Publication Date: Jan 1956

Blurb:

Orual was born ugly and even though she’s a princess, she struggles with the death of her mother and the friction between her sisters. There are two lights in Orual’s life. One is her tutor, the Fox, a Greek slave captured through war. The other is her much younger sister Istra, later nicknamed Psyche, born from Orual’s father’s second marriage. Istra is beautiful and sweet and good but far from being jealous of her, Orual loves her as a daughter. When the priest of Ungit says that Psyche’s great beauty is an insult to the goddess and she must be sacrificed, Orual fights to prevent this. When Orual expects to find her sister dead, she finds her well and thriving. But, why can’t Orual see what everyone else sees? Blinded by her jealous love, Orual casts blame on the duplicity of gods. What is the truth? What is real?

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What To Expect:

Readers can expect a retelling of Cupid and Psyche retold through the eyes of Psyche’s oldest sister, Orual, with themes of jealousy and love.

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Content Warnings:

Language: Sporadic use of words like “whore”, “slut”, “damn” and “bastards”

Sexual Content: Closed Door – There are implications of sexual relations, plus talk of sex, without graphic details through talks of marriage and child bearing.

Violence: Moderate – Emotional and physical abuse, war violence and injuries

Substance Use: Use of alcohol. Drugging of someone for ritual

Prejudices: Body shaming and sexism

Religious Themes: This is a Greek mythology retold so many Greek gods are talked about

Other Topics: Loss of loved ones, including death in childbirth. Suicidal thoughts

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