This book is utterly beautiful and unputdownable. It healed something that I didn’t even know still needed healing. I can’t describe the thing, I just know that whenever I think about Yeshi and Lys, the warmth of them together envelopes me. Also I love Miryam. She is an absolute badass.

I love reinterpretations of classic myths, whether it’s Arthurian legends or the myth of Jesus. I have read a number of reinterpretations of the Jesus myth, but I actually think this one was the cleverest reinterpretation and is my new favourite.

It’s a beautifully written love story and the dynamics between the characters are very convincing. The sex scenes are super hot and delicious. And the comedy bits are very good too.

All the characters are beautifully drawn and the way the story weaves in and out of the gospel accounts is very clever and satisfying. I love all the little details of food, herbs, carving, and healing. I may have spotted one botanical error — are there any brambles in Palestine? But given that all the other plant lore was spot on, maybe there were.

The story of Marcus and Tiberius was a little bit ‘deus ex machina’ but it also chimes in with the gospel story.

Also the dog is a Very Good Dog. Awww.

Pagans, polytheists, atheists, people who have deconstructed all the way, and LGBTQ+ people will adore this book. Fundamentalists will totally lose their minds. Polytheists and Pagans will love it because it has Greek gods. LGBTQ+ people will love it because of the hot gay sex. And deconstructing people will love it because it’s the most healing version of the Jesus myth. It’s on a par with The Wild Girl by Michèle Roberts, but it has a lot more sex in it.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and BookFunnel for the ARC. This review is my actual reaction to the book. It was awesome.

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