Psyche

by Forrest Gladstone

Keep your own name and demand the gods say it.

This reimagining of the myth's earliest written source—the 2nd-century Roman text Metamorphoses by Apuleius—centers its heroine's interior life and questions Cupid's place in it. Using the original Roman naming conventions, Psyche examines what happens when a woman pushes back on the story that others would write for her.

Psyche of Crete is determined to marry with greater happiness than her sisters. When her beauty threatens Venus's influence, the goddess of love takes the matter personally and dispatches her son Cupid to intervene. Pricked by his own weapon and falling irrevocably in love, Cupid’s attempt to claim Psyche sets her on a collision course with the gods.

Caught between divine cruelty and impossible expectations, Psyche must fight for a voice in a world determined to silence her.

Psyche asks what makes a myth endure: the truth it holds, or the lie it comforts us with.

Genres: Mythology, Retellings, Fantasy

336 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2026

About the author

Forrest lives with her husband, kids, and cats in Richmond, Virginia. She earned her BA in Religious Studies and Anthropology from the University of Virginia, and her masters degree in Education from the College of William and Mary. She has taught language arts, theatre, and writing. Psyche is her first novel.

Reviews

[Sammy's Study · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟

A retelling of classical Greek/Roman mythology?! COUNT ME IN! 🫶🏻

These story's will always have a place in my heart for I really do love them. There just really is something special about ancient mythology that keeps me interested and coming back for more.

I loved the way the relationship between Psyche and her sisters is discriped. That instead of jealousy about Psyche's situation and trying to get the attention of Cupid, which ultimately leads to them dying. The sisters are supportive and loving and just wholesome! I reallyyyyyy loved this!

Not going to ly, I was a bit thrown by the chosen names. Going with the Roman names of the Gods and not by the Greek. But hey, after a while you do get used to it.

Thank god they changed the cover! Because these cartoons really don't do the book justice.

But wow, what a great deput novel!

Thank you Netgalley and Bosque publishing for the ARC! 💛💛

[elizabeth rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOW am I going to recover?!?? 😭😭
This was so good it's given me a book hangover. 4.5 ⭐️
Review to come.

[that.onebookgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley for access to this book!

I have read many retellings of greek mythology. As an avid reader of ancient myths and a former classics student, retellings have always been right up my alley. So many times, characters are side-lined, ignored, or silenced in these myths: both in ancient sources and in modern sources! Seeing how authors reinterpret these characters within our modern context is one of my favorite things.

Now I have read a lot of retellings, especially feminist ones. Many times, I have never felt compelled by these novels: usually because these retellings either favor the man, distort the original myth, or aren't faithful to the source material. When I started Psyche, I had hopes for it to turn well, but expected to be lightly disappointed.

Forrest Gladstone blew me out of the water.

Psyche follows the story of the infamous myth of Psyche and Cupid, taking place in a world in which the gods grapple with the new Roman world they now occupy. Gladstone weaves this growing political tension into the story of a young woman who is taken advantage of and suppressed by the Gods. Now, this story handles some sensitive themes: such as rape, marital abuse, and assault. Rather than shying away from the subject, or sanitizing it for the sake of the love story, Gladstone confronted these issues head-on and dealt with them in ways that were affirming of Psyche's experience. I thought the depiction was expertly handled and sensitive, well-done in a way that I have yet to see many other books handle these subjects. When so many of the greek myths depict assault and rape as major points in their story, I was proud that Gladstone addressed these issues head on and gave Psyche the voice that she has been lacking over the centuries.

The story is hypnotizing, and the writing is clever. You don't just follow Psyche, but the other characters that she interacts with. Rather than feeling like it detracted from Psyche's experiences, the extra perspectives only highlighted and added to it. The characters are compelling, steadfast, and the Gods are cruel and capricious. I can honestly say I have yet to read a greek retelling that has so expertly interacted with, addressed, and expanded upon the source material than Forrest Gladstone. I heartily recommended this book (with the content warnings in mind for any future readers) for anyone who wants to expand their library of greek retellings. Five stars!

