I absolutely love Greek mythology so I immediately requested this and I was not disappointed at all. Medusa is one of my favourite characters withing Greek mythology so I know her story well. I really enjoyed this retelling of her tale. It was short, devastating and beautiful. The writing was good and was pretty true to the original.

I would have liked to have this focus solely on Medusa and her perspective rather than being a bit of a secondary character compared to Perseus in her own story. I liked the feminist vibes that was coming through in this book but again it felt like they were just in the background. The character development wasn't really there either.

Overall I enjoyed the story!

An interesting take on the Medusa myth. In this story, Medusa is a mortal priestess of Athena. I have to admit though I liked other adaptions better,

Athena’s child is a short story based on the myth of Medusa, who by now, we have seen a thousand times, and is, in my opinion, one of the hardest retellings to write simply because of how well known it is. Lynn, in this manner, did a great job of telling the story, though I did feel rather overwhelmed by the whole basic-ness of it. It followed the plot. It didn’t really take any twists or additions that would have made it really good.
I would have loved for this to be a bit longer, as I felt that I didn’t really know much of Medusa’s relationship with her family and would have cared a lot more for her family if I can actually read her entire backstory.
Overall, however, this is a solid retelling, and easy enough to read.

"Some believe that monsters are born monsters. That some creatures arrive on this earth with a darkness so all-consuming in their heart that no mere mortal's love could ever hope to tame it. These souls, they believe, cannot achieve redemption and do not deserve it. They are beasts, intent on causing chaos for all who cross their paths. they are vengeful and hate-filled. deserving of nothing except our contempt.
Perhaps it's true. Perhaps all monsters are born. Then again, perhaps it is just a way of hiding the darkness we all carry within us."
- Opening page of Hannah Lynn's newest book 'Athena's Child'

Overall: 5/5 stars
Spice: 2/ 5
Triggers: rape of a young woman,
physical abuse of a spouse, lude behavior and commentary.

I have so many other reviews that were planned to be done today however, that was before I made the mistake of starting 'Athena's Child' by Hannah Lynn. To say this was a good book is an understatement. Lynn took a well know Greek mythology and rewrote it in such a heartbreaking way that you will find yourself unable to do anything other than finish this book in one setting, trust me I did just that.
'Athena's Child' retells the story, that so many already "know", of the "monster" Medusa.. Of how she because the feared stone curser and her demise by the hero Peruse . While we all know the who, what, where, and when, it's the why that Lynn reintroduces her readers to. a "why" that will have you questioning everything you thought you already knew.

I really enjoy Greek Mythology and this book was no different. I enjoyed the Medusa origin story and would recommend to those who enjoy a Greek retelling. Athena's Child is a must buy once published. Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC.

I really love greek mythology and I enjoyed this retelling. it is true to the myths while still being its own book with different events.

I think that Athena's Child does what a lot of 'feminist" retellings claim to do - give the women of the Ancient World a voice but also don't demonise every single male character/figure in the story. Lynn does a fantastic job of portraying Medusa as a young girl forced to become a priestess to save her from all the men vying for her hand to a kind but stern priestess coming into her femininity and then someone who was SA'd and blamed for it. I think what I really also enjoyed is Perseus' side. You see his grandparents arguing over how they will deal with the prophecy concerning Danae's child and then how Danae grows from a young girl to a strong woman and how with her kindness, she garnered the kindness of others around her, including the fisherman and his wife that took her in. I think that Perseus was truly a good hero, he was just dealt an incredibly bad hand. I really loved how the whole scene of him cutting off Medusa's head turned out, it wasn't on-page but rather off and you saw that despite Medusa being portrayed as a monster, Perseus brought out her humanity that everyone thought she'd lost and everyone also thought that she didn't have.

I absolutely enjoyed this read. It was a fast paced read for me. I found myself looking forward to stealing away the time to read just a few more chapters!

What I enjoyed about this telling, was it made Medusa more human then many other tellings. I loved reading all about how she came to be. I loved reading about her past, how she came to Athena. Reading how she kept her heart all of these years, while being cursed to turn others to stone, she was able to shield her heart.

