❥ Thank you for the free book, author Nataly Gruender and BookSparks.
Synopsis
You know how Medusa’s story ends, but you’ve never heard her tell her own story… until now.
The only mortal daughter of two sea gods, and a priestess of Athena, Medusa was a woman who thought she had found her place in the world. But when Medusa suffers a horrific violation at the hands of Poseidon, Athena is outraged over the desecration of her name and sends a message by transforming Medusa into the snake-haired monster of legend. Word of her monstrosity travels fast, igniting a king’s fear so greatly that he commands the boy-hero Perseus to bring him her head. Medusa knows that she must leave the city she has come to call home before she harms another soul.
Searching for a haven free from mortals, anger buoying her every step, Medusa journeys across ancient Greece. Her eyes are hidden beneath a blindfold, with nothing but the snakes for company. Through her travels, Medusa discovers solace and understanding in the mythical figures she stumbles upon. But as Perseus closes in, Medusa faces a choice: become the monster everyone expects her to be, or cling to the last piece of her humanity.
Thoughts
Take my five shining stars, Nataly Gruender, because your book is one of my top reads of the year. Wow, what an impressive debut and powerful story! I am not a fan of snakes and never really appreciated Medusa, but this story stirred my emotions and made me see her through empathetic eyes.
I loved this retelling for countless reasons. I fell in love with this iteration of Medusa. Her strength and internal beauty made her an easy character to connect with. The story hooked me at the beginning and demanded my attention until the end. The straightforward storytelling style was easy to understand. I also appreciated that the author did not stray too far away from the original story of Medusa.
Whether you love mythology, retellings, or strong female main characters, consider adding this to your TBR if it is not already on your radar. I, for one, hope to see more stories from this author in the future.