Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this audio ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley & Goodreads.

I love a good mythological retelling and this one is so beautifully done. Love that the author explored Medusa's childhood. The book follows her life journey of growing from a young ignored child to the goddess of Monsters.

here are are my few fav dialogues :

“A monstrous woman is not a terrible thing to be.”

"they are getting worse
demi god?
men "

"be scared of women.
be scared of women who give power to their emotions
they can tear the world down with their bare hands"

this was an absolutely delightful listen ....The audiobook narration was great

I love folklore/mythology retellings and I've been hoping for a great retelling of Medusa's story so I was pumped about this book. I was hoping for a feminist novel that gave Medusa some justice for her unfair treatment. Unfortunately, this story didn't quite live up to what I hoped it would be.

The story felt disjointed and it was hard to connect with the characters. I appreciate that Gruender tried to give us some insights into why the gods behaved the way they did (for ex. Athena's perspective on why she chose to curse Medusa), but the explanations were too superficial to be impactful. I also thought that the descriptions of Medusa trying to use her beauty to charm people jsut before she's assaulted by Poseidon felt victim-blamey and unnecessary. Maybe Gruender was aiming for nuance, but it gave me the ick.

Overall, a valiant effort but not the home run I'd hoped for. That being said, if you enjoy mythology retellings, you will likely find this one enjoyable.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I've read a lot of Medusa stories over the years, and what I love about them is each takes a unique take on the myth or focuses on a different part. In Gruender's, there is more focus on her early life and the aftermath of her curse than Perseus and her which I enjoyed. Of course that is still an integral part but it's really only a small part of the novel. I loved seeing Medusa's relationships after she was cursed and her journey to accepting what happened and embracing it. It was a really feminist, moving adaptation of the myth that felt very faithful to what might have been.

4.5/5

Medusa's story will always be heartbreaking, but I loved seeing her point of view in this retelling. I have read many Greek retellings, and this is my favorite of Medusa. She was such a well-developed and well-rounded character.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Medusa's story was always one that intrigued me ; so, it came as no surprise that I loved this.

I adore greek mythology and this book did not disappoint, it depicted Medusa beautifully. It portrayed her in a very realistic way, so much so that your heart breaks when hers does. She went through so much, and it was not fair.

Aside from following the main story, and the main plot, it also warms your heart with some very wholesome moments with other characters. Mainly in the friendship she found with Dionysus, the love she found in Nayda, and the bond developed later on with her sisters.

It is beautifully written, and even more beautifully narrated. The audiobook was so GOOD. Helen Laser's voice was perfect for this book, especially when it came to very emotional scenes; you can feel all the emotions on the narrator's voice. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for the chance of experiencing this amazing book.

This review is specifically for the audiobook version. For the review of the written work itself, see the ebook ARC page. The narration overall matched the righteously angry tone of the narrative. All the sister and monstrous companions of Medusa had very clear personalities that really shine through and the narrator really elevated a story that on paper didn't seem that polished or particularly creative.

This was the story of Medusa told from her point of view. I’ve been loving Greek mythology retellings lately (Song of Achilles, Circe, among others), and this stood up to these greats.

While I was familiar with Medusa’s story, I didn’t know all the intricacies of her relationships with Poseidon (sad and has a TW, albeit in this case part of her mythology) and Athena (what a betrayal), her sisters (loved the full circle), and other gods. I loved hearing about her life, and especially loved her bond with her snakes. It was refreshing to see the mortal side to the monster Medusa.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: 8/13/24

I received an ALC, and I loved listening to this story. The narrator did a wonderful job, and I found I kept looking for times that I could listen to this book!

Thank you Hachette Audio, Grand Central Pub, and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

“A monsterous woman is not a terrible thing to be.”

What a great retelling of Medusa! This gives the reader an opportunity to see the full picture of who Medusa was when typically she’s seen only as a viscous monster. The storytelling and conversation were more modern than typical mythology stories that have an ancient feel. It made it easier for me to connect.

