I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Medusa by Nataly Gruender is a mixed first and third person multi-POV retelling of the story of Medusa. When Medusa arrives at Athena's temple, she's given the chance to become a priestess of Athena and spend her mortal life in service to the gods among humans instead of her immortal family members. But when she captures the attention of Poseidon, her world gets torn upside down.

The story of Medusa very often comes in two types: ones that assume Athena is a feminist and ones that assume Athena thinks herself above other women. There's power in Medusa becoming a monster who can turn men into stone, especially if they are harming other women, but there's also this internal question of why was Medusa the one who was punished. Nataly Gruender doesn't make Athena fit neatly into either the feminist or above other women role; if anything, Athena is more pragmatic and makes her choices purely on what she believes will be the correct choice without really considering Medusa’s side, even if she recognizes that Medusa wasn't responsible for what happened. It's the way I've always viewed that particular moment, that Athena is too blinded by logic to understand the harm in her actions, and I was delighted to see it here.

Medusa is a mortal among immortals in this interpretation. The other two Gorgons are immortal and look down on Medusa for being mortal but return to her after her transformation. Echidna and Cereberus also make later appearances as family members for Medusa to connect to. The monstrous sisters bonding was a sweet touch.

I think this is the first time I saw Dionysus show up in the story of Medusa and Perseus and the timeline doesn't solidly fit the internal one I've created over years of reading Greek mythology, but I wasn't lost or confused. It just takes a bit of mental shuffling. Dionysus draws a parallel between himself and Athena being born of Zeus but he comes from Zeus’ thigh while Athena comes from his head. It shows a disparity in the family that is hinted at that lines up with how Dionysus seemed to enjoy spending more time among mortals than his fellow Olympians.

Content warning for depictions of sexual assault

I would recommend this to fans of the story of Medusa and readers of Greek myth retellings that prefer something grounded in the time period

Started this because either live a Greek mythology retelling, enjoying it but got approved for the audio so will eb putting my focus on that! Really good read so far!!!

3.75-4⭐️

Medusa is the retelling of a classic story but from the "villians" point of view. But is she really the villian?

This both does several things very well. The writing was beautiful, at sometimes lyrical but not too lengthy where I rolled my eyes in boredom (sorry Addie LaRue). This retelling also does a phenomenonal job at character development, you really get to know each character, their motivations, and internal struggles. It gave the book an extra layer of depth that I appreciated.

There were definitely points where things were slow. While once or twice I had to encourage myself to continue reading, looking back at the book as a whole I understand why the "slower" parts were included. Every part is part of Medusa's development, character ARC and journey- and she literally brings us along for the ride.

Overall this was a good book, a good representation and retelling of Madusa.
.
.
.
I have a newfound appreciation for snakes, well at least semi magical ones lol

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an acr in exchange for my review!

I really enjoyed this retelling of Medusa's story. The characters were fleshed out nicely, though the narration between characters didn't change much so the voice was mostly the same for all the characters. I liked the development of the relationship between the sisters and I enjoyed the way that the snakes had their own voice as well. I enjoyed Medusa's perspective alongside the occasional chapter from the POV of Stheno or Danae. The author also did a nice job with the worldbuilding, and the writing was vivid and easy to understand.
I did think that the romance between Medusa and the water nymph Naidah was unnecessary, as it was hardly present in the story and felt very flat and unemotional. Certain parts of the story were very slow, while others were rushed and didn't expand on any aspect of the main story. The dialogue was also very modern and juvenile compared to the narration style. The overall retelling was nicely done, but there was no differentiating aspect that made it unique compared to other Medusa stories.

I’m not a big fan of the way the synopsis is written after reading this novel. I think that the placement of “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.” makes it feel like Medusa knows Perseus is coming for her even before she leaves Athens. It seems strange to me that the synopsis mentions everything else in chronological order except for that tidbit.

As one part of the mythical trio known as the Gorgon’s, Medusa was different from the beginning. Simply because she was born mortal while her sister’s Stheno and Euryale were blessed with their godly parents immortality. This alone was enough for her sisters to revile her.
But the night Medusa’s extended family gathered to celebrate her older sister Echidna's marriage, we find out that this sentiment is not shared by everyone we encounter in this story. First with Athena’s attention toward Medusa and then with Poseidon’s, both of which are only an echo of what’s to come.

Medusa seems to hurdle toward her destiny as reluctantly as the rest of us, especially when she is punished by a higher power simply because she is the easiest target, rather than the party at fault. I felt like her narration of the story was stilted up to this point, but after she was cursed I started to notice a shift.

I was expecting this book to come out swinging and be up there with Circe or The Song of Achilles, and that wasn’t my experience and I would say it also colored my opinion of it until I finished. In the beginning, Medusa was very young, naive, and very human, a cocktail for disaster. But once she gains her infamous power we see her forced to confront her choices, morals, and fate head on. It’s brutal, but it’s also beautiful; a sentiment I feel like best describes Medusa’s story as a whole.

The way the last half of this book comes together is beautiful. I was truly invested in Medusa’s journey and what she would decide to do because after all, this is a fictional retelling. There were so many times I found myself stopping to highlight quotes as we raced toward the end. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for fans of lighter reads that don’t lack the poignance of Greek retelling.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to write an honest review of the ARC for Medusa!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

My review was posted to Goodreads and Instagram on 7/25/24.
My Amazon review will be submitted on 08/13/24 when it is available for review and will be posted on my profile within 48 hours.

This retelling of Medusa's story is nothing short of remarkable. Prior to this, I had only a passing familiarity with Medusa, much like many readers might. However, this reimagining brings a depth to her character that is both comprehensive and nuanced. Medusa is portrayed as a fully realized, well-rounded character, replete with flaws and complexities. The author excels in eliciting a range of emotions from the reader throughout the narrative. Gruender employs a technique akin to breaking the fourth wall, which I presume is intentional. The narrative includes numerous assurances from various characters that Medusa will not be remembered as a mere monster, juxtaposed with those who insist she will. This book, in a sense, serves as a version that seeks to recast her in a different light, challenging the reader's preconceptions.

As readers journey with Medusa, they encounter a vibrant cast of characters, some endearing and others less so. The true brilliance of the narrative lies in Medusa's interactions and struggles with these relationships. As a mortal, Medusa never felt like she belonged, and even after becoming immortal, she remains an outcast due to her perceived monstrosity. These feelings profoundly influence her relationships and compel her to build emotional barriers.

The story begins as a slow burn but gradually accelerates, ultimately becoming unputdownable. Initially, I feared it might be a tedious read, but perseverance proved rewarding. Gruender meticulously sets the scene in a way that is ultimately meaningful and engaging.

In sum, this retelling of Medusa's tale is a masterful work that redefines a well-known mythological figure. It is a compelling exploration of identity, belonging, and the complex nature of human (and inhuman) relationships.

A wonderful retelling of Medusa’s story that allows readers to understand the life lived outside of the “monster” we’ve all come to expect. Highly recommend - especially for fans of Madeline Miller!

This was such a beautifully and touchingly written story. We all know tangentially the story of Medusa, however this is a different iteration. This story takes the struggle of a woman who has no control over her future, and makes Medusa a character you can see yourself in, and feel empathy for. The writing was amazing, the character arcs were fantastic, and I didn't want it to end. This was definitely one of the best books I have read based on Greek Mythology, and I have read quite a few. I don't consider myself someone who "loves" mythology, but this drew me in and kept my interest the entire time. I wish it had been longer, but obviously the story can only be so long, and Medusa can never have lived, right? But it made me wish she had. Seeing the story through her eyes made it so interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed books like Circe and Song of Achilles, as this was definitely at that level, or even higher.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I am not sure I really ever knew the story of Medusa as a monster with hair of snakes but never knew why. Nataly Gruender does a great job of explaining how Medusa went from being a mortal was raped by Poseidon while she was a priestess for Athena. Athena turned Medical into the monster versus punishing Poseidon so as not to start a war with the other Gods. The author did a great job of making Medusa a sympathetic character. I also enjoyed Dionysus' character. If you enjoy mythology worth a read.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing for this ARC.

I really enjoyed Medusa's redemption story. I grew up infatuated with Greek Mythology but never really delved into deeper meanings or stories that will elaborate. This novel helped me understand it a bit more clearly and it definitely kept me entertained. After reading this book and another about Achilles, I realized now how corrupt and toxic Greek Mythology is. For one, the way women were treated and how they are punished for someone else's decisions is just appalling. Secondly, the gods are all fickle. The lists goes on. However, back to the book, I didn't really care much about her romance life. I loved all the found friendship and sister concept and wished the book stayed to that route. When lust is thrown in, it just ruins it for me. I thought the friendship and sister concept alone, was a strong foundation already. It showed how Medusa had a support group behind her, no matter what they rumors they heard. I definitely got very emotional when Medusa was with her sisters at the end, practically begging them to let the prophecy play out. So sad.

This book was incredible. Though I wasn't very familiar with Medusa's story, this retelling was fantastic. Medusa is a well-developed character with depth and flaws. The author does an excellent job connecting the reader to her journey. Gruender even seems to break the fourth wall intentionally. The story contrasts those who promise to remember Medusa differently with those who see her as a monster, offering a new perspective on her character. The book features a vibrant cast of characters and explores Medusa's struggles with relationships, highlighting her feelings of being an outcast both as a mortal and as a "monster." It starts slow but picks up momentum, becoming unputdownable!

