Ah, Medea: a woman scorned burns her life to cinders! That's how I remember her from Jason and the Argonauts.

I grew up reading Mary Renault, which sets my historical-fiction bar pretty high. Renault was (among other things) a scholar of Ancient Greece and Crete. Because of <I>The King Must Die<I/> and <I>The Charioteer<I/> my expectation is that if I'm reading about the scandals and dramas of 2500 years ago, it should feel as transportive as science fiction, because <I>that<I/> world is not like this world.

So with that caveat, I saw the lovely cover to <I> The Witch of Colchis<I/>, and thought I would give it a try. This retelling of Medea's story, starts with Medea as a girl transforming her swinish brother into a pig, a sin for which she is beaten by her brutal father. Medea's aunt, Circe, is brought in to reverse the spell and teach the child to control her power.

Circe praises her skills, tells her to accept her power, and warns her not to use black magic. Then Circe does not return one day, which Medea experiences as abandonment, just another trauma for her as a shunned, beaten, unloved child. Fast forward to when Medea is 18 (an old maid! with a miserable grudge-holding brother yammering for her death!), when along comes the extremely charming, sociopathic Jason and his cinematically attractive crew of Argonauts. She falls for Jason instantly. What follows is all too familiar: a woman subjugating her will to a gaslighting mate, betrayal, more subjugating, guilt, and more betrayal until Medea finally snaps.

This novel was not to my taste. It felt strangely modern, both in terms of language (sympathetic Atalanta says, "OK" and commiserates with Medea by saying things like "It must be hard to hear that,") and detail (when did doctors get called in for childbirth? why was lesbianism an alien concept for Medea? was that the first naked body she'd seen?). I was jolted from the narrative by dialogue that might easily translate to facile television repartee.

Ultimately, I didn't find Medea interesting enough as a character -- perhaps because so many of her appalling actions were driven externally. This Medea was easily goaded to action by others, making her more victim than villain. When she reaches for black magic, the spirits of the dead perform her worst sins, making Medea a sort of puppet rather than a person with her own volition and will. Personal preference, but I like a protagonist to take a stand: good, evil, a mix –– but something.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

The Witch of Colchis" by Rosie Hewlett is a must-read novel that breathes fresh life into this timeless story of Medea. Hewlett's engaging writing style adds depth to familiar characters while paying homage to the essence of the original narrative. It's a compelling retelling that honors the legacy of mythology while offering a new perspective, making it a standout addition to the genre of mythological tell-all novels.
It was incredibly hard to put down. Reminded me of Circe by Madeline Miller for sure, but really was it's own, unique take on a powerful woman of ancient Greece.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I truly don't think I will ever get bored of Medea stories. The Witch of Colchis follows the story of Medea and Hewlett's writing is engaging and brings life into a story that has been told so many times. I loved the way Hewlett put their spin on the characters while also paying homage to the original story. The writing keeps tension throughout the book that kept me on the edge of my seat and I found that it was a great telling of the story and it continues the legacy of great mythology retellings.

The Witch Of Colchis is a gripping, harrowing-and at times frustrating-portrayal of Medea, one of the most controversial figures in mythology. Those who are familiar with the stories surrounding her will certainly understand why.

The Witch Of Colchis delves into the people, ideologies and events that help to shape Medea into woman she inevitably becomes. She is a complex character: surrounded by abuse and neglect, naive, yearning for affection and freedom and yet still bound by the the narrow constraints of womanhood despite the remarkable powers she possesses as a sorceress.

Medea’s relationship with Jason, the leader of the Argonauts, is a tragic one tinged with codependency, betrayal and unfulfilled expectations. The moments of gaslighting used against her were not only infuriating to read, but also a symptom of Jason’s own self-deception: as though an insinuation rather than a direct request could remove personal responsibility.

Although the continued besmirchment of Medea’s reputation throughout the novel helps to assure him otherwise.

Nevertheless, Medea’s darker actions are not excused, though her inner motivations help to illuminate the reasoning behind her decisions. Medea’s initial relationships with her sister Chalciope, her aunt Circe and Atalanta, the only female Argonaut, briefly provide some of the rare uplifting moments within the novel.

These moments feel necessary as the near-conclusion of The Witch Of Colchis is quite bleak. Neither gratuitous nor wholly unexpected, but seemingly the culmination of the continued mistreatment and trauma that Medea experienced.

But it is also not the end of her story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

As someone who takes their degree in Classics entirely too seriously, I was very excited to tear this book apart (looking at you 300). That did not end up happening.

