Echo and Narcissus: Epic retelling of classic Greek Myths

by H.M Roberts

What if the greatest love story ever told was one of heartbreak and silence?In this retelling of the classic Greek myth, two souls—bound by longing and fate—must navigate their own tragedies before their paths intertwine with devastating consequences.

Echo, a spirited nymph yearning for love and happiness, is betrayed by her godly husband, Pan, and cursed by the vengeful goddess Hera. Stripped of her voice, she becomes a shadow of herself, longing to be heard and loved in a world that silences her.

Narcissus, a mortal of stunning beauty, bears the weight of assumptions that he is too vain to love anyone but himself. Yet beneath his flawless exterior lies a man tormented by questions of identity and a heart searching for truth and connection.

As their lives collide, the myth unfolds in a profound exploration of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. With dual perspectives offering a fresh lens on timeless themes, Echo and Narcissus invites readers into a world where love is as haunting as it is transformative.

Will these two lost souls find solace in one another—or will their fates spiral into tragedy, echoing across eternity?

Perfect for fans of Greek mythology, lyrical prose, and unforgettable characters, this reimagining will leave you spellbound.

Rediscover this timeless tale today and let its echoes resonate within you.

Grab your copy now and step into the myth like never before!

Previously published with a different cover. Content remains the same.

Genres: Mythology, Greek Mythology

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2024

About the author

I write literary retellings of ancient myths, returning to their older, darker roots — stories shaped by tragic love, fate, and consequence rather than happy endings.

My work is collected under Myths Reborn, a series that revisits figures and stories from classical mythology with care, restraint, and historical atmosphere. I’m especially drawn to the myths that predate their modern counterparts, and to characters mythology often misunderstood, silenced, or remembered only for their endings.

These are quiet stories, written for readers who enjoy mythology, tragic romance, and reflective storytelling — the kind of books that linger rather than rush.

When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading myth, history, or literary fiction, and thinking about why ancient stories continue to survive.

Reviews

[Richard Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Echo and Narcissus by H Roberts is a very well written retelling of these two Greek mythological figures, which somewhat modernizes their stories, but leaves the poetry and atmosphere of the originals. The mythological world-building is very well done, and the dialogue retains the flavor of Greek myth. Both Echo and Narcissus are misunderstood by their contemporaries (by gods, goddesses, and humans), and the narrative infuses a sympathetic edge to their suffering at the hands of those who wrongly judge them. Their stories are told in alternating chapters, which gives each a wholeness to their individuality. Clearly, the author sees parallels to the modern world, and how today certain groups are misunderstood, intentionally or otherwise. The use of mythology makes that point by connecting timeless biases and prejudices from the ancient past and grafts its message onto the modern world. If you enjoy Greek mythology, you will enjoy this refreshing and different book.

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry to be the outlier here. And before I go on in my review, let me just say I don’t really believe in recommending or not recommending books these days.


Oh I still sometimes cave and do it but I think it’s important that a person makes up their own mind, and please also realize what’s good for one person might not work for someone else and vice versa. I did not enjoy the story, but that’s not because of the writing and that’s not because you may not enjoy it and most of the reviews are positive. in fact, all of them are, but I will try to tell you why I did not care for it

First off let me start by saying it was a DNF. I read straight through to about 40% maybe 45% and then I gave up, but I did want to see how it all ended so I skipped to the end skimming as I did so.


So many of you might know the tale of Echo and Narcissus.

In ancient Greek mythology, Echo is a beautiful nymph who is cursed by Hera, where she has no voice except to repeat the last few words of what others have said. Echo. Get it?

Narcissus is a beautiful lad, who gets lost in the wood and Echo upon seeing him falls deeply in love, but she cannot verbalize her love to him because again she has no voice except as an echo.

Narcissis is a spoiled and selfish lad, not in this book but in the mythological legend, who deems no woman worthy of him. This is because he is fully aware of his great looks and unt he can find a woman as beautiful as him he wants no woman.

Perhaps my Friends, you have dated a few Narcissus in your time? I know I have.

OK, so this book is a retelling of that story. The reason I did not care for it , the reason it was a DNF for me is because the story shocked me with how greatly it differed from the original tale .

