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Girl, Goddess, Queen
A Beautiful Evil
The eagerly anticipated new YA Greek myth re-imagining from Bea Fitzgerald, TikTok superstar and Sunday Times bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen.
Pandora is the first human woman – made by the gods on Olympus for one simple to love and be loved by her new husband, the titan Epimatheos.
The only problem? He wants nothing to do with her.
Hurt and confused, Pandora struggles to find meaning in her new life. What's the point of being given all these gifts by the gods, if she can't get this infuriating, awful, frankly very rude man (with an admittedly quite nice face) to love her? Maybe she's failing at her life’s purpose. Or maybe she's destined for an entirely different one . . . ?
As Pandora and Matheos work to uncover why she was created, that fated connection between them feels increasingly difficult to ignore. And with that comes terrible risk. Because Matheos’s traitorous brother, Prometheus, is a seer – and before the gods captured him he issued a final that Pandora and Matheos’s love will be humanity’s doom.
So . . . what do you do when faced with an all-powerful love . . . that just happens to threaten the end of the world?
Pandora’s about to find out.
A glorious sunshine/grumpy romantic re-imagining of the Pandora myth, from the bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen and The End Crowns All
Pandora is the first human woman – made by the gods on Olympus for one simple to love and be loved by her new husband, the titan Epimatheos.
The only problem? He wants nothing to do with her.
Hurt and confused, Pandora struggles to find meaning in her new life. What's the point of being given all these gifts by the gods, if she can't get this infuriating, awful, frankly very rude man (with an admittedly quite nice face) to love her? Maybe she's failing at her life’s purpose. Or maybe she's destined for an entirely different one . . . ?
As Pandora and Matheos work to uncover why she was created, that fated connection between them feels increasingly difficult to ignore. And with that comes terrible risk. Because Matheos’s traitorous brother, Prometheus, is a seer – and before the gods captured him he issued a final that Pandora and Matheos’s love will be humanity’s doom.
So . . . what do you do when faced with an all-powerful love . . . that just happens to threaten the end of the world?
Pandora’s about to find out.
A glorious sunshine/grumpy romantic re-imagining of the Pandora myth, from the bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen and The End Crowns All
448 pages, Hardcover
Published August 7, 2025
59 people are currently reading
2241 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
August 6, 2025
2 stars : ̗̀➛ don't think this one was for me lads.
A Beautiful Evil is a greek mythological reimagining of Pandora's story. I went into this book knowing the basics of that tale: Pandora was given a box that contained evils and told not to open it, but then her curiousity got the best of her and she actually did open it and unleashed all the evils into the world.
What To Expect
💚 Grump X Sunshine
🖤 Neurodivergent FMC and POC MMC
💚 Cute Mechanical dog sidekcik
🖤 Arranged Marriage
💚 A Beautiful Love
This book... it was a highly anticipated read for me and when I first read the blurb I was over the freaking moon because I was fully convinced this was my book. Until I read it (harsh, I know). The only good thing I can say about this book is that the writing was beautiful, albeit a bit wordy and inconcise at times, but still so beautifully.
But let's dig into this book fully...
One thing I looked forward to in the book was the creation of Pandora, which essentially I found to be rushed and an allegory which lacked subtlety. So many things were trying to be conveyed. Bea tackles consent, people pleasing, personal worth and being geared for a man's use. Again, I believe it should have been more subtle because why would a woman who was just created (with all these sexist biases) be aware of all of these things? She should have been naive, and at times she was, but not in a way that should have been. This would have been such an amazing chance for character development.
The characters fell a bit flat, aside from Pandora, but even then Pandora took me some time to actually like. Her curiousity was so beautiful to read and I really think Bea did a great job representing the neurodivergent community. On the other hand, Matheos was just a carbon copy romance MMC at the start with how much he would randomly smirk. It pissed me off. I didn't even feel like it was part of his character. Hell, I didnt even like him that much until after 60%.
This book was also just begging to be New Adult. It's categorised as upper YA as far as I know but... I don't even know why thats a category. Eventhough there were no explicit scenes there were still overly suggestive lines and lead up.
Now, when it came to the self discovery plot where Pandora tries to uncover her purpose in life I feel like there could have been so much more depth to that? Trying to find your purpose in life can be such a deep and complex experience and I feel like we didn't get that from this book. Instead I feel like it took more of a romcom focus which imo led to random events that made her question her existence??
The ending was... I don't know if it's because I'm stupid or it really was just something really random added in the last hundred pages. I won't say explicitly because it's an early review and don't want to spoil but... I was just slightly frazzled. However, despite how much I didn't like about this book, I feel like in the end, Matheos and Pandora had such a beautiful relationship— they loved each other beyond worlds, that is something I can say confidently :).
2.5 stars — "You are not their ruination, Pandora. You are mine."
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this early copy in exchange for an honest review! :)
Pre-read~
HOLY FUCK. The Pandora myth re-imagined where the first human ever (Pandora) is made to marry a titan who wants absolutely nothing to do with her, but she begins to question her existence and so she and her titan husband begin to search for her purpose they end up falling in love...
like actually kill me, i need this right now!! (this sounds so cute i may actually cryyyyy)
A Beautiful Evil is a greek mythological reimagining of Pandora's story. I went into this book knowing the basics of that tale: Pandora was given a box that contained evils and told not to open it, but then her curiousity got the best of her and she actually did open it and unleashed all the evils into the world.
What To Expect
💚 Grump X Sunshine
🖤 Neurodivergent FMC and POC MMC
💚 Cute Mechanical dog sidekcik
🖤 Arranged Marriage
💚 A Beautiful Love
This book... it was a highly anticipated read for me and when I first read the blurb I was over the freaking moon because I was fully convinced this was my book. Until I read it (harsh, I know). The only good thing I can say about this book is that the writing was beautiful, albeit a bit wordy and inconcise at times, but still so beautifully.
But let's dig into this book fully...
One thing I looked forward to in the book was the creation of Pandora, which essentially I found to be rushed and an allegory which lacked subtlety. So many things were trying to be conveyed. Bea tackles consent, people pleasing, personal worth and being geared for a man's use. Again, I believe it should have been more subtle because why would a woman who was just created (with all these sexist biases) be aware of all of these things? She should have been naive, and at times she was, but not in a way that should have been. This would have been such an amazing chance for character development.
The characters fell a bit flat, aside from Pandora, but even then Pandora took me some time to actually like. Her curiousity was so beautiful to read and I really think Bea did a great job representing the neurodivergent community. On the other hand, Matheos was just a carbon copy romance MMC at the start with how much he would randomly smirk. It pissed me off. I didn't even feel like it was part of his character. Hell, I didnt even like him that much until after 60%.
This book was also just begging to be New Adult. It's categorised as upper YA as far as I know but... I don't even know why thats a category. Eventhough there were no explicit scenes there were still overly suggestive lines and lead up.
Now, when it came to the self discovery plot where Pandora tries to uncover her purpose in life I feel like there could have been so much more depth to that? Trying to find your purpose in life can be such a deep and complex experience and I feel like we didn't get that from this book. Instead I feel like it took more of a romcom focus which imo led to random events that made her question her existence??
The ending was... I don't know if it's because I'm stupid or it really was just something really random added in the last hundred pages. I won't say explicitly because it's an early review and don't want to spoil but... I was just slightly frazzled. However, despite how much I didn't like about this book, I feel like in the end, Matheos and Pandora had such a beautiful relationship— they loved each other beyond worlds, that is something I can say confidently :).
2.5 stars — "You are not their ruination, Pandora. You are mine."
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this early copy in exchange for an honest review! :)
Pre-read~
HOLY FUCK. The Pandora myth re-imagined where the first human ever (Pandora) is made to marry a titan who wants absolutely nothing to do with her, but she begins to question her existence and so she and her titan husband begin to search for her purpose they end up falling in love...
like actually kill me, i need this right now!! (this sounds so cute i may actually cryyyyy)
July 23, 2025
Ummm can we talk about how kind it was of Bea Fitzgerald to write a book specifically for me?! Because that’s what this was, right?!
Honestly I really enjoyed every aspect of this book, but most of my attention in this review is going to focus on the autistic representation. There’ll be plenty of reviews honing in on wider aspects, but I so rarely see myself in FMCs, so this review primarily caters to those who identify as autistic women.
Our main character, Pandora, is autistic. As Bea beautifully explains in the afterword, Pandora is living in a time where she doesn’t have the language or understanding to claim her autism, but canonically is autistic. I absolutely love this clarification rather than being left to speculate to make her more palatable for other readers.
A Beautiful Evil is a reimagining of Pandora’s story, rather than a retelling. I really enjoy Greek mythology, but Pandora isn’t one I’m too familiar with, which in this case I found to be beneficial. There was no guessing or presuming the plot, I was able to experience is unfolding for the first time with no prior notions.
The story starts with Pandora being created, sculpted out of clay. Immediately we’re thrown into the deep end of the patriarchy, where we hear bickering among the gods of the best way to craft her body. “Make her hair longer, give him something to hold onto”. Vile, but a perfect mirror to our society.
It took all of 10 pages for me to be thoroughly sucked in. There’s a section right at the start where Pandora is baffled by the God’s disdain for her love of clothes and pretty things, despite them instilling this very passion within her in the first place. She is told how to behave, and then she’s chastised for following those very rules. For me, this is not only reflective of womanhood, but also the autistic experience. Following rules, doing as is expected of you, yet still somehow being cast-out.
As an autistic woman, reading about Pandora trying to navigate the world was cathartic for me. Her sensory overwhelm with her clothing, being touched, overstimulating sounds etc. It’s refreshing for me to be able to thoroughly connect to a character, to feel seen.
Matheos’ treatment of Pandora when she feels this overwhelming weight of the world crushing her was beautiful. He was so attuned to her needs, prioritising her space. There are moments she’s overwhelmed where he goes to touch her for comfort, then withdraws. He’s questioning everything he understands about consoling, he’s willing to learn for her.
I really enjoyed how Pandora’s autism is a consistent theme throughout the book. It’s not just sprinkled in now and then as an afterthought, it’s real and it’s genuine.
It’ll be interesting to see which aspects of Pandora’s neurodivergence are picked up on by different people. I can see traits in Pandora that are extremely familiar to my experiences, but I wonder if there’s some I’ve overlooked that other autistic people may pick up on in recognising them in themselves. For example, Pandora’s strong desire to take things apart, to dissect them and understand how they work resonates so strongly with me. I’m really interested to see which parts of this book resonate with each of us. It feels like a fun little secret.
Thank you Bea for writing this. It’s tugging at my heartstrings a little to finally see myself represented in the FMC. This book means a lot to me and I think it’ll mean a lot to others in this community.
Thank you to House of YA for sending me a proof copy of A Beautiful Evil. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Honestly I really enjoyed every aspect of this book, but most of my attention in this review is going to focus on the autistic representation. There’ll be plenty of reviews honing in on wider aspects, but I so rarely see myself in FMCs, so this review primarily caters to those who identify as autistic women.
Our main character, Pandora, is autistic. As Bea beautifully explains in the afterword, Pandora is living in a time where she doesn’t have the language or understanding to claim her autism, but canonically is autistic. I absolutely love this clarification rather than being left to speculate to make her more palatable for other readers.
A Beautiful Evil is a reimagining of Pandora’s story, rather than a retelling. I really enjoy Greek mythology, but Pandora isn’t one I’m too familiar with, which in this case I found to be beneficial. There was no guessing or presuming the plot, I was able to experience is unfolding for the first time with no prior notions.
The story starts with Pandora being created, sculpted out of clay. Immediately we’re thrown into the deep end of the patriarchy, where we hear bickering among the gods of the best way to craft her body. “Make her hair longer, give him something to hold onto”. Vile, but a perfect mirror to our society.
It took all of 10 pages for me to be thoroughly sucked in. There’s a section right at the start where Pandora is baffled by the God’s disdain for her love of clothes and pretty things, despite them instilling this very passion within her in the first place. She is told how to behave, and then she’s chastised for following those very rules. For me, this is not only reflective of womanhood, but also the autistic experience. Following rules, doing as is expected of you, yet still somehow being cast-out.
As an autistic woman, reading about Pandora trying to navigate the world was cathartic for me. Her sensory overwhelm with her clothing, being touched, overstimulating sounds etc. It’s refreshing for me to be able to thoroughly connect to a character, to feel seen.
Matheos’ treatment of Pandora when she feels this overwhelming weight of the world crushing her was beautiful. He was so attuned to her needs, prioritising her space. There are moments she’s overwhelmed where he goes to touch her for comfort, then withdraws. He’s questioning everything he understands about consoling, he’s willing to learn for her.
I really enjoyed how Pandora’s autism is a consistent theme throughout the book. It’s not just sprinkled in now and then as an afterthought, it’s real and it’s genuine.
It’ll be interesting to see which aspects of Pandora’s neurodivergence are picked up on by different people. I can see traits in Pandora that are extremely familiar to my experiences, but I wonder if there’s some I’ve overlooked that other autistic people may pick up on in recognising them in themselves. For example, Pandora’s strong desire to take things apart, to dissect them and understand how they work resonates so strongly with me. I’m really interested to see which parts of this book resonate with each of us. It feels like a fun little secret.
Thank you Bea for writing this. It’s tugging at my heartstrings a little to finally see myself represented in the FMC. This book means a lot to me and I think it’ll mean a lot to others in this community.
Thank you to House of YA for sending me a proof copy of A Beautiful Evil. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
July 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Random House for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Pandora was made by the Gods, to be loved; made perfect for her new husband, Epimatheos, and delivered to him. Unfortunately, he doesn’t want her. His reason? She is supposed to bring about the end of humanity…
This is my second dive into Bea Fitzgerald’s work and after being absolutely obsessed with ‘Girl, Goddess, Queen’, I was beyond excited to receive this eARC!
‘A Beautiful Evil’ follows Pandora and Matheos, as they navigate their kinda arranged marriage while dealing with the fact their love may or may not end the world (?) which would be fine except they’re finding it pretty difficult to resist each other. We’ve got Grumpy x Sunshine, we’ve got forced proximity, we’ve got an autistic main character (!!) and we’ve got a cute dog who isn’t a dog.
Let’s start with the good: the representation was so great! As an autistic person myself, I felt so Seen with Pandora and her experience of the world. It was so beautifully done and I just loved her journey of self-discovery. I felt the real strengths of this book lay in Pandora as a main character. Her relationship with Matheos was very cute, with real stand out moments between the two of them that, for spoilers’ sake, I won’t go into, but to see two people accept each other for all that they are was just wonderful.
I think the romance ended up taking a sort of backseat as the plot came into play, which was a little disappointing. Not because the plot line wasn’t interesting - it really was - but because I felt we missed a bit of the relationship build up. With the main plot being pulled into focus a smidge too early, we lost an opportunity for more angst and yearning, and the relationship progressed a tiny bit too fast for me. It wasn’t InstaLove or anything like that, but I just like a bit more of a struggle.
As for that main plot, it took a hot minute for me to get my head around and to feel fully invested, but the back half of the book really cooked and as things ramped up, the pages really began flying.
Overall, I felt the first half struggled to find its footing, but once it clicked, I had a super fun time. And that ending? Beautifully perfect!
3.5 🌟
Pandora was made by the Gods, to be loved; made perfect for her new husband, Epimatheos, and delivered to him. Unfortunately, he doesn’t want her. His reason? She is supposed to bring about the end of humanity…
This is my second dive into Bea Fitzgerald’s work and after being absolutely obsessed with ‘Girl, Goddess, Queen’, I was beyond excited to receive this eARC!
‘A Beautiful Evil’ follows Pandora and Matheos, as they navigate their kinda arranged marriage while dealing with the fact their love may or may not end the world (?) which would be fine except they’re finding it pretty difficult to resist each other. We’ve got Grumpy x Sunshine, we’ve got forced proximity, we’ve got an autistic main character (!!) and we’ve got a cute dog who isn’t a dog.
Let’s start with the good: the representation was so great! As an autistic person myself, I felt so Seen with Pandora and her experience of the world. It was so beautifully done and I just loved her journey of self-discovery. I felt the real strengths of this book lay in Pandora as a main character. Her relationship with Matheos was very cute, with real stand out moments between the two of them that, for spoilers’ sake, I won’t go into, but to see two people accept each other for all that they are was just wonderful.
