Book Review: Soul in Darkness by Wendy Higgins

Stand Alone

Format: Paperback

Pages: 352

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: New Adult, Historical Fantasy

Publisher: Self-Published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

People travel from afar to the small isle in the Aegean Sea hoping for a single glimpse of Princess Psyche. Their adoration for the mortal woman is so all-consuming that citizens begin to shower her with the very gifts and offerings they once left at the alter of Venus, goddess of love and beauty. 

But gods are known for their jealousy.

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.

Review

I didn't know about this book until right before it's release. I'm really I glad I did end up seeing in on Twitter. This is a Cupid and Psyche retelling which I like. I actually did a project on this type of story back in college.

Also, can there please be more New Adult that isn't contemporary? 

Psyche could've been a Mary Sue, but she wasn't. And I really enjoyed reading her story and getting in her head. Cupid was interesting but not quite as developed as Psyche.

The romance was pretty well done especially considering the forced proximity. Sometimes that can cause the romance to feel forced. The second part did fall a little, but I think a part of that was Ms. Higgins' loyalty to the original story. Maybe it would've been better as two separate books, but I also love that it was a stand alone.

I'm glad I picked this up. It was fun, fast-paced, and had great tension. It makes me want to read the Wendy Higgins books I've missed over the last couple years.

Thanks for reading!

Holly