Medea

The enchanting story of Medea, the true hero of the story of Jason and the Argonauts. More than a villain, less than a Goddess, but a woman seeking freedom in the war to write her own destiny.

Wow. All I can say is wow.

If you know me, you know that female led Greek retellings are my all time favorite genre. I genuinely can't remember the last time I throughly enjoyed a book so much. What started as a random request on net galley has now turned into one of my favorite books.

I have to be honest, I wasn't ~that~ familiar with Medea's story. This was the perfect length, perfectly written. It was somehow both plot and emotionally driven. It provided history and was never confusing. (I did spend time googling ancient maps to understand her journey) You FELT for Medea. As someone that gets quite easily irritated by main characters, I can say that Medea never once annoyed me. She had growth and depth, relatable stubbornness, and a desire for freedom that most women can relate to.

When I say I started this book at 6 AM when I couldn't fall asleep and didn't put it down until I was finished, I don't say that lightly. Thank you Rosie Hewlett for reminding me what a perfect book is. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc. I now must buy every edition of this wonderful book

Woo, what an unexpected delight this one was! As has may have been established by now, Medea is probably one of my favorite of all time mythical figures, and ever since Circe hit the shelves, I've been waiting to see her story get the feminist retelling treatment. And so getting not one, not two, but three of them all in the same year is enough to make my heart sing!

JJ Taylor's interpretation of the story definitely does a good job standing out from its peers, with some interesting non-linear narrative tricks and a good grasp on both the characters and the story it's trying to tell. Admittedly, this is probably my least favorite of the three "Medea" novels I've read so far, but given the quality of its contemporaries, that's hardly much of a criticism. The implementation of religion, the usage of magic, the intensity of the struggles the characters face, it all makes for deeply fascinating reading! All in all, another excellent exploration of Medea's character, and one I'm very happy to have discovered! Thanks again to NetGally and BooksGoSocial for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I would like to thank JJ Taylor, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing me this ARC. There is something particularly pleasurable about reading a retelling of a story that is already very dear to me, with a character that, for me, is one of the most complex and interesting in mythology. I loved the book from start to finish. I liked the retrospective reflections and I liked the references to other myths that were left throughout the book. Of course one of my favorite quotes would have to be from Circe: "It's how you walk the path that matters when it comes to who you to. The outcome may be set, but how you arrive at it… Well, that can be your taste of freedom." I liked the pacing of the book and I liked the writing. Although I feel that this retelling did not add much to the classic story, it is always pleasant to read a faithful representation of an already well-known myth.

I’m very familiar with Medeas story and I found this to be a well told retelling where we are really getting to know her and her magic in depth
The writing was beautiful whilst also being very descriptive and I love when the women in these myths are given a voice
This retelling was more literary than other books I have read which I very much liked. A very good read

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc

Wow! So first off, I didn't know much about Medea when I started reading this. I decided to wait until I finished to do a little research on her. I'm glad I did because I like this version oh so much better! The myth tale of her is...really horrible. I'd seen her name pop up a few times in other books I've read, but never knew much of anything about her.
This turned out to be a really good read. It took me a 3 days to read it because there is just SO much in it. It is definitely not a light read. Anyone that likes mythology, will probably like this story. Definitely worth a read!
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC! These opinions are my own.

JJ Taylor’s version of the life of Medea has transformed my thinking and I loved it. They have taken the story and the facts and looked at them through a completely different lens and written something special. To find there is an alternative, a contrasting way of thinking of all those actions we think we know and understand, has been enlightening.

The world Medea lives in is wonderfully described. JJ Taylor has looked at the different places and the characters involved showing that her knowledge of this period is something very rare these days. The emotional connection between people and place is exquisite. Her research is thorough and detailed; she knows her mythology and her ancient Greece.

If you add to all this, a poetic way with words that keeps your attention from start to finish, then you understand how JJ Taylor will make you feel when you read this book.

Summary: In the house of King Aeetes on the Black Sea shores, Medea, descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, possesses power fit for epic heroes. However, her fate is dictated by the men around her until the arrival of Jason and the Argonauts. With the winds of change, the goddess's voice echoing through her, and visions of a dark future haunting her, Medea's journey is marked by sacrifices, political intrigue, gods with hidden agendas, magic, monsters, and the tumultuous quest for love and freedom.

