Gentlest of Wild Things Sarah Underwood 9780008636975

A fantasy romance, by dazzling new talent Sarah Underwood, inspired by Greek mythology and the tale of Eros and Psyche.

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 . . .

Sarah Underwood grew up in Devon, England. She obtained her MEng in Computational Bioengineering at Imperial College, London, and has recently graduated with an MPhil in Population Health Sciences from the University of Cambridge. Lies We Sing to the Sea, her debut novel, was a NYT bestseller. Gentlest of Wild Things is her second novel.

Reviews for Gentlest of Wild Things

'A thoughtful, tender meditation on love and how it can shape us into better versions of ourselves, GENTLEST OF WILD THINGS is both an intricate character study and an inevitable, joyous, ultimately hopeful love story. Wondrous and healing.'

Grace Li, #1 Bestselling Author of Portrait of a Thief

Reviews for Lies We Sing to the Sea

'A lavish epic of power, vengeance, love and fate.'

YA Book of the Month in The Observer (2/4/2023)

'A lovely, lyrical fantasy which takes the fate of the hanged maids of the Odyssey and weaves something brand new. A story overflowing with emotion and full of magic.'

Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne and Elektra