Eden

by Luna McNamara

What happened next was, if you ask me, a major overreaction….

Don’t miss this powerful reimagining of the Genesis story from the critically-acclaimed author of Psyche & Eros.

Things are orderly in the Garden of Eden, with all the creatures of the land, sea, and sky living peacefully in their respective domains. Until a chance misunderstanding about a certain fruit changes everything.

When Eve eats from the Tree of Knowledge, her mind is opened to the shifting of tectonic plates and the means by which one may traverse the distant stars - all the wisdom of the cosmos, in other words. Enraged, the tyrannical Lord God exiles Eve, Adam, and the Serpent from the Garden, forcing them to make their way in the uncertain world beyond Eden - and pushing them toward their most audacious act of defiance yet….

Genres: Mythology

30 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2024

Reviews

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only kind of Bible fan fiction I want to read!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I expect from a Bible retelling: sci-fi 😂Review to come! 🐍

(FINAL REVIEW:)

I’ve been waiting for someone to come forward and finally write about the Bible in the way that (I think) should be done: as an ancient sci-fi. Look, I have a rather strained relationship with Christianity (it’s a LONG story), but somewhere in my late teens I started looking at the Bible as not a religious text, but something more like a collection of diaries by men who were either having a fantastic time together tripping balls while still doing some great philosophical and ethical debates, or an epic sci-fi that people were taking a bit too seriously. Please don’t come after me for these beliefs, it’s just the only way that I can look at the Bible without getting an immense sense of existential dread. 😫

BESIDES THE POINT, I had a fantastic time with McNamara’s short story. It follows the serpent as they come to know Eve both before and after the consumption of the Tree of Knowledge. I really loved the sense of agency that Eve gets in this reimagining and that she was the one that decided to eat the fruit instead of being tricked/convinced to eat in the first place, and that she doesn’t regret doing so! I also love the idea that Adam is the OG himbo that’s just there to support his woman in her pursuit of knowledge. I also loved the way in which God was portrayed, but I won’t go into detail because I feel like that would be spoiling this short story. 🖤

The sci-fi elements I thought were a fantastic addition to the tale of Adam and Eve. This might be me being a nosy little idiot, but I would’ve loved to see a bit more of how these two came to have their labs in a primitive world. 🤔

All in all, I just had a great time with this and kind of wish it was a full on novel. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in a fantastic Eve reimagining, and maybe those who are not offended by a different perspective of Christianity and God. . . 😅

Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️

[coveting.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating and thought provoking short story that blends religious mythology and science fiction. An easy read with the author’s signature writing style and cleverly told tale.

[Abel Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

So freaking good. Chills. Thank you for creating such a well thought out short story. I feel blessed to have been given the chance to read such fine beauty

[Sukriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Eden: A Short Story* by Luna McNamara is a captivating and thought-provoking tale that blends mystery and science fiction. The story follows a protagonist who finds themselves in a strange and isolated world, full of unexpected challenges. McNamara's writing creates a gripping atmosphere with vivid descriptions that draw the reader into the unfamiliar setting. The plot is fast-paced, keeping you hooked from beginning to end. Though short, the story offers deep themes of survival, human nature, and exploration. Fans of speculative fiction will appreciate its intriguing premise and emotional depth. A great read for those looking for something unique!

[Abel Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking good. Chills

[Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

A familiar story told from a fresh perspective, poking into the questions many of us had when we were first introduced to it.