I liked the character exploration and the writing was propulsive. I would read more from this author.

Medusa
By Nataly Gruender

Thank you so much Hachette Audio for the free audiobook.

Blurb:

An intimate look into the life of a legendary mythical villain who has so often been stripped of her voice and humanity in this debut novel, perfect for fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe and the works of Jennifer Saint.

You know how Medusa’s story ends, but you’ve never heard her tell her own story… until now.

🐍 My thoughts:

Infinite stars! I have always been fascinated by Medusa and this book just made me even more so. I seriously loved this retelling so much, I simply can’t recommend it enough. This story gives us an intimate insight into Medusa’s thoughts and feelings during her most vulnerable moments. Heartbreaking and infuriating, it’s impossible not to feel hurt and rage on her behalf while reading her story. I enjoyed reading that her complicated relationships with her sisters did eventually heal over time, because that’s something we can all resonate with whether it be family or friends in our lifetime. Medusa was well written and a fantastically layered retelling that I’ll be recommending for years to come, and there’s no need to wait because it is out now!

Happy reading 📖 🐍✨

🐍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 ⭐

YESSSS. This is exactly what I wanted out of this book. The perfect retelling that had me laughing and crying and cheesing so hard. Love Medusa’s story so much and the author did our strong girl so much justice.

I've never heard Medusa's story before, I only knew what most people know - she has snakes for hair and she turns people to some when their eyes meet. This beautiful tale will have you firmly on her side as she discovers who she is and who the real monsters are.

It has an almost feminist feel to it. You'll be appalled by some men's behaviour (not all men, Dionysus is his wise and wonderful self) but Athena also surprised me - not in a good way. There are plenty of Gods featured and mentioned throughout as the author builds Medusa's story and it's interesting to see how they are all intertwined.

It's heartbreaking and heartwarming to see Medusa come into her own - making mistakes, making tough decisions, mending relationships, finding love, accepting her curse, bending to her fate. The relationship between her and her snakes is also very sweet. They are a part of her and their bond is unique. It was a tad slow in parts (some conversations were a little lengthy) but it all came together beautifully.

I listened to this on audio and the narrator, Helen Laser, did an amazing job. Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette for this ARC review.

The story of Medusa has always intrigued me but also filled me with rage. I've noticed some people may not know the backstory and that she is actually a survivor. This is a great feminist take where we get to see Medusa's point of view in a more intimate and personal way. The way she uses her curse to find self-love is lovely and I loved the relationships she built along the way. A lot of it was so bittersweet and my heart did hurt for her.

It can get a little slow at some parts but that's to be expected with any greek mythology retelling, in my opinion. The audiobook was done well, I enjoyed the narrator. Thank you NetGalley and Hatchett Audio for the advanced copy of this book!

4.5/5 stars

A beautiful retelling from the gorgon’s perspective, this version of Medusa is perfect for fans of Circe, Ariadne, or A Thousand Ships. The myth of Medusa is rife with misogyny, and this female perspective puts a fresh spin on a creature we all know, one that imbues the titular “monster” with more humanity than the so-called hero who slays her. I thoroughly enjoyed this version, which follows Medusa from girlhood to her fated death. The representations of love, friendship, and sisterhood are wonderful additions to a story that is so often reduced to the pitting of two women - Athena and Medusa - against each other. The audiobook narrator was excellent, creating a listening experience that did justice to the beautiful language. I strongly recommend this for anyone who loves Greek mythology. I found myself greatly moved by the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC of this audiobook!

For all those who see themselves in the myth of Medusa, this is the novel to top all other retellings. Hear from Medusa herself as she brings you through her life and story.