I also enjoyed Perseus coming into the story and being able to ride along with him in his journey. When the two met up towards the end, the compassion on both sides was such a refreshing twist to the story and I can't express how much I enjoyed reading this first, in a trilogy.

looking forward to the second telling and Thank You for allowing me to read and share my perspective on this book.

Loved this tale of Medusa and her sisters. It's heartbreaking to read through this lens, how mortals are broken or playthings of the Gods and how fickle their favor is. We get that in all the tales, retelling or not, but I do find Medusa incredibly compelling. The book is a quick read and enjoyable. 3.5 stars.

A beautiful heartbreaking read.


Athena's child is the first book in Hannah's Lynn trilogy following the paths of greek mythology women who have faced incredible injustices.

This book is a fast read, yet manages to captivate the reader with it's beautiful usage of language, the research done on the myth's of both Medusa and Perseus, all of which leading to an emotional roller coaster. During Medusa's part of the book I felt such sadness for her. Honestly, the one star less is because I was kinda disappointed when we switched from her to Perseus pov, although that part was definitely well written as well, and necessary for the story to continue.

I cannot reccomend this enough. Grab some tissues and settle down to read this immediately!

This is a great book for anyone interested in Medusa or Greek mythology in general. Athena’s Child follows Medusa’s origin. In my opinion the story focuses a little too much on Perseus. I understand why the book was also about him, but I would love a retelling that isn’t so heavily dependent on him. This book is beautifully written and worth the read.

Athena’s Child…I can only say wow. This book chronicles the story of Medusa the Gorgon. A character of Greek mythology whose story has often been incorrectly. Finally with this retelling, we see her story done justice.
From the very first sentence I was immediately whisked away into her story. Learning how she started as an item of beauty in her town. We watch as she devotes herself to Athena, the goddess of Wisdom. Medusa has so much love and devotion to give, but despite this she is strong. Even after she becomes an object of men.
Moreover, this is a novel that will become a beacon to the feminists out there. A story of a woman becoming a monster due to the actions of a man. Changing because of a one time event. But regardless she prevails.
Further into this beautiful novel we find that Medusa is no more a monster than she was beautiful. She is a woman betrayed. A woman who rejects all that she is. A woman who deserves kindness.
This book was easily one of the most beautiful things I’ve read this year! Right away I was able to picture the island and the lush surroundings. I could feel Medusa’s pain. But most of all I found myself falling in love with her character more and more with each page and I know you will too.

I feel like we didn’t actually learn a whole lot about Medusa whom this story is supposed to be about. The writing style is simple. Quick and easy read but not one I was too impressed with.

This compelling origin story of Medusa is full of hope, tragedy, and the making of a monster. The storytelling was beautiful and engaging. I enjoyed learning about the legend of Medusa. I recommend this tale to anyone interested in greek mythology.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I have always had a love for Greek and Roman Mythology. I had my first taste of it in my senior year of high school and have loved it since. Now I have not exactly explored all the tales within the mythology realm, focusing on more of Hades and Persephone. Still, I will admit that Rick Riordan's take on the mythological realm reignited that love.

Some believe that monsters are born monsters.

That some creatures arrive on this earth with a darkness so all-consuming in their heart that no mere mortal's love could ever hope to tame it. These souls, they believe, cannot achieve redemption and do not deserve it. They are beasts, intent on causing chaos for all who cross their paths. They are vengeful and hate-filled, deserving of nothing except our contempt.

Medusa was never the monster in the beginning. Instead, she was a beautiful young woman whom her father wished to protect from males that offered her hand. He thought having her become one of the priestesses of Athena would be the best course for her. In the beginning, it probably was. She abhorred the rules Athena had put in place for all her priestesses. She offered blessings and tried on numerous occasions to protect the abused wife that would seek shelter. Unfortunately, this will be one of her biggest downfalls as it would cause Poisedon's attention. Medusa tried to dissuade his attentions but it would be for naught - he would rape her within the temple of Athena. This would cause Athena's wrath to fall upon Medusa and completely change her from the beautiful young woman she had been to the monster in Greek Mythology we would come to know. Even her own sisters, who were angered at Athena, would not escape her wrath. All of them becoming the Gorgons.