I think the romance ended up taking a sort of backseat as the plot came into play, which was a little disappointing. Not because the plot line wasn’t interesting - it really was - but because I felt we missed a bit of the relationship build up. With the main plot being pulled into focus a smidge too early, we lost an opportunity for more angst and yearning, and the relationship progressed a tiny bit too fast for me. It wasn’t InstaLove or anything like that, but I just like a bit more of a struggle.
As for that main plot, it took a hot minute for me to get my head around and to feel fully invested, but the back half of the book really cooked and as things ramped up, the pages really began flying.
Overall, I felt the first half struggled to find its footing, but once it clicked, I had a super fun time. And that ending? Beautifully perfect!
3.5 🌟
June 15, 2025
This book is beautifully written - Pandora tells her story from her creation by the gods, to being gifted to Epimatheos, and on as she tries to work out what her purpose is. It’s a new spin on the story of Pandora’s jar (it was never a box!) with Bea Fitzgerald’s trademark humour and voice. She’s trying to navigate a world and a marriage that supposedly, she’s perfect for - so why does she feel like something isn’t quite right? The grumpy-sunshine banter between Matheos and Pandora is brilliant, and there’s plenty of appearances from iconic Greek mythology deities, as well as some interesting new characters.
On a personal note, this is the best representation of autism in an adult female that I’ve read so far. I really loved Pandora, and the writing felt so accurate and empathetic. From decrypting conversation to dealing with sensory issues (the seams!!!), I think a lot of people will identify with Pandora.
On a personal note, this is the best representation of autism in an adult female that I’ve read so far. I really loved Pandora, and the writing felt so accurate and empathetic. From decrypting conversation to dealing with sensory issues (the seams!!!), I think a lot of people will identify with Pandora.
July 1, 2025
the day Bea Fitzgerald writes a book I dislike is the day I quit reading altogether (full review yet to come)
August 10, 2025
Pandora’s life motto might as well be “thrown into the deep end and told to swim” except in her case, the gods chucked her into a whole new world with one mission: marry Epimatheos and be the perfect wife. Problem is… Matheos wants nothing to do with her, and Pandora instantly defaults to cooking and cleaning like it’s her sole purpose in life. Girlie, no... You deserve more than making soup for a man who won’t even bother sterilizing a needle. (“A bother! You weren’t even going to sterilize the needle! You know what’s a bother, Matheos? Infection!” I was honest to the gods crying laughing.)
What really makes Pandora shine is how she refuses to stay in that box the gods built for her. She’s a plus-size, autistic FMC who starts to find her own interests, especially when she discovers the automatons (little animatronic animals powered by Greek myth magic). She’s determined to learn how they work and fix them, bouncing from hobby to hobby like a human Pinterest board (which felt really relatable!). Every new skill felt like another small rebellion against the role she was “supposed” to play.
Matheos, meanwhile, is all sharp edges and shut doors… at first. He keeps her at arm’s length, but as Pandora stops bending herself to fit his expectations, something shifts. They start talking. They start helping each other in small ways. They start understanding each other. And slowly but steadily they turn from strangers in an arranged marriage into allies, and Matheos obviously can’t help but fall in love with Pandora.
Which brings us to my favorite scene: the fake-hating-each-other-for-the-gods performance. Absolute theatre. They deliver barbed words, exaggerated sighs, and just enough venom to keep up appearances, all while secretly operating as a perfectly in-sync duo. It’s clever, it’s hilarious, and it’s the moment you realise their bond has become unshakable. It gave me major Hadestown energy, how Hades and Persephone act around each other simultaneously loving and despising one another, it’s obvious to say that I devoured it!
The representation in A Beautiful Evil is genuinely joyful. From Pandora herself, to Matheos with hearing aids and relying on lip-reading, to a queer romance between two ocean creatures. And while the romance is fade-to-black (keeping it firmly YA), the emotional beats still land beautifully.
Beneath the banter and mythological mischief, this is really Pandora’s quest to figure out WHY she’s here. Why did the gods create her? Was her only purpose to be a wife, or could she define her own? That question threads through every choice she makes but for me it truly landed in one of my favourite Matheos quotes:
“Maybe that’s your purpose actually: to leave things better than you found them.”
This man is such a cutie, he should be protected at all costs 🥹❤️
In short: A Beautiful Evil is snarky, heartfelt, and brimming with mythical mischief. It’s a story about finding your voice, your freedom, and maybe even your place in the world. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What really makes Pandora shine is how she refuses to stay in that box the gods built for her. She’s a plus-size, autistic FMC who starts to find her own interests, especially when she discovers the automatons (little animatronic animals powered by Greek myth magic). She’s determined to learn how they work and fix them, bouncing from hobby to hobby like a human Pinterest board (which felt really relatable!). Every new skill felt like another small rebellion against the role she was “supposed” to play.
Matheos, meanwhile, is all sharp edges and shut doors… at first. He keeps her at arm’s length, but as Pandora stops bending herself to fit his expectations, something shifts. They start talking. They start helping each other in small ways. They start understanding each other. And slowly but steadily they turn from strangers in an arranged marriage into allies, and Matheos obviously can’t help but fall in love with Pandora.
Which brings us to my favorite scene: the fake-hating-each-other-for-the-gods performance. Absolute theatre. They deliver barbed words, exaggerated sighs, and just enough venom to keep up appearances, all while secretly operating as a perfectly in-sync duo. It’s clever, it’s hilarious, and it’s the moment you realise their bond has become unshakable. It gave me major Hadestown energy, how Hades and Persephone act around each other simultaneously loving and despising one another, it’s obvious to say that I devoured it!
The representation in A Beautiful Evil is genuinely joyful. From Pandora herself, to Matheos with hearing aids and relying on lip-reading, to a queer romance between two ocean creatures. And while the romance is fade-to-black (keeping it firmly YA), the emotional beats still land beautifully.
Beneath the banter and mythological mischief, this is really Pandora’s quest to figure out WHY she’s here. Why did the gods create her? Was her only purpose to be a wife, or could she define her own? That question threads through every choice she makes but for me it truly landed in one of my favourite Matheos quotes:
“Maybe that’s your purpose actually: to leave things better than you found them.”
This man is such a cutie, he should be protected at all costs 🥹❤️
In short: A Beautiful Evil is snarky, heartfelt, and brimming with mythical mischief. It’s a story about finding your voice, your freedom, and maybe even your place in the world. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 14, 2025
I have so much love for this book. I can't even.
So. Things I love:
Pandora as a person 💚 She's just the sweetest, most radiant, beautiful person. She struggles to understand why she is, who she is, and how she can make a world where she FITS.
I don't know what it means to be human in this world, to be a woman in this world, to be a me in this world.
Matheos. A, the grumpy, eye-rolling grump who grumps. Who secretly heals wounded animals (don't tell anyone...). He's just adorable. And his journey to understanding that how his family has treated him and finding a true family? Love. It.
This is true hope - a thing with teeth, a thing that can take a beating, hope that can be knocked down and bleed and surge once more.
And the whole story. There where moments (especially those where Pandora spirals into hyperfixations) which I think some readers might find a bit long? But to me, it was such a beautiful part of who she is, and I loved how she figures out how her brain works.
Bonus appearance of grumpy Hades and Persephone (might I suggest a People With Something Against Zeus alliance crossover?)!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
So. Things I love:
Pandora as a person 💚 She's just the sweetest, most radiant, beautiful person. She struggles to understand why she is, who she is, and how she can make a world where she FITS.
I don't know what it means to be human in this world, to be a woman in this world, to be a me in this world.
Matheos. A, the grumpy, eye-rolling grump who grumps. Who secretly heals wounded animals (don't tell anyone...). He's just adorable. And his journey to understanding that how his family has treated him and finding a true family? Love. It.
This is true hope - a thing with teeth, a thing that can take a beating, hope that can be knocked down and bleed and surge once more.
And the whole story. There where moments (especially those where Pandora spirals into hyperfixations) which I think some readers might find a bit long? But to me, it was such a beautiful part of who she is, and I loved how she figures out how her brain works.
Bonus appearance of grumpy Hades and Persephone (might I suggest a People With Something Against Zeus alliance crossover?)!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Want to read
May 12, 2025.☘︎ ݁˖ what do you do when faced with an all-powerful love . . . that just happens to threaten the end of the world? pandora’s about to find out. a glorious sunshine/grumpy romantic re-imagining of the pandora myth, from the bestselling author of girl, goddess, queen and the end crowns all.
