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rhibeetle17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Murder
caitlinjohnson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Natalie Haynes always finds a way to bring a new level of life and humanity to figures and characters that have been otherwise widely ignored or demonised. My favourite aspect of Stone Blind was that no female character was straight out demonised/evil but rather their complexities were explored with a nuance that was incredible to read.
Imo there should have been a bit more focus on Medusa herself because it felt more an ensemble rather than a deep dive into Medusa's character which would've been more intriguing. Still, the other characters that we got to meet and understand were great to read, especially because they seemed to be on opposite sides at times so it was certainly interesting to read.
Imo there should have been a bit more focus on Medusa herself because it felt more an ensemble rather than a deep dive into Medusa's character which would've been more intriguing. Still, the other characters that we got to meet and understand were great to read, especially because they seemed to be on opposite sides at times so it was certainly interesting to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Murder
sammy357's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the best books I've ever read! It's heartbreaking and so horribly sad. The audio book is amazing and I insist everyone listen to it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Violence
awebofstories's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Rape
hevlav's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Listening to this as an audiobook enhanced the experience of this novel so much.
Haynes breaks gods down to petulant squabblers in the best of ways. She humanizes “monsters” and monster-izes humans.
While the book does linger a touch to long here or there on some points, I felt it was overall well paced and a great telling of the story of Medusa and the world around her.
Haynes breaks gods down to petulant squabblers in the best of ways. She humanizes “monsters” and monster-izes humans.
While the book does linger a touch to long here or there on some points, I felt it was overall well paced and a great telling of the story of Medusa and the world around her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Rape
anachii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Grief, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Bullying, Rape, Murder, and Incest
Minor: War
javafenn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a great take on the story of Medusa and her sisters and how the various tales of the various Greek myths intertwined with her own, tragic story. I loved the authors interpretation and delicate care of Medusa’s story and she narrates the book herself! Though several parts are beyond tragic, she adds lightheartedness and levity to the situations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Confinement, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Incest, Infertility, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Animal death, and Blood
oakotoks's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Rape
karanextweek's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
As the saying goes, “if this book has 1,000 haters, I’m one. If this book has one hater, it’s me. If this book has zero haters, I’m dead.”
I haven’t had a negative visceral reaction to a book like this since I read Where the Crawdads Sing. For much different reasons, but my hate for both runs deep.
I hate the narrative voice (or should I say voices). And the constantly shifting POV. And the dozens of extremely unlovable, irritating characters. It made it so hard to invest in or care for any single character. It’s also marketed as a retelling of Medusa but she barely felt like a peripheral character?Medusa’s death was boring, brief, and I hate that we just moved on. This book was very much “insert trama>pursue revenge” and kinda casually skips past all the r*pe.
Also, what ever happened to the giants? What was the point of all that?
I know many of the characters are introduced to explain this one little thing that another character did that snowballed into a slightly larger part of the plot but good grief.
There were some clever parts and the writing (probably) isn’t bad! I just couldn’t get past my dislike to enjoy it. Not my style.
I haven’t had a negative visceral reaction to a book like this since I read Where the Crawdads Sing. For much different reasons, but my hate for both runs deep.
I hate the narrative voice (or should I say voices). And the constantly shifting POV. And the dozens of extremely unlovable, irritating characters. It made it so hard to invest in or care for any single character. It’s also marketed as a retelling of Medusa but she barely felt like a peripheral character?
Also, what ever happened to the giants? What was the point of all that?
I know many of the characters are introduced to explain this one little thing that another character did that snowballed into a slightly larger part of the plot but good grief.
There were some clever parts and the writing (probably) isn’t bad! I just couldn’t get past my dislike to enjoy it. Not my style.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Violence
Minor: Murder, Slavery, and War
emilye's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Rape