GENTLEST OF WILD THINGS BY SARAH UNDERWOOD | PUBLICATION: OCTOBER 1, 2024 HARPERCOLLINS | GENRE: YA FICTION RATING: ★★★★ |
____________________________________________________________________
Desire binds them. Hunger compels them. Love will set them free. . . .
On the island of Zakynthos, nothing is more powerful than Desire—love itself, bottled and sold to the highest bidder by Leandros, a power-hungry descendant of the god Eros.
Eirene and her beloved twin sister, Phoebe, have always managed to escape Desire’s thrall—until Leandros’s wife dies mysteriously and he sets his sights on Phoebe. Determined to keep her sister safe, Eirene strikes a bargain with Leandros: If she can complete the four elaborate tasks he sets her, he will find another bride. But it soon becomes clear that the tasks are part of something bigger; something related to Desire and Lamia, the strange, neglected daughter Leandros keeps locked away.
Lamia knows her father hides her for her own protection, though as she and Eirene grow closer, she finds herself longing for the outside world. But the price of freedom is high, and with something deadly—something hungry—stalking the night, that price must be paid in blood. . . .
On the island of Zakynthos, nothing is more powerful than Desire—love itself, bottled and sold to the highest bidder by Leandros, a power-hungry descendant of the god Eros.
Eirene and her beloved twin sister, Phoebe, have always managed to escape Desire’s thrall—until Leandros’s wife dies mysteriously and he sets his sights on Phoebe. Determined to keep her sister safe, Eirene strikes a bargain with Leandros: If she can complete the four elaborate tasks he sets her, he will find another bride. But it soon becomes clear that the tasks are part of something bigger; something related to Desire and Lamia, the strange, neglected daughter Leandros keeps locked away.
Lamia knows her father hides her for her own protection, though as she and Eirene grow closer, she finds herself longing for the outside world. But the price of freedom is high, and with something deadly—something hungry—stalking the night, that price must be paid in blood. . . .
____________________________________________________________________
Sarah Underwood's novel, GENTLEST OF WILD THINGS, harnessed the power of mythological storytelling reimagined for a contemporary audience. The book delves into the ancient Greek myth of Eros and Psyche, but with a twist that infuses the narrative with a modern sensibility about love, desire, and the human condition.
Set against the backdrop of Zakynthos, a place where the concept of Desire is commodified, the story unfolds with Eirene and Phoebe, twin sisters whose bond is tested by the machinations of Leandros, a descendant of Eros. The novel explores the complexities of love—not as an abstract concept but as a tangible, powerful force that drives the characters to extremes.
Underwood's prose is a blend of lyrical beauty and dark intrigue, capturing the essence of a world where love can be both a blessing and a curse. The character of Lamia, Leandros' daughter, is particularly compelling, embodying the conflict between the longing for freedom and the dangers it entails.
While the pacing may occasionally slow, the overall narrative is a mesmerizing experience, GENTLEST OF WILD THINGS is a captivating novel that challenges the reader to consider the price of love, and the sacrifices made in its name. It's a journey through a landscape where myth meets reality, and where the stakes are life itself. Critics have praised the novel for its exploration of themes such as feminism, disability, and abuse, all woven into a rich tapestry of mythological retelling. For those who appreciate tales with profound emotional stakes and powerful female characters, Sarah Underwood's novel is a captivating read that lingers long after the last page is turned.
Set against the backdrop of Zakynthos, a place where the concept of Desire is commodified, the story unfolds with Eirene and Phoebe, twin sisters whose bond is tested by the machinations of Leandros, a descendant of Eros. The novel explores the complexities of love—not as an abstract concept but as a tangible, powerful force that drives the characters to extremes.
Underwood's prose is a blend of lyrical beauty and dark intrigue, capturing the essence of a world where love can be both a blessing and a curse. The character of Lamia, Leandros' daughter, is particularly compelling, embodying the conflict between the longing for freedom and the dangers it entails.
While the pacing may occasionally slow, the overall narrative is a mesmerizing experience, GENTLEST OF WILD THINGS is a captivating novel that challenges the reader to consider the price of love, and the sacrifices made in its name. It's a journey through a landscape where myth meets reality, and where the stakes are life itself. Critics have praised the novel for its exploration of themes such as feminism, disability, and abuse, all woven into a rich tapestry of mythological retelling. For those who appreciate tales with profound emotional stakes and powerful female characters, Sarah Underwood's novel is a captivating read that lingers long after the last page is turned.
TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TUMBLR | BLOGLOVIN | GOODREADS
About the Author:
Sarah Underwood grew up by the sea in Devon. A data scientist by training, she is a graduate of Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge and is now studying for her PhD at the University of Oxford. Sarah has been writing as long as she can remember and has always been drawn to stories of myth and magic. Her debut novel, Lies We Sing to the Sea, was an instant New York Times, indie, and international bestseller.
*Thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for the printed ARC
in exchange for this unbiased review.
in exchange for this unbiased review.
Great book review. Consider coming to link it up on our Bookish Bliss Linky Party. https://sharinglifesmoments.com/bookish-bliss-musings-more-link-up-party-2/
ReplyDelete