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kstober's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Rape
stargazer1989's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
maddiereadswords's review
1.5
Honestly, if this book weren't so short I probably would have DNFed it. The writing was just absolutely not working for me. There were so many random time skips, and POV switches that it was sometimes difficult to tell when and where I was in the story, and the narration was so far removed from the characters that they all ended up feeling really flat. My biggest problem with it, though, is the ending. It was so abrupt and there's sort of a summary of what happens after, but I wish there was more exploration of the aftermath of Perseus's choice. The epilogue sets up such an interesting conversation about toxic masculinity and the role it plays in myth-making, but this book is totally uninterested in having it, so it all just ends up feeling pointlessly brutal and even more tragic than the source material. Don't get me wrong, I am all for a feminist reframing of the Medusa story, but this was just so not it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Misogyny, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Rape, and Death
luna_is_superior's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
This medusa retelling has my heart, the injustice the fear the mercy. Definitely a must read!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Alcohol, Infidelity, Death, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Physical abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Child death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
lesfleursmonet's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
bookish_tina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
3.5
Content warning: r*pe.
I've let this story sit for nearly six months now and I'm still not sure what my opinion on it is.
On the one hand, it was quick to read (given the themes I wouldn't say easy) and it had an interesting take on Medusa's myth. On the other, I'm not quite sure how much I like the feminist part of it.Technically, the conclusion is "we can't do anything about sexism, so we just roll with it"? And the assisted su*cide Very confused, but I'd recommend it to people I trust so we could discuss it. Definitely a book that made me think about things.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
I've let this story sit for nearly six months now and I'm still not sure what my opinion on it is.
On the one hand, it was quick to read (given the themes I wouldn't say easy) and it had an interesting take on Medusa's myth. On the other, I'm not quite sure how much I like the feminist part of it.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Suicide
stories's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Loved this. Short chapters, engaging “sub”-plots and enjoyable twists in a retelling of the Medusa story, well grounded on original canon and context. Particular kudos for keeping me guessing all the way through as to how it would end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Misogyny, Rape, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Grief, Miscarriage, Death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide attempt
momma_needs_to_read's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a strong story of early feminism. When people think of Medusa, they don’t think of anything other than a snake-haired monster that turns men to stone. This retelling shines a whole new light on her. Most adaptations of the story of Medusa have her as this terrifying, horrible, monster and villain. In this adaptation, it shows up why and how that came to be.
The writing was amazing, all the emotions could be felt through the words and I felt really connected to Medusa.
I enjoyed the point of view of Perseus and, before that, his mother’s too. It added to the story and legend of Medusa and her eventual death.
This book is full of emotions which I didn’t expect. It’s also a great reminder of how, even in ancient mythology, men in great power can ruin a woman’s life and the woman is the only one that suffers.
The writing was amazing, all the emotions could be felt through the words and I felt really connected to Medusa.
I enjoyed the point of view of Perseus and, before that, his mother’s too. It added to the story and legend of Medusa and her eventual death.
This book is full of emotions which I didn’t expect. It’s also a great reminder of how, even in ancient mythology, men in great power can ruin a woman’s life and the woman is the only one that suffers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexism, Murder, Emotional abuse, Rape, Physical abuse, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death, and Confinement
jilljemmett's review against another edition
medium-paced
5.0
Medusa was a beautiful human girl who was sent to Athena’s temple to be a priestess to save her from an early marriage. One day, she was visited by the god Poseidon, who raped her. When Athena discovered that, she punished Medusa by cursing her to turn anyone she looks at to stone. Perseus was born to a human mother as the son of Zeus. When his mother was sent to marry a horrible King, Perseus was given the quest to get the head of Medusa to earn his mother’s freedom. Medusa and Perseus are used as pawns for the gods, but they end up having more in common than expected.
This was a great retelling of Medusa’s story. She is often made to be the villain in stories, but she is actually a victim of the gods. In this story, she was born as a human and made into a Gorgon rather than being born one. I really liked the twist at the end. I didn’t expect it, but it was a nice way to bring the story full circle and connect Medusa and Perseus in an original way.
Athena’s Child is a beautiful retelling of Medusa’s story.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me a copy of this book!
Content warnings: rape, spousal abuse, death, death of parents
This was a great retelling of Medusa’s story. She is often made to be the villain in stories, but she is actually a victim of the gods. In this story, she was born as a human and made into a Gorgon rather than being born one. I really liked the twist at the end. I didn’t expect it, but it was a nice way to bring the story full circle and connect Medusa and Perseus in an original way.
Athena’s Child is a beautiful retelling of Medusa’s story.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me a copy of this book!
Content warnings: rape, spousal abuse, death, death of parents
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Rape, and Domestic abuse
applejacksbooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
I received a copy from NetGalley for review.
So what I like about this was that it's an easy, not overly dull retelling of Medusa and Perseus. It's perfect for when you're just starting to get into Greek mythos but don't want to read something like Madeline Miller's Circe (it's long and dry). I love that the author keeps it close to the original myth.
There were definitely some hard parts to read, like the parents being turned to stone and the sisters' transformation into murderers with no remorse (but like rightfully so because men suck), but I like that the author adds some instances of feminine rage. I wish there was more from Medusa's POV throughout the story.
So what I like about this was that it's an easy, not overly dull retelling of Medusa and Perseus. It's perfect for when you're just starting to get into Greek mythos but don't want to read something like Madeline Miller's Circe (it's long and dry). I love that the author keeps it close to the original myth.
There were definitely some hard parts to read, like the parents being turned to stone and the sisters' transformation into murderers with no remorse (but like rightfully so because men suck), but I like that the author adds some instances of feminine rage. I wish there was more from Medusa's POV throughout the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts