Nataly Gruender's ”Medusa” offers the book readers’ community a refreshing and empowering perspective on one of mythology's most tragic figures. The book challenges the traditional narrative of Medusa as a villain, instead presenting her as a symbol of resilience and empowerment. The reimagining presented by Gruender delves deep into Medusa's emotional and psychological journey, changing her narrative from that of a frightening monster into a complex and relatable heroine.

The novel explores Medusa's transformation from a beautiful mortal to the feared Gorgon, but it's her internal journey that truly captivates. The portrayal of Medusa's struggle with her curse, isolation, and eventual acceptance of her fate is both compassionate and inspiring. The supporting characters, including Medusa's sisters and Perseus, are given more depth than in traditional retellings, adding richness to the story. Gruender's exploration of themes such as victimhood, vengeance, and the reclaiming of power is particularly powerful, making the novel deeply feminist, especially since the story is presented not only from Medusa’s viewpoint, but also from those of the secondary characters. For those seeking an adventurous story, it’s worth saying that the emphasis is mostly on Medusa's inner turmoil, which can be seen as overshadowing other aspects of the plot for those seeking more action or traditional mythological adventure.

The audiobook version of *Medusa*, narrated by Helen Laser, is a perfect complement to the written text. Laser's performance is both sensitive and powerful, capturing the nuances of Medusa's emotions and the complexities of her relationships with other characters. Her voice is soothing and expressive, making the story even more immersive.

Overall, *Medusa* is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant retelling of a classic myth. Gruender's fresh perspective on Medusa, combined with her exploration of powerful themes and the exceptional narration by Helen Laser, makes this novel a must-read for fans of mythological retellings, especially those with a feminist lens.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #Medusa #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced copy of the audiobook.

3.75 stars

Medusa is a symbol nowadays. A mythological figure with so much meaning and power for many women. If you feel for her, if you are looking for a retelling of her story; one done with care, love and respect, I think you will enjoy this book. I think your appreciation will grow even more after reading Gruender's take on Medusa's story.

Medusa is the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. One of the three sister known as the Gorgon. But as opposed to her immortal beautiful sisters, Medusa was born a mortal. Because of it, she was always apart.
Medusa, Stheno and Euryale grew up together in a little house at the beach. Their parent, divinities of the sea, barely visited them. So Medusa's childhood was lonely, her sisters always mocking her and ignoring her. One day, at the celebration of Echidna's wedding, one of Medusa's older siblings, Medusa receives a prophecy. A monstrous future awaits her.
This is the fateful night that changes Medusa's life forever. That day, she meets both Athena and Poseidon and her fate is written.

If you know her story, later Medusa becomes a priestess for Athena. And after, Poseidon will assault her in Athena's temple. Because of it, for this desecration, Athena will punish Medusa. She will become a monster in mortals eyes, and later she'll be hunted by Perseus. This book, however, examines Medusa's whole life with such care, she knows her fate, yet the growth she goes through from transformation to death is so beautifully done. From rage, to shame, to acceptance of both her fate and herself, everything is done with much love for this character.
Medusa's journey is one full of tragedy, but also one with a peaceful end. One where she finds people to love, and people who love her back. One where her monstrous snakes become her beloved companions.

I think one of the strength of this retelling is that, as opposed to others, the character of Medusa internally changes and grows so much. And this is done in an organic way. The problem for me with Greek retellings is that, once the prophecy is revealed you are just waiting for that tragic thing to happen. It feels like the plot meanders, like the middle part of the book is very shallow. With this book though, even if Medusa is just travelling around after her transformation, all the people she crosses path with, all of those moments help her understand herself and her fate. She stops being ashamed and scared, and it's so good to see that.

As for the narration, I think Helen Laser does a wonderful job conveying Medusa's inner thoughts, and she especially shines in emotional scenes. I really liked the audiobook overall.

This was a fantastic Greek mythology retelling of Medusa as we get to know her story through her eyes. I love the humanity and emotions that the author was able to convey through this story.

This was a great debut!

Dear Author,

There’s always more than one side to every story other than the main character’s biased account. What about the sidekick’s back story, what they struggle internally with while adventuring, or what about the villain? Who were they? What did they feel? Were they the villains? Your wonderfully written tale of Medusa did just that; it told us the other side of the Greek myth. I really enjoyed it; it was well written and highly entertaining. Emotionally, a rollercoaster that I wouldn’t be able to handle myself. Women throughout time, in every area of this world have to struggle through some horrible shit. They are not our villains. They are our heroes.
 
You had me from chapter one, I didn’t want to stop listening. The narrative was superb, and I didn’t struggle to differentiate between the characters.

I’m so glad I read your book!


Yours truly,
J. D. McCoughtry

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the chance to listen to this e-arc audiobook!

Reading challenge category - 2024 Flourish and Blotts - Care of Magical Creatures - Blast-Ended Skrewts: Includes a slimy character (Poseidon & Athena in personality, Medusa and Echidna for their snickety snakes)

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC Audio of this work.

Since I can remember, when given the option of Princesses or Witches, I've chosen Witches; Angels or Demons, I choose Demons; Goddesses or Gorgons... I choose Gorgons. And so the myth goes... Medusa was a beautiful young mortal born to the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto. Medusa and her two sisters make up the Gorgons. Medusa becomes one of Athena's priestesses. While at the temple, Poseidon rapes Medusa. For this, Athena punishes Medusa by changing her golden hair into snakes and cursing her so that anyone who meets her gaze will be turned to stone. (One of the first instances of victim blaming, perhaps?) Medusa then tries to escape without harming anyone, but this doesn't go as planned. She is labeled a monster, and the son of Zeus, Perseus, is ordered to behead her and return her head to one of the kings.

Medusa is known as a monster, but her origin story isn't discussed. There's always an antecedent to a behavior. It's a prime example of why, in real life, victims often do not speak up; they are afraid that people will not understand, that they will be judged, that they will be blamed. I love that this retelling shows us the vulnerability of Medusa, but also reframes the 'curse' as a gift for Medusa to protect herself from the brutality of men. There's a line in the book that talks about how there is a part of every woman that others could label as a 'monster.' We have to embrace and own this part of ourselves, claiming or reclaiming what others may use against us. I will always pick the Gorgon.

This is a retelling of Medusa's story from her point of view. It is mainly the story of how she survives her rape by Poseidon, is turned into a monster, recovers from this trauma through good friendships, and eventually uses her power to rise above herself.

Even though we are mainly in Medusa's head, I found it refreshing sometimes to get the thoughts of other characters. Athena's thoughts were a wonderful addition to the narrative. I thought it was great in the storytelling that Medusa starts as the victim of something terrible, but continues to be a story of her overcoming this victimhood status.

To The Narration on the Audiobook: The narration was incredibly well-spoken. The voice was approachable, the emphasis on point and the emotions of speech and narrative parts were beautifully expressed.

*Medusa* by Nataly Gruender offers a powerful reimagining of the well-known Greek myth, breathing new life into the tale of one of mythology's most tragic figures. Gruender’s version of Medusa’s story delves deep into the emotional and psychological aspects of the character, turning her from a mere monster into a richly complex heroine.

**Plot and Characters:**
Gruender portrays Medusa not just as a victim of a god's wrath but as a woman trying to find agency and power in a world where she’s been wronged. The novel focuses on her transformation from a beautiful mortal to the feared Gorgon, but more importantly, it explores her internal journey. Medusa’s struggle with her curse, her isolation, and her eventual acceptance of her fate are poignantly depicted, making her both relatable and tragic.

The supporting characters, like her sisters Stheno and Euryale, are given more depth than in traditional retellings, serving as both her protectors and emotional anchors. Perseus, too, is more than just a heroic figure; his role in the story is nuanced, showing the moral complexities of his quest.

**Themes:**
One of the strongest elements of Gruender’s *Medusa* is its exploration of themes such as victimhood, vengeance, and the reclaiming of power. The book is deeply feminist, highlighting the injustices faced by Medusa and other female characters at the hands of the gods and society. Gruender also challenges the traditional narrative of Medusa as a villain, instead presenting her as a symbol of resilience and empowerment.

**Writing Style:**
Gruender’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing both the beauty and horror of Medusa’s world. The atmospheric descriptions of the island, the temple, and Medusa’s lair contribute to the haunting mood of the story. The author’s use of imagery, particularly in scenes involving Medusa’s transformation and her interactions with Perseus, is particularly striking.

**Critique:**
While *Medusa* is a compelling read, some readers might find the pacing a bit slow, especially in the middle sections where Medusa grapples with her new identity. Additionally, the heavy emphasis on Medusa’s inner turmoil might overshadow other aspects of the plot for those looking for more action or traditional mythological adventure.

