Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for this advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review. I'm glad that prior to going into this, I was made aware that this retelling of Psyche and Eros was looser than other mythology retellings we have seen on the rise in this genre, so I adjusted my expectations accordingly. I am usually okay with changes, as I always see retellings as a template to go off of, but in this case, I found that the changes took away from the original myth and lost its core values. To put it simply, Psyche did not feel like the Psyche in a way that, even if you are not familiar with the original myth, feels off-putting. I love strong female heroines in every shape and form, but McNamara seemed to lean into the belief that the headstrong, badass type of woman was the only way to go and heavily pushed on that, to the point where Psyche honestly felt grating.

Eros was kind of just... there, in my opinion. Both characters got on my nerves but the narrators did such a great job with the voice of the story, I felt captivated enough to keep going. If you want an EXTREMELY loose retelling of Psyche and Eros that's really not a retelling, this book might be for you. I highly recommend it in audiobook format, though. It made the experience a lot better.

I cannot get enough of greek mythos retellings and this one is no acceptation. I loved the story that was chosen to be the focal part of this story. And although there are a lot of creative adjustments to the characters and line of the original myth, fiction wise I loved it. The writing is beautifully done, lush and lyrical it completely enfolded me in. The characters were well written and I enjoyed the relationships that formed between them. I was love when storied that have pieces of Greek mythos overlap and enjoyed seeing the sacrifice of Virginia from the eyes of the women that were there with her. The Narrators did an amazing job of really bringing this story to life, this is an audio that I will definitely be recommending to people over and over again.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for an audiobook ARC. This was on my TBR and I was delighted to get a chance to check it out a bit early. I also want to preface with I am not familiar with the original mythology and lore around the stories of Psyche and Eros so I cannot speak to how this retelling might feel to someone more familiar with that story. Based on the reviews of others, it would seem it’s a very loose retelling.

That being said, I actually really liked Psyche. I saw a few call her unlikeable, but I think she was the perfect spoiled princess. She has flaws but she also has a lot of sass and some really great moments. She’s a bit two dimensional, but I wasn’t expecting a new favorite character or anything. Eros was a little bland but I still enjoyed his sections. The narrator was absolutely exceptional. I really really loved their voice and the way they told the story.

The audiobook had good pacing. There were a few moments I got bored or it felt a little two dimensional, but overall it was an enjoyable way to spend my time. If you’re going in expecting it to be a traditional retelling or your new favorite, you’ll probably be disappointed. If you’re looking for an interesting retelling with some basic romance vibes, I think you’ll quite enjoy yourself.

Greek mythology, a love curse, and an epic journey–what more could one ask for?

Psyche was born a princess, destined to slay monsters and expected to marry for the good of her people. Eros was the god of love and son of Aphrodite, but he had not experienced a love of his own. To appease Aphrodite, Eros agrees to target Psyche with a cursed arrow, but pricks himself with it and immediately falls in love. The two lovers can avoid the curse if Psyche does not look upon Eros’s face, but she cannot overcome her curiosity and they are immediately and violently separated. Psyche and Eros embark on separate quests, each having to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges, so that they may be reunited.

This intricately written, engaging story is beautifully crafted by Luna McNamara and expertly narrated by Rachel Petladwala and Joshua Riley. It is an epic saga–a story of resilience, hope, and love. It reminds us that true monsters come in many forms, that we should treat others with kindness, and that help can be found in the most unexpected places.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions belong to me.

I loved the plot and the twist on the classic mythology story that is Psyche and Eros. I loved the narrator and the romance that occurred. I loved the fantastical aspects of it and the idea that Psyche is normal yet has godly lineage.

I’m really upset that the author changed so much, especially from the first chapter. With the rise of Greek mythology retellings, fans of the genre might think that this girlbossification of the classic story is an accurate representation. Psyche is a strong character because all that makes her soft and femme. The author takes that away from her to make her rough and masc in a tired and uninteresting way. There was no reason to have all the side character cameos or set the story during the Trojan War either, it felt so forced. I wish this book was “inspired by Psyche and Eros” without being a retelling. If all the character names and places had been changed and this story lived independent of its inspiration, it could have shone much better. Instead, it feels like a half-baked cash grab.