⋆˙⟡ — pre-read thoughts:
miss bea is back and its another greek myth retelling!! do i know any of the myths? nope. but miss bea is the only way i'll ever learn about them and AHHH cant wait for this one!!! also the cover is going to be green!?!!! i mean come on!! forbidden romance? forced proximity?? grumpy x sunshine??? someone at penguin pls get me an arc!! i beg of thee please *cue the puppy eyes*
August 29, 2025
A Beautiful Evil is a reimagining of the Greek mythology of Pandora, and this had been one of my highly anticipated Greek mythology retellings/reimaginings of the year.
There were a few things in the opening chapters, surrounding Pandora’s creation and her time before going to Earth, that intrigued me due to what I know about Greek mythology and that did make me very curious about what twist on the mythology the author was going to go this time based on that.
However, once Pandora arrives on Earth and is given to Epimatheos the books is quite slow paced as it establishes their characters. For the first half of the book it feels like it’s trying to find its footing but it just doesn’t get there until around 60% way through the book when the plot picks up but even then - despite the intriguing concept - it falls flat.
Unfortunately there was just something about A Beautiful Evil that just did not work for me, which is disappointing as I struggled to put down Girl, Goddess, Queen to the point I devoured it in less than 24 hours, I was entertained and captivated throughout The End Crowns All but sadly, even though I loved the sound of the plot, it was lacking something for me that the previous books had.
There were a few things in the opening chapters, surrounding Pandora’s creation and her time before going to Earth, that intrigued me due to what I know about Greek mythology and that did make me very curious about what twist on the mythology the author was going to go this time based on that.
However, once Pandora arrives on Earth and is given to Epimatheos the books is quite slow paced as it establishes their characters. For the first half of the book it feels like it’s trying to find its footing but it just doesn’t get there until around 60% way through the book when the plot picks up but even then - despite the intriguing concept - it falls flat.
Unfortunately there was just something about A Beautiful Evil that just did not work for me, which is disappointing as I struggled to put down Girl, Goddess, Queen to the point I devoured it in less than 24 hours, I was entertained and captivated throughout The End Crowns All but sadly, even though I loved the sound of the plot, it was lacking something for me that the previous books had.
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July 10, 2025Thank you to Penguin Random House UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Pandora is the first human woman – made by the gods on Olympus for one simple reason: to love and be loved by her new husband, the titan Epimatheos. The only problem? He wants nothing to do with her. Hurt and confused, Pandora struggles to find meaning in her new life. What's the point of being given all these gifts by the gods, if she can't get this infuriating, awful, frankly very rude man (with an admittedly quite nice face) to love her? Maybe she's failing at her life’s purpose. Or maybe she's destined for an entirely different one . . . ? As Pandora and Matheos work to uncover why she was created, that fated connection between them feels increasingly difficult to ignore. And with that comes terrible risk. Because Matheos’s traitorous brother, Prometheus, is a seer – and before the gods captured him he issued a final that Pandora and Matheos’s love will be humanity’s doom. So . . . what do you do when faced with an all-powerful love . . . that just happens to threaten the end of the world? Pandora’s about to find out.
I’ve read both of Fitzgerald’s previous Greek myth reimaginings (Girl, Goddess, Queen reigning in the top spot) and really enjoyed those stories. So, of course I was going to jump into this one as well! Unfortunately, I had to give up at 64% - and about 10% of that was skimming it. Initially, I was engaged in the story. Like Pandora, I found myself imbued with curiosity whilst reading the book. But then I just found that things were getting to be too wordy for me. Not necessarily just in the word sense, but also in the volume of mythology used. It felt a little bit info-dumpy to me as I went through, trying to link everything together, and then I just found my attention drifting constantly. I do love how Fitzgerald clearly knows her stuff with these mythology retellings, you can see the passion in it. But for me, as someone not so invested, it just felt a little too much. The characters felt relatively good - the author has a brilliant way of reimagining these entities within mythology - but I think as my engagement waned, as did my attention to detail with their personalities. I will say she gets top marks though for having Pandora be a curvy girl!
Overall, A Beautiful Evil is a story I know will appeal to so many - it’s just not my cup of tea right now.
Thank you again to Penguin Random House UK for an advanced copy of this book
Pandora is the first human woman – made by the gods on Olympus for one simple reason: to love and be loved by her new husband, the titan Epimatheos. The only problem? He wants nothing to do with her. Hurt and confused, Pandora struggles to find meaning in her new life. What's the point of being given all these gifts by the gods, if she can't get this infuriating, awful, frankly very rude man (with an admittedly quite nice face) to love her? Maybe she's failing at her life’s purpose. Or maybe she's destined for an entirely different one . . . ? As Pandora and Matheos work to uncover why she was created, that fated connection between them feels increasingly difficult to ignore. And with that comes terrible risk. Because Matheos’s traitorous brother, Prometheus, is a seer – and before the gods captured him he issued a final that Pandora and Matheos’s love will be humanity’s doom. So . . . what do you do when faced with an all-powerful love . . . that just happens to threaten the end of the world? Pandora’s about to find out.
I’ve read both of Fitzgerald’s previous Greek myth reimaginings (Girl, Goddess, Queen reigning in the top spot) and really enjoyed those stories. So, of course I was going to jump into this one as well! Unfortunately, I had to give up at 64% - and about 10% of that was skimming it. Initially, I was engaged in the story. Like Pandora, I found myself imbued with curiosity whilst reading the book. But then I just found that things were getting to be too wordy for me. Not necessarily just in the word sense, but also in the volume of mythology used. It felt a little bit info-dumpy to me as I went through, trying to link everything together, and then I just found my attention drifting constantly. I do love how Fitzgerald clearly knows her stuff with these mythology retellings, you can see the passion in it. But for me, as someone not so invested, it just felt a little too much. The characters felt relatively good - the author has a brilliant way of reimagining these entities within mythology - but I think as my engagement waned, as did my attention to detail with their personalities. I will say she gets top marks though for having Pandora be a curvy girl!
Overall, A Beautiful Evil is a story I know will appeal to so many - it’s just not my cup of tea right now.
Thank you again to Penguin Random House UK for an advanced copy of this book
August 11, 2025
Thank you to Penguin Random House for the early proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this story. I have some knowledge of the myth of Pandora and her jar but I would still say I was going in with very few preconceived ideas and was happy to be taken on a journey.
I’ll start by sharing that the previous books in this series have both been 5 stars for me and I’ve read in 1 to 3 sittings so I had very high hopes!!
Sadly, I didn’t feel this story had quite the same emotion pull. Considering that it’s a story that involves the possible destruction of ALL HUMANS, I was surprised that it felt quite cosy and ‘low stakes’ at times. There was a lot of talking and theorising as to what was happening rather than moving forward with the story.
I also wasn’t a big fan of any of the side characters. They didn’t feel quite so ‘alive’ as in the previous books. Here, I feel that our main duo, Pandora and Epimatheos were the only characters that really stood out. Would I say that they had lots of chemistry? I’m not sure. But I was rooting for them either way so that led to me still enjoy the book.
I would say that Pandora’s autistic representation was done well. I definitely see what Bea was trying to show about feeling ‘out of place’ in the world. The only thing I wanted was for her creation (a part I was interested in) to have been a little more of a build up. I felt, for a character that is supposed to start quite naive, she knew so much about so many topics from the start. Whilst I see it was an effort to talk about consent, sexism, it felt mismatched and there was an opportunity for Pandora to grow and learn more as the story progressed.
I’d still definitely recommend giving this a go, it’s fun and cute and clearly so much heart has gone into the story! 💚
I really enjoyed this story. I have some knowledge of the myth of Pandora and her jar but I would still say I was going in with very few preconceived ideas and was happy to be taken on a journey.
I’ll start by sharing that the previous books in this series have both been 5 stars for me and I’ve read in 1 to 3 sittings so I had very high hopes!!
Sadly, I didn’t feel this story had quite the same emotion pull. Considering that it’s a story that involves the possible destruction of ALL HUMANS, I was surprised that it felt quite cosy and ‘low stakes’ at times. There was a lot of talking and theorising as to what was happening rather than moving forward with the story.
I also wasn’t a big fan of any of the side characters. They didn’t feel quite so ‘alive’ as in the previous books. Here, I feel that our main duo, Pandora and Epimatheos were the only characters that really stood out. Would I say that they had lots of chemistry? I’m not sure. But I was rooting for them either way so that led to me still enjoy the book.
I would say that Pandora’s autistic representation was done well. I definitely see what Bea was trying to show about feeling ‘out of place’ in the world. The only thing I wanted was for her creation (a part I was interested in) to have been a little more of a build up. I felt, for a character that is supposed to start quite naive, she knew so much about so many topics from the start. Whilst I see it was an effort to talk about consent, sexism, it felt mismatched and there was an opportunity for Pandora to grow and learn more as the story progressed.
I’d still definitely recommend giving this a go, it’s fun and cute and clearly so much heart has gone into the story! 💚
June 1, 2025
We all know by now that I devour Bea´s Greek mythology retellings. When she announced book 3 was going to be about Pandora, the hopes were high alright!
This book is everything I hoped it would be and more! In its essence, the book focuses on two main things. First there is our girl Pandora who is just randomly brought into this world and tries to find herself and her place in it. She struggles to find where she belongs and throughout the book Bea really takes you on a journey of self discovery. I am convinced her story will resonate with a lot of readers, which makes it even stronger.
The second focus of the book is on the relationship between Pandora and Epimatheos. Now, if you are familiar with this author´s writing style, you know you´re in for some hilarious banter. I absolutely loved the dynamics between these two and seeing them come together was beautiful. This book definitely fits the grumpy-sunshine vibe so if you´re into that, you will enjoy this relationship!
Of course we get a whole lot of Greek mythology characters who make an appearance in the book. Prometheus, Athena, Zeus (ugh), Hesione and so on. I always enjoy the way Bea writes these charachters, with their distinct features. She never fails to make me laugh or roll my eyes at them.
Now what I truly enjoyed in A Beautiful Evil is the spins that Bea gave to Pandora´s story. I can´t really dive into them without spoiling anything but storylines involving Pandora´s parents and trying to look out for humanity are so interesting in this retelling!
This book is everything I hoped it would be and more! In its essence, the book focuses on two main things. First there is our girl Pandora who is just randomly brought into this world and tries to find herself and her place in it. She struggles to find where she belongs and throughout the book Bea really takes you on a journey of self discovery. I am convinced her story will resonate with a lot of readers, which makes it even stronger.
The second focus of the book is on the relationship between Pandora and Epimatheos. Now, if you are familiar with this author´s writing style, you know you´re in for some hilarious banter. I absolutely loved the dynamics between these two and seeing them come together was beautiful. This book definitely fits the grumpy-sunshine vibe so if you´re into that, you will enjoy this relationship!
Of course we get a whole lot of Greek mythology characters who make an appearance in the book. Prometheus, Athena, Zeus (ugh), Hesione and so on. I always enjoy the way Bea writes these charachters, with their distinct features. She never fails to make me laugh or roll my eyes at them.
Now what I truly enjoyed in A Beautiful Evil is the spins that Bea gave to Pandora´s story. I can´t really dive into them without spoiling anything but storylines involving Pandora´s parents and trying to look out for humanity are so interesting in this retelling!
August 3, 2025
Pandora and Matheos have the best romance from all of Bea’s books. I adored their relationship, I adored them as characters and the way legends and myths intertwine with the plot is truly magical - at this point me and my very low knowledge on Greek myths will believe anything this author writes for they have a talent for story telling them!
I also felt that this book not only focused on their beautiful romance but also on Pandora herself. It was a self-discovery journey for Pandora the whole time for she was made to the wished of gods and goddesses. We have throughout the book this sense of realisation of what is the real Pandora, what was the gods and goddesses and it’s a very beautiful journey to see!
A Beautiful Evil was in fact in line to become my very fave of Bea until I hit the last few chapters and was completely lost. I’ve read them twice and I still have no idea what is happening. It was chaos incarnated and then there was two epilogues which left me even more confused. I will be very honest, for me, this confusion and chaos almost ruined the book when I was reading it. After a few days reeling it in, I’ve decided the rest of it was spectacular so it deserved a 4⭐️.
Ad/pr-gifted many thanks to the publisher for an early copy. All opinions are my own
I also felt that this book not only focused on their beautiful romance but also on Pandora herself. It was a self-discovery journey for Pandora the whole time for she was made to the wished of gods and goddesses. We have throughout the book this sense of realisation of what is the real Pandora, what was the gods and goddesses and it’s a very beautiful journey to see!
A Beautiful Evil was in fact in line to become my very fave of Bea until I hit the last few chapters and was completely lost. I’ve read them twice and I still have no idea what is happening. It was chaos incarnated and then there was two epilogues which left me even more confused. I will be very honest, for me, this confusion and chaos almost ruined the book when I was reading it. After a few days reeling it in, I’ve decided the rest of it was spectacular so it deserved a 4⭐️.
Ad/pr-gifted many thanks to the publisher for an early copy. All opinions are my own
August 26, 2025
In this story, we follow Pandora. The first human woman created by the Gods as a gift for Epimatheos. She has been made perfect, just for him. But once they meet, nothing is what it seems. He seems to despise her, despite her best efforts and the promise of the gods that she should be perfect for him.
Oh, Bea. You did it once again.
I am a big lover of Greek mythology and I have loved her previous books and was super excited about this one. It did not disappoint.
Where Girl, Goddess, Queen and The End Crowns All both felt a bit more youthful, A Beautiful Evil felt mature. It was interesting from start to finish and I wanted to continue reading more and more.
The slow burn was delicious, the side characters were interesting, even though the story is mainly focussed on Pandora and Matheid and the side characters where not there as often, it felt natural.
The pacing was nice, it picked up at the end where everything starts to unravel and I loved the ending, everything just came together perfectly.
Overall I enjoyed reading this very much and I cannot wait for Bea to write another one of these Greek inspired books!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. All opinions are my own.
Oh, Bea. You did it once again.
I am a big lover of Greek mythology and I have loved her previous books and was super excited about this one. It did not disappoint.
Where Girl, Goddess, Queen and The End Crowns All both felt a bit more youthful, A Beautiful Evil felt mature. It was interesting from start to finish and I wanted to continue reading more and more.
The slow burn was delicious, the side characters were interesting, even though the story is mainly focussed on Pandora and Matheid and the side characters where not there as often, it felt natural.
The pacing was nice, it picked up at the end where everything starts to unravel and I loved the ending, everything just came together perfectly.
Overall I enjoyed reading this very much and I cannot wait for Bea to write another one of these Greek inspired books!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. All opinions are my own.
August 11, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for sending me this ARC.
Bea Fitzgerald has become one of my auto-buy authors, and I adore her mythology retellings. I was ecstatic to receive this ARC, and it did not disappoint!
Pandora has become one of my favourite female heroines - she is quick-witted, emotionally intelligent, and curious. Mateous was grumpy but with reason, and he clearly loves harder than he is willing to admit. The build-up and tension between them once Pandora realised she didn't HAVE to love him, then realising she did was perfection.
Thoroughly enjoyed - 4 stars!
Bea Fitzgerald has become one of my auto-buy authors, and I adore her mythology retellings. I was ecstatic to receive this ARC, and it did not disappoint!
Pandora has become one of my favourite female heroines - she is quick-witted, emotionally intelligent, and curious. Mateous was grumpy but with reason, and he clearly loves harder than he is willing to admit. The build-up and tension between them once Pandora realised she didn't HAVE to love him, then realising she did was perfection.
Thoroughly enjoyed - 4 stars!
September 11, 2025
"If the gods intend for us to love one another then trust me, Pandora: that love would be ruinous. Our love would be a curse. One that might end humanity.”
Zeus orders the creation of a beautiful evil, and so Pandora is born, shaped out of clay, given gifts by the gods. Her purpose? To be a perfect wife for the titan Epimatheos. Or is it? As Pandora settles into her new life with a reluctant husband who is both handsome and irritating, she begins to unpack the mystery surrounding herself, her birth, her purpose and her fate. Is she meant to save or destroy humanity? Is the love that begins to develop between her and Epimatheos – Matheos – doomed?
A Beautiful Evil is Bea Fitzgerald's new reimagining of ancient mythology. No, she does not retell an ancient story, but makes it something completely new, a remix of sorts. The old, familiar beats of the story are there, but she lets her imagination run wild. If you want a "faithful" adaptation of Pandora's story, do not read this book. Written in Fitzgerald's trademark charm and wit, A Beautiful Evil is a romcom where the stakes are literally life and death. Even though I had some issues with the book's structure, pacing and character work, this is undoubtedly a story that will stick with me and remain memorable because of its unique approach to the source material. Though I have not yet given her that coveted 5/5 star rating, I will happily declare Fitzgerald as one of the most unique voices in this Greek myth retelling/reimagining space in literature.
Pandora was a charming main character, and I enjoyed her journey of self-discovery. While this book largely revolves around her romance with Matheos, she is definitely the heart of the story. She is sweet, loving, gentle and hopeful, but she is also snarky, stubborn, recklessly brave and someone who makes mistakes. She is autistic (this is an own voices book when it comes to neurodivergence!) and fat, and let me tell you, it was so lovely to read an adventurous romcom with a main character like her, who is what she is without shame, who is loved as she is and who likes herself. I've never encountered a character like her. One aspect I also really loved about her was how Fitzgerald took the most notorious aspect of Pandora's character - her curiosity - and made it into one of her strengths, instead of her greatest weakness. I loved her Pandora's desire to know, to learn, to try new things and to find out what she is passionate about. When presented with mysteries, be they the reason she was born or what prophecies Prometheus is hiding, she yearns to unravel them.
Matheos was also a fun character. He is someone who I have never thought much about – he is just one of those mythical characters who plays a small yet pivotal role in one famous story – but in this book, I found myself quite liking him. He is not grumpy towards Pandora for no reason and, from the get-go, the reader can kinda understand why he mistrusts her, a god-given gift deposited on his threshold seemingly as a present. I vibed with his anger towards the gods, and I had a great time following him on his own journey of self-discovery, as he learns to stand up for himself, think for himself and see himself not just as the dumb brother of the wise Prometheus, but as a good, kind, soft, smart man. He was so delightfully baby brother -coded that I, as the youngest sibling in a trio, could relate to him, even though, luckily, my siblings aren't quite as manipulative and bossy as Prometheus. I could feel his inability to see himself as their equal or someone who can go against what they would like. Matheos's love for animals and his connection to them, his desire to care for them and how he was the one who was super adorable and made me like him even more. Also, I have to mention, him being deaf, using hearing aids and lip-reading was a really fun addition. It is also representation one rarely sees in books like this!
The main romance was well done and even I, someone notoriously grumpy and picky about romances, quite liked them. The dislike they have towards each other felt warranted and I enjoyed seeing them slowly grow to trust, like and love each other. I always understood both sides: her anger at being suspected and seen as a mere tool for the gods as well as his inability to trust anything god-made after witnessing, in so many ways, just how cruel the gods can be. I enjoy a good simp of a man, so Matheos becoming quite the devoted hubby to Pandora was very sweet, and I liked how he learned to really rely on her and trust her gut as well as to appreciate her peculiar mind. She often feels a bit out of place, unlike any other mortal, somehow different than most people around her, but he sees such beauty in her and the way her mind works. In the middle, their desperate attempts to resist their love and desire, fearing it will doom the world somehow, was fun but also got a bit tiresome, as it felt like many conversations were repeated again and again. I liked their ending a lot, with them
Fitzgerald uses this ancient myth to discuss many very topical themes. Pandora is literally "programmed" to be a perfect woman – subservient, dutiful and loving, someone who sees her value through her relationship with a man and who is made to believe that her purpose in life is to be loved by a man and love him in return – and if that isn't something many women will struggle against in real life, I don't know what is. Even if a woman, in our real world, isn't clearly told those things, she will internalise them through media, art, societal norms and customs. Pandora begins her story believing herself made for Matheos, and ends it as someone who values herself as an individual, makes her own choices and is with Matheos because she actively decides to do so. I think these themes are really good to include in a YA novel, especially considering the sea of rather toxic romance novels that are super popular. Matheos is not a perfect love interest, neither is Pandora, but they make each other better, communicate and respect each other.
Another major theme in the book is Pandora's growing resentment towards the gods and the exploration of just how cruel the gods are, how they see mortals (and anyone who isn't like them, including titans) as lesser beings, playthings to trifle with. Some gods are kinder (The central figures of her first novel, Hades and Persephone, are not like the rest and Dionysos sees through the golden veneer of Olympus: "Any joy in this place tends to have an edge of cruelty to it.”) but, for the most part, they are quit shit. Shit, but oh so powerful. The book tackles how difficult it can feel to fight back against those who hold power and how hopeless resistance can seem, but also how vital every act of kindness and resistance is in a world that seems overtaken by cruelty. The book also emphasises how important it is that we see each other's humanity and respect that, how letting any one person or group suffer just to save yourself is hollow and its own form of cruelty. Pandora wants to protect all of humanity, while some, like Prometheus and his wife Hesione, solely focus on the bigger picture, even if achieving that bigger, "greater" good costs countless lives. But the book is also empathetic towards people who do feel scared and powerless: Kerkeis fears what the gods might do to her and her partner, Ione, if they rebel, so she advices Pandora to not do so. She is not demonised even though she disagrees with our heroine, because to fear is natural. But, what matters most in this book – and is the message that reverberates throughout this narrative – is that we do what we can, when we can, whatever way we can to stop cruelty and violence and protect those most vulnerable. The book's grand message is the power of hope, and how hope is something undying, eternal and endlessly, stubbornly alive. Hope for a better world is what makes humanity humanity and is where
The world of the gods felt realistically portrayed, as in the gods are capricious, manipulative, cruel, ambitious, self-centred, prickly and capable of feats of kindness as well as terror. They felt like the gods of myth. Some are kinder and are more connected to humans, while some take pleasure in fucking with people's lives and toying with humanity. The gods, as well as Prometheus, were the only supporting characters I was impressed by (although, I have to say the automaton animals, especially Korax the dog, were so cute!). They felt other, not human, somewhere on a whole other plane to people like Pandora who are, compared to them, frail. But otherwise the supporting characters were a bit bland. Kerkeis and Ione were fun and had their role to play in both the adventure plot and the more thematical plot, but otherwise they were a bit one-note, not people I felt like I got to know. This has been an issue for me with all of Fitzgerald's books. Her leads are very vibrant, but that vibrancy is not found in her supporting characters (some exceptions, yes, but generally no). I liked that the book felt very intimate and focused on Pandora and Matheos, but I would've liked a bit more time spent with the other characters, developing them and the relationships the leads have with them.
I think my biggest issue with the book has to do with pacing and structure. For the first half, the book feels like a low stakes romcom with a little bit of a mystery set in a fantastical world. Near the middle, there was perhaps a bit too much repetition (same conversations, it felt, had over and over again) and then, the last 150 or so pages were jam-packed with reveals, twists, lore and all kinds of wild shit. The action was not bad nor were the twists, but they all happened so fast I felt like I was never able to sit with them and to see their impact on the characters. As it is now, with the onslaught of information, I was left a bit confused at times, trying to make sense of all we learned. I think I would've loved the grand plot of the book more had it been paced a bit more evenly. Also – though, I have to emphasise, this is a very subjective thing, not an objective "bad thing" about the book – I am not the biggest fan of time fuckery in books when I do not expect it. This book does feature a lot of time talk, slowing time, speeding time and so on, and it's not something I tend to love if I do not go into a book expecting it. I did like what Fitzgerald does in the end, with This time stuff did not, in any way, ruin the book for me, but I thought I'd mention it in case there are others like me who like to know when they go into a timey wimey book.
For the longest time I thought this would be my favorite of Fitzgerald's novels because I have never read a Pandora retelling and I really liked the main characters, their romance and the mystery. But with the ending being a bit rushed and my issues with the supporting characters, I think this book is quite tied with The End Crowns All. I would happily recommend this book, as I know some of my critiques are very personal and will cause no issues to others. I will read everything Fitzgerald writes, as she has, with the now four books I have read from her, impressed me with her imagination, her funny writing style and her wonderful ability to write romance (something not many authors do in a way I like).
Zeus orders the creation of a beautiful evil, and so Pandora is born, shaped out of clay, given gifts by the gods. Her purpose? To be a perfect wife for the titan Epimatheos. Or is it? As Pandora settles into her new life with a reluctant husband who is both handsome and irritating, she begins to unpack the mystery surrounding herself, her birth, her purpose and her fate. Is she meant to save or destroy humanity? Is the love that begins to develop between her and Epimatheos – Matheos – doomed?
A Beautiful Evil is Bea Fitzgerald's new reimagining of ancient mythology. No, she does not retell an ancient story, but makes it something completely new, a remix of sorts. The old, familiar beats of the story are there, but she lets her imagination run wild. If you want a "faithful" adaptation of Pandora's story, do not read this book. Written in Fitzgerald's trademark charm and wit, A Beautiful Evil is a romcom where the stakes are literally life and death. Even though I had some issues with the book's structure, pacing and character work, this is undoubtedly a story that will stick with me and remain memorable because of its unique approach to the source material. Though I have not yet given her that coveted 5/5 star rating, I will happily declare Fitzgerald as one of the most unique voices in this Greek myth retelling/reimagining space in literature.
Pandora was a charming main character, and I enjoyed her journey of self-discovery. While this book largely revolves around her romance with Matheos, she is definitely the heart of the story. She is sweet, loving, gentle and hopeful, but she is also snarky, stubborn, recklessly brave and someone who makes mistakes. She is autistic (this is an own voices book when it comes to neurodivergence!) and fat, and let me tell you, it was so lovely to read an adventurous romcom with a main character like her, who is what she is without shame, who is loved as she is and who likes herself. I've never encountered a character like her. One aspect I also really loved about her was how Fitzgerald took the most notorious aspect of Pandora's character - her curiosity - and made it into one of her strengths, instead of her greatest weakness. I loved her Pandora's desire to know, to learn, to try new things and to find out what she is passionate about. When presented with mysteries, be they the reason she was born or what prophecies Prometheus is hiding, she yearns to unravel them.
Matheos was also a fun character. He is someone who I have never thought much about – he is just one of those mythical characters who plays a small yet pivotal role in one famous story – but in this book, I found myself quite liking him. He is not grumpy towards Pandora for no reason and, from the get-go, the reader can kinda understand why he mistrusts her, a god-given gift deposited on his threshold seemingly as a present. I vibed with his anger towards the gods, and I had a great time following him on his own journey of self-discovery, as he learns to stand up for himself, think for himself and see himself not just as the dumb brother of the wise Prometheus, but as a good, kind, soft, smart man. He was so delightfully baby brother -coded that I, as the youngest sibling in a trio, could relate to him, even though, luckily, my siblings aren't quite as manipulative and bossy as Prometheus. I could feel his inability to see himself as their equal or someone who can go against what they would like. Matheos's love for animals and his connection to them, his desire to care for them and how he was the one who was super adorable and made me like him even more. Also, I have to mention, him being deaf, using hearing aids and lip-reading was a really fun addition. It is also representation one rarely sees in books like this!
The main romance was well done and even I, someone notoriously grumpy and picky about romances, quite liked them. The dislike they have towards each other felt warranted and I enjoyed seeing them slowly grow to trust, like and love each other. I always understood both sides: her anger at being suspected and seen as a mere tool for the gods as well as his inability to trust anything god-made after witnessing, in so many ways, just how cruel the gods can be. I enjoy a good simp of a man, so Matheos becoming quite the devoted hubby to Pandora was very sweet, and I liked how he learned to really rely on her and trust her gut as well as to appreciate her peculiar mind. She often feels a bit out of place, unlike any other mortal, somehow different than most people around her, but he sees such beauty in her and the way her mind works. In the middle, their desperate attempts to resist their love and desire, fearing it will doom the world somehow, was fun but also got a bit tiresome, as it felt like many conversations were repeated again and again. I liked their ending a lot, with them
Fitzgerald uses this ancient myth to discuss many very topical themes. Pandora is literally "programmed" to be a perfect woman – subservient, dutiful and loving, someone who sees her value through her relationship with a man and who is made to believe that her purpose in life is to be loved by a man and love him in return – and if that isn't something many women will struggle against in real life, I don't know what is. Even if a woman, in our real world, isn't clearly told those things, she will internalise them through media, art, societal norms and customs. Pandora begins her story believing herself made for Matheos, and ends it as someone who values herself as an individual, makes her own choices and is with Matheos because she actively decides to do so. I think these themes are really good to include in a YA novel, especially considering the sea of rather toxic romance novels that are super popular. Matheos is not a perfect love interest, neither is Pandora, but they make each other better, communicate and respect each other.
Another major theme in the book is Pandora's growing resentment towards the gods and the exploration of just how cruel the gods are, how they see mortals (and anyone who isn't like them, including titans) as lesser beings, playthings to trifle with. Some gods are kinder (The central figures of her first novel, Hades and Persephone, are not like the rest and Dionysos sees through the golden veneer of Olympus: "Any joy in this place tends to have an edge of cruelty to it.”) but, for the most part, they are quit shit. Shit, but oh so powerful. The book tackles how difficult it can feel to fight back against those who hold power and how hopeless resistance can seem, but also how vital every act of kindness and resistance is in a world that seems overtaken by cruelty. The book also emphasises how important it is that we see each other's humanity and respect that, how letting any one person or group suffer just to save yourself is hollow and its own form of cruelty. Pandora wants to protect all of humanity, while some, like Prometheus and his wife Hesione, solely focus on the bigger picture, even if achieving that bigger, "greater" good costs countless lives. But the book is also empathetic towards people who do feel scared and powerless: Kerkeis fears what the gods might do to her and her partner, Ione, if they rebel, so she advices Pandora to not do so. She is not demonised even though she disagrees with our heroine, because to fear is natural. But, what matters most in this book – and is the message that reverberates throughout this narrative – is that we do what we can, when we can, whatever way we can to stop cruelty and violence and protect those most vulnerable. The book's grand message is the power of hope, and how hope is something undying, eternal and endlessly, stubbornly alive. Hope for a better world is what makes humanity humanity and is where
The world of the gods felt realistically portrayed, as in the gods are capricious, manipulative, cruel, ambitious, self-centred, prickly and capable of feats of kindness as well as terror. They felt like the gods of myth. Some are kinder and are more connected to humans, while some take pleasure in fucking with people's lives and toying with humanity. The gods, as well as Prometheus, were the only supporting characters I was impressed by (although, I have to say the automaton animals, especially Korax the dog, were so cute!). They felt other, not human, somewhere on a whole other plane to people like Pandora who are, compared to them, frail. But otherwise the supporting characters were a bit bland. Kerkeis and Ione were fun and had their role to play in both the adventure plot and the more thematical plot, but otherwise they were a bit one-note, not people I felt like I got to know. This has been an issue for me with all of Fitzgerald's books. Her leads are very vibrant, but that vibrancy is not found in her supporting characters (some exceptions, yes, but generally no). I liked that the book felt very intimate and focused on Pandora and Matheos, but I would've liked a bit more time spent with the other characters, developing them and the relationships the leads have with them.
I think my biggest issue with the book has to do with pacing and structure. For the first half, the book feels like a low stakes romcom with a little bit of a mystery set in a fantastical world. Near the middle, there was perhaps a bit too much repetition (same conversations, it felt, had over and over again) and then, the last 150 or so pages were jam-packed with reveals, twists, lore and all kinds of wild shit. The action was not bad nor were the twists, but they all happened so fast I felt like I was never able to sit with them and to see their impact on the characters. As it is now, with the onslaught of information, I was left a bit confused at times, trying to make sense of all we learned. I think I would've loved the grand plot of the book more had it been paced a bit more evenly. Also – though, I have to emphasise, this is a very subjective thing, not an objective "bad thing" about the book – I am not the biggest fan of time fuckery in books when I do not expect it. This book does feature a lot of time talk, slowing time, speeding time and so on, and it's not something I tend to love if I do not go into a book expecting it. I did like what Fitzgerald does in the end, with This time stuff did not, in any way, ruin the book for me, but I thought I'd mention it in case there are others like me who like to know when they go into a timey wimey book.
For the longest time I thought this would be my favorite of Fitzgerald's novels because I have never read a Pandora retelling and I really liked the main characters, their romance and the mystery. But with the ending being a bit rushed and my issues with the supporting characters, I think this book is quite tied with The End Crowns All. I would happily recommend this book, as I know some of my critiques are very personal and will cause no issues to others. I will read everything Fitzgerald writes, as she has, with the now four books I have read from her, impressed me with her imagination, her funny writing style and her wonderful ability to write romance (something not many authors do in a way I like).
November 7, 2025
3.5 stars!
