Scan barcode
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
I have been a fan of Natalie Haynes ever since reading A Thousand Ships, and I can confidently say that she is a force to be reckoned with in the Greek mythology world. Haynes tells the stories of these women with so much heart and care, from fiction to nonfiction to her radio show. Although this one was not my favorite of hers (Pandora’s jar is just phenomenal), I cannot wait to see what this talented writer publishes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Rape, and Sexism
kendrashea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Grief, Rape, and Death
kathinotkaaati's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, and Genocide
angel__'s review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Better than I expected.
Interesting perspective.
I never thought Medusa as a victim and Perseus as a 'monster' before.
Very interesting povs in the story.I don't know if my favourite is the snake's pov or the tree's pov.
Interesting perspective.
I never thought Medusa as a victim and Perseus as a 'monster' before.
Very interesting povs in the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Murder, Blood, and Sexual violence
phantomgecko's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A mythological retelling that retains the serious undertones of the original but brings modern voice to the characters. Like, the characters literally talk like they're from this millennium. Which I loved. At first it was a little off-putting, but I grew to appreciate the humor it brought to the whole thing.
Otherwise... A++ for making Perseus seem like the least competent manbaby in the world.
Not 5 stars simply because I didn't love love it. Recommend it tho.
Otherwise... A++ for making Perseus seem like the least competent manbaby in the world.
Not 5 stars simply because I didn't love love it. Recommend it tho.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
mxpringle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Before reading this I was already familiar with the story of Medusa, so I expected to find it just okay, but this book was incredible. Something about the writing was just enrapturing and it is the first book in what feels like forever that I simply wanted to never stop reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, and Murder
zaharadesert9's review against another edition
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? No
3.0
I was turned off by the multiple POV the entire book, but the ending redeemed itself. Perfect read for someone who wants a little more information than a wikipedia page, but something easy to follow with broad themes and events. Lots of commentary on what classifies a "monster" that could be related to how our society still views people who are different or outsiders. Would be a good read for anyone 12 and up and especially nice to read on a beach or in a public setting because it doesn't require a ton of focus.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
xo_babs_ox's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Great retelling and interpretation of a variety of myths that influence and are influenced by Medusa’s story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Grief, Rape, Murder, and Death
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
The myth of Medusa is beautifully retold in this book by Natalie Haynes, turning the focus from the 'hero' Perseus to the woman with the deadly gaze. Abandoned by her divine parents and victimised over and over again through no fault of her own, this book poses the question of just who really is the monster in this tale?
The book is written from the point of view of several different characters (much like 'A Thousand Ships'), utilising both third and first person perspectives. And yet the book still flows really well and keeps you immersed. I particularly liked the chapters that 'break the fourth wall' and address the reader directly - you can definitely sense the author's own attitude and comedic prowess coming through in those pages.
Equally though, because of the constant shifting in perspectives it doesn't always feel like you're getting the depth you want; it is very much skimming the surface. The chapters are also quite short, so it is a lot of bouncing around - the story is linear, but it's hard to tell how much time is passing between chapters, sometimes due to the author's own phrasing. For example, we know that Perseus has two months to retrieve the head of a Gorgon and return home to save his mother from an unwanted marriage. But at one point, the author includes the line (paraphrasing) 'she could have been married and had three kids by now!' And yet he manages to return home with a day to spare? I know that time is immaterial to Gods and this is illustrated throughout, but there's just something about the way it's written that muddies the waters a bit for me.
I've been listening to Natalie Haynes a lot recently - both her audio version of 'A Thousand Ships' and her Radio 4 show 'Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics' on Spotify, so I feel like I'm getting a good grasp of the way she expresses herself. As a result, it was very easy to 'hear' her reading the words in my head and this gave the book an extra lift.
While I knew the story of Medusa, I didn't know the wider story of Perseus and how he came to pursue her nearly as well, so this was something of a reintroduction to me. Overall, while this book is about Medusa, the author very cleverly balances the other strands of the tale, both human and divine. If you aren't familiar with the story, there are a couple of moments earlier on which do throw the reader and make you wonder how a mortal queen with vanity issues links into the story, but everything weaves together seamlessly and all is revealed as you progress. However, this does also raise a criticism - there's just not quite enough Medusa for me!
This books also highlights some of the 'problems' with Greek myths generally. How many times must a mortal woman be punished for being the victim of a God forcing himself upon her? I love the stories of Ancient Greece, always have, but I don't think it's ever come across to me so starkly that the men (human and Gods) aren't always quite as heroic or divine as they might seem, and how vindictive the Goddesses can be, even when it should be obvious to all that they're taking their anger out on the wrong person. This is one of the reasons I love these feminist retellings though; some of the women involved absolutely deserve to be seen in a different light!
Clever, different and a good read.
The book is written from the point of view of several different characters (much like 'A Thousand Ships'), utilising both third and first person perspectives. And yet the book still flows really well and keeps you immersed. I particularly liked the chapters that 'break the fourth wall' and address the reader directly - you can definitely sense the author's own attitude and comedic prowess coming through in those pages.
Equally though, because of the constant shifting in perspectives it doesn't always feel like you're getting the depth you want; it is very much skimming the surface. The chapters are also quite short, so it is a lot of bouncing around - the story is linear, but it's hard to tell how much time is passing between chapters, sometimes due to the author's own phrasing. For example, we know that Perseus has two months to retrieve the head of a Gorgon and return home to save his mother from an unwanted marriage. But at one point, the author includes the line (paraphrasing) 'she could have been married and had three kids by now!' And yet he manages to return home with a day to spare? I know that time is immaterial to Gods and this is illustrated throughout, but there's just something about the way it's written that muddies the waters a bit for me.
I've been listening to Natalie Haynes a lot recently - both her audio version of 'A Thousand Ships' and her Radio 4 show 'Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics' on Spotify, so I feel like I'm getting a good grasp of the way she expresses herself. As a result, it was very easy to 'hear' her reading the words in my head and this gave the book an extra lift.
While I knew the story of Medusa, I didn't know the wider story of Perseus and how he came to pursue her nearly as well, so this was something of a reintroduction to me. Overall, while this book is about Medusa, the author very cleverly balances the other strands of the tale, both human and divine. If you aren't familiar with the story, there are a couple of moments earlier on which do throw the reader and make you wonder how a mortal queen with vanity issues links into the story, but everything weaves together seamlessly and all is revealed as you progress. However, this does also raise a criticism - there's just not quite enough Medusa for me!
This books also highlights some of the 'problems' with Greek myths generally. How many times must a mortal woman be punished for being the victim of a God forcing himself upon her? I love the stories of Ancient Greece, always have, but I don't think it's ever come across to me so starkly that the men (human and Gods) aren't always quite as heroic or divine as they might seem, and how vindictive the Goddesses can be, even when it should be obvious to all that they're taking their anger out on the wrong person. This is one of the reasons I love these feminist retellings though; some of the women involved absolutely deserve to be seen in a different light!
Clever, different and a good read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Misogyny, Blood, Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Stalking, Sexual assault, Violence, Abandonment, Animal death, and Gore
_meganrose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Two words: female rage.
For this being a retelling of Medusa’s story.. with her face as the cover.. you would expect her to be the main character. On the contrary, she seemed to only have presence in less than half of the book. That annoys me a bit, but I did enjoy the novel overall and the writing style.
For this being a retelling of Medusa’s story.. with her face as the cover.. you would expect her to be the main character. On the contrary, she seemed to only have presence in less than half of the book. That annoys me a bit, but I did enjoy the novel overall and the writing style.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Murder, Sexual assault, and Blood