Wearing The Lion By John Wiswell Book Review

I’ll be honest—I finished Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell in one wild, late-night stretch, laughing way more than I expected. This book flips the Hercules myth with humor and heart. I loved the clever take on Heracles and Hera. The found family vibes and sly jokes hooked me fast.

Key Takeaways

Wearing the Lion gives a new and funny take on the Hercules myth.
It questions old thoughts about heroes and monsters.
The story is about kindness, healing, and finding family.
This makes the characters seem real and easy to understand.
The book mixes jokes and feelings in a good way. It keeps readers interested with smart talk and important moments.

Why Read Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell?

Verdict

I have to give props to any book that keeps me up past midnight, but Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell did more than that. It made me laugh out loud, then hit me with moments that felt surprisingly real. I didn’t expect a Hercules retelling to feel so fresh.

The story jumps between Hera and Heracles, and both voices feel modern and sharp. I found myself caring about these characters in a way I never did in old myths.

The book stands out because it doesn’t just retell the labors of Hercules. It pokes fun at the old stories, but also finds new heart in them.
The sense of fun is real. I caught myself grinning at the banter and clever twists.
John Wiswell’s Nebula Award win shows he knows how to write stories that stick with people.
The alternating perspectives kept things lively. I never got bored, and I always wanted to see what the next chapter would bring.

To be fair, not every joke landed for me. Sometimes the humor tried a little too hard. But the warmth and the found family feeling made up for it.

If you want a Greek myth that feels new, with characters who act like real people (and monsters), this one delivers.

Who Will Enjoy It

I think Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell works for a lot of readers. Here’s who I’d recommend it to:

Fans of Greek mythology who want something different. If you’re tired of the same old stories, this book shakes things up.
Readers who love found family stories. The group of characters feels like a real, messy family.
Anyone who likes a mix of humor and heart. The jokes are quick, but the feelings run deep.
People who enjoy books with strong, modern voices. Both Hera and Heracles sound like people you might know.
If you like books that don’t take themselves too seriously, but still make you care, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

I wouldn’t hand this to someone looking for a super serious or traditional myth retelling. The tone is playful, sometimes irreverent. But if you want a story that feels alive and a little bit wild, Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell is worth your time.

Plot Summary

Main Characters

Heracles and Hera take center stage in this story, but they don’t act like the old myths taught me. I saw Heracles not as a muscle-bound hero, but as someone struggling with PTSD and trying to heal. He doesn’t just smash monsters—he tries to help them.

I loved how he befriends the Nemean Lion (who he calls Purrseus) and even tries to heal the Hydra, Logy. These moments made me rethink what it means to be strong.

Hera surprised me the most. She isn’t just the angry goddess from the old stories. Here, she feels guilt and deals with her own problems. I got to see her as a flawed, complicated character, not just a villain.

The found family that grows around Heracles—creatures like Logy and the Erymanthian Boar—felt real and loyal. Their bond shows how people (and monsters) can help each other heal.

I found myself rooting for this odd group. Their loyalty and pain felt honest, and their growth made the story shine.

Conflict

The story kicks off with a tragedy that shapes everything. Heracles, pushed by divine anger, loses his sons. That grief hangs over him and Megara as they set out on a journey. But instead of fighting monsters, they meet them with kindness.

Heracles asks if he can pet the lion instead of killing it. He heals the Hydra instead of slaying it. Each challenge becomes a chance for compassion, not violence.

The real fight isn’t against monsters—it’s against old ideas about what makes a hero.
Heracles learns to choose gentleness over revenge.
Hera faces her own struggles with guilt and the messy politics of Olympus.

This twist on the classic myth made the conflict feel fresh and meaningful. I cared about how these characters would change, not just who would win.

Originality

Fresh Perspective

I have to give props to Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell for how it flips the script on Greek myths. Most retellings stick to the same old hero-versus-monster story. This book does something different. I noticed right away that the characters felt real and complicated, not just good or bad.

The story challenges the usual black-and-white view of gods and monsters.
Heracles isn’t just a strong guy smashing things. He uses his brain and tries not to hurt anyone.
Hera isn’t just angry for no reason. I saw her pain and started to understand her choices.
The book switches between Heracles and Hera, so I got both sides of the story.
The found family of monsters and outcasts made me care about everyone, even the so-called “bad guys.”

I loved how the book pokes fun at old myths but also fills in the gaps, like why Zeus is missing or why the labors matter.

Myth Retelling

Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell doesn’t just retell the Hercules story. It gives it a new heart. Heracles refuses to fight just because he’s told to. He wants to help, not hurt. The labors become a way for him to heal and find friends, not just a checklist of battles.

This story made me rethink what makes someone a hero. It’s not about revenge or strength. It’s about kindness, empathy, and finding people who understand your pain. I finished the book feeling like I’d seen an old story in a brand-new light.

