Eve: A Novel

by B.K. O'Connor

Exiled to a desolate and harsh New Earth, in this
Paradise Lost retelling, Eve faces relentless toil, pain, and the resentment of Adam, who blames her for shattering their Paradise.



But even in this barren world, Eve's curiosity only grows. When Eve and Adam discover a thriving civilization in the fertile valleys of Mesopotamia, Adam is able to find peace, while Eve fights an irresistible pull further. She yearns to understand why she was created, to understand the god that made and abandoned her.


Can Eve find contentment with the vestiges of Eden that remain? Or will she dare to taste the fruit forbidden to her, once more?


In the end, Eve seeks to know the limits to her own power, to sate her hunger, once and for all. Navigating loves, betrayals, and the duties of motherhood from Nippur to the coastal city of Canaan and across the Aegean Sea to Cyprus, Eve will go as far as it takes.


But how many Edens will she forsake, along the way, to discover who creates them?


Will Eve cross the threshold from dust to divinity, at last? Or will she return to the river valley, empty-handed, a fractured family left in her wake?



For who before Eve has known the minds of the gods?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Retellings, Historical, Mythology

300 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 10, 2026

About the author

B.K. O’Connor is an educator and author. With over a decade of travel writing for award-winning publications, B.K. has roamed extensively, honing a curious, passionate voice–seeking to know and understand the world through its stories, to unearth why we exist at all. O’Connor has a B.A. in English from University of Texas at Austin and an M.A. in English Studies from Arizona State University. This is her first novel.

Reviews

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 / 5 Stars
“To all Eves, unable to shake the urge to know.”

Wow, my brain is on fire (in a good way) after reading this book. “Eve: A Novel” is a reimagining of the story of Adam and Eve. It creates connective tissue for the tale, pondering the why behind Eve eating the forbidden and then being exiled and then creates its own story as Eve intersects with other civilizations and deities. Adam, Eve, their creator, their children, and Lucifer are fully formed, complex, flawed characters each serving the story in new, redefined ways. The book defends Eve’s choice to know and her innate longing for knowledge. Eve is a feminist character filled with feminine rage about the world that punishes her for wanting to understand it, tries to make her submissive, and tethers her to her motherhood as a weapon. It is political in many ways without being overtly so. It was a fascinating read that I will likely be digesting for a while.

You will probably like this book if you like:
A reimaging of well-known Biblical story
Feminist musings in prose
Complex relationships between humans and between humans and deities
Knowledge as power

The prose was beautiful and created vivid scenery and visceral emotions. For me, the pacing on the last half was much faster because that is when it became its own story and I was no longer trying to map certain plot points onto what I know from the Biblical story. Eve goes on a long quest which was the most gripping part of the story.

The book ponders big themes like: contentment versus curiosity; roles for women in society; the expectations of mothers versus fathers; the idea of free will and freedom; the concept of love and what binds us in relationships (note that in exploring this there is infidelity which I know can be a trigger for folks, so just a heads up); the meaning of life (that one is a doozy). The message about Eve’s desire for knowledge as a means of freedom and power was super clear. I felt like some of the other themes were a bit more unclear like the concept of love and partnerships and there are some relationships that I feel like I am still mulling over in my head. And you could honestly write a dissertation on each of the characters portrayed here because there is so much meat on each of their bones. It sometimes felt like a philosophy class (and sometimes I was like "what the heck is happening?"), but if you are along for the ride or if you love philosophical pondering, you will love this book.

Ignorance was not bliss for the Eve portrayed in this book and understanding the why behind things was essential to her. Sometimes the answers were a bit confusing but I will definitely be thinking about this book for a while to come.

Thank you Histria Books and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
______________________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Very excited for this book. It’s Adam and Eve from Eve's perspective. It sounds fascinating.

[T Davidovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drawing from Paradise Lost, Eve is a thoughtful and compelling attempt at reinterpreting Eve's character from the Bible. It is told almost in the style of a folktale that suits its Biblical inspirations, so the novel sometimes feels understandably less than realistic. The dialogue is especially absurd. But Eve's decisions and motivations are still relatable, and she should resonate with anyone who hungers to understand theology, philosophy, and nature. Other perspectives are examined here as well (especially Adam's, but also Lucifer's, God's, Gabriel's, Cain's, Abel's, and a few others), but Eve is the real highlight. Every time we spend time in someone else's head, I found myself wanting to return to her.

Being raised in a religion obsessed with hermeneutics and exegesis probably hampered my enjoyment of this book, at least a little bit. I've analyzed Genesis in depth through a million different lenses, so a book like Eve isn’t going to blow my mind as much as it's probably intended to. Additionally, the Christian paradigms of Paradise Lost and other popular conceptions and interpretations of the Garden of Eden aren't something I need to actively question or unlearn, because as someone who was never Christian, they aren't my own paradigms, conceptions, or interpretations to begin with. (This book seeks to redeem Eve, turning her into complex but heroic figure, whereas I grew up learning that according to some readings of the Bible, Eve didn't technically sin at all, so she doesn't need redemption.)

However, for people who have a more casual relationship with the Bible, I think this book could potentially be eye opening in terms of the questions asked about Eve's story, specifically focusing on topics like creation, free will, sin, divine image, companionship, childbirth, exile, gender, life and death, good and evil, knowledge and language, and agency and regret. Even I can admire how all these ideas are introduced without ever making the book feel like an essay (or—as I'm more accustomed to—a Rabbi's sermon). Though it's the sort of novel that has ambitious messages, the plot and character development are never sacrificed for the sake of getting a point across (except arguably at the very end when things feel a bit rushed). All the cerebral ideas cohere organically into a textured story about a woman wrestling with mortality, power dynamics, relationships, and existence in an ostensibly perfect place that was not built by or for her.

The novel eventually diverges from the Biblical narrative, which allows Eve to take on a life of her own. It also allows the story the freedom to touch on newer ideas. I especially enjoyed seeing how Eve's marriage transforms after she meets Lucifer, after she disobeys Adam, after both of them are punished for it, and after they become aware of their bodies. I also enjoyed how neatly questions about the meaning of life tie into issues around feminism.

There are certain artistic liberties taken at this point. Some readers might find a couple of changes puzzling or unnecessary. For example, I have no idea why Eve's first daughter is called Sara when apocryphal texts say she was named either Awan or Calmana. (I believe Muslim and Eastern Orthodox traditions also have names for her, but none of them call her Sara.)

I'm not an expert, so maybe there's a text out there that I'm unaware of that names Eve's first daughter Sara. Either way, I'm nitpicking at this point. The artistic liberties don't ruin the story. They don't disrupt immersion. They sometimes even add to the story (like the inclusion of Ashera). And when they don't add anything, they at least never get in the way of what this novel is trying to be at its core, which is a deeply curious and tender character study of a woman struggling with fundamental questions about humanity, existence, freedom, meaning, gender, and the universe. Some of her questions get repetitive and heavy handed when it turns out they can't be answered, at least not without becoming an immortal god, but her longing to learn is achingly and exquisitely human.

I recommend this one to people who like unique retellings like Till We Have Faves or The Red Tent. I think readers who enjoy Ancient Near Eastern mythology might also be interested. I saw some small parallels with The Epic of Gilgamesh, and it's just generally refreshing to see modern portrayals of deities like Enlil and Baal, even if they don't get all that much page time here.

~Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a Digital ARC. All opinions are my own.~

[Kate (k8tsreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, don't you love it when an independent author sends you a book that is actually really good? It makes me so happy when I get to say nice things.

A feminist retelling of Paradise Lost - this was such an interesting mix of historical fiction, mythology, philosophy, and feminism. The story starts with Adam and Eve's creation in paradise, but quickly moves to their exile and years spent living in Mesopotamia. I loved how the author dealt with the similarities and contradictions between what the Bible says happened, what ancient Mesopotamian myth says happened, and what archaeology says happened. It was so cool to see Adam and Eve live amongst real people in Nippur and Canaan. And I LOVED learning about all the different gods.

Eve was also a really compelling character. So often blamed for man's exile from Eden, this novel takes Eve's decision to take a bite of the forbidden fruit and turns it on its head. She is a woman who thirsts for knowledge, who deals with issues like leaving her own children to travel the world and understand more about what it means to live. It actually made me think so much about myself as a woman - I was honestly reflecting on so many things I hadn't really even thought about before.

Besides all of that, the writing in this book is wonderful. The chapters are short, I really liked the different POVs that are incorporated, and all of the characters really came to life. It's a poetic, artsy sort of book, leaning much more into the literary fiction genre than historical fiction, I would say. But I really really enjoyed it.

Definitely recommend picking it up when it comes out in February! And thanks to the author for the early copy.

[Steph 📚✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for a review, thank you to Histria Books for the complementary copy.

In short, this book was good, not great. It’s a decent debut novel with the potential for great works in the future. The prose was lovely and the story concept was interesting - a modern feminist retelling of paradise lost.

My main issues involve pacing and depth. The first half of the book felt like it absolutely drug on, while the final third of the book went too fast. The passage of time felt completely out of whack - when they basically came out and said that Eve had been gone for years (I estimate 10-15 based on how much Cain and Abel grew up?), it felt confusing. Within that, each of her relationships completely lacked development. Everyone fell in love with her instantly and I wasn’t convinced. Had we spent less time with arguably needless plot points, I would have liked to see more detail and depth in both these relationships and characters.

