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p0megranaterat's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
kaylareadsallthetime's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Really enjoyed this retelling of Psyche and Eros. What an adventure these twos love story is! Beautiful writing.
emhawes's review against another edition
3.25
This book was fine, and I probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't so familiar with the tale of Eros and Psyche, but I am. There are SO MANY deviations from the source material in this book - which generally is fine and a lot of the time can make a book like this infinitely better, especially since women in Greek myths are frequently overlooked. But Psyche's story is pretty well described and the changes the author chose to make didn't seem to add anything to the story?
I never felt any sort of true relationship between Eros and Psyche which is sad because the slow burn potential and all the tension between the pair SHOULD be easy to create. I think too much time was spent on the early years of Psyche's life (presumably so we could alternate between POVs and get Eros's backstory as well) and not enough time was spent after their marriage before the curse takes effect. Even the trials of Psyche felt a little flown through.
Overall, this is fine, it's an enjoyable story on its own and the writing is solid. I didn't love all the changes to source material, but if you're not as familiar with this story it probably wouldn't be such a problem.
I never felt any sort of true relationship between Eros and Psyche which is sad because the slow burn potential and all the tension between the pair SHOULD be easy to create. I think too much time was spent on the early years of Psyche's life (presumably so we could alternate between POVs and get Eros's backstory as well) and not enough time was spent after their marriage before the curse takes effect. Even the trials of Psyche felt a little flown through.
Overall, this is fine, it's an enjoyable story on its own and the writing is solid. I didn't love all the changes to source material, but if you're not as familiar with this story it probably wouldn't be such a problem.
rinchapter's review
adventurous
emotional
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? N/A
3.75
Liked it a lot! She was maybe a bit too girlboss? If that makes sense? But at the end of the day it was nice reading it, which is all that matters.
ktb_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
altanstrident's review against another edition
4.0
Psyche and Eros' is one of the superior myths- their romance touches the soul. This was a really good retelling of their story, Mcnamara did switch up a few things, mixing some of the versions but it came together really nicely!
kenshinj12's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
danijbalt's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
october528's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-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? No
5.0
jesikasbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Psyche and Eros deserved this retelling so much - it is intelligent, feminist and filled with love. The author manages to weave so many other elements of Mythology- often the previously marginalised female - into this one and so it contains within it Medusa asking what makes someone a hero, Helen dreading her marriage and Iphegenia giving up her chosen life course because her father asked her to all of these women that Psyche knew she can reflect on in telling her story and it is beautifully done.
I also really enjoyed Psyche's reflections on her own status as a narrative through cultures. This brought such a clever element to her self awareness.
Psyche and Eros are both depicted so well - they are so human in their character, facing such extraordinary challenges to sustain their love for each other. You root for them and you want to rage against the system with them.
This is one of the best retellings I've enjoyed and I hope to see more from this author.
I also really enjoyed Psyche's reflections on her own status as a narrative through cultures. This brought such a clever element to her self awareness.
Psyche and Eros are both depicted so well - they are so human in their character, facing such extraordinary challenges to sustain their love for each other. You root for them and you want to rage against the system with them.
This is one of the best retellings I've enjoyed and I hope to see more from this author.