PSYCHE & EROS by Luna McNamara has been nominated for the London Hellenic Prize

In its 27th year, the London Hellenic Prize is awarded to an original work written in (or translated into) English on a subject relating to, or inspired by, Hellenic civilization, culture, history or literature. This year, TBP’s own Luna McNamara has been nominated for her debut, PSYCHE & EROS!

Psyche, princess of Myce­nae, was born with a prophecy that she will one day conquer a great monster. Rejecting her royal duties, Psyche spends her youth mastering blade and bow, preparing for her destiny. Tales of her beauty and rebellious nature reach even the goddess Aphrodite, who decides to teach Psyche a lesson.

Aphro­dite commands Eros, the god of desire, to deliver a cruel love curse. After eons watching humanity misuse his gifts, the last thing Eros wants is to become involved in the chaos of the mortal world. But when he accidentally pricks himself with the arrow intended for Psyche, Eros finds himself doomed to yearn for a woman who will be torn from him the moment their eyes meet.

Thrown together by fate, headstrong Psyche and world-weary Eros will face challenges greater than they could have ever imagined. As the Trojan War begins and divine powers try to keep them apart, the pair must determine: could this be true love, or is that only a myth?

A joyous and subversive tale of gods, monsters, and the human heart and soul, Psyche and Eros dazzles the senses while exploring notions of trust, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be a hero. With unforgettably vivid characters, spellbinding prose, and delicious tension, Luna McNamara has crafted a shimmering and propulsive debut novel about a love so strong it defies the will of Olympus.

The Prize’s website notes that “Subjects have always been unrestricted and cover the full spectrum of Hellenism from ancient to modern times. Since its inception in 1996 the Prize has been awarded to books on archaeology, architecture, art, classics, history, literary criticism, religion, social studies, as well as fiction. The LHP seeks to recognize works of originality and excellence in any of these fields which appeal to the educated general reader.”

To find out more about the London Hellenic Prize, click here.