Disney Books Review: Bemused by Farrah Rochon
If you’ve ever wanted to know the gospel truth about the Muses from Hercules, Bemused by Farrah Rochon finally gives them their time to shine. This YA fantasy adventure is packed with mythology, music, and an epic sisterhood that keeps the story moving at a fast (and fun) pace. Read on for a spoiler-free review of the book Bemused by Farrah Rochon.
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At the heart of the story is Calliope (Calli), the eldest of the five sisters, who takes on the role of leader when their mother, Mnemosyne, is kidnapped. The twist? Their mother isn’t just an ordinary overprotective parent. She’s actually the Goddess of Memory, and she’s been hiding them from the Olympian gods for years. Of course, the villain behind it all is none other than Hades, in all his classic Disney-style sass and scheming.
In Bemused, Rochon balances humor, adventure, and mythology. The book introduces plenty of well-known gods like Hermes and Apollo, while also slipping in nods to Greek myths in a way that feels effortless. And while I usually don’t love when characters spend most of a book running from place to place, it works here. In fact one of my favorite aspects of the book was when the muses meet and escape from Circe. Each new setting introduces a new challenge, making it feel like Hercules and his hero’s journey—except this time, it’s about five heroines fighting to save their mother.
Each sister is a fleshed out character and they tend to make decisions that aren’t the best, but their hearts are in the right place. As much as Bemused is a adventure and fantasy book, it’s also a coming of age story with one sister falling in love and another being pulled toward independence but still being tethered to the survival of the family.
For fans of Go the Distance and Fire & Fate, Bemused delivers a fresh take on Disney mythology with a high-energy adventure that keeps you hooked. Whether you love Hercules, Greek mythology, or just a good story about strong sibling bonds, this one is worth the read.
