Sisters, mother, women the story is timeless. You could pull these characters and their journey into any time period, remove the mythology and their story would be the same. This book caught me, but didn’t capture me. I wish I had a highlighter while read, the second time I pick up this book I will probably do so, and my option might change.

Medusa's Sisters
by Lauren J. A. Bear
Pub Date: 08 Aug 2023

The end of the story is only the beginning…

Even before they were transformed into Gorgons, Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale were unique among their immortal family. Curious about mortals and their lives, Medusa and her sisters entered the human world in search of a place to belong, yet quickly found themselves at the perilous center of a dangerous Olympian rivalry and learned—too late—that a god's love is a violent one.

Forgotten by history and diminished by poets, the other two Gorgons have never been more than horrifying hags, damned and doomed. But they were sisters first, and their journey from lowly sea-born origins to the outskirts of the pantheon is a journey that rests, hidden, underneath their scales.

Monsters, but not monstrous, Stheno and Euryale will step into the light for the first time to tell the story of how all three sisters lived and were changed by each other, as they struggle against the inherent conflict between sisterhood and individuality, myth and truth, vengeance and peace.

I was lucky enough to win an e-ARC of MEDUSA'S SISTERS by Lauren J. A. Bear through a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thanks for the early look, and have a safe and happy spring!

Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear is a stunning and captivating reimagining of the Greek myth of Medusa and her two sisters, Stheno and Euryale. This novel tells the story of the three Gorgons before they were transformed, exploring their journey from curious and adventurous sea creatures to misunderstood and feared immortals.

Bear's writing is both vivid and poignant, drawing the reader in with her rich descriptions of the sisters' lives and the complex relationships between them. The novel skillfully blends mythology and history, offering a unique perspective on the familiar myth.

Medusa's Sisters is a powerful exploration of sisterhood, individuality, and the often-violent nature of the gods. This novel will appeal to fans of Greek mythology and those looking for a fresh take on a classic story. Bear's masterful storytelling will leave readers longing for more, and eagerly anticipating her next work.

Wonderful telling
of some lesser-known Greek myths.
Perfectly written.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I write haiku reviews but am happy to provide more feedback!

So good! This retelling of the story of Medusa and her sisters is amazing. I loved the author's focus on the relationship between the sisters and the way she brings the tension and complications of being in a tight family group to light. Lauren Bear does a fantastic job of making the reader care about these characters and I especially appreciated the focus on the Stheno and Euryale - the two who are lesser known. Beautifully written! I can't wait to tell everyone to read this book.

An amazing retelling of Medusa and her sisters. I loved this focus on Stheno and Euryale telling the story of how all their lives were changed after Hera's revenge was taken. All three sisters lived and were changed by each other, as they struggle against the inherent conflict between sisterhood and individuality, myth and truth, vengeance and peace.

this is perhaps my favorite greek retelling. medusa’s sisters are virtually unknown and nameless, but bear brings them to the forefront. euryale and stheno are immortal, but medusa is not. they were not born as gorgons, they were cursed to become them. in a novel where we examine medusa’s life and victimhood, it brings more meaning to those of us who have experienced sexual assault. many survivors are getting tattoos of medusa for a reason, and bear doesn’t shy away from medusa’s rape and forced pregnancy.

beautifully written and full of heart, it was a delight to watch these three sisters grow and grieve together. the greek mythos has never been kind to women. it is easy to grow close to each sister even though we know how medusa’s story ends. sexuality and queerness is also explored, and lesbian identity is not hidden. what an amazing novel.

thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Absolutely loved this book. Brilliant retelling with grace, nuance, and incredible writing with a focus on women, sisterhood, and life with all its glorious and devastating twists.
Cannot recommend highly enough.

Vivid, evocative, mesmerizing, addictive. I haven’t read anything like this in a long time!It is evident the author heavily researched Greek mythology and primary texts for this as well as injected, empathy, heart, and nuanced meaning to each of these mythological characters. I’m usually not a fan of this genre in fiction but the writing and character development, as well as pacing of the plot made this incredibly addictive. It was also interesting to unearth the imagined layers that go into myths and fables and how unfairly history can remember women. Run, don’t walk, and read this book! Full review, coming closer to the publication date. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this advance reader copy.

5+ stars

I have only an elementary knowledge of Greek mythology, so I’m not sure how accurate this story may be. The authors notes show that she did quite a bit of research in piecing this story together though. That all being said, this was an absolutely stunning novel. It is so far out of my regular reading preferences, but will stay with me for a very long time. I will say that this deserves 10 stars or more. The characters all come to life, and the story really brings you in and makes you a part of it. The relationship and trails of these sisters is so heartbreaking. I won’t say more because I may give parts away unintentionally, but do read this novel asap.