I mean, we’re not talking about slight differences here. I read retellings all the time. I will say upfront this book has animal cruelty in it, it’s bloody , it’s violent , there’s a lot of death and gore and it’s hardly the mythological wonder that I was looking for, the whimsical, yet deeply sad tale, I was looking to lose myself in, did not exist for me.

Yeah, if you have any interest in reading this, you will not want to read my review any further because it’s going to include spoilers. If however, you don’t mind spoilers or you don’t think this is to your taste please feel free to follow along.

Follow along, follow along!

Sorry, couldn’t resist!

SPOILERS

OK in this version Echo and Narcissus have separate stories and they do not even meet until well, I don’t know when they meet, but when I stopped reading they had not met yet.

You see my friends Narcissus is a gentler version of himself in this book. He is also gay. That is the focus of the book. Narcissus cannot come to terms with his BEING gay. Should he admits that he loves men? Or settle down with a woman and lead a life of joylessness?

Eco, meanwhile, is miserable as indignity after indignity is heaped upon her, including having Pan the God of the woods and wilderness kidnap their two children.

Narcissus has a beautiful dog who I knew was in danger as soon as I was introduced to him in the pages of this book. True to form, I was busy skimming having already given up on the story when I find that the dog is brutally murdered. I am glad it was a DNF for me. As many of you know, I cannot abide animal, cruelty in my stories.

It was just too much. I freely admit . I am not in happy spirits now. The country around me is crumbling. A psychopath has just been elected as president. Women celebrities are saying they were sexually harassed and the world is on the side of the harassers. I really wanted a whimsical and enchanting escape, and it pains me greatly to say I did not get it.

Now – I have read books before about women whose kids are kidnapped. I have also read books about people who can’t come to terms with their own sexuality. Both topics are absolutely fine however, that’s not what I thought this book was. I thought it was a retelling, but it isn’t. At least not in my eyes, because other than the names and some basic facts - the two do eventually meet – very little is the same.

I was really disappointed, my biggest letdown of 2025 so far. Again I am not telling you the book is not of high quality . I am not telling you not to read it. I am just saying this was the wrong choice for me at this time.

I also wish there had been more in the description so I wouldn’t have chosen it and I would’ve known what I was getting into.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before I begin writing about what I thought was lacking in the story, I will first state what was good about the book. The writing is beautiful; it is often effective when describing and envisioning scenes--- especially with the Maenads, whose portrayal really showed the fanatical and violent edges of the cult of Dionysus.

However, from the first few pages, you can already get the impression that the author is self-published. Often times, it tells you what is going on instead of showing you. Whenever something happened, the characters would explain the context or the background of something, which I often found jarring, as it would break the immersion for me. It would have been better if the author trusted its readers more through context clues rather than outright telling them, as it is amateur writing that tends to make those mistakes.

Moreover, sometimes words and phrases should have been made redundant, and it contains careless grammar mistakes at times (missing commas or misspelt words), which could have been an easy fix. It doesn't impede understanding of the text course, but as someone who reads a lot, it's something that I subtly picked up on, as it is the flow that is impacted.

My main issue, though, lies with the retelling and pacing of the book. It promises the interweaved fates of Narcissus and Echo; however, we are 104 pages in, and they don't know of the other's existence. There are 257 pages total. This would have been fine if both POVs drove the story forward. Echo's chapters have a clear sense of direction, following through with certain events that make her grow as a character and in her understanding of the gods. To me, however, it makes little sense how a nymph could be so naive about the gods when she is born directly into that world – Echo romanticising Pan would make more sense if she were a mortal woman, where gods are just tales. The author's portrayal of Pan is quite interesting. Either way, her story is compelling.

Meanwhile, Narcissus's chapters are often repetitive; they're always having scrimmages that add nothing substantial to the plot. That became tiring soon enough. There is no conflict, except when it is revealed that he is gay on page 100. This would have been an effective reveal as to why he won't marry, except the author appears to have failed to research ancient Greek culture, where homosexual relationships weren't frowned upon and they weren't considered an integral part of identity. In ancient Greece, the primary conflict would not have been about the fact of his attraction to men, which was culturally integrated, but about his refusal to marry and produce heirs, a rejection of social duty. The modern lens of a closeted identity crisis substitutes a foreign psychological struggle for the ancient social one.

