A review by vikreadstons
The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis

challenging sad slow-paced

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

2.0

An attempt was made but it just does not hit the mark. I liked the idea of a sapphic Eros and Psyche reimagining and was excited to read this, but it was a challenge to finish. Everything is just too long. The first 1/3rd is just trauma dumping. The middle is too much of nothing. The last 1/3rd does pick up and the majority of the plot plays out, which only partially redeemed it. Some of the changes were clever, I will give it that. 

The writing is both nebulous and tedious. Some passages are profound, but the entire book reads like forced poeticism. The themes of the cruelty of men, the exclusion of society, the power of love and the harm of envy (especially amongst fellow women)are important, but the author hits you over the head with them instead of truly melding it into the narrative. 

Overall, I was disappointed.