MegaraWe all know the story.How it ended.He survived and conquered each task.Became the hero of all heroes.And in the end he became a legend.What no one told you is that I was there. I was helping him . . . and when he ascended, I was left behind to rot.Herakles never knew I sold my soul for his success—he didn’t need to. Had I been enough on my own, he would’ve chosen to stay.Instead, he rose to … chosen to stay.
Instead, he rose to full glory.
I was dragged straight to Hades.
Beaten.
Violated.
Broken.
Eventually, mutated.
I lost track of him for nearly three millennia, but I’ve found him.
I will kill him.
He chose to become a god; I was forced to become a nightmare.
Now it’s time for us to meet again.
Herakles
I abandoned my family mere moments before the Greek pantheon fell.
‘Till this day the whispers accuse me.
Had I been there, perhaps they could’ve been saved.
But I no longer gave a fuck.
Funny how vanity can blind a male to what really matters.
It took less than a year on Olympus before I began searching for her again.
I never found her.
Now, two-in-a-half-thousand years later, here I am.
Alone.
Empty.
An immortal ghost, simply getting by.
I should’ve never left her.
The only thing I had was hoping the last of her mortal days, wherever she ended up, were happy . . .
Joke’s on me.
A darkened, twisted version of my female returns, demanding my head for every one of my sins.
And she shall have it.
But first, I’m saving her from her curse.
I’ll sacrifice every ounce of my sanity left to free her . . . right before I let her end me once and for all.
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This series continues to get better each time I read one! Holy hotness! I instantly started reading this book from the minute I had it! My life stopped for this book – and I don’t regret it one bit!! These characters are freaking EVERYTHING you’ve hoped for!! Absolutely emotionally, heart wrenching amazingness that all romance readers will love, especially the dark and dirtier ones!! This book needs to be on your kindle if you LOVE dark romance especially!’
Kles and Meg – totally swoon worthy and rip your heart our at the same time! They’re hot, dirty dialogue totally rocked my world. Enter new pair of panties! The way these two have to maneuver and encounter things will make your jaw drop in awe and shock! This is an absolute hit for me and you need it on your kindle today!!
Sacrifice is the second book that I’ve read from the Sinister Fairy Tales Collection, but my first time read from this author. Although I will not see retelling of Hercules’ story a fairy tale, it did however fall to the dark theme this collection is up to.
So, we’ve all grown up to stories and movies made about Hercules, but the author truly did put her own unique, dark twist on this one. At first, I struggled a bit getting into the story, scrambling to know who is who and what was happening the first pages in. It said this can be read as a standalone but methinks I should have read the previous books in the series where this is part of too, to get my feet wet so to speak. But after saying to myself to just immerse in this world and take it all in, I got hooked in this story with its sense of adventure, action packed in gory details, forgiveness and a second chance at love. I loved how the author perfectly balanced those factors for which I recommend this book to every dark romance lovers.
I do confess, this read took me longer than most do nowadays, and I think it has to do with how in depth and detailed this book is. The story of Hercules has been romanticized by Disney, and due to that a lot of the history behind his mythology is forgotten, sadly. So I would recommend that before starting this read, maybe brush up on your Hercules’ mythology, as to keep from becoming slightly confused as I was. That truly is the only reason I didn’t give it a 5 star review, otherwise it was an incredible read.
The dynamic between Megara and Herakles (Hercules) is a mix between intense desire and unbridled need. The modern day re-living of their story is one that will blow you away. I say re-living instead of retelling because they are re-doing all the trials but this time with modern technology assisting the bad guys. In this tales, not everything is what it seems, and those who we’ve always seen as the evil may show you some true colors.
I am definitely intrigued enough to find out more on this world that Isabelle has created. If you have been following along with the Sinister Fairy Tales, this is a perfect addition to this collection. Looking forward to what favorite fairytale of mine will be flipped on it’s head.
