. We owe everything to him. Without Father Aeneas, the Greeks would have destroyed everything that is Trojan.’ ”
Set in years after the Trojan War, The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson is a feminist reimagining of the story of Aeneas, the son of the Trojan prince Anchises and Venus (Roman equivalent to the Greek goddess Aphrodite), a demigod who escaped the fallen city with his infant son Ascanius, his aging father and several other survivors.
The narrative is non-linear and is presented in alternating perspectives of the women whose lives and fates were intertwined with Aeneas’s; his wife Creusa who was left behind in the burning city and who was the daughter of Trojan King Priam and Hekuba; and Lavinia, princess of Laurentum where Aeneas and the Trojans set up camp and whom Aeneas is to marry; and from Anna, a mysterious traveler, who tells the story of Queen Dido of Tyre, who founded Carthage and for whose tragic fate Anna hold the Trojan prince responsible and strangely enough, whose story Aeneas has neglected to share while he talked of his travels.
Lavinia’s perspective describes how her life and destiny and that of Laurentum change after Aeneas’s arrival. I was immersed as the narrative follows Lavinia’s thoughts and emotions as the events in Laurentum unfold - Aeneas’s agreement with her father King Latinus, his friction with Prince Turnus of Rutuli, Lavinia’s childhood friend who had hoped to marry her and the war that ensued. I was sympathetic to her situation and her pain and disillusionment are palpable as she is forced to accept that despite her being her father’s only child and having participated with her father in his role as ruler, her father’s plans for her to support her ambitions. I applauded her efforts to accept her father’s decisions but on her own terms.
The prose is beautiful and as a fan of Greek mythology (and retellings), I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The narrative is consistently paced and flows well. The structure of the novel works well to tell the story and allow us to see Aeneas as a person, with his strengths and flaws, as perceived by the women who knew him best. I liked that each chapter began with a quote from the source material. I appreciate that the author has given a voice to these women whose stories are often relegated to the background in the interest of glorifying the heroes of the Greek myths. Dido, Creusa and Lavinia not only present facets of the Greek hero revered for his origins and the prophecy that guided his actions, but they are women who deserve to have their stories told and the author has done a commendable job in this regard.
However, I thought that too much of the narrative was presented through telling rather than showing. I would have preferred that Aeneas’s adventures post the Trojan War before his arrival at Laurentum had been described in more detail. However, the telling of past events will provide those not conversant with the key players and crucial details of the Trojan War with a well-rounded, albeit brief, background to Aeneas’s story.
I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Frances Butt, who has done a brilliant job of voicing these characters and breathing life into this story. The audio narration certainly elevated my overall experience.
Many thanks to Alcove Press for the digital review copy and Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
August 4, 2024
I liked this more than Phaedra!
I was always fascinated by retellings of known stories, traveling to the familiar places told from another perspective, other authors understanding.
This time is about The Aeneid by Virgil: Aeneas, son of Aphrodite, from three women's points of view of his life.
Kreousa, his first wife and mother of his son, tells Aeneas in the time of the Trojan War. She was the daughter of Priam and Hecuba.
Dido and the story of Aeneas's voyage to Carthage.
Lavinia, the main narrator of this book, tells the conclusion of this journey to Italy.
I think Laura Shepperson was more touching in her second myth story, but still I wish there were more details about the characters' relationships and perhaps more about the Trojan War and its impact.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for giving me the chance to listen to this advanced copy audiobook!
Duration: 8 Hours, 11 Minutes
Publication Date: August 6, 2024
I was always fascinated by retellings of known stories, traveling to the familiar places told from another perspective, other authors understanding.
This time is about The Aeneid by Virgil: Aeneas, son of Aphrodite, from three women's points of view of his life.
Kreousa, his first wife and mother of his son, tells Aeneas in the time of the Trojan War. She was the daughter of Priam and Hecuba.
Dido and the story of Aeneas's voyage to Carthage.
Lavinia, the main narrator of this book, tells the conclusion of this journey to Italy.
I think Laura Shepperson was more touching in her second myth story, but still I wish there were more details about the characters' relationships and perhaps more about the Trojan War and its impact.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for giving me the chance to listen to this advanced copy audiobook!
Duration: 8 Hours, 11 Minutes
Publication Date: August 6, 2024
July 4, 2024
This is a compelling, powerful and hugely readable novel, exploring the myth of Aeneas from the perspective of the women his life collided with. I just adore the way Laura Shepperson writes.
August 22, 2024
I have never been so disappointed by a book, like ever. Such a wonderful idea - compiling the stories of Aeneas through the perspectives of the different female figures of his life - Lavinia, Dido, and Creusa - in a modern retelling. Unfortunately, Shepperson failed to deliver.
