Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld Book 1) by Nikita Gill (Author)
The first book in the instant #1 New York Times bestselling trilogy!
This #1 New York Times bestselling novel-in-verse from world-renowned poet Nikita Gill is a richly imagined retelling of the Greek myth of Hekate, a goddess of the underworld. Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Alexandra Bracken.
Born into a world on fire, Godling Hekate has never known safety. After her parents are on the losing side of the war between the Titans and Olympian Gods, Hekate is taken to the Underworld, where Styx and Hades agree to raise her. Orphaned and alone, Hekate grows up, desperate to uncover her divine purpose and sense of belonging amongst the horrors and beauties that make up the land of the dead.
When Hekate finally uncovers her powers and ascends as the Goddess of witchcraft and necromancy, she realizes that even the most powerful Olympians fear her. But when immortal war breaks out again, threatening to destroy all everyone has ever known, Hekate finds that she’s the only one who can bring the deadly conflict to an end.
In this stunningly intimate reimagining of a Greek myth, internationally renowned poet Nikita Gill showcases the underworld and its chthonic deities in all their glory, and weaves a gripping story about the young Goddess Hekate coming of age within their midst.
Meet all the Goddesses of the Underworld:
Hekate: The Witch
Styx: The River
Nyx: The Night
My Thoughts
Every once in a while, you come across a writer whose words seem to reach right into your mind and pull out thoughts you didn’t even realize you were having.
For me, Nikita Gill is one of those writers.
I’ve loved her poetry for a long time. There is something about the way she puts words together that speaks to me. Sometimes I swear she’s reading my mind with her verse.
So when I picked up Hekate: The Witch, I was already looking forward to it.
I wasn’t disappointed.
The book is a retelling of Hekate’s story through poetry, and for someone like me, who will almost always choose poetry when given the opportunity, that made it even more appealing.
I read it quickly. Not because I was rushing to finish, but because I wanted to keep reading.
One of the things I appreciated most was how the verse brought Hekate to life. I’ve known of Hekate through mythology, but reading her story this way made me feel as though I knew her better.
There is something special about telling a story through poetry. It can reach places that ordinary storytelling sometimes doesn’t. A few carefully chosen words can carry so much emotion, and Gill has a wonderful way of doing exactly that.
Usually, when I finish a book, I can point to a particular scene or passage that stayed with me. With Hekate, I can’t really do that.
The whole book stayed with me.
It wasn’t one moment that made an impression. It was the experience of reading the story, getting to know Hekate through Gill’s verse, and feeling that connection from beginning to end.
I don’t review poetry nearly as often as I review other books, which is a little funny considering how much poetry I read and write. But this one deserved a place on my Sunday review list.
If you enjoy mythology, poetry, or stories that explore familiar figures in a different way, I recommend giving Hekate: The Witch a try.
And if you’ve never read Nikita Gill’s poetry before, I think she’s well worth discovering.
Sometimes a book doesn’t need one unforgettable moment.
Sometimes the entire book is the unforgettable part.
