Psyche Unbound: A Mythic Retelling

No offence, but Psyche being excited by Venus every time she touches her, and Prosepina being pleasured by Psyche is not of my taste. Nevertheless I liked her time spent with Cupid.

If you go into this story knowing that this is an erotic retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth, as I did, you are going to have a good time! Yes, all of the gods take a carnal interest in Psyche as she undertakes her quest to see Cupid again, but the greater message that external trappings don't matter - love isn't superficial, but a deeper connection forged not out of force but out of genuine affection, it is unchanging and forgiving - shines through all the delicious smut. Psyche's determination is admirable, even if her curiosity proves her undoing time and time again. It hadn't occurred to me until I read this retelling that the story of Cupid and Psyche is the original Beauty and the Beast tale - so much of the later fairy tale was drawn directly from this story. Psyche's inhabiting a beautiful mansion while married to a man who claims he is a 'monster,' who refuses to let her see his face, was later used, as was the invisible servants impeccably running the estate and the far more superficial sisters that aren't kind to Psyche at all. I enjoyed realizing these parallels while reveling in this original myth. Neil is faithful to the original story as presented in Apuleius's 'The Golden Ass,' with very few deviations. The few times she does make sense, as Psyche is given far more agency and the reader understands her motives far more. This tale not only centers the woman in the tale; it centers the notion of love. We are presented with more of Pysche's desires than her husband, her longing to be free and above all the petty worries of the earth. Her own wants are balanced and questioned throughout the narrative, giving her a more complex character. And the copious amounts of sex were very well-written! Highly enjoyable!

Psyche Unbound is a beautifully crafted re-telling of the classic Roman myth of Cupid and Psyche. Unlike the two dimensional gods of most myth, the characters in this novel have become fully formed three dimensional and believable. Although the main players are the gods of ancient Rome, Venus, Mars, Ceres, Pluto, Cupid, etc. psychological issues of lust and love, jealousy, fear and loyalty are surprisingly delved into, explored and resolved in this lovely romance. Psyche, the mortal girl, is easy to relate to. The book is filled with fascinating, well researched details of the food, clothing, caste systems and culture of ancient Rome. And let us not forget that Cupid’s Greek name was Eros. This book is a delightfully erotic tender love story. Although one might think they know the ending of this popular myth, the reader is in for many twists and marvelous surprises along the way.

Quite captivating. The writing is lyrical and descriptive, while still managing to be seductive. Reminiscent of Anne Rice's erotica work as Anne Rampling. I love the way she blended mythological history with fantasy, which I found so sexy. And she does a great job of transported the reader into that world of Psyche. A Great first book from author Zenobia Neill.

Seething with jealousy over Psyche’s beauty, Venus demands the mortal maiden’s sacrifice. But when Cupid whisks a frightened Psyche away to a marble palace surrounded by beautiful gardens, she discovers a world of erotic pleasure beyond her wildest dreams. If you loved the ‘90s erotica of Anne Rice or you have an appreciation for Greco-Roman mythology, Phantom of the Opera OR Beauty and the Beast, this is the novella for you. Excellently done!