Characters

Hera and Heracles

I have to give props to John Wiswell for making Hera and Heracles feel so real in Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell. I never thought I’d care about Hera, but this book changed my mind. She’s not just angry or jealous—she’s tired, guilty, and sometimes funny. I found myself rooting for her, even when she messed up.

Heracles surprised me, too. He’s not just a muscle guy. He’s awkward, gentle, and sometimes lost. I loved how he tried to help monsters instead of fighting them. His friendship with the Nemean Lion made me smile. I felt his pain and wanted him to find peace.

Hera’s guilt and sharp humor made her stand out.
Heracles’ kindness and awkwardness felt honest.
Their relationship felt messy, but real. I saw them both grow.

I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to see how these two would change each other.

Supporting Cast

The side characters in Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell made the story feel alive. I loved the monsters and outcasts who joined Heracles. They weren’t just background—they had their own voices and struggles.

The Nemean Lion (Purrseus) felt like a loyal pet and a friend.
Logy the Hydra brought comic relief and real heart.
The Erymanthian Boar and Megara added warmth and depth.

Each one brought something special. Their banter made me laugh, and their loyalty made me care. I felt like I was part of their found family. Sometimes, I wished for more time with a few of them, but the group’s energy kept the story moving.

Themes

Justice and Redemption

Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell really made me rethink what justice means. I saw Heracles choose to care for the Nemean Lion instead of fighting it. That twist felt bold. The story doesn’t just punish or reward characters for their actions. It asks if people (and gods) can change. Hera’s journey stood out to me.

She struggles with guilt and tries to make things right, even when it’s hard. The book fits with modern takes on myths, where old stories get new life and reflect what matters now. I liked how the characters got second chances, not just for big heroic acts, but for small moments of kindness.

Grief and Family

Grief sits at the heart of this story. Heracles and Megara both carry heavy losses. I felt their pain, but I also saw how they found comfort in each other and in their odd group of friends. The monsters aren’t just enemies—they become family.

The found family theme hit home for me. It reminded me that healing often comes from unexpected places. The group’s loyalty and support made the sad parts feel hopeful.

Humanity in Monsters

I have to give props to Wiswell for making monsters feel so real and relatable.

The Nemean Lion, Purrseus, acts more like a loyal friend than a beast.
Heracles bonds with the Hydra and the Boar, showing that monsters can feel grief and want to belong.
The story uses humor and warmth to show that everyone, even so-called monsters, has a heart.
Critics point out that these monsters deal with identity and loss, just like the humans do.
The found family of outcasts helps Heracles heal, blurring the line between hero and monster.

Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell left me thinking about how we judge others and what it really means to be human.

Style and Structure

Humor and Pathos

I laughed out loud more than once reading Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell. The humor feels sharp and sometimes a little weird, but it works. The jokes sneak up on you, breaking up the heavy moments. I found myself grinning at the banter between Heracles and his monster friends. The book never lets the laughs get in the way of real feelings, though.

When the story turns sad, it hits hard. I felt the grief and guilt in every chapter. The mix of humor and pathos kept me hooked. I never felt like the story was making light of pain. Instead, the jokes made the sad parts feel even more honest.

Quick banter and sly jokes lighten the mood.
Emotional moments land because the humor feels real, not forced.
The story balances laughter and sadness, making both stand out.

I have to give props to any book that can make me laugh and tear up in the same chapter.

Narrative Approach

Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell uses alternating perspectives between Hera and Heracles. This style kept me on my toes. I liked seeing both sides of the story. The voices feel modern and easy to follow. I never got lost, even when the story jumped between gods and monsters. The book feels accessible for anyone, not just mythology fans.

I think new readers will enjoy the fast pace and clear writing. Some critics say this kind of narrative works best for readers who want a fun, face-value story. If you want deep world-building or complex character arcs, you might find it a bit light. For me, the charm and energy made up for any lack of depth.

Alternating chapters keep the story fresh.
Simple language and quick pacing make it easy to read.
Both mythology fans and casual readers can jump in without feeling lost.

Strengths & Weaknesses

I’ll be honest, Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell had me reading way past my bedtime. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” but the story pulled me in with its mix of jokes and real feelings. I laughed at the banter, but some moments hit me right in the gut. That’s rare for a myth retelling.

Here’s what stood out to me:

Aspect	What Critics Say
Strengths	– Fresh, creative take on Greek myths, especially the Labors of Hercules.
	– Distinct voices for every character.
	– Monsters feel real, not just scary or silly.
	– Heracles, Hera, and the Fury have depth and heart.
	– Humor comes from the characters, but never makes light of their pain.
	– The story treats tough topics with care and honesty.
Weaknesses	– Critics mostly focus on the good stuff. No big flaws called out.