Pros:
🌌 A stellar 5-star experience for Greek mythology enthusiasts! A faithful retelling that stays true to the myth, unfolding the layers of Medea's compelling story.

👩‍🦰 Medea, a character to root for! I was drawn into her world, feeling the depth of her struggles and the fierce determination for freedom. A protagonist worth championing.

🖋️ Beautiful prose that weaves an intricately well-written story. The story flows seamlessly, immersing readers in a world of gods, deceit, and a woman's relentless fight against her predetermined destiny.

In conclusion, "Medea" is a captivating exploration of Greek mythology, where gods and mortals collide in a world of sacrifices, politics, magic, monsters, and the undying quest for freedom. A 5-star journey that honors the myth while telling Medea's side of the story. Bravo to JJ Taylor for delivering a compelling retelling! 🏛️🌌

Disclaimer: A big thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC copy. Opinions are as steadfast as Medea's determination, and this review celebrates the allure of Greek mythology. 🏺📚

An excellent telling of the Greek story of Medea, combining several of the different versions into a fantastic story of a mortal woman who has been made into a play thing of the gods and just wants to find her own way and gain her freedom.

As with most Greek stories, there is tragedy and hope and heartbreak and love and betrayal and heroics and magic and everything in between. This was a really excellently written story.

It is a beautiful retelling depicting a strong female story that captivates you with beautiful writing. JJ Taylor does an amazing job at taking a story that has been told thousands of times and breathing new life into it. We get to see the depths of Medea and her character through her youth to old age. As a woman, I felt a sense of empathy and comradery as I read through the chapters. The story was enchanting, tense, heart-wrenching, and liberating. This is perfect for anyone who enjoys Greek retellings like Circe by Madeline Miller.
Thank you to NetGalley and JJTaylorl for this ARC.

4.5 stars rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

First things first, I have to highlight what thrilled me as a queer reader: less than 10% into the story and we have our first (but not last) instance of sapphic Medea! From then on, there is just so much I enjoyed about this retelling. She is a figure often highlighted for the bloody violence she commits, be it out of necessity to assist the supposed hero Jason in his quest, or due to sheer revenge, depending on the myth's source. Which is why JJ Taylor devoting a large portion of the book to the experiences she goes through while on the ship known as the Argo is such a breath of fresh air: the places she visits, the people she meets and whose lives she touches, and the yearning & lamentation she feels. Given that Medea's greatest wish has always been to be free, a previously sheltered princess such as herself broadening her worldview is something I rooted for.

The familiar beats of the myth—aiding Jason in his tasks, stealing the golden fleece, killing her brother and his dismemberment, seeing Circe, King Pelias' murder, Jason's betrayal, etc.—are still revisited. Now, however, we have insight from Medea on these series of events. We see how she laments the necessity of her atrocious deeds yet also is affronted when her role in them is downplayed or attributed to Jason instead, all because she is a woman. Internal conflict is a must for a well-rounded protagonist, and so Medea struggles with managing her hubris as well as her extremely complicated feelings for Jason.

I will say I'm pleasantly surprised by the novel's effort in developing any kind of believably positive dynamic to the Jason/Medea romance given their doomed end. While their "love" for each other is at first initiated by the meddling goddess as per the myth, the two did genuinely grow to care for the other. Jason is even quite likeable at times. I felt that this was one of many ways the novel wanted to be kind to Medea, and offer her more agency than the myth afforded her.

Speaking of agency, I also wanted to note how much I liked the minor tweaking of the way King Pelias' daughters ended up murdering him. Much more satisfying.

Lastly, what I feel is the novel's greatest strength is of how many women supported Medea, and she in turn supported them. Her relationships with most of the men in her life is often fraught because they are threatened by a woman who does not fear them. It's therefore great to see the novel embrace the concept of female solidarity, even over the instances when envy is understandably felt towards Medea and even by Medea towards others.

A wonderfully complex heroine, I'm thrilled to have gone through this journey with her.

I love this book! I love greek mythology retellings, and I think it is such a wonderfully written book that feels like a love letter to Medea. This book goes into detail about Medea's backstory and motivations, and I have loved being able to read about and really feel like I'm connecting to Medea. It felt very unique and went in to details that weren't in the original myth of Jason and the Argonauts. It makes me want to apologize for my lack of understanding or even desire to see where she was coming from when I first heard the myth! I really enjoyed changing the framing in my mind from the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, to Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch!

