We’ve probably all heard of the Greek mythology surrounding the creature Medusa, but Nataly Gruender has written a beautiful tale of her backstory from the “monster’s” perspective that is a beautifully somber reading experience. Almost love, almost friends, and never belonging anywhere until the end. It was slow at times, but I definitely think that was on purpose.

✨Medusa by Nataly Gruender✨

Genre: Historical Retelling
Pages: 432

📚The only mortal daughter of two sea gods, and a priestess of Athena, Medusa was a woman who thought she had found her place in the world. But when Medusa suffers a horrific violation at the hands of Poseidon, Athena is outraged over the desecration of her name and sends a message by transforming Medusa into the snake-haired monster of legend. With one look, any who meet her gaze is turned to stone. Word of her monstrosity travels fast, igniting a king’s fear so greatly that he commands the boy-hero Perseus to bring him her head. With a power that will spare no one, Medusa begins to wonder if this is a blessing or a curse.

Searching for a haven free from mortals, Medusa journeys across ancient Greece. Her eyes are hidden beneath a blindfold, with nothing but the snakes for company. Through her travels, Medusa discovers solace and understanding in the mythical figures she stumbles upon: A debaucherous wine god, an alluring nymph, and a three-headed dog. But one cannot escape fate forever. Medusa faces a choice: become the monster everyone expects her to be, or cling to the last piece of her humanity.

📝This was an interesting retelling of Medusa’s story. It was essentially a feminist retelling where Medusa was not the monster, but a woman cursed for being wronged by the Gods.

We follow Medusa as she learns to adapt to her new, cursed state. She encounters Dionysus, reunites with her sister Echidna and then her fellow Gorgon sisters, Euryale and Stheno. Finally, she encounters her demise at the hands of Perseus, but in this tale, she is no longer a woman without choice, a pawn in the games of the Gods.

PS: I listened to part of this on @spotify and it was well done !

💫Thank you @grandcentralpub for my egalley 💫

I love a good feminist retelling of previously maligned female figures in mythology, and this retelling of Medusa’s story is no exception! It’s always astounding to me the way that many female mythological figures have been villainized when they are actually survivors of mistreatment, abuse, assault, etc. from men/male gods who never face the same scrutiny or criticism. Similarly, Medusa too is a survivor, and I really enjoyed this more intimate and personal look at her story and her background, particularly her relationship with Athena, who cursed her. I loved seeing the bittersweet journey of Medusa’s growth, the friendships and bonds she forged through her struggles, and the way she uses this very curse to find self-love and self-acceptance. The pacing in this book did get slow at times, but overall I still really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it! Especially if you like Jennifer Saint’s retellings or Stone Blind by Natalie Hayes!

Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Nataly Gruender for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC Copy!

Medusa has always been one of my favorite characters of Greek Mythology, her story has been misinterpreted so many times and she is portrayed as this evil creature, but this story does a good job showing her true reason for existence and why she is the creature that she is, in all her glorious feminine rage. Showing the relationships that were build and lost along the way was done well and I really enjoyed this interpretation of Medusa's story.

"Medusa" gives us a different angle on the stories of the snake-haired Gorgon of mythology by depicting her as a young mortal girl who becomes a priestess in the shrine of Athena. Well written with a steady pacing that keeps the reader interested.

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.

Medusa is so much more than the story that has always been told of her - a monster who kills with a single look and has her head cut off by a true Greek hero. In many Greek retellings these myths that have stood the test of time are questioned as we look at who was the one telling the story. In Medusa we are brought into the woman's mind as she begins as the only mortal of her triplet sisters - a girl who is incredibly lonely and unsure of her place in the world. At her sister's wedding Medusa is given a terrible prophecy by the Graeae and catches the attention of two gods - eventually using this to take a place as a priestess of Athena after her original support. It is there that the story turns towards what we know - Medusa is attacked in Athena's temple and the goddess curses Medusa with her snakes and the look to turn to stone. She punishes Medusa instead of Poseidon and it is painful to read as Medusa learns what these abilities can do. Fleeing the city Medusa seeks out some form of comfort before her prophesized death and encounters those who help her learn how to harness the title of monster.

This book was incredibly poignant and hit in so many ways. I love mythology retellings and this was my first Medusa one. After reading Natalie Hayes Pandora's Jar: Women in Greek Myths I was in a perfect place to read a more sympathetic story of Medusa and the Gorgons and found that here. I would highly recommend this to those who enjoy a feminist mythology retelling but be sure to check trigger warnings for Medusa's story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this for review.

4.5/5

Absolutely love Medusa retellings and I'm getting quite the collection, I loved this book it was lyrical and so good I felt like I was in the world. I will be buying a copy when the paperback comes out already pre-ordered it! This book is a must read for any reader who loves mythology or feminist tales

Everyone knows the stories of Medusa turning men to stone with just a flick of her eyes, but how many of you actually know the story behind her making?

