by Paul Carus
First published 2018
Psyche, a mortal woman of extraordinary beauty, finds herself married to a mysterious husband who visits her only in darkness. He forbids her to look upon his face, warning that curiosity will destroy their happiness. Night after night, she lies beside this unknown lover, torn between contentment and an burning need to know his true identity. Her jealous sisters fuel her doubts, convincing her that she has married a monster. Armed with a lamp and knife, Psyche prepares to discover the truth about her husband's identity. When light reveals not a beast but Eros himself, the god of love, her betrayal sets in motion a series of trials that will test whether mortal love can survive divine punishment. Psyche must complete impossible tasks set by the vengeful Aphrodite, each more dangerous than the last. Her journey becomes a test of devotion that will determine whether love can conquer the gulf between mortal and immortal worlds.
Genres: romance, mythology, historical-fiction, fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forbidden-love
Setting: Greece
Period: Ancient
150 pages · Paperback · Franklin Classics