Hi Sarah, thank you for joining us today! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and your latest book Gentlest of Wild Things?

Hi! I’m Sarah and I’m a data scientist at the University of Oxford as well as the author of the New York Times Bestseller Lies We Sing to the Sea (my first book) and the newly released Gentlest of Wild Things (my second!)

Gentlest of Wild Things is a sapphic, vampiric riff on the myth of Eros and Psyche; it’s set on the island of Zakynthos where nothing is more powerful than Desire, love itself, bottled and sold to the highest bidder by the powerful demigod Leandros. The story follows Eirene, an ambitious healer who strikes a bargain with Leandros to protect her beloved sister from marriage, and Lamia, Leandros’ daughter, who is kept locked away by Leandros and has her own mysterious power.

Second books are HARD but once I found my rhythm with Gentlest of Wild Things it was so much fun to write. It’s a book about lots of things, but I think primarily it’s ended up being about disability, existing as a disabled girl and getting to have your own adventures and romances despite what society might expect from you. There’s also a big sheep in it.

I loved the relationship with Eirene and Lamia – the sapphic representation also meant a lot to me. What does representation mean to you and why do you choose to focus on sapphic love stories?

I think the sapphic representation I included in my first book was a lot more of a deliberate thing: I wanted a clearly bisexual protagonist who falls in love with a boy and with a girl because that was something I didn’t see a lot of growing up. With Gentlest of Wild Things, the sapphic romance was just what made sense for the story and for Lamia and Eirene as characters.

I think everything I write will always be sapphic in that there will be sapphic main characters, but they might not always be in f/f relationships. There’s definitely bi m/f stories coming up that are just as important to me as the f/f ones.

What draws you to writing these fantastical tales that draw on elements on Greek mythology?

I love fantasy, I love mythology, I love the idea of taking part in the oral tradition—of taking these stories and telling them in a way that feels new and interesting to me. Obviously, my versions depart quite substantially from the original myths and I think that’s probably because I grew up reading a lot of fanfiction; in fanfic spaces, if people don’t like things, or even if they do like them, they change them and make them into whatever they want. That’s always been so exciting to me.

Following on from this, without giving any spoilers, there is a very interesting take on certain aspects from Greek mythology in this book that speaks to a renaissance in current YA literature. How did you choose which parts of mythology to draw upon?

I think the story of Eros and Psyche is one that’s always been interesting to me and it was a natural choice: I love the shape of it and a lot of the individual pieces, but I’d never have been keen to write a straight up retelling. I was much more interested in playing around with those set pieces and seeing how I could twist them into something new which has quite a different central theme than the original.

Both of your books tackle abuse in differing forms, often drawing on the imbalance of power inherent in patriarchy. What makes you want to write about this and what message would you like readers to take away from your books?

The reason I write and the message I’m trying to send tend to be the same: patriarchy sucks for everyone and it’s in all of our best interests to disassemble it.

What songs would form the soundtrack to Gentlest of Wild Things for you?

I listened to a ton of Hozier while writing Gentlest of Wild Things: Francesca; Abstract (Psychopomp); Eat Your Young; All Things End; Shrike; Would That I; From Eden. I love Hozier. His new album being shaped around a descent into Hell felt like a sign for a book where the main characters (Spoilers? Ish? It’s in the original myth) travel into Hell.

What books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?

God, so many. I read a TON and it’s been such a good year for me. I especially loved Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat, Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel, The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez, The End Crowns All by Bea Fitzgerald, and Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek.

This year, my most anticipated releases are The Lotus Empire by Tasha Suri and The Ending Fire by Saara El-Arifi. For next year, I’m very excited for the realease of Hungerstone by Kat Dunn (I’ve already read it and LOVED IT but I want the hardcover for my collection)

If possible, can you share a little about what you are currently working on or any upcoming projects you have?

I’m working on tons of things! My next YA project is a trilogy I should be able to talk a bit more about towards the end of the year/early 2025. I’m leaving the Greek myth space for now and it’s so exciting to go more traditional fantasy and get to make absolutely everything up as opposed to most of it.

