Summary:
Seventeen years old and agoraphobic, Psyche Middleton vows her dad will never see the risque photos she took during a summer modeling stint abroad, but one of them ends up on a billboard in her Montana hometown. Suddenly, she is a hometown celebrity.
At a street carnival she is rescued from a mob by a guy who has the ability to make himself invisible. He takes her to a palace in an idyllic kingdom, and she is swept into the beauty and culture of his world, but his affection has one condition: she may not see him.
Psyche must decide if she is brave enough to love him blindly, and if she's not, will she lose him forever?
My thoughts:
First, I love the Cupid and Psyche myth. I've read other retellings of it, and I have to say this one is different in such a great way. I really identified with Psyche. Hansen shows Psyche come into her fame, which is totally unwanted. It really made me cheer Psyche on as she became the center of attention and struggled to have a normal life.
When Eros rescues her from the crowd and brings her to his world, she's rightfully uncertain. But he wins her over, and Psyche loves being with him. The dynamic between the two is really well done. I also loved the world Hansen created. I could see the gorgeous gowns and the palace. I almost felt like I was flying on Pixis, Eros' winged horse.
And for those of you familiar with this myth, the trials Psyche has to endure to be with Eros were extremely well done. Hansen made them her own.
If you like mythology, Painted Blind is well worth your time.
Just for fun: Could you love someone if you could never see their face?
Painted Blind was one of the first self-pubbed books I read and it blew me away! Great review, Kelly, glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteIt's really good. :) Great myth and great writing.
DeleteLooks don't matter too much, but practically how would we negotiate the rest of life? My son loves mythology, he would love this one.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great story. Yes, it would be hard to go through life never seeing your loved one's face.
DeleteWow, the new cover is amazing! I think you'll have no trouble connecting with readers now. haven't read painted Blind yet, but now I really want to. Thank you for sharing this Kelly!
ReplyDeleteI agree. The new cover is stunning! And I think you'll really like the story, Marysue.
DeleteThe cover is pretty. And the premise is fun! Good luck with it, Michelle.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking it out, Catherine.
DeleteI think I could love someone even if I never saw there face, but there'd have to be a whole lot of communication! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Kelly! I love the cover, too.
LOL. I guess there would!
DeleteThank you, Kelly, for your awesome review!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Michelle. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to read Painted Blind.
DeleteI'm too much of a boy for this stuff. However, the YA world does have some tempting titles. I was intrigued by Erin Jade Lange's BUTTER earlier this year. That's YA, right?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. I haven't heard of that one.
DeleteLove the cover! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love it, too!
DeleteThe story sounds interesting and the cover's great. I also love Greek mythology and retellings of it.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteThis does sound very interesting. xx
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it.
DeleteSounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth the read.
DeleteI love mythology! The Cupid and Psyche myth is fascinatng and I like that this is a unique spin on it. Sounds great!
ReplyDelete~Jess
Such a great myth. :)
DeleteBeautiful cover ~ and yes. :)
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteA gorgeous cover with a great storyline.Congrats Michelle, thanks for sharing Kelly :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it.
DeleteGreat review and this was my favorite myth in high school. I will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAlso- I feel like I saw somewhere that it was your birthday yesterday. I can't figure out where I saw it- but if your birthday was yesterday then- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope your day was great!
Yes, it was. Thank you!
DeleteGood review, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am familiar with the myth... it's a personal favourite.
It's a great one, isn't it?
Delete