So, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. My rating is a 3.5. I was really excited for this book as a queer love Greek retelling of Eros and Psyche sign me up. I love Greek mythology. But I will be honest I did almost DNF this at 50% but kept pushing because I really wanted to give this book a chance because I was so hopeful for it. I will say at 70% the book totally changed for me and that is what bumped it up to a 3.5. Any book I finish automatically give 3 stars, so the ending is what gave it a tiny bump for me.

Let's start with what I loved. I loved the message of empowering psyche and expanding her knowledge and self-outside of what she had been pushed down to be. This is because as pointed out in the book men fear women and thus push them into being less and to make them into something that is for their needs and pleasures. I also loved the last 30% where the book became what I love about Greek Mythology where trials happen, and tests and we see all the different gods and sometimes even creatures that exist only in myths. It was exciting and entertaining, and this is where you really got to see Psyche and her bravery and intelligence shine. It was also during this time Eros was tested in a way and able through self-reflection grow as well. I will also say the start of this book and what Psyche goes through is rough and your heart breaks for her and gets you invested in her.

Now what did I not enjoy as much:
1) This author writing style changed from the first half of the book to the 2nd half. With the first half of the book, I didn't enjoy the writing and thought it could have been better edited. I do not mind an author who writes in a flowery grandiose way. I enjoy a few authors who write that way and, in those instances, it creates a beautiful imagery in my head for me to enjoy creating the scene. That was not the case here. You had these long runs on sentences using this language that by the end of it I was mystified as to what I was reading but they were words for the sake of words and weren't really saying anything. They didn't add to the scene, plot or characters and when I say they were long run on sentences they were sometimes the entire paragraph which on my kindle was 10 lines for just one sentence. At times it felt like I was back in school and just putting words on the page to meet a word count requirement. I think if these had been edited down and been more concise, that would have been an improvement. Which is what happened in the 2nd half of the book where all these runs on sentences disappeared, and the language wasn't as flowery or grandiose. They popped up a little but were not as prevalent.
1A) I also felt like the middle lagged a lot and it became a struggle to finish the book.
2) I was a little off put by the change in Psyche after she had been intimate with Eros after she grew a male appendage (don't want to get flagged). After she had been with Eros while she was a woman, we do see Psyche start to explore her sexuality with self-pleasuring and learning her body and taking control of her needs and desires. Very empowering loved it. But, after Psyche had been with Eros with the male appendage, she in a way devolved for me. She becomes sex crazed where along with the self-pleasuring she describes being intimate with inanimate objects in her home. Where no object was safe from her desires. This to me just felt icky and kind of like a dude bro being like oh look at that willful woman all she needs is a good d!cking and then I will have under control in the palm of my hands submitting to me. It just felt the opposite of the empowerment the book was conveying to me.
3) then there was the relationship between Psyche and Eros when they can only meet at night in the dark. Their interactions here just didn't scream chemistry and relationship building. At times it felt like a therapist appointment with a condescending therapist. Eros was always just asking "and why do you think that is" or "or does it' anything to force Psyche to question things and expand her knowledge. Which I totally get we want Psyche to grow her thinking and realize she doesn't have to live within the parameters that men have set down. But it was almost every conversation and there was no give and take where Eros never shared anything about them. I know Eros couldn't divulge their identity but there was nothing else that could have been shared? Favorite color? Favorite Food? These talks just never seemed to be about growing their relationship but more about growing psyche and that sometimes showed the imbalance in their relationship with Eros being a God and Psyche being a mortal (which is not uncommon in greek myths with mortal lovers) where at times Eros came off condescending. While Eros has her own trauma and struggles on Olympus, she still had a lot of privilege and autonomy that psyche couldn't even comprehend. For Psyche, she wasn’t even allowed to leave the house and was locked in a shed for days to avoid men looking at her just sitting there because her father blamed her for the reaction's men. So, for Eros to always just be asking "why do you think that is" as a rebuttal anytime Psyche had a question just felt condescending to me.

Normally I don't write this long of a review, so I hope I explained myself well enough (I am a reader not a writer). In the end I think the concept was a great one and I enjoyed the end of the book, and I am glad I stuck with it because it encompassed everything, I love about Greek myths, but the book in its entirety didn't quite live up to my expectations.

This book is about Psyche who has captured the eye of all the men in her village and beyond who all claim she is as beautiful if not more than the goddess Aphrodite. But this is not what Psyche wants, she shudders under the leers of these men who gather to look at her then slip away to give into their desires even if it is with an unwilling partner. Soon the problems that arise from all these men start to not just affect her family but the village as well where some start to believe there is a curse and Psyche is at the center of it. So, her father decides to visit the Oracle whose visions must be followed to their problems will only worsen. He comes back telling of a vision where Psyche must be sacrificed to a monster in order to end the curse. So that is what they must do... and with Psyche strapped to a bolder thinking her time has come to an end she is swept away to a palace where her marriage to a figure hidden in the night visits her giving her untold pleasures at night and all her needs are met during the day with luxuries she could never have fathomed. But she starts to wonder who this woman she meets at night that she calls her husband truly is and thinks it's best to bring this secret into the light regardless of it breaking the rules set by her husband. What could go wrong.

To start, I feel you can really feel the heart and soul that Caro de Robertis put into this work. As I often say in my reviews, I'll read any all retellings on mythology.
This one is marketed to those who like The Song Of Achilles and similar books. Which I can see. But I also feel this book stands alone.
At the heart of this myth I feel are lessons in love and trust, but also acceptance. So the way Eros is written fits beautifully. Eros isn't one way or the other she just is.
One thing I found disappointing (and this is NOT on thr author) is that the gods didn't accept it. With all the galavanting they do and changing into animals to SA the mortals they chase after, you'd think they'd be accepting of Eros. But unfortunately I do think the way the author wrote this would be the truth of it. The gods are hypocrites.
The only other thing I take issue with is instant love. I don't mind it. But the way Eros and Pysche feel towards each other, that deep connection...I wish we could've read more of the way that transpired. I'm glad that had that intense and physical chemistry. I just would've like it to touch a bit more on that deeper level that Eros mentions..
Anywho quite a nice read. I hope this one flies off shelves as I think the message is important no matter who you love or how you identify. It's unlikely the audience who needs to read and accept this will. But I'll always hope these books find their way into those with more closed hearts leaving them open.

The story of Eros and Psyche is always, at its heart, one about love and trust. And considering that it's a tale in Greek mythology, one that ends decidedly better than most. I won't go into details of the myth here, but I will say that Caro De Robertis did a great job getting to the core of this story. All players, even some unnamed, will instantly be recognized as part of the legend.

The book's lovely cover and LGBTQIAP+ inclusion immediately caught my attention. The Palace of Eros beautifully displays and represents gender and sexual fluidity, especially in the reins of a patriarchal society where women are forced into a mold. Feminism and reclaiming one's own power are at the forefront, which is why having this book in dual POV of mortal and god was a brilliant choice. Of course, this is a love story, and the romantic scenes are done with care and worded in a way that suits its mythological roots. That being said, we do spend a lot of time in bed with Eros and Psyche and I wish we'd had more conversations to build the relationship. The prose is elegant and refined, although I will admit that I struggled at some parts and needed a break. It's not a quick and effortless read. To me, it was like trying to eat a grand buffet all at once; savoring it over a few days was the right move for me.

The Palace of Eros is a captivating reimagining of an epic love story, portraying love as blind, fierce, open, and hopeful.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.75
Tropes:
💞 Queer retelling
🏹 The goddess falls first
💞 Only one palace
🏹 Forced Proximity
💞 She proves her love

The Palace of Eros takes a queer spin on the story of Eros (Greek god(dess) of lust) and Psyche (the beautiful human girl (s)he falls in love with).

The pros:

-Caro De Roberts writes fiction like it's poetry. They use lyrical turns of phrases in such a beautiful way. If you enjoy heavily poetic prose this book might be worth it just for that.

-Psyche is written as such a strong character. We see her grow so much, and come into her own power. She makes her own desisions and mistakes, and doesn't try to pass off the blame.

The cons:

-Psyche and Eros don't really talk much during their nights together. Obviously, the physical chemestry is there, but I would have liked seeing more of them getting to know eachother outside of the sex.

-There are a few points near the end that feel a little preachy. The message De Roberts is giving is very important, but it sometimes felt a little heavy-handed.

Overall: If you like queer interprittations of Greek mythology, and lyrical prose, you'd probably enjoy this book..Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I think it's going to have a very specific audience and perhaps not sell well outside of that nerdy, queer community.

3.5 stars

Release Date: August 12, 2024

Quick Summary:
——————————-
▫️Greek Mythology Retelling (Eros + Psyche)
▫️Queer Romance
▫️Self Discovery
▫️Body Autonomy (+lack of)
▫️Sexism
▫️Gender Fluidity
▫️Perseverance
▫️Power Dynamics
▫️Wanting, Longing, Desire
▫️Sensuality
▫️Aphrodite + other Greek god/goddess story features

What I Loved:
——————————-
▫️The heart wrenching beginning (felt so uncomfy!) and subsequent emotional scenes with Psyche’s sisters
▫️Psyche relationship with her mother
▫️Psyche learning about herself
▫️Eros fluidity and acceptance
▫️Eros relationship with their mother
▫️Beautiful descriptions of the human connection
▫️Aspiring for a greater world theme
▫️The Ending
▫️Book cover obviously - it’s gorgeous! I’m in love with the UK cover version as well 😍

My Personal Critiques:
—————————————
▫️Insta-love

(Just not my type of romance style - wished more of a lead up instead of strangers to immediately head over heels upon intro of the characters, wanted more mental connection mixed in)

▫️Long winded sentences that took away from the story, and dulled down the beautiful descriptions

(for me there were sentences that trailed on for too long, into paragraphs. If edited down would’ve felt more impactful rather than extending the idea/emotion too far)

▫️2 POV in different writing style

(1 was in first person, 2 was in third person. Personally would’ve preferred it to stick to one or the other)

▫️The pacing: second half was better - last 50 pgs strong

(I felt that I was as reading nearly the same thoughts and actions for the first half of the book due to the large amount of smitten physical intimacy and was craving for the story to propel itself into some character development as a couple and as individuals)

✨Overall I enjoyed this retelling and would recommend it to others who enjoy reads based on Greek Mythology! ✨

Thank you Atria Books (Primero Sueno Press) & NetGalley for an eARC!

Thank you Atria/Primero Sueno Press and NetGalley for providing the ARC.

First of all the cover for this is beautiful; I would want a physical copy for that alone. Secondly, a queer retelling of one of my favorite Greek mythological stories? Say less. Of all the Eros and Psyche retellings I’ve read (which are only two other ones so far haha), this one is the closest to what I’d like from a retelling. I thought the writing style was immersive and I enjoyed the introspection within Psyche’s POV. I recommend this work if you do like lyrical prose to get lost in.

However, I feel that the writing style is also its downfall. More times than not, I would find myself nodding off and/or having to reread entire pages because the question “Wait, what did I just read?” would spring to mind. I’m afraid that the contents and writing style may come off as a little too purple, rambly, and hollow for some. There were a whole lot of words that ended up amounting to nothing. Along with this, I don’t know how to feel about making Eros’ POV third person. I was really looking forward to that representation and having that sort of separation when we spend so much time in Psyche’s first POV was disappointing. I also found issue with the pacing, which again gets tied in with the long winded introspectives and purple prose. Some of the story was lost to me and it got frustrating how I was sucked into the prose but then when rereading I questioned what the heck I just read and if it was actually saying anything.

Overall, I thought it was fine. Not the best or worst. But I appreciate what it was trying to do.

The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis is a mesmerizing retelling of the myth of Psyche and Eros that genuinely captivated me. This novel offers a fresh and modern twist on ancient mythology, blending it with queer themes and profound emotional depth.

From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into the world De Robertis created. The story follows Psyche, a beautiful young woman whose beauty angers the goddess Aphrodite. To appease the wrathful goddess, Psyche’s father binds her to a rock, expecting her to be claimed by a monstrous husband. However, instead of a monster, it is Eros, Aphrodite's nonbinary child, who rescues Psyche and takes her to a hidden palace. The romance that unfolds between Eros and Psyche is both enchanting and intense, filled with nightly visits cloaked in mystery and passion.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the lyrical and vivid prose. De Robertis's writing brings the myth to life in a way that feels both timeless and refreshingly new. The relationship between Eros and Psyche is portrayed with such tenderness and complexity that I found myself deeply invested in their journey. Eros, in particular, is a fascinating character, struggling with their own identity and the expectations placed upon them by their divine family.

The novel also tackles themes of love, identity, and defiance against oppressive norms. The challenges faced by Eros and Psyche, both from external forces like Aphrodite and internal doubts, add layers of tension and intrigue. Their love story is not just about passion but also about finding freedom and self-acceptance.

