A review by kinzo103
The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett

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

4.5

If you like having your heart shredded while being immersed in the world of Greek mythology, this is the book for you. It is always very enjoyable to explore a version of the stories of the great heroes where the glory and power of men are nothing without the machinations of the women previously left in the background, and this book does this painfully well. Rosie Hewlett writes in a way that is straightforward and beautiful without feeling overly flowery or excessive. 

Much like Circe and Ariadne, the story of Medea is not a kind one. I don't think I've ever wished for a happy ending for any character more than I wished one for her. Hewlett carefully weaves the human experiences of loss, trauma, and greed into the established mythology in such a way that Medea, the scary powerful witch, feels incredibly relatable. Ultimately this isn't just a story about a powerful woman, this is a story about a girl who is never shown love and clings to it wherever she can find it, which leaves her vulnerable and incredibly easy to manipulate. While her acts are misguided and reprehensible, her thoughts are explored in such a way that it was impossible for me not to empathize with her and understand her.
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