**Conclusion:**
Overall, *Medusa* by Nataly Gruender is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant retelling of a classic myth. It offers a fresh perspective on a character often reduced to a monstrous figure, instead presenting her as a symbol of strength, resilience, and the complexities of womanhood. For fans of mythological retellings, especially those with a feminist lens, this novel is a must-read.

I love a good feminist Greek mythology retelling and for some reason the Medusa story is particularly interesting for me.

Many books have been written about Medusa by new to me author, Nataly Gruender really did a great job personalizing Medusa. I especially enjoyed the emphasis in this book on Medusa's relationship with Athena and how she cursed Medusa.

Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of authors like Natalie Hayes or Jennifer Saint. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and gifted finished copy of this new release!

Such an engaging story! Of course, anyone familiar with Greek mythology knows about the monster, Medusa and I think she is mostly portrayed as evil and reviling - snakes for hair and a gaze that can turn gods and mortals to stone sounds terrifying. But this rendition of Medusa’s story offers another side to her; that of an innocent young woman who is cursed due to a petty disagreement between Poseidon and Athena. I have read about Medusa from her Gorgon sisters’ perspective and this book really focuses on Medusa’s side of things. The author made the story very interesting and her character development, especially of Medusa is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook and I don’t think the narrator could have done a better job. I highly recommend this book, especially the audio version for fans of retold mythology.

A reimagining of the classic Medusa tale that finally empowers the character of Medusa and retails her story in a way that she finds peace and strength from her adversity and affliction. This will really humanizes and brings to life the character and gives her a real feminist edge.
🎧The narration by Helen Laser was a good match for this story. Mostly told from the perspective of Medusa, Helen brings this character to life and the livers an emotional retelling. She also voices other characters and does a good job differentiating the different voices.
👉I recommend this book to mythology afficionados and anyone who wants to read about a character surviving and finding strength and adversity.

⭐️Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC.

Medusa's story was a blindspot for me, so I got to experience the deconstruction of my own misconceptions about the monster called Medusa so many other Greek mythology books mention. However, as someone not overly familiar with her story, I can't comment on the accuracy of this retelling (not that it matters because, you know, it's mythology at the end of the day!).

I enjoyed this story quite a lot. Like many others of its era, this feminist retelling puts injustices, abuses against women, and their power at the forefront of these previously male dominated stories. At times, there were some of the monologues and dialogues that felt a bit heavy-handed with their messaging, but nothing that distracted significantly. I generally prefer when breakthroughs or takeaways feel less direct and self-helpy (I hope that makes sense).

Overall, a wonderful story. I got to listen to it as an audiobook; I was so satisfied with the narration! I thank NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing a review copy of this title.

I'm also obsessed with the cover of this book! Technically, my audiobook had the yellow cover (which is still beautiful), but this purple/green one is so good I couldn't not use it. I'm hoping a print version with this cover comes out because it's probably my favorite cover of this year!

First, the narrator was fantastic.

Medusa was given great character development, she is extremely relatable and a likable character, the author does a great job making this character personable. The story is tragic and still very relevant today. There are a lot of characters as is expected with world building, but most are well known in Greek mythology which helps.

Absolutely enjoyed this version and retelling of Medusas story and would recommend to anyone. I read this quickly, once I got into the story I didn’t want to put it down.

Medusa
by Nataly Gruender
Narrated by Helen Laser

I received an ARC of this audiobook from Netgalley.

I truly enjoy books that bring Greek myths to life (Atalanta, Hera, Percy Jackson) and this book proved to be on par with the others.

Greek Gods and Goddesses and monsters are brought to life in such an incredibly brilliant and beautiful way.

Medusa makes the monster into a woman that is easy to love and root for. In this book she is more heroine, defender of herself, victim, and wronged party. But, she is also a monster that acted before harm could even try to come to her. But, was it monstrous or just self-defense?

As many Greek myths do - this, too, tells the tale of meddlesome Gods using mortals, demigods, immortals, and monsters for what seems like their own amusement.

Fate also plays a huge role in Medusa’s story. Can we ever outrun our fate? Is destiny always going to come for us?

The people brought to life in this book include Athena, Poseidon, Perseus, Medusa & her sisters (the 3 Gorgons), and Dionysus.

It is a beautiful and enchanting tale that is also sad and heartbreaking.

I highly recommend this audiobook!

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Medusa by Nataly Gruender offers an enjoyable take on the classic myth, diving into the relationships that define Medusa's story. I particularly enjoyed Medusa's bond with her sisters, with her connection to Echidna (and Cerebrus!) standing out as a highlight. Dionysus was another strong point, with him depicted in a very refreshing way.

I listened to the audiobook version, and Helen Laser's narration was fantastic. For a book full of women, Helen Laser gave each character their own unique voice.

That said, while I have seen some describe this book as a revenge story, I didn't get that impression at all. It also leaned more towards a YA genre than I had anticipated. Finally, I found the pacing to be somewhat uneven. Key decisions and discussions seemed to pass by too quickly, especially as the book neared its conclusion, making the ending feel a bit rushed.

Overall, Medusa is an engaging read and would appeal to an audience interested in Greek mythology.

A huge thank you to Nataly Greunder, NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the chance to listen to the audiobook ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Medusa by Nataly Gruender offers an intimate and unique retelling of the classic myth, focusing on the inner life of Medusa as she navigates a world where her fate is controlled by the whims of the gods. Told primarily from Medusa's perspective, the story dives deep into her conflicting emotions and the relationships she forms along her journey. The bond with her sisters is particularly touching, providing a fresh angle on a familiar tale.

I enjoyed the book's exploration of different gods and their histories, especially seeing events unfold from Medusa's viewpoint. Dionysus was a standout character for me—a surprising sweetie who brought some much-needed lightness to the story. There's something inherently satisfying about a good revenge story led by a wronged woman, and Medusa delivers that element effectively.

However, the book wasn't without its flaws. At times, the story felt disjointed, making it difficult to connect with the characters fully. While Gruender attempts to add depth to the gods' motivations, such as Athena's reasoning for cursing Medusa, these explanations often felt too superficial to have a real impact. Additionally, some parts, like Medusa trying to use her beauty to charm others before her assault by Poseidon, felt uncomfortable and unnecessary, giving the narrative a problematic undertone.

Despite these issues, Medusa still stands as a worthy retelling that fans of Greek mythology will likely enjoy. While it may not be a perfect home run, it offers a different, more personal perspective on Medusa's story that makes it a worthwhile read. If you’ve read Stone Blind and are looking for another take on the Medusa myth, this one is different enough to keep things interesting.

As for the narrator, Helen Laser's narration is consistently flawless. She effortlessly differentiates between characters, bringing each one to life without ever making them feel exaggerated or cartoonish.

Thank you to Nataly Gruender, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I had been in a mythology rut until I read this book. After Song of Achilles and Ariadne, I was hooked on this genre but nothing could really give me the same high I had after those two reads. Circe, I hated, Hera, depressed me...this one won my heart. Let's be honest, everyone knows the tale of Medusa, or they think they do. Snakes for hair, turns people to stone, killed by Perseus. But she is so much more than that, we often forget the human side of the heroes and villains in these tales and it was wonderful to get to be exposed to the human aspect of Medusa, who was really just a girl put in a terrible situation (as always by an all powerful male god). I highly recommend this read if you are looking for a mythology book to grip you. I loved the copy of the audiobook ARC I received from NetGalley, the narrator adds to the story.

I started crying at 28% when Athena said “not just mortals” and just didn’t stop. This was just so well done. It was heart wrenching and empowering the entire way through. I think I always get concerned about how this story is going to be told but this was masterfully done!

This was amazing! It reignited my love for Greek/Roman mythology. I absolutely loved our Medusa and her life. I was in aww of everything here. The narration was amazing too! I loved all the ways the gods/goddesses/demigods interacted with the world around them. I couldn't get enough of this!

The life of Medusa has forever been told by the perception of her gruesome end at the hands of a demi-god. So the book brings forward a story that covers her life and the major incidents that played a vital role in pivoting her life to the one we all know.

While reading the book, I got to know innumerable aspects about Medusa that otherwise were never mentioned at such lengths. Her childhood, her on & off chemistry with her two sisters, her role as a priestess and more. As a character, she has always fascinated me, so I was looking forward to an in-depth exploration of her character.

One thing that I did appreciate as a reader was the author did not alter the ending but did however add her own touch to it, which made the experience a little emotional and attached.

I love a good feminist Greek mythology retelling and for some reason the Medusa story is particularly interesting for me. Many books have been written about Medusa by new to me author, Nataly Gruender really did a great job personalizing Medusa. I especially enjoyed the emphasis in this book on Medusa's relationship with Athena and how she cursed Medusa. Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of authors like Natalie Hayes or Jennifer Saint. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and gifted finished copy of this new release!