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onyxisalive's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
The writing of this book was okay - it is predominately written in third person (with the exception of some POV's); the different POV's do not have a distinct voice between them, because of this it makes it difficult to become attached to the characters as they don't feel real.
Due to the constantly changing POV's in this book it makes it near impossible to become attached to any of the characters. The exception being Medusa at the start, this happened for me due to the relationship with her sisters and her being in the story before the conception of her trauma. Most of the female characters are only added when their trauma happens this makes it much harder to grow attached to them and makes the events much less emotional.
Due to this wide scope of POV's the impact of the book is lessened as it means their is less time to develop each character, making some events not feel realistic, and making it difficult to connect with anyone.
The stone chapters felt like a waste of time and I did not care about them at all.
In regards to Medusa, I really liked her at the start, but her death did not hit hard at all. This was mostly because of the way it is told through her cut off head. Who has such a drastic personality change in such a short period of time and shows very little empathy I found her insufferable. I really hated the head chapters through the book. I did not like that the head was constantly yelling at the reader for things, which at some points in the story, we have very good reason to believe. It made her seem really insufferable and made it impossible for me to care about her; consequently, severely reducing the impact of her death.
In regards to the books message, it was interesting on the surface level, but it did not feel like the author dove deep enough into the various different aspects of it. The really horrible characters barely got any acknowledgement of wrong doing, the book spends most of the time getting annoyed at Perseus - who we have no reason to be mad at until the end of the book (a character change, by the way that felt rushed and, as a result, completely unrealistic (even if it felt like it would make sense in theory)). The really horrible characters are either treated humorously after their wrongdoings or like children. Instead of focusing on specific characters it instead focuses on the wrongdoings of many character and as a result many of the traumas feel either unrealistic or overshadowed by other plot points.
Other than Perseus, the female characters themselves are actually some of the most petty and angry, with very few of them being likeable. Most of them have the same personality and are completely unlikeable.
It felt like the book focused too much on the rage of the females and their infighting instead of levying any hate the way of the Greek Gods - which could have been done in the head chapters which would have made the infighting between the females feel more like it had a point.
In regards to the positive, I really did like the sections at the beginning with Medusa and her sisters I really grew attached to them(even if it was ruined later). Also, the comedic sections of this book were really funny and did not feel like the messed with the serious tone of the book too much - I would definitely be interested in reading a less serious and more comedic book by this author.
All in all, it had potential, but I really wish the story had stayed more streamlined and centralised on one or two characters instead of 10 - I feel like it could have been really good if that was done as most of my issues with this book stem from this one issue.
Due to the constantly changing POV's in this book it makes it near impossible to become attached to any of the characters. The exception being Medusa at the start, this happened for me due to the relationship with her sisters and her being in the story before the conception of her trauma. Most of the female characters are only added when their trauma happens this makes it much harder to grow attached to them and makes the events much less emotional.
Due to this wide scope of POV's the impact of the book is lessened as it means their is less time to develop each character, making some events not feel realistic, and making it difficult to connect with anyone.
In regards to Medusa, I really liked her at the start,
In regards to the books message, it was interesting on the surface level, but it did not feel like the author dove deep enough into the various different aspects of it. The really horrible characters barely got any acknowledgement of wrong doing,
In regards to the positive, I really did like the sections at the beginning with Medusa and her sisters I really grew attached to them
All in all, it had potential, but I really wish the story had stayed more streamlined and centralised on one or two characters instead of 10 - I feel like it could have been really good if that was done as most of my issues with this book stem from this one issue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
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
sfryman96's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Rape
redandread_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, and Rape
celeste329's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I was expecting for a little bit more from this book. Mainly, for it to be primarily from Medusa's perspective. But instead, we get a lot of plot lines that do not all converge and actually very little screen time from the titular character herself.
The whole book read as Medusa - as seen by others, and not all relevant in nature. I think I learnt more about Athene than Medusa in this whole book and I was left rather dissatisfied because of it.
There is this line towards Perseus: "And who are you to decide who is a monster?" - and it would have been SO great to have come from Medusa instead of Hermes, to have her challenge Perseus and his quest because really, at the end of the day, they are both two people who by all means should've had nothing to do with each other (and probably would have had nothing to do with each other were it not for some king's bruised ego).
There are a few good moments in the book - Medusa and her sisters' love for each other is something that was articulated very well. Athene's competitiveness was also well-highlighted. Perseus being characterised as an impulsive teen was also done quite well.
I would have expected some more rage from Medusa herself, but there is barely any from her (given that her chapters are also so rare). I got more rage from Hera and Athene, and even Euryale and Stenho.
Prose-wise, it was okay. Some very funny moments here and there and the descriptions were very well done - I could always picture the environment in my mind's eye. The Chapter structure was a little odd than what I am used to (being more accustomed to longer ones), so the action felt a bit all over the place sometimes. Also, there were a few chapters here and there that seemed to be 4th-wall-breaker types - as much as I appreciated the messages in the book, these chapters did not help with my immersion, taking me straight out of the book.