In the adult space, I’ve been working on an Austen-era bog demon book for several years and I’m feeling that this year could be the year I finally try to sell it. I’m also writing a couple of romcoms with my best friend and it is the most fun in the world. I’d love for those to be published one day.

Finally, if you could only use five words to describe Gentlest of Wild Things, what would they be?

Romantic, hopeful, tender, slightly spooky.

Will you be picking up Gentlest of Wild Things? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Sarah Underwood, Author of ‘Gentlest of Wild Things’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Eirene and Lamia are excellent protagonists—trying to unpick this mystery and ultimately take control of their own fates. Eirene is driven by her love for her sister Phoebe and her determination to complete Leandros’ impossible tasks is unmatched. You can feel her sorrow and her rage, but also this all-consuming love. Lamia is similarly driven by a loyalty to her family and a curiosity to find more than her confined existence. The connection between them grows naturally and you cannot help but root for it. Their dialogue and chemistry sparks off the page, but only at a point where it feels earned within the narrative. It is not an instantaneous thing, instead it is one where the fire builds. I still find sapphic representation on page heart-warming to see, particularly as it has been so rare for so long. Underwood’s relationships are soft and tender, but also have a fair bit of bite and angst to them. Nothing is easily achieved and nothing is without its layers and deceptions to it.

Underwood’s prose is just sumptuous and screams with rage, but also softens with love and hope. It is so multi-faceted and while reading there were several quotes that just captivated me or really connected with me on an emotional level. There is a lot of gorgeous writing, but also a simmering sense of fury at the confines of the traditional story and structure. This is a book that grapples with patriarchal control, rape culture, sexism, ableism and homophobia, so please be mindful while reading. There are sickening scenes, not because they’re particularly violent on page, but the implications are horrifying and speak to a terror that is unimaginable. It is insidious and makes your skin crawl. Underwood cleverly exhibits this using a fantastical element, but the behaviour and the acts themselves are all too recognisable. It holds a mirror up to our society and it is soul-crushing to read. There are also scenes of explicit violence and bloodshed, which are dark but to me felt less horrifying than these implications.

Through Lamia’s narrative in particular, you can see the manipulation and coercive control exhibited as part of an abusive relationship. She is exploited and othered, deliberately isolated to remove her from any potential source of hope or happiness and to also retain her power for someone else entirely. There is a strong theme of claiming your own story back against all odds, be that through changing your destiny or reclaiming your own power. Part of this is being able to stand confidently within your identity—something which isn’t always named on page due to the time period, but you can pick up as a reader and understand the additional implications Underwood is making. It gives you a swell of pride in your chest that is sorely needed amongst the darkness of this narrative.

Without giving anything away, it also incorporates a current renaissance in YA fiction in a really interesting and unexpected way. It provides an excellent twist on a mythological element that epitomises desire and a way of furthering the way this central relationship breaks the societal rules of this world.

Gentlest of Wild Things is an incredible, original YA fantasy that unleashes a long-held rage, but also delivers a beautiful romance.

Gentlest of Wild Things is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of August 15th in the UK and October 1st in the US.

Will you be picking up Gentlest of Wild Things? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

On the island of Zakynthos, nothing is more powerful than Desire―love itself, bottled and sold to the highest bidder by Leandros, a power-hungry descendent of the god Eros.

Eirene and her beloved twin sister, Phoebe, have always managed to escape Desire’s thrall. Until Leandros’ wife dies mysteriously and he sets his sights on Phoebe. Determined to keep her sister safe, Eirene strikes a bargain with Leandros: if she can complete the four elaborate tasks he sets her, he will find another bride. But it soon becomes clear that the tasks are part of something bigger; something related to Desire and Lamia, the strange, neglected daughter Leandros keeps locked away.

Lamia knows her father hides her for her own protection, though as she and Eirene grow closer, she finds herself longing for the outside world. But the price of freedom is high, and with something deadly―something hungry―stalking the night, that price must be paid in blood . . .

