Book: Styx: The River
Author: Nikita Gill
Published: September 15, 2026
Format: Amazon Kindle/Spotify
Series/Stand-Alone: Series ( 2nd book in Series)
Genre: Fantasy/Reimagine Greek Mythology
Drink: Still on my Water Kick …
Time: One Week
Rating: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 out of 5 Wine Glasses
I have done people who read this blog a disservice. Yes, I have. I never wrote the review for Hekate by Nikita Gill. Styx: The River is the 2nd book in the series. Styx: The River is a phenomenal book that I could legit not put down; even when I was driving, I used my free will to listen to it on my commute. Styx: The River was released six weeks ago, and I have been waiting for this book since I found out she had another book coming out. Strangely, Madeline Miller humanizes the smaller or less-known characters in Greek Mythology. Gill tells the story of these deities with grace and style, reclaiming their power.
Styx’s backstory, in the best way, could resonate with the eldest-daughter role. Yes, I said it! Typically, when reading stories, we get the grandiose nature of the Greek Gods, not the intricate backstory of how they became the Gods we read about in Homer’s poems or Ovid’s tales. Gill takes us through Styx’s life, showing how the women who should have loved and protected her treated her more like a “midwife,” and how being the eldest, with no real love or guidance, planted a seed of bitterness deep in her heart. She didn’t let that bitterness or lack of appreciation and love ruin her. You experience her life as she finds her found family and is chosen for her intelligence. Her indomitable spirit, reclaiming and challenging anyone who attempted to take her freedom. Styx’s story reminds me of the stories I hear from all eldest children about how they are expected to take care of, help, and aid the family, and never question the mother or father. Styx does the opposite; she stands firm in her resolve and does what she must to protect her loved ones.
I also resonated with her story as it explores the ramifications of keeping family secrets. It shows how betrayal and hurt splinter friendships and relationships, and can even lead to wars. If in the book Hekate we deal with the aftermath of war, in this book readers deal with how a war starts, and the damage done by wars, egos, and misguided attempts to protect the family. Sidebar: Styx is better than me, in the words of Kendrick Lamar from “Tv Off” “B****, I’ll cut my granny off if she don’t see it how I see it, hmm” During this time, you watch her become a woman. Not just in the sense of marriage or starting a family. In how she thinks about her family’s future, her future, and the ramifications of the war.
I do have a small, very tiny drawback: it felt like this was a dual story, not just Styx’s backstory, but also Asteria’s backstory. I enjoyed Asteria woven into Styx’s story, but sometimes it felt like it took away from Styx’s story. Their friendship and growth from young goddesses to mature goddesses is refreshing. In my honest opinion, this is one of the best captures of how women’s friendships change, especially with marriage, children, and war. The best metaphor I can suggest is people who were friends during World War 2 but ended up on two different sides, and the ramifications of the war’s loss and aftermath.
Other highlighted moments that need to be discussed: Gill fully showed how some traits, especially megalomania, are passed down from Grandfather to Father to Son. Zeus was wild and not innocent at all, and actually I was even scared of him. Lying to your family and not heeding an elder’s words will come back to bite you in the butt, even if you are blessed to be wise, cunning, and smart. If you are sheltered or refuse to listen, you will end up harmed by your own actions. I really want to read both books again. I would say, if this is the first time you get to enjoy Nikita Gill’s works. Read Styx first, then read Hekate. Now that I have read both, reading them in this order lets me rethink my original feelings about Styx. Also, this reminds me I wish I had written the original review without this knowledge, but from my memory banks. I wasn’t a fan of Styx, but I understand the pain, hurt, and healing she had to do on her own. She knows my favorite character. I didn’t even give away the best parts. I would say read this book. It’s probably my first 5-star book of 2026. I think if I ever finish Brittany Cherry’s book “If I Stay,” that may be a close contender.
What to drink with this book?
Suppose I had to choose wine for this book. I am going with a blend from the south of France. The Name is Domaine La Calmette. Notes of plum, cherry, and blackberry, but with herbs and cracked pepper to provide depth and body. It’s made from Malbec and Merlot, so you get the heavy boldness of Malbec with a slightly fruity tinge from Merlot. I believe this wine represents the more peaceful times of Styx and Asteria’s friendship. Suppose you want a full-bodied wine that fully encapsulates Styx- her mystery, confidence, and intelligence; I would suggest trying JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset-Snake Cabernet Sauvignon, from Napa Valley, California. It has a dramatic, gothic feel that best describes Styx’s hair, eyes, and skin. The wine is intense, with ripe currants, dark chocolate, and spices. This wine will make you feel like Styx as you drink and become a part of her story.
I hope you go out and read or listen to this book. It was a wonderful book and deserves a spot on your fall TBR (to be read) list, if you have one. Also, read this book first, then read Hekate. It will just flow into Hekate’s story and give you more background to the world Nikita Gill has built.
Until Next Time,
Che Michelle
