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Das Holdeste aller Ungeheuer
Die Insel Zakynthos ist ein gefährlicher Ort. Vor allem für junge Frauen, die seit geraumer Zeit unter mysteriösen Umständen immer wieder verschwinden. Hat Leandros etwas damit zu tun? Der machthungrige Nachfahre des Liebesgottes Eros, der auf Zakynthos lebt, Gefühle in Flaschen abfüllt und an den Höchstbietenden verkauft? Den Schwestern Eirene und Phoebe ist es bislang gelungen, sich von Leandros und seinen Machenschaften fernzuhalten. Doch als Leandros' Frau stirbt, richtet sich sein Augenmerk auf Phoebe – als seine neue Braut. Fest entschlossen, ihre Schwester zu beschützen, geht Eirene einen folgenschweren Handel mit Leandros Sollte es Eirene gelingen, vier aufwendige Aufgaben für Leandros zu erfüllen, wird er sich eine andere Braut suchen. Doch schon bald wird klar, dass die Aufgaben Teil von etwas viel Größerem sind; etwas, das mit Lamia zu tun hat, der seltsamen, vernachlässigten Tochter, die Leandros vor den Augen der Welt verborgen hält. Lamia weiß, dass ihr Vater sie zu ihrem eigenen Schutz versteckt, doch als sie und Eirene sich näherkommen, spürt sie eine wachsende Sehnsucht nach der Außenwelt. Aber der Preis der Freiheit ist hoch, und da etwas Tödliches – etwas Hungriges – in der Nacht lauert, muss dieser Preis in Blut bezahlt werden ...
Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2024
187 people are currently reading
21430 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Underwood
3 books464 followersSarah Underwood grew up in Devon, England. A data scientist by training, she obtained her MEng in Computational Bioengineering at Imperial College, London and her MPhil in Population Health Sciences at the University of Cambridge. She is now studying for her PhD at the University of Oxford.
Sarah’s first novel, Lies We Sing to the Sea, became an instant New York Times, indie, and international bestseller.
Sarah’s first novel, Lies We Sing to the Sea, became an instant New York Times, indie, and international bestseller.
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August 4, 2024I said I was done with greek myth retellings but then I read "Eros and Psyche but sapphic" and I'm only a woman
May 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this blend of the Lamia story with the trials of Psyche and Eros. My quote:
‘Underwood weaves a tapestry of mysteries, myths and machinations, all held together by a shimmering thread of love between women.’
Note: I received an Advance Reading Copy from the publisher.
‘Underwood weaves a tapestry of mysteries, myths and machinations, all held together by a shimmering thread of love between women.’
Note: I received an Advance Reading Copy from the publisher.
September 12, 2024
unfortunately, this just didn’t deliver for me. i never understood what tone is what going for. the opening almost felt like thriller or even horror, but for the most part the slow pacing and minimal style just left it feeling very meh across the board.
i found the reveal to be pretty predictable, and i really would’ve liked leandros to either be more complex or larger than life as the villain.
i’m not very familiar w Greek mythology so maybe fans of it will appreciate this more than me.
_____________________________
✧˖° preread ✧˖°
new arc ayyyy excited to get into some greek mythology
i found the reveal to be pretty predictable, and i really would’ve liked leandros to either be more complex or larger than life as the villain.
i’m not very familiar w Greek mythology so maybe fans of it will appreciate this more than me.
_____________________________
✧˖° preread ✧˖°
new arc ayyyy excited to get into some greek mythology
September 23, 2024
atmopsheric and gripping, Gentlest of Wild Things skillfully weaves together the grand scale of Greek myth with a tender, intimate romance and a powerful examination of beauty versus monstrosity. I couldn't put it down!
Read
August 3, 2025A sweet sapphic tale about love, sacrifice, and family.
Though approachable and digestible enough for a younger audience in terms of tone and style, this book's themes reached rich depths while maintaining their clarity and emotional punch. From statements about the historical taming of women's ferocity to fuel the flames of men's egos, to the challenging of connections between disability and monstrosity, this book's messages are its greatest triumph. Sarah has written a poignant call-to-action for young women—especially disabled young women—to love themselves and each other radically.
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author and was gifted a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
CW: violence, confinement, abusive parent, mind control, self-harm (for magic), misogyny, forced marriage, drugging, force feeding, ableism, internalized ableism, blood & gore, cannibalism (off-page), consumption of blood, death, injury detail, illness, death of parents (past), emesis, alcoholism, gambling (off-page), drowning
Though approachable and digestible enough for a younger audience in terms of tone and style, this book's themes reached rich depths while maintaining their clarity and emotional punch. From statements about the historical taming of women's ferocity to fuel the flames of men's egos, to the challenging of connections between disability and monstrosity, this book's messages are its greatest triumph. Sarah has written a poignant call-to-action for young women—especially disabled young women—to love themselves and each other radically.
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author and was gifted a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
CW: violence, confinement, abusive parent, mind control, self-harm (for magic), misogyny, forced marriage, drugging, force feeding, ableism, internalized ableism, blood & gore, cannibalism (off-page), consumption of blood, death, injury detail, illness, death of parents (past), emesis, alcoholism, gambling (off-page), drowning
July 26, 2024
oh sarah underwood is insane
July 4, 2025
I always love a good Greek myth retelling, but unfortunately this fell flat for me.
My biggest issue was how I could not get on board with the romance. To me Lamia’s very sheltered upbringing and soft demeanor made her come across as very young mentally. While in contrast, Eirene’s rougher upbringing and more defiant personality made her seem older. It didn’t help that even Eirene viewed Lamia as younger upon meeting her. With this clear gap in mental age, their relationship came off as more familial than romantic. It’s clear throughout the book that Lamia is in desperate need of a mother figure, and Eirene’s fierce protection of her feels like she’s trying to fill that role for her. I also didn’t like how aggressive Eirene was with Lamia at first. She wasn’t very kind to her, and this just added to my disbelief in their romance.
The Ancient Greek influence and setting was very loose. This didn’t come across as being written by someone with a genuine interest in Greek myth. The modern cursing really took me out of the story, and overall the atmosphere felt very lukewarm. Especially since Eirene completed all the tasks set before her fairly easily. I didn’t really feel any tension and the mystery never intrigued me.
I kind of dislike how Phoebe was basically dropped from most of the story, considering how she was the driving point behind Eirene’s actions. If anything, I wish this was merely a sister story and the romance was left out. I think Eirene’s position as a protector and it leading her to sacrifice herself for her sister was the strongest part of this novel.
