Member Reviews

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

I loved this book. I think Psyche and Eros maybe my new favourite myth! I wasn't familiar with the story before so I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it.

The characters were so well written. I loved how Psyche how matured throughout the novel but the changes in character were so subtle.

There were plenty of hints at other big myths, Atalanta, Troy, Hades and Persephone which I loved but the focus was always on Psyche and Eros.

Highly recommend

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I really enjoyed Psyche and Eros and how McNamara adapted the myth, I found it both entertaining and compelling.

Psyche was an incredibly written character, and, believe the two protagonists, she definitely comes out (only just!) as my favourite. I think her narrative was better written (only just!) than Eros's, I felt I could connect with her more, and I felt more of her emotion. Whereas, with Eros, there always felt to be a little distance - I think this is due to him being a 'God', McNamara's separation of human v deity felt like she was keeping us - the very human audience - slightly apart from him.

The writing was really strong overall, I thought the descriptions were very vivid and atmospheric and I enjoyed the plot.

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I really enjoyed Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara- a Greek Myth retelling with a bit of a feminist slant.
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion.

This retelling of Psyche and Eros is an epic love story and like all good romances there are plenty of obstacles along the way.
Psyche is a young woman destined to be a hero and Eros is a cynical and weary God. When Aphrodite takes a dislike to Psyche their lives take a dramatic turn.
To me Psyche story was also a coming-of-age story, how a mortal woman achieved so much and the lengths she would go to for love. Aphrodite is dark villain, beautiful, selfish and willing to inflict great suffering on mortals.
The book is beautifully written with good, paced plot. Psyche and Eros meet many characters from Greek Mythology such as Persephone and Medusa as well as Helen of Troy. But I really enjoyed how the authors infuses most of their stories with a feminist touch. They are not victims.
Perfect for Fans of
Psyche and Eros will appeal to anyone who enjoys the retelling of ancient Myths like the Song of Achilles.

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As someone who adores mythology retellings without knowing a whole lot about the original myths in the first place, I really enjoyed this book. I understand there were a lot of changes (that the author mentions in the author’s note), but they haven’t bothered me because of my limited knowledge of Roman (in this case) or Greek literature.

While there were some parts of this book that I was not completely enthralled by, I felt this was both an enjoyable and easy read. What I loved most about Psyche’s arc was the several moments where she had matured enough to grow out of her obsession with becoming a hero and figuring out that the definition of a hero as she had been taught by men might not be one worth aspiring to. Her conversations with Medusa were some of my favorite parts and I deeply appreciated the feminist discourse.

However I would like to point out that this book should have a few content warnings which it did not have, one I struggled with being graphic animal deaths.

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Thanks to Ann at Random Things Book Tours for the arc


This was a highly bouncy tale that was a lot of pleasure to read.


There is a healthy dose of historical detail and a generous interpretation of ancient sources.
This is the book for you if you want a captivating tale that neatly incorporates Greek myth while still retaining its own flair and individuality. I didn't get the impression that this book was trying to be an exact replica of the original story; instead, it took its own unique journey, preserving enough threads of Greek mythology to feel grounded while also becoming fascinating and exciting.


I thought the characterisation in this novel was excellent: we were told just enough about each character to keep us engaged without getting bogged down in personal information. The two points of view were quite well written, with both characters' voices sounding distinct and constant throughout.


#RandomThingsBookTours #BlogReview #greekmytholgyretelling #greekgods

Will be on blog ,intsa and tiktok 2nd june

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This was a very jolly bounce along novel which was great fun to read.

There is a good sprinkling of historical detail ad a very generous interpretation of ancient sources.

It is an excellent summer read and the alternating voices worked.

I did find the to and from between the gods very similar to the worst sort of office politics.

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The myth of Psyche and Eros is one of my favorites and I was happy to receive this arc.

That being said, I felt that while it was a retelling which allowed the author to make any changes to fit within the narrative she wanted, it strayed too much.

The book was described as a feminist retelling however I do have a problem when authors decide that a female character can only oppose and challenge the patriarchy by being a type of warrior and someone with a lot of physical strength or someone void of or lacking femininity.

Additionally I found some of the relations unnecessary and while, yes I understand t is a retelling, it really did not make sense along with some of the events. The Author really tried to incorporated too much whether it be noteworthy Greek characters or events which I do admit made for an enjoyable read but sometimes unnecessary.

If I did not know too much about this myth I think I would have enjoyed this much more. It's not a bad read, but I think instead of describing this book as a feminist retelling , saying it was a reimagining would have been better.

Other than the certain aspects plot and the portrayal of some of the characters, the prose itself was easy to follow and made for a simple and fun read. I did find myself engrossed and despite my criticism I did finish this book in one sitting. I was hooked from the start. I do believe others would totally enjoy this retelling.

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I enjoyed aspects of this retelling, including the total transformation of Psyche, but I also didn't enjoy how completely removed from her femininity this version seemed to want her to be. For me, there was also a lack of justifications for a lot of the changes made to the mythology, almost becoming a tickbox of famous Greek mythological figures.

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I really liked this book! If you're after a gripping book that elegantly includes Greek myth while still retaining its own flair and originality, this is the book for you! I didn't feel like this book was attempting to be an exact echo of the original tale, instead it took its own unique journey, retaining enough threads of Greek tales to feel grounded while becoming engaging and fun.

I felt as though the characterisation was really good in this book: we were told just enough about each character to remain interested but without dwelling too much on personal details. The dual POVs were really well written with both characters' voices feeling different and consistent throughout.

I loved the different adventures that both Eros and Psyche were sent on - this added really regular pacing throughout which made it easy to read. I also loved that the story didn't rely on only one character to fight for their love - the best part was watching them both fight separately and realising that they truly loved one another.

Psyche as a character was amazing - I really rooted for her throughout the book, loving her brazenness and desire for adventure!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend for any reader wanting to delve into the Greek mythology trend at the moment - this was an easy, yet highly satisfying read for me to start with!

Thanks to Orion Fiction and NetGalley for early access to this book!

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A tender retelling of one of Greek mythology’s great fated couplings, Psyche and Eros.

“Desire, after all, always finds its target.”

If I were to take this book on holiday I would be charged extra baggage fees for the sheer amount of mythological content in this book, it name drops all the greats. The author delivers a healthy dose of artistic license in cramming these in so if you’re a mythology purist this may not be the book for you.

However… if you want to get lost in a beautiful ancient tale, as I did, you will love this story. The scene setting is transportive and the book is well paced with chapters alternating between Psyche and Eros’ perspectives. Personally I’m not a romance reader but this book is quite light on the romance so it suited my tastes well.

Overall I enjoyed this adventurous and emotional re-imagining and I rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Luna McNamara and Orion for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I really enjoyed Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara!
I'm a big fan of greek mythology retellings so I was really excited to read this one and I'm happy to say it was really good!
It was written well and I really liked the portrayel of Psyche and Eros's relationship.
This wasn't a 100% faithful retelling but that didn't really bother me at all.
I definitely highly recommend this book especially if you are a fan of feminist Greek mythology retellings!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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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.)

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Psyche and Eros by Luna Macnamara is a feminist retelling of one of the greatest love stories in Greek mythology, and I enjoyed it a lot

The book starts with a bit too much world and info dumping, but if you push through it, you'll find a really enjoyable and relatable story that explores themes of love, trust, betrayal, and redemption.

Macnamara's prose is vivid and evocative, transporting you to the ancient Greek world and immersing you in its sights, sounds, and smells- but it also reads like a romcom there is light and humour in this book.

What sets Psyche and Eros apart from other retellings of the myth is its feminist perspective- a feminist retelling you say??!! Haven’t we had enough? Well we haven’t had this one and this is very much worth the read-Macnamara reimagines Psyche not as a passive victim of fate or male desire, but as a complex character with her own desires, flaws, and strengths.

The author gives Psyche a voice and agency that are often denied to female characters in the original myth and in many retellings.

The relationship between Psyche and Eros is the heart of the story, and Macnamara portrays it with tenderness and sensuality. She explores the power dynamics, conflicts, and misunderstandings that arise when two individuals from different worlds and backgrounds fall in love.

