I have mixed feelings about this book. I didn't hate it, but it also didn't grab me like some books have. The prophecy of Medusa's death kind of ruined it for me, because after that point there were no surprises and it just walked slowly towards that scene without a lot of tension or plot. I didn't hate this book, but I was very disappointed because I did feel that it could have been a very good book if it had just been approached a little differently.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐩.

Medusa is a central figure in Greek mythology, and for so many years, casual readers of the genre only knew her as the monster. These retellings are breathing new life into these ancient stories by adjusting the narrative. Instead of seeing Medusa as the villain in the hero myth of Perseus, we see her from birth, never really fitting in with her two sisters as she was the only triplet who was mortal.

Many parts of the story are familiar, such as her desecration by Poseidon in Athena's temple. But this version does much than paint Medusa as the victim of Athena's wrath. While the author shows just how much her anger and humiliation were both justified, she keeps Medusa's moral compass intact. Reading about this scared, confused girl who never wanted to hurt anyone was heartbreaking.

You think you know her story, but there's so much more to her than the label villain. My copy was provided by Grand Central Publishing and is available now.

An intriguing feminist retelling of Medusa’s story that is well-written and steadily-paced. Gruender’s Medusa gives readers a different look at the villainized and misunderstood character and her backstory,

I support women's rights and women's wrongs (except Athena)! I have always loved the story of Medusa and I have always felt a kinship with her. She was just a young woman who was hurt and wronged by so many people and she learned how to defend herself and meanwhile learned how to love and trust again despite her situation. This book was just so beautiful and had so many incredible quotes (omg THE ENDING) and every time I picked it up, I just wanted to keep reading. This author did such a great job taking such a well known story and writing it from the point of view of a woman who never really got the spotlight in the stories she was featured in/shown as a monster. I will never take any Medusa slander ever again. And I will read any other myth retelling this author writes!

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.