My biggest issue was how I could not get on board with the romance. To me Lamia’s very sheltered upbringing and soft demeanor made her come across as very young mentally. While in contrast, Eirene’s rougher upbringing and more defiant personality made her seem older. It didn’t help that even Eirene viewed Lamia as younger upon meeting her. With this clear gap in mental age, their relationship came off as more familial than romantic. It’s clear throughout the book that Lamia is in desperate need of a mother figure, and Eirene’s fierce protection of her feels like she’s trying to fill that role for her. I also didn’t like how aggressive Eirene was with Lamia at first. She wasn’t very kind to her, and this just added to my disbelief in their romance.
The Ancient Greek influence and setting was very loose. This didn’t come across as being written by someone with a genuine interest in Greek myth. The modern cursing really took me out of the story, and overall the atmosphere felt very lukewarm. Especially since Eirene completed all the tasks set before her fairly easily. I didn’t really feel any tension and the mystery never intrigued me.
I kind of dislike how Phoebe was basically dropped from most of the story, considering how she was the driving point behind Eirene’s actions. If anything, I wish this was merely a sister story and the romance was left out. I think Eirene’s position as a protector and it leading her to sacrifice herself for her sister was the strongest part of this novel.
October 5, 2024
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC for early review.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
2.5 rounded up to 3; my main issues are these: Underwood's writing style is bland and boring, the heart of the Psyche myth is ignored, and her characterizations do not spark romantic chemistry.
Calling this a sapphic retelling would require some semblance of romance that actually *worked.* I think if you removed two small scenes from this book, I would have fully believed that Eirene loved Lamia like a daughter or little sister and simply adopted her after the conclusion of the conflict. There is ONE kiss, and one scene where they explicitly make each other romantically blush.
Eirene is entirely focused on saving her sister, Phoebe, throughout the course of the book. The beginning, the middle, and the climax. She is set to do four tasks by Lamia's evil hot father, akin to those Psyche was set by Aphrodite to prove her love of Eros. Here's the problem that starts the downfall of the whole book; Eirene is NOT doing these tasks for Lamia, her love interest. She's doing them out of love of her sister. Every task she achieves only draws her minimally closer to Lamia--- but the one she is fighting for is her sister.
There's basically zero chemistry between these two. It doesn't help that Lamia has been so sheltered and Eirene has been so hard working that they feel like a child and an adult respectively. The story even sets up that Eirene will become Lamia's stepmother upon marrying her father.
The story of Psyche is that of a woman who never wanted her beauty or her fame or the hundreds of adoring suitors. She wanted to be happy, and she found that happiness with Eros, but lost it with her lack of trust. And she worked so hard, sacrificed her hands, her beauty, her dignity, all to prove to Aphrodite that she was worthy of Eros's love. Positioning this story as a retelling of that myth is setting it up for failure--- especially since the myth of Psyche and Eros already seems to be a real and popular story in this world. So it's not a retelling. It's Lamia's dad being obsessed with his own lineage and a whooooole bunch of contrivances. Eirene does the tasks for her sister, not her lover, because Lamia isn't her lover until the very end of the book, in the epilogue. Except the fourth task, which Lamia has to do for Eirene, because Eirene is taken out by Lamia's father. So it all becomes such a jumbled MESS of the original myth that it doesn't even achieve anything.
To summarize--- romance chemistry was non-existent, plot was weak and contrived, the relationship was awkward because of how sheltered Lamia was, and the claims of this being a "sapphic retelling" only lead to disappointment.
2.5 rounded up to 3; my main issues are these: Underwood's writing style is bland and boring, the heart of the Psyche myth is ignored, and her characterizations do not spark romantic chemistry.
Calling this a sapphic retelling would require some semblance of romance that actually *worked.* I think if you removed two small scenes from this book, I would have fully believed that Eirene loved Lamia like a daughter or little sister and simply adopted her after the conclusion of the conflict. There is ONE kiss, and one scene where they explicitly make each other romantically blush.
Eirene is entirely focused on saving her sister, Phoebe, throughout the course of the book. The beginning, the middle, and the climax. She is set to do four tasks by Lamia's evil hot father, akin to those Psyche was set by Aphrodite to prove her love of Eros. Here's the problem that starts the downfall of the whole book; Eirene is NOT doing these tasks for Lamia, her love interest. She's doing them out of love of her sister. Every task she achieves only draws her minimally closer to Lamia--- but the one she is fighting for is her sister.
There's basically zero chemistry between these two. It doesn't help that Lamia has been so sheltered and Eirene has been so hard working that they feel like a child and an adult respectively. The story even sets up that Eirene will become Lamia's stepmother upon marrying her father.
The story of Psyche is that of a woman who never wanted her beauty or her fame or the hundreds of adoring suitors. She wanted to be happy, and she found that happiness with Eros, but lost it with her lack of trust. And she worked so hard, sacrificed her hands, her beauty, her dignity, all to prove to Aphrodite that she was worthy of Eros's love. Positioning this story as a retelling of that myth is setting it up for failure--- especially since the myth of Psyche and Eros already seems to be a real and popular story in this world. So it's not a retelling. It's Lamia's dad being obsessed with his own lineage and a whooooole bunch of contrivances. Eirene does the tasks for her sister, not her lover, because Lamia isn't her lover until the very end of the book, in the epilogue. Except the fourth task, which Lamia has to do for Eirene, because Eirene is taken out by Lamia's father. So it all becomes such a jumbled MESS of the original myth that it doesn't even achieve anything.
To summarize--- romance chemistry was non-existent, plot was weak and contrived, the relationship was awkward because of how sheltered Lamia was, and the claims of this being a "sapphic retelling" only lead to disappointment.
September 13, 2024
monster girlfriend!!
May 27, 2025
Eirene lives with her twin sister, Phoebe, and their cousin Stavros on the island of Zakynthos. Eirene has a knack for herbs and gardening, whilst Phoebe's skill on the loom is unparalleled. Eirene regularly goes to the local market to sell her herbs and Phoebe's loom pieces, but Phoebe has a sickness and can't endure the walk, and together they try to make a living. When Leandros, a wealthy man who is rumored to have ascended from the gods, Eros and Aphrodite's lineage, with unnatural beauty, sets his sights on Phoebe to be his next wife, Eirene would do anything to save Phoebe from his clutches, as Leandros's previous wife died in mysterious circumstances. Leandros also sells bottled Desires that can thaw even the iciest of hearts. When the inevitability knocks on their door, Eirene has no other choice but to pretend to be Phoebe and find out Leandros's secret to Desire, but she is found out instantly and makes a deal with Leandros to complete the four tasks he asks of her. It is all well and good, but when Eirene realises that these tasks are set up for her to fail from the start, what would she do to save Phoebe and herself?
I love Greek mythology, so I was bound to read it. It started strong, and I loved the sisterly love between Eirene and Phoebe. When I found out that the sisters are only sixteen years old, it put a tiny dent in my enjoyment. They seemed much older to me, at least twenty-two years old if not older. Ignoring that, the first third of the book was amazing. I flipped page after page with enthusiasm. It goes downhill after that, though. It slows down. The tone changes. The plot meanders.
I felt there was no chemistry between Eirene and Lamia; whatever it was, it felt forced. Lamia also reads like an older person, even though she's sheltered, but much like the twin sisters, she's only fifteen-sixteen years old. I think it was the tone of the book that made them seem older than they were.
Having said all this, I didn't completely hate it. I loved the tasks set out for Eirene. I liked the mystery surrounding Desire, even though I had guessed it; at the same time, I wanted more on that. I loved Eirene's desire to save her sister from Desire and Leandros, and the lengths she was willing to go to were admirable. I liked the writing. The prose was beautiful without being overkill.
I do want to know why Eirene was meant to find the grove in Hades, as per Leandros. That was the main, if not the only reason, Leandros struck that bargain with Eirene, and I thought it would be expanded on later, but it never did. Also, what became of their cousin, Stavros?
A little slow but not bad overall.
3 stars
I love Greek mythology, so I was bound to read it. It started strong, and I loved the sisterly love between Eirene and Phoebe. When I found out that the sisters are only sixteen years old, it put a tiny dent in my enjoyment. They seemed much older to me, at least twenty-two years old if not older. Ignoring that, the first third of the book was amazing. I flipped page after page with enthusiasm. It goes downhill after that, though. It slows down. The tone changes. The plot meanders.
I felt there was no chemistry between Eirene and Lamia; whatever it was, it felt forced. Lamia also reads like an older person, even though she's sheltered, but much like the twin sisters, she's only fifteen-sixteen years old. I think it was the tone of the book that made them seem older than they were.
Having said all this, I didn't completely hate it. I loved the tasks set out for Eirene. I liked the mystery surrounding Desire, even though I had guessed it; at the same time, I wanted more on that. I loved Eirene's desire to save her sister from Desire and Leandros, and the lengths she was willing to go to were admirable. I liked the writing. The prose was beautiful without being overkill.
I do want to know why Eirene was meant to find the grove in Hades, as per Leandros. That was the main, if not the only reason, Leandros struck that bargain with Eirene, and I thought it would be expanded on later, but it never did. Also, what became of their cousin, Stavros?
A little slow but not bad overall.
3 stars
August 31, 2024
It seems, maybe because of high expectations I had from this one, I didn’t enjoy it as much as other readers. The story line is simple. Characters one dimensional. And obviously everything gets solved with true love.
I guess for someone with knowledge of Greek mythology, it would be a little bit better.
Eirene got on my nerves so much, needlessly cruel to Lamia and suddenly loving her immensely and that too in a span of few days!! Every male character is either worthless or cruel. Evil guy is not evil enough. Slimy second in command is conveniently shoved out at the end.
It is as if someone put a Desire on this book. Looks great to the eye and first impressions seem good but when the spell is gone, it is a story that lacks depth and is rather dull.
I guess for someone with knowledge of Greek mythology, it would be a little bit better.
Eirene got on my nerves so much, needlessly cruel to Lamia and suddenly loving her immensely and that too in a span of few days!! Every male character is either worthless or cruel. Evil guy is not evil enough. Slimy second in command is conveniently shoved out at the end.
It is as if someone put a Desire on this book. Looks great to the eye and first impressions seem good but when the spell is gone, it is a story that lacks depth and is rather dull.
October 24, 2024
"There is nothing worse than a woman made wild"
Gentlest of Wild Things is a beautifully retold story of Lamia and the trials of Psyche and Eros.
This includes all the best mythology features; strong family connections, ill-fated lovers, and angry gods. Overall a very tender and lyrical love story, great for fans of Greek mythology.
I'm so happy I read this book - it wasn't on my radar before the BookSparks Fall Reading Challenge but I seriously enjoyed it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to BookSparks and HarperCollins for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Gentlest of Wild Things is a beautifully retold story of Lamia and the trials of Psyche and Eros.
This includes all the best mythology features; strong family connections, ill-fated lovers, and angry gods. Overall a very tender and lyrical love story, great for fans of Greek mythology.
I'm so happy I read this book - it wasn't on my radar before the BookSparks Fall Reading Challenge but I seriously enjoyed it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to BookSparks and HarperCollins for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 17, 2024
The men of this story were let off way too easy. I support women enacting their revenge and this could've had a lot more of it. Women support women's wrongs and the only wrongness here, beyond the vanquishing of the main villain, was the lack of comeuppance.
Beyond some of that disappointment, though, in THE GENTLEST OF WILD THINGS you'll find sisterly bonds and sacrifice. And a monster who becomes the hero.
If you are into the Greek retelling craze and you also want something sapphic, this might be the read for you.
Full review to come.
2.5 stars
Beyond some of that disappointment, though, in THE GENTLEST OF WILD THINGS you'll find sisterly bonds and sacrifice. And a monster who becomes the hero.
If you are into the Greek retelling craze and you also want something sapphic, this might be the read for you.
Full review to come.
2.5 stars
July 11, 2024
I’m trying to think of a way to put into words how beautiful and feral and hopeful GENTLEST OF WILD THINGS is, but I think only a scream can truly sum it up so: AAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 3, 2025
4 Stars
The prologue was a bit off putting but afterwards the story was fluid. The main characters held their own. They flourished independently, however, Lamia more so than Eirene. It was empowering to witness Lamia grow out of her shell through each chapter and take up the space she rightly deserves. Eirene on the other hand was headstrong to begin with and maintained her stance to the end. Her development came from trusting and letting Lamia in. Together they made a good, although slightly chaotic team.
The Greek mythology theme was heavy throughout the story. However! I really liked that the goddesses and their legends were more of a touchstone or point of reference than the main event because the plot on its own was already interesting.
The love story amidst all the chaos was very cute. It showed in very subtle places, little actions between the two main characters and I understand the almost sedate manner because, 16 and 17 years old? Need I say more? Also, it’s not a romance novel entirely.
All in all, a Greek mythology inspired story with action and feminism at its helm. A very enjoyable read.