I think the largest issue here is the prose. It's skeletal, lacking any kind of imagination or engaging imagery. Shepperson drags on and on, hurrying forth as if she's writing a wordy summary for perhaps a far better novel. Seriously, I don't think any descriptions lasted longer than, at most, two sentences. Incredibly boring. On a side note, everything is written passively!! For example: "she found herself being pulled around roughly." Is that seriously the most engaging way you could phrase that? Come on! Just say: Someone pulled her roughly. Way faster! Way better! And another, because I'm still angry about this: "But instead, she felt a sack being slipped over her head, pinning her arms to her sides." I'm sorry, but how did an editor leave that?
There's also no emotion, supplemented by forgettable characters and stilted dialogue. I honestly could not care any less about any of the leading characters. When one of the character's best friends dies, it's described in one (very short) paragraph and then brushed over. Huh?? In what world does that make sense? Yeah, Lavinia "felt" sad. Great! Anything else? No? That's all you have to say about that? Awesome!!
While the prose is the most consistent issue, this author also has a fun habit of using anachronistic language and disregarding historical truths. For example: "professional hairdresser" is actually mentioned in this novel. This is supposed to take place BEFORE ROME WAS ESTABLISHED. Thousands of years ago!! There were no professional hairdressers around then, last time I checked. There also were no "full-length mirrors." Also, wouldn't an "outdoor tan" just be a "tan," considering the Latins didn't have tanning beds in like 800 BCE or so? These are small details, sure, but it really takes a reader out of a story! I don't care if it's mythological! The Romans incorporated this into their history, so treat it like it was their history, you know?
Another note while we're on the historical train. I am all for feminist retellings, but I'm gonna be so real. Not every prominent male character has to be terrible and misogynistic. They really don't. Also, Lavinia is a princess right? So are we just gonna pretend like she hasn't been groomed her entire life for marriage? Of course women of this time period did not have nearly as much freedoms as men, and were indeed oppressed, but I'm not entirely sure a PRINCESS would be complaining about a lack of power. She's probably the most empowered of the women in her society, so work with that instead of pulling the shallow unnuanced take that "my life sucks because I have to give birth." That's stupid. She is a powerful woman, so MAKE her powerful. So lame.
Ok. I'm done now. But I'm still angry. This is longest review I've ever posted on Goodreads. If you're reading this, I urge you - don't waste your time on this. It's really not worth the 300 pages of boredom.
I think the largest issue here is the prose. It's skeletal, lacking any kind of imagination or engaging imagery. Shepperson drags on and on, hurrying forth as if she's writing a wordy summary for perhaps a far better novel. Seriously, I don't think any descriptions lasted longer than, at most, two sentences. Incredibly boring. On a side note, everything is written passively!! For example: "she found herself being pulled around roughly." Is that seriously the most engaging way you could phrase that? Come on! Just say: Someone pulled her roughly. Way faster! Way better! And another, because I'm still angry about this: "But instead, she felt a sack being slipped over her head, pinning her arms to her sides." I'm sorry, but how did an editor leave that?
There's also no emotion, supplemented by forgettable characters and stilted dialogue. I honestly could not care any less about any of the leading characters. When one of the character's best friends dies, it's described in one (very short) paragraph and then brushed over. Huh?? In what world does that make sense? Yeah, Lavinia "felt" sad. Great! Anything else? No? That's all you have to say about that? Awesome!!
While the prose is the most consistent issue, this author also has a fun habit of using anachronistic language and disregarding historical truths. For example: "professional hairdresser" is actually mentioned in this novel. This is supposed to take place BEFORE ROME WAS ESTABLISHED. Thousands of years ago!! There were no professional hairdressers around then, last time I checked. There also were no "full-length mirrors." Also, wouldn't an "outdoor tan" just be a "tan," considering the Latins didn't have tanning beds in like 800 BCE or so? These are small details, sure, but it really takes a reader out of a story! I don't care if it's mythological! The Romans incorporated this into their history, so treat it like it was their history, you know?
Another note while we're on the historical train. I am all for feminist retellings, but I'm gonna be so real. Not every prominent male character has to be terrible and misogynistic. They really don't. Also, Lavinia is a princess right? So are we just gonna pretend like she hasn't been groomed her entire life for marriage? Of course women of this time period did not have nearly as much freedoms as men, and were indeed oppressed, but I'm not entirely sure a PRINCESS would be complaining about a lack of power. She's probably the most empowered of the women in her society, so work with that instead of pulling the shallow unnuanced take that "my life sucks because I have to give birth." That's stupid. She is a powerful woman, so MAKE her powerful. So lame.
Ok. I'm done now. But I'm still angry. This is longest review I've ever posted on Goodreads. If you're reading this, I urge you - don't waste your time on this. It's really not worth the 300 pages of boredom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2024
The Heir of Venus is a retelling of Lavina from Roman Mythology and the Aeneid by Virgil that captures the female characters' perspectives.
Lavina's father promises her hand in marriage to Aeneas, which angers her childhood sweatheart, Turnus. Turnus, determined to marry Lavina, wages war on Aeneas and the Trojans. Aeneas, rumored to be the son of Venus, has a slippery past and is known for his bravery and cunning.
Lavina soon realizes that to save everything she holds dear, she must take her future into her own hands.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Alcove Press for early access to read The Heir of Venus in exchange for an honest review. It was refreshing to have a Roman mythology retelling thrown in amongst all the Greek ones.
Lavina's father promises her hand in marriage to Aeneas, which angers her childhood sweatheart, Turnus. Turnus, determined to marry Lavina, wages war on Aeneas and the Trojans. Aeneas, rumored to be the son of Venus, has a slippery past and is known for his bravery and cunning.
Lavina soon realizes that to save everything she holds dear, she must take her future into her own hands.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Alcove Press for early access to read The Heir of Venus in exchange for an honest review. It was refreshing to have a Roman mythology retelling thrown in amongst all the Greek ones.
January 23, 2025
Back again! I really do love this genre of fiction, despite how the myth-retelling treadmill churns out some rubbish. I love the anachronism; re-receiving characters who I’ve already construed from a discourse of previously encountered receptions, and then reconstructing them all over again. Heir of Venus let me play this game with a relatively unfamiliar roster; Lavinia, Dido, Creusa (and to a lesser extent, Aeneas).
Shepperson’s prose is bland. Practically devoid of imagery, with only a passive commentary of events. All the male characters are petulant. Paris and (somewhat) Aeneas, sure. But Hektor? I’m not convinced. More importantly, Dido’s and Creusa’s narratives are made subservient to Lavinia’s. I accept the necessity of padding out Virgil’s limited descriptions, but here the more interesting stories of Creusa and Dido are totally diluted by their being enlisted into elaborating Lavinia. It’s not much of a trade. Lavinia remains the least interesting of the trio while Creusa’s ghost and Dido’s suicide are largely brushed past.
The other big thing in my head is that Ursula Le Guin did it better. I know… big shoes! But Le Guin is able to take Lavinia’s perspective beyond the timeframe of the Aeneid, beyond Aeneas’ life and death. For instance, the Lavinia of Le Guin interacts with her own textuality by conversing with the shade of her mythographer, Virgil, and even metamorphosing into an owl in a truly beautiful moment. Meanwhile, Shepperson’s only real connecting theme is Aeneas himself, meaning that in an ironic way Heir of Venus continues to pedestal the phallocentrism which it endeavours to undermine. We’re giving autonomy to overlooked female voices, so why tether their narratives to the longevity of their husbands? The point is that these stories are *not* history, use it.
Shepperson’s prose is bland. Practically devoid of imagery, with only a passive commentary of events. All the male characters are petulant. Paris and (somewhat) Aeneas, sure. But Hektor? I’m not convinced. More importantly, Dido’s and Creusa’s narratives are made subservient to Lavinia’s. I accept the necessity of padding out Virgil’s limited descriptions, but here the more interesting stories of Creusa and Dido are totally diluted by their being enlisted into elaborating Lavinia. It’s not much of a trade. Lavinia remains the least interesting of the trio while Creusa’s ghost and Dido’s suicide are largely brushed past.
The other big thing in my head is that Ursula Le Guin did it better. I know… big shoes! But Le Guin is able to take Lavinia’s perspective beyond the timeframe of the Aeneid, beyond Aeneas’ life and death. For instance, the Lavinia of Le Guin interacts with her own textuality by conversing with the shade of her mythographer, Virgil, and even metamorphosing into an owl in a truly beautiful moment. Meanwhile, Shepperson’s only real connecting theme is Aeneas himself, meaning that in an ironic way Heir of Venus continues to pedestal the phallocentrism which it endeavours to undermine. We’re giving autonomy to overlooked female voices, so why tether their narratives to the longevity of their husbands? The point is that these stories are *not* history, use it.
October 10, 2024
3.75 ⭐
Format : Audiobook 🎧
Narrator : Frances Butt
My relationship with mythological retellings has always been a bit of hit and miss. I find them to lack color and flavour as they get restricted to original source material. But the same thing worked in favour for this one. It focuses on less known (atleast for me) characters of Roman mythology and hence could enjoy this as a fresh story.
By the way, do not get confused by the book cover and blurb, this is not about a women hero. Instead, its story of Aeneas (the heir of Venus), a demigod who is prophesied to establish a new city, Troy after the events of the infamous Trojan war. What makes it interesting is that his story is shown to us through eyes of women in his life. They are not the 'hero', they are princesses but not powerful, they are love interest or just a political alliance, but as its rightly said, 'emotional depth that women bring is irreplaceable' and thats what they bring to this larger than life, (demi)god story. Its a story of love, loss and choices and only women's perspective could have done the best justice to narrate it.
Its a non linear narrative fluctuating between various stages of Aeneas's life. Its meshed well and never gets confusing, credit to audio narrator too on that front.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Verdict : Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller
Format : Audiobook 🎧
Narrator : Frances Butt
My relationship with mythological retellings has always been a bit of hit and miss. I find them to lack color and flavour as they get restricted to original source material. But the same thing worked in favour for this one. It focuses on less known (atleast for me) characters of Roman mythology and hence could enjoy this as a fresh story.
By the way, do not get confused by the book cover and blurb, this is not about a women hero. Instead, its story of Aeneas (the heir of Venus), a demigod who is prophesied to establish a new city, Troy after the events of the infamous Trojan war. What makes it interesting is that his story is shown to us through eyes of women in his life. They are not the 'hero', they are princesses but not powerful, they are love interest or just a political alliance, but as its rightly said, 'emotional depth that women bring is irreplaceable' and thats what they bring to this larger than life, (demi)god story. Its a story of love, loss and choices and only women's perspective could have done the best justice to narrate it.
Its a non linear narrative fluctuating between various stages of Aeneas's life. Its meshed well and never gets confusing, credit to audio narrator too on that front.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Verdict : Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller
Want to read
May 29, 2024as little as i like a lot of modern/new myth retellings. i can't NOT read this
July 20, 2025
Book Title: The Heir of Venus
Author: Laura Shepperson
Narrator: Frances Butt
Genre: Mythological Retelling, Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 6 August 2024
Rating: ★★★★☆
I received a free audiobook copy from Dreamscape Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Introduction
💖 The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson is a masterful feminist retelling of the myth of Aeneas, told from the perspectives of the multiple women who are often relegated to the background of his legend, yet here they are the main characters, vocally sharing their side of the story. With its lyrical prose and thoughtful exploration of love, sacrifice, and fate, it offers a fresh and impactful take on a classic story.
Follow me on my Substack to be the first who reads the review!
Author: Laura Shepperson
Narrator: Frances Butt
Genre: Mythological Retelling, Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 6 August 2024
Rating: ★★★★☆
I received a free audiobook copy from Dreamscape Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Introduction
💖 The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson is a masterful feminist retelling of the myth of Aeneas, told from the perspectives of the multiple women who are often relegated to the background of his legend, yet here they are the main characters, vocally sharing their side of the story. With its lyrical prose and thoughtful exploration of love, sacrifice, and fate, it offers a fresh and impactful take on a classic story.
Follow me on my Substack to be the first who reads the review!
July 25, 2024
The Heir of Venus portrays the POVs of multiple women whose stories are interwoven with Aeneas’ life pre and post Trojan War. The narrative follows a non-linear timeline that allows you to better grasp what’s next while greedily wishing for more time in the past. This dichotomy of the past and the sections with Princess Lavinia gives you feelings of uneasiness as you read. At some points you’re seemingly ahead of her but simultaneously just as in the dark about the unknowns of Aeneas’ past. It’s unsettling and intriguing!
A favorite theme of mine was Lavinia’s strive for purposefulness despite the obstacles she faces, it helps showcase why these retellings can be so powerful.
A small detail I enjoyed was the author’s choice to include quotes translated from the epics, it pays homage to the original works while setting the scene for the retelling!
I want to thank Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with access to this ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.
A favorite theme of mine was Lavinia’s strive for purposefulness despite the obstacles she faces, it helps showcase why these retellings can be so powerful.
A small detail I enjoyed was the author’s choice to include quotes translated from the epics, it pays homage to the original works while setting the scene for the retelling!
I want to thank Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with access to this ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 6, 2024
This was a beautifully and lyrically written feminist mythology retelling. I binged this over the weekend and really enjoyed it. Filled with complex characters trying to figure out the meaning of life and love, this one is sure to please lovers of the genre.
Tysm Alcove Press for the ARC!
Tysm Alcove Press for the ARC!
June 5, 2025
dido deserved better than this……
tired of “feminist” retellings that are only interested in fleshing out one particular woma. creusa is a dead wife montage, dido & anna are delusional and manipulative, and amata is absent and crazy. i don’t even like how she writes lavinia!! by stunting every other woman in this story, the one at the center of it all becomes insufferable.
it’s also crazy what she does with aeneas. if she wants him to be the villain or antagonist of this story, i can get behind that. but what is the point in spending 75% of your book painting a character in a negative light only for the main character to decide he’s actually a pretty good guy in the eleventh hour.
at the very least, this made me want to re read the aeneid because i realized it’s been so long since i actually read the second half.
tired of “feminist” retellings that are only interested in fleshing out one particular woma. creusa is a dead wife montage, dido & anna are delusional and manipulative, and amata is absent and crazy. i don’t even like how she writes lavinia!! by stunting every other woman in this story, the one at the center of it all becomes insufferable.
it’s also crazy what she does with aeneas. if she wants him to be the villain or antagonist of this story, i can get behind that. but what is the point in spending 75% of your book painting a character in a negative light only for the main character to decide he’s actually a pretty good guy in the eleventh hour.
at the very least, this made me want to re read the aeneid because i realized it’s been so long since i actually read the second half.
April 2, 2025
I’m normally a fan of Laura Shepperson, it this time the story has disappointed me. It seemed really flat and failed to bring the narrative or characters to life. I prefer her originals stories. Many thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this book.
July 12, 2024
I had high hopes for this book and for the most part, it did not disappoint. When Lavinia’s father announces that she is to marry Aeneas, Turnus, her childhood friend, threatens war believing that he would marry her (a fact that neither Lavinia nor her father were not aware of). As the war rages on, Lavinia has to deal with the guilt of being the cause, even involuntarily of the conflict. She also slowly learns about her betrothed’s secret past further complicated her path forward.
What I liked about this book was Lavinia. As her parent’s only child, she expected to be queen - now she’s being fought over by two men neither of which she particularly cares for at the start. This indifference towards her suitors contrasts with her care for her people. Being a woman however, her power is limited so we wait to see what/if any change she could actually bring.
Another thing I liked about the book is that the mystery of Aeneas’s past is told through other women. These perspectives further the story while also bringing other women into the light, women who might have also been relegated to the footnote of history.
It was a bit tricky with the audiobook to keep track of all the names at the start, but as I made my way through the book, that became less of a problem.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Laura Shepperson for the advanced copy of the audiobook!
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5
What I liked about this book was Lavinia. As her parent’s only child, she expected to be queen - now she’s being fought over by two men neither of which she particularly cares for at the start. This indifference towards her suitors contrasts with her care for her people. Being a woman however, her power is limited so we wait to see what/if any change she could actually bring.
Another thing I liked about the book is that the mystery of Aeneas’s past is told through other women. These perspectives further the story while also bringing other women into the light, women who might have also been relegated to the footnote of history.
It was a bit tricky with the audiobook to keep track of all the names at the start, but as I made my way through the book, that became less of a problem.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Laura Shepperson for the advanced copy of the audiobook!
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5
July 25, 2024
This made me realize how, even though I’ve read and listened to many mythological stories, that I’ve only nicked the tip of the iceberg.
I have heard portions of stories of the women in this tale, but it’s so interesting to see those stories from what could be their perspectives as it brings them to life in a new way.
There was empathy for all the characters in the way that they were written; it was not solely to highlight the women and bash the men. It showed a more vulnerable side to characters and their inner workings.
It was interesting how the women’s lives were woven together: in a non-linear, multi-pov way. It made certain things click at different times of their lives.
Thank you so much to the author, Laura Shepperson, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an audio arc of The Heir of Venus!
I have heard portions of stories of the women in this tale, but it’s so interesting to see those stories from what could be their perspectives as it brings them to life in a new way.
There was empathy for all the characters in the way that they were written; it was not solely to highlight the women and bash the men. It showed a more vulnerable side to characters and their inner workings.
It was interesting how the women’s lives were woven together: in a non-linear, multi-pov way. It made certain things click at different times of their lives.
Thank you so much to the author, Laura Shepperson, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an audio arc of The Heir of Venus!
August 16, 2024
The Heir of Venus - Laura Shepperson
It's a retelling of Aeneas in feminist prose. I wasn't blown away. I think a lot of these retellings tend to be a little samey and this one didn't offer up anything original in its retelling in my personal opinion. The writing was good, don't get me wrong but I was hoping for some magic. It's on par with others I have read but you can only read so many of these kinds of books without feeling like you have read them all.
I thought they did a great job of bringing the characters to life and I did enjoy the book, I just needed a lot more sparkle. Might just be my fault for setting the bar too high haha! If you like fairytale retellings, you will most likely love this one. I think I am just being difficult. 3.75 stars
It's a retelling of Aeneas in feminist prose. I wasn't blown away. I think a lot of these retellings tend to be a little samey and this one didn't offer up anything original in its retelling in my personal opinion. The writing was good, don't get me wrong but I was hoping for some magic. It's on par with others I have read but you can only read so many of these kinds of books without feeling like you have read them all.
I thought they did a great job of bringing the characters to life and I did enjoy the book, I just needed a lot more sparkle. Might just be my fault for setting the bar too high haha! If you like fairytale retellings, you will most likely love this one. I think I am just being difficult. 3.75 stars
July 25, 2025
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for gifted access to this audiobook. All opinions below are my own.
I spent a good year of my life translating the Aenid from Latin into English so I feel like I've tread through Aeneus's life quite a bit. This reminded me a lot of The Women of Troy, it touches on Aeneus but really focuses more on the women in his life and the lead up to the war, through the war to the end. I enjoyed it but didn't find much new as someone who was pretty well versed on this particular story. Would have liked more of the Venus influence as the name suggested, it was more historical fiction than mythology.
I spent a good year of my life translating the Aenid from Latin into English so I feel like I've tread through Aeneus's life quite a bit. This reminded me a lot of The Women of Troy, it touches on Aeneus but really focuses more on the women in his life and the lead up to the war, through the war to the end. I enjoyed it but didn't find much new as someone who was pretty well versed on this particular story. Would have liked more of the Venus influence as the name suggested, it was more historical fiction than mythology.
June 8, 2025
Another cracking retelling of the Greek myth from a woman's POV.
October 22, 2024
Really enjoyed- complex characters. Uses an unconventional narrative structure with three timelines happening at once, that enhances the story telling.
May 14, 2025
I've never read the Aeneid so I have no idea what happens in there. As a result, I could not compare this to anything remotely similar. I would have liked it a little bit more if Aeneas turned out to be a little scoundrel instead of just misunderstood. I liked that there were perspectives from all three of his situationships.
April 2, 2025
This is my first time reading a reimagined Roman story about Aeneas, the demigod son of Trojan prince Anchises and the goddess Venus. Aeneas is a hero who escapes the Trojan War with his son and other survivors.
The story is told from the perspectives of three women whose lives intertwine with Aeneas: Creusa, Lavinia, and Anna, who recounts the tale of Queen Dido. Through their eyes and words, we as readers learn about the true man behind the legendary name.
I love the author's storytelling style. She delivers the plot smoothly, making it easy to follow. The shifts between perspectives feel similar in tone but still serve the story’s purpose. The pacing is slower than my usual preference, but it remains enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley and Sphere from Little Brown Book Group UK for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting release date : 15 August 2024
July 31, 2024
The Heir of Venus is a myth retelling of the story or Aeneas but told in the point of view of the women in his life. I was initially intrigued by this book because I rarely read Roman myth and have little knowledge to what happened to the Trojans after the war. The story itself and the myth is what kept me interested and made me carrying on reading.
However, the writing style was very choppy and clumsy and the overall plot felt bland. I also found whenever the characters were angry, it came off very childish? I think it was mainly how it was written and portrayed but it felt like I was reading about children arguing; very dramatic and overdone.
There was also a lot of spelling/grammatical mistakes throughout. Also a lot of inconsistencies in using Roman/Greek god names which was annoying.
Overall, the story had so much potential but ended up not enjoying it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
However, the writing style was very choppy and clumsy and the overall plot felt bland. I also found whenever the characters were angry, it came off very childish? I think it was mainly how it was written and portrayed but it felt like I was reading about children arguing; very dramatic and overdone.
There was also a lot of spelling/grammatical mistakes throughout. Also a lot of inconsistencies in using Roman/Greek god names which was annoying.
Overall, the story had so much potential but ended up not enjoying it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2024
I'm a big fan of ancient Rome and Roman mythology and the Aeneid specifically, so I was super excited to pick this up. Unfortunately, I don't think the storytelling was super effective. Although I liked the concept of The Heir of Venus—a character study on Aeneas through the eyes of his three wives—the prose was dry at best and laughably weak at worst.
So many times are we told "she felt __" or "she thought __" without actually showing said feelings and thoughts. It constantly feels like we're not properly in the characters' heads, but instead floating somewhere outside, detached from their emotions and the book's events. There's a scene here where one of the characters gets kidnapped, but it's described in such a peaceful, disengaged manner that you'd think she was just rolling out of bed or something. I wanted to like these characters, I wanted to feel invested, but the writing style just made it impossible.
I can tell from the Author's Note that Shepperson put a lot of thought into researching the history and mythology of Aeneas' story, so I appreciate that!! But a lot of ancient history (by nature) tends to be fragmented, and I could really tell from this book's narrative. Or, lack thereof. The way that Aeneas' story is strung along doesn't feel cohesive at all. There's no central plot—which would be fine if there was any overarching theme that connected Creusa, Dido, and Lavinia's POVs together. But there isn't. The book ends abruptly (basically at where the Aeneid ends), and I'm left wondering at what the point here really was. I can see the vision, but overall, The Heir of Venus felt incomplete and unfulfilling.
tl;dr: just read Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin instead
So many times are we told "she felt __" or "she thought __" without actually showing said feelings and thoughts. It constantly feels like we're not properly in the characters' heads, but instead floating somewhere outside, detached from their emotions and the book's events. There's a scene here where one of the characters gets kidnapped, but it's described in such a peaceful, disengaged manner that you'd think she was just rolling out of bed or something. I wanted to like these characters, I wanted to feel invested, but the writing style just made it impossible.
