My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summary from GoodReads
People travel from afar to the small isle in the Aegean Sea hoping for a single glimpse of Princess Psyche. Their adoration for the mortal woman is so all-consuming that citizens begin to shower her with the very gifts and offerings they once left at the alter of Venus, goddess of love and beauty.
But gods are known for their jealousy.
Cupid, the god of love, takes pleasure in causing strife and mischief in the lives of humans. He uses love as a weapon, humoring in the weakness of people at the whims of their feelings. When his mother Venus approaches him about punishing the human girl who dares to steal her offerings and affections from the people, Cupid gladly accepts.
Psyche's punishment is to be given to a mysterious creature who only comes to her in the dark of night under the pact that she will never lay eyes on him. She is terrified of this stranger, who the oracle described as a serpent. Her mate, however, is masterful in his dealings with his bride. He takes his time, morphing her fears into different sensations completely.
Based on the Roman/Greek mythology of Cupid and Psyche by Lucius Apuleius, New York Times bestseller Wendy Higgins brings the tale to life, weaving layers that show exactly how a sacrificial lamb can be enchanted by an unseen monster.
Adult Historical Fantasy. Standalone.
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REVIEW
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Ah the beauty of reading a book inspired by mythology! The story of Eros and Psyche has transcended time and is known as one of the few stories where a god and a human do actually have a happy ending. Inspired by the Latin work which chronicles the trials of Psyche after she falls in love with Eros, son of Aphrodite, Wendy Higgins delivers a stand-alone Adult book filled with emotion, the different aspects of human nature and godly jealousy. The author also mentions that because she is inspired by the Latin work Eros here he has his Latin name, Cupid.
If you are familiar with the myth then you'll pretty much expect the story to be similar to the one you have read. If not then the book is fresh in details, rich world-building and also it takes place somewhere in the Roman times.
Psyche is the third daughter of a Greek king of an island. Born with exceptional beauty and while she loves her family dearly she longs to find love in someone who will not love for only for her appearance but for the person she really is. She is not vain; on the contrary, she thinks her beauty a curse. And when a prophecy comes after the slow decay of her island, she will be wed into a winged monster and sent to live in a magical mansion with him.
I'm trying not to spoil anything here! (the historian in me longs to spoil instead)
What I noticed in the book was also the consequences the human actions had in relation to the gods. And that's something you don't clearly see in the original myth. Because Psyche is so pretty her parents refer to her 'as beautiful as a goddess'. That my friends is hubris and hubris always has bad outcomes. And the best part? Psyche is the one to bitch-slap, metaphorically, her parents into going back to their offerings towards the gods. Few mortals committed hubris and lived to tell the tale.
The story is steady, with action and emotional development for all characters and since this book is NOT a YA, expect the steamy scenes *fans herself*. Plus many consider the myth to be the predecessor to Beauty and the Beast so double the joy!
The ending was sweet and satisfactory. Wendy Higgins outdoes herself with this amazing book! I haven't felt the same since the ending of her "Sweet Evil" series or her "Undone" series! If you are a lover of mythology then this is the book for you!
About the author:
After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until achieving her dream job as a full-time writer.
Wendy lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her husband, daughter, son, and little doggies Rue & Nessie.
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