Overall, The Palace of Eros is a beautifully crafted tale that reimagines a classic myth with contemporary relevance. It’s a story that celebrates love in all its forms and challenges the boundaries set by society and the gods. If you enjoy retellings of ancient myths with a modern, inclusive twist, this book is a must-read. De Robertis has truly created a work of art that resonates on multiple levels.

Low 2.5 stars
Thank you to net galley for this arc

I want to say I went into this hoping to love it since I love mythology retellings and I was excited to see a new take on psyche and eros. I really did not connect with the writing style at all. I also did not feel the love between psyche and eros as it felt more sexual between the two.

Even though it did not work for me I would recommended this book for people who are looking for a fresh take on psyche and eros.

Not only did I finish this novel in two sittings, but I know that I will continue to think about it for ages to come.. The prose was gorgeous and captivating, never getting bogged down in its own art. This was the sapphic/non-binary Greek legend retelling that I never knew I needed. For a story steeped in the past, the themes are entirely modern in a way that did not detract from the story. The plot dragged a bit in Part Two, which could have been remedied by focusing more on the growing love/conversations of the couple rather than the back-to-back sex scenes. However, if you're going to have gratuitous sex scenes you might as well make them good and this novel delivered.

Points deducted for the repeated improper use of a fig tree.

Thank you for the ARC of this story!

“True strength lay not in conquering others, but in wholeness, the clarity to refuse other people’s shame.”

This was a really beautiful, and very horny, Psyche & Eros retelling. It’s a quick read, but we do spend a ton of time on the nights Psyche and Eros spend together in bliss. It’s a pretty faithful retelling plot-wise, and I really loved both the sapphic twist and how Eros is a gender-fluid shapeshifter.

There is a lot of deep discussion of freedom, power, feminine roles, and exploration of being one’s true self. I thought all of it was really well done. (Ok I really could have done without the fig tree).

Overall, I really enjoyed this and would recommend, especially if you love expressive writing and sensual retellings.

“I know you are the flame that lights my soul.”

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

This book was a wonderful deep dive into characters minds and emotions. I wasn’t very familiar with the story of Psyche and Eros before, and I enjoyed going into this fresh. The writing was beautiful — there were so many line so highlighted. I found it really fascinating how the author used this story as a metaphor for how queerness interacts with and frees one from the male gaze.

As a budding Greco-Roman tragedy retelling aficionado, this book truly was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed it so much that I am willing to temporarily overlook my eternal beef with Ovid. While this fits nicely into its category of retellings, it diverts from other books such as Ariadne or Song of Achilles in that it actually has a happy ending. And whew, is that rare! I know they're called tragedies, and I love them all the more for it, but for this particular story, with the way it was retold to center a queer relationship, it was so nice to have a happily ever after.

Not only was it refreshing to have a story that had a queer couple and a happy ending, it was *amazing* to see Zeus getting called out for his atrocious behavior. While it is becoming more common to acknowledge how disgusting he is and to more accurately portray the violence and harm he wrought upon mortals and immortals alike, It was bracing to witness discussions actually taking place his abuses of power.

It will be lovely to have a book within this genre to confidently recommend to those who are looking to dive into mythology while also still enjoying a happy ending.

(I will be sharing my review to various platforms closer to publication date.)

4.5 stars

Beautifully written telling of Psyche and Eros in which Eros is gender fluid, and Psyche has some good character growth.

Psyche is so beautiful that Aphrodite grows jealous of Psyche's praise and sends Eros to make Psyche match with a monstrous man. Only, Eros decides to secret Psyche away for herself and sets the rule that Psyche can never see Eros.

Although I enjoyed Psyche's journey, especially in the second half, I preferred Eros's chapters. The writing is beautiful, and I found many relatable quotes about the way of the world and violence and abuse against women and gender fluid people. Fans of Song of Achilles and Circe will enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Wow this was such a unique book! As a lover of Greek mythology and queer stories I'm really glad I read it. The nonbinary rep was strong. I loved the discussions of gender fluidity and I adored that the story involved carving out a space to be your unique self and to be free. The romance itself was very myth-like in the way it's told. The prose is similar to Madeline Miller's prose in that there's quite a bit of emotional distance between the reader and the characters. The emotional development of the romance was minimal but it was clear the story was using their relationship to talk about bigger issues so I didn't mind too much. The pace of this book worked really well for me. It moves along very quickly and I managed to finish the book almost in one sitting. I was worried that this book would be grim given the setting but it was actually remarkably hopeful despite the difficult issues it addresses. If you're looking for more books with nonbinary MCs or by nonbinary authors I totally recommend this book! My queer heart was very happy to have read it.

