Bemused by Farrah Rochon
A Review By: RS
The untold origin story of the 5 Muses from Disney’s Hercules is revealed in this rollicking YA fantasy filled with mythical adventure, music, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
The Muses narrated Hercules’s story. Now, in this novel for fans of the New York Times bestsellers Go the Distance and Fire & Fate, they’ll narrate their own "gospel truth."
Living in a quiet seaside village with their overprotective mother, teenaged sisters Calliope, Clio, Melpomene, Terpsichore, and Thalia are talented performers with no audience. If Calli had her way, she'd pursue her dream of writing epic stories in the city of Thebes. But family comes first, and as the eldest, she'd never leave her beloved sisters behind.
Then, following a disastrous public music performance, their mother reveals a shocking secret: she is Mnemosyne, the Goddess of Memory, and for nearly two decades, she’s been on the run from the gods of Mount Olympus, desperate to keep her daughters safe from their machinations. Before she can share more, she is kidnapped . . . and though the girls don’t know it yet, the villain pulling the strings is none other than Hades, fiery God of the Underworld.
Under Calli’s leadership, the sisters embark on a journey to save their mother and to learn more about their own divine origins. But the path ahead is filled with mythical trials and tribulations, and they’ll need to rely on both their individual talents and the strength of their sisterhood to ensure that they ascend from "zeroes" to "heroes"—or more accurately, heroines.
Penned by New York Times bestselling author Farrah Rochon, this YA fantasy uniquely blends a twist on a Disney classic with a fresh take on Greek mythology.
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2025
An installment in a Series? No
Narrator (s): Joniece Abbot-Pratt
I really enjoyed this story! The other Twisted Tales from Farrah Rochon and this one are definitely favorites. This is the origin story of my favorite characters from Disney's Hercules, the Muses. Bemused is a tried and true story about sisterhood and the triumphs and tribulations that come with sisterhood. The oldest, Calliope, is tired of carrying the load and wanting to simply live for herself, and Terpsichore is experiencing her first love These sisters' bond is put to the ultimate test when Hades puts the five sisters in a life or death situation. Through a harrowing adventure, the sisters learn they are strongest as a unit.
Joniece Abbott-Pratt delivered a great performance, as usual. She does a great job of giving each character their own personality. This is appreciated especially for a story such as this.
Would you recommend this book?: Yes
Rating: 4 (It’s lit!)
Content Warnings? None
