Psyche and Eros - Luna McNamara (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 11/05/2023

Author: Luna McNamara

Publisher: Orion Fiction

Publication Date: May 25, 2023

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

In this utterly transporting reimagining of Greek mythology, the god of desire is cursed to fall for a spirited young mortal woman, but if she looks upon his face they will be parted forever—an epic adventure and love story for the ages, sure to satisfy fans of Madeline Miller and V.E. Schwab

Who said true love is a myth?

A prophecy claims that Psyche, princess of Mycenae, will defeat a monster feared even by the gods. Rebelling against her society’s expectations for women, Psyche spends her youth mastering blade and bow, preparing to meet her destiny.

When Psyche angers the love goddess, Aphrodite, she sends Eros, the god of desire, to deliver a cruel curse. After eons watching humanity twist his gifts, the last thing Eros wants is to become involved in the chaos of the mortal world. But when he pricks himself with the arrow intended for Psyche, Eros finds himself doomed to yearn for a woman who will be torn from him the moment their eyes meet.

Thrown together by fate, headstrong Psyche and world-weary Eros will face challenges greater than they could have imagined. And as the Trojan War begins and divine powers try to keep them apart, the pair must determine if the curse could become something more . . . before it’s too late.

A joyous and subversive tale of gods, monsters, and the human heart and soul, Psyche and Eros dazzles the senses while exploring notions of trust, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be a hero. With unforgettably vivid characters, spellbinding prose, and delicious tension, Luna McNamara has crafted a shimmering and propulsive debut novel about a love so strong it defies the will of Olympus.

Review:

    Each passing day brings forth the realisation that when it comes to Greek mythology I have only scratched the surface. New characters (particularly women) that are often overlooked in the past come up as central characters making their voices heard. This time it is Psyche's turn.

"No temples were ever built in my honour, and no colleges of priestesses ever sung hymns in my names"

        She is the Goddess of soul and the beloved of Eros, the God of love. If you want to find a romantic comedy in Greek mythology, then that is theirs. At least that is what McNamara has created through her stunning work. While some may criticise McNamara's handling of the original myth, I beg to defer. Should we really be faithful to the original when it comes to retelling? Wouldn't that fail its purpose? I, for one, loved how the author made Psyche into an archer. Sure, feminist retellings don't have to make the woman a warrior. Still, I can't help but notice that this puts Psyche on equal footing with her archer husband. 

        The depiction of Eros as a primordial god ushered in a new perspective on the so-called main storyline. Zeus, as usual, doesn't gain any favourable points but Prometheus, on the other hand, shines through his lighthearted humour. Seeing him was like revisiting many of my childhood memories. Psyche's POV introduces a horde of other characters: Iphigenia, Clytmenestra, Atlanta . . . the list goes on. Women whose blood drenched the legends.

        Psyche and Eros' love story may not be as famous as Helen's and that could be a good thing. It does have a happy ending. As Psyche says, "Truly great lovers rarely make their way into the public eye. They are too busy with one another". Thank you McNamara for bringing them to the public eye and for creating an unforgettable tale.

Meet the author:

Luna McNamara holds a master's degree from Harvard University in the study of women and gender in world religions. A lifelong lover of Greek myths, she has studied ancient Greek language and philosophy. She is currently a social worker living in Boston. Psyche and Eros is her debut novel.