Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara

14 reviews

simplybeing_'s review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I loved Psyche’s journey, and how she realizes in the end that her original idea of a ‘hero’ as being someone who slayed indiscriminately wasn’t what she wanted to be and in the end, being the goddess of souls, she cares for the dead, listening to their worries and comforting them the best she can and actually helping the living, soothing wounds and hungry bellies. 

Other than that, there wasn’t much to love, oddly enough this didn’t feel like a romance to me, even though people fall in love (off page) and have a HEA.

I understand that this is more of a re-imagining than a retelling as it varies a lot from the myth. I feel that this is more for those that need an introduction to Greek myths? And want it in an easy to digest form. Knowing all the ways it departs from the original, I definitely do not recommend this to people who love the Greek myths as is.

Also Aphrodite is the main villain and made into an absolute one sided caricature. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Animal death and Sexism

Minor: Cancer and Suicide

danilo_syrtis's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Pregnancy, and Violence

Minor: Death, Rape, Incest, Slavery, Infidelity, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, War, and Cancer

kayceeisbookish's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

I feel like the characters did not grow from the beginning to the end of the book. They just are "together" now. That's the only difference. No growth of character or anything. There was reflection but the characters felt so similar to their starting points.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Chronic illness, Grief, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, War, Emotional abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Vomit, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Confinement

florecita_lectora's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Grief, Torture, Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, and Murder

Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Violence, and War

Minor: Chronic illness, Suicide, and Pregnancy

arieloley's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It took me a moment to get into the novel, but eventually I found myself really captivated by the story. While the writing makes it clear that this is McNamara’s first novel, the ambition of the author to explore deep themes and difficult emotions overrides the sometimes juvenile quality of the prose. 

I really enjoyed the liberties the author took with changing the intertwined myths, and the story was entertaining overall. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Child death, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Sexism and Animal death

Minor: Suicide, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Xenophobia, and Toxic relationship

annatollia's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

An amazing retelling of the Psyche and Cupid myth.  There are a few things I wished were different - like the characterization of Aphrodite. Overall it was a fun read and I love how Luna McNamara incorporated other mythological figures into the narrative!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Pregnancy and Violence

stephaniediane07's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicide, Murder, Confinement, Pregnancy, Violence, Misogyny, and War

Minor: Death of parent and Cancer

sarahsbooklife's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I've always wanted to read a Psyche and Eros retelling, since I fell in love with the myth when I was younger. It is honestly one of my favourite myths. 
I thought that this was a great retelling and couldn't put this book down. 
A great feminist take on this classic myth. Blended with the stories of a few other heroes and gods. I loved the romance, the adventure and the stakes shown in this story. A must read Greek myth retelling 🏺🏛

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, and Grief

Moderate: Cursing and Violence

Minor: War, Misogyny, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit

keeley_95's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Violence

Minor: Rape and War

skylover's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A quick and easy read of a myth not well known in today's world. I felt at times the language didn't seem to match  ("oh fuck", a reference to a dishwasher, etc.) the setting in which the story took place so it would take me out of the world. Eros was dry and not a fun character to follow, and while Psyche was interesting in the beginning with her prophecy to be a hero, she's written rather dull once her and Eros are separated. Also, I know it's mythology but if she were pregnant, wouldn't she be more cautious to drink potions that turned her into butterflies or her baby be injured if she fell from great heights to mud? The baby plot line seemed unnecessary to me and added no additional ideas to the plot.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: War and Violence