Another Medusa retelling in which we are repeatedly told that just because she is a monster doesn’t mean she is monstrous… Or maybe if she is monstrous, that’s OK because she was made into one and it’s not her fault people perceive her that way. This story flip-flopped hard on what story it wanted to tell and I honestly didn’t love it. The things that stood out (in a good way) are Medusa’s friendship with Dionysius and how she [spoiler alert] gets to tell off Athena for being the worst. The rest of it felt pretty middle of the road and I found her relationship with the dryad (naiad? get those mixed up) distracting from the main thread of the plot.

literally speechless, this is what i was looking for in stone blind that i didn’t get. I’m still wiping tears away from my eyes. Medusa’s story is always a heart wrenching one but in this version despite the heartbreak we receive, we also get to witness her find her peace and find herself. We also get to experience a new version of Athena, although i still do not like the goddess, i’ve come to see her part in this story a little differently. Thank you Net galley so much for giving me access to this arc!

I really enjoy a Medusa retelling and this one did not disappoint. Nataly wrote compelling characters that made me care about them and want to know more as the story went on. We always get the version of the story where she's the villain, so any time Medusa is written in a better light I get very excited.

This is a retelling of Medusa's life.

I never really considered how lonely Medusa's life is until I read this. Almost love, almost friends, and never belonging anywhere until the end. It was slow at times, but I definitely think that was on purpose. Her life was slower when she didn't have people in her life. Honestly, the ending is the best part. None of the gods had her best interests in mind including Athena. It felt like Athena ruined her life more than Poseidon did.

I'm only giving three stars, because I didn't like it but I didn't dislike it. The ending came out of nowhere from Medusa's character, and the rest of the book felt like she was letting things happen to her instead of doing things herself. I get that that's the point. I get how frustrating that was for her. I get that the slowness added to her loneliness, but it did make it less enjoyable to read at times. I didn't appreciate it for what it was until it was over.

Also, Echidna is my favorite side character. And yay for wonderful sisters.

Medusa really teetered between three and four stars for me. It was a good book. I liked it but I don't think I "really liked it" as the Goodread's star system says.

It's being marketed as an adult rather than young adult or new adult and I don't even really disagree but, reading this made me feel the way I felt reading Speak as a tween making me feel I would have liked this book more as a teen.

What this story does, it does really well. Each character feels fleshed out, we understand their motives, having the snakes be their own character was an interesting aspect I wouldn't have thought about. All of that was really enjoyable. Gruender also doesn't linger on any part of the book.

Any book handling assault of any kind can be rough if not handled well, and I think Gruender nailed it. Instead of focusing on gory and painful details, we're instead given more of the emotional aspect of the situation and that continues on for the rest of the book. We really get to see as Medusa tries to heal from everything that has happened to her. I think it was that healing and emotional side that reminded me of reading Speak.

That being said, and the reason I think this was more of a three star versus four star for me, is that some parts felt slow and rushed all at the same time. For example, at one point Medusa is going looking for help and/or information. It takes a long time getting there and when she does, the conversation is over in a blink of an eye.

That being said, I still recommend the book. It's not a super long read and is enjoyable if you're into mythology retellings.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for a free ARC of this title which in no way influences my review.

WOW.

Just wow. This book was remarkable. I am not super familiar with the story of Medusa, only in passing as I'm guessing many people are. But this retelling was so good. Medusa is a character that is fully fleshed out, well-rounded, and full of flaws. The author does a great job of setting the reader up to feel all of the feels along the way. Gruender kind of even does a type of breaking the fourth wall -- assuming that's intentional. There are a lot of promises from others that they will make sure that Medusa is not remembered as a monster alongside those who will tell the story that she was. And this book, well... is it not the version that paints her in a different light? Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

As the reader travels along with Medusa, they meet a colorful cast of characters. Some are to be loved, some not so much. But watching Medusa struggle with these relationships is the real gem. This is a character who never felt like she fit in because she was mortal. And when she finally is no longer mortal, she still feels outcast because she is "monstrous." These are the kinds of things that color her relationships and that cause her to build walls around herself.

It started out as a slow burn and then picked up speed as it went until I couldn't put it down. I did think, in the beginning, that it was going to be a slog, but I stuck with and I'm glad that I did because it was really just Gruender taking her time to set the scene in a meaningful way.

And her snakes! Her snakes! I love them!

This was a great read, offering a fresh take on Medusa's story. The author does an excellent job of painting a different image of Medusa than the one we often hear. This retelling provides a new perspective and is executed beautifully. It's a refreshing and well-crafted version of the classic myth.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I really enjoyed this Medusa retelling! Lovely writing and characters and while the plot was not fast or action packed I thought it was just right to the tone of exploring her identity and experience and flipping the narrative.

Incredibly mediocre. As much as this book grabbed me at first, I kept reading by sheer force of will alone. Medusa has no compelling motives, or no motive at all. She simply drifts from thing to thing. Characters appear and disappear. The plot simply happens to Medusa, and the novel feels like its lacking a theme - or if it was there, it was muddled. Many scenes felt random, and I was unclear to the weight/significance.

All in all, in a world riddled with Medusa retellings, I see absolutely no reason to read this one at all.