I can tell from the Author's Note that Shepperson put a lot of thought into researching the history and mythology of Aeneas' story, so I appreciate that!! But a lot of ancient history (by nature) tends to be fragmented, and I could really tell from this book's narrative. Or, lack thereof. The way that Aeneas' story is strung along doesn't feel cohesive at all. There's no central plot—which would be fine if there was any overarching theme that connected Creusa, Dido, and Lavinia's POVs together. But there isn't. The book ends abruptly (basically at where the Aeneid ends), and I'm left wondering at what the point here really was. I can see the vision, but overall, The Heir of Venus felt incomplete and unfulfilling.
tl;dr: just read Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin instead
August 5, 2024
The Heir of Venus tells the story of three women, connected by their relationship with the Trojan hero, Aeneas. It gives a rich voice to their lives, often shadowed by the men that surround them.
I really enjoyed this audiobook, not only was the narration good, but the writing was lyrical and easy to listen to. Sometimes following different timelines and characters can be overwhelming or have one story that is lacklustre. In that regard I found The Heir of Venus to be well-balanced. All of the characters were interesting and added to the plot in their own way - there weren’t any chapters I wanted to skip. Also, I just really love any story with mythology, so this was the perfect book for me. I will say that two of the main female characters were very similar, the only thing making them different being their external environments, but it didn’t bother me (in fact I think it was done on purpose).
If you like mythology, give this book a try! It releases on the 6th of August.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this audiobook, not only was the narration good, but the writing was lyrical and easy to listen to. Sometimes following different timelines and characters can be overwhelming or have one story that is lacklustre. In that regard I found The Heir of Venus to be well-balanced. All of the characters were interesting and added to the plot in their own way - there weren’t any chapters I wanted to skip. Also, I just really love any story with mythology, so this was the perfect book for me. I will say that two of the main female characters were very similar, the only thing making them different being their external environments, but it didn’t bother me (in fact I think it was done on purpose).
If you like mythology, give this book a try! It releases on the 6th of August.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2024
Following the life of Lavina and Aeneas, the story is narrated in 3 different timelines. The current state where Lavina was promised to Turnus, but her father has now changed his mind and decided to marry her to a better suitor coming from across the sea (Aeaneas). This triggers yet another war, that Lavina wants no part of but is now stuck as the centre-piece.
Aeneas(Son of Venus) has survived Troy but refuses to discuss his past & his secretive nature only compels her to dig more as she comes across a storyteller from a foreign land who knows it all. The tale is woven across prophecies and the lives of humans dangling in the direction of God's plan.
This one is for the fans of Greek Mythology, who would enjoy discovering characters and their stories beyond the Troy Heros. The world back then left little freedom for women, but that never seems to have diminished their will to play a key role following the significant events of history.
Genre: Greek Mythology
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Aeneas(Son of Venus) has survived Troy but refuses to discuss his past & his secretive nature only compels her to dig more as she comes across a storyteller from a foreign land who knows it all. The tale is woven across prophecies and the lives of humans dangling in the direction of God's plan.
This one is for the fans of Greek Mythology, who would enjoy discovering characters and their stories beyond the Troy Heros. The world back then left little freedom for women, but that never seems to have diminished their will to play a key role following the significant events of history.
Genre: Greek Mythology
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
August 4, 2024
I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a retelling of the story of the story of Aeneas told through the voices of three women in his life -- one being his first wife as they lifve through the strojan war, one being Lavinia who would be his mext wife, and the last voice belongs to someone from in-between both women, who knows about part of his past that he keeps hidden.
The main character in this -- Lavinia -- helps Aeneas as he strives to fulfill the prophecy given by Venus, and even though she doesn't have much agency to make her own choices or form her own opinion on Aeneas without the help of others, she grows into a person who is willing to help in order to change her own fate. I enjoyed this retelling, and I find it was done in a way that was easy to get into. The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job bringing this book to life.
Overall, I found this to be enjoyable and would recommend to anyone who enjoys Roman mythology.
This was a retelling of the story of the story of Aeneas told through the voices of three women in his life -- one being his first wife as they lifve through the strojan war, one being Lavinia who would be his mext wife, and the last voice belongs to someone from in-between both women, who knows about part of his past that he keeps hidden.
