Medusa (ARC)
Jessie Burton
3.5⭐️

Pub Date: 12/5/2023

I love Greek mythology and I am very intrigued with retellings especially when it covers the POVs of characters we've always known to be the villains, mostly women. They've been painted as monsters so this book really caught my attention as Medusa is one of the biggest "monsters" in that realm.

This book is mostly a self narration and a conversation between Medusa and Perseus. There's a "calming" kind of feel to it as they are just talking in this secluded island. But that's it. There's not much going on. The only times there's action is when they're retelling their stories and hardships to one another as well as the ending. The actual events of how Medusa came to be was just in a conversation. I do adore the little aspects- like how she named her snakes, that each snake has a personality and that they're connected to her emotions. There's also her sisters who were there her. There's this strong sense of family between the three. The author took liberty with the plot as it is very different from the actual myth. I don't mind it when the plot deviates from the original (that's why it's a retelling) but I feel like this one is too mild. Especially for a character so big as Medusa. I do like how it ended- one that gives her more justice. But I do wish there was more to this story.

This was interesting enough to finish easily but I felt like it had more potential. I will say that this is a good book about self love, awareness and contentment.

This book had such potential, but the stylistic choices really dampened my enjoyment overall. The first chapter was so good, but the rest of the book felt so different and wooden. I think that's what's most frustrating about this one, the first chapter and the last couple of paragraphs are quite good, and they really moved me, demonstrating that the author is quite talented, and had a clear vision and message with this retelling. And the important aspects of the myth, from my understanding, were accurate. However, I found myself feeling quite disconnected from the characters and frustrated by the dialogue and the narration style. I can understand why the author went with these stylistic choices, but they did not work for me. I really enjoy Greek myth retellings, especially those that uplift the stories of women, and this one had a really excellent message and theme, I just feel like it got lost a bit in a large chunk of the plot and dialogue along the way.

I've seen discourse in the past of readers being upset by authors of fantasy novels using modern slang in their books, and how it can disrupt the immersion. I myself have never really been bothered by that. If it's a well-structured world and fantastical elements, I'll be transported regardless of the lingo used. It turns out however, modern slang does bother me in Greek myth retellings. Overall, the dialogue felt very off, and not how I'd expect the characters to speak, and the modern slang and very casual dialogue just worsened the effect for me. The era wasn't ever specified, especially given that the location for nearly all the story is a remote island, but the context clues seem to suggest that it is occurring in the period the myth originally occurred in. I can appreciate switching up the language to be more accessible to more readers, but there's a fine line between more accessible dialogue and phrases that I could never picture ancient Hellenes saying.

The pacing of this book felt like it could have been tweaked a bit as well. The story pace was certainly quick, and yet it felt like nothing and everything was happening. The details revealed and the events never led me to feel more in touch with the characters, and the spacing of Medusa and Perseus' exchanges and the nightly rituals Medusa had with her sisters felt clunky. Like take for example when Perseus and Medusa were telling each other their stories, they cut it short right before critical details were revealed. It was certainly a good cliffhanger, but the nightly rituals that occurred afterward felt like it halted the plot. There just weren't that many events that happened across the book, so the pacing felt very started and stopped overall.

Overall, I could see myself really enjoying this retelling, especially that twist in the end on the original tale, but technical aspects and the method of execution really dampened my enjoyment,

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: General Fiction, Feminist Literature, Mythology Retelling
Language: Fairly sensitive for the abuse Medusa received, "Okay" used which threw me out of the story a bit.
Theme: Be yourself, Choices, Agency

I would say this is a feminist retelling of Medusa where we get the backstory of how she ended up as a gorgon.

It was interesting, and I enjoyed it.

BUT I had to double check if it was YA or adult. It's adult. I thought the instalove and relationship between Medusa and Perseus felt more YA. The themes are heavy though.

I've noticed most readers adored this book—and I *liked* it. The feminist ideas come through like a spotlight. And the prose is a bit sparse feeling to hone in on what is said instead of flowery language. As funny as it sounds, I think part of my just liking it was because the typography in my ARC ebook copy was so hard for me to read. So, you can take all of my comments with a grain of salt. Ultimately, both Medusa and Perseus had to choose who they were.

I think if you love Greek mythology and feminist ideals, you're going to enjoy this book.

Happy reading!

A feminist retelling of Medusa's myth, from her own perspective. Medusa was exiled by the gods to an isolated island, a young Perseus comes to visit on a mission, what neither expect to find kinship with the other and build a bond.

I have always been fascinated with the tale of Medusa. She is more often than not painted as a villain, so this new perspective was refreshing. The writing was very flowery, and at times it felt hard to follow. Overall I think it was very beautifully told.