Disappointed and confused
This 3rd book in the Sinister Fairly Tales collection, left me somewhat confused and disappointed. This author was new to me and although it is supposed to be a stand-alone, I felt like it was missing information to make it cohesive. I didn’t realize that this book was actually an installment of another series of the author. Maybe if I had read those I might have followed the story better. The ending left me completely confused with no closure on what was happening to the main characters, but jumped into an introduction of another characters story that will be told in the authors next release in her series. Personally I feel that the author should have truly given us a stand-alone completely original of characters and storyline for the Sinister Fairy Tales Collection and not a story that fell within a series already released.
Is love through despair even possible?
“Sacrifice” is my first book that I’ve read by N. Isabelle Blanco and after reading it I will definitely check more.
This is the third book in Sinister Fairy Tales Collection and it’s definitely dark and sinister.
So now few things you need to know about the story. It is about what happened with Megara after she sacrifices herself for Hercules. Her afterlife is full of really vile things and constant suffering. So it’s no wonder that she is angry at Hercules to this point that her plan is to be the person who will kill him. She doesn’t know that Hercules was looking for her for centuries and didn’t give up searching for the place where her soul is. He couldn’t suspect her to be in the Hades’s underworld tortured by his sister. So when Hades orders Meg to kill Hercules and Hercules didn’t suspect to find Meg as immortal. When Hercules decides to risk everything and pursue Meg Hades make deal with them to complete few tasks for him. After they succeed Meg will be able to finally have her kill. But during their battles they become closer and one event brings them incredibly close causing them to become bonded to each other. So now Meg have to make major decision : she still kill Hercules even though killing him means her death now as well or does she give in a give wonder boy a second chance at love with her?
If you know what will be her choice you definitely check this incredible story.
What an absolute fantastic addition to the Sinister Fairytale Collect Sacrifice is! Blanco did magic with this story!
I’m pretty sure not everyone could turn Herakles and Megara into the dark masterpiece that Blanco does. I mean she delivered a book that had me turning page after page needing more. I couldn’t put down this twisted book until I hit the last word!
This book would not have been as good as it was if it were not for Blanco’s ability to write. This book was so well written. I think Sacrifice is my favorite of the series yet. I mean when I think fairytales I don’t think anything like what Blanco delivered. She took the sinister and dark to an entire different level and I loved every second of it.
I’m not a huge fan of Greek mythology, but I’d be willing to change my mind if Blanco put her twist on some more of it!
All the stars for Blanco and Sacrifice! I can’t wait to see what comes next in this collection! I’m excited what the next author gives us. Blanco has really set high shoes to fill!
WOW! This story hooked me right from the start and didn’t let go until I was dropped onto the last page. I was mesmerized by N. Isabelle Blanco’s beautiful storytelling. Every single word was pure poetry. I wanted to drink it all up and get drunk from it. Her writing style is one I look forward to devouring in the near future! This book had it all: epic love, tragedy, and a bit of dark horror. Each time we came to a new scene, Blanco magically created a mental picture in which I felt as though I were there…in some cases, that was a bit frightening as her monsters were quite horrifying! I loved all of the mythological gods in the book, even the bizarre, creepy ones. Kles and Meg were a powerful and deliciously hot couple that I rooted for from the get-go. If you love enemies-to-lovers tropes filled with action and burning chemistry, you will love this one! My favorite character of them all was Hades. So dark and delicious and meddling in everyone’s lives…I can’t wait to find out what he’s up to! This third story in the Sinister Fairy Tales Collection did not disappoint! Five SEXY SACRIFICE Stars!
I have to say I did not read the first two books that go with this book, but I did not feel like I was missing anything. I read this book because it is part of the Sinister Fairytale Collection.
Sacrifice is all about the word. There is always something to sacrifice, and in this book that something is mostly love. Sacrifice is NOT a romantic love story where you will find happy ever after or two characters that are totally in love. Meg and Kles will fight, argue, almost kill each other, and still come back to one another the are fantastic characters, but they are not your typical set of characters that you usually read. I am infatuated with this story and will continue with this series!
I am so happy to have found this series and will back read this one!
So I have been reading this collection from the first book and this one a bit different than I expected, it dealt with some seriously messed up stuff. The entire book felt like a lose lose situation but one that I got wrapped into.
I ended up really enjoying this book but at times it became a bit slow, however the author did a great job building it back up and I was hooked all over again. This was a great addition to the series and I’m interested in going back and reading the rest of this series!
This is the third book in the sinister fairytale series. It was about Herakles and Megara. I’ve loved the first two books and I love Greek myths but this one I just couldn’t get into. It was a more modern take with the characters and definitely a big change from the original myth. It was interesting but a little hard to follow. I’d give it three stars, it was well written and flowed well it just wasn’t for me. By Tiffany
Sacrifice (Sinister Fairy Tales series #3.5) by N. Isabella Blanco is the kinky, dark and twisted version of the story of Hercules and Meg. This book started out with Meg enduring horrible treatment due to choices she made to help Hercules. Hercules aka Kles is suffering over the choice he made regarding Meg. He has endured several millennia without her and now lives a lonely and empty existence. Meg has spent that time plotting her revenge on Kles. When her opportunity presents itself the story morphed into a serious trip on LSD. They ended up going on a quest together. At times I was a little lost and so many things were going on. I however loved the dynamics between Meg and Kles. Their love/hate relationship kept me interested to the very end. I do have to say I was very disappointed in the end but now have to go off the series to read the follow up to their story. Unfortunately I know I will not do that but will always want to know how their story ended. I give this book 3 stars. Bring on the next book in this series. I always like to read new authors and series like these give me that opportunity.
Sacrifice: A Dark Retelling (Ryze) by N. Isabelle Blanco is the third book in the Sinister Fairy Tales Collection! THIS COLLECTION, OMG! This Sinister Fairy Tales Collection just keeps getting better and better! We went from Venom a Peter Pan retelling, to Cold Queen a Disney Frozen dark retelling, to Sacrifice a dark retelling of everyone’s favorite Greek hero… well, mine anyway, HERCULES, or as he’s called in Sacrifice, Herakles! Hercules is known for being the golden boy, the hero, Zeus’s favorite son… but all those stories you’ve heard, forget them all!
We all have heard the stories, the myths, the legends about each and every trial that the demigod Herakles went through to win his way to immortality and his place on Olympus.
But what all those stories left out was Herakles had a helping hand during those trials. Megara of Thebes made a deal to make sure Hercules secured his spot as a God.
Only for Herakles to leave her behind.
Unbeknownst to Herakles, the moment he left Megara behind he damned her to a lifetime of brutality and abuse in Hell.
Herakles received his immortality, and he made it to Olympus. But, he’s spent his immortal years living in regret for leaving Megara behind.
He’s searched for thousands of years trying to find where Meg’s mortal soul ended up.
Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think she would ultimately end up as a prisoner and an assassin for Hades in the Underworld.
Now, two-thousand-five-hundred years later Hades sends Megara on a mission to kill Herakles and to finally get her retribution after all these years. Kles can’t believe it’s actually Megara, his Meg, standing in front of him, and that she’s immortal! But that’s not all she is…
Nothing is ever that simple with Hades though. Hades offers Meg and Kles a deal. Complete a mission from him TOGETHER, and he will grant Meg not only her freedom but to take her revenge on Herakles.
But as they battle enemy after enemy, those old feelings, memories are stirred, and lines begin to blur. Before long enemies aren’t the only thing Meg is fighting against, but her desire for Kles as well…
My downfall wrapped and delivered in the most delicious package I could’ve ever imagined. He destroyed my life once. He’s about to do it again.
Will Meg be able to finally take her revenge on the God that left her to suffer?
