Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

5 reviews

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

jaynovara's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Death

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Stalking, and Confinement

sophs_mood_reading's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Ok well this was a lot. Greek mythology is never simple and never a straightforward story, I know this from Stephen Fry’s versions. This book held true to this trend. 
Stone Blind is a retelling of the Medusa myth but more from her point of view. Of course, because there are many players in this tale we get a whole lot of storyline’s and points of view. 

I loved how Medusa is not painted as an evil villain in this book and you really do feel sorry for her. Perseus is also portrayed as a bit of a dick (sorry but it’s true) which was also a nice break from the Hero mentality. 

I loved the multiple points of view but at some stages it got a bit confusing and well a lot (there was a chapter of the snakes opinions which seemed to drag a bit). Also one chapter we were literally being yelled at, and though I understand why it was there (to change the well known narrative) it was a bit condescending. 

It was a good way to learn about Greek mythology but I did finish wishing it had been more of a descriptive narrative and less dialog. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Rape, Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, and Death

madamenovelist's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Child death, Body horror, Blood, Sexual harassment, Murder, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, War, Kidnapping, and Animal death

alexiconic's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

If I compare Stone Blind to A Thousand Ships, they have to be equals. 

This novel is both a redemption for Medusa and a challenge to our much-repeated tales of Greek heroes that unquestionably take the heroes as the main characters. Where A Thousand Ships problematizes and modernizes the classic Greek epics, Stone Blind redeems Medusa and other “monsters”. It was lovely. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Death, Confinement, War, Kidnapping, Murder, and Infidelity