Additionally, the themes this book wanted to tackle felt 1) too numerous and 2) too deep for what it was able to actually do. Part of this was because it relied too heavy on telling, rather than showing, giving a very surface level experience to the book. Part of this was due to lack of development, as pointed out above. Several moments in this book could have had major emotional impact, but because it wasn’t as fleshed out as it could have been, it fell flat for me.

All in all, it’s an interesting concept with lovely prose. With greater attention to characterization and development, this author has the potential to put out some truly beautiful work as she grows in her writing.

EDIT: I also can’t stand third person omniscient POV

[Marybeth ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5

With many thanks to NetGalley and Histria books for the ARC

Eve is a feminist reimagining of the Adam and Eve narrative, told entirely through Eve’s perspective. She is not presented as a passive figure but as a thinking, questioning mind who interrogates the world she inhabits, the role she has been assigned, and the possibility of her own purpose beyond it. In doing so, the novel opens space for urgent and timeless feminist questions.
The prose is exquisite. When I first read the description, I wondered how O’Connor might approach such a monumental subject and whether a feminist retelling could be sustained without feeling heavy-handed. To my surprise, the execution is seamless. The narrative never feels contrived; it unfolds with a natural rhythm, drawing the reader into Eve’s consciousness. At times, I found myself echoing her questions, and at others, reacting almost viscerally to the text and especially to Adam. This novel kept me thinking, and will continue to for a long time.

For me, it is a solid 4/5 and a book I would gladly recommend to friends.

[Deviant Quill Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://deviantquillbookreviews.wordp...




The story of Eve has always been told to keep women small. This novel rips that story apart. Eve is a bold, unflinching story of curiosity, rebellion, and intellect.

Eve is a gut punch to the tired, patriarchal version of the world’s oldest story. This isn’t a gentle retelling of Genesis. It’s Eve, fully alive, fully awake, fully unwilling to stay in the cage that history built for her. She’s curious, questions, leaves, learns, and in doing so, she drags the whole narrative of “original sin” kicking and screaming into the modern era. The old story treats women like cautionary tales. “It was her fault.” “Women caused humanity to fall.” This one treats them like humans with brains, desires, and power. The novel doesn’t shy away from the costs of autonomy. Exile isn’t necessarily a punishment here, but more of selfhood being born through fire and loss. Eve’s relationships, her wanderings, the lonely weight of motherhood are all there, brutal and real. And the book doesn’t punish her for wanting more. It honors the complexity of being a woman in a world that still tries to define what that should mean.

What makes Eve crackle is how the story becomes political without ever being preachy. Her search for knowledge, her defiance, and her attempts to create spaces where women can learn and exist freely are mirrors of every fight for rights, recognition, and voice that’s happening right now. The echoes are loud: controlling women starts with controlling stories, and reclaiming them is revolutionary. It’s a very important novel being published when it’s needed the most. The times we live in might be modern in theory, but women’s rights are being suppressed again, and the literary world needs more Eves to fight back with words and stories.

This book isn’t subtle. It’s angry, smart, and unapologetic. Eve is a force, and reading her story is a reminder that myth, like history, is only as truthful as the people who get to tell it. By the time you finish, you’re left thinking about everything: power, freedom, motherhood, identity, and how much of the world is still waiting for its Eve to stand up.

Let’s be honest: this isn’t a book for Christians looking for comfort in familiar texts, or for anyone who prefers the Bible served in neat, unquestioned packages. If your instinct is to protect the “sanctity” of Genesis or to defend traditional interpretations without question, Eve will make you squirm. It challenges dogma, tears apart inherited narratives, and shows that the first woman (like every woman after her) was never meant to be obedient or invisible.

If you want myth served neat, move along. This is a necessary book for thinkers, rebels, and anyone ready to question everything they thought they knew.

Tropes & Vibes

Reimagined biblical figure
Feminist reclamation of origin stories
Exile as self-discovery
Forbidden knowledge as empowerment
Motherhood complicated by autonomy
Quest for learning and agency
Transformation through loss and choice
Moral ambiguity and personal ethics
Urgent, contemporary resonance
Empowering, raw, and visionary
Quietly radical critique of tradition


Review copy provided by Histria Books @ Net Galley

[cyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netaglley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book started out super strong but fell flat super fast for me. I understand that it was supposed to be a feminist retelling of the story of adam and eve but this book felt like it was trying to do entirely too many things and it did none of them well. If you are familiar with the bible story then you might want to pick this up because it could be semi interesting but this is not a book I would recommend to many people.

[T.J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eve is Homer meets Genesis, with exile, adventure, and at the heart of the story, a fierce heroine who refuses to play the role history wrote for her. Sorry Drake, this isn't God's plan.

[Mae! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Histria Books for the Arc!

Eve is an interesting retelling of the story of the first woman and man through Eve’s point of view. From her creation to her exile from Eden– and how she sees it less and less of an exile the more that she gets to live. Eve asks the questions that everyone wonders and challenges everything that she does not understand. Eve breaks from the mold of her creator and becomes something more than, traveling throughout the land and experiencing everything, and moving the Gods that she meets along the way. Halfway through the book is where I feel O’Connor really got the chance to shine, as it slowly transitioned from a retelling to more of a continuation.

B.K. O’Connor writes in such a poetic prose, while not getting too lost. Eve is perfect for people who were raised in the church but always had a few extra questions and a few connections that didn't quite make sense.

[Kate Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Men are not to be trusted - the novel. I honestly enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would.

This is a feminist retelling of Paradise Lost. When Adam and Eve are thrown out of paradise once she bites the fruit and convinces Adam to do so as well, they must find a new way to live. Eve asks God why he didn't show himself to her before throwing them out, as he did to Adam. No answer is given. In the wider world, Eve's curiosity grows, wondering what else may be out there in existence, as Adam finds peace, and another woman in Mesopotamia. Eve decides to leave her children and Adam behind to explore the world and learn what exists and what life is. It raises a lot of feminist questions (Why can a mother not leave when a father can? Why does a woman have to be subservient, but a man doesn't) and uses the first woman to ask them.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible and captivating read! Eve brings a feminist lens to the story of the often-flattened biblical Eve and builds a compelling character with depth, flaws, curiosity, and agency. You won't want to put this book down! I got hooked wanting to see where her curiosity and passion takes her, who she encounters along the way, and where her story goes. The writing brings to life an ancient world and characters with endearing and thought-provoking complexity that stays with you well after you finish.

[Elizabeth Orem · Rating 5 out of 5]

A richly imagined retelling of the story of Adam and Eve. Philosophical, engaging, and sexy stuff. Read this if you loved Circe and The Penelopiad. This is an exciting debut and I can’t wait to see what B.K. O’Connor writes next!

[TheNovelNomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve is a bold and thoughtful reimagining that treats its source material not as something to correct, but as something to question. This Eve is curious, restless, and unwilling to accept simple answers—about creation, obedience, love, or divinity and that curiosity is what gives the novel its momentum.

The prose leans lyrical without losing clarity, and the story balances big philosophical ideas with an accessible, often quietly playful tone. I especially enjoyed how the novel allows Eve to move beyond the familiar confines of Eden and into a wider world, where myth, history, and human experience begin to blur together.

This is the kind of book that invites conversation rather than closure. It doesn’t hand you conclusions; it asks better questions. Readers who enjoy literary retellings, mythological reframing, and stories that trust their audience to think will find a lot to admire here.


Thank you @netgallery for the arc

[Keilah Villa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book blew me away! Absolutely stunning and thought-provoking. I often wonder about what history has not told us. The Bible only has a few chapters about Eve, but what about all the other experiences she had? This book leaves nothing out! I don't agree with most of the storyline because it's not the biblical worldview. However, I really enjoyed the book anyway because it allowed me to learn what others believe or theorize about Eve. If you like historical fiction, feminist literature, or alternative theories to the Bible, this is the book for you. Thank you, LibraryThing for my ARC!

[Lisa Penninga · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an English major who studied Paradise Lost in college, this retelling is so well done, and it made me think so much as I was reading it. I have pages of highlights in my kindle, all of which made me think about Eve’s position and choices in the Garden of Eden, why the tree of knowledge would be banished from the perfect first male & female, and how Eve has impacted the portrayal of women since first creation. The first part of this book follows Paradise Lost and the Bible more specifically, but I really enjoyed the second half better. This is Eve’s odyssey that parallels her abandonment of her children to seek knowledge and purpose while questioning God’s abandonment of her. This definitely has a feminist tone, and a motif of men choosing to dominate instead of lead. Pursue passion ahead of purpose. I really enjoyed it and the portrayal of Lucifer is really interesting as well, carrying more complexity than simply being evil and fallen. If we all contemplated our purpose and place in society, maybe our society would be less ego-centric and more connected?

[Book Nerdection · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve only knows what Adam has told her. That God has created her for him, as a salvation for Adam. Eve believes him, but as she wonders, she becomes more and more curious. What’s the meaning of life? A mortal, destined to die? Are there any answers to her questions?

She doesn’t know, but she’s determined to find out.

This novel is a perfect blend of fiction and history.