The prologue was a bit off putting but afterwards the story was fluid. The main characters held their own. They flourished independently, however, Lamia more so than Eirene. It was empowering to witness Lamia grow out of her shell through each chapter and take up the space she rightly deserves. Eirene on the other hand was headstrong to begin with and maintained her stance to the end. Her development came from trusting and letting Lamia in. Together they made a good, although slightly chaotic team.
The Greek mythology theme was heavy throughout the story. However! I really liked that the goddesses and their legends were more of a touchstone or point of reference than the main event because the plot on its own was already interesting.
The love story amidst all the chaos was very cute. It showed in very subtle places, little actions between the two main characters and I understand the almost sedate manner because, 16 and 17 years old? Need I say more? Also, it’s not a romance novel entirely.
All in all, a Greek mythology inspired story with action and feminism at its helm. A very enjoyable read.
June 18, 2025
Note à moi même : ne plus acheter de livres juste parce qu’ils sont beaux
January 27, 2025
3.75/5 ⭐️
December 12, 2024
Like I needed anymore convincing to want a monster girlfriend
October 10, 2024
Listen, I do not usually like Greek mythology retellings ... UNLESS they are about the classic monsters being far more human than they were in the myths and ESPECIALLY if they are queer.
This is a beautifully sweet and tender sapphic romance wrapped in the darker threads of a Greek mythology retelling. Eirene’s fierce protective instincts drive the story, as she steps up to shield her sister from the clutches of Leandros, a dangerous and manipulative figure who literally traffics in Desire. The tasks Eirene must complete are gripping in their complexity, but what keeps the reader invested is the emotional stakes—her determination to keep Phoebe safe no matter the cost. Then there's Lamia, who steals the show with her sweet and naive personality, despite being painted as a "monster." Her longing for love and acceptance is deeply touching, especially in contrast to her cruel father, Leandros.
The romance between Eirene and Lamia blossoms with such a quiet tenderness, a perfect counterbalance to the dark and menacing forces that surround them. Lamia’s journey from a sheltered, hidden figure to someone capable of claiming her own agency was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
Underwood does a fantastic job of blending a classic Greek mythology feel with a modern emotional depth. One of the issues I tend to struggle with in mythology-based stories is an inability to connect with the characters; they are just larger than life and I can't get as emotionally invested. But these characters are richly developed and they feel genuine. Leandros serves as a deliciously dastardly villain, driving the conflict with his greed and cold manipulation, making Eirene’s struggle to protect her sister all the more urgent and Lamia's desire for his acceptance so sad.
If you're a fan of mythology retellings with strong female bonds and a gentle, sweet romance at the center, Gentlest of Wild Things is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you so much to Storygram Tours, Epic Reads, and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This is a beautifully sweet and tender sapphic romance wrapped in the darker threads of a Greek mythology retelling. Eirene’s fierce protective instincts drive the story, as she steps up to shield her sister from the clutches of Leandros, a dangerous and manipulative figure who literally traffics in Desire. The tasks Eirene must complete are gripping in their complexity, but what keeps the reader invested is the emotional stakes—her determination to keep Phoebe safe no matter the cost. Then there's Lamia, who steals the show with her sweet and naive personality, despite being painted as a "monster." Her longing for love and acceptance is deeply touching, especially in contrast to her cruel father, Leandros.
The romance between Eirene and Lamia blossoms with such a quiet tenderness, a perfect counterbalance to the dark and menacing forces that surround them. Lamia’s journey from a sheltered, hidden figure to someone capable of claiming her own agency was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
Underwood does a fantastic job of blending a classic Greek mythology feel with a modern emotional depth. One of the issues I tend to struggle with in mythology-based stories is an inability to connect with the characters; they are just larger than life and I can't get as emotionally invested. But these characters are richly developed and they feel genuine. Leandros serves as a deliciously dastardly villain, driving the conflict with his greed and cold manipulation, making Eirene’s struggle to protect her sister all the more urgent and Lamia's desire for his acceptance so sad.
If you're a fan of mythology retellings with strong female bonds and a gentle, sweet romance at the center, Gentlest of Wild Things is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you so much to Storygram Tours, Epic Reads, and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
January 19, 2025
Gentlest of Wild Things is a beautifully crafted sapphic retelling that captivated me from start to finish. The romance elements are tender and heartfelt, adding emotional depth to an already rich narrative. I especially admired the main character's unwavering drive and determination to save her twin sister, which kept me rooting for her throughout the story. The retelling breathes new life into familiar themes, blending fresh perspectives with a compelling plot. A must-read for fans of heartfelt, queer-centered fantasy tales!
January 8, 2025
I picked this up waiting to be dazzled by a greek myth retelling with the bonus that it would be sapphic. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
The characters were unremarkable and so was their relationships. There was no chemistry between the romantic couple.
I did like the idea of the Desires and of the empousa. I mean, the vampire of greek mythology!! But Lamia would have been so much more grand if she acted as the monster she is. Amoral. Ruthless. At the very end she had so much more confidence and intelligence, which really is what gives this 3 stars. Now imagine if she was a proper empousa and the prologue dictated the entire mood of the book: bloody. It would have been amazing.
The characters were unremarkable and so was their relationships. There was no chemistry between the romantic couple.
I did like the idea of the Desires and of the empousa. I mean, the vampire of greek mythology!! But Lamia would have been so much more grand if she acted as the monster she is. Amoral. Ruthless. At the very end she had so much more confidence and intelligence, which really is what gives this 3 stars. Now imagine if she was a proper empousa and the prologue dictated the entire mood of the book: bloody. It would have been amazing.
June 9, 2024
Proof sent by Electric Monkey.
Publishing 15.08.24 (UK)
I consumed this book in less than 24 hours.
I haven’t had much experience with greek mythology or retellings - but I adored this book.
I enjoyed the characters, the plot and the prose.
It had elements of suspense and mystery, but also moments of tenderness and love. I found myself unable to put the book down.
And it has a beautiful cover!
So if you like greek mythology, retellings, sapphic love, mystery and happy endings then this one is for you.
Publishing 15.08.24 (UK)
I consumed this book in less than 24 hours.
I haven’t had much experience with greek mythology or retellings - but I adored this book.
I enjoyed the characters, the plot and the prose.
It had elements of suspense and mystery, but also moments of tenderness and love. I found myself unable to put the book down.
And it has a beautiful cover!
So if you like greek mythology, retellings, sapphic love, mystery and happy endings then this one is for you.
October 9, 2025
4/5
This story will captivate you if you're looking for a story of sisterhood, coming of age, sapphic romance, a sprinkle of myth and magic, and strong women who fight for their dreams and place in the world.
