Synopsis

Cupid, the god of love, takes pleasure in causing strife and mischief in the lives of humans. He uses love as a weapon, humoring in the weakness of people at the whims of their feelings. When his mother Venus approaches him about punishing the human girl who dares to steal her offerings and affections from the people, Cupid gladly accepts.
Psyche’s punishment is to be given to a mysterious creature who only comes to her in the dark of night under the pact that she will never lay eyes on him. She is terrified of this stranger, who the oracle described as a serpent. Her mate, however, is masterful in his dealings with his bride. He takes his time, morphing her fears into different sensations completely.
Based on the Roman/Greek mythology of Cupid and Psyche by Lucius Apuleius, New York Times bestseller Wendy Higgins brings the tale to life, weaving layers that show exactly how a sacrificial lamb can be enchanted by an unseen monster.
Adult Historical Fantasy. Standalone.
Review
4 stars
I ordered Soul in Darkness after having read Raven (@dreamyaddiction)βs review. We have similar tastes in book and I will meet Wendy Higgins at a book event in a few weeks. What better reason to make a dent in my book budget right?
I am not a huge fan of mythology and did not know the story of Cupid and Psyche.
From the synopsis and Ravenβs review I got that Psyche was incredibly beautiful and that her beauty earned her peopleβs love. She got offerings like a goddess and that soon angered Venus!
Even I know never to anger a god or a goddess for fear of their wrath!
Happened what would happen: Venusβs revenge.
Psycheβs punishment was to be married to a monster, only coming to her at night.
Honestly should have I been in Psyscheβs shoes I would have reacted in a totally different way!
Psyche is gorgeous but the offering and worship of her people feel wrong to her (would have I resisted the trinkets and baubles????).
She does not think she deserves them. Only the gods should be revered, not her! See! She is not vain while I would maybe have pranced and basked in peopleβs admiration LOL
She is also disheartened as men donβt seem to pay attention to her mind or seem interested in her conversation. They become a blubbering mess, dazzled by her beauty. Mesmerized and unable of intelligent and stimulating conversation.
This shows that Psyche was at odd with her time when women were asked to be pretty and thatβs it!
Psyche wanted more. She did not want to be admired for her beauty. She wanted someone to talk to. In this she was a modern woman!
When she will hear of her fate, she will accept it. Because she recognizes that her parents and her people wronged the gods. She had always told people she should not be idolized!
βThe gods have spoken. Hers will be a funeral wedding to a dark-deeded winged serpent. Many call him a monster. Your dear Psyche will call him Husband.β
Well I would have tried to flee! I would have thought it was their fault, not mine. I never asked for this.
Thatβs the difference between Psycheβs soul and my soul I guess. Hers shone bright.
Thatβs no wonder her husband will try to earn her trust and affection!
I really had a good time reading this novel.
Psyche was a bright soul, a kind person and a solar personality. She was brave too as she had to face more than her monster of a husband and did it chin high!
I loved reading about jealous goddesses and tricks played on humans. Yet I wondered why they were revered and worshipped when they did not set example! Jealousy and pettiness wasnβt uncommon. These are not attractive traits to me and I would again probably not have made offerings to these volatile beings!
Lucky for me I was not born at Psycheβs time as I would have been cursed many times by the gods!
I also loved the topic of true beauty being your inner beauty. Psyche will have to learn to trust and feel affection for her husband without seeing nor touching him. And he will have to earn her love without the usual tricks used in seduction: beauty, smooth voice etc.
Psyche will have a hard time not knowing If she should trust her mind or her instincts. They will be at war faced with her husbandβs kindness, consideration and his masterful dealing (imagine all that you want you are right 😉 )of his wife.
It was a very enjoyable tale of true beauty, courage, kindness and love. And it also made me realize that Venus would be the mother in law from hell! I so much prefer my own mother in law!
Do you love reading about mythology? Have you read other Wendy Higgins books?
Thanks for reading!
This book sounds good! I love mythology, so I think I need to check this one out. I read one of her books; Sweet Evil years ago but I didn’t love it. I guess it’s time to give her another work a chance.
You’re so lucky you get to meet Wendy Higgins! I’ve read almost all of her books and adore her stories and hope to meet her someday. This is my favorite story by her! Even though I was familiar with the mythology I absolutely loved this story. Fabulous review and I’m so glad you enjoyed this tale!
YAY! I’m glad you enjoyed this book, Sophie! It was my favorite Wendy Higgins book so far!
Great review! π
Thank you Raven!
I absolutely loved the book review and as I absolutely adore mythology it sounds like I would be able to love this. I know this story quite well as well ^.^ I am glad you could appreciate the story even when going in blind and that is such a good takeaway message for the book about beauty!
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I have seeb you had quite an interesting month Olivia!!!
Meeting Wendy Higgins is the perfect reason to get a book! π I’m a huge fan of mythology, but know very little about Psyche and Cupid since they’re one of the minor stories most retellings aren’t based off of. I’m glad you enjoyed this one despite not being a huge fan of mythology!
Thank you Sophia!!!
I do not read a lot of mythology cause I to feel like I would have died many deaths not doing their bidding. They were bad and why did we worship them? I loved your review!
Mary
Hahaha my thoughts exactly Mary!
Now I want to read this. So many of your reviews have steered me to good books I might never have considered!
Well I am happy I steer you out of your comfort zone Laura π
This sounds so interesting! I enjoy mythology although I’m not very familiar with the story of Cupid and Psyche. You have me curious about them now. Wonderful review!
Thank you Suzanne!
This one’s waaay out of my normal genre but I adore the cover and the blurb sounds intriguing. I added it to my TBR, fabulous review Sophie!
Thank you Trisy!!!
Well this looks interesting. I love mythology.
Ash @ JennRenee Read
It is interesting!
An updating of an ancient tale from myth, but done with heart? Certainly sounds like the author cast the right spell, and caught you up in the lover’s plight. π
Exactly Alexandra!
Sounds interesting. I love mythology. If you liked this, you may also like Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis which deals with the same story as this one – it’s an oldie but a goodie.
Thanks for the recommendation Anne Marie!
This sounds like an interesting read π
It was Jacquie π
I skimmed read the review because I haven’t read this one yet. It’s on my kindle and I’m so excited to read it. I’m glad to see that you rated it 4 stars Sophie!
Hahaha I can’t wait to read your review Kayla!