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kierasreadingjournal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, and Slavery
Minor: War
sofipitch's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
4.5
I've read a lot of bad Greek myth retellings to the point that I had completely sworn off the genre but I made an exception due to high recommendations and Bc this isn't jumping on the current trend bandwagon. And wow. I loved the exploration of Orual's loves and how even the most earnest love can still harm another. To quote an author I am unwell about, "You have not yet begun to see the horror of love". Orual was so real, in both the intensity of her flaws and love. And she isn't overly punished by the narrative for her flaws she just feels real. Real to the point of I can't believe a man in the ~1950s wrote her
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Slavery
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
sad
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? No
3.5
It could be slow at times and difficult to get into. But as always though I love Lewis’ writing and marked a few passages!
The story is more from the perspective of Psyche’s sister, Orual, which I was a bit disappointed by since it’s said to be a story of Psyche and Cupid. I didn’t know much about the myth before this did a great job of telling both the myth and the story from Orual’s POV.
I’d like to read more retellings of this myth because it’s so interesting and this didn’t quite provide what I was looking for. It was a good novel but I’d love to read the myth from Psyche and/or Cupid’s perspective as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Child abuse
Moderate: Grief, Slavery, and Death
Minor: Body shaming
readandfindout's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Style/writing: 5 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 4 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 4 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Misogyny
Moderate: Self harm, Racism, Slavery, and Emotional abuse
chrisljm's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’m not sure if I would’ve liked this book more if I hadn't already known the story of Psyche and Eros, because I can be more forgiving of a sister seeking to destroy Psyche’s happiness out of envy rather than one who ruined it due to ego. One, who weaponized the love Psyche had for her so that she could get what she wanted, because she claimed to know best. It was also frustrating seeing Orual take no responsibility for all the decisions and actions she made, instead placing blame on the gods and a lack of agency. She was incapable of looking beyond herself at all. “There’s one part love in your heart, and five parts anger, and seven parts pride.”
But the funniest part of the book was when Psyche pulled a Tai Fraiser and basically said “why am I even listening to you. you’re a virgin who can’t drive” to her sister.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, and Suicide attempt
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