TLDR;
Characters: ★★★★★
Characters are believable, honest, and flawed. You'll want to know how Eirene and Lamia make it through all this.
Atmosphere: ★★★★☆
Ancient Greece, it's full of hope and also dark with despair. It's a wonderful blend of myth, magic, and love.
Plot, Pacing, and Premise: ★★★★★
Enjoyable plot that has you going on impossible trials, falling in love, and feeling bitter betrayal. The premise is true and the plot rewards you with that and steady pacing.
Tone: ★★★★★
Underwood blends light and dark/hope and despair so well together as to not overwhelm you with only one. You want to fight against the darkness and fight for the girls' hopes.
Intrigue: ★★★★☆
A sapphic story set on an island in ancient Greece? A sister going to extraordinary lengths for her twin? A naïve girl who thinks her father hung the moon?
Versus (Strengths & Weaknesses): ★★★☆☆
Strong characters and motives that propel the story to it's conclusion. Beautiful bonds crafted through family and love. I just wish Lamia stepped up a little sooner, she's naïve for a bit too long and drags out her epiphany.
Audience:
Teens and adults, it's good for anyone. If you like Greek myths, sisterhood, some darkness, death, and romance then this will have something for you.
Themes: ★★★★★
Strong themes that anyone can relate to. No preaching or schooling, just sisterly love and coming of age.
Ending: ★★★★★
Satisfying and well paced. A good showdown that is inevitable and worth it. I still smile thinking about the final scene.
Character
Eirene is a skilled herbalist of 16 and Phoebe's twin. She sells her tinctures and herbs at the market as the main source of income for the young women. Eirene is ready to do anything to protect her sister.
Phoebe is ill but a talented weaver, whose tapestries Eirene can sell for a good amount of money. But with her illness makes her unable to work quickly. She is dutiful however, and often works herself into exhaustion. She doesn't change much over the course of the story as she's not in it much, but she is our beacon of hope and innocence.
Lamia is Leandros's daughter that he's hid away in a tower because of her disability. She is naïve but through her relationship with Eirene, finds her identity. Eirene and her grow in their own ways, separately and together as they explore their feelings and duties each feels they have. Her innocence and purity is similar to Phoebe, but we get to watch her full transformation, which is sometimes painful and sometimes beautiful.
Leandros is a selfish wealthy man who's claim to fame is his connection to the god Eros and with his magic he is able to craft potions that are slowly destroying Zakynthos. He is cruel, selfish, exploitative, and will do anything to maintain his wealth and status.
Atmosphere
Underwood does a good job of sprinkling in enough detail to remind you that this is ancient Greece. There's magic and gods and architecture that ground you in the world.
The story is light and dark, there is pure innocence in some of the characters, because of age and experiences. There is also a lot of darkness, of death, missing women who are not themselves, a dwindling town, and greed. The men in the story (save Eirene's herbalist friend) are vile and despicable. There's a heaviness on the women who are at the whim of the men who house them and who control the money.
Overall, the atmosphere was fitting and I enjoyed the setting and magic.
Plot, Pacing, and Premise
The plot is believable and exciting. Who wouldn't do anything they could to save their sister? Why wouldn't you befriend the mysterious girl in the tower?
The premise is a sister steps up to protect her twin from a dangerous suitor. She hopes to destroy him before he can ruin more lives. I'm all for women dismantling the patriarchy, throwing in magic and myths, it's sure to delight.
The pacing was solid for me. If anything it was a bit slow to get Eirene to Leandros, but not really. I didn't get bored or ever feel like it dragged. Eirene is given impossible tasks and you're left needing to know how she'll continue in the face of adversity.
Tone
The tone is hopeful and dark. The sapphic aspects are beautiful and sweet. A sister's bond, the lengths one would go for family, the budding friendship of two girls in a time where they don't have much autonomy. The darkness is found in Stavros, the selfish, drunk uncle that takes all the girls' money; Leandros and his secrets, abuse of power, and his creation of Desires; and the hopes and dreams of the sisters to escape the world controlled by men to live freely and safely.
It was woven together in such a way that it was a perfect balance of dark and light, it was never too much of one. I wanted to keep going to see which side won out.
Intrigue
I've always loved myths and although Greco mythology isn't my first favourite, it's still a staple and I wanted to see how Underwood handled it.
I am on a twin kick, I keep picking up books about siblings and twins and I am leaning towards more sapphic stories.
The story starts with Alexandra's death, so I'm already curious about her situation and why she died. It has a little of everything.
Versus (Strengths & Weaknesses)
The strengths were the sapphic aspects, for sure. I loved watching Eirene and Lamia, but I also loved Phoebe even though she wasn't in it too much.
The characters and their motivations were strong and held through the whole story without it being overdone. Leandros is evil, and obnoxiously so, but in a way that I found unsettling mostly than unbelievable.
If there was a weakness, it would be Lamia's inner journey taking a bit too long and dragged out to full naïvety levels. She could have been a bit more on top of things and either made more reasonable conclusions to fight it or accepted it sooner.
Audience
This is going to be for teens and adults who are interested in YA, sapphic stories, and Greek myths. It's not heavy on the mythology, it's just enough to get a solid story going. But it has love, death, bonds, and trials that test the limits.
Theme
Love, family, power, and identity are some of the biggest themes in the book.
Love in every aspect. Love between sisters, family, and friends. Eirene is doing all of this because of her love for Phoebe. Lamia loves her father dearly. Leandros loves himself and accumulation of wealth and control.
Family is all about the dynamics. Stavros uses his nieces to fuel his drinking and trips to the brothels. He used to be a better man, but has lost that part of himself. Eirene and Phoebe work around Stavros because of their duty to family, but also their own bond between each other. Lamia and Leandros do everything for the good of the other. Family is shown in good and bad light, it is complex and Underwood shows all facets of that.
Power is Leandros's main desire, he controls the town, his daughter, and the flow of Desire. He will do anything to keep that. Leandros sees power in his bloodline, his connection to the gods. He boasts and uses that to his advantage. Stavros demands control of the finances of the house. Phoebe and Eirene lack power because of their gender and health issues, but they fight for their own power and plan to take it back for themselves once they move. Power is also shown in other ways with the bull and that not all power is heavy handed and bad.
Identity is explored a lot through Lamia who is curious about her mother. She feels meek because of her disability, but still pushes herself to help her friends. She battles for understanding of who she is vs the girl her father says she is. Eirene is already pretty solid as a character, she explores identity through her friendship with Lamia and blossoming romance.
