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.