Even goddesses know what it’s like to not be taken seriously. Born from the sea, Aphrodite knows three things: she is powerful, she is so beautiful that men would go to war for her, and, above all else, she must find her home. This, it turns out, is Olympus. But Olympus is not safe, and soon Aphrodite finds herself in greater danger than she could ever have imagined.
Pearce’s most recent title relates an experience that is all too common among girls and women; Aphrodite is forced to deal with men’s lust, greed, and cruelty, all while knowing she is stronger and cleverer than any of them. Even in Olympus, she is seen as weak, fragile, and nothing more than a beautiful tool for the machinations of the gods.
Aphrodite encourages its readers to challenge misogyny in the modern world through the lens of Ancient Greek cultural practices and beliefs. Throughout the novel, Pearce illustrates the damage that wilful ignorance can cause to relationships and power structures and enchants readers with powerful characters, a colourful historical setting, and intricate court dynamics. The dangerous games played by the gods on Mount Olympus in Aphrodite keep readers on the edge of their seats right until the end.
Aphrodite acts as a demonstration of the fragility of power, both political and religious, particularly when it is built upon the oppression of others through discrimination and disinformation. Perfect for fans of Belladonna by Adalyn Grace, and Lore by Alexandra Bracken.
Joanna Geoghegan
Aphrodite
Bryony Pearce
Fox & Ink Books, 2025
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN: 9781916747548