The writing style is unique and deeply introspective. The reader is consistently aware of the characters’ thoughts, making their journeys easy to follow and empathize with. The plot is well-served by these rich inner struggles, which make the story deeply engaging.

Eve’s character is beautifully written. Her philosophical wisdom and persistent questions feel realistic and profound. They made me think about how we often overlook life’s simplest questions, whose answers are most complicated.

We all have moments where we question our reality and ponder the paths not taken. Eve, upon reflection, realizes she has no regrets. If given the choice again, she would still eat the forbidden fruit. For her, the price was worth the reward, discovering the world and all the secrets the earth holds.

This book was A powerful and thought-provoking retelling of Eve’s story—emotional, bold, and unforgettable.

Overall, Eve was a fantastic read.

Reviewed By Faiza

[Holly Deitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC copy!

What a fascinating book! It grabbed me immediately and then gave me more! As an exvangelical, I learned so many things about history, gods, goddesses, that I was never exposed to growing up with just Biblical mythology.

I think this book could appeal to all kinds of folks, religious and otherwise. Folks who love history. Or if you're just in the mood for a completely different kind of story, well told.

[carley k ♥︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this was hands-down a five-star read for me, there is a caveat: this book will not appeal to everyone, and that is not a flaw in the writing but a matter of audience. If you are not interested in examining religion, history, and long-held beliefs, especially where women are concerned, this will likely not be your book. If you are interested in interrogating those frameworks and questioning what we have accepted as truth, then this is something special.

This novel is explained as a retelling of Milton’s Paradise Lost, but that description feels a bit reductive to me. While the influence is there, Eve is doing far more than retelling. O’Connor centers Eve not as a villain, not as a cautionary tale, and not as the origin of humanity’s downfall, but as a seeker of truth and understanding. The book turns the familiar narrative completely on its head by questioning whether Eve’s “choice” was ever truly a choice at all, and whether ignorance can be considered virtue when it is enforced rather than chosen.

What resonated most deeply with me is how clearly this text understands that religious stories have been told, retold, translated, and interpreted through the lens of men, within broken systems, across centuries. I believe in God, in Jesus, in creation, but my understanding of faith is deeply at odds with the rigid interpretations I was raised with. My relationship with Christianity is shaped by deconstruction, religious trauma, and a belief that much has been lost or distorted over time. Reading Eve felt like encountering thoughts I’ve carried quietly for years, articulated plainly and without apology.

This book functions as a thoughtful analysis of women in early religious texts, particularly within Abrahamic traditions, and challenges the idea that women are inherently culpable, lesser, or morally suspect. Instead, it foregrounds women’s interior lives, their strength, their love, their motherhood, and their struggle to understand both themselves and the divine. It asks difficult questions about God’s intention, humanity’s purpose, what we are denied in the name of obedience, and what is gained through knowledge, even when that knowledge carries consequence.

It is also unmistakably dense. This is not a breezy or comforting read, and it does not soften its questions for the sake of accessibility. The research and care behind the text are evident throughout, and this becomes especially clear in the acknowledgments and author’s notes, where O’Connor’s process, heart, and intellectual rigor are on full display. My copy is aggressively highlighted and annotated, which is usually my clearest indicator that a book has done something meaningful to me.

This is not a book I would recommend casually or universally. But for readers interested in feminist critique, religious history, and the reclamation of women’s roles within these narratives, Eve is powerful, challenging, and deeply affirming. Read it with a critical, academically open mind. And if it speaks to you, please read it and then immediately contact me for further discussion. I will, quite sincerely, be waiting.

[Brielle Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

“To all the Eves, unable to shake the urge to know.”

I have never read Paradise Lost, but I loved this feminist retelling of Eve’s story, her journey of discovery, and her thirst for knowledge. The prose was beautiful and the exploration of the themes of agency, self determination, and feminine rage were interesting. This was a very character driven story with sections on motherhood, the divine feminine, and Eve’s relationship with Adam. I found Eve’s experiences with motherhood the most fascinating, especially around birth.

“How many bites of bitter fruit must she take to truly know? How many men will keep worlds hidden from her?”

After the fall in Eden, I never really thought about Satan/Lucifer/the serpent, but this story also reimagined him as giving fire as a gift, as an act of asking for forgiveness for leading Eve astray and the suffering she endures after leaving the garden of Eden. Like in Greek mythology, when Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, empowering them with warmth, cooking, technology, and creating the foundation for civilization. However, unlike Prometheus incurring the wrath of Zeus, Lucifer had already fell from heaven so God seemed unconcerned with this series of events.

“Always, take the fruit.”

