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agooding's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Feminist retelling of Medusa’s story?! Yes please. Manisha is a badass. I loved her growth and self discovery and finally getting her due.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, War, Death, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Rape
Minor: Pregnancy
mattyb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Best read of the year. Hands down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, Rape, Body horror, Gore, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Colonisation, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Abandonment, War, Body shaming, and Dysphoria
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, and Confinement
abegailev's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, War, Sexual violence, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Cannibalism, and Misogyny
Minor: Bullying and Classism
booksatlunch's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I am absolutely blown away by this. I expected to like it, but the reverence in which the story is treated and the delicacy in which sensitive topics are handled while still conveying righteous anger made this an absolute five stars for me.
A beautiful story about the anger of women which just a touch of monster x slayer romance. The blending of Medusa's story with Indian mythology made for such an engrossing world. And while it feels like Medusa's story, this one does have a happier ending.
This book is graphic. It's about as graphic as a YA can get and I highly recommend looking up content warnings for this book. There are numerous scenes that refence sexual assault, though the details are rarely (if ever) given when it comes to the assaults on women. There is some pretty real body horror and threats of sexual assaults on men that are given more thorough descriptions.
I would not recommend it to every teen, but for the right people this will be a powerful read.
A beautiful story about the anger of women which just a touch of monster x slayer romance. The blending of Medusa's story with Indian mythology made for such an engrossing world. And while it feels like Medusa's story, this one does have a happier ending.
This book is graphic. It's about as graphic as a YA can get and I highly recommend looking up content warnings for this book. There are numerous scenes that refence sexual assault, though the details are rarely (if ever) given when it comes to the assaults on women. There is some pretty real body horror and threats of sexual assaults on men that are given more thorough descriptions.
I would not recommend it to every teen, but for the right people this will be a powerful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Body horror, Misogyny, and Rape
Moderate: Cannibalism and Kidnapping
Minor: War
kianareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What a powerful powerful story.
How powerful it is to read a story in which the heroine does not ever shy away from her power. In which we see her laugh in the face of those that paint her as a monster, knowing that it was them who caused her pain. In which we see her find everything she needs within herself, and still find joy and hope in connection. In which we see her survive in spite of it all.
Manisha’s journey is so very impactful. The author does not shy away from the mature subject matter in this Medusa retelling, and though there were moments that left me sick to my stomach, I felt they were critical to the story (please read the trigger warnings before!). The care with which Patel portrayed and handled Manisha’s trauma is very moving.
A striking, unapologetic, and epic tale that forces you to question “what it truly means to be a monster”.
(Thank you to NetGalley, Rick Riordan Presents, and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this ARC!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Torture, and Misogyny
Moderate: Murder, War, and Violence
carlybomarly's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
This book gripped me from the beginning with its poetic lore and mythology roots. I think it will be with me for some time. It’s not an easy story, but it’s an amazing journey. I personally struggled with the horrors Manisha went through, but these are atrocities that are happening every day. It’s a vivid perspective of who the monsters in the world really are. Who creates and controls the narrative. Please be sure to read the foreword and note from the author before diving into this book. I expected a fun, lighthearted story about Medusa’s side of the myth and I was given a beautiful, heart wrenching story that left me feeling so many things - suspense, anger, horror, wonder, and pride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Blood, Rape, War, Violence, Grief, and Genocide
faeriviera's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Shoutout to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
The moment I heard the premise of this story, I immediately wanted to read it. Medusa is one of my favorite "monsters" and I love seeing voices from cultures that aren't often heard giving their takes on classic stories. Add in a forbidden love story between "monster" and slayer to this tale of a woman becoming monstrous against the monsters she faces? What could go wrong?
Well...
I'll admit, this was difficult to get through, and not even because of the subject matter. I feel bad that I didn't like this more, so I'm going to do my best to break this review up into compliment sandwiches.
The author clearly has amazing ideas but the execution left me often struggling to keep reading. Obviously as an ARC the prose isn't in its final form, but as it is it's very uneven, being lush and poetic in one scene and stilted and heavy handed in the next. There are also moments when Patel tries to sprinkle in snarky quips in the middle of something poetic and the tonal whiplash takes me right out of it, especially since as far as "well THAT happened" humor goes, it's pretty weak for the most part. When Patel's prose is good, it's so emotionally impactful and beautiful, and it's part of why the moments when it's not stick out and make the book drag for me. I KNOW she's capable of making this one of those books that rips your still beating heart from your chest and never lets go. Hopefully the final edit shows that.
Additionally, the love story is really poorly developed. It started promisingly, but then Manisha's constant protests against Pratyush's flirting left me cold. The whole point of this story is a hate letter to men who violate women, and while Pratyush is held up as the prime example of "Not All Men", he too could learn a thing or two about taking no for an answer. I really hope this was just a matter of this still being a draft, but this was truly the beginning of my problems with the narrative. It's a shame too, because there are so many moments that would've had me touching my heart if it had been attached to characters I believed belonged together,particularly Pratyush dreaming of their future together, or their post final battle reunion.
