Rosie Hewlett's "The Witch of Colchis" presents a reimagining of Medea, the infamous sorceress of Greek mythology, told from her perspective. The novel dives into Medea’s troubled life, painting her not as a mere villain but as a complex woman striving for autonomy in a world that shuns her for her power. It’s a tale of ambition, love, betrayal, and the sacrifices one must make to seize their destiny. Hewlett's prose is evocative, bringing the ancient world to life with vivid descriptions of its mystical landscapes and the dangers lurking within. Medea’s internal struggles are thoughtfully explored, giving depth to her character and making her choices, however dark, understandable. Ultimately, "The Witch of Colchis" is a compelling reexamination of a maligned figure from mythology, inviting readers to consider the humanity behind the legend.

I love Greek mythology and this story really nailed it especially being a villain origin story. It made you understand the steps and choices leading up to the big moment. Great job !!!

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sometimes Greek myth retellings make me a little nervous, but I heard a bunch of glowing reviews about The Witch of Colchis (or Medea, if you’re reading the UK edition), so I was pretty excited about this. Hewlett’s take on Medea was heartbreaking and beautiful, and while some of the character’s choices were difficult for me to read, I also felt they were wholly understandable for her characterization. All of the characters felt complex and even though this is a familiar story, Hewlett did a wonderful job at bringing out emotional reactions from the reader.

And anyway. All my homies hate Jason.

Here’s a reworded version for a more polished flow:

4 stars! If you’re drawn to tales of fierce feminine rage, this book is a must-read.

Medea, the princess of Colchis, is a woman of extraordinary power and compassion, crushed by a world that condemns her witchcraft. Isolated by her family and shamed by her people, she dreams of freedom. When the ambitious hero Jason arrives in pursuit of the Golden Fleece, Medea sees her chance and sets off on a journey that will test her strength, magic, and loyalty. Her path leads to a love both intense and devastating, a betrayal that leaves her broken, and a legacy of vengeance and darkness that’s unforgettable. This reimagining casts Medea as both a tragic heroine and a powerful sorceress in a tale that masterfully blends power, heartbreak, and myth.

This was my first mythological retelling, and I loved it. Rosie Hewlett’s prose is beautiful—it drew me in and made me feel like I was alongside Medea. While much of the book centers on the love story between Medea and Jason, it also explores the quests and adventures of the Argonauts.

I didn’t know Medea’s story before reading, so I can’t speak to how closely it aligns with the original mythology. But if one thing is clear, it’s that men in mythology are often deeply flawed, and Jason is no exception. My heart ached for Medea as Jason dismissed her sacrifices and ultimately betrayed her.

I’ll definitely be reading more from Rosie Hewlett!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC!

I was interested in this novel initially because the synopsis I read stated it was for fans of Circe. Circe was my first (and only up until now) novel revolving around a character from Greek mythology, and I was so ready for more. I liked this story even better than Circe, which I was totally not expecting! This book tells the story of Medea, Princess of Colchis. I honestly had never heard of her before, but have spent the weeks since finishing this book researching her in my spare time. I have to say that I love a novel that makes me think, a novel that leads me to learn. I never would have become interested in this character on my own, and I am just grateful for the gifted ARC and the opportunity to learn. I have recommended this book to several friends already.

The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett, known as Medea in the UK, offers a fresh and sympathetic take on the classic myth. Hewlett skillfully explores themes of abuse and power, portraying Medea as a complex character shaped by the torment she endures from her father and brother. Her magical abilities, which evoke jealousy, set the stage for her eventual alliance with Jason and the Argonauts, presenting her with a chance for freedom and love.

However, this desire comes at a cost, as Medea’s choices lead her to betray her family in unthinkable ways. The novel contrasts Medea with other women in her life—Chalciope, Atalanta, and Circe—who also navigate their struggles in a patriarchal society. This interplay highlights the dynamics of power, manipulation, and the consequences of denial, making Medea’s journey both compelling and relatable. While Hewlett provides context for Medea’s notorious actions, she maintains accountability for her choices, resulting in a nuanced and engaging retelling that deepens our understanding of this iconic figure.

thanks to netgalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for a review!

ohhhh medea my messy woman. and i get it. if i had been born with limitless power and then got it systematically shoved down by men starting from childhood? yeah i'd lose it a little bit too. i continue to be obsessed with novels about the women who are generally side characters in classical greek stories, and to frame the stories from how they would see the world and how the world would treat them. this was well written, well paced, and provided me so much reason to support medea in all of her actions. rosie hewlett may become an auto-read author for me after this one.

At one point over the summer when I was in a bookstore in Canada, I saw a book called Medea and made a mental note to look up later to see if I could find more information about it. When I did that, I came across Rosie Hewlett’s The Witch of Colchis which was published as Medea in the UK and figured this must have been the one I’d seen in the store (I later discovered there was yet another book called Medea that was much more likely the one that I had seen in the store). Regardless, I was interested to read a new take on Medea’s story, especially having seen glimpses of it in both Circe and Atalanta. As expected, The Witch of Colchis paints Medea in a more sympathetic light, though to do so given all that she does is a feat. A moving portrayal of the worst kinds of physical, emotional and psychological abuse, Hewlett’s version of Medea makes sense (though without excusing the horrific actions she takes), even without the supernatural elements that are worked in to help push her along her dark path.

From her youth, Medea’s magic and the natural instincts with which she wields it draw the jealousy and ire of her father and brother. Though her aunt, Circe briefly trains her, she is forbidden from using it… until her father requires her skills to protect the golden fleece from those who might steal it. After suffering the abuses and taunts of her father and brother for years, when the promising Jason and his Argonauts arrive determined to win the fleece, Medea sees a way off of Colchis and away from the tyranny of her father’s rule. In Jason she believes she has found the respect and affection she has longed for in addition to her freedom. But securing that vision of her future with Jason might require Medea to betray her family in unthinkable and possibly unforgivable ways and there are many who warn her that Jason might not be the man she understands him to be.

Medea as a figure in mythology and how she’s seeped into popular culture is so often framed in contrast to the men around her and The Witch of Colchis does highlight that a lot too. It’s difficult not to given the ways she’s abused by her father and brother early on and the way she wields what power she has to fight back. Similarly, when it comes to her relationship with Jason, there are many parallels purposely drawn between them by the characters and by the narrative. Because of her talent with magic, Medea pushes back and does what she can to beat the men around her at their own game. Unlike so many of the women around her, she has a power that the men around her cannot match. They rely on her (and resent her for it, whether consciously or not) but it doesn’t mean that they value her or appreciate her. It creates a tension that she cannot recognize (not at first) and that she doesn’t understand. How much of this is down to the way she was shaped by the abuse she received so early on and how much stems from the stubbornness underlying her character is left for the reader to decide.

What I ended up appreciating best about The Witch of Colchis was the way that Medea was purposely contrasted with the other women around her – her sister Chalciope, Atalanta, and Circe. Each of those women are also shown in contrast to the men around them. Chalciope faces similar abuse at the hands of their brother. Circe’s relationship with Medea’s father is a similarly fraught brother/sister dynamic. And Atalanta must constantly demonstrate that she is worthy of being an Argonauts. It is primarily these women who try to show Medea where she underestimates or fails to see the truth before her. It is all too familiar to watch someone push away the help of those who truly care because they are not ready to admit an uncomfortable or devastating truth (particularly in a romantic relationship and particularly when the manipulator is so skilled). Getting to see the internal rationalizing going on from the one who is refusing the help is heartbreaking and frustrating. So while The Witch of Colchis does a great job of explaining why Medea could have done so many of the horrifying things she’s notorious in mythology for doing, it also doesn’t go out of its way to write away her culpability. Hewlett shows exactly where the choices were made that she is responsible for, even if the reasons she made those choices make a degree of sense in the moment.

I do so love me a mythology retelling! Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC! Medea has always been a fascinating character for me, especially since my high school theatre group performed the play in my junior year and I learned the story there. Being a sorceress who takes control of her life and destiny in the wake of her husband's betrayal made her more interesting to me in comparison to the plethora of myths about women being used and abused and often leaving it at that, but I really liked Hewlett's emphasis on Medea's childhood loneliness and abandonment, and how it affected the way she formed relationships, and particularly the way she latched onto Jason once he began to show her consistent attention, even when it was clear to the reader how manipulative that attention was, and even when Atalanta tried to explain to Medea just how self-centered and manipulative Jason could be on a broader scale. The theme of Medea's abandonment continues throughout the book, and directly ties to the devastating consequences of her final act against Jason. Hewlett humanizes Medea and the myth without taking away from the horrors of the story, and I adore that. Excellent retelling

I love Greek mythology and I really enjoyed this retelling of Medea's. I had read some of her story while reading other Greek retellings but I never knew what happened to her after she helped Jason secure the golden fleece. The author does a fabulous job telling the tale. The story just flowed and I could feel Medea's rage as she was betrayed again and again by the men in her life. I would love to read more form this author.

“It is the same for any woman who defies their place in this world. Jason will be the hero, and you? They’ll either make you his adoring, lovesick damsel or they’ll make you the villain. Those are the only roles they feel comfortable with us occupying.” -The Witch of Colchis by @rosiehewlett.author

Medea is the daughter of the King of Colchis, brother to the witch Circe, both of whom are descendant of the Greek Gods Helios and Perseis. While the King of Colchis did not acquire any power or gifts from his parents, his daughter Medea did. Medea is hidden away from the world within the confines of the palace, abused by her father who is jealous of her power, & her brother who fears her. Medea was trained as a child by her aunt Circe in the ways of witchcraft using herbs & incantations, until Circe was banished. Medea’s fate changes when Jason, leader of the Argonauts arrives on the shores of Colchis. Jason is Medea’s path to freedom, & Medea will risk everything to be free of her abusive family.

The narrative is beautifully crafted, with vivid imagery that transported me to the enchanting yet treacherous world of Colchis & beyond. I believe the story is engaging for both those familiar with Greek mythology & newcomers alike. I found the relationships to be intricately developed, adding layers of tension & depth to the plot. Medea’s character was multifaceted & allowed me to empathize with her despite some of her disgusting & tragic actions.

The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because there was a portion of the book, a little past halfway through, that seemed to drag for me.

If you are interested in Greek mythology & their retellings, villain origin stories, & powerful female characters, this is the book for you. If you are something of a Greek mythology scholar, just understand, this is a contemporary re-telling. If you keep that in mind, you will enjoy this book. It is full of feminist rage, and I love it.

Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark @bookmarked for allowing me access to this ARC via @netgalley All thoughts are entirely my own.

One of the most hated female characters in Greek mythology gets her story told.
I think this has been my favorite retelling of Medea's myths so far.
Beautifully written, Hewlett's version really filled out Medea's story and brought the character to life. Making her both more human and relatable while not attempting to paint her as a victimized woman. Although Hewlett's Jason is by no means a sympathetic character. Those who suffered Medea's wrath were also more fleshed out and humanized.
The plot was well developed and thorough. It was a bit of a slower read, but not in such a way that I got bored.
I found this to be a probable retelling from Medea's perspective, with some well-crafted twists. I very much enjoyed this book!
4.75 stars rounded up to 5.
Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for making this ARC available.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

I'm a sucker for Greek Myth retellings, and this one is no different. I've loved Medea since I read the play in HS, and the way this reframes the story but without negating the violence of Medea is so good. Medea is not apologetic for her actions, nor should she be. I also loved the prose in this, as it is very beautiful and flows well. There were some spots I found myself reading quickly just to get through, but overall, I rather enjoyed this.

With perfect pacing and beautiful world-building, Rosie Hewlett perfectly retold the story of Medea in a way that made me love-hate the characters and setting! SUCH a great book!

As far as Greek Myth retellings go, this was quite good. It felt believable but also a touch oriented toward a young adult audience. Some language took me out of the story as it was a touch too modern. I feel that it would actually be a nice companion for Atalanta by Jennifer Saint.

For readers of Costanza Casati and Circe comes an evocative tale of love, murder, and magic following one of the most powerful and maligned women in Greek myth. Meet Medea like you've never known her before - a woman with improbable skill and the softest heart, held back by men who could never dream to deserve her.

Really well done! Great characters and world-building! I really enjoyed it!

The Witch of Colchis is written so incredibly beautifully. It reads a bit like ancient literature in such a strange way I can’t really describe, but it isn’t hard to understand in the slightest. The characters are also so well done. The main character is someone that you almost hate a little bit sometimes but you root for her so hard. It did take me a really long time to get through it, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t invested in the story. I just could only read a little at a time or it would start to feel stiff. But overall the book was gorgeous and I would absolutely read it again.

This book was... just... chief's kiss perfection. I've read a other retellings of Medea and they never seemed to get the underlying rage that she felt as well as this book did. But this book was such an incredible read.

I loved that we got to see her horrible childhood and to see how it shaped her. I loved that we got her interactions with the goddess Hecate and her interactions with Circe. I loved her relationship with Atalanta. I /loved/ how truly despicable Jason was the entire time. I think I described this book to someone as watching a horror story unfold, but it really is what it is - watching a tragedy happen in front of you and the person who is in the story slowly realizing how bad things are while you're yelling at the page trying to get them to take any of the off-ramps that have been given to them.

But this was truly delightful (what a weird thing to say about a tragedy). And the ending! I loved that we got a bit after where the original play ends. I really appreciated it because Medea is such a well rounded, sad character who didn't deserve what she got and fought tooth and nail for herself and for her to be ...comfortable? in her skin is welcoming, if not horrifying.

Overall, an incredible read, and I'm very excited to pick up a copy of this book! Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for a copy to read and review.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Whew! What a roller coaster. I got to what could have been a happy ending so many times only to have it ripped away from me time after time. I love Medea and all her flaws and trauma. This book is great. Sometimes it gets a little slow, but the blending of Greek myth told by a powerful but deeply wounded woman will ALWAYS hit right for me.