"The question she'd burn with later, when forced to see the cost of her defiance: Why?
Why do it, why risk everything? Did I do it for her? Or did I do it to be true?"

THE PALACE OF EROS is a
stunning addition to the repertoire of Caro De Robertis, with prose so rich it will leave you breathless and attempting to highlight lines on every page. This lyrical and poetic language is perfect for the retelling of a Greek Myth and for encapsulating the themes of the novel. Check out my reflections below and the additional info in the mani design studio on the slides for more

THE PALACE OF EROS delves into the exploration of fate and change. It questions whether we can break free from the systems that bind us and weave a new way forward where everyone reclaims their power - the power of self-determination and chosen identity. It asks if we can overcome remaining barriers and find true happiness while navigating the world on our own terms. Moreover, it wonders if desire and love, cultivated in the darkness, can thrive in the light.

The story is woven with themes of non-binary queerness, bodily autonomy, desire, and love.
It delves into the blurred line between desire and lust, and challenges us to consider what it means to desire a person as a whole, beyond just the parts we've been conditioned to sexualize. The narrative also confronts the monstrous forces in the world, whether they are of divine or human origin, all driven by the urge to dominate and control those they see as vulnerable or different.

"For an infinite moment we held each other and the world held still. Together we stood. Together we breathed. Together we dreamed of futures aching to be born."

The points of view in the novel are structured so beautifully and the characters are developed and challenged in ways that engage you and break you. If you love CIRCE, THE SONG OF ACHILLES, or works like BLACK SUN, this is for you! Get it! Read it! Love it! It's publishing 8/13/2024!

A queer retelling of Psyche and Eros in which Eros is nonbinary and can change their physical body at will? By Caro De Robertis??? I am IN. I knew little of the mythology behind Psyche and Eros before reading this, but I was quickly pulled in by De Robertis' gorgeous prose and multifaceted characters. There were moments in this book were I wasn't sure how I felt, where I questioned if it was really working for me, but honestly, the last few pages are so spine-tinglingly wonderful that I can't give this book anything but five stars.

This was a well-written myth retelling that remained faithful to the original myth while exploring new avenues and perspectives on the classic material. The author was adept at spinning a fascinating story with deep characters. I found myself gently pulled into the story in the beginning by the author’s writing style. Later, I found myself at points wishing they had reined in their narration a bit. At times I felt like skimming when the narration fleshing out character motivations and inner thoughts became repetitive and felt like filler. Not the most groundbreaking myth retelling but overall an enjoyable read.

I have very complicated mixed feelings about this book. I’m always a huge fan of queer retellings, especially when they’re rooted in Greek Mythology, but I feel as if mythology retellings open a gateway to pretentious stylistic choices. I absolutely loved Eros being genderfluid and the exploration of feminine sexuality that was captured through this sapphic retelling, but the writing in general made this book extremely difficult for me to finish. While De Robertis’ writing is undeniably beautiful, it also feels immensely hollow. The flowery purple prose went on and on and felt as if despite using so many words dug up from the deepest troves of the thesaurus, nothing of importance was said. There were several sentences that I read in which I stopped and was like, “What the hell was the point of that sentence being a run-on that was the length of almost a paragraph?”

I so desperately wanted to love this book, I just don’t think it was for me overall. Sometimes I really think that writers should stick to the saying ‘less is more’.

I'll admit I have never before read a retelling of any Greek myths. I know there are plenty out there these days, but none of them really piqued my interest. However, I always had this very small dose of curiosity. I decided to give in to that curiosity by picking this book up. I thought I could benefit more from reading a book that hasn't many reviews yet.
I'm kind of glad I gave this one a go, but it didn't work for me.
Most likely because, indeed, fantasy and Greek mythology retellings are not my cup of tea.
I did enjoy the queer representation as a subject of fiction, though.
I'm sure actual fantasy readers will enjoy this book much more than I did.

Incredibly atmospheric, wonderfully queer, with the most stunning of queer characters. I do wish all these retellings would stop getting comps to Millers books as it does a them a disservice cause we enter with preconceived expectations. What I did wish for was a more cohesive plot and overall the writing style just wasn’t to my taste.