Definitely better than her previous novel, but there are still pacing issues that could be treated better. I liked the main characters of this one a lot!
Definitely better than her previous novel, but there are still pacing issues that could be treated better. I liked the main characters of this one a lot!
September 23, 2025
my hopes were high for this one, loved her other books.
but I felt 0 connection to the characters or the story :(
but I felt 0 connection to the characters or the story :(
August 18, 2025
Pandora’s story is a familiar one, but in this reimagining we get a very different version of Pandora.
From the moment she is created by the gods Pandora knows her duty is to love the man she’s been made for, the brother of Prometheus. After his own interactions with the gods - and warned by his brother - Epimatheos mistrusts Pandora, and wonders why she’s been sent to him.
Over time the pair come to appreciate their differences, and realise that they may be able to work together to challenge Zeus.
This was quite slow to get going, and spent a lot of time establishing the character of Pandora before plunging her into her role to wreak havoc on humanity. The gods are somewhat vain and their attitude towards humans is so dismissive. Pandora is a character that seems, for much of the book, to be a vessel for others’ thoughts and ideas. It got a lot more interesting when she started to think for herself and accept her position, slowly challenging the expectations others had for her.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
From the moment she is created by the gods Pandora knows her duty is to love the man she’s been made for, the brother of Prometheus. After his own interactions with the gods - and warned by his brother - Epimatheos mistrusts Pandora, and wonders why she’s been sent to him.
Over time the pair come to appreciate their differences, and realise that they may be able to work together to challenge Zeus.
This was quite slow to get going, and spent a lot of time establishing the character of Pandora before plunging her into her role to wreak havoc on humanity. The gods are somewhat vain and their attitude towards humans is so dismissive. Pandora is a character that seems, for much of the book, to be a vessel for others’ thoughts and ideas. It got a lot more interesting when she started to think for herself and accept her position, slowly challenging the expectations others had for her.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
August 6, 2025
I always love seeing retellings/reimagings of Greek myth in the YA space because content like this is what gets a lot of younger readers into Greek mythology and ancient history.
A Beautiful Evil is a reimaging of the myth of Pandora, and in it she is just a girl trying to answer one question: what was she made for?
Pandora is quippy and becomes more empowered as the story goes on, and while I have some complex feelings about the book, I love the fact that Bea Fitzgerald has included a note that Pandora is autistic in her portrayal. Pandora's need to find how she fits into a world and the curiosity she feels at everything is deeply relatable.
Additionally, I love that the gift from Zeus to Pandora is a pithos (as pictured on the cover) instead of a box as is so often mistaken in modern media! 💚
Thank you so much to @netgalley, @penguinrandomhouse and @chaosonolympus for the opportunity to read this! A Beautiful Evil releases on August 7th.
A Beautiful Evil is a reimaging of the myth of Pandora, and in it she is just a girl trying to answer one question: what was she made for?
Pandora is quippy and becomes more empowered as the story goes on, and while I have some complex feelings about the book, I love the fact that Bea Fitzgerald has included a note that Pandora is autistic in her portrayal. Pandora's need to find how she fits into a world and the curiosity she feels at everything is deeply relatable.
Additionally, I love that the gift from Zeus to Pandora is a pithos (as pictured on the cover) instead of a box as is so often mistaken in modern media! 💚
Thank you so much to @netgalley, @penguinrandomhouse and @chaosonolympus for the opportunity to read this! A Beautiful Evil releases on August 7th.
August 12, 2025
once again Bea Fitzgerald smashes it out of the PARK with one of her greek retellings!!
the fact I know next to nothing about greek mythology once again did not stop me for absolutely falling in love with the characters and story in this book 💚
pandora my beloved... the most I know about that legend is from the Professor Layton game (including very accurate "vampires" and hallucinogenic gas) but this version of pandora is going to be the one I think about forever now!
so unapologetically curious and funny and fiesty and the way she is written grappling with her humanity and how she came into existence was so interesting to read 😌
and matheos... let's just say I rarely care about a male love interest but he has my stamp of approval 🫡
I've ordered Girl, Goddess, Queen so I can finally finish all three of her books because I've loved A Beautiful Evil and The End Crowns All so much! 💕
the fact I know next to nothing about greek mythology once again did not stop me for absolutely falling in love with the characters and story in this book 💚
pandora my beloved... the most I know about that legend is from the Professor Layton game (including very accurate "vampires" and hallucinogenic gas) but this version of pandora is going to be the one I think about forever now!
so unapologetically curious and funny and fiesty and the way she is written grappling with her humanity and how she came into existence was so interesting to read 😌
and matheos... let's just say I rarely care about a male love interest but he has my stamp of approval 🫡
I've ordered Girl, Goddess, Queen so I can finally finish all three of her books because I've loved A Beautiful Evil and The End Crowns All so much! 💕
September 24, 2025
Want to see more...
Bookstagram
Thank you Penguin Australia for this book in exchange for an honest review
A Beautiful Evil is pure Greek mythology, and I loved every second, every turn of the page! Fitzgerald takes all the drama of gods, monsters, and myths, then sprinkles in sass, banter, and adds a drop of spice, how can you go wrong right?
The characters are deliciously dramatic. Pandora refuses to stay in the box that the gods built for her, she is this plus size, sass filled FMC that you can’t help but adore. Mix that with Matheos who is all sharp edges, hard of hearing, set in his way, stubborn MMC and watch as they slowly fall in love in the most PG way. Sorry guys, its all fade to black on this one!
Overall, this was sharp, witty and that Greek mythology with attitude that you didn’t know you needed! But let’s be real, Fitzgerald always provides a great read!
Bookstagram
Thank you Penguin Australia for this book in exchange for an honest review
A Beautiful Evil is pure Greek mythology, and I loved every second, every turn of the page! Fitzgerald takes all the drama of gods, monsters, and myths, then sprinkles in sass, banter, and adds a drop of spice, how can you go wrong right?
The characters are deliciously dramatic. Pandora refuses to stay in the box that the gods built for her, she is this plus size, sass filled FMC that you can’t help but adore. Mix that with Matheos who is all sharp edges, hard of hearing, set in his way, stubborn MMC and watch as they slowly fall in love in the most PG way. Sorry guys, its all fade to black on this one!
Overall, this was sharp, witty and that Greek mythology with attitude that you didn’t know you needed! But let’s be real, Fitzgerald always provides a great read!
August 21, 2025
bea fitzgerald’s reimaginings always hit and a beautiful evil is no exception! whilst it took a little while for me to feel fully invested i overall really enjoyed this. the characters were great, the writing was absolutely beautiful, and i really appreciated the representation shown through the characters!
[gifted ARC but all opinions are my own]
[gifted ARC but all opinions are my own]
October 12, 2025
Oh, I adored this. As a fat woman, I do enjoy a fat fmc whose weight is not a big thing in the story.
Also, how dare the author make me like another MAN. The men in these are just always so good. I love a man who loves his wife.
I also loved the hope in this. Truly, it's never too late to want better for yourself and others. 10/10.
Also, how dare the author make me like another MAN. The men in these are just always so good. I love a man who loves his wife.
I also loved the hope in this. Truly, it's never too late to want better for yourself and others. 10/10.
June 8, 2025
Lucky to have got an ARC of this fantastic book. Do yourself a favour and pre-order!
Enjoy:
✨️Neurodiverse representation
🙊 Existential crisis throughout
🔊 Top tier banter
💭 Reminder to never stop being curious and that variety is the spice of life
Enjoy:
✨️Neurodiverse representation
🙊 Existential crisis throughout
🔊 Top tier banter
💭 Reminder to never stop being curious and that variety is the spice of life
September 5, 2025
This book was healing in a way I didn't expect it to be. I saw myself within the pages, from Pandora struggling to fit into a world that she wasn't made for, to her realising that though she was god made they still thought she took up too much space as a curvy woman.
Equally Matheos was such a mood the entire book, particularly the most Capricorn sentence I've ever read "I'll make a note to be sad later.".
This book is beautiful, funny, moving, and above all? Filled with hope.
Equally Matheos was such a mood the entire book, particularly the most Capricorn sentence I've ever read "I'll make a note to be sad later.".
This book is beautiful, funny, moving, and above all? Filled with hope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2025
Pandora retelling and autism rep!!
August 27, 2025
3.5* rounded up
September 24, 2025
4.5 stars
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