I finally got through this one, and although I did like the character, it was hard to read the first part of the book. All the angst was too much for this reviewer. Teens will/do LOVE this title, though. An engaging "girl interrupted" story.

This is a powerful and courageous novel written in verse that navigates the difficult terrain of trauma, sexual abuse, and resilience through the lens of a sixteen-year-old girl, Alicia Rivers. While the subject matter is undoubtedly heavy, the book handles it with a raw and unflinching honesty that leaves a lasting impact. While this book is not an easy read, it is an essential one that sheds light on important issues while showcasing the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Trigger Warnings - sexual abuse, bullying, substance use

Sincere thanks to Labyrith Road and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was very raw. Something that is somewhat par for the course when it comes to topics such as the ones expressed within the pages. I think it handled these topics better than other novels I've read in the past and as my first novel in verse, did so in a very new way. This opened my eyes to novels in verse and I know it won't be my last.

Alicia is seen in her local town as the school slut, someone you call for a good time and can never call again....or call again and again. However the story of Alicia and how she came to embrace this identity is there for the taking, if anyone cares to dig deep enough. TRIGGER WARNINGS: sexual abuse, rape, and grooming(mostly all off page, but enough to elicit strong emotions).

As a survivor it was easy to see myself reflected in Alicia at her age. It was the only thing I was good for, and without it I would become invisible all together. I needed that pain, even to the point I would seek out individuals I knew would treat me the ways Alicia is treated throughout this novel. As a mother, and avid watcher of Undercover Underage this novel just hits.... different. It's sickening, not only for Alicia, but for younger me. Not only for younger me, but for the current young generation. When so much is out there in the open now days, can we actually protect our children from the monsters? Some of the quotes that really stuck with me were:
"I read that anger can grow of trauma. That it can turn a human into a volcano. I want you to know I’m here. It’s okay to be angry. I can stand your lava."

"I am tired of salting the wound— I am ready to salt the earth."

Five stars and a hope that this can be a beacon of hope for some, even when the cave seems incapable of light. Age appropriate for those 13 & older, and I honestly wish a book like this had been featured in my school when I was that age. I think it would have really been a lifeline, and can still be.


Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

💔Book Review:
Title: Dear Medusa
Author: Olivia A. Cole
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

“Medusa has become a figure of protection to women who have experienced sexual assault or assault on some level, particularly by men.”

Alicia Rivers is a 16 year old student who is being sexually assaulted by the school's "beloved" science teacher. I hated this book. Not because it is a terribly written story, but because it hits too close to home. Let me clarify. I was not, nor was anyone I'm close to, ever assaulted by a teacher. But, I do work in a school, and I'm aware of certain situations that have come up in the past that are extremely difficult for everyone involved. It's very frustrating for me to read about this heralded teacher literally destroying his students' lives while hiding behind a facade and NOBODY freaking knows?! Unfortunately, this doesn't just happen in fiction. These things do happen to students, and it needs to stop! I'll get off my soapbox now.

This book is difficult to read. It's extremely heartbreaking, and it truly was hard to continue reading. Again, there is nothing against the writing or the author. These stories need to be told, but sometimes it's just so very hard to read.

Published: March 14th, 2023

Thank you, @netgalley, and #labyrinthroad for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Amazingly raw and touching. What an intimate story and relatable to many in different ways. Highly recommend this book!

I have to say in full disclosure that if a person has been a victim of sexual assault, this book can be very triggering.

With that said, this is a story of what happened to a teen girl when assaulted by a teacher. It becomes unbearable for the teen When he turns it around to make him the victim. It shows how the teen in this story was taken advantage of and how this happens in more cases than not.

I was happy the author showed a different outcome, but even with that, some women aren't so lucky and have to live with the pain. I do, however, recommend the book as it is well-written. (Linda - Guest Reviewer)

Alicia has been sexually abused in some way by a teacher at her high school, one that everyone likes. She isn't very popular at school, isn't paid attention to much at home, has a job she doesn't like much with a boss she doesn't like much... she just isn't coping very well alone and doesn't have a support system to share her problems with.

This book in verse follows her as she spends a lot of time in ISS, deals with her anger and helplessness, makes a new friend who she gets very close to, and does a lot of reflection on girlhood and womanhood in the world. Some of the poetry is legit some of my favorite I've ever read (as someone who doesn't typically connect with verse) and I wished I hadn't read a library copy so that I could highlight.

I do kinda wish it was a little longer, because the end wrapped up QUICK, but it was really good and I think it should be in lots of teen girls' hands!

This book was such a wonderfully gripped and entrapping story. It was a bit hard to digest at some points with the subject matter but I adored it regardless of how triggering but can be.

Not sure what else I can say about a book as powerful and sticking as this, other than the only thing I wrote down in my notes for this book, a quote:

"Am I allowed to decide when I want to be a feast?"

This one just did not do it for me unfortunately. I was expecting something much different, and I could not find myself interested in the story.

"Dear Medusa" by Olivia A. Cole is a hauntingly beautiful story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. We follow Alicia as she lives through the trauma of having been sexually abused by a popular teacher at school. Cole dives deep into describing the lingering psychological impact of the shame, anger, and distrust that plague Alicia. Cole's use of strong female friendships, female mentorship, and a mother who is working on herself to heal Alicia is inspiring. This book is not anti-male, but it is a drink-thrown-in-your-face to anyone who shrugs off the small (and large) moments of sexualizing girls and women.

Bracing novel-in-verse that deals with tough topics of consent, female sexuality, and identity. Although this was, in some respects, hard to read, it covers important topics in a sensitive manner.

DEAR MEDUSA is a stunning YA novel from Olivia Cole that tells the story of a sixteen-year-old grappling with sexual abuse while navigating a judgmental high school and a heavy home life. Written in verse, this book struck me as something that younger me would have absolutely inhaled and loved.

I do wish that some parts of the plot were a little more fleshed out, but found it a quick and powerful read overall. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Random House Children's for the advanced copy.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was honest and at times gut-wrenching. I personally am not a huge fan of novels in verse, but I understand why this book was done in that format and think that it added to the overall story. While this book was well done, I personally think that the book tried at times to focus on to many different hot topics and I think it would have benefited more if it had focused on a main storyline.

This book was so powerful, and the writing was beautiful. I marked so many lines, poems and pages. This story was dark and heavy, yet so important. A 5 star story without a doubt.

I docked stars because at times the book suffered an identity crisis. A book about a young girl dealing with the trauma of sexual assault was bogged down by the author adding in controversial topics for clout. It took so much from the story to add in all the hot button issues to tick off boxes. And the added emphasis on Black girls and racist teachers was a subplot taken too far and was weird coming from a white lady. There are plenty of Black authors who can tell this story from personal experiences without needing a white lady to do it for them.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a powerful, immersive novel in verse. Although I usually read verse novels in a sitting or two, this was one that I had to consume slowly. There was a lot to tackle in this book, and I appreciated the exploration of anger and pain that came with all the injustices. This book was a great example of how verse can elevate emotions with a reduced amount of words.

Dear Medusa was a beautiful portrayal of traumatic experiences. It follows the experiences of a teenager and her experiences with sex, love, and herself. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

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.

This is such a powerful and strong book that I would highly recommend. And I hope school libraries pick this book up.