This was a well written story that nicely interweaved the complexities of trauma and trying to be in control of your body afterwards. There was some good stuff in here as far as the standards placed on women being a double edged sword and not knowing how to label your sexuality after someone else has already claimed it.

Honestly, this was a good story.

So why three stars? I just don't think it's one I'll think about again and it didn't leave me with a "wow" feeling. Maybe that's putting too much pressure on this book, but I read a lot and I know what I like. Even though this one wasn't a homerun for me, I think others will love it.

Enjoyable, great pacing, exciting settings kept me hooked. Fun novel that will be the perfect to lose yourself in. Thank you Net Galley for ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

I loved this book! It made such a mark on me. The author brings up so much that is relative to my life, and to so many other people's lives as well. Both growing up as an "early developing" young lady, and just living as a woman in our society. I loved the way the author put this all together and made it feel like you were inside the main character's mind.
The book follows a 16 year old young lady, Alicia, who is dealing with being a developed teenager in today's society. Where no matter the profession or social status of a man, society allows them to get away with treating woman like garbage. Treating us as if we are just a body they can conquer and nothing more. Society allows it and supports them quite frequently, When the woman is investigated and portrayed as being the one at fault, and/or a liar. Alicia is angry. So angry about what's happening in her life. From her parents divorce to everything at school; thank God for friends!
This book is something that will surely be banned, if it isn't already, because there is too much truth and society can't handle that! Would definitely recommend, especially for teenage girls!

“Why when it comes to girls and wolves do we let our brains look for reasons why she deserved to be prey before we notice his fangs?”

**3.5/5**

A very needed and powerful novel. A lot of thought-provoking, deep moments that unfortunately were bogged down a bit by its length. While every scene was important to establishing Alicia’s extremely isolating circumstances, it still felt needlessly long.

Despite my issues, I would highly recommend the book. Even though I’m not it’s ideal audience, it feels very raw and personal.

Lyrical and raw. This the first novel in verse I have read in a very long time and it was quite good and more than I expected.

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- a powerful story in verse about a survivor of sexual violence utilizing her voice to work on a path of healing. i enjoyed the protagonists journey, but parts of the story did slog a little around her relationship with the other characters, but it didn’t take away from my overall experience. overall, a good story about surviving trauma and the reclamation of one’s voice.

- trigger warnings: sexual violence

This book was emotional, healing, and cathartic, moving
It was difficult to read because of how relatable it was as a sexual assault survivor, but in the end it felt like an empowering read, a story of resilience and refinding yourself, a story of hope

I do wish there was a bit more closure at the end, but I understand why there wasn’t and the character arc was enough to leave me feeling hopeful at the end

With its lyrical prose, fierce protagonist, and thought-provoking themes, this book is a triumph that will captivate readers from beginning to end. Cole tackles important topics such as misogyny, victim-blaming, and the reclaiming of one's narrative. Through Alicia's story, the author shines a light on the ways society often silences and vilifies women, highlighting the importance of empowering marginalized voices and challenging oppressive narratives.

Dear Medusa beautifully captures of the voice of Alicia, Deja, and their group of multiethnic teen girls in high school. It questions the social rules that police their bodies and traumatize young women who struggle to thrive amidst the trauma and chaos of sexual abuse, shaming, and bullying, and builds hope for the allyship that develops when girls and women are willing to share their truths with each other.

This book really packed a punch. This is definitely the type of book that you need a certain mindset for as it can be extremely triggering to many. The author did a very good job highlighting the effects of trauma on a person and how trauma affects each person differently. The author also did a great job in highlighting the issues girls today face, especially with the fact that no matter what girls do it’s never enough.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

“I’m starting to realize that a woman doesn't get that mad

so mad that her hair turns to snakes
so mad that her rage turns blood to boulder
so mad that she withdraws into a cave and dares the world to follow

all on her own.”

Dear Medusa is a beautiful but heartbreaking story of how a girl deals with the aftermath of sexual abuse and her journey towards healing and self-discovery. This novel written in verse was short but powerful, examining how people deal with trauma in ways you wouldn’t expect, and what it takes to overcome.

thank you NetGalley and Labyrinth Road for this arc!

Amazing and a tight read that was good to look into. I'm glad I got an ARC and thank you for it! So this in my view was a great book.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

Wow! Powerful! This book follows Alicia, a high school junior, through a downward spiral brought on by being sexually abused by a popular teacher. Throughout the school year, she tries to find herself again. I like being able to feel how she feels, hear her thoughts, good and bad, and understand the pain that she has buried deep down inside. This book could be a trigger for some! I found it wonderfully written and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Oof. This book was like an emotional punch in the gut. At first, I was a little bored to be reading ANOTHER novel in verse about SA. I have read so many novels in verse about SA. They're always emotional and hard to read and important and hard to recommend and so on and so on -- but did I need another one?

I like bringing in the Medusa myth and the girls' community at the school which creates a natural opportunity for the characters to talk about The Issues without it seeming too shoehorned in. I felt for the girls at this school and in this world from the very first page, which is a sign how well-done this book is.

I was not prepared for how emotional this book made me. I can't wait to share it and read more from this author!

I don't generally like poetry or books in verse, but this book pleasantly surprises me. I loved how the author was not afraid to talk about dark topics or go in-depth about them.

One, I love novels in verse; there is something so freeing about having a fully developed story, but told in what appears to be a simpler medium. Hats off to all the authors that can manage to write this way successfully!

This book deals with incredibly difficult topics like trauma, repeated sexual violence, grooming, religion, slut shaming. It is hard to even list them all. I think YA books like this are so important - they tackle these incredibly difficult topics, but do so in a way that is accessible for different readers of different backgrounds.

I so appreciated the tie-in to Medusa, and the telling of her origin story - rather than just the man-hating monster everyone seems to know.

Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole is a very intense book.. it’s written in verse and is very haunting.
Alicia is a 16 year old girl who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a popular teacher. That virtually destroyed the person she was . I feel that all survivors of sexual abuse should read Dear Medusa. This book and Alicia will stay with you long after you finish it.
I was given a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

“Dear Medusa” is a novel in verse that follows Alice, a high schooler who has a secret. We follow Alice as she tries to make sense of her life. She is struggling with losing her best friend, losing her closeness with her brother, not being able to talk to her divorced parents, and carrying the burden of her secret. This book is a beautiful modernization of the tale of Medusa. It covers important subject matter and helps readers see how much everyone goes through and how hard it is to speak up when overcome with fear. I feel it is an important story to share, and can see this being something we could add to high school libraries.

Absolutely staggering novel in verse. There is A LOT going on in this book, but the deftness with which Olivia A. Cole has woven her protagonist Alicia's narrative doesn't leave readers feeling shortchanged or at loose ends, but rather the right amount of overwhelmed when it comes to dealing with tough topics like sex, sexuality, women's bodies, rape, friendship, family, asking for help....to name a few. This is the "Speak" of the 21st century.