Myths and heroes may be reborn, but the whims of the gods never change.In a world where mortals contend with the gods' vengeful whims, one man must ask himself if he will risk his life to defend the goddess who has done everything to destroy him.Perfect for fans of mythology and historical fantasy fiction by Madeline Miller, S.J.A. Turney, Robert Jordan, and Alan Smale, The Trials of Hercules is the first in the Osteria Chronicles, a gripping series in which the myths, gods, and heroes of Ancient Greece come to life as they never have before.After being convicted of three murders he doesn't remember committing, Herc Dion is sentenced to execution by live burial. Despite a desire to die for his heinous crime, Herc is instead pushed into a series of trials that will force him to face formidable monsters, test his loyalties, and deliver him to the depths of Hades.Throughout these challenges, Herc unknowingly endures the brutal cruelty of the goddess Hera whose obsessive hatred of Herc has blinded her to near ruin of her realm and to plans that will spell the end of her existence.Realizing Hera has done everything to cause his downfall, will Herc face death itself to rescue her, or will he turn his back on the gods, his love, and his home to forge his own kingdom?