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joy_s's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gore, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Rape and assault content is frequent, but not overly explicit. Still, common throughout the book, and occurs with most character’s plots.booksjessreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I was somewhat disappointed with this book and I really had higher expectations from this novel. There were things that did work well, but for the most part, I don't think the format worked for what Haynes was trying to achieve.
I will start with what I enjoyed about the book first. The portrayal of Perseus as a self-righteous and stuck-up 16 year old was my favourite thing. I liked how Haynes had depreciated him in the story and really emphasised how much of a coward he was, despite being praised as a hero. However, there were several chapters where Haynes breaks the 'fourth wall' and writes in second person to the reader, instilling her fury in you that Perseus has always been painted in this way. Listening to the audio of this, this was quite jarring, although I appreciated her intentions of the chapters anyway.
When we got a perspective of Medusa, I also appreciated her point of view.I even quite liked the separate perspective of her head after it had been decapitated. However, I really thought that for a book about Medusa, which even on the cover says 'Medusa's story', I didn't really feel like we got much from Medusa herself. We had perspectives from so many Gods, who largely seemed one-dimensional, and it detracted away from the story. Whilst I liked having multiple perspectives to tell the story, there were far too many God's, statues and creatures involved in telling the story. It would have been more effective had there been less. Further to this, there were so many points of view and their background or purpose to the story was never really explored. I appreciate Haynes is a classicist, but she could have been more explicit with her character's purpose and background.
Perhaps this is just me, as I don't read lots of mythology books, but I felt a lot of the conversations in this book were really basic or childish. And it only ever worked well when we got conversation from Perseus, as it helped build Haynes' portrayal of him. One example that really stuck with me wasMedusa's conversation with Poseidon before he rapes her. I know Medusa is 16 as well, but the conversation felt drawn out and unnecessary in parts, especially painting Medusa, who I know was largely sheltered from the world, as completely oblivious and naive. It just didn't work for me.
I can appreciate why people have enjoyed this book, but I just felt as though this book did not deliver to the standards that it was marketed by. I do enjoy Medusa's story generally so I stuck with it, but there was certain elements that just did not work for me.
I will start with what I enjoyed about the book first. The portrayal of Perseus as a self-righteous and stuck-up 16 year old was my favourite thing. I liked how Haynes had depreciated him in the story and really emphasised how much of a coward he was, despite being praised as a hero. However, there were several chapters where Haynes breaks the 'fourth wall' and writes in second person to the reader, instilling her fury in you that Perseus has always been painted in this way. Listening to the audio of this, this was quite jarring, although I appreciated her intentions of the chapters anyway.
When we got a perspective of Medusa, I also appreciated her point of view.
Perhaps this is just me, as I don't read lots of mythology books, but I felt a lot of the conversations in this book were really basic or childish. And it only ever worked well when we got conversation from Perseus, as it helped build Haynes' portrayal of him. One example that really stuck with me was
I can appreciate why people have enjoyed this book, but I just felt as though this book did not deliver to the standards that it was marketed by. I do enjoy Medusa's story generally so I stuck with it, but there was certain elements that just did not work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Blood, Rape, Vomit, and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and War
Minor: Incest
kfrawrylion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Murder, Rape, Misogyny, and Sexism
laurashley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Misogyny
jdamae11's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
genuinely enjoyed this but really just wish we would’ve spent much more time with Medusa / being in her perspective. The parts focusing in on her and her Gorgon sisters were my absolute favorite. I really appreciated one of the central questions posed in this novel which was “who gets to decide who the monsters are?” It seems pretty clear that those who have power and have gotten to run the narrative for too long are the true monsters, not thinking twice about the extreme (and often fatal) harm they cause to others less powerful than them. Even though we know how the myth goes it still was a heartbreaker when Medusa was killed genuinely needlessly by Perseus, especially with the way Haynes painted her and her sisters with such empathy and love, I genuinely was so sad for them and wished they had gotten better. Lastly I really loved the perspective of post death Medusa as the gorgoneion, because I too found Perseus to be pathetic and annoying and wanted him to die for his senseless killing of Medusa, so really enjoyed living in her COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED pissed off POV.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence
pythonesque's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Body horror, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement and Misogyny
chanlo1994's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death, Animal death, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
savshanae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved this book! I loved the twist in the stories, and of course I came for Medusa, which did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this book looking for a quick read about Greek mythology with a feminist twist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Rape, Violence, Bullying, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexism, Confinement, Death, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Slavery
basil_touche's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wish that the book was more from Medusa's perspective rather than from various characters (mainly Athene and Perceus). I found the God's various squabbles were getting tiresome for the most part, but I enjoyed the parts with Medusa and her sisters the most, makes you feel regret for what happens to them. Athene was an interesting character, spoilt but the ending featuring her was probably my favourite part. Perhaps Greek Mythology just isn't my thing, but I enjoyed most of this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Murder, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Grief, Slavery, Pregnancy, Death, and Violence
Minor: Suicide
nameless's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny and Rape