Not my favorite sadly and I was really looking forward to this. Maybe because there was hardly any depth to it and length

If I purchase a copy of this book for my library, it will be because the author's other works and name recognition. I didn't find this book very interesting after having read Stone Blind & The Shadow of Perseus in the last year. While the author changed the ending of the story, I didn't find anything really new or captivating in this version of the story.

"A myth finds a way to remember itself. It makes a new shape, rising out of a shallow grave in glory."

Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Especially because this is the story Medusa has always deserved. I was enchanted and enthralled the entire time. I don't think there was a single second of this book I didn't want to devour. I can't wait to buy myself a physical copy during the holiday season.

We all know the story of Medusa, but what makes this retelling so good is the way it was written. The perspective it was written from. The life this story was given. It wasn't the side of the monster we've always heard, but instead that of the victim. The voice of the story that should have always existed.

The only reason Medusa has been classified a monster for as long as she has is because of the complete misunderstanding an un-reliable narrator has driven into humanity for centuries. A myth she may be, but that doesn't mean her story hasn't been told a thousand different ways and misunderstood in a thousand more. Think of how little cadence a woman's story has always held in the media.

This story is no less. This story has always deserved so much more.

I hope you'll pick this up to find the voice Medusa has always deserved. For that alone this will be one of my favorite books of the year. In her own words she gets to be so much more than a cautionary tale told to children. To those who "need" punishing. We get to see all the injustice she received, understand it, and endure it beside her rather than watch her go through it alone.

She never deserved to be alone. I love that because she never deserved that, her snakes received personalities. It gave so much more to this long told story that I really expected. The shock and excitement of it made this experience so entirely new and exciting.

For those who never heard her voice in the way you believe she deserved, know that this is worth the time you'll spend in a sad story. In a heartbreaking, unending, constant story told among the world and never loud enough to be heard. This could be the start of finally being heard.

Jessie Burton has made her name with wildly popular Miniaturist. I’ve only watched the cinematic adaptation of that, but I did read and absolutely love her other novel, Muse. So I figured I’d check out this book when it showed up on Netgalley, because hey, I love classic mythology.
Since the publishing market is all about trends, this is actually a trend. These retellings of ancient myths using modern mores. Conceptually, I don’t love it. I think things should be read within their context not preimagined and prechewed for the latest generation’s ever more delicate sensibilities. And let’s face it, the ancient world was brutal to women, in real life and in mythology. The Greek deities were abusive, rape-y, and all kinds of mercurial with their affections.
One of those women, sideswept and ruined by the desires of the immortals is Medusa. This is her story as told by Burton, author who seemingly utilized her background in YA fiction to tell a story appropriate for most ages. It isn’t YA per se, it isn’t not YA. The main protagonist is a teenager and so it her love interest, Perseus. They spend most of the novel talking without seeing each other. Because we all know how well it turns out once they do meet eye to eye. Or if you don’t know, you will after reading this story.
Burton is an undeniably talented writer, her language sings. But beyond that, the story comes across as thin AND unnecessary. With heavy-handed moralism to boot.
It’s a small book and a quick read, but I don’t know if I’d recommend it.
If you’re thinking of requesting a Netgalley ARC, beware—the publisher has gone out of the way to make it uncomfortable to read, providing a terribly spaced-out copy.
Unless you’re really into feminist retellings of Greek myths, or doomed teenage romances, I don’t know what you’d want with this book. Thanks Netgalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for this opportunity to read rate and review this arc which will be available December 5,2023!

This is a feminist retelling of the myth we all know and it was dangerously poignant, heartbreakingly beautiful and utterly devasting to read. It humanized what many view as a monster. Medusa was a victim of the gods and Perseus. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Short and succinct, this tale of Medusa rewrites her tragic story through the lens of power, turning Medusa from a victim to a survivor who takes control of her destiny.

Written mostly as a conversation between Medusa and Perseus, the author takes care to share the history of Medusa and Perseus.