In the second act, we meet Perseus. Another Greek hero would come to play within the Gods' hands and change the course of his history. Born out of wedlock to Zeus and a mortal woman, Perseus, and his mother were cast from her homeland by his grandfather, Acrisius, the king. Long ago, Acrisius had been told of a prophecy that scared him and he sought to make sure it never happened, but he underestimated the will of the Gods. Enraged by his daughter's pregnancy, he locked both she and Perseus away in a trunk, throwing them into the sea with hopes that the two would drown. Unfortunately, for Acrisius, they did not drown and were found by Dictys. Perseus would grow up healthy and strong, finding security on Seriphos with his mother and Dictys. One day, Perseus learns that her mother has become the attention of a tyrant king named Polydectes. Polydectes wanted his mother and he knew that Perseus stood in the way and he needed to get rid of him quickly. So, he offered him a quest - bring back the head of Medusa. After all, no one returned from Medusa's island alive.

The lives of Perseus and Medusa become entangled and like most mythology - the hero always wins in the end. Medusa's life is taken and her head is used to save the lovely Princess Andromeda.

This book is the first in a series of The Grecian Women Trilogy. The mythology of Medusa and Perseus has been told. This has been really the first mythology-based book with Medusa being the main character. Oh, Rick Riordan does have her appear in Percy Jackson, but that is pretty much it for her.

I loved that Medusa was front and center. Her character and story pull you in and keep you until the very end of the story. You feel the pain Medusa goes through and you sympathize with her character. The fear, terror, and horror she had gone through from her rape within the temple to the very end of her life. Her sisters, unfortunately, end up sharing the same fate, but not for the reasons set upon Medusa. Their words turn them, sadly.

I don't believe she deserved her fate and I think Athena should have listened to her. It was her temple. I would have thought she was paying close attention and would have set revenge upon Poseidon for harming one of her own. Yet, she sees it as HER fault and turns her into a gorgon. This story makes me believe - in some form - that she cared little for priestesses. They were expendable.

I plan on reading the rest of this trilogy soon. This was a great read and I recommend this especially if you are a huge fan of mythology

This is a wonderful little retelling of Medusa's story that made me fall in love with Greek Mythology all over again.
This book would be great for any YA or adult reader!

Warning contains spoilers!!
Athena's child is a retelling of Medusa's story and her death by Perseus.
This book is well written and an easy and quick read in fact i read it in two hours. The story is well paced.

Personally I didn't like the ending as having Medusa chose death and sacrifice herself to make Perseus actions seem a bit more palatable seems a weird choice from a story that has been taken on as a feminist allegory. Likewise having Athena's give no explanation for her actions make it feel like a plot point but the book is still an enjoyable retelling of the popular Greek myth.

This was an incredible short story full of Greek mythology depicting Medusa’s life. I thought this was beautifully written and really interesting to read this retelling and learn new aspects of Greek mythology. I would recommend to any fans of myths for a quick fun read.

Thank you NetGalley, Hannah M. Lynn, and Sourcebooks Landmark for letting me read a copy of Athena's Child in exchange for an honest review.

I liked how it started out. We learn about Medusa's early life and then why she was cursed by Athena to have snakes as hair and eyes that turn people to stone. That is part one. Part two starts with her life after being cursed. She had a depressing life to say the least.

Then all of a sudden it jumps to how Perseus was conceived and then it pretty much focuses on him until the end. I feel like there should have been a part three to set him up and not just throw him in randomly.

The writing was good. It was an interesting retelling. I just wished it would have been a bit more organized.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. "Athena's Child" was a beautifully written novel that while entering a heavily populated Greek retelling genre, it still stood its ground as a unique, beautifully written story. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.