Another historical inaccuracy would be when something interesting finally happens. Narcissus decides to visit the famous seer Tiresias, with his mother, over his identity crisis. Young men of that age would be impatient to go out and explore the world in search of kleos; they would have done so alone, especially when women firmly complied with oikos, which is the household as law. She would most accurately remain tending to and uplifting the house.

The story therefore feels isolated in its factors, as if small components of myth have been withdrawn from external Greek society. Which is a shame because it would have elevated the piece if H.M. Roberts had decided to integrate the world more tangibly, like Madeline Miller and Stephen Fry successfully do. With this in mind, the timeline of the myth should have been taken into account; the story of Echo and Narcissus belongs to the age before heroes, with Cadmus founding Thebes. It makes no sense for her to be talking about the Trojan War, because that would mean the gods no longer roam the mortal world, and therefore, Echo would have never met Narcissus.

Moreover, applying a modern lens to the myth, like Echo talking to Hera about finding a reason to not punish the women her husband has been unfaithful with, makes no sense because she is just as subjugated to the period where feminism doesn't exist. It can be criticised through context clues in the story to apply the modern lens, but it just doesn't make sense for a character within the heavily misogynistic culture to speak against it.

Finally, Echo and Narcissus interact for the first time on page 205. Every time they meet, their interactions are repeated through a different point of view; there was nothing necessarily interesting or crucial going on for this to have been provoked. It really just weakened the impact of the drama immensely.

Even though this is a retelling, it should still contain the most crucial element of this story: Narcissus is arrogant, disdainful and proud. That is what drives him in Ovid's myth, why he disdainfully rejects Echo, and why he is punished. By making his homosexuality the primary source of his internal conflict, the retelling reduces a complex identity to a shallow plot device. This not only misrepresents the ancient world but also risks perpetuating a reductive modern stereotype. Rather than exploring the universal human tragedy of self-absorption—the core of the myth—the narrative opts for a version that feels both anachronistic and disappointingly dismissive in its characterisation. The promised 'depth' turns out to be a superficial label, leaving the central figure of the myth feeling less understood than ever.

The author has failed on several levels: creative, researching, writing, and taking creative liberties that I guess did not expand their imagination enough.

[Elaina Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝐓𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥."

GREEK. TRAGEDY.

H.M. Roberts lures the reader into this Greek retelling like a sacrificial lamb and slays with a poetic manner of writing that is fit for the Gods.

This captivating retelling of Narcissus and Echo left me with a raging war of emotions. I would say it pulled on all the heartstrings, but that's impossible since the author left me without a heart at all!

With this novel being a dual point of view, I was utterly connected to both Narcissus, a young and beautiful but lost mortal, and Echo a whimsical naive but hopelessly romantic Nymph. Watching the fabric of fate conspire against them, create devastation, and unleash havoc on these character's storylines had me cursing all the Gods and instantly turning the page!

With this book being less than 250 pages, I will be forever baffled by Robert's ability to pull such intense emotions from her readers. She is incredibly knowledgeable in greek mythology, and I'm continuously learning while simultaneously being enamored with the tragedy she places before me. Her talent and lyrical writing style entwine a great paring to create a beautiful but devastating Greek tragedy.

Welcome to the automatic buy list ✨️

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

H. M. Roberts takes a mythological tale of obsession and pining and, with just a few tweaks, creates a somehow still-more tragic story in “Echo and Narcissus,” part of the Mythology Series. In the original mythology, Narcissus is a man warned by the gods that he will live a long life if he fails to recognize himself. Echo is a nymph who falls in love with Narcissus and cannot bear to live with his rejection. Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection and dies, longing for himself. Echo dies of heartbreak.

In H. M. Roberts’ subtle reimagining, Echo and Narcissus’ stories play out separately for most of the book before they intertwine, coming and going from each other but still moving toward the original ending. Love takes on many more forms than just the reckless obsession in the original tale, as we see Echo’s love for her friends, former lover, and children.

Roberts intensifies and adds complexity to Narcissus’ story. Unequivocally the most beautiful man in his city, he is plagued by women and men alike who fixate on his features and cannot see past them to the man he is, for better or for worse. He experiences one betrayal after another as he struggles to figure out who he is, what he wants, and who he loves. His friendships flounder. His romantic pursuits begin and end in disaster.

