Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Medusa

Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Medusa by Jessie Burton

110 reviews

bookgirllife's review against another edition

fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

This book was really mediocre overall. I didn't particularly enjoy the storytelling and the writing is very simple and lacks any real depth to it. I do think there are some interesting plot points and messages about how girlhood is robbed from young women through society, but the delivery fell very flat for me.

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shan_lou's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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maistfu's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

4.5

" I was tired of men and gods and goddesses dictating the ebb and flow of my happiness, my state of mine ... it turned out my one true hope was me. "
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a powerful message of healing and self-acceptance with lots of raw emotions.

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vr_alyssa's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

I was thrown off by the narration in the beginning, as I was not anticipating a 'looking-back' kind of situation; however, after a couple pages I was immersed in the story and how the various characters interacted. Pleasurable read, though not mythologically 'correct' - if there even is such a thing. On the other hand, that made it all the more interesting. Definitely recommend to anyone who has an interest in mythology and feminist retellings.

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lucyroberts's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective fast-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

4.5

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booksjessreads's review against another edition

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inspiring mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I have never been a Greek mythology person, but I read this for the Carnegie shortlist and I actually enjoyed it. I liked getting to know Perseus through Medusa's perspective and also learning more about Medusa's lore since I have only ever experienced Medusa as a character through the perspective of Perseus cutting her head off. However, whilst I did enjoy the story and I did feel Medusa does go through good character development, I felt as though the characters did lack some depth, but this could also be due to how short the story is.

I also thought the illustrations really added to the story, but I am unsure if I would have enjoyed it as much without the illustrations. They really heightened the emotions and memories in the story which allowed it to be quite an immersive read. This is my first Jessie Burton and I am intrigued to read her other works. I would recommend this, especially to those who enjoy Greek Mythology!

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louisaroselewis's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

I enjoyed Medusa. I found its love story compelling and engaging with the fact that you get to read about two people falling in love with their words all the while never seeing each other.

However, midway through I was starting to crave a different perspective. The way Medusa tells her story is captivating and poetic, but already previously knowing the story of Medusa and Perseus, made me wonder what Perseus' perspectives were.

I do highly recommend this book, it's an enchanting love story with an ending that could turn your heart to stone.

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