I have been enjoying mythology retellings of late and Medusa did not disappoint. The audio was wonderful, the narrator suited to th material. I thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nataly Gruender's Medusa offers a fresh retelling of the classic Greek myth, presenting its titular character as complex and multi-dimensional rather than the one-dimensional monster often portrayed in traditional narratives. The novel's modern, conversational tone makes the ancient tale accessible to contemporary readers, inviting them to connect deeply with Medusa's journey of self-discovery. Through her experiences of love and reconnection with her Gorgon siblings, Medusa's humanity shines through, challenging preconceived notions of monstrosity.
Gruender skillfully explores what truly defines a monster, prompting readers to question historical celebrations of heroic acts. This is evident in the portrayal of Perseus, whose actions are framed as murder rather than heroism, highlighting the hypocrisy in his use of Medusa's curse. By reconsidering the human aspects of mythological figures, Gruender reminds us that even infamous characters have depth and complexity often overlooked in traditional tellings. This character-driven approach creates a compelling read for those seeking a thoughtful exploration of Greek mythology.

Gruender's beautiful writing and insightful commentary on power dynamics add depth to this retelling. While its character-driven nature may not appeal to all, Medusa offers a gripping, emotionally resonant exploration of Greek mythology. For fans of the genre, it stands out as a poignant narrative that provides a fresh perspective on a well-known tale, solidifying its place among the best Greek mythology retellings.

I have read a few different books that focus on Medusa's story and this by far is my favorite of them all. Medusa's story always varies depending on the POV and way they are wanting to represent her. Nataly's version of Medusa humanizes her and shows every shade of her. We get to see her as a daughter, a dedicated priestess, a friend, a sister, and even a monster at times. Medusa knows her fate from the beginning and essentially her life has become a clock of different events where she tries to find the little moments of peace and happiness before her end. Medusa's journey was one where we were introduced to different characters along the way that she formed a connection with and impacted her life. Some of these characters I wouldn't have thought she would cross, but I enjoyed her friendships with them. I will always always recommended this book to friends that love Medusa and Greek Mythology. So thankful to have read this book that gives Medusa's story justice and paints her perfectly. Also, the narrator was wonderful!

I cannot pass up a Medusa retelling and this was a unique look at a well known myth. I loved how Gruender incorporate other figures from Greek myths. You can’t help but root for Medusa even though you know her sad fate. I think the comparisons to Madeline Miller are fair so if you’re a Circe fan than you’ll want to read this one! The narration was great and I would highly recommend it.

Debut novel?! Are you serious?? This was wonderful!

I loved Circe and The Song of Achilles and this one seemed to have some similar vibes so I snatched it up pretty quick! It's definitely not a summer read, but it's perfect as we move into cozy season!

You are given such a full humanization of Medusa here and I gobbled it up! We know how this story ends, we know Medusa is a monster but honestly, that made this story so much more intriguing to me. We get to see her grow and develop and I found myself rooting for her. It was emotional from start to finish and I found myself feeling all the things, and that to me makes any book a wonderful one!

I did the audio of this gem and cannot recommend it enough. All around, fabulous read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this brilliant novel.
Medusas story is tragic, and the author was able to capture her pain in growth in a beautiful way.
The reading was captivating and beautifully done.

"A monstrous woman is not a terrible thing to be."

This is how a retelling should be done! With retellings of greek myths, you usually know how it´s going to end, which is why it´s so important how the author lays out the journey to that ending.
Nataly Gruender made me hurt, hope and rage with Medusa and painted a picture of a woman learning to come to terms with the monstrosity and rsulting fate, that was thrust upon her. This book challenges the traditional view of what a monster is and within that, what a woman can be.

The characters are vibrant and don´t just feel like side characters, that are a means to an end for Medusa to get where she needs to go. They are full of personality, however brief their role in the book.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any and all greek mythology lovers.
I´d also recommend the audiobook, since it´s well narrated and easy to follow.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the audio ARC. This review will be published on Netgalley, Goodreads and Storygraph.

Nataly Gruender's Medusa sits in an interesting space of covering dark topics like sexual assault and victim blaming while also having an almost cozy feel to the narrative, as strange as that sounds.

The story centers on Medusa, a mortal woman born to minor gods, who became collateral damage in a fued between Athena and Poseidon. While serving as a priestess in the temple of the goddess of wisdom, Medusa is raped by the sea god. Since Athena can't punish her uncle, Poseidon, without starting a war between the hods, Medusa is used as a scapegoat. While Athena's victim blaming of Medusa is given additional complexity and motivation, it is not excused. While this is good, there was one point where it became a little preachy. The point was rightly made and made and made multiple times one particular scene. That could have been brought back a little.

While the assault Medusa survives is treated with the appropriate amount of severity, she is also depicted developing friendships, engaging in a romance, healing her relationships with some of her sisters, and bonding with her new head of snakes. Particularly sweet were the scenes between Medusa and one of her nephews. But over it all, looms the prophecy of her doom due to the curse Athena forced on her.

I'm rating this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars, but rounding up to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5/5 Stars.

I liked Medusa, but found the first 30-40% to be very similar to other Medusa retellings I've read. After that point it felt more fresh and I was more engaged with the story. The audio was done really well and I enjoyed the ending.

This should be required reading in regards to your love and hyperfixation of Greek Mythology. Even if it isn't a hyperfixation, this feels so true to Medusa's story and giving her the voice that she so rightfully needs. Loved this telling of Medusa's background and the importance that the author ensured that the POVs were always within a woman's POV. The author approached the sensitive nature of Medusa's story with such delicacy. Would 10000% recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a physical copy of the ARC and thank you to Netgalley for providing an ALC. The narrator was perfect and I would read again both traditionally and through audio.

Please note I will follow up with additional links to this review when a podcast episode goes up for ACOFAE PODCAST with a discussion with the author.

Book review 🐍-
I don’t know about you but I’m sucker for a Greek mythology retelling! Something about these stories that have been passed down for years and everyone having their own take is so interesting to me. Enter Medusa by Nataly Gruender.

❤️ What I liked about it:
-I love that it takes a feminist stance and gives power to female rage.
-I like that we get to know Medusa before she becomes the “monster” everyone thinks she is.
-Some LBGTQ romance with my mythology? Here for it! 👏🏽
-I love this this story is also about family-both the one you’re born into and the one you cultivate yourself.

🖤What I didn’t love:
-Well Medusa is a wordy girl. I’m not here to silence her but there were a few parts that dragged for me and the book itself is pretty long.
-although the story was very interesting, I also feel like I was waiting for more to happen if that makes sense?

All in all it was enjoyable read that did both physically (thanks @hbgcanada and @grandcentralpub ) and on audio (thanks @hachetteaudio )! The narrator Helen Laser’s voice was beautiful and soothing that I highly recommend that format!

Medusa is out tomorrow!!

This is a hard review for me to write because a) I always want to support new authors, and b) I love Greek myths. BUT I didn't care for this book. It's a 2.5 star rounded up, but I almost talked myself into DNFing it, but I powered through because it is an advanced reader copy.

Why a low score? Lots of telling instead of showing, not a lot of interesting dialogue, lots of greek myth info dumping, and a list of things happening to Medusa, without an actual story arch.

Telling instead of showing—Rather than showing us how a relationship builds over time, the author just tells us something happened. The sisters coming to realize they felt guilty, for example, was the oddest piece of storytelling. One minute, the sisters acted like jerks, and the next, they had an epiphany and decided they wanted to seek her out and apologize. Did anything lead up to this revelation? Not that I could tell.

The dialogue was just bland. There were lots of day-to-day interactions, but nothing that helped me really understand the characters more or build them into people I wanted to care about.

Even as a Greek myths fan, there were at least two times in the book (that I can remember) when the author just dumped information about who folks were, who they were married to, and their relationship with each other. Again, I'm not sure how it served the story or helped give us context, but it just served to confuse.

My biggest complaint overall was that the overall story arc fell flat. Medusa was cast out after the incident at the temple and wandered from place to place. Usually, when something like this happens, it is a 'character-driven story' instead of a 'plot-driven story,' and so I tried to have patience. Still, by the end of the story, I didn't feel like Medusa had grown in an exciting way (usually needed in a character-driven story). Of course, I love the idea of Medusa being the right one and Perseus just being a young spoiled brat. Still, besides that twist (and Medusa getting a brief stint with a queer love interest (which wasn't explained or built up properly), the story overall was disappointing.