Ending
I liked the ending. Everything was tied up and it was satisfying. I enjoyed the final task and the final conflict. Lamia made me cry. It brought together things in a meaningful way that included everyone, and still left us with an open world that continues on after you close the book.
This story will captivate you if you're looking for a story of sisterhood, coming of age, sapphic romance, a sprinkle of myth and magic, and strong women who fight for their dreams and place in the world.
TLDR;
Characters: ★★★★★
Characters are believable, honest, and flawed. You'll want to know how Eirene and Lamia make it through all this.
Atmosphere: ★★★★☆
Ancient Greece, it's full of hope and also dark with despair. It's a wonderful blend of myth, magic, and love.
Plot, Pacing, and Premise: ★★★★★
Enjoyable plot that has you going on impossible trials, falling in love, and feeling bitter betrayal. The premise is true and the plot rewards you with that and steady pacing.
Tone: ★★★★★
Underwood blends light and dark/hope and despair so well together as to not overwhelm you with only one. You want to fight against the darkness and fight for the girls' hopes.
Intrigue: ★★★★☆
A sapphic story set on an island in ancient Greece? A sister going to extraordinary lengths for her twin? A naïve girl who thinks her father hung the moon?
Versus (Strengths & Weaknesses): ★★★☆☆
Strong characters and motives that propel the story to it's conclusion. Beautiful bonds crafted through family and love. I just wish Lamia stepped up a little sooner, she's naïve for a bit too long and drags out her epiphany.
Audience:
Teens and adults, it's good for anyone. If you like Greek myths, sisterhood, some darkness, death, and romance then this will have something for you.
Themes: ★★★★★
Strong themes that anyone can relate to. No preaching or schooling, just sisterly love and coming of age.
Ending: ★★★★★
Satisfying and well paced. A good showdown that is inevitable and worth it. I still smile thinking about the final scene.
Character
Eirene is a skilled herbalist of 16 and Phoebe's twin. She sells her tinctures and herbs at the market as the main source of income for the young women. Eirene is ready to do anything to protect her sister.
Phoebe is ill but a talented weaver, whose tapestries Eirene can sell for a good amount of money. But with her illness makes her unable to work quickly. She is dutiful however, and often works herself into exhaustion. She doesn't change much over the course of the story as she's not in it much, but she is our beacon of hope and innocence.
Lamia is Leandros's daughter that he's hid away in a tower because of her disability. She is naïve but through her relationship with Eirene, finds her identity. Eirene and her grow in their own ways, separately and together as they explore their feelings and duties each feels they have. Her innocence and purity is similar to Phoebe, but we get to watch her full transformation, which is sometimes painful and sometimes beautiful.
Leandros is a selfish wealthy man who's claim to fame is his connection to the god Eros and with his magic he is able to craft potions that are slowly destroying Zakynthos. He is cruel, selfish, exploitative, and will do anything to maintain his wealth and status.
Atmosphere
Underwood does a good job of sprinkling in enough detail to remind you that this is ancient Greece. There's magic and gods and architecture that ground you in the world.
The story is light and dark, there is pure innocence in some of the characters, because of age and experiences. There is also a lot of darkness, of death, missing women who are not themselves, a dwindling town, and greed. The men in the story (save Eirene's herbalist friend) are vile and despicable. There's a heaviness on the women who are at the whim of the men who house them and who control the money.
Overall, the atmosphere was fitting and I enjoyed the setting and magic.
Plot, Pacing, and Premise
The plot is believable and exciting. Who wouldn't do anything they could to save their sister? Why wouldn't you befriend the mysterious girl in the tower?
The premise is a sister steps up to protect her twin from a dangerous suitor. She hopes to destroy him before he can ruin more lives. I'm all for women dismantling the patriarchy, throwing in magic and myths, it's sure to delight.
The pacing was solid for me. If anything it was a bit slow to get Eirene to Leandros, but not really. I didn't get bored or ever feel like it dragged. Eirene is given impossible tasks and you're left needing to know how she'll continue in the face of adversity.
Tone
The tone is hopeful and dark. The sapphic aspects are beautiful and sweet. A sister's bond, the lengths one would go for family, the budding friendship of two girls in a time where they don't have much autonomy. The darkness is found in Stavros, the selfish, drunk uncle that takes all the girls' money; Leandros and his secrets, abuse of power, and his creation of Desires; and the hopes and dreams of the sisters to escape the world controlled by men to live freely and safely.
It was woven together in such a way that it was a perfect balance of dark and light, it was never too much of one. I wanted to keep going to see which side won out.
Intrigue
I've always loved myths and although Greco mythology isn't my first favourite, it's still a staple and I wanted to see how Underwood handled it.
I am on a twin kick, I keep picking up books about siblings and twins and I am leaning towards more sapphic stories.
The story starts with Alexandra's death, so I'm already curious about her situation and why she died. It has a little of everything.
Versus (Strengths & Weaknesses)
The strengths were the sapphic aspects, for sure. I loved watching Eirene and Lamia, but I also loved Phoebe even though she wasn't in it too much.
The characters and their motivations were strong and held through the whole story without it being overdone. Leandros is evil, and obnoxiously so, but in a way that I found unsettling mostly than unbelievable.
If there was a weakness, it would be Lamia's inner journey taking a bit too long and dragged out to full naïvety levels. She could have been a bit more on top of things and either made more reasonable conclusions to fight it or accepted it sooner.
Audience
This is going to be for teens and adults who are interested in YA, sapphic stories, and Greek myths. It's not heavy on the mythology, it's just enough to get a solid story going. But it has love, death, bonds, and trials that test the limits.
Theme
Love, family, power, and identity are some of the biggest themes in the book.
Love in every aspect. Love between sisters, family, and friends. Eirene is doing all of this because of her love for Phoebe. Lamia loves her father dearly. Leandros loves himself and accumulation of wealth and control.
Family is all about the dynamics. Stavros uses his nieces to fuel his drinking and trips to the brothels. He used to be a better man, but has lost that part of himself. Eirene and Phoebe work around Stavros because of their duty to family, but also their own bond between each other. Lamia and Leandros do everything for the good of the other. Family is shown in good and bad light, it is complex and Underwood shows all facets of that.
Power is Leandros's main desire, he controls the town, his daughter, and the flow of Desire. He will do anything to keep that. Leandros sees power in his bloodline, his connection to the gods. He boasts and uses that to his advantage. Stavros demands control of the finances of the house. Phoebe and Eirene lack power because of their gender and health issues, but they fight for their own power and plan to take it back for themselves once they move. Power is also shown in other ways with the bull and that not all power is heavy handed and bad.