If you’re a fan of Circe or A Thousand Ships, you’ll enjoy this one too!

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story gets 5 stars because that ending WOW! The strength of Medusa is to be admired! Her story has always fascinated me. This retelling gave me so much insight into Medusas plight and the courage and growth she showed by the end has me in awe of her and her sisters.

Hearing the story of Medusa was tough. Oh goodness the gods were so evil and their stories are so tough to hear but this story is one that hit me in the heart and seeing in the end take her life back has me cheering for this beautiful “monster”

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

This was a super quick read, but I really enjoyed it and read it in one sitting! If you like mythology retellings, I'd definitely recommend it. It is easy to read but also I liked the writing a lot.

Because it's only about 200 pages, there isn't room for a ton of plot to happen, but it's a quick retelling of Medusa that tells another side, which was cool!

This was a great version of her story, I recently read the shadow of Perseus and she was written as a good woman and I found it so interesting so I jumped to request this one. Overall I was pleased

I am a big fan of Jessie Burton (I loved The Minaturist) and I love Greek mythology. Circe is possibly one of my favorite books ever- the classic “other side of the story.” Everyone has head of Medusa, but it’s always in a negative context - her as the villain. I personally think it’s fascinating to explore the other side - why did they get the way they did? Why did they change? Are they truly bad?

For all of these reasons, I very much enjoyed this book. My only negative feedback is that I think it could’ve been a little longer and more in depth. It feels like there is more to tell.

This is Medusa like you’ve never seen her before! Jessie Burton’s masterful retelling of the snake-headed Gorgon deftly reveals the woman behind the monster.

After being mistreated by Poseidon and cursed by Athena, Medusa has been living in isolation on an island with her two sisters. Until the day Perseus lands his boat at her shores, sparking an attraction she never thought she’d feel. As the two sit on either side of a stone arch, their stories are revealed, and the Medusa myth you thought you knew turns out to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Medusa as a fully-realized character is sympathetic and nuanced, a young woman mostly at peace with her fate but dazzled by the possibility of romantic love. Burton’s prose is lush and vivid, and I adored her imagining of Medusa’s snakes as colorful characters with their own names and personalities. And that ending – wow!! No spoilers here, but it was total perfection!

If you loved Medusa’s portrayal in Claire Heywood’s “The Shadow of Perseus” (as I did), you will love her even more here! Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me an advance copy of this book.

The version of Medusa’s story she deserves!

A quick retelling, wish the NetGalley version included the illustrations because I feel like it would have added another gorgeous layer to this, but enjoyed it all the same!

I loved Medusa by Jessie Burton! The writing was beautiful. It is a tall order to retell a story known across the world and still create something fresh and new. The writing took a simple backdrop and snapshot in time of Medusa story (her meeting of Persus) and crafts a lyrical and emotinal story.

Here were some of my favorite quotes:
 "And   here   was   another   truth:   I   was   lonely   and   I   was   angry,   and   rage   and   loneliness   can   end   up   tasting   the   same."

"‘It’ s   inexplicable,’   I   said.  ‘ To   whom   the   gods   are   fair   and   foul.’"

"‘ Well,   I   think   it’ s   easier   being   told   you’ re   a   handsome   boy   than   it   is   to   be   told   you’ re   a   beautiful   girl.   When   beauty’ s   assigned   you   as   a   girl,   it   somehow   becomes   the   essence   of   your   being.   It   takes   over   everything   else   you   might   be.   When   you’ re   a   boy,   it   never   dominates   who   you   can   be..... Perseus,   when   you’ re   a   girl,   people   think your   beauty   is   their   possession.   As   if   it’ s   there   for   their   pleasure,   as   if   they’ ve   got   something   invested   in   it.   They   think   you   owe   them   for   their   admiration. " 

"Sometimes,   not   even   folding   your   self   into   the   smallest,   littlest   shape   is   enough.   So   you   might   as   well   stay   the   size   you’ re   supposed   to   be.’"

"You   could   take   away   my   arms   and   legs,   my   body   and   my   breasts;   you   could   cut   off   my   head   and   still   not   end   my   myth.   You   will   not   find   my   answer   in   the   puzzle of   a   stony   foot,   you   will   not   find   me   in   my   snakes.   You   will   not   find   me   in   my   deeds,   nor   in   poems   written   by   long- dead   men.   But   you   will   find   me   when   you   need   me,   when   the   wind   hears   a   woman’ s   cry   and   fills   my   sails   forward."

This was a quick and touching retelling of Medusa and Perseus. It read like it was from the eyes of a much younger and innocent Medusa than we are used to seeing. Gave a whole different outlook on how we view Medusa and her story. This book was heartbreaking at times and really made you feel her loneliness in life.

This was so beautifully written.
It was the story Medusa deserved.💚

I absolutely loved this retelling and reimagining of one of Greek Mythology’s most well known stories. I do believe that even if you are not familiar with greek mythology or not a huge fan of it, I do think this book will change your mind with the captivating story.

"Medusa" is a breathtaking and audacious reinvention of a timeless myth that left me utterly captivated. The author's skillful storytelling breathes new life into the tragic figure of Medusa, a woman exiled and cursed by the powerful Gods. Through exquisite prose, we are transported to her secluded island, where her loneliness and pain are palpable. When Perseus enters her world, the story takes an electrifying turn, blending desire, love, and betrayal in a way that is both mesmerizing and heart-wrenching. For fans of "Circe" and "Ariadne," this novel is an absolute must-read, offering a fresh and unforgettable perspective on a heroine history had cast in stone. "Medusa" is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit, making it a true literary masterpiece.

f you love feminist retellings of myths, I think you’re going to really enjoy this book.

Medusa is a take on the classic myth, but with a few twists on the tale. First, the story is told from the perspective of Medusa herself. Reading from the point of view of a character typically villainized in mythology retellings was a truly awesome and unique experience. Second, as a feminist retelling, you’ll find more modern themes interwoven with the storyline. Burton does so masterfully with beautiful and purposeful writing throughout the book.

Although I loved so much of this retelling, including it’s concept, the brevity of the story made it lack any real punch for me. I would’ve loved a much deeper and detailed dive into Medusa’s story, which is what I was hoping for. The writing present certainly wasn’t lacking in anything; there was just too little of it! I wish Medusa was just about 100 pages or so longer. I think this would’ve cemented in those themes and messages Burton worked so hard to include in the first place.

Overall, I gave Medusa a 3 star rating. If you are like me and love a good mythology retelling, I definitely recommend adding this one to your list. Just be warned, you will leave craving even more!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for this ARC!

Loved this retelling. I work with children in a counseling setting and honestly, when reading this I thought of how well it explains trauma and how we people work through it. The story of Medusa is a cruel and harsh one, but the way it is presented in this story is easier to digest and tells it in a way that someone younger could read this. The discussion questions at the end really make one think about who they are and that at times we have our two selves that are fighting internally. Sometimes our trauma can make us feel ugly but in this story, Medusa in the end accepts who she is and what happened, without forgetting her past all while learning more about herself and pushing herself to not let go of what she wants most

This was a great twist on the Medusa myth. I enjoyed the discussion questions at the end also! I made me think more about some of the topics in the book. If you like Medusa retellings, I recommend starting this book today!

A beautifully written, quick retelling of Medusa's story. This was my first time reading a mythological retelling, and it will definitely be my first of many. I read this book before knowing a lot of Medusa's lore. I did some research after finishing and it just made me enjoy this book more. There was so much attention to detail with Medusa's and Perseus' stories, and I loved the twist in events at the end when Perseus attempted to behead Medusa 😉 I love that this retelling empowered Medusa and that she learned to embrace who she was, even though at first she was devastated by her curse. If you enjoy retellings of any sort, you'll definitely want to read this!