I received this book as an electronic advanced reader copy - all opinions are my own.

****THIS IS A NETGALLEY ARC REVIEW****

It’s safe to say I loved this book. As a former Greek mythology nerd, I love the emotions that arise from Greek retellings, I love the drama and the tragedy and the suspense. I loved Medea. I love how well the author characterized her, and in reading this book I felt transported back to my childhood, falling in love with Greek retellings all over again.

Best book I've read in ages! I love Greek mythology, Medea being one of my all time favorite women. She was a woman possessed by the capricious goddesses. They made her do some purely horrid things, be she still prevailed. This book gives voice to a woman long called witch.
I loved this book. I highly encourage anyone who enjoys mythology to read this book. These characters are not just names on a page, they come to life under the expert writing of JJ Taylor. I anxiously await more by her.

5 star book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I've read a lot of greek mythology retellings, but had never heard much about Medea's story. So, I was really intrigued when this popped up. And I wasn't disappointed. This is a new favorite in the greek retellings genre next to Circe, Clytemnestra, and Atalanta.

I think a lot of the retellings struggle with how to keep readers invested when half the book is the characters traveling and not knowing their destination. This book definitely didn't have that problem. The author was able to introduce new characters, settings, and cultures several times without it feeling repetitive or confusing. You got to learn about the new cities as the characters did so it never felt like the author was just info dumping.

Medea was also such a multifaceted character. It was painful to see her internal strife with being a pawn of the gods and seeking her freedom. One of my main concerns going in was how the author would make me feel connected to Jason (knowing what I already knew going in). But, honestly, I liked Jason and Medea's dynamic and everything that happened felt believable.

Thank you NetGalley and JJ Taylor!

what a fun experience to read another Greek Mythology and it’s about Medea, which i never read before.

this book is about her adventure to find freedom. she’s the chosen one by the gods who can see the future although it’s not crystal clear.

this book is a slow pace and very quiet, it only gets intense when it’s near the ending. but through this pace, we can get a better closure of Medea.

i love the writing styles. it is very poetic and deep. the other side characters in this book are also crafted really well.

Quite a good book

"Medea" by JJ Taylor was a book i found quite interesting since i have the play of Medea by Euripides in my syllabus for the degree i am pursuing, I have an Idea of the play and the overall story. The entire novel was well paced and beautifully written. I felt for Medea on a different Dimension and waned her to be free at last that is. I love the way Medea thought of the other Woman in her life, on how freedom was different for everyone and how everyone was on a different boat. I loved, LOVED Alkippe and i finished the book in one night.

since i knew the story already it was easier for me to understand (i have to read a book twice to understant it). the descriptions of places and people were so beautiful and overall i enjoyed the book.

what i was taken a little aback by was the language of dialogues, now i understand if the wanted it to be modernized language for the readers to understand it with no problem but because of this "modern" or casual language, the dialogues sometimes felt drowning in comparison to the thought that was suppposed to be expressed. the people of royal families also conversed as if they lived in 21th century, i also know the way medea talks is deliberate to show her personality but that way can also be a bit "royal" and not plain out a girl from the neighbourhood.

also, thank you to the publishers and JJ Taylor to provide this book without the request.
i would also like to add, the review i have written is totally my own honest opinion.

truthfully, Aarohi S

Medea was like a breath of fresh air with a strong heroin that always tried her best in a god-run patriarchal society, searching for freedom her entire life. It was beautifully written and very descriptive, and I actually quite enjoyed the skipping back and forth from young Medea to aged Medea, as if she was telling us, the readers, her story. Yet, the pacing was sometimes an issue, since some stops on their journey were over-descriptive and too long, and it lulled my reading. The balance of action=packed sequences and whatever else was very strong in the beginning, but I got a bit bored later on.

Overall, this was a four star read because I enjoyed how the author, JJ Taylor, portrayed Medea. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book.

Medea by JJ Taylor is a wonderful read. it is a story from Greek mythology but written for the modern reader. With a cast of strong women, this is a must-read for all women who need inspiration and empowerment to stand in our truth and strength.

The story follows most of the myth but gives Medea a true voice of her life events. The story contains great adventures, love, and life. My favorite parts were her learning new powers with the help of the goddesses such as Hecate and Hera to allow her to be a priestess and witch.

