I really enjoyed this as a Greek mythology retelling, it had that element that I was looking for and thought it was a great use of Psyche. I thought the characters worked well in this universe and had that overall feel that I was looking for and enjoyed about this type of book. It took the spirit of the original myth and created a unique story that worked as a modern telling. Forrest Gladstone wrote this perfectly and I hope that they write more like this.

“Keep your own name and demand the gods say it.”

Who is the hero in a story often depends on how it is told. Who doesn't know the story of Psyche and Cupid? Whether it is a love story or not is a matter of opinion. In Psyche, we hear the story told by Forrest Gladstone and the adventures of this myth.

Although the use of Roman names (not without reason) seemed to pull me out of the story a little at first, the writing style made up for it. You follow the gods and mortals in this great chess game in search of the truth. For what is the real story and what is it that people want to hear? What is the power of stories and the power that each of us possesses? But above all, the bigger question: what is love? And what is love worth? It is a quest, just like this book.

A book ideal for people who love retellings. The book contains difficult themes and big questions, but isn't that exactly what a book can give access to? The writing style is smooth and I enjoyed the story. The story is 'modern' in the themes it addresses. And although I was quite afraid of how they would handle the ending without resolving things, I am very happy with the way they did it.

The story of Psyche and Cupid has always been one of my favorite pieces of classical mythology. When I was younger, I reread that section in Mythology by Edith Hamilton several times. Psyche and Cupid's story, the themes of curiosity, love, and transformation have always stayed with me, so I’m always interested in seeing how authors reinterpret the myth.

This version leans more toward the philosophical side of the story than the romantic one. Rather than simply retelling the myth, the book spends time reflecting on Psyche as a symbol and on what her story says about consciousness, identity, and the human experience. It’s very much an ideas-driven narrative.

That approach will likely work best for readers who enjoy speculative or philosophical fiction that engages with myth in a reflective way.

For readers who already have a connection to the Psyche myth, this offers an interesting lens through which to revisit a very old story that still continues to inspire reinterpretation.

This was such a gripping and well-written take on Psyche's story. I am a huge fan of reading mythology retellings, so even though I was familiar with the story of Psyche this novel really allowed you to deeply glimpse into the character's inner world. In addition to the story of Cupid and Psyche, this novel focuses on Psyche's love for her sisters, the dynamic between Venus and Psyche, and the many interactions that Psyche comes to have with many other gods and goddesses over the course of her life. I loved this novel, and I would definitely read anything else Forrest Gladstone writes! Thank you so much to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel!

This is a modern, feminist retelling of the myth of Psyche and it very consciously reinterprets the original story.

Instead of presenting the romance with Cupid as a sweeping, unquestioned love story, this version examines it more critically.

It highlights the imbalance of power, the secrecy, and the manipulation at the core of their relationship. From this perspective, Psyche is not simply a passive figure moving toward a divine happy ending, she becomes someone who questions what was done to her and what she is willing to accept.

I appreciated that shift.

The retelling focuses on exactly the right themes: agency, consent, truth, and the cost of love when it’s built on control. It gives Psyche a stronger voice and allows her to make her own choices, rather than simply following the path laid out in the original myth.

That said, I struggled with the ending. And I struggle with my struggle.
As someone who loves a clear emotional resolution and a traditional HEA, Psyche’s final choice, prioritizing her autonomy over the romantic relationship, didn’t satisfy me on a personal level. I understand why the story goes there, and within the logic of this interpretation, it makes sense. But emotionally, it left me wanting something different.

There’s also an interesting tension when applying modern moral frameworks to Greek mythology. These myths are full of power imbalances and behavior that would be deeply problematic by today’s standards. If we fully deconstruct all of it, the entire foundation of many of these stories begins to shift, which is exactly what this book is exploring.

In terms of writing, it took me a little while to settle into the style. The prose is quite direct and unadorned, especially compared to more lyrical, poetic authors I am used to. The beginning moves a bit slowly, but once the story gains momentum, it flows much more easily.

Overall, I think this is a thoughtful and worthwhile retelling. It aims to question.
And even if it didn’t give me the ending I personally wanted, I can still appreciate what it was trying to do.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.