This meant a lot to me. I think sexual assault and trauma can happen to anyone, at any age, but this author speaking from 16 year old Alicia's pov really gave this particular trauma a strong voice.

Alicia's whole life changed after being sexually assaulted by a popular teacher. The girl who ran track and wanted a future was gone, but throughout this story told in verse, Alicia does regain her strength. Particularly with the help of other girls, other strong girls that show her that she is worth fighting for.

I loved the tie-in with Medusa, particularly the ending. I have heard and read many variations on Medussa's story at this point, and it has become so clear to me that she was not the monster in her tale. I am so thankful to all the strong people out there, including this author, writing these stories and helping everyone no matter where they are in life with a problem that is so much more common than what I believe many people think.

This novel in verse tells the story of a teen who has been sexually abused and all of the negative that her perceived reputation has brought her. In it, she compares herself and her situation to that of Medusa's and it's very insightful to how not every is as it appears. It was heart wrenching and difficult to get through because of the content but it was a powerful read.

Well written verse that looks at sexual assault and trauma. Cole provides excellent character development for both main and supporting characters as well as examining trauma without focusing on the abuser.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this one early! As a fan of THE POET X and as someone who works in a secondary school setting, DEAR MEDUSA seemed like a similarly powerful story that may serve as a mirror for teens in the building. There is a lot of social commentary here that was well-discussed and absolutely important to see on-page, but the depth and analysis felt uneven. There were also some choices in the book's construction (i.e. some plot points not being explored at all/enough, some important things happening off-page, etc.) that brought the book down for me. However, I appreciate the conversations DEAR MEDUSA brought to light and could see myself recommending it to students who may need it in the future.

*Actual rating: 4.5 stars*

This was a very powerful story told in verse. It made me emotional by the end, and I can definitely see myself revisiting it in the future.

CW:
slut shaming
Bullying
Sexual assault by an educator
Harassment
Religious trauma

In short this is a powerful story of a survivor of sexual assault and the unfortunate but true aftermath they have to deal with. This story is very real, raw , and emotional. So much so that it is hard to read at times. Alicia will fight to reclaim herself and her power.

I really appreciate the chance to have read this.

Dear Medusa is a novel-in-verse about a 16-year-old girl named Alicia coping with her sexual abuse, primarily sexual abuse from one of her teachers.

I knew this book would be tough to read going into it, but I truly didn't realize how hard it would be to get through. Usually, poetry/poetic writing doesn't really get to me, but novels in verse always hit so much harder because of their quick pace. The quick pace along with the heavy, HEAVY content made it so so hard to get through it without anxiety because I just felt for Alicia so much every time she talked about feeling disconnected from her body because of her abuse. While this book was so so hard to get through, I think the message of being able to reclaim your body and learn to cope with trauma is so important. It really was powerful and the ending made me tear up a bit.

When a story grabs you and holds you it’s a well-written one. I couldn’t put this down today. It is a story told in verse and with so much emotion. I appreciated all the perspectives and emotions. Wow! The story flows and the characters grow and experience the rollercoaster of life. It captures how the kids in high school think and how they feel. I highly recommend this book.

This was a searing portrayal of a 16 year old girl dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse by a “favorite” teacher, called The Colonel. Cole does NOT hold back, the anger and horror of what has happened to Alicia flows throughout this novel in verse. She compares herself to Medusa, to the point of writing letters to her and those who have wronged Medusa. I may need to come back and write more about this one…it’s going to stay with me for a long time.

Dear Medusa is a hard one to read when you delve into why our girl Alicia is doing what she's doing against all of anyone's wants and expects her to do. She wants you to hate her but also leaves her alone, her red hair and lack of physical attire, but it does the opposite for the wolves in her life.
I will say the arc on my kindle chopped it up a lot but when I read it on my iPad it was very palatable to read. I definitely think women should read this, especially teenagers to recognize the signs and have more understanding of what survivors do to cope and look out for them as much as you can on your end.
TW:
CSA
religious shame and trauma
bullying
slut shaming
sexual harassment

“ This searing and intimate novel in verse follows a sixteen-year-old girl coping with sexual abuse as she grapples with how to reclaim her story, her anger, and her body in a world that seems determined to punish her for the sin of surviving.”

This book is written in free form verse, which was very different from my usual reads, but didn’t change my opinion of the story any- which is, this was good. Heavy, emotional, powerful. It was hard to read at times, knowing that this happens every. Single. Day. The wolves are out there. We just have to outrun them. Outsmart them. Not let them win. Thank you Olivia, for this beautifully written novel. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Kids for allowing me to read and review.

Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole

Published: March 14, 2023
Labyrinth Road
Genre: Teen & Young Adult Poetry
Pages: 382
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Olivia A. Cole is a writer from Louisville, Kentucky. Her essays have been published by Bitch Media, Real Simple, the Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Gay Mag, and more. She teaches creative writing at Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, where she guides her students through not only poetry and fiction but also considerations of the world and who they are in it. She is the author of several books for children and adults.

“Ever since last year, everything sounds like justice or its burning absence.”

Alicia is drowning in a secret so vile it’s changed who she is. She does things to help her escape, even if they aren't always things she wants. When she lets her guard down, she meets some people who shine a light in her heart and help clear away the shadows.

This was beautiful, haunting, and brilliantly done. I have never read a novel written like this, and I found the style so powerful. I loved the community Alicia found, despite not looking. And the friendships that blossomed from the depths.

The power of unity is so precious in this book, and the feeling of acceptance is strong. I loved the themes and found the characters brilliantly curated.

Most women will identify with some if not all, aspects of Alicia. Sadly, too many of us have had that door closed and have had to tread the darkness of shame and self-loathing.

I loved the friends Alicia found in this book. And I love the way they saw each other. Human. Flawed but worthy. The bonds were beautiful, and the strength was real.

I loved the use of imagery in this book, and the way running was associated with finding freedom but also avoidance. The use of distraction was clever and heartbreaking.

This was a powerful book, and the messages contained within these poetic lines are so important. Scream. Be loud. Be seen. It is okay to take up space and be visible.

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before publication date.

I don't often read novels written in verse, but I really enjoyed this one. It was tough content, but an important look at that content. Teenagers can be horrible to each other, and Alicia struggles every day. Her family life is falling apart. Her reputation at school has seen better days. And, she is exploring her sexuality, in a society that is often unfair to girls.

I love how Alicia is an example of many many woman who the world labels as “sluts or whores” without even wondering or thinking about her or the trauma she’s been through. The fact that the story is about her dealing with her pain in that way instead of Blake and how she dealt with her pain. Alicia and this book I believe will be relatable to a lot of girls who are labeled the problem or the bad one because everyone talks about the perfect one that hides her pain behind her smile but not about the one who is clearly going through it and not hiding behind it.

This book in verse was just so amazing I loved every part of it. It really showed a sadder side of sexual assualt, especially when the perpetrator is still around you and in a position of power. I loved all the discussions this book had about nearly everything in a teenagers life.

This was beautiful, heart wrenching, and relatable. An incredible exploration of sexual assault, identity, gender roles, and trauma. I've been in a reading slump recently and this wrenched me right out.

I think I would have enjoyed this more if it had a more resolved ending instead of having an open ending like it does.

Alicia was assaulted by a teacher at her school and is called a slut because of her reputation. Most of the story is about her dealing with sexual harassment on the daily by men who's attention she seeks.

It's written in prose so if that's not your thing I would stay away.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Dear Medusa follows Alicia, a 16 year old who is sexually assaulted by a favorite teacher at her high school. The book fleshes out Alicia’s trauma response and subsequent clawing back toward normalcy. Books like this one are so incredibly important and sadly relevant. I really appreciated the internal monologues from Alicia when recounting her experiences with men who don’t at all care that she is a child. My major fault with this work was that it felt a bit disjointed and wasn’t entirely fleshed out. I wanted more of Alicia’s family and new friendships than we got. Overall, I still really enjoyed it.

This story was absolutely beautiful. I am always a sucker for novels in verse, and this did not disappoint. Alicia's journey toward healing felt realistic, as well as her experience of being a teenager today (I find that many YA novels I read don't feel like they have the voice of a teen -- this one does). This is a must read for teens, teachers, parents, etc -- anyone who needs a reminder of why people (especially young girls) do not report abuse even to people they trust. This story is also a reminder that people complicit in the actions of abusers are just as harmful as the people doing the harm.

Books like dear Medusa are books I wish I had read at a younger age. Because it surely did so much to heal my inner child!
Alicia rivers was Sexually abused by her teacher as a sophomore in high school. We learned how quickly everything changes in her life not only from being a survivor but what comes after and what life has thrown at her.
She is SLUT shamed from the narrative her peers have set on her. though no one knows the real story behind her new reputation. Yet the shaming is awful. Children can be so cruel. But as someone who can understand that sometimes having any control even if it means giving up something of ourselves before it’s TAKEN.
Due to all of this her “holier and mighty” friend drops her as s friend. Just to me felt like the most judgmental most spot on behavior I’ve seen. Because wow reading all this about her friend made me so mad.
Alicia definitely falls back on anger. She’s angry at the world and how everyone wants to treat her.
Due to this she is constantly being kicked out of class and ending up in school suspension or detention.
Her walls are up and she is extremely guarded and feels more alone than ever.
Because not only is she dealing with all of this but also family is going through a lot. With her parents drama her brother distance. Now discovering little notes implicating there is another person that may have been affected by this teacher. Someone else…oof again this is all a lot.
But Alicia perseveres and she finds herself finding new friends, new love interest. People who see her, who want to help her.

This book not only addresses SA, but also racism with some teachers and students in schools, sexuality and sexual preference.

Overall this book covered so many important topics, there were many verses where I just kept rereading because they just hit. Alicia’s story will stay in my heart along with the authors final note.