The author weaves in big questions for all of us - how much of our life is by choice and how much is fate or maybe even already decided for us by the universe?

I definitely recommend this book.

#netgalley #medea #jjtaylor

Thank you NetGalley for the arc. I love greek mythology retellings, and I was immediately interested in this book when I saw that it was good for fans of Circe (one of my favorite books). Medea’s story is not one that I was very familiar with, but I have seen her mentioned in other books I’ve read. Medea as a character has a lot of depth, and I loved hearing her story and her thoughts/feelings throughout. I also loved that so many different characters and locations were introduced. I especially loved the friendship between Medea and Kip. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was very fast paced, and once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down!

Greek mythology was my childhood playground, so retellings of Greek myths are hit or miss for me, and indie books are hit or miss for me as well. However, I thoroughly enjoyed JJ Taylor's "Medea," and I was intrigued from the very first paragraph. The author's background in the classics and creative writing shines through between her treatment of the material and the composition of her prose.

I am also not a purveyor of literary fiction, but this was an enjoyable read. JJ Taylor writes well the push and pull between choice and destiny. I am pleased to have been gifted this ARC via NetGalley!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc for this wonderful book! And happy pub day! Admittedly, it took me a while to get in to, and, consequently, to finish, this book, but I am so glad I stuck it out! I loved the way it was written, the way I visualised it truly felt reminiscent of a Greek play. Medea was a fascinating character, and I was able to connect and empathise with her in a way I never had before. The author did a great job with her story!

This was a wonderful book! It is so amazingly immersive, it’s got beautiful writing style, and it’s just the right pace. I am so happy I got to read this, as it definitely sparked me back into loving Greek mythology retellings! I can’t wait to see what else JJ Taylor will write!

This is not the story of the woman you think you know. You know only the tales told through the ages. No, this is the story of a dangerous woman fighting for her freedom in a world dominated by cruel gods and ego driven men…

In the house of King Aeetes on the shores of the Black Sea, Medea plays with gods in the forest as visions of a dark future haunt her. Descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, Medea holds the kind of power meant for the heroes of the epics, the heroes who have yet to arrive in the world. But as a woman, her place is decided by the men around her. Until Jason and his Argonauts arrive, bringing with them the winds of change and the goddess’s voice ringing out of Medea’s lips.

Sacrifices. Politics wrapped in layers of deceit, blood, and ego. Gods with their own agendas not meant for mortal flesh. Magic. Monsters. Love. Who will Medea become in her desperate search for freedom?

I’ve been obsessed with Greek mythology since I was a teenager, so I was really excited to get this arc! I was familiar with the story before I read this book, but this retelling is from a different perspective. Medea is a strong, female, main character and the book has amazing feminist vibes. The relationship between Medea and Kip is refreshing and realistic. Following along on Madea‘s journey was so much fun, and I felt drawn to her character as such a strong, independent female, Add to that all of the references to the Greek myths and I was eating this book up.

The timeline does switch between past and present often, which I usually don’t enjoy. However, the author did a wonderful job of tying things together, so it made sense. I feel like if the story was written in a linear method, you would not get the full effect intended.

Thank you so much NetGalley and JJ Taylor for this arc in exchange for my review!

gorgeous mythological retelling of one of my fav mythological characters. would recommend this one quite a lot. tysm for the arc.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

Medea is a character from greek mythology that I've seen pop up in a few other stories, but isn't someone I knew a lot about. I love a female led greek mythology retelling, so this was something I was always going to pick up.

This was such an easy read, and I absolutely flew threw it. I got through 200 pages in a day, and neglected to do everything else I had planned to get done that day it was that good.

Main characters easily annoy me. I find they're usually written in a way that's supposed to be unique, but at this point is actually way overdone and makes me want to roll my eyes straight out of my head. Not once did Medea make me feel that way. She had such amazing growth and was SO relatably stubborn.

This is a world ran by men, a world where women are supposed to keep quiet and do as they're told. Medea is a woman with incredible power, that stands up to these men and says "No." The female solidarity in this book was so powerful and I loved every second.