I’m a fan of narrator Helen Laser and she didn’t a great job, as usual.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this audio ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.

Pub Date Aug 13 2024

I have always been fascinated with Greek mythology and this book did not disappoint. It was very well written and I loved it! I need Nataly to write more books! It was amazing! Thanks NetGallery!

Medusa was such an amazing book, I dont know if my review will make it justice. With a boom on retellings, especially with Greek mythology, this retelling was such a breath of fresh air. I fell in love immediately with the writing and with the different characters. It should be noted that this is a character driven book and one has to be cautious of ensuring they are okay to follow.

One of my favorite elements of this narrative was Medusa’s love for her snakes and how she learns to have them become her.

The change in multiple POVs was also beautifully done, and I was able to fully follow through.

I will be screaming at everyone to get this book. It has become one of my favorite reads of the year. No notes.

My one issue with this book was the pace. Sometimes it was very slow to the point of me losing interest. But the narrator did a great job as I really enjoyed listening to her.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an audiobook ARC of this book!

This was a solid retelling of the Medusa myth! This novel traced the mythic story of Medusa, and contemplated what makes something/someone a monster, who decides what is monstrous, and why monsters are created. The author makes the choice to interrogate the making of monsters, which feels like a refreshing take among other retellings. Another fascinating addition to this novel was the use of other characters in Greek Mythology as a form to further meditate the makings of a monster.

My favorite part of the novel was the use of the god, Dionysus. The author was able to properly relay to the reader the monstrous elements to Dionysus's being, and the similarities between him and the main character, Medusa.

Like most Greek mythology retellings, this novel handles mature and upsetting themes, so I would definitely check the trigger warnings before you pick up this book!

This novel felt like an entirely new and nuanced version of the myth for the retelling genre. I would highly recommend this book to those who are new to Greek mythology, or who love the subject!

An added Bonus: (For those who have been consuming the "Epic Musical" soundtracks, this entire book feels like the song "Monster")!!!!

Medusa is the gorgeous only mortal daughter of two gods on a doomed journey hurtling toward becoming a horrible snake-haired monster with a devastating, prophesied death.
There is a lot to love about this retelling of Medusa. There is exploration of duality of nature, monsters vs Monsters, victimization, curses vs blessings, power of setting in a narrative, fate, and feminism notable among them. There are 3 sets of siblings with very interesting dynamics. The writing feels at times slow, and I would have preferred this to have ended with Medusa's slaying by Perseus finding the rest a bit anticlimactic. Still this story feels authentic for Medusa, from childhood to monstrosity to self-acceptance. I listened to the audiobook, and Helen Laser has been added to my short list of favorite narrators.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ARC!

I loved this book so much. I am always fascinated with Greek mythology but often find many of the books slow and boring. This was well paced and kept me interested the entire time.

Wow, "Medusa" by Nataly Gruender is an amazing retelling of the Medusa myth by a debut author who is certainly one to watch. This is a surprisinly tender and inspiring look at what it means to be a monster, to have power, to live honorably and the worth of ethics vs. reputation. I loved the appearance of other mythological figures including Athena and Dionysis, as well as the character developmnet of Medusa and her sisters. Well-researched but also a fresh and alive retelling. Wonderful narration by Helen Laser. Looking forward to more by Nataly Gruender Thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the eARC.

I love a good Greek retelling, but I honestly thought I'd read every version of the Medusa story possible. While we're never going to have a happy book (since her story hinges on sexual assault and beheading), but Gruender manages to bring in these little moments of happiness that are absolutely stunning. Rather than ending at her end, Medusa is given the legacy on page that we've given her as part of the Me Too movement- rather than a monster, she's a woman who uses her curse to protect herself, those she loves, and makes herself a figurehead (sort of literally) for all victims of sexual assault.