The novel is told in first person, alternating points of view between Narcissus and Echo. It gives the reader an intimate look into the complex inner world of each character. Several chapters also overlap timewise, so we see the same scene play out from both Narcissus’ and Echo’s viewpoint, which gives an interesting perspective. As each character strives to understand and present themselves to the world and to each other, the reader experiences miscommunications and confusion from both ends.

Although the tragic ending is expected and inevitable, Roberts keeps a slender thread of hope throughout the narrative that these characters could possibly find peace and purpose with each other. This sets the stage for the final, heartrending blow to impact the reader even more strongly. This is not a total reworking of the original myth, but rather a gentle reinterpretation, paying respect to the source material while bringing more empathy and compassion to the characters for a modern audience.

Readers who enjoy retellings, Greek mythology, the pantheon, and good old tragedy will find this novel to their liking. “Echo and Narcissus” by H. M. Roberts is brief yet weighty. The writing is unpretentious and to the point. The characters, while complex, are unassuming and open, making their stories easy to read and enjoy.

[Gnomereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This man is beautiful, of that there is no doubt, but it is not his beauty that holds my gaze, it is the sadness. For I look into his eyes and see an ache that mirrors my own.”

This book is a MASTERPIECE.

I am no stranger to Greek Mythology and mythology retellings. I love this genre. As someone who invests a lot of time in this area, I can confidently say that this story is one of a kind. It is incredibly beautiful- the writing here is superb! The story of Echo and Narcissus is told through alternating POV chapters. As each chapter ends, it sets the foundation for the chapter to come in a truly magnificent and highly satisfying echo effect that must be experienced to fully appreciate.

Echo is a nymph who loves storytelling. She is also a hopeless romantic. She weaves and spins together lovely and romantic stories of the gods, goddesses, and heroes of the time, hoping desperately to find herself in her own divine tale someday. Narcissus is blessed with a face like a god and everyone tells him so. He spends his days hoping to find fulfillment from more than just how he looks, while simultaneously longing to discover his purpose. As their stories unfold, their perceptions of their world, and their place in it, begin to shift until hope no longer seems within reach.

Once I started reading, I could not- and did not want to- stop. While reading, it is abundantly clear that HM Roberts really knows her Greek Mythology. She incorporates multiple characters from other well known (and lesser known) tales so seamlessly that it really brings everything to life so vibrantly. I was so invested that my heart may never recover. Greek stories are not often happy, and this is no exception, however I cannot recommend it enough. Whether you are someone who reads a lot of mythology retellings, or you are new to the genre, there is something for everyone here. I’m not sure how she managed to bring such a deeply moving story together in under 300 pages, but she did and I will definitely be reading this one again.

[Ashley Mcmichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review: Echo and Narcissus
Author: H. M. Roberts
Name of book: Echo and Narcissus
Genre of book: Retelling
Tag: Elania wall
#bookloungereviewteam

Book review:
Echo and Narcissus is the very book that will have you hooked by the first few pages the story takes you through the emotional yet deeper level of what love is and how far are you willing to love someone in return as I red the pages of Echo and Narcissus I found myself yelling, and crying all but too many times there were times that I had to remind myself that it was a book because I was that involved truly enjoyed the world that she created and how easy it was to get lost in it. But towards the end I had my heart ripped out again and led to an untimely death but in all I really enjoyed Echo and Narcissus. This book will forever live in my heart when I find it. and on my shelf would 2000% recommend this book.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovers of Greek mythology and tales of Greek gods and goddesses will adore this book. It is a truly tragic tale of Echo, a nymph, and of a beautiful mortal man named Narcissus and how the fates weave their stories together towards a heart wrenching crescendo. This story is completely entwined in Greek lore and the author writes a fantastically detailed take on the character’s well-known stories. The tale was very moving and quite enjoyable!

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and, so far, everything that the author has written. She does an excellent job and I get very captivated by the story. I love the reimagining of the original myths, adding so much complexity and going so much deeper. I am so excited to read more of her work!

[Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you know nothing of greek mythology, then go ahead, if you know a lot about it, I recommend you put it back on the shelf.