JJ Taylor has reimagined the tale of Medea into a thrilling and multidimensional character that resonates with the modern day woman. Medea is grappling with her own dreams and desires in a world full of societal norms and divine intervention that keep pushing and pulling her along her quest for freedom.
JJ Taylor's dedication to world building places you alongside Medea as she starts and continues her quest for freedom. Along the way there is political intrigue, magic and emotional depth thanks to the author's dedication to worldbuilding and detail.
The close narrative style allows readers to gain an insight to the inner workings and emotional capabilities of a woman trying to navigate a journey that at times is perilous, complex and emotionally raw. The reader is gripped from the start and feels the ebbs and flows alongside Medea.
I would thoroughly recommended this coming of age tale of Medea who leaves her home in search of the life and freedom she has always wanted and who's adventures and trials will mold and shape her into the powerful protagonist that readers will connect and relate to from start to finish.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall Review (spoilers)

I am in my greek mythology era again, but specifically my “the women in the greek mythology era” stories. Medea fills all my internal desire for strong female Greek mythology characters who are not heroes but also not villains. Medea doesn’t really fit into the anti-hero trope though, just more a reluctant women who craves freedom and the gods really dig her. I love the accurate portrayal of Jason (who has always been my least favorite Greek mythology character) and the way Taylor is able to explain the way in which women speak a language men will never really understand. The book is written in an adult style, slightly reminiscent of the old myths but for a modern reader, especially a pretentious modern reader. I recommend this book if you were a PJO fan as a kid, a Greek Mythology kid, or love strong female characters with a mean streak.

Plot Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Genre: fantasy, fiction, greek myths, mythology, retelling, LGBT+ mild rep.

Trigger Warnings: gore, death, SA, sex, sexism.

Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch by JJ Taylor follows the trend of retelling a Greek Myth for modern day readers.

This tale turns the tale of Medea as a Greek Villain on its head and shows Medea as misunderstood and a women fighting for her freedom and power in a world that undermines women.

This story was an epic from the start which I appreciate. While fast pace it still was maintaining the voice of Medea which was always clear and unwavering. I also appreciated the fact that the language was beautiful and descriptive which I come to expect in a Greek Myth Retelling.

I only wished that the author wasn’t rushed toward the end of the book. While the story was complete, I wished the author spent more time and action with the individual characters at the end of the story as she did in the first part. However, on the other end this is an epic tale and some things do have to be sacrifice to tell the whole story.

Overall this was story I was glad to pick up with characters that you could root for and relationships that were interesting to watch unfold.

Thank you Net Galley, BooksGoSocial, and Butterworth Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is not the story of the women you think you know. You know only the tales told through the ages. This is the story of a dangerous women fighting for her freedom in a world where she is a pawn in the game of the gods and men. Medea hold the kind of power meant for the heroes of the epics, the heroes who have yet to arrive in the world.

But as a women, her place will be decided by the men around her. Until Jason and the Argonauts arrive, bringing with them the ends of change and the chance for her to seize her freedom. She is still beholden to the gods and they have a path laid of for her, a fate she cannot escape that will end in betrayal and bloodshed. Who will Medea become in her desperate search for freedom?

A phenomenal retelling of the story of Medea, the Witch, the Queen, the Monster. But she isn’t truly a monster, only in the eyes of man but in the eyes of the gods she is their chosen. This story weaves the original myth and the legacy of her history in an intriguing and beautiful way that finally brings the real woman to the forefront of the story. A novel that takes place during her youth as she finds her way to freedom and seeking power from the gods, and her life after the greatest betrayal she would ever know. Not all stories have happy endings but this one just might.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴𝘎𝘰𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘣𝘺 𝘑 𝘑 𝘛𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘳

I did Medea in my senior year of high school and I thoroughly enjoyed the tale. So being able to read the newest version by JJ Taylor was a treat! I absolutely loved it.

I loved reading Jason and Medea’s dynamic, even knowing the outcome. I struggled to read The Song of Achilles because of the way the story was written, but I didn’t have any issues getting through Medea. And I’m so grateful I got to read it earlier than most.

The plot flowed seemingly effortlessly, and it kept me intrigued as a reader.

I’m so excited for other people to get to read it and I hope they enjoy it just as much.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you for the ARC copy of this book. Going into this book I knew a bit about Medea and the Greek mythology story line so I was looking forward to reading a retelling. I thought the retelling was well done and in tune with what we see currently with a more feminist lense or a different portrayal of women in myths which I liked. This made Medea come across as a more developed character/lead with many different emotions that were written well. At times the pacing felt a little off but otherwise I really enjoyed this book and this retelling. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Greek mythology.

I have to thank Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange of my honest opinion.

This is the story of a priestess with no choice other than that of doing as the gods want her to do. And all along, since her birth and having been predicted of being the destruction of her brother and family, she only kept seeking freedom, which was never granted her by the gods who kept using her. A priestess and a princess, a mortal girl who doesn’t abide by mortals’ laws, she has to use the gods’ power to survive and oh how that cost her.

This book is so well written and page by page I couldn’t stop reading, the pace is also never slow and going through Medea’s story I kept wanting to know what was next (but we know her story already right? Yes, that doesn’t matter, that’s how good this book was). Also the way Medea’s choices were portrayed, how tied she was to her own will and the goddesses’ was so well told that I was aching with her.

Read this story, and then come and tell me about

This book turned out to be quite an enjoyable reworking of the Medea story from Greek mythology. J.J. Taylor, the author, has managed to gather the stories of Medea into a cohesive storyline, with a plot that gives import to her struggle as a woman to be free in a time where females were generally seen as little more than property. There were a few points where I questioned the changes or variations on the myths, particularly towards the end, but overall, the story overcame the episodic nature of the Medea myths and breathed new life into a tragic and at times unsympathetic figure.

I particularly liked how Medea in many points stood in for the common person when she railed against her fate and had to decide how to deal with it - whether to just give up and resign herself to it or to accept and live the life the best she could while knowing she was a vessel for the gods and goddesses of the times. There were a few points where this struggle may have been internalized perhaps a few too many times, along with the reminders to Medea to humble herself, but I was impressed that this reexamination of her turned helped explain why her character committed many of the horrible acts that she did.

Overall, the prose of the book was quite good, with several passages that I found particularly well done. As Medea observes of many people, "There was truth in people's eyes even when there were lies on their lips. If you didn't look them in the eye, you might miss the truth of who they were." Or, when she comes into her power when she notes, "Was this what it was to be a god? To move as I wished, to know no consequence, and have men fear me? I liked it. I liked it very much."

I find it interesting when an author manages to successfully reimagine a piece of mythology, as it often shows how applicable the old myths, whether Greek or others, are to us today. With this tale, even with my few quibbles, Taylor has joined others in bringing new light to the old stories.

I really enjoyed this book. There was so much to unpack emotionally and so much to take to heart. I am always a stan for strong women!

I think of the myth of Medea a lot. I even went to the Met to see an opera on it! This version of Medea brings a welcome new angle to the myth.

Medea is usually painted as a villain, a murderer, and a wholly unsympathetic character. Her crimes are depicted as terrible to fathom. In this book, she takes on new life, and the question of whether or not she is in control plays an intriguing part in the narrative. I noticed how the author deftly explored the question of agency in a world ruled by the fickle whims of the gods. I found myself drawing parallels to the modern relationship between mental health and responsibility for one's actions; in this case, Medea's mental state was not fully her own but she had to bear the consequences of public perception of women and of her actions. Her character was well-developed, with a strong voice set against shifting settings.

I really liked how the author took the epic form of chronicling a journey (in the tradition of The Odyssey) and applied it to Medea. Her travels, and the way she changed throughout them, were noteworthy and written in a digestible way.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to access this ARC!

Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch by JJ Taylor offers a gripping reimagining of the legendary figure from Greek mythology. In this captivating tale, we follow Medea's journey as she navigates a world fraught with danger and oppression. Born with extraordinary powers, Medea struggles against the constraints placed upon her by men and gods alike. But with the arrival of Jason and his Argonauts, she finds herself at a crossroads, torn between love and the pursuit of her own freedom. Filled with intrigue, magic, and the timeless struggle for autonomy, this novel breathes new life into one of mythology's most enigmatic characters.

Where do I start with this one? I have been on a retelling kick in 2024 - Herc, Clytemnestra, Legendborn, and now Medea. Funnily, almost all of their stories somewhat intertwine for very different reasons. Medea snagged me in right from the very beginning with the very open line. "I've paid for my freedom in blood that drowns me in my dreams."

Medea is one of my favorite tales due to her associations with Hecate (one of my favorite goddesses) and her aunt, Circe...plus we love a murderous queen. Overall, this book was well-written, a good length, and I really enjoyed the time-jumps and non-linear story telling. However, the pacing was quite...off to me. The moments that should've been highly impactful came off a bit rough because of it.

