My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Epikoros Publishing for an advanced copy to this novel.

Greek Mythology is a rich area for storytellers, filled with characters and situations that can be drawn on, adapted and even made richer and more complete with the addition of historical facts and modern sensibilities. Michael F. Butchin has done so in his novel Medousa, taking the character known for his stony gaze as the Gorgon and given life, love and a chance to share her story.

Medousa born of noble blood, enslaved, cursed by the god Athena who finds her end on an island at the end of the world, from a hero who is acclaimed for his great actions. A simple sounding story, but the story of Medousa is shaped by trauma and actions outside of her control. Nothing she does seems to ever go right, from helping innocents beset by foul creatures, who turn out to be offspring of friendly Titans. All the stages of her life things happen to her, that leave her more damaged, but she continues to strive on.

The book is well written, with a few different styles telling the story of Medousa at different stages. The characters are historical or mythological, and exist clearly in this world. The book is a lot to read, to maybe it would be best to read in stages. Sometimes the life she is given does wear at the reader, but the story is never dull, and never without something to think about. Not fun in the conventional sense, but a very compelling read.

I’m literally obsessed with Greek mythology. Every time I find a book related to the topic I have to get my hands on it and read it. Which is also what happened in this case.
The book follows the life of Medusa, it is described in great depth as it is also a very long book (probably the longest I’ve found on the argument) so it was rather impossible to be disappointed by it.
Also the writing was just sooooo good.
Highly recommended.

a complete epic about a woman and her life which strays away from the traditional narratives about Greek life and mythology. It’s expertly told and forces to reader to confront any preconceived notions of the gods and monsters and heroes.

We all know Medusa as the evil women in Greek mythology that turns people to stone. But why was she portrayed that way throughout history? What turned her into a “monster”?

Michael F. Butchin tells Medusa’s tale from her early beginnings in Sparta. She underwent many traumatic things that made her the women she is.

The story is told beautifully and very well written. We see Medusa not as the evil monster she is usually portrayed as, but as a human being who went through such pain and misery.