Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara

14 reviews

simplybeing_'s review against another edition

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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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danilo_syrtis's review

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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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kayceeisbookish's review against another edition

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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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florecita_lectora's review against another edition

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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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arieloley's review

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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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annatollia's review

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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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stephaniediane07's review against another edition

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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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sarahsbooklife's review against another edition

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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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keeley_95's review against another edition

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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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skylover's review

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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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