This is a book chockful of interesting concepts.Noni the Snake is wonderful, I'm always a sucker for animal friends in my fantasy. I liked the IDEAS of the various societies portrayed in this book (and I must commend Patel for not letting women off the hook for the ways they can perpetuate misogyny), and there were some pretty cool and gruesome fight scenes. Unfortunately, I felt about half of these concepts weren't developed or interesting enough to justify the way the various sidequests ground the pacing of this book to a halt. I also don't think the constant time and POV jumps were the right call for this story, since a lot of this felt like both of our protagonists' stories were spinning their wheels until it was finally time for them to meet again.
I really, really wanted to love this book. As it is, I love the bones of this story, and see a lot of potential for the series Patel is clearly laying the groundwork for, and I hope at least some of these issues are fixed by the time the book comes out on the 16th!
The moment I heard the premise of this story, I immediately wanted to read it. Medusa is one of my favorite "monsters" and I love seeing voices from cultures that aren't often heard giving their takes on classic stories. Add in a forbidden love story between "monster" and slayer to this tale of a woman becoming monstrous against the monsters she faces? What could go wrong?
Well...
I'll admit, this was difficult to get through, and not even because of the subject matter. I feel bad that I didn't like this more, so I'm going to do my best to break this review up into compliment sandwiches.
The author clearly has amazing ideas but the execution left me often struggling to keep reading. Obviously as an ARC the prose isn't in its final form, but as it is it's very uneven, being lush and poetic in one scene and stilted and heavy handed in the next. There are also moments when Patel tries to sprinkle in snarky quips in the middle of something poetic and the tonal whiplash takes me right out of it, especially since as far as "well THAT happened" humor goes, it's pretty weak for the most part. When Patel's prose is good, it's so emotionally impactful and beautiful, and it's part of why the moments when it's not stick out and make the book drag for me. I KNOW she's capable of making this one of those books that rips your still beating heart from your chest and never lets go. Hopefully the final edit shows that.
Additionally, the love story is really poorly developed. It started promisingly, but then Manisha's constant protests against Pratyush's flirting left me cold. The whole point of this story is a hate letter to men who violate women, and while Pratyush is held up as the prime example of "Not All Men", he too could learn a thing or two about taking no for an answer. I really hope this was just a matter of this still being a draft, but this was truly the beginning of my problems with the narrative. It's a shame too, because there are so many moments that would've had me touching my heart if it had been attached to characters I believed belonged together,
This is a book chockful of interesting concepts.
I really, really wanted to love this book. As it is, I love the bones of this story, and see a lot of potential for the series Patel is clearly laying the groundwork for, and I hope at least some of these issues are fixed by the time the book comes out on the 16th!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Violence, Blood, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Cannibalism
There are some GRUESOME monster fights in this, and thus a lot of gruesome deaths.piperkitty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
I love how the author provides a glossary of terms and character names at the beginning of the book. This makes it easier to understand the story and the characters.
Even though the book is categorized as young adult fiction, it tackles some serious and important topics. It offers a powerful commentary on the social stigma surrounding sexual violence and gender roles in South Asian communities. Additionally, it explores themes of sisterhood, resilience, and revenge.
I like how we also get the backstory of Pratyush and Manisha, which progress from childhood to where they are now. When a temple visitor sexually assaults Manisha and pushes her off the mountain into a pit of vipers. A month later, the king sends Pratyush to defeat one last monster before he considers granting his freedom.
Manisha survives the numerous snake bites she receives and the venom that courses through her veins. Upon emerging from the pit, she finds herself more powerful than ever, with enhanced senses, skin as tough as armour, and blood that can petrify people. Pratyush is not aware that the "monster" he has been tasked with killing is the same girl he wishes to marry.
The age it is aimed at is definitely a dark story and something I recommend parents read first because of the trigger in the book.
TW; SA, violence, gore, and misogyny.
Even though the book is categorized as young adult fiction, it tackles some serious and important topics. It offers a powerful commentary on the social stigma surrounding sexual violence and gender roles in South Asian communities. Additionally, it explores themes of sisterhood, resilience, and revenge.
I like how we also get the backstory of Pratyush and Manisha, which progress from childhood to where they are now. When a temple visitor sexually assaults Manisha and pushes her off the mountain into a pit of vipers. A month later, the king sends Pratyush to defeat one last monster before he considers granting his freedom.
Manisha survives the numerous snake bites she receives and the venom that courses through her veins. Upon emerging from the pit, she finds herself more powerful than ever, with enhanced senses, skin as tough as armour, and blood that can petrify people. Pratyush is not aware that the "monster" he has been tasked with killing is the same girl he wishes to marry.
The age it is aimed at is definitely a dark story and something I recommend parents read first because of the trigger in the book.
TW; SA, violence, gore, and misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, War, Gore, Addiction, and Misogyny
devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Body horror, Colonisation, Grief, Sexual content, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, War, Sexual assault, Blood, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Torture, and Sexism
Moderate: Confinement, Cannibalism, Drug abuse, Racism, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
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