Ava is excited to do a school report on her favorite goddess, Athena. When another student beats her to claiming Athena as their topic, Ava is overcome with anger - an anger that seems to come out of her and cause the other student to freeze. Her outburst leads to her mother revealing their family secret: Ava is descendant from a monster, and will now have to go to boarding school at the Accademia del Forte. Learning from Greek gods and other mythological creatures, Ava soon makes friends, discovers rivalries, and begins investigating what really happened when her mother was a student as a child.

An interesting take on the Medusa myth. Ava is a relatable character, and there is quite a bit of humor throughout the story. Particularly well-done is the underlying question of what really makes someone, or something, a monster or a hero.

Rating: 4.5
Genre: Fantasy
Thank you Clarion Books for providing an e-copy through NetGalley.

Summary:
Ava is the opposite of her perfect-student older brother Jax. Everyone thinks she is weird, her friends left her for the cool kids, and she has anger issues. When annoying classmate Owen gets her in trouble - again - Ava has had enough and gives him a piece of her mind. In response, Oven freezes, literally, becoming a stone-still statue. Worried, Ava’s parents enroll her and Jax to a school in Venice, their mother’s former school, the Accademia del Forte. Ava is excited for the fresh new start, though her mother acts odd during their goodbyes. She quickly learns that the school was founded by the Greek gods themselves, where they teach students how to harness their special powers to fit into society. Ava is ecstatic, until she discovers that every student is a descendant of not the gods and heroes, but of monsters. But that’s no big deal, right? Just regulate your emotions and listen to the teachers’ rules. Easy. But some students are bullies, and speaking out against them is seen as “wrong”. Teachers tell only one side of the Greek stories, often with female gods and heroes being shunted by their male counterparts. And the gods themselves aren’t that friendly, sometimes even downright mean, depending on what monster you are descended from. And Ava quickly realizes she is descended from the worst of the worst, Medusa herself. There’s something wrong with the school, and Ava is worried to speak out in order to stay safe within its walls. But she can’t keep silent forever, especially when her loved ones’ lives are at stake.

What I Liked:
Medusa is a fantastic take on Greek mythology and adventure stories, focusing on who gets to tell the story, who is praised, who is demonized, and those who fight to be heard. This story is a Harry Potter x Percy Jackson, aka magical school with Greek mythology, but with a nuanced perspective: Too often, those in power get to write the history, or in this case the mythology, that dictates society, social order, and how we remember the past. Ava and her friends must fight against these one-sided myths and discover the truth through the voices of marginalized and villainized women. For once, this is a mythology book that does not hold back its criticism of Greek mythology (the most popular and idolized one in literature), highlighting how the male gods always get the glory, different versions of the same story, and how Zeus is the worst. (Thank you! Why does the media always idolize him? He’s legitimately an awful person and leader.) Ava is a strong protagonist, struggling with two sides: To be silent and stay out of trouble, or to risk danger and speak up. It’s a very real and powerful fight Ava must face, and you will be rooting for her all the way to fight against condescending gods who want to silence her (or even kill her!) and speak up for the mistreated monsters and women in the pantheon. Her friends are great supporters, whose personalities reflect different sides of this fight. Fia is the loudest, not afraid to challenge the narrative and is the smartest of the bunch, Layla is practical and loyal, Arnold is a coward at first but grows into the fight, and Jax is a rules-follower who is against fighting back. Readers will follow Ava as learns the inner workings of the magical school to where she must travel to famous Greek sites like Tartarus and Olympus, meeting with ignored goddesses whose voices have been silenced. Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the mythology-adventure stories in middle grade fiction, being more mature, showing the power of mythology, and proving there is more than one side to someone’s story.

What I Didn’t Like:
Despite the great message, many times, the writing could be too preachy. We all should hear women’s and girls’ voices, empowering them, not silencing them. But this was beaten over the head a little too much. Also, at the beginning, the reveal of certain Greek Gods would be brushed over very quickly (and oh yeah, our design teacher is Hephaestus, moving on) which could be disorienting to some readers. The latter half of the book does a great job exploring different realms and goddesses.

Recommend to: Kids who love mythology - adventure stories, Greek mythologies (or even don’t like Greek mythology, because there is a lot of well-deserved shaming), and the power of storytelling.

Review Date: March 19, 2024

3.5 stars. I liked the author's concept of a mythological school for descendants of monsters. I will definitely hand this to mythology lovers who want a quick, fun read.

This is a fun take on a magical coming of age story-in this story, the main character, Ava, is discovering her magical powers at a magic school in Venice and instead of gods and goddesses, the kids are descendants of the monsters from the Greek myths. The characters are interesting and the monsters scary (sort of). It's a fun read.

“She was a heroine not just to the most powerful goddess of all, but to her friends.”

Ava has always struggled to manage her emotions, even when her mom gives her techniques. However, when she accidentally sends a classmate to the hospital, she and her brother, Jax, are whisked away to Accademia del Forte, a boarding school in Venice, Italy. Ava is excited to learn Greek gods are her teachers but nervous when she discovers she and her classmates are all descendants of Greek monsters. Ava soon discovers that the Accademia is full of dark secrets. With the help of her friends, she embarks on an adventure that changes everything she thought about mythology.

When I picked up this book, I thought it was going to be a mix of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, but it proved to be so much more than that. The story explores Greek mythology through a different lens and shows multiple sides to every story. I liked how fast-paced and captivating the book was; I was on the edge of my seat through the whole story as I finished it in one sitting. However, there were occasions when it felt rushed. There was too little backstory at times, so I was lost. For example, the adventure the children go on was entertaining and exciting, but I wanted more buildup and more context. I enjoyed how multiple characters questioned whether the myths they were taught were the whole truth. I loved the emphasis on the power of friendship and female empowerment because most Greek mythology children’s books I have read have had a male protagonist. I encourage everyone who loves Greek mythology to read this book because it changes the narrative of what you think Greek mythology is.

Medusa is the first book in a new series — The Myth of Monsters — that should appeal to fans of Percy Jackson and the Descendants books.

Medusa employs the popular school trope, and it works for good reason. The boarding school aspect of Medusa allows for lots of characters — young and old — friendships, learning possibilities and enormous growth.

At the center of the story is Ava, a bright young woman who feels like she’s living her brother’s shadow. He’s seemingly perfect, and Ava can’t seem to control her temper. But when they arrive at the Accademia, it’s Ava who begins to shine. And despite everything, she finds herself with a good group of friends.

Medusa delves deep into Greek mythology, with a stronger focus on women’s roles throughout. And given that it takes place now, the story takes a much more progressive lens. The strong female characters will particularly appeal to girls, but the gods aspect and strong friendships make the book attractive to a large audience.

4.5 stars

I've never read anything by this author, but I will eagerly check out her books! I loved this one, and I look forward to the rest of the series! The premise is unique (Harry Potter meets Percy Jackson). There are enough twists to keep readers engaged, and the well-crafted, unique characters are easy to root for, and it's great to see such strong female characters! I've always enjoyed Greek Mythology, so I really enjoyed that angle to the story. There's just enough details to encourage readers to learn more about the Greek myths. Fans of the Percy Jackson and Harry Potter series will want to check this book out. While this is geared toward middle grade (particularly girls), older students and adults will love it, as well!

Ava Baldwin is excited to write a report about her favorite Greek goddess, Athena, but Owen King steps in the way at every turn - and the teacher allows it. In a fit of anger, she freezes Owen like stone, and it is then she and her brother, Jax, are whisked away to Academia del Forte in Venice where they learn the are descended from mythological monsters - in their case, Medusa. But, the boarding school is not what it seems. It is not a school, but a rehab center for monster descendants to teach them to live in the mortal world and anger the Greek gods and goddesses. When Ava's friend Fia (Chimera) has her voice taken away from her because she speaks against the patriarchy of the Greek gods, Ava is determined to save her. With the help of Layla (Empusa), Arnold (Harpy), and her brother, Ava finds Medusa, travels to Tartarus, Olympus, and back again to save Fia and release Medusa from the asylum she has been banished to. The characters, all of mixed, varying heritages - both mortal and monster - are well layered and believable with their hopes, dreams, opinions, and fears. Though light on the Greek myths and the twisting and turning of the known mythology, the book is a good starter to introduce readers to the pantheon and the tales that came from the mythos. The book focuses on finding your voice and your own power and using it to fight the wrongs you see in a positive away while throwing in the adventure and danger expected from Greek mythology.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

I absolutely loved this book. I’ve always loved Greek mythology especially after reading Percy Jackson when I was young and this was very reminiscent of that. It opens up a whole new generation of children to Greek mythology and shows them what determination, courage, and a found family can do.

Thank you to Clarion Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Seventh grader Ava Baldwin works very hard to keep her anger under control but it was becoming increasingly difficult. Her best friends don’t hang out with her anymore and know-it-all Owen is always talking over her. After Owen’s latest episode, Ava lets her anger take over and blasts him, causing Owen to freeze (he recovered several hours later). Ava was sent home and next thing she knows, she and her older brother Jax are being sent Venice, Italy, to attend a special school called the Accademia, which was founded by the Olympian gods. But the school is not what they imagined – it was designed for descendants of mythological monsters to have them gain control over their powers, whether or not they exhibit any. Ava quickly comes to terms with her heritage but her new best friend, Fia, is quite outspoken and soon finds herself with her third strike and is punished, Ava realizes all is not as it seems and embarks on a quest with her friends to find the truth.
This is a great opener for a new series. Marsh takes the Percy Jackson stories and flips them. The book is relatively short with relatively short chapters, making for a quick read. Would definitely recommend for fans of Percy Jackson, Greek mythology, and girl-centric adventures (grade 4 and up).
#Medusa #NetGalley

What a fun read! A new twist on all the mythology books out there. A fun, adventurous, quick read that keeps you intrigued until the very end.

What if Medusa wasn't evil? What if "monsters" aren't the bad guys?

For too long, the stories of strong women have been held down, erased, or twisted by jealousy and fear. This is true of many myths written throughout time, especially in Greek mythology. This fantasy story is a journey of self-discovery and uncovering the truth for Ava and her friends. It is an adventure full of mystery, love, friendship, and the power of believing in yourself. Ava is everything a young, strong protagonist should be. Fans of the Percy Jackson series will love this story.

I am trying to wait patiently for Medusa to be published. I have already preordered two copies for the students in my library, who I know will love this exciting tale. Medusa is perfect for students in upper elementary and middle grades; however, as an adult fiction enthusiast and Librarian, I also enjoyed reading it. This story is the first in a series, and I am already excited for more to come.

Thank you so much to the talented author Katherine Marsh, Clarion Books publishing group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I cannot wait to get copies into my school library and the hands of my students.

Five stars from me.

I loved everything about this book. From Ava finding out that she is descended from “monsters” to her journey to truly find out Medusa’s truth. The moral of this story is beautiful. I think that it is so important that we remember history is told from the side of the winner. So, people who we grew up thinking they were the villain, that may not always be their truth. There are two sides to every story. The only thing that I wish for from this book is that there was more of it. It felt so rushed. While that is perfect for an emerging reader, I do think that maybe a bit more could have been put into this book. But maybe that is because I loved it so much. Thank you so much to HarperCollins Children’s Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. I can’t wait to recommend it!

The idea of a book similar to Percy Jackson and the Olympians but with the children of monsters sounded amazing. How could I not want to read this book?

At the start of Medusa, you see how Ava's emotions are used against her. She is seen as too intense and angry when she rightfully gets upset over a boy using his "charm" to get his way. I was so excited to see Ava use her powers for the first time even though she didn't know what she was doing I could tell that this was going to be a journey where Ava would find her voice and embrace her inner "monster."

Ava quickly becomes friends with Fia who refuses to go by the status quo and says it like it is. She's always asking questions like why the monsters tend to be female and why the goddesses don't have statues in the Accademia del Forte. Ava acts like she is supposed to and excels in class but when Fia is in danger she is ready to fight back. I enjoyed reading about both Ava and Fia who were both well-thought-out and strong-willed characters.

The adventure aspect of the story was compelling because we got to learn another version of Medusa's story. I did wish as the characters journey from place to place that there was more action. It felt like the journey took only a day and could have been paced better. I also think the female empowerment was laid on a little thick towards the end but I still think it's such a great story for young girls. Some girls are more stubborn and strong-willed which is treated like a bad thing when it can be such a positive like how Ava and Fia modeled. If the author improves on the pacing and action I think this could be a hit series. I'm really hoping we learn more about Fia's ancestry and we travel outside of the Accademia in the next book.

Overall, a strong start to a new series that's fast-paced with a meaningful message.

Medusa is a new middle grade book that is similar to Percy Jackson but with children of Greek monsters instead of the Greek gods. When Ava gets in trouble at school, her and her brother are sent to a boarding school in Venice. While there, they discover that all of the kids going there are descendants of Greek monsters. The children soon learn something is wrong at the school and go on an adventure to find the truth.

I’ll start with the good stuff. I think the story and adventure were fun and a good idea for a children’s book. I liked all of the characters and the different Greek mythology sprinkled in. The kids had different abilities and it was fun to see how they corresponded to different monsters.

Now to the stuff that didn’t work for me. Overall, this book was very preachy and was very obviously pushing certain ideas. No matter if I agree or disagree with certain things, I don’t want it shoved so obviously in my face the whole time. There is a way to put in certain values and ideas in books without hitting the reader in the head so much with it. I also feel like the pacing was a bit off. It felt super fast the whole time and I wish it slowed down a bit in certain areas.

I think this book had a fun concept but the execution was not there. I wish it wasn’t so pushy and rather just focused on the fun and adventure by the kids. Thanks so much to netgalley and harpercollins children’s books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Medusa was unlike any book I've read! I enjoyed all of the mythology interwoven and learned so much as I was reading. I loved the message of telling stories that have been looked over and to help those who have been labeled a certain way. The main characters were strong females and they created their own stories! Loved this and will be ordering it ASAP!

Medusa is a fun fantasy novel based on Greek mythology, about a school in Italy, the Accademia del Forte, that exists to teach students who are the descendants of figures in the Greek pantheon. Ava and her older brother, Jaxon, are sent to the Accademia from America when Ava is in 7th grade. Part of new student orientation is a DNA test, intended to help place them at the school - and, they find out shortly, to determine which figure in the Greek pantheon is their ancestor, information that the staff keeps to itself. Students are left to find out who their mythical ancestor is when the powers they inherit manifest, usually in times of stress.

Ava, at first nervous about attending a boarding school so far from home, settles in and begins to truly enjoy the school, right up until her friend Fia gets into more trouble than she can handle, and finds herself with a punishment neither of them could have anticipated. In an attempt to help their friend, Ava and several other students set off on a quest, one that brings them into contact with several members of the pantheon - specifically, several of the female figures who have historically been dismissed as sources of influence. This novel does a wonderful job of combining classical Greek mythology with a fantasy adventure. Recommended for readers ages middle school to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Seventh grade is rarely easy, but twelve-year-old Ava is having a particularly difficult time as the school year gets going. When a classmate gets in the way of Ava’s desired class project, things go from bad to worse, and all Ava wants is a do-over. In a shocking twist of fate, Ava gets what she is looking for, in the form of a boarding school in Venice, Italy. Although she is looking forward to simply studying her beloved pantheons, Ava quickly discovers that her interest in mythology runs deeper than she ever imagined, and she herself may be descended from one of the most famous creatures of all.

This middle grade novel is a good fit for fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, especially because of the boarding school and mythology aspects of the storytelling. It is important to note that this story shifts its perspective to focus on a female character and a lesser-discussed side of similar novels, which provides a fresh approach to the genre. Good writing and intriguing characters help propel the narrative, and as pieces of the plot fall together, readers will be ever more encouraged to continue reading.

Though the foundation and world-building of this novel are not as strong as they could otherwise be, the premise itself is intriguing enough to keep readers engaged. Characters from all over the world find themselves in Ava’s environs, and there is a positive and inclusive component of the narrative. Additionally, readers who have ever been to Venice will recognize the true-to-life details, and they will appreciate the creative liberties taken by the author, as well. The first in its series, this book establishes a compelling plot that readers will be happy to follow into the second installment. This is a fun addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.

Medusa is a fun Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter middle-grade book with a twist.

Ava struggles with managing her emotions while at school. Following an incident, Ava and her brother are sent to Accademia del Forte, a boarding school in Venice. There, they discover they are descendants of monsters and are taught how to control their powers and emotions. However, they soon realize that the school has its secrets. Ava teams up with her friends on a journey that could alter everything they know.

Medusa is a thrilling and captivating book that will take you on a journey full of unexpected twists and turns. With its well-crafted plot and engaging characters, this book is a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is a coming-of-age story that is both empowering and inspiring, with a strong emphasis on the importance of friendship and the power of feminism. Whether you're a young girl looking for a relatable and inspiring read or simply a fan of well-written fiction, Medusa is a book you won't want to miss.

This was SUCH a fun middle grade fantasy - perfect for Percy Jackson fans, but with a twist!! It's so fast-paced with just enough tense emotional moments. Ava and her friends are fantastic and I actually learned a lot about mythology while reading!!