A review by jaxyway
The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

5.0

I am a monster. The worst kind of monster. The kind that people have told stories about for thousands of years. The kind that daredevils like poor Walt seek out, even though many believe I’m not more than a myth.

I am the Gorgon Medusa. And my eyes can turn anything living to stone.

Thus begins the Deep End of the Sea, a modern-day re-telling of the infamous Medusa legend. Medusa is, of course, the main character, and the love interest is none other than the god, Hermes. Is your mythology a bit rusty? Irrelevant; you’ll remember as you go along, unless you’re some kind of savage. LOL – point is, there’s no need to be intimidated going in if you’re not a huge mythology buff.

I was highly interested in Greek/Roman mythology in middle and high school, but I am old as shit now. I am the very definition of rusty on the topic. Also, I’ve never read a mythology book like this, and I really wasn’t sure how much I’d like it. I am on young adult fantasy kick as of very recently (I’m seriously like Bambi on ice about it), so I figured, “Why not?”

I loved it.

I really, really loved it.

I mention that this is a modern day re-telling, because it is set in the here and now, in 2014. There is technology (tablets, cell phones, et cetera). There is also a great story – mythology isn’t still being studied because it sucks , after all – an epic story, in fact. There is a romance so tender, so believable, it very nearly has the reader falling in love. And the beau is a god, literally. A caring, funny, sexy, gorgeous god.

Love makes every misery, every struggle, every moment of life worth it.

Medusa is a heroine that I can actually say I liked, which is rare for me. A monster for the last two thousand years, the better portion of this book is her coming-of-age story – living life with her curse removed at long last. She is strong, yet cautious, smart, yet unsure of herself.

I run. I kick. I punch. I listen. I write. I give. I live. Stars above, I live.

The other characters (mostly other gods and goddesses of Greek mythology) are amazing – all of them, even the villains. The writing is great – easy to read, and it flows wonderfully. I devoured this novel, and I’m hungry for more.

Reviewed on my book blog, www.bibliobrat.com