I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s part of a greater series called Twisted Tales which are stand-alone books that present a twist or what if situation of the Disney movies like “What if Aladdin never found the lamp” or “What if Wendy traveled to Neverland with Hook?” I hadn’t read any of them before but I chose this one first since this was Hercules that I adore. It is also written Jen Calonita and I have reread her Secrets of My Hollywood Life series many times so I had to try. And I just loved it! Thus sparking me to read the rest of the series.

As for this, the “What If” is What if Meg became a Greek God? First off, it’s not so much an alternate universe but a plausible alternate ending to Hercules in Zeus won’t allow Herc to become mortal, he must stay on Olympus. So Hera offers Meg a chance to become a goddess through a daring quest as one does.

And it is great!! There are, of course, little reference lines to the movies and all but I’m most impressed by how in character everyone is from Phil’s gruffness to Hercules’ sweetness to Hades’ snappy salesman motormouth. The last one I think would be the hardest to keep in character but Calonita does.

Everyone from the movie returns in this book even Pain and Panic. Well everyone but the Muses but to be fair, they were the narrators in the movie and I don’t think the characters even interacted with them so it was fine. They were there in spirit.

Most importantly, Calonita does an absolutely wonderful job with my idol, Megara. Not only in developing her character post-movie and her uncertainties in screwing up her relationship, her stubbornness in doing things by herself and her difficulty trusting in others. But also in fleshing out her backstory with her mother, the former flame for whom she sold her soul  and how her past impacted her to today.

Plus Calonita gave her a last name. Megara Egan after the voice actress. I don’t think its Greek but I love the nod to her.

Also it has its own take on the Hades and Persephone myth that somehow keeps Hades deliciously villainously in character but also gives Persephone a tough edge that she’s willing to roast people which I kinda love.

Also other gods pop up too like Athena and Hermes and Aphrodite (Aphrodite, goddess of love. If you saw the tv series you’d recognize it).

Additionally, I find it a sign of great writing that I read it all in the voices of their characters and it sounded completely natural for all of them.

All in all, 5 stars from me, highly recommend. I’m considering it more of an unofficial sequel than AU because I enjoyed it so much.

Furthermore, I read other goodreads reviews afterwards and it seems there was a common complaint that it was a light YA, bordering on middle grade since that is Calonita’s area of expertise. Especially compared to the other Twisted Tales that apparently involve blood sacrifices and xenophobic governments.

I thought it was fine. It may have not gotten that dark but Calonita did a great hero’s journey befitting the title, and really explored Megara’s character. Additionally, I found it to be like a continuation of the movie. I didn’t feel like it was talking down to me or it was too childish. It was like a Disney movie. So kids, AND teens can enjoy it. I enjoyed it whole heartedly and I think anyone who is a Hercules or Meg fan will appreciate it too.