[Rachel Doubek · Rating 4 out of 5]

An expansive story of Psyche and Cupid from birth to love. The author did a great job telling the whole story across time. The story grapples a lot with SA and I worried the ending wasn’t going to stick it. But 10/10.

I do wonder if the cover may scare people off because many Greek retellings lean more classic/adult and this is a cartoon cover. But the themes are very adult and women’s fiction. I hope it gets the attention it deserves. This isn’t an easy book to read, in terms of everyone ends up happy or the girl gets revenge in the end. There is suffering and hardship, but ultimately agency. I’m glad Psyche’s tale was told like this, the author did a great job.

Thank you to Bosque Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Cher Van Der Woude · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review — Psyche
3.5⭐️

The story of Psyche and Cupid immediately drew me in because I’ve always loved mythology. From the start, though, I couldn’t help noticing that the book uses the Greek version of the myth but adds a Roman twist to it, and I didn’t really enjoy that. It often felt forced rather than natural or accurate. The book itself reads very smoothly, and I enjoyed getting both Psyche’s and Cupid’s POVs, though Cupid’s chapters were definitely the ones that resonated with me the most.

There were also moments where having prior knowledge of the original myth definitely helped; without it, some scenes might feel abrupt or certain characters a bit flat.

That said, there are parts of the story that are genuinely strong and engaging, but others didn’t land as well. Because of that inconsistency, rating this book wasn’t easy. In the end, it’s a solid 3.5‑star read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Haylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psyche is proof to never judge a book by its cover — while it was the beautiful cartoon that made me curious, I was a bit nervous after finding out this was a mythology retelling. But this was worth a read, and good one at that. I like how this also provided insight to the Olympians and their perspective on Psyche and Eros; especially Aphrodite as the goddess of love and as a mother

Thank you Forrest Gladstone, Bosque Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

[John Richard Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 debut from first-time author

Lots of engaging fun characters with great dialogue.
The action starts quickly and pulls you along.
The focus here is on the story and the characters, but along the way it asks some important questions about how our society ever came to consider Cupid as a romantic figure.

[Leah McGeorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an incredible retelling. I love the balance of the gods perspectives and Psyche's. I really enjoyed how Psyche grew through the book and learned to play a game she shouldn't have had to.

[Lioba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3,5 Stars.

Psyche is a sort of mix between a retelling and a re-imagination of the Myth of Eros and Psyche, giving new perspectives on the story as well as certain changes and more details.

I enjoyed reading this and was eager to continue reading it when I took a break. I am uncertain what to think of some changes or messages that seemed unfinished or not fully thought out.

The best part for me was the relationship of the three sisters, bringing me that thought I like to get from Re-tellings ("What about this though?") so much.The relationship between Venus and Cupid is complex and rather interesting but I think more time could have been spent to unfold it more.

It certainly has it's issues, by touching onto sensitive topics and opening threads without truly wrapping them up in the end. And certain scenes skip to the next without really having a bridge between them.

All in all an enjoyable read and a way to get the own mind starting on some questions about justice, systematic issues and communication of relationships.

"There was a price to be weighed, always, and it was rarely the one expected."

[Angie]

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC for this novel. All thoughts are my own.

CW: this review contains discussions of rape and mentions of victim blaming. all instances have been spoilered, but please take care if these are distressing topics for you.

So this was a very interesting retelling. Psyche and Eros is one of the oldest surviving love stories in western canon, said to have inspired the likes of Beauty and the Beast and its ilk, so it’s no surprise that in this age of publishers vying for the next Classical Mythology Retelling, it would have its moment - or moments! Psyche and Eros’ love story has been retold multiple times, but most of them offer it as how it is presented, a love story as old as time itself, an exploration of female sexual awakening and desire, all taking the surviving source material, dusting it off, and rewriting it with a modern feminist lens.

Forrest Gladstone though, makes this anything but romantic, offers a very sterile, clerical and blunt approach to the myth, to the pantheon and to the setting it was formed in.

Here, we have multiple POVs to enjoy. We begin with a very manipulative bird-communicating Disney Princess rendition of Venus, then work our way back and forth through the centuries with Psyche, back to Venus, Cupid, and a couple other gods for good measure.

Most of the novel takes place on Olympus and in Crete, but neither settings feel very ‘lived in’. One of my problems with this novel was how lackadaisical the world building and setting descriptions were. I never really had the sense of being anywhere in the Mediterranean, let alone Greece at all. There was a lack of historicity here that left me wanting, especially since the time period was set sometime during the Roman Empire’s rule over Greece. I really would have loved to have learned at least who the emperor was.

Correct me if I’m wrong, and I understand narratively why the Roman names were used rather than the Greeks, but to make a point of a Roman “rebrand” of the Greek gods IN Greece somehow feels ahistorical. I would imagine the Greeks still would have used the Greek names of their gods in the Greek language they were speaking.

Something I did really enjoy were Psyche’s chapters though. I really liked how she had to endure trials like any other type of Greek hero. I did start to believe that perhaps the reason why a lot of the areas of this book felt so lacking was because of Psyche’s own inexperience with the world. But unfortunately, returning to other POV chapters quickly cured me of that notion.

At least, past this point, the novel took a very intriguing turn. Here is where the story starts to question consent. Some very interesting passages here.

“In all the long millennia we have existed, there have been but a handful of great love stories between gods and humans: Dionysus and Ariadne, Eos and Tithonus, myself and Orion. And love stories, Psyche, do not involve rape. If Cupid has raped you, then he has betrayed the very tenets of the love he professes to feel for you. He has made himself an oathbreaker.".

"You told her to say my son raped her. Why?" The laugh Diana gave held a sharpness that suggested she was surprised the question needed to be asked. Venus felt her own anger rising, and pinched herself to keep it in check.
"Could be because that's what your son did," Diana said. "Could be that I'm tired of watching him play with people's feelings especially those of women—with impunity." Venus wanted to shoot back that her son had done no such thing but was uneasy in the awareness that the latter claim Diana had made was, in fact, correct.

This novel could have easily been alternatively titled: venus and the struggles of being a boy mom in a post me too world. perhaps this is degrading the story and the point of the novel, but the point was lost on me when we started to approach the very blatant rape of Psyche through every perspective imaginable. And it wasn’t that we were viewing her trauma as it was. Victim blaming is almost always expected when the topic of rape comes up. It’s that we are expected to sympathise and understand where the victim blaming is coming from, even to the point where Vulcan stands up and “rebuts” Diana’s very valid claims that rape is a crime committed mostly by men - and that all the rapists she knows are men in her very immediate family - by first of all, portraying himself as a “good guy”, he literally claims he has never raped anyone (I believe this is the fault of the author, perhaps not knowing that Hephaestus attempted to rape Athena?), and then committing himself to the reductive argument of male victims. perhaps i’m too radical in my judgement, but all rape is a product of the patriarchy, and whatever the case is with these mythologies, they were all written and told, in its original setting, under an extremely misogynist and patriarchal society. All this to say, the modern values on an ancient story irked me.

I think I might have enjoyed this more if Psyche was the focus of this novel, rather than the gods and their half-baked politicking-as-allegory. though i’m not entirely too sure what the allegory was supposed to be! I genuinely don’t know what is the point of putting such a modern lens onto this story if there’s no feminist takeaway from the rape and pregnancy Psyche had to endure, why she even had to remain with her rapist if that was the way this story was always intended to end? ... I don’t know, maybe I’m just too critical… the execution was just off to me.

[Elfundertheshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was brimming with potential. The author's love for the Greco-Roman myths and the pantheon shows through at almost every step, as well as the connection between how the Greek gods migrated or got rebranded into the Roman pantheon. There is also a clear attempt at retelling the story we know while keeping the more complex, ambiguous underlying narratives intact. This will also be a refresher on what we know or think we know about these gods and their differing moral systems—from a more adult perspective. The result of eternal life.

The book, however, struggles to nail the balance between showing and telling. Hence, certain paragraphs and dialogue become too verbose, struggling to land the intended impact. It sounds too simplistic. I still read until the end because I was interested in where the story was going and what Gladstone intends to tell us. In the effort to retain the complexity of the gods we already know and see through a certain lens while including commentary on opposing genders, at times the characters border on becoming caricatures of themselves. It will leave more seasoned retelling lovers a tad wanting in my opinion.

What I did genuinely appreciate was that Vulcan (yes, they use the Roman counterparts, which was a very fun switcheroo) has a voice. We get a rare opportunity to look at his relationship with Aphrodite and conclude that there was more there than what we know and believe. Though their relationship is not the focal point of the story.

Overall, I will recommend this book to readers looking to explore myth retellings to get started on knowing the Greek gods more closely, and wanting to have fun while doing it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I went into this story a bit blind. I'm very late coming to the Greek mythology trend as I was definitely an Ancient Egypt kid growing up, so the tale of Psyche & Eros/Cupid is one I'm not familiar with.
Immediately I stepped into a richly woven tale that truly did feel like I was in ancient Greece. The way life was lead then, the interesting and rich stories that included Psyche's sisters. (I won't go into too much detail, in case readers are going in blind, like me)

My biggest gripe with the whole thing was the use of the Roman names for the Gods. I know Gladstone put a key at the beginning for you to know who was who, but for me it did take me away from the story a bit. Also the slightly inaccurate claims regarding Mars/Ares and SA. Ares is the one Greek God who was never accused of such crimes, so I did feel a bit miffed when I read this part.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and honestly feel that Gladstone's writing was perfect for the retelling. I'd happily rate this a 4.75stars, rounding up to 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forrest Gladstone for the ARC of this. I am leaving this review of my own free will.

[Torz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written retelling of the story of Psyche and Cupid.

Definitely puts perceptions of women, and how we cope with tragedy and day-to-day patriarchy under the microscope. The expectation that we just sweep things under the rug and get on with life - which we're strong enough to do but we shouldn't have to do.

This book makes you feel all the feels, a lot of rage, loss, insight and contemplation

Some of my favourites lines:

It was her cradle all over again, devotion that could kill her, only this time, her greatest protectors were gone.

Diana's smile was wicked. "I? I'd go with a classic: one jealous goddess attempting to bring down another. That one stands the test of time."

It occurred to Venus, in a distant corner of her ind, that the last time she had felt rage this intense had also been in Mercury's presence and also over an unplanned child.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've heard of "the original Beauty and the Beast" as my fairy tale and folklore professor put it, then you know that the tale of Psyche and Cupid has a happy ending. But what if it actually dealt with topics like SA and what the aftermath of it is, even if it takes you time to call it that? Being able to read this title on NetGalley, I was entranced with how strong Pysche is. Being able to stand up to your parents, your perpetrator, and the Greco-Romano gods takes a lot of guts, and she does it so eloquently. I loved seeing a more modern take on this myth and having it grapple with topics that today we are just only realizing shouldn't be as taboo as they seem to be.

[Forrest Gladstone]

CONTENT ADVISORY

As the author, I'm leaving this note to help readers navigate the heavier themes in this book. Psyche draws directly from the Roman source Metamorphoses by Apuleius and explores systemic violence, silencing, and power dynamics.

Specific content warnings include: sexual assault, rape, domestic abuse, forced pregnancy, and miscarriage. This is a critical retelling, not a romantic one. Please read with care.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique retelling about Psyche and Cupid that spanned from their childhood into their adulthood. I enjoyed the different perspectives of the gods and especially goddesses in the story and how they perceived the happenings. It certainly made me think about how the narrative of stories and myths are perceived. I felt like the author handled the themes of SA well and I felt like it did Psyche in the book justice. She suffered a lot throughout it and ultimately she grew a lot because of it. I really liked the relationship she had with her sisters and the important part they had in the story.

While I do like the cover I don't think it quite matches the story told and I almost expected something different.

[Peyton McCain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Forrest Gladstone for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! I am a huge fan of mythological adaptations or retellings, and this followed in the footsteps of Circe and Song of Achilles very well. The story of Psyche and Cupid is an interesting one in canon, and I feel that Gladstone adapted it into a very compelling novel.

One of my issues with Greek/Roman myths is the lack of agency female characters have, including goddesses. This novel gave its female characters that agency and the ability to make a difference in their own lives, while still emphasizing that those who had that agency were not the norm in their society and time.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the relationship posed between Psyche and her sisters, and the emphasis on how life and perception changes through womanhood, motherhood, and being a wife. Many myths lack complex female relationships, but those between Psyche and her sisters felt very realistic and raw.

Thanks again to NetGalley and Forrest Gladstone!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this from NetGalley for a honest review.

A refreshing take on a classic mythological story. I like that this book challenges the traditional (patriarchal) narratives of Greek mythology, giving the females agency and resistance against oppressive power structures at play.

[Vansa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Cupid and Psyche was always one of my favourites when I would read retellings of Greek myths for children-particularly one by Enid Blyton. It seemed so romantic, a handsome prince whisking you away and for once, a happy ending to a story. I didn't really interrogate it too closely as an adult either and all the paintings of it seem very idyllic and romantic. If you type in "Cupid and Psyche' into Google even now, the first few hits you'll get are " Greek myth that's a romance novel" and of course, Sarah J Maas has borrowed elements in 'A court of thorns and roses'. So it was a no-brainer for me to read this retelling, one of my favourite mythological love stories. Or is it? Forrest Gladstone's spectacular retelling makes you think about behaviours you're romanticising and fleshes out the myth beautifully, without making it seem like all the characters have very 21st Century attitudes. Psyche's sisters (named here) are much more sympathetic, real people without having to resort to soap opera cliches of jealous sisters, and the lives of women and all their attendant complications are not ignored. The book's also a great exploration of Gods and why humanity created them- till fairly recently compared to deep time, humanity has been at the mercy of natural phenomena, and the frailties of the body, and just bad luck. It makes for a very frightening scenario if all that is just random and has no greater meaning-we have all these powers of thought and imagination, and invention, there has to be some arc to a life, some larger purpose to explain a loved one's sudden illness, or the loss of a child, this can't be all there is. So much better to think that it's the caprices of a moody God, who hasn't done worse because of your constant propitiations till then, and who could do worse if you didn't continue with that! ( which also led me to think about the appeal of Jesus' message, then, compared to Gods that would mete out cruelty-a message of love and forgiveness and the promise of a better afterlife, compared to a gloomy Underworld) The Roman Gods have never been written of this well, in all their very human-endowed vanities and complexities, with some great scenes where you get fascinating potted versions of multiple other myths, the greatest hits like Apollo and Daphne but also ones I didn't know like the tragic mute servants of Cupid, or the fate of Niobe among others. Violence was regularly inflicted on the weak by the strong with no recourse, and Gladstone subtly shows you Gods created in man's image.There are several moving scenes that make you think of what some myths are trying to say- Psyche also visits the Underworld, and is told not interact with people she knows there; and GLadstone uses that for a poignant meditation on the delight but ultimate harm in living your life only in the past, despite how inviting that can be.
Gladstone's retelling isn't a straightforward "feminist girlboss" version- that would erase the twistiness of the story and the lived reality of many women who make the best of bad bargains, and use their limited agency the best they can.. That is feminist though and makes for a richer narrative that acknowledges the appalling lack of choice and misogyny, which was also reflective of the time. Gladstone's afterword adds interesting context,and made me go back to Apuleius as well. This book is a thought-provoking, profound read that also has a great plot and excellent writing. I don't think I"m going to like any other book this year as much as I will like this one and I've already re-read it.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a modern, feminist retelling of the myth of Psyche and it very consciously reinterprets the original story.

Instead of presenting the romance with Cupid as a sweeping, unquestioned love story, this version examines it more critically.

It highlights the imbalance of power, the secrecy, and the manipulation at the core of their relationship. From this perspective, Psyche is not simply a passive figure moving toward a divine happy ending, she becomes someone who questions what was done to her and what she is willing to accept.

I appreciated that shift.

The retelling focuses on exactly the right themes: agency, consent, truth, and the cost of love when it’s built on control. It gives Psyche a stronger voice and allows her to make her own choices, rather than simply following the path laid out in the original myth.

That said, I struggled with the ending. And I struggle with my struggle.
As someone who loves a clear emotional resolution and a traditional HEA, Psyche’s final choice, prioritizing her autonomy over the romantic relationship, didn’t satisfy me on a personal level. I understand why the story goes there, and within the logic of this interpretation, it makes sense. But emotionally, it left me wanting something different.

There’s also an interesting tension when applying modern moral frameworks to Greek mythology. These myths are full of power imbalances and behavior that would be deeply problematic by today’s standards. If we fully deconstruct all of it, the entire foundation of many of these stories begins to shift, which is exactly what this book is exploring.

In terms of writing, it took me a little while to settle into the style. The prose is quite direct and unadorned, especially compared to more lyrical, poetic authors. The beginning moves a bit slowly, but once the story gains momentum, it flows much more easily.

Overall, I think this is a thoughtful and worthwhile retelling. It aims to question.
And even if it didn’t give me the ending I personally wanted, I can still appreciate what it was trying to do.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having already read this story under a different name(s) and being a fan of Greek Mythology it was nice having a familiar story. I will say that I prefer to have the Greek names - this was written using the Roman versions. Eg. Eros is Cupid and Aphrodite is Venus etc (but that is a personal opinion and doesn't distract).

We follow Psyche, Princess of Crete, as she evolves through her life. Slowly seeing the world through hardened eyes and how as she grows, the world reacts to women. She is lonely, angry and upset when Cupid is struck by his own arrow and falls in love with the woman he is sent to kill. He sweeps her away to his home and there she is given every luxury she can imagine and is waited on hand and foot by the lares (spirital beings). This sounds like a dream come true for many (as it is for her sisters), but Psyche grows restless with the image of perfection and wants 'real life' - real emotions, real feeling, truth and honesty. She is always visited by Cupid in the evening when it is dark and never sees his face. When curiosity, and the voices of her sisters ring in her head, her world is thrown into further disarray when she finally decides to act. Psyche is then forced to grow once again, harden further and re-evaluate her unique situation.

Love is at the heart of this story, shown through many characters and actions. Not all are obvious and there are many layers involved. While death always lingers in the background. A fine line between life/love and death is always present.

Forrest writes the characters well and each one is significant to the flow of the legend, that is Psyche and Cupid.

I felt the story lulled ever-so-slightly in the middle and sometimes the words felt forced. That having been said though, I will happily buy the physical copy to add to my Mythology collection. I enjoyed the relationship that Forrest creates between Venus and Cupid. I like the character arc of Psyche and the ending wrapped up all lose ends perfectly.

4.5 ⭐️
1 🌶

[RUTH GUCKIEAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

Psyche is not the retelling I expected—and whether that's a good thing depends entirely on what you're looking for.

Forrest Gladstone returns to the source material, drawing from Apuleius's Metamorphoses and preserving the Roman naming conventions that give the story its classical weight. Psyche of Crete is a woman whose beauty threatens Venus, whose fate becomes entangled with Cupid's, and whose journey pits her against gods who would rather she stay silent. It's a familiar framework, but Gladstone isn't interested in simply retelling it.

This is philosophical fiction. The narrative spends more time reflecting on Psyche as a symbol—what she represents about consciousness, identity, power, and the stories we inherit—than it does on the romance or the adventure. It's meditative, deliberate, and very much ideas-first.

And honestly? Some of it works beautifully. The passages exploring why myths endure, what truths they hold versus what lies they comfort us with, gave me genuine pause. Gladstone is clearly a thoughtful writer wrestling with big questions.

But I wanted more fire. The emotional through-line feels muted, the pacing drags in places, and the love story—arguably the heart of the original myth—operates at a distance. I kept waiting to feel swept up, and instead I felt... contemplative. Which isn't nothing. It's just not what I was craving.
If you love speculative fiction that engages with mythology as a lens for examining the human condition, this will likely resonate. If you're here for the romance, the drama, the mythic sweep—temper your expectations.

An interesting reframing. Just not the one my heart wanted.

[Hannah Deverall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would classisfy Psyche by Forrest Gladstone not as a retelling but rather an inspection of the greek myth of Psyche and Eros. The novel tells the story of Psyche and her ‘lover’ Eros in a much less sanitised manner than most tales in the modern day. It attempts to strip away many of the ‘modernisms’ – such as Psyche falling in love with a man who has taken her away from her family and is continually keeping secrets from her – of the tale while still setting up the novel with Psyche as a well-rounded and three-dimensional character.

One of the aspects that I particularily enjoyed in Psyche was the characterisation of the titular character, as well as her sisters and Venus. They all felt very realistic (contradictory, changing, selfish at times), and this really enhance the tale that Psyche weaves. However, I do not feel that it completely succeeded in degloving the stereotypical love story into something far more realistic (and horrifiying). I also did not particularily like how little the concept of ‘how much of this is me and how much is the love arrow’ was touched on, which I think was quite an interesting choice on behalf of the author. Nevertheless, these instances were rather minor (for me) and, well, nothing is perfect; the book is still very good.

After travelling along this emotional rollercoaster of a novel, and having my views of the story of Psyche and Eros completely upended, I give this book 4.5/5 stars. It was an engaging and introspective read, and while it did not meet all of the marks, where it fell short it did so in interesting ways. Thank you to Bosque Publishing for providing Psyche for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[thwipy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please check trigger warnings for this book! As with many retellings there are explicit themes of sexual assault and rape, forced pregnancy, miscarriage, domestic abuse.

Thank you NetGalley and Bosque for an eARC of Psyche!

Psyche is a mortal princess, and Cupid is the god of erotic love. Despite his mother’s orders to punish Psyche for drawing worship away from her, Cupid falls in love with the mortal instead.

This isn’t the typical Psyche story you may know. If you know her tale, expect this retelling to be less of a love story. It is called Psyche, after all—not Psyche and Cupid. Anticipate a more feminist lens. The gods are (rightfully) not painted in a very flattering or innocent light except maybe Ceres. I see a lot of woman-centered retellings end up pacifying the men to make them ‘one of the good ones’, and this novel doesn’t really do that. This is definitely more of a character study than a romance!

I’d say the pacing matches that of many primary sources like The Golden Ass, the ancient Roman novel that gave us the clearest depiction of Psyche and Cupid. Pacing in these original stories can feel slow and then important plot points occur in the span of a few sentences. If you’re familiar with ancient stories, it shouldn’t throw you off in this one. It definitely takes a bit to get going, though it isn’t a bore. Even so, it drags a little between major plot points.

This might be the first book, including Percy Jackson as a child, to make me hate Mercury/Hermes. That’s saying a lot. Pick this one up if you want a sort of more introspective version of Psyche’s story and/or a slightly more harsh depiction of the pantheon.

[Stormie Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me preface this review by exclaiming that this is this author’s first published book and I am FLOORED 🤯

I have a deep, soul-penetrating love for Greek/Roman mythology so I knew I was going to love this book. Though I came into the story not knowing too much about Psyche and Cupid, I leave more knowledgeable and furious.

Psyche was a princess of Crete. The youngest of three daughters wherein her sisters doted on her endlessly. She knew unbound love and affection. Psyche was also a magnificently beautiful woman—insomuch that her beauty threatened Venus and worshiped began to sway from the goddess of love to our dear Psyche, through no desire of her own.

Cupid, being Venus’s son, is tasked with arcing his bow to force Psyche love a beast so that her demise is wrought in agony and hardship. Yet that is not what happens. Cupid sees Psyche and wants her for himself. Therefore, Psyche’s abduction occurs.

Psyche is frightened when she awakens in a foreign yet opulent estate. Her “beloved” only attends to her at night where the darkness can obscure his identity as Cupid does not want Venus learning of his transgressions.

The story of Psyche unfolds. Several gods and goddesses intermingle with her destiny, as they do best. The author has taken a truly tragic tale and turned it into a powerful narrative wherein Psyche’s voice is heard.

I sincerely am enamored with mythology retellings and this one deserves incredibly high accolades. It will resonate with me forever.

Thank you @netgalley for the arc!

[Uncaged Reads Uncaged Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long-time lover of Greek mythology, I’ll admit the Roman names threw me for a loop initially! However, once I settled in, I found Psyche to be a fast-paced and fascinating read. I love learning through stories, and I realized I had never actually heard the full tale of Psyche and Cupid before.
Forrest Gladstone does a wonderful job weaving in most of the Gods, making the world feel expansive yet accessible. Whether you’re a die-hard mythology fan or just looking for a fun, interesting way to learn something new, this debut novel is definitely worth checking out!

+++I have received this eARC in an exchange for an honest review+++

I want to thank @netgalley and @writeornot for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of the ARC version from Netgalley:

I am positively suprised by this. I had no idea going in how it could possibly go. This was the first time I read the story of Psyche and Eros and it is NOT written as love story, which appreciate so much. Yes, you could argue it is the start of an eventual love story but I would speak against it.

The way themes of SA are handled is done so beautifully and with a lot of care, which I very much appreciate. The ending was really pleasant. And I do love the way the Gods are portrayed.

Psyche as main character was fascinating. She was called out and yet she was still treated unfairly. Seeing Cupid in comparisment was interesting.

I also enjoy the explaination and intigration of the roman names of the Gods as well as the two quotes at the end.

My one critique is that I personally found the writing style somewhat "dry" (for a lack of better word) sometimes. Which is absolutly not a bad thing. It fits the tone of the story. It is not poetic and sometimes some streches felt somewhat boring. However that did not take away from anything. It is only my own preferance of what kind of writing style I prefer. The dialogues were written amazingly. It was only the narration that did not hit my personal style. However this is a nitpicky critque and it does not warrant less than five stars because the book really was wonderfully.

[Alischa O'Harrow Rogillio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one… hurt. In that slow, quiet, sits with you kind of way.
I went into Psyche expecting a myth retelling, but what I got was something much heavier and more emotional than I was prepared for. This isn’t a soft or romanticized version of her story, it leans into the pain, the isolation, and the very real cost of being chosen, tested, and constantly pushed to your breaking point. Psyche’s journey feels raw and honestly a little brutal at times, and I found myself really feeling for her in a way I didn’t expect.
What I appreciated most is that her strength doesn’t come easy. It’s not instant, it’s not pretty, and it’s definitely not without sacrifice. There’s a quiet resilience to her that builds over time, and while there is love woven into the story, it’s not the kind that saves her. If anything, it complicates everything even more.
That said, there were moments where the pacing slowed a bit for me, and a few places where I wanted just a little more connection or clarity. But overall, this was a beautifully written, emotional read that leans much more tragic than romantic, and it absolutely left an impression.
If you’re going into this expecting a sweeping romance, just know this one is more about endurance, heartbreak, and becoming something stronger through it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this Arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Dingske · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Keep your own name and demand the gods say it.”

Who is the hero in a story often depends on how it is told. Who doesn't know the story of Psyche and Cupid? Whether it is a love story or not is a matter of opinion. In Psyche, we hear the story told by Forrest Gladstone and the adventures of this myth.

Although the use of Roman names (not without reason) seemed to pull me out of the story a little at first, the writing style made up for it. You follow the gods and mortals in this great chess game in search of the truth. For what is the real story and what is it that people want to hear? What is the power of stories and the power that each of us possesses? But above all, the bigger question: what is love? And what is love worth? It is a quest, just like this book.

A book ideal for people who love retellings. The book contains difficult themes and big questions, but isn't that exactly what a book can give access to? The writing style is smooth and I enjoyed the story. The story is 'modern' in the themes it addresses. And although I was quite afraid of how they would handle the ending without resolving things, I am very happy with the way they did it.

This is an ARC read thanks to Netgally

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, I'll say that. To start: careless anachronisms like "okay" drive me absolutely nuts when used in the same sentence as lofty prose about the qualities of love - and this didn't seem purposeful. However, to counter this, I did love the purposeful ironies present and the kind of omniscient narration that the author used in certain sections.

Consent was the core of this novel and I found the 'storytelling about storytelling' vis a vis the narrative of Psyche's rape ...interesting. The council of the gods was interesting and Diana's motivations keen, but I still felt a kind of way about the emphasis on stories versus reality which was, of course, the point. I need to sit with this feeling more.

I don't think any of the characterizations were as complex as perhaps the author intended - obviously, Cupid is a shit, paying lip service up until the literal very end and Psyche was tensely drawn and there were a few other very interesting mythological tidbits interspersed including a very delightful image of Venus caning Mars but coming off of the heels of reading Jennifer Saint's This Immortal Heart, this felt flatter.