Medusa is a new middle grade book that is similar to Percy Jackson but with children of Greek monsters instead of the Greek gods. When Ava gets in trouble at school, her and her brother are sent to a boarding school in Venice. While there, they discover that all of the kids going there are descendants of Greek monsters. The children soon learn something is wrong at the school and go on an adventure to find the truth.

I’ll start with the good stuff. I think the story and adventure were fun and a good idea for a children’s book. I liked all of the characters and the different Greek mythology sprinkled in. The kids had different abilities and it was fun to see how they corresponded to different monsters.

Now to the stuff that didn’t work for me. Overall, this book was very preachy and was very obviously pushing certain ideas. No matter if I agree or disagree with certain things, I don’t want it shoved so obviously in my face the whole time. There is a way to put in certain values and ideas in books without hitting the reader in the head so much with it. I also feel like the pacing was a bit off. It felt super fast the whole time and I wish it slowed down a bit in certain areas.

I think this book had a fun concept but the execution was not there. I wish it wasn’t so pushy and rather just focused on the fun and adventure by the kids. Thanks so much to netgalley and harpercollins children’s books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Medusa was unlike any book I've read! I enjoyed all of the mythology interwoven and learned so much as I was reading. I loved the message of telling stories that have been looked over and to help those who have been labeled a certain way. The main characters were strong females and they created their own stories! Loved this and will be ordering it ASAP!

Medusa is a fun fantasy novel based on Greek mythology, about a school in Italy, the Accademia del Forte, that exists to teach students who are the descendants of figures in the Greek pantheon. Ava and her older brother, Jaxon, are sent to the Accademia from America when Ava is in 7th grade. Part of new student orientation is a DNA test, intended to help place them at the school - and, they find out shortly, to determine which figure in the Greek pantheon is their ancestor, information that the staff keeps to itself. Students are left to find out who their mythical ancestor is when the powers they inherit manifest, usually in times of stress.

Ava, at first nervous about attending a boarding school so far from home, settles in and begins to truly enjoy the school, right up until her friend Fia gets into more trouble than she can handle, and finds herself with a punishment neither of them could have anticipated. In an attempt to help their friend, Ava and several other students set off on a quest, one that brings them into contact with several members of the pantheon - specifically, several of the female figures who have historically been dismissed as sources of influence. This novel does a wonderful job of combining classical Greek mythology with a fantasy adventure. Recommended for readers ages middle school to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Seventh grade is rarely easy, but twelve-year-old Ava is having a particularly difficult time as the school year gets going. When a classmate gets in the way of Ava’s desired class project, things go from bad to worse, and all Ava wants is a do-over. In a shocking twist of fate, Ava gets what she is looking for, in the form of a boarding school in Venice, Italy. Although she is looking forward to simply studying her beloved pantheons, Ava quickly discovers that her interest in mythology runs deeper than she ever imagined, and she herself may be descended from one of the most famous creatures of all.

This middle grade novel is a good fit for fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, especially because of the boarding school and mythology aspects of the storytelling. It is important to note that this story shifts its perspective to focus on a female character and a lesser-discussed side of similar novels, which provides a fresh approach to the genre. Good writing and intriguing characters help propel the narrative, and as pieces of the plot fall together, readers will be ever more encouraged to continue reading.

Though the foundation and world-building of this novel are not as strong as they could otherwise be, the premise itself is intriguing enough to keep readers engaged. Characters from all over the world find themselves in Ava’s environs, and there is a positive and inclusive component of the narrative. Additionally, readers who have ever been to Venice will recognize the true-to-life details, and they will appreciate the creative liberties taken by the author, as well. The first in its series, this book establishes a compelling plot that readers will be happy to follow into the second installment. This is a fun addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.

Medusa is a fun Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter middle-grade book with a twist.

Ava struggles with managing her emotions while at school. Following an incident, Ava and her brother are sent to Accademia del Forte, a boarding school in Venice. There, they discover they are descendants of monsters and are taught how to control their powers and emotions. However, they soon realize that the school has its secrets. Ava teams up with her friends on a journey that could alter everything they know.

Medusa is a thrilling and captivating book that will take you on a journey full of unexpected twists and turns. With its well-crafted plot and engaging characters, this book is a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is a coming-of-age story that is both empowering and inspiring, with a strong emphasis on the importance of friendship and the power of feminism. Whether you're a young girl looking for a relatable and inspiring read or simply a fan of well-written fiction, Medusa is a book you won't want to miss.

This was SUCH a fun middle grade fantasy - perfect for Percy Jackson fans, but with a twist!! It's so fast-paced with just enough tense emotional moments. Ava and her friends are fantastic and I actually learned a lot about mythology while reading!!

Medusa is one of my favorite Greek myths so I had to jump into this book. I was delighted to realize that it is a "magical school" story. A twelve-year-old girl displays her power by mistake when she refuses to be bullied. Her temper shows her heritage. She can freeze bullies with her eyes like Medusa and that makes her parents send her and her brother to Italy (Venice) to an Academia where her mom used to be a student. But Ava discovers more. Not all teachers are good, there are bullies here too, secrets and mysteries. The patriarch's cruelty and abuse silence and curses women, reward bullies, and "educate" students to be good and well-behaved.
This is a story about Gods vs. Monsters, discovering the truth behind the myths, and empowering women to never be silenced by patriarchal authority.
Ava has good loyal friends who will help her save more than her future.
I can't resist a story about attending and discovering a secret school and Greek mythology. Recommend it to all who love feminist quest/adventure novels. The author's writing style makes the reading easy and it flows fast.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this e-ARC.

Nice retelling of the Greek mythology with that modern twist of understanding about who wrote the mythology and its twist on presenting women as monsters. It made me think of the presentations in all new ways that I wish I had had when I first read mythology over 40 years ago.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books, Clarion Books, and Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. Medusa was such a fast read book. The storyline was amazing and enjoyable.

This book was a GREAT fast read. Very fast-paced and loved the storyline line and how it moved along. It's use of mythology, and tying a story to it was a lot of fun.

I chose to read this book because I wanted a light, adventurous fantasy middle grade story. I thought it would be like a mix of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. However, what I got was extremely unexpected and disappointing.

I’ll start with what I did like about the book: I enjoyed all of the Greek mythology in this story. There is quite a bit, and I enjoyed reading (and learning) more about them. I had learned about the Greek gods and monsters back in high school and also took a class in college but have forgotten a lot over the years. So this was a nice refresher, and I learned more about other Greek characters and stories that I hadn’t heard before. I also liked the twist where the children were descendants of Greek monsters instead of Greek gods, like in Percy Jackson.

The adventure the children go on is fun and creative. It felt a little rushed, and I would’ve liked it to be a little longer with more buildup, but overall, it never got boring and there was a lot of action. It was a very quick and easy read. I read it in two days. There were quite a few twists and turns, and the whole story felt like a puzzle that we were putting together, which was also fun and entertaining.

The main protagonist, Ava, is an admirably brave, strong-willed, clever, and intelligent girl. A few of Ava’s other friends were okay, but didn’t stand out too much for me. However, I did not like her best friend, Fia, at all. I felt like she was disrespectful, snarky, and rude. Her rebellious, reckless reactions caused her own problems and things could’ve been handled differently. We also didn’t get a lot of backstory on the characters, so I didn’t really get to know them that well and just didn’t care as much. I felt like we needed more time with them and more character development. Again, it felt too rushed and short. The ending was also abrupt, and it didn’t feel fully fleshed out.

However, this book was obviously written by a feminist that had something to say! If I had known ahead of time the feminist turn it would take, I never would’ve read this novel.

This was one of the preachiest books I’ve ever read in my entire life. I don’t want any movement or group pushing their agenda on me, especially in my entertainment when I just want to escape into a fun, creative story. We get enough soapbox speeches about our culture in many other ways. I don’t need (or want) it in my books. Plus, to put these messages in children’s books is appalling to me because not everyone agrees or wants these messages forced onto their children.

This didn’t feel like female empowerment. It felt like progressive, feminist propaganda disguised as a middle grade fantasy. The overtly feminist tone and angle of the story was nauseating, tiresome, and annoying. I tried to keep an open mind as I read it, but I found myself rolling my eyes way too many times. I was incredibly disappointed at the turn it took when it had such potential to be a fun, lighthearted read with some good universal messages without being preachy. But unfortunately, that is not what we got with this one, which is a shame.

What worked:
Obviously, this book should appeal to lovers of mythology. The title of the book and Ava’s anger freezing a classmate at school strongly suggest she’s a distant relation to the mythical monster Medusa. A ceiling painting at the Accademia depicts the battle between Zeus and other gods fighting and defeating Cronos and the Titans. Ava’s always had a special interest in mythology so she’s the lone new student who knows the history of the scene. An interesting angle is introduced when Fia notes the image doesn’t demonstrate the significance of females in mythology. Her observation presents the modern-day issue of gender bias in the history of gods and goddesses. History is created by those telling the stories.
The students at the Accademia are descended from mythological monsters although they don’t know which ones. Readers may play a mental game of trying to match clues about the students to the identities of their monster genealogy. However, this may be more challenging than expected. For example, Ava’s new roommate, not Fia, is related to a type of vampire. The girl inherited the ability to morph her appearance without an insatiable need to drink blood. Ava’s brother is also accepted into the Accademia but he hasn’t displayed any discernable, talents like his sister. A second-year boy named Arnold still hasn’t manifested any powers, most students show them by the end of their first year, so readers will want to know what makes him different.
For me, Fia is the most intriguing character as she’s a relentless, rebellious type of girl. She ALWAYS questions the stories told by teachers and challenges the history of the gods. She doesn’t show any signs of regretting her outspokenness which creates its own level of tension and mystery. The school has a three-strike policy before expelling students but she’s unconcerned each time she’s sent to the headmaster’s office. Readers will scratch their heads in wonder as they try to understand her indifference in the face of being kicked out of the Accademia.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot jumps into conspiracy mode quicker than expected. The Accademia doesn’t want students questioning the mythological stories being taught but that doesn’t come across as an immediate sign of a secret cover-up. Maybe something’s going on, maybe not, but the story feels like it jumps the gun in reaching the conclusion of collusion. However, it gets into the plot quicker so young readers will like that.
The Final Verdict:
This story empowers women to take control of their lives and not let themselves become oppressed in a male-controlled world. Those who control the narrative control the “truth” so maybe it’s time to change the narrative. I recommend you give this book a shot!

This was a powerful story that did make me tear up a little. It was an unexpected twist on the tale of Medusa that every girl(and boy) should read. The heroine, Ava, was relatable and very brave and was a great symbol for the theme of the book. I loved all the side characters as well and would love a book about Fia.

It was wonderful I love all of the twists and turns I hope there will be a whole series maybe even movies behind it. The characters were magical.

What a cool version of mythology stories! I loved the premise behind this story and the book didn’t disappoint! A must have for mythology lovers- I hope Katherine Marsh writes more stories and tells more ‘monster’ stories like this!