The thing I love the most about myths is how prolific the messages we get from them are. I remember reading Medea for the first time for my undergrad (Euripides' version forever) and being absolutely entranced. We have a myth featuring a highly complicated woman that deals with xenophobia, misogyny, and morality that ends completely contrary to anything the "standard" Greek tragedy says it should. Rosie Hewlett took these themes in stride and went on to tie in another theme that completely modernizes the story.

As your starting this story, you immediately feel for Medea. Not just sympathy, but (at least I did) empathy. It really felt like Hewlett looked inside my brain and stole all the thoughts and insecurities from my high school years. It was a little scary how relatable Medea was, actually. After all, how many times have we ignored the red flags of someone we wished would just take us away from our horrible and mundane lives? How badly have we wished for someone to see us, truly see every part of us, and not balk at the worst parts?

Because I knew of this story before I read Hewlett's version, I obviously knew how it ended. But, Hewlett is such a phenomenal manipulator of her readers' minds that I caught myself thinking many times "Well, this time could be different, right?". Which, of course it couldn't, it never does. That's simply not how Medea's story goes. But Medea believes so deeply that Jason could be the one to save her that she shifts every world view she has to fit this narrative, and it ends up infecting the reader.

All in all, this was an amazing read. Hewlett brings such life to an ancient legend, and makes it so much more relatable for the modern reader. And remember, if not one, but TWO trusted females in your life tell you that your new boyfriend is bad news, listen to them.

This was superb.
No other way to describe it.
This and Clytemnestra, best mythology retellings in recent years, hands down.

"Though, if I have learnt one thing in my life, it is that nobody will hand you your happiness. For happiness is not a gift to be given freely but a prize to be claimed."

I did Medea in school in classics, and was familiar with the story and interested to see how Rosie would deal with the more dramatic and heavy moments.
This book was so compellingly un-put-downable, that even knowing the horrors that were to come, I charged head first so recklessly fast towards it...
And Rosie, Bravo. Those final few chapters were...harrowing! Oh such deliciously sweet agonising words...
Actually, all the words in this book were great. Rosie's prose was honestly excellent. The story was conveyed so clearly and emotionally, and we could see so deeply into the characters mindsets and the customs and feel of the time, she had obviously done her homework on this!

The way she handled Medea herself was superb. The build from young girl to the villainness as we know her from legends and Euripides is such a well constructed and organic journey.
“The world tried to make me the victim, so I became its villain.”
Seeing her evolve from a naive and rather foolish girl was so well handled and all the result of one person...Jason.
Oh man will Rosie make you HATE this guy. Seeing him on the page was honestly like nails across a chalkboard by the end! I just wanted to rip out the pages with him and shake sense into Medea (luckily I was reading on a kindle).
“Sometimes, his love fills me so deeply and completely I think I may burst. Far more often, I am left with nothing but a coldness that rattles through me, stealing across the empty plains where his love had grown rich and wild mere days before. There seems to be a skill to this treatment, an art form, like a jailer toying with his prisoner.”

Honestly, cannot fault this book. 5 stars easily and I will be nagging people to preorder it pretty much on repeat until it comes out...

The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett is the story of Medea and Jason and how he rides her skirt through life. Claiming credit and glory from her accomplishments, using her magic to save himself, and then ultimately betraying her. This story is a brutal lesson not to give up yourself or your life for anyone.

I love Rosie Hewlett's writing style. This book is a must-read for mythology lovers!

Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, for an advanced copy of The Witch of Colchis in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it!

I usually dont do greek retellings but this was great! Well paced, great story and interesting characters. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I had a hard time with Circe, but this was easier to follow with enough plot to keep me engaged.
I knew nothing about Medea before reading this, but what a character. She was used, abused and rose from the ashes as a powerful, terrible sorceress.
The audacity of the men in this story 🤯 there were so many times I wanted to scream at Medea to tell them off and throw the book.
But the end! Satisfying, emotional and beautiful!
Well done, can recommend!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced readers copy.

While in the recent years, there has been an influx of retellings for mythologies I will never get tired of reading them. The Witch of Colchis is an amazingly written journey about Medea that dives straight into the whirlwind of her life. This book is not only engaging it is also an interesting and exciting take on the Greek myth. The only part of the book I didn't like was Jason, BUT not liking him made me love the book all the more. I feel that if an author can make you utterly despise a character rather than love them it is a testament to their writing.

Thank you NetGallet and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for granting me access to the ARC of ‘The Witch of Colchis' by Rosie Hewlett in exchange for an honest review

Despite having a love of mythology, going into ‘The Witch of Colchis’, I had only a small knowledge of Jason and the Argonauts and no knowledge at all of Medea. While I found myself immediately attaching to the fierce, rebellious nature of Medea, I found my attachment to her steadily waning throughout the story. That is not in judgement of the book itself because, after doing a bit of research, it did follow much of Medea’s original arc in Greek mythology. Without giving anything away, Medea made a lot of… interesting choices throughout her original story and those same choices are portrayed here, only with more explanation and reason for them.

