The Princes Read: Hercules

CAN WE JUST PAUSE FOR A SECOND AND LOOK WHO MADE A GRAPHIC FOR THIS SERIES. FINALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY. Like, we’re not even doing the princesses anymore, but I made me a graphic. I feel so excited.

Anyway, we also finally have ourselves a segment again. I’ve been so way behind with this series, since it takes so much creativity, and I have just been doneeeeeeeeeeee. I’m not sure how regular I’m going to be with this agian, but hopefully it will be back to a weekly or every other week status. Fingers crossed.

This week, our hero of the week is…

Hercules!

After rewatching this movie a few months back, I realized just how much a favorite this movie is for me. Although cliche and fitting so much to the superhero status, Hercules is an interesting guy – and totally just gives me so many Percy Jackson feels since he is one of my favorite demigods. He’s a strong, brave hero. He understands there is more to his life, and he is desperate to be a hero and be something more. He wants to fit in and be with his family, and once he gets a mission or a goal, he is dedicated to his cause. He will do anything for those that he loves and for humanity.

What YA books would Hercules go the distance for?

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Okay, this is a clear one. Superheroes are such a clear thing that Hercules would be into. However, I think this book is extra perfect. Basically, Hercules is Adrian from the book who is clearly on the Renegades side, and then we have Meg who is clearly Nova from the book who teeters on both the Renegades and Anarchists side. BET YOU DIDN’T THINK ABOUT THAT. I feel like Hercules could draw many parallels from his life and their lives, and I think he would be so in love with all of their intriguing powers.

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

Oh, look, another superhero novel. ARE WE SURPRISED THAT MANDY IS TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT? No, no, we are not. But I was on the fence about adding in Wonder Woman or Batman in, but I felt like Hercules would connect a bit more with Batman. Bruce did anything for his city and did anything for what he believed was right. He was in love with a girl that was clearly in trouble and playing him, and he constantly sees the good in people. He also gets a thrill from the action and potential of being in a dangerous situation. Bruce will go the distance…just like Hercules.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I think Hercules would be so eager to dive into a different type of hero novel. Hercules’s transformation and story of becoming a true hero, to me, is just as classic of the Cinderella story. They are both outcasts due to their outside traits (his strength, Cinder because she’s part cyborg); they both try to make lives better; they both find out they are kids of super important people; and they both have an evil somewhat crazy overlord after them (still love you, though, Hades). I think he would be quite intrigued to see how much they have in common, and the story has enough action to keep the man of action entertained.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

I totally see Hercules being into all the action stories jam packed with action, magic, and all sorts of drama. An Ember in the Ashes would totally fit this description, and I think Hercules would love reading about the trials for sure. It would remind him of all the things that he had to do in order to become a true hero as well. He would also admire the strength of the two protagonists to save each other and others.

A book Hercules would consider a zero (not a hero)

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Percy says some very, very bad things about Hercules’s dad – and I don’t think Hercules would be quite pleased with that. I think he would be intrigued with the series when he first saw it because greek gods, but then get a little fed up with how his long lost dad was treated…even though Hercules basically lived the camp life.

Want to read more about Hercules?

Eh, I don’t think there is anything in YA that can help you with that. If you are looking for some Greek mythology fun, Percy Jackson is the way to go, but he doesn’t cover Percy Jackson so much.

What do you think? What would you think he would or wouldn’t read? Let’s discuss in the comments below! ~ Mandy