Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I flew through this book pretty quickly. It was an easy read but still held plenty of plot to keep me occupied. I did catch myself skimming a few of the longer descriptive sections (ex: long paragraphs explaining by food at feasts just don’t do it for me) but otherwise I was hooked. The characters were pretty well fleshed out and the plot was pretty unique. I got a little worried during the first “trial” when it felt that the plot was too directly taken from myth/stories until the author called out that it was on purpose and the character was specifically recreating the legends of his ancestors. For me I may have done that a bit earlier or gone a bit subtler on how much was taken from myths of other characters just because it had me the reader pretty uneasy and unimpressed for too long at the start. Otherwise it was a really cute reimagining and restructuring of some great Greek myths.

This was such a sweet and cozy read. I really loved the world and found the characters interesting. The world within was rich in Greek mythology which I could not get enough of. I loved following along with both Eirene and Lamia throughout this novel and watching them grow together. The perspectives in this were very well done, switching just at the perfect time which I really feel helped to elevate the story. The ending of this did feel like it wrapped up a little fast, but I still really enjoyed it.

it took me a while to get into the book, but after getting over the start, i absolutely devoured it. the prose was lovely and easy to understand while not making it boring. the chapters are short, which made the book flow fast. i love Lamia with all my heart. her story broke me and revived me at the same time. i just felt like something was missing. it felt like everything and nothing was going on. i could smell the plot twist from the prologue. it wasn’t the worst book in the world i was just expecting more.

I received an eARC of Gentlest of Wild Things by Sarah Underwood from Netgalley and HarperTeen. We follow two characters Eirene and Lamia as they navigate towards either other and against Leandros who has been using a magical potion called Desire(s) to force women into romantic relationships with men they would not otherwise be with in the village of Zakynthos. Eirene sacrifices herself to become Leandros bride-to-be so her twin sister Phoebe doesn’t have to, and Lamia is trapped under the draconian regime of her father disguised as love and protection.

The book has been described as retelling of Psyche and Eros with a sapphic twist. As someone who is a weak for Greek Mythology and sapphic romances this book was sublime. Eirene and Lamia are captivating throughout the story as a well done slow burn relationship. Lamia’s character development was the one I was most invested in because everything she had known was being challenged. Leandros was minacious as the antagonist, and some parts were darker and more gruesome than I expected out of the book description. I was enthralled with the book and the character relationships that this was probably one of the quickest books I have finished this year. 5/5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperTeen for the eARC of Gentlest of Wild Things by Sarah Underwood.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gentlest of Wild Things is a novel inspired by the tale of Eros and Psyche in Greek Mythology. In this sapphic fantasy, Eirene must complete trials to save her twin sister from a dark fate with the twisted son of Eros, who uses his power to create a drug that compels people to his bidding. Locked away in a tower and with only a strange ally for help, she must use all her wits to succeed. And something monstrous comes out at night...

I found Eirene's story a bit long in the beginning but compelling in the end, though not by too much. First, the positives: I really love Lamia, and I wish we had seen more tender moments between her and Eirene to flesh out their love story, but overall, it was sweet. The setting was quaint and reminded me of Belle's town in Beauty and the Beast. Unfortunately, this is about the end of the list of things I enjoyed.

My biggest complaint is that this book struggled with pacing, being so slow in the beginning and so quick with a resolution. I found it hard to connect to Eirene, and though I appreciate a book that hinges on a sister relationship, there was really not a ton of connection to Eirene's sister to tug at my heartstrings. The main romance is also underwhelming - I didn't feel that there was enough connection between the two of them to have formed something so quickly.

Leandros' character is also so one-dimensionally evil that it's hard not to see him as a goon. There was never a doubt in my mind about how this book would end - which isn't necessarily a bad thing; sometimes stories are more about the "journey along the way," but this one was certainly not great at that either. It never connected with me well enough to care about the characters.

i was so excited for this because sapphic!! fantasy!! gimme!! but this just didn't work out for me. the pacing felt off, and even though i liked the themes of women empowerment and standing up for what YOU want, something about the greek mythology part didn't quite hit for me.

Thank you to HarperCollins for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am still waiting for a sapphic story that isn't cute/adorable/sweet and is developed in a meaningful way. I'm glad to see stories containing queer female characters, but the trend of sanitized feminine love is just not for me. If that is more your style, I think you will like this book.

I was really looking forward to reading this, but this book really struggled to hold my attention. I think there are so many Greek retellings or stories set in ancient Greece, that there needs to be that mystical otherness for the story to stand out. This, unfortunately, didn't provide and felt very modern to me.

This was a really lovely read. A Greek myth retelling that feels truly fresh, with characters that are well-developed and modern without feeling anachronistic.

Gentlest of Wild Things by Sarah Underwood is a feminist, LGBTQ+ fantasy set on the island of Zakynthos, where love, known as Desire, is bottled and sold to the highest bidder by Leandros, a descendant of Eros. When Leandros' wife dies mysteriously, he sets his sights on Phoebe, the twin sister of the story's fierce protagonist, Eirene. Eirene will do anything to protect her sister, striking a deal with Leandros to complete four dangerous tasks in exchange for him choosing another bride. This sets the stage for a story of sisterhood, power, and identity, all intertwined with mythology and a subtle exploration of romance.

While the premise was intriguing, I’ve found myself consistently let down by Greek mythology or Greek mythology-adjacent books, and Gentlest of Wild Things followed that trend. That said, there were elements I enjoyed. The relationship between Eirene and her sister was believable and beautifully done. The bond they shared felt authentic and was the emotional core of the story. Eirene, as a character, was a highlight for me. She was tenacious and driven, always willing to do whatever it took to protect her family. I loved seeing her take charge and push the boundaries of what was expected of her, which made her a compelling heroine.

On the other hand, Lamia, Leandros' neglected daughter, felt underdeveloped. For much of the story, she was portrayed as timid and shy, but her sudden transformation into a more assertive character felt forced. The shift happened too quickly given the story’s condensed timeline, and it didn’t feel entirely earned. I would have liked to see more gradual growth from her, particularly since her character had such potential to be an interesting counterpart to Eirene.

The sapphic romance between Eirene and Lamia was sweet but rushed. It didn’t feel as though it had enough space to breathe within the narrative. I appreciated the representation, but it would have been more impactful had the relationship been given more time to develop organically, perhaps ending with more of a "budding" connection instead of rushing into a full romance. It felt a bit out of place in the grander scheme of the story.

Despite these critiques, Gentlest of Wild Things still has its appeal. Fans of mythology, fantasy, and LGBTQ+ romance will find aspects of the book engaging, particularly if they enjoy stories with strong sibling relationships and feminist undertones. While it wasn’t perfect for me, I think others might appreciate its unique blend of mythology and fantasy, even if it didn’t fully live up to its potential.

A solid 2.7 for me. I was looking forward to this (because yesss sapphic retellings of greek myths!!) but sadly it didn’t hit the mark in my opinion.

I always love a story that is driven by a girl wanting to protect her sister. Though, the plan to do so had some holes that I found hard to believe. And I was a bit underwhelmed with how the main villain reacted since I expected him to be more of a menacing villain, but I rolled with it.

Although many of the characters fell flat to me, I really liked Lamia. Because of her sheltered upbringing and abusive father, she had a unique take on things and it was interesting to see the world from her perspective. What scared her, what messed-up things she had been gaslit into thinking was normal, what piqued her curiosity, and the artistic interests she had to keep secret. What provoked her to break free from her father’s grip, and the way she went about it. And her magical abilities were wondrously described.

But the thing that really let me down was that the romance was kind of awkward. Eirene’s initial meeting with Lamia left a bad taste in my mouth. I get that she was frustrated and fatigued, but I found her really obnoxious in that moment. I’m all for conflict and tension between characters before the romance develops, and I know Eirene felt a little bad later, but it was too uninteresting to justify the insufferable-ness of it. And then the next day, they’re happily working together, chatting and checking each other out? It felt off to me. And while the ending was sweet, their moments together throughout the book lacked substantial chemistry.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

An overall sweet fantasy romance providing a YA Greek mythos retelling that's finally something different than Hades and Persephone.

Our main characters have great chemistry and work off each other well, making the romance feel natural despite not initially getting much time on the page together. The prose is rich and textured, giving the story a very magical and ethereal feeling that builds well off of its mythological basis. There's a satisfying arc for both characters and their romance.

A few small prose-related things do bog the story down a tad; the use of more modern curse words feels out of place and anachronistic enough to jolt one briefly out of the story. There is something about the pacing that didn't quite hit with me, but since I can't put it in to more specific terms, I don't think that's something that makes or breaks this story.

All in all, this is an extremely satisfying romantic fantasy with solid worldbuilding that slots in neatly to its foundational mythos and history. Fans of romance and Greek mythology nerds alike will find something to love in this one.

3/5 ⭐️s
🫑 - no spice, nothing beyond kissing

LOVES:
- I appreciate the teamwork Eirene and Lamia enter into
- As the mystery slowly unravels I keep thinking I might know what’s what, but the reveal was still fun
- Very satisfying to see the gaslighting, jerk get what’s coming to him 😏
- Eirene’s lack of fear is so cool, she is a BAB
- The epilogue is sweet ☺️

“I don’t need to be brave, I just need to keep going.”

CRITIQUES:
- I’m interested in what’s going on, but for some reason the book just didn’t keeping my attention for longer periods of time. I think that’s partially because the pacing is slow.
- I wanted a little bit more of the romance, it was hinted at very minimally

The cover of this book is beautiful and I liked the overall story. I sure ended up feeling strongly about the characters, whether love or hate. It was very okay, it just didn’t quite make me love it.

As a reader new to retellings, the slow feeling of the book was a blessing for me. I truly appreciate Underwoods world and description and I'd love to read more from them. Both the atmosphere and queerness I really loved and I'm a sucker for a beautiful sapphic story.

I feel the need to acknowledge Underwood's controversy with her debut novel last year, because it's popped in my head now and again since it happened. It's just wild to me that someone would claim their book to be a retelling of a classic, only to say they didn't read it in the same breath. The fact she wrote and is publishing a second book based on Greek mythos after that whole mess is kind of boggling, too. Regardless, I'm here to judge Gentlest of Wild Things based off my own reading experience.

With that said, this was an absolute slog to get through.

I didn't care for anything that was happening, nor did I care for anyone. All the characters were one dimensional at best, but the villain, Leandros, was so painfully one-notedly awful it came off cartoonish; the only thing missing was him twirling his mustache whenever he tortured our leads. If Eirene and Lamia were human than cardboard, I would have been more sympathetic, but they weren't. Lamia was a bit more interesting due to the portrayal of her disability and how her dad utilized it to make her feel weak and stupid because of it, but her realization of that abuse felt way too rushed for me to genuinely root for her. At least she had changed; Eirene didn't change at all all throughout the story. If it weren't for Lamia, she would be dead and her sister would have become Leandros' so fast. She just became more of a vehicle for Lamia's development as the story went. It came to the point she wasn't a person, anymore, only the prize for Lamia to kiss once the victory over Leandros was won. It would have been so frustrating if I cared that much.

Other than that, there isn't much to say. The pacing was the bad kind of slow that stretched for too long, and the story heavily relies on you being invested in these characters, otherwise there isn't anything to show for it.

I want to say I won't be reading any of Underwood's other works, but some masochistic part of me wants to read her debut and satisfy that curiosity that's been plaguing me since the book released. But, as for now, I would recommend many other Greek retellings ten times over before giving the green light for this book.

I absolutely enjoyed this retelling! The world-building is rich, the conflict is well illustrated, and The characters are written in a way, that you feel they could be a neighbor or family friend, also, the romance is tastefully written. This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster and I loved every minute! I went from concerned to angry to confused to surprised to shocked and horrified to aww, how sweet. I rooted for the ladies to win from the very beginning. The way Lamia was treated was gut-wrenching, she wanted so much to be loved and accepted.

She got her licks back in the end though!!

This was a beautiful sapphic Greek Mythology retelling of Psyche and Eros.

Thank you Netgalley, HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins, and Sarah Underwood for the E-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest voluntary review.

unfortunately, this just didn’t deliver for me. i never understood what tone is what going for. the opening almost felt like thriller or even horror, but for the most part the slow pacing and minimal style just left it feeling very meh across the board.

i found the reveal to be pretty predictable, and i really would’ve liked leandros to either be more complex or larger than life as the villain.

i’m not very familiar w Greek mythology so maybe fans of it will appreciate this more than me.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Gentlest of Wild Things by Sarah Underwood is a third person dual-POV YA Sapphic historical fantasy inspired by Psyche and Eros. When wealthy merchant Leandros chooses Eirene’s sister, Phoebe, to become his next bride, Eirene won't step aside and let it happen. She goes to Leandros to offer herself in her sister’s place and faces tasks from the story of Psyche and receives help from Lamia, Leandros’ daughter.

What I liked the most was the worldbuilding. Leandros is a descendant of Eros himself and he bottles Desire and sells it. The buying and selling of Desire has led to multiple young women becoming the wives of much older men and being quite compliant where they previously might not have been. It's cruel and hits a bit too close to home at times, but it does effectively show that such a product would be absurd if it really did exist. Leondros is also very protective of the legacy of Aphrodite and Eros, growing irritated at a more humorous adaptation of his ancestors during a play.

The other thing that was very cool was the inclusion of an empousa, a vampire from ancient Greek mythology. I’ve actually never encountered the empousa before despite reading a lot about Greek mythology over the years. I was also fascinated by the idea that Lamia’s emotions while she bleeds impacts the effectiveness of her magic. There’s a lot of very interesting stuff in regards to blood and magic and I’m into it because I love vampires and I especially love vampires in Sapphic fantasy.

Lamia and Eirene are very different but have some similarities. Both don’t view themselves as particularly beautiful and both are fairly selfless, but Lamia is so far under her father’s thumb that she struggles to go against his orders while Eirene has a stronger personality and has less respect for the gods than Lamia does. They’re fairly balanced as a romantic relationship and have very personal distinct needs that are separate from their romantic needs.

Content warning for misogyny and child abuse and implications of sexual assault

I would recommend this to fans of Sapphic reinterpretations of Greek myths, readers looking for vampires in more historical settings, and those looking for a YA fantasy that has lighter fantasy elements.

Thank you to HarperCollins for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Gentlest of Wild Things begins with the story of Eirene and her twin sister, Phoebe. When Leandros, a cunning descendant of Eros, sets his sights on marrying Phoebe, Eirene develops a plan to bargain her sister's freedom by completing 4 of his chosen tasks. At the same time, Eirene also wishes to use the opportunity to discover the secrets behind Desire, a substance created by Leandros, that he has labeled as "Love" and is using to impact the women of their community. While all of this goes on, Eirene becomes more and more familiar with Lamia, Leandros' daughter, and learns of the role she plays within the man's schemes.

I always love reading Greek myth retellings so it's only natural that I also enjoyed this one! It was very atmospheric, especially with the added element of a very tender and sweet queer romance. I also particularly loved the sister bond between our twin protagonists, but I feel like it could've been displayed a bit more once Eirene has started her tasks. Phoebe would be mentioned but was no longer very prominent which left me feeling like something was missing. I feel that this book also struggled a bit with pacing, but I can't quite put my finger on what it was. That being said, the way the stakes raised at the end was great and I feel it was executed really well!
I also want to add that I loved the portrayal of the antagonist in this story because he was actually unsettling, especially from Lamia's perspective. I would've liked to learn more of his backstory.
Overall a good book, I think it will work well for its audience! 3.5/5 Stars

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Gentlest of Wild Things is a loose sapphic retelling of one of the most beautiful love stories in Greek Mythology, Eros and Psyche. Our story begins with Eirene, our hardworking heroine, who is struggling to keep her household fed, her twin sister well and her brother out of gambling debt. Her sister Phoebe is being pursued by Leandros, the demigod-ish purveyor of "desire" who is mysteriously linked to the disappearance of several village woman and the brutal death of his own wife. In Eirene's desperate attempt to save her sister from his clutches, she volunteers to marry him in her stead, discover the truths of "desire" and bring down the man threatening the woman of Zakythos. And enter our love interest, Lamia. Lamia is Leandros' broken abused daughter whose tears are the makings of "desire." Together, they learn the meanings of love, female empowerment, and the courage to stand and fight for their futures. It is your classic "true love conquers all" moment. I enjoyed the prose and pacing of Underwood's writing and felt the book did a wonderful job at giving us realistic and meaningful character development. The relationships she created were thoughtfully curated and accurately representative of real life emotions. My only critique is wishing the story followed the mythology just a tad closer. At it's core it was a great story with great writing, it just wasn't the retelling I thought I was getting.

What a beautiful story. I loved reading the Greek Mythology. The story and characters are really well written. I felt very immersed in the world while reading. Eirene and Lamia <3 I love them together so much. Sapphic love is so wonderful and the slow burn was so worth it. Their first kiss was beautiful. As was the epilogue. This was such a good read. I highly enjoyed this story and definitely recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy!