This was a great debut. I love the noir and mythology aspects of the book and the symbolism that they created for the characters and the plot. I can't wait to see more from this author

Thank yo NetGalley for providing me with this eARC!

This was a book I probably wouldn't normally read, but I did enjoy it. It's very raw, dark and emotional, which you definitely need to enjoy reading about if you want to read this book. I would have liked to see a bit more of the greek mythology references though. There were also some issues with the structure of some sentences and paragraphs and I'm not sure that was just the formatting of the e-book.

But overall, I would definitely recommend this queer noir novel if darker stories are what you're into!

Such a great debut. Beautifully written, will definitely recommend. Looking forward to more from this author. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this!

Anjir and Zal have been friends since childhood, and find themselves in love in adulthood. But Iran isn't a forgiving place for gay men. When Zal is attacked, Anjir decides to pursue their plan for him to transition, so they can live together as man and wife in another city.

Definitely a work of literary, noir fiction, this book is filled to the brim with violence, sex, addiction, obsession and mystery. The description of 'bold and cinematic debut' is definitely apt - the story feels like a movie. I was pulled in and didn't want to put it back down until I finished the book - mesmerized by the writing style and the use of mythology references to colour the story, the writing wasn't so complex as to go over my head (as some literary fiction does sometimes).

I only wish I felt more connection to the main characters, as the various side characters still felt a bit superficial, despite being pivotal to the main character's development.

Dark, raw, honest, sharp, I recommend this to anyone who isn't afraid of a book that is darker than a night in a city with a blackout.

Zal and Anjir were best friends as kids who are now in love as adults. The only issue is that they must undergo surgical transition to pass for cis straight individuals because they reside in Iran, where it is illegal to be openly gay, and the government appears to accept transgender people. Anjir, who has always identified with the mythical gender-changing Tiresias, becomes even more determined to carry out their long-standing plan for the future: Anjir will become a woman, and they will move to a new town for a fresh start as husband and wife. This plan is further strengthened when Zal is brutally attacked after being seen with another man in public, despite the betrayal.

Subsequently, Zal disappears, leaving a mysterious message that prompts Anjir to search for the other man in the hopes that he will lead to Zal. Anjir discovers that someone is following him as he follows and steals his way through Tehran's streets, clubs, library stacks, hotel rooms, and museum halls. There, he meets his troubled mother, his addict brother, and the vibrant Leyli, a new friend going through a transition of her own. Anjir's gender identity and morals are tested as she pursues love, peace, and self-determination, and it soon becomes evident that using more violence would be the quickest path to liberation.

I honestly thought there would be huge Greek mythology influences, and there were, just not in the way I expected them to. It’s so unique and clever. However, I didn’t really connect to the writing style, so I didn’t really enjoy this as much. If it was at least 50 pages longer, I would have believed that the novel would be better, and I would have rated this book higher. It’s not that the book was bad, it was just not for me. Would still recommend it though.

I was initially attracted to the premise and was excited when I got approved for the arc. The book was a fresh and subversive take on the thriller and romance tropes. I enjoyed the complex relationship dynamics. It was fascinating, albeit sad, learning about the cultural environment in Iran. I would consider the pacing fast. Felt like an episode of Blacklist. I felt some parts were repetitive. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of the authors work.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Four stars.
I was hoping to like this more than I did. It's gorgeous and well written and the pattern is not for me. It's devastating as heck and I was sad and moved and engaged right from the beginning. Oh boy. Also, who has ever written a book like this? If you have an answer please tell me. But I can't think of an answer and that makes this book even better.

Thank you to whoever approved my request for this book. I am a different person now I've read this.

A love story told by a lost soul who wills themselves into a tragedy at every turn.

Poetic. Sharp like broken teeth (a line I’m stealing from the marketing of a book I almost remember).

It’s depressing, upsetting, stomach turning, and biting. You want to continue reading because of the rich descriptions and another part of your brain begs for you to put it down to experience happiness once more.

The use of mythology throughout was intense and intriguing. It provided strong context for the mindset of Anjir, shaping his view of the world.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

I was really excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley, as everything from the cover, to the title, to the description, intrigued me from the word go.
The dark themes explored in this work are adequately explored, in my opinion. However, it is worth noting that said themes are very personal in nature, and will likely resound differently with different readers who have different life experiences. The bits of Persian and Greek mythology throughout are unique touches and the familiar reflections in the characters was a clever take. As a historical fiction buff, this fresh take on retelling of myths managed to tick my boxes.
Where this piece fell short for me is the choppy, rigid structure of the storytelling. While some of this could be attributed to the formatting of this ARC (PDF), the lack of fluidity from scene to scene, and chapter to chapter, made the reading a bit more difficult than it should have been, and therefore less enjoyable.
Overall, I think this is definitely a worthwhile read and I am confident that there are many readers out there who will be able to connect with the material and writing style, and I do look forward to the author’s future works.

Captivated from the first page. I love me some mythology tie ins and this book gave me that in buckets.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy of this book.

The writing had an almost song like quality to it and it made me think maybe one of the muses or Orpheus himself wrote something as beautiful.

This book is definitely an acquired taste, but if it’s come up as recommended for you I highly recommend giving it a shot as it’s a title I will be revisiting time and time again.

I’d like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of "Medusa and the Roses" by Navid Sinaki. I finished this book a few weeks ago, but I needed time to sit with my thoughts and revisit certain aspects of the novel before formulating my final thoughts. 9Finished roughly mid Feb)

"Medusa and the Roses" is a fascinating and dark exploration of forbidden queer love in modern-day Tehran. The story follows Anjir and Zal, childhood friends turned lovers, as they navigate the complexities of their relationship in a society where being openly gay is criminalized. The novel delves into themes of sex, vengeance, and betrayal, weaving a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

As a mythology geek, I particularly enjoyed the mythological references sprinkled throughout the book. These references added depth and richness to the story, enhancing the overall reading experience.

However, it's important to note that "Medusa and the Roses" is a dark and violent novel, and it may not be suitable for all readers. The author tackles sensitive topics with unflinching honesty, and readers should be mindful of trigger warnings before diving into this book.

Personally, I felt comfortable with the dark content of the novel, as I often read and write in similar veins. However, I acknowledge that some readers may find certain themes unsettling.

The premise of "Medusa and the Roses" is bold and cinematic, and Navid Sinaki's debut novel is a testament to his talent as a writer. The story is intricately woven, and the characters are complex and compelling. Anjir's journey to find Zal takes readers on a gripping adventure through the streets of Tehran, where they encounter a diverse cast of characters, each with their own struggles and desires.

In conclusion, "Medusa and the Roses" is a dark and compelling tale that pushes the boundaries of storytelling. Navid Sinaki's bold narrative and unapologetic exploration of queer love in Iran make this a must-read for fans of literary noir. I give "Medusa and the Roses" a solid four-star rating, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.

Thank you, NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC!

I was super excited to read this!! And I was not disappointed. The story was engaging and immersive. Also, the narrative style and the queer characters were fascinating. There were elements of sadness, danger, and romance but I think the book focused more on the former than the latter. But the ending was satisfactory.

I would love to read more from Navid Sinaki!

So grateful to have been able to read this early and I will certainly look forward to whatever Sinaki writes in the future, but I ultimately wanted to love this story more than I did. I loved the setting and the use of mythology, two of the main factors that caught my attention in the first place, but tonally and structurally this wasn't exactly what I thought I'd be getting from a "literary noir." That said, the book is unapologetically gay and very easy to get through, but I wish it was slightly longer so that we could spend more time with the main characters and get to know their relationship, especially outside of sex. The few scenes or lines in here that did touch on being in love and the obstacles that come with that if you're queer were moving and they will stay with me, so I would've loved more of them. Additionally, I think they would've fleshed the characters out more and helped me, as a reader, to understand their motivations - particularly since this book tackles the bloody and extreme.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

"Medusa of the Roses" is a fascinating, dark, violent book about forbidden queer love in Iran. Anjir and Zal have made plans how the childhood friends turned lovers can have a future: Anjir will transition and then they can marry. But then Zal disappears.

I found the quest character and Teheran fascinating, I loved all the mythological references but the book was too disturbing for me. I found all the characters terribly problematic and all the violence and hopelessness was a bit too much for me.

It was well written of course and a fascinating read but I did not particularly enjoy it if that makes sense? Just so much hate, trauma, fear.

3 stars

This is one of those books that's not going to be for everyone but it was definitely for me. I found this captivating and really enjoyed the author's lyrical writing style. The way author used Persian and Greek myths to mirror the main characters situation was just so well done. At times I had no idea where the story was going, yet my interest didn't waver at anytime. I also found the ending extremely satisfying and beautiful.

Whoever approved my NetGalley request, THANK YOU!

Will definitely be keeping my eye open for the author's upcoming work as well.

I was originally drawn in by the cover, but soon found myself immersed in a story I just couldn’t put down. Not my usual style of novel but I was intrigued nonetheless and will keep an eye out for more of this author’s future work.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

Content Warnings: Homophobia, Transphobia, Intimate Partner Violence, Drug Addiction

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I loved Sinaki’s use of different mythologies and how they interwove throughout the novel. I also liked the mix of personal journey of Anjir (first person narrator) and mystery/film noir elements surrounding his partner’s disappearance.

However, what I disliked outweighed these elements. The largest element I struggled with was the depiction of homosexual and trans individuals in the novel. To me, Anjir comes across almost as a parody of a homosexual in his hypersexuality; the consistent references to other men’s genitals, sex acts, and semen made it seem like Anjir was almost obsessed with these things. Others may take a different opinion or not be as bothered as I was by it.

Likewise, Anjir’s decision to begin transitioning in order to be Zal’s public “wife” was uncomfortable for me. Anjir early in the novel expresses his alignment with Tiresias, but his decision to transition feels purely transactional. Again, others may disagree. I may also be misreading different cultural and personal representations of gender and sexual identity. I think the inclusion of oppressed women (cis and trans) and how becoming “woman” wouldn’t solve all the civil rights challenges or assure safety was well done in the work, and perhaps reading Anjir’s experience as a contrast or as part of this aspect would make it stronger.

Finally, I found the mixed narrative was, at times, difficult for me to follow. For example, I didn’t really get the film noir/mystery vibe as much as I think Sinaki intended. It really was only towards the end that it felt really film noir-ish.