I started this book with a decent understanding of Medusa and her history but walked away with so much more.
Medusa has always been portrayed as a monster, but that isn't really the whole story. She was born the only mortal child of two sea God's and experienced loneliness and neglect due to her mortal status. She became a priestess of Athena and sought to do good. In a turn of events that were out of her hands, she was cursed and thrown out of the temple that was her home. With a head full of snakes and the inability to look at any living creature without turning them to stone, she sets out to find safety for herself and others. Along the way, she experiences some cognitive dissonance as she works through her anger and adapts to her new life. It's so easy to let fear and anger consume you and seek revenge when you have been wronged, but it's even harder to let go of your morals when you are a good person.

What an insightful and fascinating retelling of such a well-known greek "villain". This story absolutely filled me with rage for Medusa and for women in general. Yet the lessons we learn from Medusa definitely make this a must-read.
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of Medusa by Nataly Gruender in exchange for an honest review. It was an exceptional read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of Medusa by Nataly Gruender.

I was really happy to fall upon a retelling of a Greek myth that wasn't just a hero. Nataly Gruender has a positive retelling in multiple women POV's. I think that the novel being told by all women is something extremely special as not a lot of novels do this, especially when it comes to Greek myth's. Medusa's story becomes humanized in a way that makes her story relatable, as her journey allows the reader to not only understand her journey with understanding and acceptance, that they too can find both on their journey through their struggles. It certainly gives a voice to those who need it and in a sensitive way. I'd 100% buy a physical copy for when I need it the most.

Yes yes yes !!!! Omg where has this book been all my life ! I haven’t been a lover of any of the greek god stuff but I always said that there’s gotta be more for medusa! And this book nails it !

Medusa has many different stories. This one is perfection! Read this to see the women behind the snakes. You want a strong female character this is it! Don't love greek mythology good who cares this book is its own entity! Read it, that is all!

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book! Medusa was published in August!

Born the only mortal daughter of gods, Medusa spends her early life struggling to understand her place and purpose. When a chance meeting with Athena prompts her to go to Athens and serve as a priestess in Athena’s temple, she is finally feel fulfilled until suffering a brutal violation by Poseidon. Instead of providing protection and justice, Athena transforms Medusa’s golden locks into a swarm of snakes, and the once beautiful young woman becomes a monster of legend. Medusa flees Athens and travels all over Greece, hunting for allies and safety, knowing solitude will only ever be brief. Haunted by past injustices, Medusa also discovers kindness, love, family, and hope.

This story comes with a wide cast of interesting mythical creatures, and gave a new spin on well-known legends. I appreciate Greek mythology retellings that take horrific tragedy and turn it into a reclamation of feminine empowerment. This story didn’t bring the rage and hunt for justice that I loved in Costanza Casati’s Clytemnesa, but I appreciated the softer edges of Medusa that allowed her to find her own passions and purpose. Overall, it was a great read, but I felt like some of the best parts of the story (near the conclusion) felt too rushed.

This is a debut novel?!? I loved this with my whole heart. So beautifully written. It was a mixture of sad, desperate, hopeful, haunting.. the story of Medusa was told with such care, but the impact was not lost. I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this, I have even purchased the audiobook. Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this opportunity.

🐍Medusa-a standalone

By-Nataly Gruender-debut author

📅Publication date 8-13-24, Read 8-28-24

📔E-Book-432 pgs.

🎧Audiobook-11hrs 17mins.

Helen Laser voices all characters. The narrator's voice fit the characters with standouts from Medusa, Athena, and Perseus. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along with the E-book and audiobook.

🙏🏽Thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio for this ARC and ALC 💚! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre-Greek mythology retelling, Historical Fic/Fantasy, Women's Fic

Tropes-family drama/sisterhood, female friendship, a quest, feminism, rivals

⚠️TW: SA, attempted assault, bullying, virgin heroine, victim blaming

📔Summary-This is Medusa's story growing up with her two sisters Stheno and Euryale (The Gorgons) being isolated as a mortal and victimized by the gods of Olympus. She's betrayed by the goddess Athena who vowed to protect her. And Poseidon used his position to abuse her. Medusa is cursed a monster and left to ponder the Fates prophecy of her death.

🤔My Thoughts-I just read Hera recently and Medusa's story is similar in that she has been painted as the villain without people knowing what actually happened to her. I knew about her snakes as hair and turning people to stone, but I didn't know why she cursed. She knew was going to be murdered and had to make peace with it. I loved how her sisters comforted and cared for her in her final days. Her time with Echidna and Cerberus was so precious as well as all the advice Dionysus gave her. She was Naidah the water nymph 's savior as she was put into the same position as Medusa, but no one saved her. This novel was deeply moving, thought-provoking, and stuck with me days later.

Rating-5/5 ⭐

** spoiler alert ** Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of Medusa by Nataly Gruender in exchange for review.

4.25 stars from me~

I loved this story, as I do with most mythologies. Nataly’s writing made this very easily digestible with its easy language and smooth flow.

Medusa really got bamboozled time and time again by her family, those she trusted, and of course all who misunderstood her. A mortal girl born into a family of gods who was taken advantage of and “cursed” to turn anyone who met glances to stone.

I loved how she grew and learned to love herself even though everything she had known of life was taken from her. Reconciling and reconnecting with those who had not been the best to her really showed her openness and compassion which is incredible she still had given everything. I can’t say I wouldn’t have been a little more vengeful if I underwent the same fate. I especially loved the romance though short lived. I am always always down for a sapphic moment.

This book ended beautifully, it may not have been the happiest way but Medusa was still able to look upon her outcome with positivity and I resonated with that, she stood up for what she wanted and faced a powerful goddess with the hard facts and didn’t back down. She’s a hero.

Thank you so much for letting me enjoy this story early

I am in LOVE with this retelling. I have always been interested in Greek mythology and this story hits all of them! If you enjoy this type, you will not be disappointment. The author wrote beautifully, you can really tell the hard work that was put into making it. Here’s to hoping she writes more and I get picked to review them!
I want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This. This is how Medusa should be remembered.

I have never been a fan of the Medusa myth, I didn't see how/why she should be punished when it never seemed like her fault. Nataly Gruender has changed my mind. We get to see Medusa as she was before she became the "monster" we all know (I also didn't realize how young Medusa was). As the only mortal daughter of two sea gods, Medusa never fit as a triplet of immortal siblings. After a chance encounter with Athena she finds her way to Athens and becomes a priestess of Athena. However, for the first time ever Medusa feels beautiful and appreciated. Poseidon uses this to get closer to Medusa and violates her. Instead of aiding Medusa, Athena turns her into a snake-haired monster who turns anyone who meets her eyes to stone. She must flee Athens and try find a place where she can be safe and others can be safe from her. But she cannot escape her fate.

Unlike many Greek retellings that I have read, Gruender writes the gods with a modern flare while still treating them as ancient beings with thousands of years of stories. The dialog was refreshing and the description of Athena struggling to stay relevant to mortals really hit home. While reading I cried for Medusa, I screamed at Perseus, I begged Athena, and I hated Poseidon. Not since Song of Achilles have I felt so deeply with a mythology retelling.

If you are looking for your next Greek mythology retelling you NEED to pick this debut novel up. I am excited to see what Nataly Gruender comes up with next.

Tiktok and Instagram posts incoming.

“They may call you what they like but that does not make you who you are.”

Nataly Gruender’s debut novel, Medusa, breathes new life into the myth of Medusa, transforming her from a mere monster into a complex, resilient character. This retelling remains true to the core elements of the myth while providing a fresh, and slightly feminist perspective.

The story begins with Medusa as the only mortal among the Gorgon sisters, destined by a prophecy to become a monster. The sisters’ journey from their secluded house on the beach to Athens marks the start of Medusa’s transformation. In the city, as a priestess of Athena, Medusa finds her true calling, but her life takes a tragic turn when Poseidon rapes her at Athena’s altar. And, unable to punish the god, Athena turns Medusa into a monster. Gruender skillfully navigates Medusa’s journey as she learns to live with her new form, finding companionship with Dionysus, a naiad, Echidna (and Cerberus), and eventually reconnecting with her sisters.

Gruender’s portrayal of Medusa as a tragic yet resilient character is both engaging and thought-provoking. The novel delves into Medusa’s inner world, exploring her motivations and the choices she makes with the prophecies she’s been given in mind. This depth of character adds a new dimension to the well-known myth, making Medusa more relatable and human.

The novel strikes a delicate balance between staying true to the myth and introducing new elements—like her friendship with Dionysus or the bond she shares with the naiad. Furthermore, Gruender’s interpretation of Athena as a pragmatic figure who makes decisions based on logic rather than empathy is particularly compelling and offers a more nuanced view of her actions.

While the prose is generally vivid and engaging, there are moments where it becomes lengthy, and certain aspects of the story could have been expanded upon. For instance, the romance between Medusa and the water nymph Naidah felt slightly underdeveloped and somewhat flat. Additionally, on some occasions, the dialogue also felt too modern and out of place compared to the narration style.

All in all, despite these minor flaws, Medusa is a compelling retelling of a classic myth. It’s a tender and inspiring exploration of what it means to be a monster and the power of resilience. It is a must-read for fans of Greek mythology authors like Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, and Natalie Haynes, and those looking for a refreshing tale of feminine rage, acceptance, and the complexities of power and ethics.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ever since reading “Circe” a few years back, I’ve been obsessed with retellings of Greek myths and this one is no different. I was totally sucked into Medusa’s world from the very start and loved following her through her journey of self discovery.

I would absolutely recommend this to fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes or anyone who enjoys tales of the importance of sisterhood and self-love.

Once again I have found another author who has written a beautiful story surrounding Medusa! The multi POV was great, I really liked the history and pre-Gorgon era of Medusa in this story! A must read!