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sevireads 's review for:
Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch
by JJ Taylor
Thank you to Netgalley and Butterworth Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"I've paid for my freedom in blood that drowns me in my dreams."
J.J. Taylor's "Medea" opens with one of the strongest lines I've come across in a while, and I truly wish I could say what comes after lives up to the expectation it sets, but unfortunately, it simply doesn't. Having read Euripides's [b:Medea|752900|Medea|Euripides|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328868366l/752900._SY75_.jpg|2936587], and David Vann's [b:BRIGHT AIR BLACK|29214418|BRIGHT AIR BLACK|David Vann|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486408295l/29214418._SY75_.jpg|49447740], I was familiar with the myth, and what I was looking for in this book was either an interesting new perspective, or good writing, and sadly I found neither. Readers unfamiliar with the story could enjoy this book more, but given that two other books titled "Medea" are being published in the first quarter of 2024 alone, both of which have so far gotten more publicity, as far as I can tell, I'm not optimistic about this one's chances.
Two specific scenes cemented the low star rating of [b:Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch|200979139|Medea Priestess, Princess, Witch|J.J. Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1698582622l/200979139._SX50_.jpg|205845823] - two out of the three murders that define Medea - the first one being that of her brother, and the second - that of her children. In the first scene, less time is spent on Medea's inner turmoil before she suggests they dismember her brother's corpse, than to the gruesome description of the act itself, which didn't quite sit right with me. Worse yet, is the choice made regarding the murders of her children -, and the attention given to that scene felt... insufficient.
I do wish I could rate this book higher, but there's only so much charity a good opener can buy.
"I've paid for my freedom in blood that drowns me in my dreams."
J.J. Taylor's "Medea" opens with one of the strongest lines I've come across in a while, and I truly wish I could say what comes after lives up to the expectation it sets, but unfortunately, it simply doesn't. Having read Euripides's [b:Medea|752900|Medea|Euripides|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328868366l/752900._SY75_.jpg|2936587], and David Vann's [b:BRIGHT AIR BLACK|29214418|BRIGHT AIR BLACK|David Vann|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486408295l/29214418._SY75_.jpg|49447740], I was familiar with the myth, and what I was looking for in this book was either an interesting new perspective, or good writing, and sadly I found neither. Readers unfamiliar with the story could enjoy this book more, but given that two other books titled "Medea" are being published in the first quarter of 2024 alone, both of which have so far gotten more publicity, as far as I can tell, I'm not optimistic about this one's chances.
Two specific scenes cemented the low star rating of [b:Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch|200979139|Medea Priestess, Princess, Witch|J.J. Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1698582622l/200979139._SX50_.jpg|205845823] - two out of the three murders that define Medea - the first one being that of her brother, and the second - that of her children. In the first scene, less time is spent on Medea's inner turmoil before she suggests they dismember her brother's corpse, than to the gruesome description of the act itself, which didn't quite sit right with me. Worse yet, is the choice made regarding the murders of her children -
Spoiler
they're killed by an angry mob, rather than Medea herselfI do wish I could rate this book higher, but there's only so much charity a good opener can buy.