Is Herakles the golden boy everyone believes him to be?
You’ll have to read Sacrifice to find out!
Whether I decide to kill him, or keep him, he belongs to me.
The Ryze Series 1-2 was one of the only things I hadn’t yet read by Blanco so of course once I found out that her book in the Sinister Collection would be apart of her “Ryze World” I snatched the series up quick, fast, and in a hurry and binge read them ALL in 3 days, I was completely enthralled! Every book I finished left my jaw on the floor but Sacrifice blew me away and I never saw it coming! Blanco has created this whole new world filled with Gods and Goddesses, some you may have heard about, and some that she has created herself. But I can guarantee, the way she tells the story, you have NEVER heard them like this before. She has delivered this mythological series and then twisted the myths and characters to create a dark retelling that will BLOW YOUR MIND! I absolutely LOVE mythology, I mean what’s NOT to love about Gods and Goddesses?! So I was extremely excited to find out about this series, and that Hercules was the dark retelling Blanco choose! Darkness, suspense, trickery, action, and unexpected twists around every turn, Sacrifice has it ALL!
Megara is a complete badass! What a fighter this chick is! Even after all the brutality and all the pain she’s experienced, she STILL came out on the other side tougher than ever. You could feel how much she was fighting against what was between her and Kles, what had ALWAYS been between them. Even though she should hate him, she surely has every right too, the more time she spends with him, the harder it is to hold on to her anger.
I wanted to hate Herakles. I really, really did. As much as he loved Megara… as much as she loved him, how could he just walk away? But, you could FEEL how much he’s suffered and missed Megara. Especially after finding out what he ultimately left Meg to suffer through, his guilt was palpable. But Herakles isn’t the golden boy hero that we all know from the stories, there is something inside of him… something he is fighting, while still trying to understand WHAT exactly it is that’s taking over him… what he is becoming. Trust me, your jaw will hit the floor when you find out!
The hatred, the desire, SHEESH! These two had it ALL in spades! I was DYING for the first steamy scene, and let me tell you… it took a while, longer than I thought it would. I’ve read books by Blanco and usually, she’s not stingy with the steam, I feel like this time around she was a little stingy with it! BUT the scenes we had… GODS! Herakles has a filthy mouth! Like I said, Greek mythology is my jam and I surely didn’t see it coming from the ‘Golden Boy’, but then again, this story is NOTHING like you would imagine when you think of the story of Hercules we’ve all been told.
I’ll do whatever I have to do, be whatever I have to be, just to have a chance with you again.
I have adored Blanco‘s writing for some time now and with each new release, I’m reminded of why she’s on my one-click list! The way she describes this world leaves a perfect image in your mind of each and every scene that your reading. The fight scenes, WOW! They were just graphic enough that I could see myself off in the corner, eating popcorn and watching the H & h wreak havoc all over Earth and the Underworld. Oh and let’s not forget the BEAUTIFUL formatting and header images at the beginning of each chapter and the character POV breaks, STUNNING!
Sacrifice was a perfect addition to the Sinister Fairy Tales Collection, as well as Blanco‘s Ryze Series! The story did leave off with a sort of lead up for the next Ryze book and I am beyond excited for the continuation of that series, as well as the next book in the Sinister Fairy Tales Collection, Insolent.
If you enjoy mythology, and all things dark and twisted, you are going to want to check out Sacrifice, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
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– N. Isabelle Blanco has created this whole new world filled with Gods and Goddesses, some you may have heard about, and some that she has created herself. But I can guarantee, the way she tells the story, you have NEVER heard them like this before. She has delivered this mythological series and then twisted the myths and characters to create a dark retelling that will BLOW YOUR MIND! I was extremely excited to find out about this series, and that Hercules was the dark retelling Blanco choose! I absolutely LOVE mythology, I mean what’s NOT to love about Gods and Goddesses?! Darkness, suspense, trickery, action, and unexpected twists around every turn, Sacrifice has it ALL!