Overall, an easy 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it and I'm truly in my ancient retelling era right now.

Shoutout to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

Another enjoyable feminist retelling of a myth. It was nice to see a story of Medea where she was more than a lovestruck girl and then a seemingly heartless killer. I liked all the interactions with various goddesses and that there was some story of Medea’s life after Jason.

"Medea" offers a captivating reimagining of the legendary figure, weaving a tale of power, defiance, and self-discovery against the backdrop of ancient mythology. I like how the author delves into the complexities of Medea's character, portraying her as a woman grappling with her destiny amidst a world fraught with patriarchal oppression and divine interference. As the story unfolds, readers are drawn into a rich tapestry of sacrifice, political intrigue, and supernatural forces, where Medea's journey toward liberation becomes a gripping saga of courage and resilience. With its blend of mythology, magic, and timeless themes, "Medea" is a mesmerizing read that breathes new life into an iconic figure from Greek mythology.

Medea by JJ Taylor is exactly the mythological retelling adventure I was hoping for right now. If you already love the myths this story is based on be aware that much of it treads familiar ground however this writer has lifted the veil on a a heaping serving a feminine anger and power that was hiding just under the edges of this tale.
This story is perfect for fans of Psyche and Eros or Circe that haven't quite had enough of re visting their favorite myths yet.

Fascinating retelling of the story of Medea, whom most people will know only as the scorned woman who commits the terrible crime of killing her own children. About half way through this story now, finding it very absorbing and well-written, definitely one to recommend to fans of Madeline Miller etc especially if they want to explore something with some challenging themes.

A deep retelling of the story of Medea and Jason and the Argonauts

Imaginative and expansive story that focuses on the tale from the point of view of Medea, witch, princess, priestess of Hecate. So glad that I had a chance to read this book. I recommend it as an engrossing read.

I love Greek myth retellings so I’m always looking for new ones coming out. I love the story of Jason and Medea and really liked how their story was told in this book. We get to see all sides of Medea throughout her journey. Her anger at being a pawn for the gods, her friendships, her love, her becoming a powerful woman, and of course betrayal

My favorite thing about this book is that we were shown Orta of her whole life. Her past, her time with Jason and the argonauts, and then her life as a queen when she’s older. It was very clear in each stage of her life how she has changed and learned from past mistakes.

The author did a great job of keeping the story flowing while Medea and Jason are traveling by introducing new characters, locations, and cultures. She kept this part interesting by showing lots of new things. It was really interesting reading about the new cultures and their beliefs.

I love love loved this mythological retelling! Perfect for fans of Circe by madeline miller Medea tells the story of a woman often forgotten in the discussion of bloodthirsty greek mythology women - the woman who killed her two sons as revenge against her cheating husband. Her story is filled with tragedy from the very beginning and as the tragedy builds up.

The character exploration is simply fancinating, the political intrigue written to perfection - an absolute gem in the greek mythology retelling genre.

I received the Advanced Reader (Digital) Copy of Medea, by J.J. Taylor through NetGalley. My thanks to Net Galley, the author and publisher .

Medea was fabled goddess and princess of Ancient Greece mythology ,living, if she really lived, in the time of the Siege of Troy. She certainly lives in the pages of J.J.Taylor excellent novel. Masterfully researched and written the character of Medea emerges for the shadowy myths as a powerful, and powerfully conflicted , woman. As a child of the gods, her lineage is tangled, but she is definitely goddess touched, devoted to Hecate,, Greek goddess of the underworld, , but a familiar to other powers dwelling on Olympus. She is “ familiar” in the sense of a familiar to witchcraft- used by the goddesses for their purposes, and using dark forces to clear her way.. Though Medea desires freedom to be her own woman, not ruled by any man, free to find her own way, she realizes that other powerful forces shape her destiny.
The author tells the story of Medea’s growth from girlhood to late womanhood. Loved by some , feared even by those who love her , using her powers to forge her path she is not adverse to manipulate and remove those who would use her or control her. But she is controlled by fate.
The book is long, but not dense. The story flows with adventure, compelling and memorable characters, fascinating detail of long - lost kings and kingdoms destroyed by the sort of cataclysms that wiped fabled Atlantis from the map. The reader, at least this reader, was drawn into Medea’s character, her desires, her fortunes and misfortunes.. Books about the Ancient Greeks, especially the women of the ancient Hellenic world abound these days. In my opinion, Medea by J.J. Taylor is one of the best . It was easy to become immersed in, hard to put down.
Note: I found it helpful to bookmark a wiki page or two on Medea and Greek mythology to get familiar names and places.
Cautions: nothing much to trouble the reader as to sex and violence,

We all know about Medea - the one who did not flinch from murdering her children when Jason left her. She is an ultimate villain - a kinslayer. But what made her do it?

