Sarah Underwood, Gentlest of Wild Things, HarperCollins Publishers, September 2024, 448 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780008518110
Sarah Underwood’s Gentlest of Wild Things is a haunting novel that blends mythology with an emotional journey of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery. It’s a story of gods, dangerous bargains, and the complicated bonds between sisters and lovers.
On the island of Zakynthos, Eirene and her twin sister Phoebe have carved out a modest, quiet life. They may not be happy, but they have each other, the security of Eirene’s herbal remedies and plans, and Phoebe’s beautiful weaving to sustain them. But their fragile peace shatters when Leandros, the ambitious and cruel would-be lord of the island, loses his wife under mysterious circumstances and sets his sights on Phoebe as his next bride. Leandros, a descendent of the god Eros, is both powerful and enigmatic, wielding his magic potions—his “Desires”—to manipulate others and increase his control over the island. He’s wealthy, beautiful, and dangerous, and he is the last person Eirene would ever want for her sister.
To protect Phoebe, Eirene strikes a desperate deal with Leandros: if she can complete four dangerous tasks, he will leave Phoebe alone and seek another bride. But the tasks she is set are no ordinary tests—they are steeped in dark magic, and the stakes grow higher with each challenge she faces. As Eirene navigates the tasks, she uncovers a hidden world where Desire is both a weapon and a curse, and she begins to learn more about Leandros’ neglected daughter, Lamia. A strange and naïve girl, Lamia is both haunted by her past and desperate for freedom, and as she and Eirene grow closer, their bond becomes something neither of them expected.
The novel takes inspiration from the myth of Eros and Psyche, but it offers so much more than a simple retelling. This is a dark and layered tale, filled with tension and danger, but also with moments of tenderness and hope. Themes of sacrifice, the consequences of love, and the lengths we go to for the ones we love are scattered throughout.
Recommended for young adults who enjoy complex relationships, dark mythology, and forbidden love.
Reviewed by India Boon.
