N.F. Houck

REVIEWS:

"Adventure, sex, power, drama, and the whole gamut of human emotions – has Hollywood ever fully exploited the richness of Greek mythology? N.F. Houck, a nonfiction book editor and a lover of classical myth, has done so with Herald, an entertaining and instructive fictional autobiography, the first of a planned trilogy. Houck’s narrator is the Olympian god Hermes, who most recall as almighty Zeus’s bastard son and messenger ... By showing a sometimes flawed and suffering being who must discover his place in his world, Houck pulls in and holds readers."

- Joe Taylor, ForeWord Clarion Reviews

"Houck has strung together and cleaned up a host of often contradictory myths to deliver a sharp, rollicking tale of the life and times of Hermes ... Greek myths can be confusing to the uninitiated, but Houck does a wonderful job of making them accessible, retelling them in Hermes's own humorous and mischievous voice. Hermes is an engaging narrator, and while his humor colors most of the book, an occasional episode reminds readers of his mercurial nature ... If it is the underlying humanity of the Greek myths that has caused them to resonate so well over thousands of years, then surely Herald will attain its own immortality."

- BookWire Review

"Houck tackles epic structural challenges [[of Greek mythology]] head on in this accessible prose narrative of Hermes, messenger of the gods ... Houck brings Hermes' raft of personal traits and supernatural talents to the fore, making him at once exceptionally human-like and divine ... The author doesn't hesitate to take liberties with various storylines and genealogies to drive home, at times, heavy-handed themes of requited love and forgiveness, but in the end produces a mythic story that coheres. Three parts autobiography, two parts Greek primer and an engaging read ..."

- Kirkus Discoveries

"[Herald] contains a lot of action and adventure that will keep you well entertained. I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Greek mythology."

- Rashonda Banks, WheelMan Press Book Reviews