The narration is flawless in portraying the highs and lows of Medusa's story, as well as doing a wonderful job to distinguish between the various charaacters speaking,

I received a free audiobook copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Ooh I really enjoyed this book. I can’t help but compare it to Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes, and it holds up pretty well (which is no mean feat). The story of Medusa has always intrigued me, and even as a girl I was upset by the injustice of her punishment. This story delves into Athena’s point of view and mentality- not to absolve her but to understand her. TO me the only thing that didn’t ring true was Medusa’s final confrontation with Athena: it felt just a bit too modern in its tone, but on the whole a really engaging story. I can’t wait for more from this author!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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

As is probably evident by the title, this is a retelling of the story of Medusa. Medusa has been misunderstood for a long time but I love the new understanding we are getting of her with the change in society and the influence of feminism. Medusa was a priestess at one of Athena's temples when she is assaulted by Poseidon. To avoid a conflict among the gods Athena takes out her 'justice' on Medusa in the form of her ability to turn anyone to stone with just one look. This 'curse' is the double edge sword of making Medusa deadly to her enemies and those who would harm her as well as those she loves. While Medusa has historically been a plot point in the stories of others, this is Medusa's story. This is the story of choosing who you're going to be when you are given no choices about what happens to you. A situation I and many other women can easily relate to.

Not only is Medusa beautifully written, but the insights it gives into what actually makes a monster and who we have historically celebrated for monstrous acts is what makes this book so magical. This is absolutely a character driven plot so if following Medusa around while she tries to find contentment in her situation does not appeal to you, this might not be the story for you. Throughout the story you watch Medusa fall in love, find comfort in the sister that she can relate to on an even deeper level now, and reconnect with her sisters, the other Gorgons. Until she is ultimately murdered (yes, it was murder) by Perseus who calls her a monster for her curse then uses it even more intentionally than Medusa ever did. The author appropriately then poses the question of who the real monster is. There are so many beautiful pieces of the story. Watching Echidna love Medusa unconditionally for who and what she is, watching Medusa fall in love with her nephew who is a 3 headed dog, and watching Stheno and Euryale and Medusa heal their relationship as sisters and show support by just being there. Medusa's relationship with her snakes turned out to be one of my favorite parts. She did not ask for them, yet she learns to love them as part of herself.

Gruender also utilizes some really interesting narrative Techniques such as changing POVs for characters that don't spend much time in the overall story just to add an additional level of depth. I thought I would hate it, but I ended up loving the change in perspective since a changing perspective is the whole point of this book

I am torn on how this book will be received because for some this will just be another mythology retelling but for others, this will capture so many of the feelings they have had themselves and it will speak to them in a very real way. This book might not be for everyone but those it will be for will fall madly in love. I would follow Medusa and her snakes anywhere. I will also spend my foreseeable future spreading the gospel of this book far and wide.

I love a mythology retelling and this one was incredible! We know her as a villain, but what/who made her this way, and is she truly a monster? We have strong female characters, sisterhood, romance, heartache, loss…just so many things! I was always interested in where the story would go next, I couldn’t stop listening.

The narrator did a great job and voiced Medusa perfectly. She also did a great job at the different voices for other characters and I never had issues knowing who was speaking. Speed and tone were perfect!

Thank you NetGalley, Nataly Gruender, Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio for this audiobook advanced copy.

The story of #Medusa told from her point of view. I appreciate the author’s putting thought into and bringing to life her girlhood, then imagining how she came to have snakes for hair and a petrifying stare. The immutability of prophecies seemed odd and none was particularly cryptic. Don’t get me started on giving birth spontaneously from one’s neck or thigh - this is something I’ve know about but never heard a detailed description. Gods’ bodies are clearly different than those of mere mortals!
The book includes a Dionysian adventure, Medusa’s sea-borne lover, interesting descriptions of time’s passage, and ways in which she and her sisters were neglected by their busy parents. There’s also a strong feminist story behind Medusa’s tale as this author imagines it. If it gets a little preachy at the end, we can all use the reminder of what’s not OK.
My thanks to the author, publisher, audiobook producer, and #NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date is Aug 13, 2024.