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withlivjones's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a great retelling of one of my favourite myths. Psyche and Eros are both fantastically written characters with their own wants and flaws, and their love for each other was so sweet. I also absolutely loved how the myth was inserted into the canon of Greek mythology, with references to the Trojan cycle and appearances from tons of familiar faces - it was definitely fun as a mythology nerd to take note of all the cameos!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death and War
simplybeing_'s review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Sexism
Minor: Cancer and Suicide
semiprecious's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Loved this retelling. Lots of myth thrown in with some wonderful details added here and there to make it fresh enough to keep reading. Loved the familiar story and characters told in a new, and often relatable, way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Suicide
lornography's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
florecita_lectora's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Chronic illness, Suicide, and Pregnancy
arieloley's review
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.
I really enjoyed the liberties the author took with changing the intertwined myths, and the story was entertaining overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Animal death and Sexism
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
roaming_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"Psyche and Eros" is written well and in a way that I did not want to put the book down. It wasn't necessarily because the pot was gripping - if anything, it was light in the plot department, but the dual POV had me wanting to read the other perspective after finishing a chapter and before I knew it, it was 12:30am and I was finished. The ending was a little rushed, but overall it was a great adaptation of the source material.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent
eenicem's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Suicide, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
alicelalicon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Torture, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and 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: Violence, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and War