Adam as the original adulter was maddening, but satisfying. I feel like in story of Adam and Eve, we always villainize Eve. However I enjoyed a softer, more balanced view of Adam and Eve as both flawed and curious and desiring more (although maybe not knowing what that “more” is and still both hurting each other).

“To be a woman in this world, she knows, is dangerous. There is no freedom in a women’s body before a man alone. If only she were not a woman. No, she laments, if only men did not make her womanhood a liability.”

I took a course called Revolutionary Women in college and even though this book was fiction, I think it would have fit right in with the intention of the syllabi. Eve was a short, but meaningful read that will stick with me for a while.

“The idea that one group, one heart should dominate over the other is faulty; God’s curse does not reach me where I’ve gone. This will be my daughter’s inheritance.”

✨4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Histria Books for this e-arc. Eve comes out February 10, 2026.

[Nick Artrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested and received an eARC of Eve by B.K. O'Connor via NetGalley. This is a Paradise Lost retelling that positions Eve as the central subject. Eve faces relentless toil and pain, along with the resentment of Adam, after defying God's order not to eat from the Forbidden Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. But even as she is cast out of Paradise and into a barren, unforgiving world, Eve cannot quench her curiosity. While Adam is content to accept his fate, Eve finds herself questioning everything. She navigates harsh lands and difficult circumstances in the quest for meaning, but she is determined to root out the truth of her origins and that of those she encounters on her journey.

I found myself quickly lured into O'Connor's book. Eve is brimming with an urgency that I found irresistible, almost as if I were overcome with Eve’s thirst for knowledge. The author’s prose is evocative, really forcing the reader to feel the weight of Eve’s experience and decisions. There were moments when the narrative took turns that I wasn’t anticipating (largely the second half of the story) but it made for a rich reading experience. The story exceeds at capturing the same excitement and tension found in similar fantasy novels as Adam and Eve find themselves living in a strange world after being expelled from Paradise.

O’Connor’s approach to Eve and the Abrahamic mythology makes for quite the captivating read. It was exciting and I found myself eager to discover what happened next, forming judgment of characters and asking the same questions as the titular heroine. It was difficult to suppress the desire to throttle Adam as I made my way through the story and I grappled with my own questions about free will, like Eve often finding myself angered by God’s rationale. Eve is a feminist take on Christianity’s first woman, dealing strongly with themes of agency and self-determination, that will be of strong interest to readers who enjoy works by authors like Madeline Miller or Jennifer Saint.

[julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eve is a fascinating reimagining of the story of Adam and Eve, situating Eve at the forefront of the narrative rather than her male counterpart. O'Connor does an amazing job establishing the tone and themes of the novel from the initial pages. Filled with anger and a demand for answers, any preconceived ideas of Eve that the readers had before reading are flipped on their heads.

At the start of the novel, O'Connor forces the reader to ask questions about creation, ownership, and control. How do we define them? Who decides how they are allotted? And most importantly, what is fair? The book presents a feminist perspective that highlights how Eve has been vilified in many previous retellings. Instead, readers are shown an alternative idea that maybe Eve knew the price of knowledge and chose to pursue it anyway. Told in short snippets of languid prose, O'Connor's recharacterization of Eve is beautifully unique.

However, as much as I loved the themes and premise of the novel, I did find myself struggling to get through it. Around halfway through the novel, I found the story started to drag and seemingly lose sight of its central plot. I also really struggled to enjoy the relationship depicted between Eve and Lucifer as she starts to question both God and Adam. Her reliance on this relationship felt like it was undermining the central critiques of the patriarchy, gendered power roles, and the desire for autonomy that the book had set up previously. While I did enjoy how O'Connor chose to conclude the novel, these two issues did impact the cohesiveness of the story.

Reflecting on the novel as a whole, although I think that this may not be the story for me, I still think this story will resonate with many people. O'Connor provides a justification and defence of Eve that is incredibly interesting, so if the premise is intriguing to you, I would still recommend that you give it a read when it is released in February!

Thank you to NetGalley and Histria Books for the arc.

[g.m. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

"To all Eves, Unable to shake the urge To know"

I am an Eve who cannot shake the urge to know. I love learning and philosophising, so I felt instinctively attuned to what this novel was trying to do. Framed as a feminist retelling of the Creation story and Paradise Lost, it reimagines the Fall not as a moral failure but as an intellectual and spiritual impulse - the ache towards knowledge. In that sense I understood the novel's ambitions even when its execution occasionally felt quite aggressive in its delivery.

The novel is structured in short fast-paced chapters that move between the perspectives of the key figures involved in the Fall. This makes it quick and accessible to read while still offering moments of real insight. There are some genuinely striking lines here, quotations that I underlined and will come back to on the thirst of knowledge.