I was hopeful about Jessie Burton's MEDUSA, especially after it received such a glowing review from Madeline Miller, but ultimately, I was a bit disappointed. I think the review was probably a little too kind. Yes, it's a feminist retelling, but there isn't much depth to it. I think there are much more interesting angles the story could have taken with regards to exploring the mythos of Medusa and Perseus. There could have been a lot more tension in the story. The fact that the Gorgon sisters were not as fully fleshed out as they could have been was another missed opportunity. Additionally, the voice felt off to me. Too many modern colloquialisms scattered throughout that pulled me out of the story, so I never felt invested or submerged into the world. That being said, this is still a retelling I would recommend to students because it's still a different angle compared to the original source material and I think some young readers might find it interesting.

Jessie Burton's "Medusa" is a captivating and thought-provoking retelling of the classic Greek myth, offering a fresh perspective on the story of a woman often portrayed as a monster. In this stunning novel, Burton delves into the life of Medusa before her transformation, revealing the strength, resilience, and vulnerability of a young woman who was silenced and punished for the actions of others.

Things I Liked About This Book
-The novel explores themes of identity, transformation, and the power of storytelling.
-Burton's writing is both lyrical and evocative, creating a vivid and immersive reading experience.
-The novel is a timely and relevant exploration of gender dynamics and female empowerment.

Overall Impression
Medusa is a must-read for fans of Greek mythology, feminist retellings, and thought-provoking reads. Burton's captivating narrative, complex characters, and powerful message make this a truly unforgettable story.

4.5

Medusa is a retelling of the Medusa story.

I tend to stay away from Greek mythology because I find it very hard to follow. But man I am so happy I read this one. The author wrote this in a way that is very easy to follow and understand. I have always known who Medusa was but all I knew was that she has snakes in her hair and turns me into stone. I love how this made Medusa into a real person. I really enjoyed this one. If you find Greek mythology a little intimidating like I do, I think this is a great one to read.

Thank you so much Bloomsbury and Jessie Burton for this copy!

This is the story Medusa deserved and I’m so glad it is being told!

I am a huge fan of Greek mythology so I have been super excited about this retelling, and Jessie Burton did not disappoint! Love the powerful and unapologetic feminist spin and all of the empowering quotes throughout. It was so refreshing to hear Medusa’s story in her own words. I enjoyed the inclusion of her sisters and their bond being present, as well as, the addition of personalities for some of Medusa’s snakes (Echo, Daphne, Callisto). Seeing a different side of Perseus was also something I wasn’t expecting. I cannot wait to purchase a hardcopy!

An intriguing take on Medusa's story with a more modern perspective, told entirely through her eyes and aimed toward a young adult audience. I liked seeing her conflicted feelings about Perseus as the two of them repeatedly came in contact with each other, and the showcase of the strong sisterly bond that she shares with Eurydale and Stheno was unexpected. The book felt a little too short and ended abruptly, yet I feel like overall it was successful, examining an old tale from a new angle. I may have to seek out the illustrated version to see what the visuals add to the mix.

It seems every time I spot a book featuring the mysterious serpent-haired Gorgon, I can’t look away. Fitting really, if you ask me! Steeped in violence and tragedy, stories circling around one of the most infamous monsters of myth always end with the hero triumphant. But what if the hero is the true monster? I’d read that story! And I have; Medusa by author Jessie Burton immediately caught my eye, and turned out to be one I just could not put down.

Medusa is a beautiful tale about the power of confidence and self love, a reimagining of the legend of Medusa and Perseus through the eyes of the young Gorgon herself. Witnessing the harshness and cruelty of the world from her perspective adds a poignant level of humanity to a life that is usually described as monstrous. Within the pages, Medusa narrates her story, speaking directly to the reader as if conveying a cautionary tale about the dangers of life and love. It’s powerful and heartrending in equal measure.

Burton’s eloquent, poetic flow allows this story to be told as it’s meant to be told, with plenty of room to breathe and allowing readers to drink in the sights and sounds. Small in both page count and scope, the word that comes to mind is intimate. A quiet heartfelt exchange between sisters, the sharing of whispered secrets between two young lovers, the roaring silence of a moonlit sea, this one is just…cozy.

While I’m not well-versed in women’s lit, this is definitely a book that checked all the right boxes for me, a stunning source of empowerment and acceptance. With the heart of a story of old, told with a modern flare, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Medusa and her loving sisters on their isolated island. This was my first read from Burton, but it certainly won’t be the last. If you’re a mythology junkie like me, always looking for a fresh take on a classic, give this one a try!

Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this retelling of Medusa’s story. It is from her perspective, instead of another person trying to tell the story of her. It can be so easy to villainize women, and there was no exception to Medusa’s story. As Perseus calls her a “monster”, we understand that despite hearing her story he did not truly grasp that all of these things happened to her. I enjoyed the ending, it felt like a beautiful way for her to reclaim her life identity and her story.

I find that we rarely get short, bite-sized myth retellings. That is what we get here - Burton is able to instill humanity into the Medusa myth in a short amount of time. Medusa is just a girl here who has experienced something awful and been transformed by the powerful Athena. But is this transformation as horrible as she thought? We follow Medusa as she meets and grows close with Perseus, and the betrayal and events that follow.

I’ve been a big fan of Jessie Burton for years and was excited to see her branch out into the retelling sphere. This was short and sweet, but also powerful.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first retelling and I enjoyed it. It was definitely an interesting perspective. A super quick read at only 208 pages but it kept my attention the whole time. This told the story of Medusa and how she grew from doubting herself, to hiding herself, to being proud of who she was made into. It also had women’s empowerment vibes as you get the downfall of Perseus. This retelling also explores sexual harassment in a way that isn’t overbearing. After reading this, I definitely want to explore more retellings.

I'm giving this 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This was a good retelling and a very quick and easy read. Seeing Medusa as a lonesome girl hoping for love was heartbreaking. I enjoyed seeing this story from her perspective and not from a male gaze. I think I would have liked more of this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a great retelling of the story of Medusa. While we have all heard her story from other character's perspectives, this is told from her own. Instead of being portrayed as a monster, she is portrayed as a human who has had a lot of unfortunate circumstances happen to her.

The story begins with Medusa and her sisters exiled on a remote island. She spends most of her time alone while her sisters are away hunting for food. After Perseus crashes onto the island, she slowly begins to talk to and trust him, and finally tells her story of how she ended up isolated on the island and how she got snakes for hair. It is a sad story that makes you sympathize with her. You come to realize she isn't a monster at all; just someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and who ended up gaining the gods wrath instead of their help. Though her story is a sad one, you also see her grow into a more confident person who learns to live again after everything that has happened and accept herself the way she is now instead of seeing herself as a monster.

I wish the book had been a bit longer in order to give more time to the development of Perseus and Medusa's relationship, but overall this was a well-written story.

This was an interesting YA novella and I enjoyed Medusa's perspective in what's essentially a greek mythology fanfic. The writing was my favorite part, as it was really lyrical and beautiful without being too flowery.

I think I just wanted more from this. I wanted it to push the envelope further and dive deeper. The book ended as it was just getting good! I don't mind that, but I think I was expecting more, especially considering the horrific nature of Medusa's story. This was soft and I wanted it to be longer and darker.

Flew through this once I got into it though, the dialogue is great and this is a really easy read!

A powerful reimagining. 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙖: 𝘼 𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡 breathes new life into Medusa’s character and expands upon Medusa’s transformation into a Gorgon. The novel takes an unflinching look at the brutality that precipitated Medusa’s transformation and gives her a more compassionate and inspiring ending. I really appreciate the way Burton acknowledges Medusa’s innocence and gives her an opportunity to reclaim her identity and self-respect. This reinvented story is so much more interesting and empowering than the original. It fits well with the modern context of Medusa as symbol of survival and strength.

Thank you #BloomsburyPublishing and #NetGalley for an advanced copy of 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙖: 𝘼 𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡 to review. I really enjoyed it!

This book overall fell flat for me. Between the cover, the description, and the comp titles I was expecting something more colorful, descriptive, and immersive, but the story I got didn’t really measure up to those expectations.

The cadence of conversation between Medusa and Perseus was not very smooth and really kept me from getting immersed in the story and feeling connected to Medusa’s struggle. The random uses of modern slang and language didn’t help on that front either.

This book really just felt like I was reading a narrative essay rather than a story. Medusa’s view of her own story has so much potential and I think the bare bones were there, but I was still left wanting more emotion, atmosphere, and connection.

Even though this was a short read, I felt like it took me forever to get through it. It just wasn’t for me.

This was an intriguing short read! I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling and the fact that Medusa survived at the end..

With a short story it’s hard to write multiple characters and for each one to have depth, as we saw with Perseus struggling between his belief that Medusa was a monster vs the woman that he met and eventually fell in love with.

I def recommend this read!!

Medusa, a once beautiful girl, has gotten her new daily routine down.. Until a beautiful man washes up on the shore and changes everything.

Another Greek mythology re-telling in the bag, and I ate it up. I love the story of Medusa, and this did not disappoint. Burton does a fantastic job of keeping the integrity of the original story while putting her own spin on it. Medusa is so undeniably a badass, and I absolutely loved this book.

*projected US republish release date: December 4th, 2024*
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA!