I loved this one so much! The rapid plot takes us from Aphrodite’s birth from the sea and we get to see not only a retelling and a delve into Aphrodite’s myths which are often ignored in mythology retelling but Pierce also doesn’t flinch away from portraying a heroine who is vengeful and dangerous. Aphrodite herself narrates this tale and as she learns more of the world her perspective changes and we get this glorious depiction of Olympus in the eyes of someone who is on one hand only a few weeks old and yet cynical and powerful.
I love how other characters – especially her handmaidens reflect the world of Olympus. Anyone who is powerful, any woman who could be anything other than a marriageable pawn is reduced to a shallow facet of their true power and there is nothing better than seeing it unfold. Her handmaiden has experienced it before and yet Aphrodite is now experiencing it first hand but she can be supported by her.
I honestly can say that this will stay with me for a while! I can’t wait for another reread once it releases and a sequel because this stunning masterpiece has me hooked!
Bold, powerful and still loyal to the cruelty of the original myths with an exploration of personal power and patriarchy.
Age Recommendation: Upper YA/Adult – 15+
Romance Rating: Open Door – very euphemistic, less than a page.
Violence Rating: Level 6 – there is both physical violence throughout and fights as well as sexual violence which happens regularly and there is the threat of it throughout.
CW: SA, Rape

Not my type of book. I had romance as my settings I was expecting something wholey different. The book is written really well and you wsnt to now route for ahprodite but I like my books a little more hea

I love Greek mythology, and Aphrodite has been one that I've been drawn to for many years. I've done women's circles that dedicate it to her, so when this book came up on netgalley, I couldn't wait to read it. And, it was absolutely brilliant. I love the way it is written.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I could not put this down, easy 5 stars! Aphrodite is a force to be reckoned with, causing chaos and brilliance in the midst of the Gods. She shows the true power of being a women and navigating the world around her!

Aphrodite by Bryony Pearce is a bold and refreshing feminist retelling of the Goddess of Love and Beauty, offering a perspective rarely explored in mythology. This book reclaims Aphrodite’s story, moving beyond her traditional portrayal as merely a symbol of desire to reveal a powerful, intelligent, and underestimated deity fighting for her place among the gods.

Born from the sea, Aphrodite emerges into a world she knows nothing about, but one thing is clear—she possesses incredible power and an unmatched beauty that captivates and unsettles those around her. When she arrives in Olympus, she quickly discovers that the home of the gods is rife with jealousy, manipulation, and power struggles. Her beauty is seen as a threat by goddesses and a possession to be claimed by gods. Given the title of Goddess of Love and Beauty, she soon realises that this label is both a curse and a weapon—one she must learn to wield if she is to survive in a world determined to control her.

The book retells several well-known myths from Aphrodite’s perspective, offering new depth to familiar stories. Pearce weaves themes of misogyny, feminism, and power into the narrative, showcasing how Aphrodite is repeatedly dismissed and underestimated. Yet, rather than resigning herself to the role others have assigned her, she pushes back, carving her path through the treacherous politics of Olympus.

What sets this book apart is its modern and engaging writing style. The gods are flawed and complex, their relationships filled with both humour and danger, making Olympus feel vividly real. The portrayal of Aphrodite as more than just a beautiful figurehead gives her agency, allowing readers to connect with her as she fights for respect and control over her fate.

Aphrodite is a gripping and empowering read, breathing new life into a figure often reduced to a one-dimensional role. It’s perfect for fans of mythological retellings that challenge traditional narratives and offer fresh perspectives on ancient legends.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I have never read anything from the perspective of Aphrodite. This feminist retelling by Bryony Pearce brought new depth and context to her story.

Aphrodite is born from the sea, and is eventually discovered by the gods. We follow her as she finds her way to Olympus, where her beauty is immediately seen as a threat by jealous goddesses, and a prize by careless gods. The book retells several myths and legends from Aphrodite's point of view, as she wrestles with her beauty being the main thing others see.

I really enjoyed this book - there are plenty of recognisable figures, and some lesser known, and themes including misogyny, feminism, and power struggles. The writing is modern and realistic, with the complicated Olympian family dynamics offering both humour and threat. I would absolutely recommend this to fans of mythology retellings!

I absolutely love a Greek mythology retelling and this didn’t disappoint. Despite being one of the the 12, Aphrodite is quite often a side character and it was refreshing to read something with her in the spotlight. A goddess who is arguably a bit ‘marmite-y’, it is often easy to dislike Aphrodite, but the way Pearce portrays her and the trials she faces makes it much easier to understand and love her. Would absolutely recommend.

Greek Mythology ✔️
Gods✔️
Drama,adventure and excitement ✔️✔️✔️✔️
The title kind of give it away but this book us definitely one of my favourites of the year so far. A story based on one of the 12 main Greek gods especially one that we don't really hear much about... not my favourite godess but now looking at her view point she is definitely one to adore.....starting from her birth and her journey to Olympus I have never been so engrossed in a story and the urge to throw it because of the amount of injustice she suffers. The story is told beautifully and makes you so angry and annoyed that you want to go and commit revenge for her......the struggle of females in a male dominated world has you rooting for Aphrodite....

I have an obsession with Greek god/goddess retellings so the second I saw that Aphrodite gets HER ENTIRE OWN BOOK I knew that I needed to read it. I feel like Persephone gets all of the attention (which, she is awesome so its deserved) but Aphrodite is also so important because like the tagline on the cover says - she's not just a pretty face.

Needless to say, I went into the book with high expectations. I LOVED it. I admit that I don't know a lot about Aphrodite's past or even her myth in general and I adored the author's take on it. Aphrodite is so often portrayed as a lust-filled silly woman or just a vapid pretty face - or sometimes just vile and jealous - and I really just love that Pearce takes her to the next level and gives her a complex personality and life.

The pacing was great, the character development was top tier, and I love the 'sibling' rivalry aspects - Greek myth familial lines are so convoluted and funny that I always love seeing how they interact with one another.

As I was reading I honestly kept trying to think of any kind of constructive criticism and came up blank. I loved all of it.

I’m yet to find a book that features Aphrodite and her story so I was immediately intrigued by this story’s premise. Typically we know Aphrodite as the Goddess of love and beauty and she tends to be portrayed as a side character with a shallow personality. It was refreshing to see her in all her complexity - she did start the Trojan war after all so there has to be more to her than just shallow attributes!

I enjoyed the author’s own personal take on Aphrodite - the story focusses on parts of her myth that seem to get overlooked and gives us more insight into her beginnings which is quite sparse in mythical literature. I did find the writing style hard to engage with but that is just a personal taste, I feel that the characters were well developed and the story was well told.