“Ecstasy” is a wild reimagining of a Dionysian bacchanal, complete with a golden god, rage fueled maenads, hedonism, and debauchery galore.

Pochoda has a distinctive way of writing that despite its descriptiveness, doesn’t come across as obnoxious purple prose, but rather prose that has been elevated. Where it sometimes felt out of place in her novel “These Women”, it works exceptionally well here.

There are quite a few repetitious words/phrases that could have been revamped a bit, but nothing major to pull you out of the story. The only thing that really bothered me was Lena asking, “can you still get on pointe?” Any former professional dancer knows it’s en pointe, not on.

On a personal note, as a former professional dancer myself who had to stop due to my body betraying me, this story resonated deeply with me. Aside from decades of traditional dance, I also danced professionally at raves and festivals working alongside some well known DJs and performance artists, so both worlds are extremely familiar to me.

Pochoda did a wonderful job writing about rave culture, especially the underbelly of the rave scene where it’s not always about PLUR: peace, love, unity, respect.

Having a character with macular degeneration also hit home for me as it runs in my family. I could completely empathize with Hedy and I wished there was a little more from her POV, especially near the end of the book as it seemed like everyone forgot about her.

I really, REALLY wanted to punch Drew. He is absolutely atrocious and incredibly ableist to boot. I know he’s supposed to be unlikable, but Pochoda did such a good job that it made reading difficult for me at times because he bothered me so much.

There are some sections that might rub people the wrong way; in particular, the comments made by privileged characters about others they feel are beneath them, (ie: stay at home moms, professional dancers, anyone who “marries up”). These aren’t throwaway comments though and are necessary to the character development, but I can just imagine some people complaining about them anyway.

Ecstasy is a wonderful fever dream of feminism, rage, angst, hubris, and shadow work. It makes you think and question your own life choices well after you’ve finished reading. 4.5 stars rounded up

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, however this review is completely my own unbiased personal opinion, left of my own volition.

novel that reads incredibly "wild" for lack of a better word. this oftentimes works, but sometimes this really weakens it, and in this case it sorta does. 3.5 stars. tysm for the arc.

"Ecstasy" by Ivy Pochoda hits you like those summer nights where the air is heavy with possibility and danger. It's intoxicating and unsettling in equal measure (which makes the perfect combo, if you ask me).

In this deliciously dark reimagining of Euripides' The Bacchae, we meet Lena, who thought her wealthy husband's death would finally free her from her sterile, curated existence. Instead, her controlling son Drew has simply stepped into the role of dictator of her life. When they travel to Naxos, Greece for the unveiling of Drew's luxury resort project, Lena becomes entranced by a group of wild women camping on the beach, hosting bonfires and dancing under the stars.

What follows is a visceral exploration of female autonomy, the expectations of motherhood, and what happens when women reject the suffocating roles society assigns them. When Lena begins spending time with these women, she reconnects with parts of herself she thought were long buried - the dancer, the party girl, the woman with desires of her own.

The narrative alternates perspectives, showing us Drew's insufferable entitlement (these chapters had me gripping my highlighter like a weapon), his pregnant wife Jordan's growing doubts about her choices, longtime BFF Hedy's helplessness in her physical decline, and the mysterious leader of the beach women whose own story reveals darker undercurrents beneath the surface freedom Lena is experiencing.

When women decide to center themselves instead of the men around them, they're labeled "unstable" or "wild", which is a frustration that resonates deeply with me. Thankfully, the women in this story set that frustrating reality ablaze. Pochoda's writing is evocative and raw, building tension toward an explosive ending that might not be for everyone, but is definitely FOR ME. It’s truly cathartic in its boldness; a feast of female empowerment that I ate to my heart's content. Like the glutton I am, I do wish certain elements had been given more room to breathe - particularly Luz's character and motivations.

Tropes!

🎭 Greek mythology retelling
🧠 Psychological horror
😡 Feminine rage/revenge
👭 Found Sisterhood
💪🏽 Self discovery/empowerment
🏖️ Idyllic vacation goes wrong
🤯 Blurring of reality

If you're expecting traditional horror elements, adjust your expectations. This is psychological horror that infects your mind and festers under your skin rather than jumps out at you. A captivating one-sitting read that will leave you thinking for days. If you enjoy dark feminist tales with mythological roots, read on, ghouls.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read an early e-copy of this book.

#Ecstasy #NetGalley #IvyPochoda #PsychologicalHorror

This book is a strange beautifully written novel based loosely on a Greek myth set in the present. It challenges the predetermined role women often have forced upon them and does so in a brutal trippy fashion.

Lena and Hedy are two middle aged women who were once ballet dancers. Lena gave up her dream to marry a wealthy man while Hedy is going blind but wishes to remain free and wild.

Drew is Lena's son and heir of his father's real estate empire. A luxury hotel on a Greek island is his way of cementing his legacy. He, Lena, Hedy, and his wife Jordan will stay there for a week before opening, having every conceivable luxury at their beck and call.

But there's a group of squatters on the beach. A group of seemingly wild women who soon entice Lena, Hedy, and Jordan. And as their backstory is revealed, we'll find out that there's something much more to this group.