If the novel falters, it is not in its ambition but perhaps in the sheer scale of it. It wants to hold theology, feminism, myth, archaeology and philosophy all at once. In doing so it inevitably loses some of the dense symbolism that feels so vital to both the biblical account and Milton’s epic. But I don’t think this is a failure of the author’s imagination or prose. It feels more like a limitation of form. A novel cannot quite sustain the same symbolic compression and mythic architecture that scripture or epic poetry can.

In retrospect I wish I had read the endnotes first and I would recommend doing so before starting the book. This is not only a reworking of the Abrahamic story, but a weaving together of multiple ancient creation myths and gods. Knowing this contextual groundwork makes the narrative feel more convincing and textured thus clarifying that the novel is actively resisting the Western Renaissance-influenced interpretations that so often dominate readings of Eden.

This is a book I admire for its intellectual hunger and its devotion to Eve as a figure of thought rather than transgression.

Thank you to NetGally and Histria Books for an arc

[Emily Poche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Histria Books for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Eve by B.K. O’Connor is a feminist retelling of the biblical creation myth, pulling heavily from Milton’s Paradise Lost and the creation myths of other civilizations from the Fertile Crescent. The story heavily focuses on Eve’s life following the exile from Eden and her continuing search for meaning and knowledge.

This story is attempting to do something very ambitious by blending so many different cultural myths and synthesizing them into a feminist Eve-forward story. When this is executed well, this is fantastically interesting. There’s a large section about Adam betraying her by withholding knowledge that is so compelling. That pain really causes her to reevaluate her whole life, and sets the rest of the story in action. That chunk of the story is not only memorable and thought provoking, but paced in a reasonable timing.

Where this book falls short is that when the timing isn’t perfect, it suffers from a jerky stop-start rhythm of deeply interesting vignettes and then receptive moments restating her goals and chapters that feel like real doldrums. For every impactful moment, there’s a corresponding argument about whether the gods and goddesses should help her and then vignettes of difficult desert travel. The book confusingly spends too much time on certain points while skipping really delving in to the knowledge gathering parts of her journey.

I think that this book has such a great idea at the heart. However the pacing causes this book to verge on the edge of boring at times, which is a disservice to how interesting of a point of view the story takes. 3/5 stars.

[Jules Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely addicted to this book from page one. It opened my eyes to so many schools of thought and expanded my thinking in an indescribable way. As someone who grew up in a Christian Baptist household and since rejected Christianity, it never occurred to me that the story of Creation could be both real and not absolute. This Paradise Lost retelling opened my mind to unique possibilities and will influence my reading for the entire year. B.K. O’Connor has such a poetic and lyrical style of storytelling that I often felt transported in space and time, adopting Eve’s feelings into my own heart. Told in many parts, this novel shines new light on many passages and figures from the Hebrew Bible, Christian Old Testament, and Quran. O’Connor’s ability to combine these with ancient Mesopotamian gods felt so flawless. The hours of research that went into this could not have been more apparent.
In this retelling, Eve embraces temptation and a journey for wisdom. She longs to find reason to share with the world and meaning behind what she is doing on this plane. She defies others’ expectations and catches the attention of both the reader and every character she encounters.
I recommend this story to anyone who is interested in expanding their mind, learning to embrace the villain, or taking a journey of self-discovery. While this story is based in many religions, it is not a religious book. You aren’t led in any certain direction or coached to feel a certain way. The reader is left to their own devices and encouraged to follow their own heart all the way to the epic conclusion. Eve releases 2/10 and you should get your hands on it as soon as you can.

Thank you to Histria Books & NetGalley for the digital arc.

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

This book takes a really interesting approach to the story of Eve, reimagining her not as the usual temptress but as a curious, questioning woman searching for truth and meaning. I liked that angle a lot. Eve’s curiosity and refusal to simply accept what she’s told give the story a spark, and there are some genuinely powerful lines that explore faith, shame, and womanhood. I also appreciated how it called out the double standards between Adam and Eve. For example, how he’s allowed to move on while she’s made to feel guilt and shame for doing the same.

The second half definitely picked up for me and had more of a flow, and I liked how the book wasn’t afraid to challenge traditional religious ideas. Some of Eve’s reflections about belief, motherhood, and free will were beautifully written.

That said, I struggled with the writing style. It’s very flowery and vague, which sometimes made it hard to connect or fully grasp what the author wanted to say. I found myself waiting for it to “get to the point” more than once. The way intimacy was described felt overly poetic and abstract. It took me out of the moment rather than adding to it.

The story also introduces more gods and goddesses later on, but they felt a bit underdeveloped. It started to feel like the book was trying to be deep and philosophical without always landing the message.

Overall, it’s an ambitious and creative take on a familiar story, and I did enjoy some of its ideas and quotes. I just wish it had been a little clearer and more grounded, because when it works, it really works.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah Fowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly one of the most beautiful books I have read. Eve is my favorite female book character now; she is brave, wise, and had a deep yearning for knowledge and social change. She travelled and taught women their worth and was willing to leave everything behind for the sake of others. There were many religious elements that deeply resonated with me; I grew up mormon and have been deconstructing and figuring out my stance on who or what god is. What sets this book apart from other books was that God was portrayed as the antagonist. Lucifer was an incredible character that I grew to love very quickly. Not only was christianity discussed, buddhism was tied in as well. On Eve's journey, she is able to reach enlightenment through her seeking truth and knowledge. One of the key elements to reach enlightenment according to an unknown writer is, "Enlightenment is seeing the world and one's own existence as they truly are, free from illusion and misunderstanding." Eve is set free from the God and came to understand the meaning of life, she saw it how it is and because of that she was able to reach enlightenment. If I could give this book a million stars, I would. This was one of the most beautiful pieces of literature I have ever read. It will stick with me for the rest of my life.

[Halie Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what our world would look like today had Eve’s decision to bite the forbidden fruit been celebrated rather than shamed, this book is for you.

(Truly, this is something I have spent a great deal of time wondering about: What if we lived in a matriarchy free of the concept of original sin?)

I believe it truly fortuitous that I found this arc on netgalley one day when I had a little too much time on my hands…this was one of the best books I have read all year!

The concept had me hooked immediately and the author’s clear, descriptive writing style allowed me to consume this story in just a few days. Once I made it past the first few chapters I was unable to put it down.
Out of respect for the arc, I will not be sharing quotes until after publication but there were soooo many good ones!

For me, the true mark of an amazing story is the emotion and introspection it inspires and this one really had me thinking and feeling deeply. (Cue me crying on an airplane while finishing this book.)

This is the kind of novel that I would assign as required reading, had I the power or authority to assign reading to anyone but myself. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I initially read the description of the book I became really curious about a retold story for Eve not placing the blame on her for wanting knowledge and carousing Adam into exile but giving her a new life. 

However I had some trouble with not resenting Eve throughout most of the book. While I can see traits of feminism and empowerment I am also hindered by Eve's reliance on Lucifer and then the other gods or men along her journey. Some events seemed extremely hypocritical of her growing power and to what she believed was knowledge. I would also have loved to read more about the places she was in, but it was a constant dialogue between her and some of the other characters' thoughts. It became hard to immerse myself in the story when I couldn't necessarily picture the setting aside from the beginning of the story describing Eden. 

The ending also didn't convince me of her journey through life into enlightenment because I felt like I didn't find any knowledge that she gained without the help of someone else otherworldly. I wish she would have done more on her own aside from making the decision to abandon her children and walking through desserts alone. 

[Maddy McGlynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if Eve was meant to taste the forbidden fruit all along?

In Eve, B K O’Connor redefines Eve’s story, transforming it from a narrative of punishment and weakness into a quest for knowledge and identity.
Eve is redefined as a fiercely inquisitive woman who does not ‘settle’ but finds a way to balance relationships, challenge her ‘destiny,’ and rewrite her own and women’s stories.

From the lush gardens of Eden to ancient Mesopotamia and Cyprus, Eve brings to life an ancient world with its cultures, people, and their beliefs. We hear the voices of gods and angels, like the angel Gabriel; ancient Canaanite and Phoenician gods and goddesses, such as Baal and Ashera, and Cyprian goddesses, such as the Mother Goddess.

Even if you haven’t read Paradise Lost, like me, this story is still powerful in turning the traditional and familiar story of Adam and Eve into something more reflective and powerful and gives it female agency.

This work is elegant and offers an intimate reading experience. It may require a slower pace as it can feel rich, but it's worth it.

Thank you to Becky for gifting me this book.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really into this book at the beginning. I thought the concept was really interesting. A cool Eve, who asks questions. The environment was described in so much detail, but not overdone. It made me read slower to take it all in. So many moments in the beginning of the book, as you discover Eve's curiosity, felt like invitations to make connections or to stop and wonder. Unfortunately, as I kept reading, the pacing of the book wasn't working for me anymore. Events in the second half were happening too quick to connect with. The love between Eve and Asherah was so sudden in what felt like a few short chapters. The love with Sophron also didn't feel believable to me, it felt like it was just being told to me. I felt confused about why almost every character seems to have a romantic connection with Eve. There was so much going on with all the Gods too, it felt like too many things were started and then left unresolved. I was so excited about this book for the first couple chapters, and then it felt flat and rushed. I really liked the concept, though.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.