Aphrodite - by Phoenicia Rogerson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From the award-winning author of Herc, an enrapturing feminist tale that brilliantly reimagines the story of Aphrodite and how she transformed herself from a lowly outsider to the darling goddess of love, for readers of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint.

Aphrodite saw the gods on Mount Olympus and decided she wanted a piece of what they had. Only problem is, she's not a goddess, just a lowly being who's supposed to remain in a distant cave, keeping the threads of Fate woven neatly. But Aphrodite's never let anyone tell her what to do...

Weaving herself a web of lies and careful deceptions, she convinces everyone she's the goddess of love and that her rightful place is among the Olympians, who lord it over everyone else at the top of the world, but under the stifling rule of Zeus. For the first time, she has the best of everything, as well as friends, peers, even loved ones. Only, being a goddess isn't quite like she thought. Those who oppose Zeus tend to disappear, or worse. And one day, Aphrodite decides she's had enough...

"Rogerson's impressive talent leaps from the pages." --Carly Reagon, author of The Toll House, on Herc

Review Quotes

Praise for Aphrodite

"A joyful exploration of one woman's quest for home, power, identity and ultimately, freedom from fate. A genuine pleasure to read!"--Clare North, author of Ithaca

"'I'm a liar, to begin with, ' Aphrodite tells us, and from the first moment she leaps off the page. Phoenicia Rogerson's Aphrodite is a totally unique take on the Goddess of Love, with a voice that's razor sharp, funny, grippingly honest, and all her own--accompanied by a vivid cast of characters we know and love from mythology. This is a bold, inventive retelling and a fantastic time from start to finish."--Jenny Williamson, author of Enemy of My Dreams

"Forget everything you think you know about the goddess of love--Phoenicia Rogerson's Aphrodite is a revelation that's part divine comedy, part epic drama, and entirely addictive. With razor-sharp wit and surprising heart, Rogerson breathes fresh life into ancient mythology, creating a voice so compelling you'll follow Aphrodite anywhere, even into war with Zeus himself."--Crystal King, bestselling author of In The Garden of Monsters and Feast of Sorrow


"Wit and verve, contrasting laugh-out-loud humor with moments of surprising tenderness."--Luna McNamara, author of Pysche and Eros

"With its sharply witty prose, Aphrodite perfectly captures the charm and chaos of the Greek gods."--Rosie Hewlett, Sunday Times bestselling author of Medea

"Sparkles with wicked humor and boundless imagination."--Kate Heartfield, Sunday Times bestselling author

"Aphrodite gives a human voice to the inhuman goddess that you can't help but love."--Lizzy Tiffin, author of Bad Girls of Ancient Greece

"If you've ever wondered what Tina Fey retelling your favorite myths would be like, Phoenicia Rogerson has the answer."--Ian Doescher, author of the William Shakespeare's Star Wars series

"Will excite, anger and sadden you through its cinematic cast of characters, some of whom you want to win just as much as you want them to fail."--Akeem Balogun, author of The Storm

Praise for Herc

"Alternately hilarious and shocking, this is an astonishingly vivid retelling of the story of Hercules, and these are not the Greek myths I learned in school."-Jodi Taylor, author of Just One Damned Thing After Another


"Funny, action-packed, violent, tragic... this is the story of Hercules as you've never experienced it before! An eye-opening treat."-A.J. Elwood, author of The Cottingley Cuckoo


"Hercules had his story, now it's time for everyone else to get their say. Wickedly fun and devilishly dark - the tell-all for our times."-Cari Thomas, author of Threadneedle


"A captivating retelling with a very definite, personal voice, and a sharp, fresh perspective on the lives surrounding the hero rather than from the perspective of the hero himself."-Genevieve Cogman, Sunday Times bestselling author of Scarlet


"A brilliant debut! Rogerson has produced a fresh and totally original retelling of the Hercules myth. For the first time, long-silent characters from the hero's story are given a voice. They provide a sparkling new perspective on the club-wielding, all-daring son of Zeus. A Herculean triumph of creative writing, and a joy to read. Finally, a Hercules for the twenty-first century!"--Alex Rowson, author of The Young Alexander


"A brilliant, witty and unique retelling of the myths that at times had me laughing out loud. Rogerson's impressive talent leaps from the pages."--Carly Reagon, author of The Toll House

"A rollicking ride through Greek mythology, Herc tells the story of the famous hero through his impact on the people around him. By turns quippy, hilarious, and shocking, Herc will make you want to hide in a jar like King Eurystheus, dodging all your responsibilities to read it from cover to cover."--Luna McNamara, author of Psyche and Eros

"[Q]uick-paced and quick-witted... 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."--Booklist

"Rogerson offers a witty, queer, and heartfelt revisionist retelling worthy of the gods." -Entertainment Weekly