Gentlest of Wild Things — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
"A tapestry of mysteries, myths, and machinations, all held together by a shimmering thread of love between women." --Samantha Shannon, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
This stunning Greek mythology-inspired sapphic fantasy blends the story of Eros and Psyche with legends of the enthralling, vampiric empousa--from the New York Times bestselling author of Lies We Sing to the Sea!
Desire binds them. Hunger compels them. Love will set them free. . . .
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 descendant of the god Eros.
Eirene and her beloved twin sister, Phoebe, have always managed to escape Desire's thrall--until Leandros's 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. . . .
Frequently asked questions
Is Gentlest of Wild Things appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book contains themes of violence, including confinement, abusive parent dynamics, and references to self-harm and mind control. It also mentions blood and gore, cannibalism (off-page), and the death of parents. No specific scary content or themes were identified in the search results.
Does Gentlest of Wild Things have violence?
The book contains themes of violence, including confinement, abusive parent dynamics, and references to self-harm and mind control. It also mentions blood and gore, cannibalism (off-page), and the death of parents.
Does Gentlest of Wild Things have scary content?
No specific scary content or themes were identified in the search results.
Does Gentlest of Wild Things have religious themes?
The book incorporates elements of Greek mythology, which includes references to ancient gods and mythological themes. However, there is no explicit promotion or critique of a specific religion.
Does Gentlest of Wild Things have racial/cultural content?
While the characters are described with physical traits, there are no explicit themes of racism or racial identity politics in the narrative.
Does Gentlest of Wild Things have profanity?
Some reviews mention modern cursing that detracts from the story's atmosphere, indicating the presence of mild profanity.
Does Gentlest of Wild Things have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions about environmentalism were found in the search results.
Does Gentlest of Wild Things have sexual identity?
The story includes a tender, intimate romance between the main characters, which is described as a slow-burn love story. It explores themes of beauty versus monstrosity within the context of their relationship.
Does Gentlest of Wild Things have gender roles?
The book explores themes of feminism and the agency of female characters, particularly in the context of their struggles against male control and societal expectations in ancient Greece.
Does Gentlest of Wild Things have lgbtq+ themes?
The narrative features a friendship between two girls, Eirene and Lamia, that develops into a romance. This relationship is central to the story, which is described as a queer-centered fantasy tale.