Medea by J.J. Taylor attempts to peel off the layers of this complex personality. The book is narrated in first person by Medea and being in her head was not as bad as I thought. She is quite ordinary otherwise -except when she is touched by God. The meeting with Jason, his subsequent challenges, and their flight from her father's palace is all very thrilling. I liked the way the way female friendships and relationships are portrayed as well.

One thing that could be worked upon is the length of the novel. After a while, it became tiring to read about the Argonauts reaching a village and something surprising happening to them there.

I enjoyed this novel and will definitely explore more of J.J. Taylor.

4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC.

I loved the story of Medea, a character that often takes more of a side role in stories. JJ Taylor did an excellent job bringing her story to life and creating characters that I connected with and enjoyed spending time with. You really get the feeling of a character that is pushed and pulled by the gods and has some choices but so often the gods are in control. The pacing was well done and I liked the shifts between the past and the present for Medea. The story is set during a time of drought, heat, and earthquakes which lends itself to the power of the gods and their extension on the ground Medea. This was almost a perfect read for me, however, I felt like the ending was a little rushed and it felt a little disappointing after the story to that point. I can see why the ending was what it was I just expected more after the rest of the story. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed the story. I liked that Medea and Kip had a relationship of both friendship and attraction. Jason and Medea had a dynamic that was both based on respect and the influence of the gods. Overall the characters and setting had me engaged and interested throughout and I will be recommending this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

JJ Taylor does a great job in bringing Medea to life in this book. It uses the story in a way that it was supposed to and glad it worked with the story overall. It had that adventure element in a way that I was hoping for. It had a great overall feel for a re-imagining and glad I got to read this. The cover worked wonders with the story inside and glad I was able to read this.

Fans of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint will love this retelling of Medea's story from a feminist stance.
I absolutely adored this book and can't wait to see what else this author puts out.

Who was Medea really? Euripides makes her a tragic and terrible figure, a woman to whom divine ancestry has given immense powers, who exploits scheming deception in the service of her own ambition. The climax of her deceitfulness comes when she discovers Jason’s treachery, which causes her to rage enough to kill her own children in order to make him suffer. In short, according to Euripides Medea is everything a good woman doesn’t have to be.
JJ Taylor, on the other hand, makes of Medea a completely different portrait. Hated by her father and brother because of a prophecy that involves her, Medea is the toy of the gods, to whom she has gave herself to escape a fate of forced marriage. It is the gods who forge the alliance between her and Jason, who suggest the sacrifice of her brother, who guide her on the long journey that in endless stages will lead them to Iolco, where Jason should get the throne due to him in exchange for the golden fleece. In this magnificent narration, Medea keeps all her promises, for which in return she asks only respect and freedom, but each time she is betrayed, and especially by Jason, who in the end is revealed to be the pusillanimous that Medea had guessed was.
Only after depriving her of her children and setting her aside for a new hero, Theseus, the gods will finally leave her free to be herself and master of her own destiny.
One of the best mythological retelling I’ve ever read.

I must confess, I adore a Greek mythological retelling, but I was apprehensive coming into a story about Medea. The ancient sources were not kind to this princess/priestess, and I was concerned that I would never be able to relate to her as a character. I am, however, happy to report that I was completely wrong.

The narrative shifts back and forth in time, starting with Medea as a young woman about to meet Jason (of the Argonauts fame). It is fascinating to see how her relationship with her family impacts those she goes on to have with others in her life, and how these in turn set about the chain of events that lead to her time as Queen in the later timeline of the book.

“Medea” is an excellent retelling, which spins the whole narrative of her time with and after her life Jason to something so much more relatable and, well, human – despite the frequent visits and interferences from the goddesses of Olympus. The characters are all well drawn, and I would certainly recommend this to any fans of a Greek retelling.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.