Identity is explored a lot through Lamia who is curious about her mother. She feels meek because of her disability, but still pushes herself to help her friends. She battles for understanding of who she is vs the girl her father says she is. Eirene is already pretty solid as a character, she explores identity through her friendship with Lamia and blossoming romance.
Ending
I liked the ending. Everything was tied up and it was satisfying. I enjoyed the final task and the final conflict. Lamia made me cry. It brought together things in a meaningful way that included everyone, and still left us with an open world that continues on after you close the book.
July 10, 2025
⋆.˚✮ 3.25 stars ✮˚.⋆
⤿ Thank you to HarperCollins for the arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
Throughout my whole life, I've been a sucker for greek mythology and greek settings, so mix that with something similar to vampires and I was so hooked. I was especially excited to see that this was a sapphic romance set in greek settings and wrapped in mythology, as I thought it would be a really unique story. While I did think it was a really unique story, there were some things I did really like but also some things that I didn't fully connect with.
One thing I really liked about this book was the characters themselves, Eirene and her sister Phoebe were really well-rounded I felt. The whole time I was rooting for the sisterly connection between the two of them to come out strong, as I love seeing siblings who are so supportive and loving of one another being represented in books. Even Lamia and her father were very interesting, though I felt that Lamia could have been fleshed out a little bit more, as I saw a few twists coming in relation to her character. Otherwise, the characters in this book felt complicated and well made.
Speaking of complicated, I wasn't the hugest fan of the romance. Eirene and Lamia had a lot of differences that I felt were too complicated for the relationship to ultimately work out, outside of the horrible situation they were in and wanting to have companionship. I understand they can both change, and I do think they were cute in some ways, but I didn't fully feel the connection between them. I wish there had been even more scenes or emphasis on how their connection was built, something just felt missing in this area for me.
There is some really nice writing in this book too, but the plot wavered in how fast it was moving. At times, there was a lot happening and I was enthralled, but at other times it slowed down. I wish the plot had been just a little bit more evened out as I think that would have aided the story. I also recognized a lot of the greek influences, but I wish there was even more mentions of it in the story. However, I did appreciate this author's unique take on vampires, or examples of something very close to vampires, and I thought it was really unique.
↬ trigger warnings: emotional and physical abuse, consumption of blood, abelism, mild gore, depictions of self-harm, child abuse, animal cruelty and animal death, gore and blood, murder, death of loved ones
⤿ Thank you to HarperCollins for the arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
Throughout my whole life, I've been a sucker for greek mythology and greek settings, so mix that with something similar to vampires and I was so hooked. I was especially excited to see that this was a sapphic romance set in greek settings and wrapped in mythology, as I thought it would be a really unique story. While I did think it was a really unique story, there were some things I did really like but also some things that I didn't fully connect with.
One thing I really liked about this book was the characters themselves, Eirene and her sister Phoebe were really well-rounded I felt. The whole time I was rooting for the sisterly connection between the two of them to come out strong, as I love seeing siblings who are so supportive and loving of one another being represented in books. Even Lamia and her father were very interesting, though I felt that Lamia could have been fleshed out a little bit more, as I saw a few twists coming in relation to her character. Otherwise, the characters in this book felt complicated and well made.
Speaking of complicated, I wasn't the hugest fan of the romance. Eirene and Lamia had a lot of differences that I felt were too complicated for the relationship to ultimately work out, outside of the horrible situation they were in and wanting to have companionship. I understand they can both change, and I do think they were cute in some ways, but I didn't fully feel the connection between them. I wish there had been even more scenes or emphasis on how their connection was built, something just felt missing in this area for me.
There is some really nice writing in this book too, but the plot wavered in how fast it was moving. At times, there was a lot happening and I was enthralled, but at other times it slowed down. I wish the plot had been just a little bit more evened out as I think that would have aided the story. I also recognized a lot of the greek influences, but I wish there was even more mentions of it in the story. However, I did appreciate this author's unique take on vampires, or examples of something very close to vampires, and I thought it was really unique.
↬ trigger warnings: emotional and physical abuse, consumption of blood, abelism, mild gore, depictions of self-harm, child abuse, animal cruelty and animal death, gore and blood, murder, death of loved ones
August 23, 2024
I love books with strong sibling bonds. There is something endearing about them. Like I can fully feel and understand their love and how it drives them.
Eirene and Phoebe are twins and share such a bond. Phoebe is struggling a lot with her health and Eirene is working twice as hard to make sure they’re both taken care of.
And then we see Eirene making the ultimate sacrifice to save her sister by striking a bargain with Leandros.
Gentlest of Wild Things is a somewhat slow but beautiful story about love and how far we’re willing to go for it. It’s very atmospheric and the softness within is almost tangible.
The world building isn’t too much and very fitting for the book. We know and learn all that we need to and while I do wish we’d gotten to see more (purely because I enjoyed it and it intrigued me so much), that wouldn’t have been fitting.
The characters are well written and layered. As I said I love the sisters but even Leandros was written in a way you just absolutely hate him and want to crawl into the book just so you can help the main character in trying to defeat him (ok maybe almost then, I’m not sure I’m as brave as Eirene is).
Now let’s talk about Lamia! What an interesting character she is. I love how she is both soft, shy and someone who likes to please while at the same time there’s great strength and loyalty that can’t be deterred within her.
The writing is very flowery which I feel is perfect for this type of story although I can imagine it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
I’d categorize this book as a Young Adult fantasy, but I’m very sure it’s perfectly suited for older audiences (like me!) too.
All in all with the release of Gentlest of Wild Things there is another great, sapphic story for us to cherish.
Eirene and Phoebe are twins and share such a bond. Phoebe is struggling a lot with her health and Eirene is working twice as hard to make sure they’re both taken care of.
And then we see Eirene making the ultimate sacrifice to save her sister by striking a bargain with Leandros.
Gentlest of Wild Things is a somewhat slow but beautiful story about love and how far we’re willing to go for it. It’s very atmospheric and the softness within is almost tangible.
The world building isn’t too much and very fitting for the book. We know and learn all that we need to and while I do wish we’d gotten to see more (purely because I enjoyed it and it intrigued me so much), that wouldn’t have been fitting.
The characters are well written and layered. As I said I love the sisters but even Leandros was written in a way you just absolutely hate him and want to crawl into the book just so you can help the main character in trying to defeat him (ok maybe almost then, I’m not sure I’m as brave as Eirene is).
Now let’s talk about Lamia! What an interesting character she is. I love how she is both soft, shy and someone who likes to please while at the same time there’s great strength and loyalty that can’t be deterred within her.
The writing is very flowery which I feel is perfect for this type of story although I can imagine it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
I’d categorize this book as a Young Adult fantasy, but I’m very sure it’s perfectly suited for older audiences (like me!) too.
All in all with the release of Gentlest of Wild Things there is another great, sapphic story for us to cherish.
November 5, 2024
Gentlest of Wild Things is a dark and unique story, combining the deadly journey undertaken by Psyche to prove her love for Eros and the tale of Lamia. It takes you on a thrilling adventure, quite akin to experiencing what Eirene goes through in fulfilling the tasks set out for her. I felt like this could be a movie - with the way things were described, it felt very immersive and I could easily imagine Zakynthos in front of me.
The writing simply flowed off the page and honestly, I could have read pages and pages more. Like I sat down, opened the first page and read the whole thing in one go even though I was only planning on reading a few chapters tonight. Also, in this book about love and Desire, the yearning...oh it was perfect.
Gentlest of Wild Things tells the perfect tale - don't mess with love and desire; don't force love and of course, do not mess with Aphrodite. (Leandros got what he deserved)
The writing simply flowed off the page and honestly, I could have read pages and pages more. Like I sat down, opened the first page and read the whole thing in one go even though I was only planning on reading a few chapters tonight. Also, in this book about love and Desire, the yearning...oh it was perfect.
Gentlest of Wild Things tells the perfect tale - don't mess with love and desire; don't force love and of course, do not mess with Aphrodite. (Leandros got what he deserved)
August 24, 2024
"Gentlest of Wild Things" by Sarah Underwood took me on a mesmerizing journey, blending Greek mythology, romance, and a sense of dark, otherworldly magic. The story is inspired by the myth of Eros and Psyche, but it offers so much more depth and emotion than I expected. I was immediately drawn into the world of Zakynthos, where Desire—love itself—is bottled up and sold like a commodity by the ruthless Leandros, a descendent of Eros.
The bond between Eirene and her twin sister, Phoebe, was one of my favourite parts of the book. Their relationship is full of strength, love, and fierce loyalty that sets the emotional tone of the story. When Leandros sets his sights on Phoebe after his wife’s mysterious death, Eirene's courage shines through as she strikes a desperate bargain to save her sister. The tasks Leandros assigns her are so intricate and intense, each one revealing darker layers of this world where Desire is both a weapon and a curse.
But what really pulled at my heart was Lamia, Leandros’ daughter, who has been locked away, hidden from the world. Her longing for freedom and the growing connection between her and Eirene is such a beautifully written part of the story. Lamia’s character was haunting yet gentle, and her struggle to balance her desire for freedom with the risks it brings kept me turning the pages.
Sarah Underwood’s writing is rich and vivid, making every scene feel alive with tension, love, and mystery. There’s something deadly stalking the night, a force that demands a price in blood, and the stakes are incredibly high. This isn’t just a story of love but of sacrifice and the lengths we go to protect those we care about. The ending left me thinking long after I finished the book.
I’d give it 4.5 stars, mainly because some parts felt a bit slow in the middle, but overall, "Gentlest of Wild Things" is an enchanting fantasy romance that weaves mythology into something new and captivating. If you love stories with deep emotional stakes, powerful female characters, and a bit of danger lurking in the shadows, this one’s for you!
The bond between Eirene and her twin sister, Phoebe, was one of my favourite parts of the book. Their relationship is full of strength, love, and fierce loyalty that sets the emotional tone of the story. When Leandros sets his sights on Phoebe after his wife’s mysterious death, Eirene's courage shines through as she strikes a desperate bargain to save her sister. The tasks Leandros assigns her are so intricate and intense, each one revealing darker layers of this world where Desire is both a weapon and a curse.
But what really pulled at my heart was Lamia, Leandros’ daughter, who has been locked away, hidden from the world. Her longing for freedom and the growing connection between her and Eirene is such a beautifully written part of the story. Lamia’s character was haunting yet gentle, and her struggle to balance her desire for freedom with the risks it brings kept me turning the pages.
Sarah Underwood’s writing is rich and vivid, making every scene feel alive with tension, love, and mystery. There’s something deadly stalking the night, a force that demands a price in blood, and the stakes are incredibly high. This isn’t just a story of love but of sacrifice and the lengths we go to protect those we care about. The ending left me thinking long after I finished the book.
I’d give it 4.5 stars, mainly because some parts felt a bit slow in the middle, but overall, "Gentlest of Wild Things" is an enchanting fantasy romance that weaves mythology into something new and captivating. If you love stories with deep emotional stakes, powerful female characters, and a bit of danger lurking in the shadows, this one’s for you!
July 18, 2024
4.5 stars
Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me a book to review.
I had super high expectations going into this due to how much I loved Lies We Sing to the Sea and this book proves that Underwood is no one book wonder.
The plot, the characters, the atmosphere were curated so beautifully in a very unsettling way. I loved the nods to the Eros and Psyche myth. It is so refreshing to see Greek Myth retellings done in this was rather than just making it a carbon copy. Underwood is creating something fresh and exciting without losing the appeal of the myth.
Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me a book to review.
I had super high expectations going into this due to how much I loved Lies We Sing to the Sea and this book proves that Underwood is no one book wonder.
The plot, the characters, the atmosphere were curated so beautifully in a very unsettling way. I loved the nods to the Eros and Psyche myth. It is so refreshing to see Greek Myth retellings done in this was rather than just making it a carbon copy. Underwood is creating something fresh and exciting without losing the appeal of the myth.
July 5, 2025
Det här var en förvånansvärt mysig och engagerande bok baserat på grekisk mytologi med inslag av feminism och queerness. Gillade starkt huvudkaraktärerna, hur deras relation byggdes upp och hur de utvecklades. En sån här typ av story kan lätt kännas repetitiv med en ond fader och huvudkaraktären som måste slutföra hans quests, men detta var allt annat än repetitivt. Kunde absolut gissa var historien skulle leda men det gjorde inte så mycket, blev nöjd ändå. Gillade också att romansen var utdragen och inte för överväldigande, den kändes väldigt nedtonad och verklig baserat på att karaktärerna kommer från väldigt olika världar. Mycket imponerad av Underwoods språk som var enkelt men beskrivande. Kändes lite som en saga för vuxna. Kan absolut tänka mig att läsa mer av henne. 4/5 lesbiska toasters.
August 28, 2024
A tender, dark and layered story exploring the lengths you'll go to for the ones you love. With all the drama, romance and horrors of classic mythology, 'Gentlest of Wild Things' couldn't have been a more perfect title for this book.
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