The post Review: Gentlest of Wild Things by Sarah Underwood appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Love a mythology retelling? You are in the right place! Books inspired by the myths and legends of ancient worlds have grown wildly in popularity, largely thanks to #BookTok. The trend is showing no signs of slowing down in 2023, with a host of exciting new releases.

Whether it’s reimagining age old stories through a modern lens, bringing light to lesser known myths, or giving voice to overlooked and marginalised characters, check out a few of the mythology inspired books arriving on shelves this year!

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint 

Jennifer Saint has hit her stride with retellings of ancient Greek women, with her third book covering one of Greek mythology’s only female heroes. A huntress, raised by bears, Atalanta becomes the only female warrior in the Argonauts. Saint tells the story of the warrior princess and how she claims her place as a hero, in a world dominated by men.

Clytemnestra by Constanza Casati

The story of Agamemnon has been told many times over in the many versions of the Iliad, but the story of his wife has often been consigned to a footnote or afterword. Casati promises to give life to the legendary queen who exacted her revenge on her husband.

Song of Silver Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao

A highly anticipated release of 2023, which is the first installment in an epic fantasy series, Song of Silver Flame Like Night draws on the Chinese genre of ‘xianxia’ to tell the story of a girl seeking to liberate her kingdom from imperialism. Xianxia are stories which form much of the cultural heritage of China, and literally translates to ‘immortal heroes’.

House of Odysseus by Claire North

A follow up to North’s Ithaca, House of Odysseus explores the lives of the women overlooked in the Odyssey. Penelope flights to maintain the balance of power in her husband’s absence. The return of soldiers from Troy and its violent aftermath has rocked that balance. It is the women of the myths—Penelope, Elektra, and Helen—who must deal with the fallout from the war and North gives voice to their stories.

The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood

Medusa retellings have become particularly popular—Heywood’s newest novel offers another perspective in her story. This retelling of Perseus’ story from the perspectives of the women in his life, his mother, wife, and victim, show a man who isn’t so heroic after all.

Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood 

A debut novel, inspired by the injustice at the end of the Odyssey, where 12 maidens are condemned to death by Odysseus. Now, twelve maidens are condemned to death every year as a tribute to Poseidon for the lives of those original women. When Leto comes to meet her fate, she instead meets Melantho, who tells her she can pave a new destiny, if she kills the prince of Ithaca.

Gwen and Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher

Croucher has made a name in historical fiction for regency romances with a modern twist. Their newest book tells the story of King Arthur’s descendant, Arthur who is engaged to Gwendolyn. However, not only do they ardently dislike each other, they soon discover that they are both attracted to their own sex. A queer medieval rom-com loosely inspired by the the legend of Camelot.

These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi

Mafi’s new novel is the sequel to her incredibly popular fantasy This Woven Kingdom. The trilogy draws on Persian mythology and the epic poem Shahnameh, to create a rich and magical fantasy world for an epic romantic adventure.

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

Bestselling author of Lore, Alexandra Bracken is back with the first in a series inspired by Arthurian Legend. Tasmin Lark is a crypt robber, competing for the best treasures she can find. However when a powerful ring from Arthurian legend is rumoured to exist, she must team up with her rival to find it and free her brother from his curse.

Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth

Much loved YA author Veronica Roth is back with a futuristic, dystopian retelling of Antigone. Earth is a wasteland, with life confined to the last city. The Archive holds genes of the dead—the last hope for humanity. When Antigone’s parent’s are murdered and her uncle ascends to the throne, she is full of rage. Roth reimagines this tragic heroine through the genre of science fiction.

Savage Beasts by Rani Selvarajah

A reimagining of Medea in 18th Century India. Meena, the Nawab’s daughter, finds an escape from her sheltered existence in James Chilcott nephew of the head of the East India Company. The lovers flee Calcutta. But stranded in a foreign country, love turns to hate. Selvarajah’s retelling explores the classical villain through a unique lens.

The post 11 Mythology Inspired Book Releases To Look Forward To In 2023 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.