While this is undeniably the story of Psyche and Eros I can’t not mention Zephyrus who I was big fan of, they appear along with lots of famous Greek cameos.

And can we talk about the cover for a second? It's so shiny and beautiful! I'm a sucker for anything like that, and it's the perfect match for the romance.


Macnamara's writing is great, and her take on the myth of Psyche and Eros is a welcome addition to the genre. I'm totally here for this book and recommend it to anyone who's looking for an awesome love story that doesn’t stick to traditional gender roles and expectations.

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Thank you so much Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy of Psyche and Eros.

It really is the mythology retelling everyone is talking about and for good reason. We have so many different Persephone and Hades retellings but very few Psyche and Eros. Thankfully Luna was on hand to change that. I loved the style this was written in. The odds to other myths while we learned more about our main characters.

It was just a really lovely story.

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This was a beautiful retelling of one of my favourite Greek myths. Well written with a clear and strong voice, the romance was a little bit light on the development. I did love Psyche though and thought her character was perfect for an updated retelling!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

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I had a great time reading this book I really enjoyed Psyche and Eros's relationship and the side characters (particularly Zephyrus). This retelling does change part of the original story and other Greek myths but it does so in an interesting way that makes this tale more compelling, but I understand that this may be disappointing to some readers. If you're a fan of Greek mythology ir romances give this a go. It's a wonderful story of how far would you go for the one you love.

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With so many Greek mythology retellings seeing one based on the tale of Psyche and Eros was a breath of fresh air.
Luna McNamara did a beautiful job of creating a vivid story, allowing you to truly visualise the world she was creating. The depth of the characters she created was incredible. Especially the contrast and similarities between the mortals.

My one problem with the book was the relationship between Eros and Psyche. If there had been the same time given to allow for the depth and development in their relationship as there was to everything else in the book this would have been 5 stars for me.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review that is freely given

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Psyche and Eros | Luna McNamara

Reimagining of one of the most-loved stories in Greek and Roman mythology. Set during the dawn of the Trojan war, McNamara reimagines Psyche as a trained hero with a destiny to conquer a "monster" even gods fear. And Eros, a listless primordial god who just cannot be bothered by other divinities' games.
The former earn's Aphrodite's ire by merely being the object of comparison to the goddess, and so the divinity sends her adopted son to inflict her curse with an arrow she imprecates. Unwilling, but in a plan to guise his recent mischief, he obliges.

Eros seeks Psyche for this reason, but in a moment of uncharacteristic carelessness, he wounds himself with the cursed arrow, and everything as he knew it changes. What was the fate of a love bourne out of a curse? What does it mean?

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spoiler free review:

This is easily one of my favorite greek myths so I was so excited about it. I had no preconceptions of this version, apart from my flickering knowledge of the versions I have read before, nor did I have any idea about McNamara's writing style. But I have honestly found myself gripped by this.

The narrative tone is not of Milner's lyrical writing. Indeed it has more of a modern romcom tone, but I found it earnest to tell a story so I never really minded that. It feels like fangirling with a friend over this myth you both love so well. It took me to an adventure I already knew and embelished it with the possibilities I havent thought about exploring. I like that McNamara interwove other myths along with this telling. I feel that she utilised the mythological world convincingly well.

The romance is also so wholesome which I like. And despite being a known love story, it felt as much more like a shortened version of the labours of Heracles. It gives you only the tip of the iceberg between the two characters in terms of their intimate interactions and leaves you to your own imagination to form the rest. So if you are here for spice, this is probably not the place to look. For me, though, it still works.

I did feel as though some areas are glazed over, some things a bit rushed and some problems only shrugged. I have some other minor complaints here and there but I overall I'm quite happy with this retelling. And like McNamara, I'm interested to read on other versions of this story.

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I was really looking forward to reading this as I love mythology and the story of Psyche and Eros is one with which I was less familiar. Great concept but I'm afraid I found the opening too info heavy with unrelated background mythological detail which interrupted my enjoyment of the story.

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What a fabulous read! This was a new myth to me (although I had heard the names before) and I thought this was a fabulously put together retelling that I adored every moment of

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