The Trials of Hercules : Book One of The Osteria Chronicles

In a world where mortals contend with the gods' vengeful jealousy, one man must ask himself if he will risk his life to defend the goddess who has done everything to destroy him.Perfect for fans of Clash of the Titans, as well as historical fantasy fiction by Madeline Miller, Mary Renault, Bernard Cornwell, and S.J.A. Turney, comes this page-turning series that brings the myths of Ancient Greece to life as you've never seen them before.Convicted of three heinous murders, Herc Dion is sentenced to a series of trials that will pit him against formidable monsters, push his physical and mental endurance to the limit, and deliver him to the edge of Hades.Throughout these ordeals, Herc endures the brutal cruelty of Hera, the goddess whose hatred of Herc has blinded her to the near ruin of her realm and to plans that will spell the end of her existence. Realizing Hera has done everything to ruin him, will Herc risk his own life to protect hers?Vividly set in a future Pacific Northwest, this imaginative and absorbing retelling of the legend of Hercules teams with gods and heroes torn between love and jealousy, loyalty and revenge, and rivalry and honor.If you like mythological fantasy fiction full of adventure, romance, heroism, and characters that come to life, you’ll love The Trials of Hercules. In a world where mortals must contend with the gods' cruel jealousy, one man must ask himself if he will risk his own death to protect the goddess who has done everything to destroy his life.What Readers Are Saying....."This book was a pleasant surprise! I was immediately pulled in within the first few pages.""I think this book should be rated as one of the top ten books of the year. I can't emphasize enough how good this book was and how much I enjoyed reading it.""An outstanding book! Very well written, engaging and truly a fun and enjoyable book to read.""This book has many human ideals like heroism, corruption, love, and vindictiveness. I recommend everyone to read this.""This book took the 12 Labors of Hercules and rehashed them into a wonderful and detailed story.""...this book kept me turning pages the whole way through like any guilty pleasure."THE TRIALS OF HERCULESAfter waking to a heinous crime he doesn't remember committing, Herc Dion is sentenced to death by live burial. At the last moment, Eury, leader of the city-state of Portaceae, offers Herc the chance to atone for his crime through a series of trials. Trials that will force him to face monstrous creatures, test his loyalty, and send him to face death itself. Filled with an unshakable sense of duty to Portaceae, Herc readily accepts the risks.Adding to these challenges, Herc endures perpetual cruelty at the hands of Hera, the goddess who is meant to protect Portaceae. Her blinding hatred of Herc has led to the near ruin of her realm and to her ignorance of Eury's true plans that could spell the end of her existence.With the knowledge that Hera has done everything to destroy his life, will Herc risk his own life to protect her and to save Portaceae?BOOK ONE OF THE OSTERIA CHRONICLESThe Osteria Chronicles are a multi-part fantasy series. Set in a future world that resembles the city-states of Ancient Greece, you'll see myths come to life as the heroes of Osteria contend with the whims of the gods "After waking to a heinous crime he doesn't remember committing, Herc Dion is sentenced to death by live burial. At the last moment, Eury, leader of the city-state of Portaceae, offers Herc the chance to atone for his crime through a series of trials. Trials that will force him to face monstrous creatures, test his loyalty, and send him to face death itself. Filled with an unshakable sense of duty to Portaceae, Herc readily accepts the risks. Adding to these challenges, Herc endures perpetual cruelty at the hands of Hera, the goddess who is meant to protect Portaceae. Her blinding hatred of Herc has led to the near ruin of her realm and to her ignorance of Eury's true plans that could spell the end of her existence. With the knowledge that Hera has done everything to destroy his life, will Herc risk his own death to protect her and to save Portaceae?"-- Provided by publisher