This started as a 5 star read but ended up as a 3 star because, by the end, I disliked both Medea and Jason and could no longer understand Medea’s choices and her constant renewal of trust in Jason. I had more interest in side characters like Atalanta and Orpheus than I did in the two leading characters. That being said, I did enjoy the book overall, my favorite scene being with the sirens. It kept my attention and I found myself constantly wanting to return to it and read a little more. A 3 star rating to me means it was good and I overall enjoyed it, but I don’t foresee needing to own it or reread it.

*Very minor spoilers ahead* As a personal preference, I’ve never been one for insta-love/insta-lust, and Medea’s relationship with Jason goes in that direction the moment she lays eyes on him. Given Medea’s heavily sheltered, abused, and ignored existence prior to Jason’s arrival, it feels realistic for her to immediately fall in love with the first person who doesn’t treat her like something to be feared or used (though use her he certainly does). I was constantly rationalizing her unknowingly being manipulated with the fact that she honestly felt that he loved her and despite every single person warning her that he will say whatever he needs to in order to get what he wants, she fell for him every time. As much as I tried to understand her circumstances, after a while her constantly making terrible decisions in order to appease Jason grew more and more frustrating. She would assert some form of dominance “Men are so predictable” while simultaneously continuing to doom herself for Jason knowing full well at this point that he would only blame her for the situation going south even though it was his idea in the first place. Somehow, she was surprised by this Every. Single. Time.

Even though I had to frequently put this down to say “Really, you’re falling for this again Medea?!” out loud multiple times, I did overall enjoy it and would read more from Rosie Hewlett in the future.

If you like having your heart shredded while being immersed in the world of Greek mythology, this is the book for you. It is always very enjoyable to explore a version of the stories of the great heroes where the glory and power of men are nothing without the machinations of the women previously left in the background, and this book does this painfully well. Rosie Hewlett writes in a way that is straightforward and beautiful without feeling overly flowery or excessive.

Much like Circe and Ariadne, the story of Medea is not a kind one. I don't think I've ever wished for a happy ending for any character more than I wished one for her. Hewlett carefully weaves the human experiences of loss, trauma, and greed into the established mythology in such a way that Medea, the scary powerful witch, feels incredibly relatable. Ultimately this isn't just a story about a powerful woman, this is a story about a girl who is never shown love and clings to it wherever she can find it, which leaves her vulnerable and incredibly easy to manipulate. While her acts are misguided and reprehensible, her thoughts are explored in such a way that it was impossible for me not to empathize with her and understand her.

I plan to post a review to my TikTok closer to the publication date.

Wow! First let me say that Medea is my favorite myth. She has fascinated me for literal decades. So I have very high expectations when it comes to her story. Thankfully I can say that my expectations were exceeded.
The thing about Medea is, I need to see the passion, the rage, the love, the madness, the justification. I I got everything I wanted. I raged for her treatment by her family. I was swept up in Jason with her. I was hurt with her by the rejections of her actions, especially when Jason got the adoration. I tipped over the edge into darkness with her as she was asked of more and more by Jason. I ached with her as she broke ties with Circe and Atalanta. And I rage, oh how I raged, with her in Corinth. It’s an almost out of body experience when you’re justifiably angry and a man tells you that you’re being hysterical.
The great tension in these stories is, how will her story end? We know what Euripides wrote. I will not spoil it for you. But as much as I raged and cried and felt her pain, I think this version of the story really works.
I think Hewlett did a masterful job here, and highly recommend this retelling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the preview. All opinions are my own.

I was very excited for this book because I've read so many Greek myth retellings but I've never seen one about Medea. For such an interesting and seemingly evil story, I was very excited to see how Hewlett portrays her story. However, something about it just really fell short. I think most of it can be boiled down to not understanding Medea's motivations and the disconnect between her personality and actions. The beginning of the story portrays Medea as so strong-willed and determined to escape her father's abusive household. While I understand that once she saw Jason and he gave her the littlest bit of kindness, she was immediately taken by him and saw him as a way out of her situation, I really don't understand why she stayed with him. She was so easily duped by a man that started to exhibit the same red-flags as her father and she was fully aware of them. I just don't understand why she decided it was a better idea to stay with Jason than with Circe on her island. Medea looked up to her aunt so much as a child and still admired her and her power when she finally found her. It made no sense to me when she decided not to stay with her. There were so many other examples of weird decisions, and there were even times when Medea was confused why she was making these choices, so it was just so frustrating when she never tried to better herself. We're supposed to believe that she's incredibly strong, but she's constantly being controlled by the men in her life, which I guess might be the point but it just didn't make sense.
The author also kept telling us everything instead of showing us. We kept getting beat over the head with the point she was trying to make. The amount of times that Hewlett said something along the lines of "Women will always be either be expected to be an angel or devil and it all depends on the men who control her" is crazy. The author never trusted us to come to this conclusion on our own, we had to be told that's what we were supposed to think. We also never really saw Medea's magic evolve too much. One moment she was a young girl naive about her magic and then all of a sudden she's this super scary and powerful witch with insane powers that she never actually uses to help herself. Maybe I'm missing something but this story just didn't resonate with me like other myth retellings have.
It was an interesting story and mostly entertaining, but I just found myself frustrated by the Medea's choices. Also, Atalanta and Medea should have just gotten together. They had way more chemistry than Medea and Jason ever did.

this books is focused on a greek myth - love! - AND medea - which i loved even more because im pretty sure this is the first book ive ever read written about her. absolutely loved this book and the way the author showcased medea growing as both a person & into her powers. also if one says you're an evil witch, how long till you become one 🫣

“The world tried to make me the victim, so I became its villain.”

I feel like a rarely give books 5 stars, but this one is so deserving of it. It is honestly a masterpiece. While I enjoyed Circe by Madeline Miller, that enjoyment was tripled in The Witch of Colchis. It was heartbreakingly beautiful and did the myth of Medea justice. It was intriguing, the imagery was vivid, and the retelling of Medea’s myth was imaginative.

I thought it was paced wonderfully. Sometimes retelling of myths can get weighed down by excessive descriptions and imagery but I didn’t find myself bored or lost in details. I am also not well read in the Greek myths and did not feel completely lost. This is a must read for anyone!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Witch of Colchis has a traumatic story that is presented beautifully and lyrically by the author. A disturbing story it may be but I found this retelling to be highly engrossing and emotive.
The complexity of Medeas character is laid bare and evolves throughout. Other characters, such as Atalanta also shine.
It’s dark and it’s compelling - simply five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Growing up, mythology held no appeal for me - now that I’m middle aged, I find that I have much more interest in it - and I really appreciate clever feminist retellings.

This pulled me in and held on tight throughout my reading - I was invested. I found this well written and captivating and kept turning the pages, finishing the story in two days.

Though I found the time jumps confusing from time to time, and Medea’s story is certainly a tragedy, I enjoyed this and look forward to reading more by the author.

Recommended!



Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

I’ll start by saying I had fun reading this. I struggled to connect with Medea, whose feelings often seemed abrupt and shallow. At times she’s reminiscent of the iconic creepy non-emotive child, Wednesday Addams. Then in the scene she’s blushing, flinching, and being driven by a level of hormones that only Bella Swan could empathize with. While the characterization and plot pacing didn’t win me over, I don’t think anyone would regret picking this up.

As a mega-fan of Greek mythology retellings, I knew I had to pick up this book! Ever since Madeline Miller's Circe, I've been devouring Greek retellings as quickly as I can. 4/5 stars!

Overall, I enjoyed this fresh retelling of Medea's story. I especially liked the scenes with other mythological characters like Circe. My favorite scene was the one with Glauce at the end; it was incredibly suspenseful and skin-crawlingly effective! I'd happily read more from this writer.

I was kind of frustrated by the time-jumps. There are two years-long time jumps in the book, and it was jarring and made it hard to connect with Medea since we are just told that she's now been married for ten years and had two kids, but we didn't see any of that happening so we can't really connect to it.

I also thought the overly modern lingo was a little jarring. Characters say "OK" to each other, which was odd in this Ancient Greek world.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for a review.

I've been a fan of Greek mythology since I before my memory was entirely cemented (therefore, I am not sure if Riordan is to blame), but The Witch of Colchis provides a particularly devastating spin on what always felt like too-distant mythology. I won't lie, I love dark characters, and Medea did not disappoint. I can't say that this is my favorite mythological retelling, but it did hold my attention from the beginning, invest me in her story, and leave me numb in a "I don't want feelings anymore" sort of way. It, sometimes at the expense of the world, is a study in character, how power and greed and the absence of love twists and shatters. It will hurt. It is dark. It will frustrate you. But if you, like me, sometimes want to watch a character burn down the world, then this story will deliver.

I will keep my eye on Rosie Hewlett. Especially if she gives us an Atalanta retelling.