Overall, it was an ok book. I had high hopes for the titulary character and interactions with the themes presented in the blurb, but sadly, this wasn't quite delivered on.
The whole book read as Medusa - as seen by others, and not all relevant in nature. I think I learnt more about Athene than Medusa in this whole book and I was left rather dissatisfied because of it.
There is this line towards Perseus: "And who are you to decide who is a monster?" - and it would have been SO great to have come from Medusa instead of Hermes, to have her challenge Perseus and his quest because really, at the end of the day, they are both two people who by all means should've had nothing to do with each other (and probably would have had nothing to do with each other were it not for some king's bruised ego).
There are a few good moments in the book - Medusa and her sisters' love for each other is something that was articulated very well. Athene's competitiveness was also well-highlighted. Perseus being characterised as an impulsive teen was also done quite well.
I would have expected some more rage from Medusa herself, but there is barely any from her (given that her chapters are also so rare). I got more rage from Hera and Athene, and even Euryale and Stenho.
Prose-wise, it was okay. Some very funny moments here and there and the descriptions were very well done - I could always picture the environment in my mind's eye. The Chapter structure was a little odd than what I am used to (being more accustomed to longer ones), so the action felt a bit all over the place sometimes. Also, there were a few chapters here and there that seemed to be 4th-wall-breaker types - as much as I appreciated the messages in the book, these chapters did not help with my immersion, taking me straight out of the book.
Overall, it was an ok book. I had high hopes for the titulary character and interactions with the themes presented in the blurb, but sadly, this wasn't quite delivered on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Rape
garnethalo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'll never look at Perseus the same. With the switching veiwpoints, I understood Medusa, the gods, and Perseus better. And I definitely have favorites. A wonderful, captivating read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Violence
Medusa's story from before she was cursed. If you know Greek mythology, you know why. Also, Greek stories are usually a tragedy!sierraashley's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-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? N/A
5.0
Very well done. Love the satire. I was giggling as I'd read, especially when they were making fun of Perseus. Medusa is one of my favorite characters ever and didn't deserve what happened to her and I'm glad someone finally told her story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, War, Confinement, Misogyny, Grief, and Death
willow_axolotl376's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Violence
Minor: Rape
secre's review against another edition
adventurous
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
2.0
If Stone Blind had been described as a tale of the ancient Greek Gods and how Perseus ended up on a quest to fetch Medusa's head, maybe it would have been a four star read. Maybe. But it wasn't. It was described as Medusa's story, so I was anticipating something like Circe by Madeline Miller, a novel that told Medusa's story through her own eyes and focused on the portrayal of her. Or like A Thousand Ships by this same author, a novel that directly focused on the unheard female voices of the Trojan war and brought them to life. And oh boy, was I disappointed.
I'd say about 25% of this novel actually has Medusa as a semi-main character and even then, there's a lot of attention on her sisters. The rest of the novel is made up of petty Godly squabbles and fights and Perseus's quest across the land to bring back the head of a Gorgon. It... wasn't what I signed up for. It also frankly didn't interest me that much. I was genuinely interested in the childhood and life of Medusa, I was kind of interested in some of the God side plots although they really needed to be minimised... I just did not care about Perseus. Come on. The story of the boy who beheads the sleeping monster was not the important one here, particularly when he's shallow, selfish and cruel to boot.
What I wanted and what I got here were two very different things. Medusa was essentially relegated to a bit player in her own damn story and that's a crying shame, particularly when I know how well the author can portray the unsung voices. This could have been excellent, it should have been excellent; Haynes certainly has the writing talent and spark to pull it off. But instead of allowing Medusa to stand on the stage alone, she is overshadowed by Gods and men and petty arguments. And I really, really struggled to engage with it because of that.
Don't get me wrong. I'll read the author again. I adored A Thousand Ships. But this... this was a disappointment and it was nowhere near interesting enough to hold my attention.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my free review copy of this title.
I'd say about 25% of this novel actually has Medusa as a semi-main character and even then, there's a lot of attention on her sisters. The rest of the novel is made up of petty Godly squabbles and fights and Perseus's quest across the land to bring back the head of a Gorgon. It... wasn't what I signed up for. It also frankly didn't interest me that much. I was genuinely interested in the childhood and life of Medusa, I was kind of interested in some of the God side plots although they really needed to be minimised... I just did not care about Perseus. Come on. The story of the boy who beheads the sleeping monster was not the important one here, particularly when he's shallow, selfish and cruel to boot.
What I wanted and what I got here were two very different things. Medusa was essentially relegated to a bit player in her own damn story and that's a crying shame, particularly when I know how well the author can portray the unsung voices. This could have been excellent, it should have been excellent; Haynes certainly has the writing talent and spark to pull it off. But instead of allowing Medusa to stand on the stage alone, she is overshadowed by Gods and men and petty arguments. And I really, really struggled to engage with it because of that.
Don't get me wrong. I'll read the author again. I adored A Thousand Ships. But this... this was a disappointment and it was nowhere near interesting enough to hold my attention.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my free review copy of this title.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder
jjyork's review against another edition
Got returned to library before I could finish it. Not my favorite Greek retelling after about 30% in.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape