Aphrodite.

by Bryony Pearce

Meet the real Aphrodite, struggling to find her identity in a world where powerful men want only one thing, and the king of the gods sees her as a threat.

Genres: Mythology, Greek Mythology

Paperback

About the author

Bryony Pearce (formerly McCarthy) lives with her husband and two children in a village on the edge of the Peak District. She completed an English Literature degree at Corpus Christi College Cambridge in 1998 and afterward worked in the business-to-business market research sector. She went freelance in 2004 so she could devote more time to writing. Bryony was a winner of the 2008 Undiscovered Voices competition with her MG novel Windrunner's Daughter. Her first YA novel, Angel's Fury, will be published on 4th July 2011 by Egmont.

Reviews

[Lauren Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aphrodite by Bryony Pearce
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5⭐️s

Thank you to Bryony and Uclan Publishing for the opportunity to read this as an early copy.

If you love Greek mythology then this is definitely a book for you.

I've read many mythology reimagined books but I've never read one solely focused on Aphrodite - how strange is that? So when Bryony told me that her next book was based on the Greek Goddess of Love & Beauty, I was intrigued. How was this going to be about more than Love & Beauty?

And boy does this book not disappoint! Right from the outset Aphrodite is laden with mystery and intrigue as she emerges from the sea onto the beach - born from the waves.

We meet many from the mythical tales - though I won't spoil it for you. We journey along from Aphrodite's perspective as she learns initially to speak the language and understand those around her but also herself. Not only who she is but WHAT she is and the power she possesses. As a goddess but as a beautiful woman.

Whilst many stop at being enchanted by her beauty, Aphrodite shows she is so much more than her beauty belies.

Bryony's writing throughout is captivating and transports you to the most beautiful of places with just the turn of a page. I found myself laughing at points with the well captured sibling rivalry which, even in the household of Mount Olympus, echo's my own household!

Written with love, tension and passion - readers will find Aphrodite unputdownable. Bryony has encapsulated the enthrall of the Goddess within these pages and it threatens to never let go!

I emplore you, get Aphrodite on your pre order list immediately! It's the best Greek Mythology I've read in a long time!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read anything from the perspective of Aphrodite. This feminist retelling brought new depth and context to her story.

Aphrodite is born from the sea, and is eventually discovered by the gods. We follow her as she finds her way to Olympus, where her beauty is immediately seen as a threat by jealous goddesses, and a prize by careless gods.

The book retells several myths and legends from Aphrodite's point of view, as she wrestles with her beauty being the main thing others see.

I really enjoyed this book - there are plenty of recognisable figures, and some lesser known, and themes including misogyny, feminism, and power struggles. The writing is modern and realistic, with the complicated Olympian family dynamics offering both humour and threat.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for the eARC!

[Jade Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m yet to find a book that features Aphrodite and her story so I was immediately intrigued by this story’s premise. Typically we know Aphrodite as the Goddess of love and beauty and she tends to be portrayed as a side character with a shallow personality. It was refreshing to see her in all her complexity - she did start the Trojan war after all so there has to be more to her than just shallow attributes!

I enjoyed the author’s own personal take on Aphrodite - the story focusses on parts of her myth that seem to get overlooked and gives us more insight into her beginnings which is quite sparse in mythical literature. I did find the writing style hard to engage with but that is just a personal taste, I feel that the characters were well developed and the story was well told.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this arc.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryony Pearce gives the reader a beautifully written retelling of the Grecian Goddess, Aphrodite from her perspective and it has any love for the rich collection of stories and legends about the Pantheon of the Gods. 

We begin at her birth from the Mediterranean waters through her uncertainty of self to embrace herself as a Goddess of worth. Any reader, I think, will be like myself and captivated by this feminist retelling that gives not only context for some of the parts of Aphrodite's myth that are often swept over. There are moments of her story that have me emotional, and wishing I could step back into the pages and to a Greece from thousands of years ago and into moments that have become stories passed down throughout time simply to reassure this frightened Goddess. 


Pearce not only writes Aphrodite in such a thoughtful manner but breathes life into the world around her. You can feel the heat of the sun or the sand beneath our feet as she first wanders around mortals feeling lost and confused. Care is taken to bring context and imagery to all that occurs and places we venture to and it elevates the story so much. I especially liked how Aphrodite, who is only hours old in the context of the Gods, sees Olympus with a cynicism beyond her years as well as comparing it to the mortal world. 

She sees each God or Goddess she encounters with fresh and clear eyes, and I loved how honest she is to herself over how awful and self-serving many of them are; especially Zeus (who always seems to be the worst of all beings..) Each God, Goddess or handmaiden encounter reflects aspects of the Pantheon and Aphrodite, through Pearce's incredible writing highlights the patriarchal world she's been thrust into. Every female is a pawn, forced to break and bow to the fleeting whims of Zeus or those Gods who are in favour at that moment.

It's sometimes a hard read, but Aphrodite's story isn't an easy one, and it's sadly often that the harder aspects, that should have more light shone on them? That has been swept over or not even mentioned until retelling such as this? It's been repeatedly written and recalled by men. 

Bryony Pearce successfully not only tells Aphrodite's story beautifully and thoughtfully but refuses to make us look away. Her life is not always good simply because of who she is, she's a victim just as many are in the legends because of what she is and I'm so glad I got to read this.

Aphrodite may well be the Goddess of Love, but she has the heart and strength worthy of a warrior and Pearce doesn't let you forget it.

[Jen (Fae_Princess_in_Space) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a bit of a departure from my usual genres; a Greek Myth retelling of the birth and beginnings of the goddess Aphrodite!

This historical retelling follows Aphrodite from the moment she rises from the ocean as a fully-grown woman, to her friendship (and later romance!) with Ares, her run in with Princess Atalanta and the skirmish as she tries to position herself amongst the gods and goddesses of Olympus.

The book is told from Aphrodite’s POV and it’s so interesting that the reader learns alongside her about how the gods’ powers work and how her actions have consequences for the humans she interacts with. There is a lot of female rage in this story; the women throughout are treated abysmally and even though Aphrodite has crazy amounts of power, many of the men (and gods) of Olympus try to control her.

The reason this looses stars from me is because I had a difficult time relating to pretty much all the characters (which I do think was the point, but still, I want to love the characters I read!). Aphrodite wrecks Atalanta’s life then is absolutely shocked when the same thing happens to her, the goddesses are all vengeful bitches, the males are all conniving assholes… now I know a lot of this just because that’s how the myths go but I just felt disconnected from them because of it. It felt like they were very two dimensional - even Aphrodite and her love interest Ares weren’t overly deep, and Herphestus, Aphrodite’s spurned lover was reduced to an ugly, cruel caricature. He had the potential to be really interesting as well, as he’s only that way because he was bullied by the other gods. But do bear in mind this is just my opinion - some people might absolutely adore all the characters!

Read Aphrodite for:
✨ Greek myth retelling
✨ The birth and early life of Aphrodite
✨ MF friends-to-lovers sub plot
✨ Meddling gods and goddesses
✨ Atalanta’s myth from Aphrodite’s POV
✨ Sexism is alive and well in Olympus 🙃
✨ Difficult women making history
✨ Is love as worthless as Zeus thinks?

Overall an interesting, easy to read retelling for fans of Greek Mythology or those looking to get into it! It’s available on the 1st May 2025. Thanks to the author for an ARC copy of this via YALC!

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bible. Adore <3

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

APHRODITE is a feminist reclamation of the myth of the goddess of love and beauty.

It is a tale of the power and danger of love, of objectification, and of shattering the boxes you're put into. The Aphrodite of this tale is full of power and anger and a desire for a home, not a husband. She's a threat because of this and it was so much fun to watch her wreaking havoc.

I really liked the way that Ares was far less toxic than the other male gods. Not only does he provide a nice (and necessary) contrast to Zeus and Hephaestus to show why she'd fall in love with him, but it was also an interesting and unexpected characterisation. Ares - the god of brutal, chaotic war - is not the most obvious choice for someone who listens and sees someone as multi-faceted. I thoroughly enjoyed being so surprised by it and how it made me think.

In the same vein, the myths chosen for this story were also surprising. There are hints about the Trojan War, but it is not actually present in this book - a future event, rather. Instead, it is myths like Atalanta's footrace and the Hesperides that take centre stage. I really liked seeing lesser retold myths at the core of this story.

The book has a very open ending. You know what Aphrodite is planning on doing and it invites you to imagine the consequences. I also hope it means there might be a sequel that directly deals with those possibilities.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It was a completely new depiction of Aphrodite and my favourite of anything I've ever read of her.

I would love if this was the start of a series. It might be difficult to care for most of the other gods after reading this but there are a few whose stories I'd love to read. Ares definitely, maybe Demeter and Euphrosyne would be great too.

[Estelle Retallick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read this early thought NetGalley. I could not put this down, easy 5 stars! Aphrodite is a force to be reckoned with, causing chaos and brilliance in the midst of the Gods. She shows the true power of being a woman and navigating the world around her!

[Marisa Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fierce, Lyrical, and Utterly Empowering

Aphrodite by Bryony Pearce is a breathtaking triumph—a bold reimagining of the goddess of love that reclaims her voice, her rage, and her power in the face of a patriarchal pantheon determined to keep her small. This is not the Aphrodite of passive myths or shallow beauty; this is a heroine forged from salt, pain, cunning, and fire.

From the moment she rises from the waves, naked and unknowing, Aphrodite captivates not just the characters in the story, but the reader as well. Pearce’s prose is lush and immersive, equal parts poetic and sharp-edged, perfectly capturing Aphrodite’s evolution from wide-eyed newcomer to formidable force among gods. The setting of Olympus is rendered as a glittering, toxic court of manipulation and treachery, and the book doesn’t shy away from showing how beauty, especially in a woman, is both weaponized and feared.

What makes Aphrodite so unforgettable is its unflinching look at identity, autonomy, and how strength can be hidden in the very thing others try to use to diminish you. This is a story about refusing to be defined by others, and watching Aphrodite learn to twist her curse into power is deeply satisfying.

The pacing is tight, the character dynamics are layered, and the tension is high throughout. Every encounter with the gods feels loaded with danger and desire, and Pearce masterfully builds an undercurrent of rebellion that crescendos into something magnificent.

Aphrodite is more than just a myth retelling—it’s a feminist roar from the heart of Olympus. One of the most empowering, beautifully written, and emotionally resonant books I’ve read in a long time. A must-read for fans of Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, or anyone who loves their mythology with a bite.

[Damsel in Delight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one so much! The rapid plot takes us from Aphrodite’s birth from the sea and we get to see not only a retelling and a delve into Aphrodite’s myths which are often ignored in mythology retelling but Pierce also doesn’t flinch away from portraying a heroine who is vengeful and dangerous. Aphrodite herself narrates this tale and as she learns more of the world her perspective changes and we get this glorious depiction of Olympus in the eyes of someone who is on one hand only a few weeks old and yet cynical and powerful.
I love how other characters – especially her handmaidens reflect the world of Olympus. Anyone who is powerful, any woman who could be anything other than a marriageable pawn is reduced to a shallow facet of their true power and there is nothing better than seeing it unfold. Her handmaiden has experienced it before and yet Aphrodite is now experiencing it first hand but she can be supported by her.
I honestly can say that this will stay with me for a while! I can’t wait for another reread once it releases and a sequel because this stunning masterpiece has me hooked!
Bold, powerful and still loyal to the cruelty of the original myths with an exploration of personal power and patriarchy.
Age Recommendation: Upper YA/Adult – 15+
Romance Rating: Open Door – very euphemistic, less than a page.
Violence Rating: Level 6 – there is both physical violence throughout and fights as well as sexual violence which happens regularly and there is the threat of it throughout.
CW: SA, Rape

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aphrodite is born from the sea, literally washed onto the shore. Wandering with no clue where she is or who she is, Aphrodite can sense when humans mean her harm, but she eventually meets a kind man who tends an orchard & who gives her a place to stay & food without asking anything in return. When the orchard is destroyed by giants, Aphrodite meets Ares, god of war, & they travel to Olympus together.

Olympus is the home of the gods & goddesses where they jostle for power & prominence, & Aphrodite's appearance is about to unsettle things even more, yet even here the goddesses are given less freedom than the gods. Zeus wants control of Aphrodite & makes her the goddess of love & beauty - to be seen as nothing but beautiful is a curse that Aphrodite doesn't want but the other gods underestimating her may also be her strongest weapon.

This was a competent retelling of one of the Greek myths. Aphrodite has always seemed a bit of a vapid airhead compared to Artemis & Athena, so seeing her wield some power was a refreshing change. It was also nice to see her develop some real female friendships with minor deities & dryads. It was very YA-coded for me, the gods/goddesses acted very much like teenagers at times, but please note that there is violence, a brief sex scene, & some disturbing behaviour from Zeus so I would say suitable for ages 15+. 3.5 stars (rounded up)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, UCLan Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this vivid and action-packed mythical retelling, Aphrodite emerges fully formed from the sea and is immediately confronted by the dangers of a misogynistic and patriarchal society. She has a limited understanding of the world and must learn everything, including Greek so that she can communicate with others.

It was easy to feel sympathy for Aphrodite in this retelling. Although she made some grave errors of judgement, it felt that, in the beginning at least, her intentions were good. In her search for home and a place to belong, all she found were lustful, loathing, jealous gods and Zeus was one of the worst. It seemed he would stop at nothing to subjugate a powerful woman. Tragically, his power was enhanced by the collaboration of women who prioritised survival in a male-dominated society over supporting one another. 

I found the part Aphrodite played in Atalanta’s downfall, Hephaestus’ humiliation and Ares’ domestic life particularly interesting in this retelling of the story. The book ended strongly with a powerful and unexpected conclusion. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy retellings of Greek myths. 

Thank you so much to UCLan Publishing and NetGalley for sharing this free digital review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

[Booksushi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aphrodite has been such an interesting read. A story of a woman portrayed as an exceptional beauty and vanity....but there is more than meets the eye.

Bryony Pearce has written such an amazing twist on Aphrodite's story that has left me wanting a second book and possibly a third!!!

We get to view how Aphrodite is born, from the sea and foam. She meets some people that leave a lasting mark on her soul. Adhering to the call of home, she goes to Olympus and starts to understand how suffocating being a Goddess can be.

Even though she is a goddess, powerful in her own right, she is too powerful for Zeus' ego. And he sees fit to put her in her place....or so he thinks.

This book definitely brings out the feminine rage and makes u want to fight the patriarchy. How women, whether human, servant or princess, Goddess or Queen of the gods, has to have a male be in charge of them. That a woman cannot be her own person and be powerful and willful.

This book gave new depth and meaning to Aphrodite and absolutely enjoyed this. It managed to snap me out of my book slump.

[OSFC The Know Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Thanks to NetGalley and UCLAN Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As a long-time fan of mythological retellings, I was instantly intrigued by the idea of giving Aphrodite her own narrative. So often a side character in the stories of others, she finally takes centre stage in this YA reimagining — and it’s a refreshing change.

Pearce presents a feminist retelling that follows Aphrodite from her creation through her arrival on Olympus, offering a comedic yet sharp exploration of how deeply entrenched misogyny runs, even among the gods. The tone is engaging and witty, which balances some of the darker themes well.

While the pacing lags a bit in the second part, it picks back up in the final third, closing on a stronger note. This is a great starting point for readers new to mythological retellings, especially those interested in seeing familiar figures through a modern, feminist lens.

[Lisa Tristram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greek Mythology ✔️
Gods✔️
Drama,adventure and excitement ✔️✔️✔️✔️
The title kind of give it away but this book us definitely one of my favourites of the year so far. A story based on one of the 12 main Greek gods especially one that we don't really hear much about... not my favourite godess but now looking at her view point she is definitely one to adore.....starting from her birth and her journey to Olympus I have never been so engrossed in a story and the urge to throw it because of the amount of injustice she suffers. The story is told beautifully and makes you so angry and annoyed that you want to go and commit revenge for her......the struggle of females in a male dominated world has you rooting for Aphrodite....

[♡︎ Sabrin ♡︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewing the E-ARC!

Aphrodite is a feminist retelling of the Goddess of Love and Beauty. but from her POV and Bryony's retelling proves that she is definitely more than a pretty face.

I loved being able to read her perspective of things, especially starting from the moment that she appears out of the sea foam on a shell and how she deals with her existence. Bryony's prose was amazing and made it so accessible to read, I finished the book literally in a day because I couldn't put it down. The book ended on a great note, with her wanting to get to Troy on her own terms, and I definitely need a book 2!!!

[Bitsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love a Greek mythology retelling and this didn’t disappoint. Despite being one of the the 12, Aphrodite is quite often a side character and it was refreshing to read something with her in the spotlight. A goddess who is arguably a bit ‘marmite-y’, it is often easy to dislike Aphrodite, but the way Pearce portrays her and the trials she faces makes it much easier to understand and love her. Would absolutely recommend.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this new re-telling of the story of Aphrodite and the different perspectives shown of both hers and Ares' characters. Really enjoyed inhabiting their world for a little while. For me it was one of those books when you feel the loss of the characters when you finish the book and you're forced to say goodbye. I thought the ending was very interesting - a different take on the spark that set off events which triggered the Tojan War.

[Mel Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Greek mythology, and Aphrodite has been one that I've been drawn to for many years. I've done women's circles that dedicate it to her, so when this book came up on netgalley, I couldn't wait to read it. And, it was absolutely brilliant. I love the way it is written.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Ray Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I devoured this in 2 sittings. Everything I needed from a Greek retelling, unique and packed with twists and turns. Some of the relationships could’ve used a little more depth / connection, I’d have happily read another 100 pages of this story. Loved it.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

* Screaming in female rage*

Nothing sounds better than Aphrodite and Ares chaos.

[chi · Rating 3 out of 5]

HONOURABLE thanks to the author as ALECTRYON ACTUALLY MAKES AN APPEARANCE IN THIS BOOK!!!!! 😭😭😭

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful book and tale of feminine power. I do hope that there may be a sequel in the future!

[Ella-Mae Campling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unsure if it’s a three or four so 3.5 rounded up! FRTC

[Jess :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

i could not put this downnn! the characters are written in such a complex way omg