The main character in this -- Lavinia -- helps Aeneas as he strives to fulfill the prophecy given by Venus, and even though she doesn't have much agency to make her own choices or form her own opinion on Aeneas without the help of others, she grows into a person who is willing to help in order to change her own fate. I enjoyed this retelling, and I find it was done in a way that was easy to get into. The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job bringing this book to life.
Overall, I found this to be enjoyable and would recommend to anyone who enjoys Roman mythology.
June 16, 2024
Mythology based, multiple pov, Trojan war and aftermath told by women, timeline jumping
Listen, I am a huge fan of retellings. But this book was a bit bland. I love dialogue, with the character interaction driving the story. This books heavily relies on the characters inner thoughts and what’s happening around them to drive the story. I feel like a big thing that kept me going is I’m not that familiar with Anneas story so I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
My favorite thing about this book is that it is told by the perspective of the women that were in his life. Often the retellings and historical records are in a man’s view, so getting to see what his wives, mother, lovers, and women he betrayed was so interesting. I love that trying to find the women’s perspective of history is becoming so popular. I need more!
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove for an early read of this book. All thoughts are my own, I do not accept money for reviews.
Listen, I am a huge fan of retellings. But this book was a bit bland. I love dialogue, with the character interaction driving the story. This books heavily relies on the characters inner thoughts and what’s happening around them to drive the story. I feel like a big thing that kept me going is I’m not that familiar with Anneas story so I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
My favorite thing about this book is that it is told by the perspective of the women that were in his life. Often the retellings and historical records are in a man’s view, so getting to see what his wives, mother, lovers, and women he betrayed was so interesting. I love that trying to find the women’s perspective of history is becoming so popular. I need more!
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove for an early read of this book. All thoughts are my own, I do not accept money for reviews.
August 7, 2024
Thank you Alcove Press for my free ARC of The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson — available Aug 6!
» READ IF YOU «
🏛️ love everything related to mythology retellings
🚺 prefer stories focused on the women
🧘♀️ are looking for a slower, steady pace
» SYNOPSIS «
Aeneas, supposed hero and founder of Rome, has had many women throughout his life who may view him in a different light. Finally, we get to hear their stories and see him through their eyes. Three women star in this retelling of The Aeneid: Lavinia, the intelligent daughter of a king; Creusa, the romantic-hearted princess of Troy; and Dido, the fierce queen of her own people.
» REVIEW «
My expectations for this book were high, as I quite enjoyed Laura Shepperson's last book about Phaedra. I had a great time seeing Aeneas set aside and focusing on the women in his story, but I did find the women themselves to be a little flat and difficult to connect with. There's a lot in here that offers valuable historical/mythological insights, but I wish I had been able to really dive deep into the emotions of the women. Lavinia was my favorite but still a little distant, Creusa was interesting but her story held too much "Trojan War" focus for me, and Dido came off as obsessive and crazy. Well-written and packed with detail, I just wanted a bit more on the character connection side!
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
» READ IF YOU «
🏛️ love everything related to mythology retellings
🚺 prefer stories focused on the women
🧘♀️ are looking for a slower, steady pace
» SYNOPSIS «
Aeneas, supposed hero and founder of Rome, has had many women throughout his life who may view him in a different light. Finally, we get to hear their stories and see him through their eyes. Three women star in this retelling of The Aeneid: Lavinia, the intelligent daughter of a king; Creusa, the romantic-hearted princess of Troy; and Dido, the fierce queen of her own people.
» REVIEW «
My expectations for this book were high, as I quite enjoyed Laura Shepperson's last book about Phaedra. I had a great time seeing Aeneas set aside and focusing on the women in his story, but I did find the women themselves to be a little flat and difficult to connect with. There's a lot in here that offers valuable historical/mythological insights, but I wish I had been able to really dive deep into the emotions of the women. Lavinia was my favorite but still a little distant, Creusa was interesting but her story held too much "Trojan War" focus for me, and Dido came off as obsessive and crazy. Well-written and packed with detail, I just wanted a bit more on the character connection side!
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
July 13, 2024
This book tells the story of the women who were close to Aeneas, the demigod offspring of a human man and the goddess Venus/Aphrodite. I first became interested in the book because it presented a refreshing take on mythology; it was a chance to see the story through the eyes of women, rather than from the perspective of the "hero.” It did take me quite a while to become emotionally invested in the characters (±50% of the book), but I am glad that I persevered. It was lovely to see Lavinia’s character arc from an obedient girl who believed she had no power to a strong woman capable of changing the trajectory of her life and her community. It was less exciting to read about not one, but two, bloody wars fought supposedly for a woman, but in reality for wealth or land. My thanks to the publisher for gifting me the free electronic copy of this book.
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