This shorter novel is told from a few perspectives and it's great to see the arrogance and misogyny of Drew being challenged by Lena as he tries to control her every move. This relationship is the catalyst for the horrific events to happen later.

But this is clearly about female empowerment and breaking the chains of sex and gender roles especially for women of a certain age. Drew's insistence that his mother has no right to be a bonfire party on the beach because of her age is a stark reminder of how women are viewed especially as they age, and the terrifying consequences of breaking out of those boxes.

This book is effectively a dark tale with a fairy tale like quality and some truly horrifying scenes. I highly recommend it.

I guess I’m not the target audience for this because I found it insufferable. If I had purchased this, it would have been even a DNF for sure. The writing and plot were just all over the place.

Very all over the place. Overall, this was an interesting read, but the plot deviated far too much and the ending was so ambiguous, it felt pointless.

3.75 rounded up

This was a fun and short read that I inhaled in one sitting. I really loved the focus surrounding how women are often viewed, discounted, and controlled through the different lenses of several generations and classes of women. Now, more than ever, this felt extremely relevant, powerful, authentic, honest, and extremely cathartic.

There were themes of motherhood, autonomy, choice, grief, aging, and the pressure to center the men around them instead of their own needs and wants. We saw this several times through Drew as he casually and cruelly picked apart his mother’s decisions and desires. As soon as the women around him start centering themselves instead of him, they are deemed “crazy”, “wild”, and “unstable. This is one of the greatest frustrations in our society for women, where independence and indulgence are frowned upon and attacked as some malady or something that needs to be controlled and contained. I felt that frustration with the women in this book, and felt the ending was cathartic and satisfying.

I think I just wanted more substance, and I got lost at times with how the book flows. I had a hard time connecting with Luz at times, not completely understanding what her motivations were or really knowing very much about her.

Also, this was labeled as horror so I think I was expecting more on the horror front, but that is completely personal to me and not a criticism of the book at all. I just caution people like myself who read a lot of horror to not expect to not go into Ecstasy expecting a lot of horror elements.

I saw someone refer to this book as a “feminist fever dream” which is so so accurate. Overall I do recommend this and will be telling the women in my life about it, but I recognize it definitely won’t be for everyone.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an early e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own

I found Ecstasy to be compelling, complex, mystifying and very confusing. The characters’ complexity and range of emotions were overwhelming. Lena and Jordan at first seem confident and fulfilled, but later take a 360 degree turn. I still am not sure who exactly Luz was supposed to be or if she were acting more as a manifestation of evil, deep rooted frustration and unhappiness. The ending was very powerful and although confusing, it was well worth reading.

Thank you net galley for this arc. This was a dark horror story. Lena's husband is dead and she wants to get her old life back, but her controlling son won't let her.

Ivy Pochoda’s “Ecstasy” is a mesmerizing exploration of desire, identity, and the complex interplay between human connection and self-discovery. Known for her evocative storytelling, Pochoda delivers a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is beautifully written.

The pacing is masterfully balanced, moving seamlessly between moments of quiet introspection and bursts of raw intensity. Each chapter feels purposeful, drawing readers deeper into the emotional and psychological landscapes of the characters.

Pochoda’s characters are unforgettable—flawed, deeply human, and brimming with authenticity. The protagonist’s journey is richly layered, exploring the nuances of love, longing, and the search for meaning. The supporting characters or side characters adds texture to the story, with each relationship offering new dimensions to the central themes.

What truly stands out is Pochoda’s ability to create a setting that feels like a character in itself. Whether describing urban grit or intimate spaces, her vivid prose transports readers, making every scene immersive and alive. Her exploration of ecstasy—both as a concept and an experience—is profound, challenging, and deeply resonant.

“Ecstasy” is a masterful work of literary fiction, blending lyrical prose with raw emotion and incisive commentary on the human condition. Ivy Pochoda has crafted a story that lingers long after the final page, leaving readers moved and reflective. Highly recommended for those who appreciate deeply introspective and beautifully written novels.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

The writing in this was really beautiful, but I was hoping for meat on the bones of the story. The characters felt flat when the words describing them were so detailed and beautiful, I just wanted more substance.

this book was good but dark. It was a dark horror, it was weird in many parts, but overall it was enjoyable. I think the book was a lot, but it is based on greek mythology. I liked it overall

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

2 stars.

Lena’s wealthy, controlling husband has died but she still has to deal with another man trying to control her, her adult son Drew who has taken over the family business. She, Drew, Drew’s wife, Jordan and Lena’s close friend Hady travel to Naxos for the opening of Drew’s new project, the Agape Villas (cringe at the name.)

Lena tries to use the trip to discover the real her, but Drew keeps her on a tight leash, especially when she beckons mes fascinated by a group of women living rough on the beach in front of the Villa and their night music moves Lena. Who are they?

This is one of those “women who howl at the moon” stories. Why Lena never just kicked Drew’s ass is beyond me. And no one really cares too much about Hady, including Lena, in the end. I just didn’t get this one. Not for me.

This was a strong Greek mythology retelling, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. The characters had that element that I wanted and it told the story in a unique way. I was invested in what was happening and thought it was written well. Ivy Pochoda has a strong writing style and am excited for more.