Scan barcode
lighthartedreader's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
5.0
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of this amazing book!
This is the tale of Psyche and Eros, but a fresh take on the myth that many have heard or read before.
This book is written in dual POVs which I found very refreshing! As a reader you were able to see the story more completely and got to understand more characters motivations throughout the plot.
The book begins with Eros' beginning since he is one of the original gods to have been around when the earth was made. This does a great way of showing why and how Eros became the sort of recluse god that he is when he meets Psyche.
We are introduced to Psyche when she was born. A daughter that was suppose to be a son but her father hears a prophecy depicting her as a hero, boom dad accepts her! We get to see bits of her life growing up and training to be a hero that she is destined to be. But after she meets Eros that belief and want is changed when she sees that maybe the hero's she marveled at were not that great of people that she thought they were.
Both Psyche and Eros are challenged throughout the story with the beliefs they held onto throughout life while also fighting to get back to one another (while discovering their true love for each other *heart eyes*).
This story is interwoven with great other Greek myths, heroes, tales, and events. The likes of Troy, Achilles, Atalanta and, many of the pantheon of Greek gods.
Overall this was not the typical retelling novel that is out there currently. I enjoyed it for showing the gods as the are closer to in history but also keeping some of them likable (others not so much but it keeps it interesting!) There was a crazy plot event that actually made my mouth drop when it happened and from there the plot winds and twist with the melancholy type vibe that greek mythology is known for. It made this book very hard to pub down. The ending was nicely wrapped up but not too "happily ever after".
This would be great for anyone who enjoys Jennifer Saint's and Percy Jackson! Great novels that intertwine mythology but add a uniqueness to them.
Now I counting down the days until I can buy the physical copy!
This is the tale of Psyche and Eros, but a fresh take on the myth that many have heard or read before.
This book is written in dual POVs which I found very refreshing! As a reader you were able to see the story more completely and got to understand more characters motivations throughout the plot.
The book begins with Eros' beginning since he is one of the original gods to have been around when the earth was made. This does a great way of showing why and how Eros became the sort of recluse god that he is when he meets Psyche.
We are introduced to Psyche when she was born. A daughter that was suppose to be a son but her father hears a prophecy depicting her as a hero, boom dad accepts her! We get to see bits of her life growing up and training to be a hero that she is destined to be. But after she meets Eros that belief and want is changed when she sees that maybe the hero's she marveled at were not that great of people that she thought they were.
Both Psyche and Eros are challenged throughout the story with the beliefs they held onto throughout life while also fighting to get back to one another (while discovering their true love for each other *heart eyes*).
This story is interwoven with great other Greek myths, heroes, tales, and events. The likes of Troy, Achilles, Atalanta and, many of the pantheon of Greek gods.
Overall this was not the typical retelling novel that is out there currently. I enjoyed it for showing the gods as the are closer to in history but also keeping some of them likable (others not so much but it keeps it interesting!) There was a crazy plot event that actually made my mouth drop when it happened and from there the plot winds and twist with the melancholy type vibe that greek mythology is known for. It made this book very hard to pub down. The ending was nicely wrapped up but not too "happily ever after".
This would be great for anyone who enjoys Jennifer Saint's and Percy Jackson! Great novels that intertwine mythology but add a uniqueness to them.
Now I counting down the days until I can buy the physical copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
natashaleighton_'s review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Vividly bold and unapologetically feminist, Luna McNamara’s sweeping reimagining of Psyche and Eros’ story was a refreshingly insightful and engaging read exploring love in all it’s many guides, that I genuinely didn’t want to end.
First off, I do want to mention that there are quite a few big changes made to Psyche and Eros’ tale both character and plot wise, which you may be disappointed by if you prefer your retellings to stay 100% faithful to the source material. Personally, I actually didn’t mind the changes and really enjoyed the modern take on this classical Greek myth.
I adored McNamara’s lush, vibrant prose and endearingly complex characters-especially Psyche, who quite possibly had the biggest transformation from the original.
Although still a Princess, this version of Psyche is both an only child and an aspiring warrior (thanks to the prophecy at her birth which claims she’ll conquer a monster feared by the gods.)
But what intrigued me most about the changes to Psyche’s background and personality was delving into the societal clash and emotional conflict that Psyche’s unconventional upbringing creates. For though her duty is to marry and give her kingdom male heirs, Psyche yearns only to become a great hero (and preferably one that stays chaste.)
This might not seem all that revolutionary when you consider how many feminist/ female led retellings we’ve seen released in the last few years. However, the unique exploration of the hero’s journey from Psyche’s perspective, and her conflicting thoughts on the true cost of being a hero was really interesting (thanks to some perfectly timed cameos from notable mythological figures such as Medusa, Persephone and Atalanta.) We’re also offered a far more intriguing perspective —that there’s more important things in life than being a hero, and that the violent, callous and fickle nature of the gods is something to be denounced not revered.
Even Eros (a god himself) shows contempt for the selfish (sometimes harmful) games Zeus’ pantheon of Gods partake in (including his disgust and guilt at some of his own questionable decisions.)
I enjoyed Eros’ character arc, though I admit to finding Psyche just a smidge more developed. I did, however, really love Eros’ alternating POV chapters as they allowed us to delve into the thought processes and emotions of the gods, which we don’t always get to do in retellings.
The romance was lighter than I had anticipated but still lovely nonetheless, and the pacing was also quite good considering the amount of info that needed to be conveyed in the opening half of the book.
Overall a fun and thoroughly entertaining read that’s perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint.
Also, a huge thank you to Orion Books and Random Things Tours for the physical copy (and also Netgalley for the e-arc.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Pregnancy, Violence, Kidnapping, and War
More...