– I have to say, for a book by Blanco, this one didn’t have as much steam as what I’m used to seeing from her. Usually, she’s not stingy with the steam, I feel like this time around she was a little stingy with it! BUT the scenes we did have… GODS! Herakles has a filthy mouth and when two powerful beings overcome by desire collide… SMOKIN’ HOT!
ℂ – There wasn’t really a CLIFFHANGER per se, BUT there were still a few unanswered questions and the way the story left off was like a lead up to the next book in Blanco‘s Ryze Series. (That I’m beyond excited for!)
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Another great addition to The Sinister Fairytales collection. I’m a fan of this author so I had high expectations for this story and she didn’t disappoint. This book makes me want to get into Greek Mythology. It was an exciting and unique story that sucked me in from the very beginning.
Sacrifice is a trip. I almost think a hallucinogenic drug is infused in these pages. The mind twisting images and wildly chaotic descriptions make the reader feel like their reality is seriously altered. N. Isabelle Blanco did a crazy, crazy thing tackling Herakles and Megara. With her trials and her twist on their fates…
I’m still trying to process the unique and wholly twisted tale. I saw that Sacrifice is actually 4th in this series. Do NOT let that dissuade you from reading. I had no previous knowledge of this authors works and was invested rather quickly.
I’m smirking as I dare say that I am going to need to catch up and look forward to the continuation of this series. I never craved Greek mythology prior to this book but my hankering is almost…vampiric.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Sacrifice was not my typical read but this intriguing tale of mythology with a dose of paranormal quickly had me hooked. Herakles and Megara’s story was no fairytale but instead a dark, heartpounding and intense retelling. I enjoyed the author’s attention to detail as she brought Hercules’ story to life in an amazing new way.
I loved Meg’s fiery strength and Kles’s fierce determination to right his wrongs. The push and pull between them was palpable as Megara’s anger simmered and Kles’ desire poured through every page. The way their story took so many unexpected twists kept me constantly guessing as I followed them along on their journey.
Dark, gritty and intense Sacrifice was an unpredictable pageturner that left me hoping that there’s more of their story to come.
I loved N. Isabelle Blanco’s retelling of this fairy tale!!!! She is such a brilliant author, I love the dark spin she put on it. She knows just how to suck you into the character’s journey from word one!!!! Excellent job!!!!
I am completely blown away by this book. I love these types of genres. PNR, mythology, shapeshifters and being dark and twisted is just icing on the cake. This book was amazingly dark, twisted, steamy, nail biting, rollercoaster of a ride and I loved it!
This was such a unique twist on something I probably wouldn’t consider a fairytale at first glance. I think I have to preface this review with saying it’s inter connected with this authors previous books and at times it did get kind of confusing because I haven’t read that series yet. But, I can appreciate fantastic writing when I read it-and that’s what this was.
I would say a good portion of the beginning was a lot of facts regarding Greek mythology and the underworld. I was impressed with the amount of knowledge this author poured into the framework of this, and can definitely see that this genre is probably her expertise. It’s always refreshing reading intelligent, factual, twists on things and this is exactly what Meg and Kles’ story was.
As the third book in the sinister fairy tale series, I can still say these ladies have truly outdone themselves. So excited to read more from the upcoming authors!
This is not my typical read, I don’t usually read alot of paranormal/urban fantasy reads. I am overall in shock because this world is epically, unbelievable. The details and writing are just mindblowing and so intricate.This sinister retelling as Herakles and Megara is hands down, nothing like you could have ever read before. Its gory, disturbing, thought provoking, heart pounding, breath taking, and mouthwateringly, seductive. This is not your regular steamy read at all, there’s so much depth in this storyline that’s takes it to another level all in it’s own. I’m consumed again with the third book in the #sinisterfairytalecollection and I can’t wait for the next!