Neil's retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche is a sensuous feast. Mesmerizing!
-Mia Hopkins, author of Thirsty.
For fans of The Song of Achilles and Hotter than Hades comes an unforgettable story of sacrifice, sensuality and monsters, both seen and unseen...
The celebrated beauty of Roman princess Psyche has enraged Venus, the Goddess of Love. As punishment, Psyche is left naked on the beach to be sacrificed to a monster. When Cupid, the God of Love, swoops her up and flies her to the monster's palace, Psyche mistakenly wraps her legs around his waist, looks into his eyes, and falls in love.
Blindfolded and tied to a bed, Psyche awaits the monster, vowing to be brave as she faces death. Yet when the monster arrives, he marries her on the condition she never see his face. As she grows to love her shadow husband, she can't stop thinking about the God of Love. Consumed by curiosity, Psyche breaks her promise by lighting a lamp. Awaking in a rage, and furious with her betrayal, her husband banishes her from the palace.
Psyche begs Venus for another chance at love. Unmoved, Venus demands Psyche perform three impossible tasks. If Psyche succeeds, her husband will return. If she fails, she will be condemned to death.