Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

157 reviews

hfleur's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-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

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

grnolivine's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book is a fantastic retelling of Medusa's story from multiple points of view. You really learn to fall in love with Medusa and become angry with the selfishness of humans and men. It is a somewhat slow build to the end goal of the main character. Which, I do not mind. It motivated me to finish it quicker. Overall a good book for any greek mythology lovers.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

anntharai's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

booksawyer's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-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

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes is a 2023 release that I’ve seen go under the radar. I had not heard anything about it until it was personally recommended to me, so after the life changing experience of reading it, I feel the need to talk about it as much as possible so it can get the hype it deserves!

Stone Blind is a #metoo era re-evaluation of the myth of Medusa and Perseus. On a greater level, it explores how women are often vilified in situations when they are really the victim. This book will frustrate you. It will make you want to stop reading and throw the book at the wall, yet also captivating you so much that you are unable to put the book down. This book made me cry, fume with rage, and stay up all night thinking about it at so many points throughout the tale. 

I absolutely loved the way the story was told. The format of this book and Haynes’s use of point-of-view made me love the novel so much. We follow the perspective of so many different characters, venturing off into subplots that make the reader wonder “I thought this was supposed to be a book about Medusa?” However, Haynes masterfully weaves each chapter together, culminating in a satisfying ending where all the pieces come together. This element made Stone Blind so fascinating to read.

Stone Blind is fantastic for readers who, like me, are new to reading literary fiction. It is complex at times and often makes you think, but it is never confusing or overwhelming. This book is also suitable for people with all kinds of backgrounds with mythology. The timely and relevant conversations this book presents allow someone to enjoy this book even if they don’t typically love myths. Additionally, a character guide is included at the beginning of the book, which is helpful to understand who everyone is and what is going on. 

Stone Blind genuinely felt like a perfect novel. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, and truly unforgettable. I really can’t recommend it enough.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

amystainton's review

Go to review page

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

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

rdmoreland0801's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Not the book for me.  The first half just dragged on.  The second half definitely picked up, but it still didn’t leave me feeling satisfied at the end.

This book represents the gods in their usual selfish, greedy, slimey manner.  Zeus and Poseidon are just casually raping women and leaving them to deal with the consequences.  Random children popping up everywhere.

Athena was spoiled and a little unhinged, but she was mildly entertaining.  Perseus was an idiot the entire time, even more selfish and uncaring than the gods most times.  As per usual, I can’t fucking stand Zeus.

I usually enjoy a Greek Mythology retelling, but this completely missed the mark.  I thought we could get more Medusa, but instead she was just screwed over by the gods time and time again.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

augie_'s review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark sad 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? It's complicated

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

heather_freshparchment's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

vellichor_lover's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny informative mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I liked this book, because I personally like informing myself about greek mythology. This book can make you smile but will also make you feel rage and anger.
Moreover, I really loved Medusas point of view and to read about her story, even though it infuriated me sometimes (you will know what I mean, after you read it).
Natalie Haynes also has a beautiful style of writing, in my opinion, so one can at least enjoy that.

In conclusion: Read this if you like greek myths and stories which are told from many different point of views.


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

citybookspgh's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

4.5

Feminist retelling of classic Medusa myth. So good. Audiobook is read by the author. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings