What happens when a woman who is shown no love, finds it, and then is ultimately betrayed by it?

Medea is a witch who, from a young age, has been ostracized by everyone she knows. When Jason and the Argonauts come to retrieve the Golden Fleece from her father and show her a shred of kindness, she latches onto it and cannot let go, even if she proceeds to bloody her hands for the man she loves. Medea is typically seen as a sort of villainess with the choices she makes, but this novel truly humanizes her in a beautifully tragic way.

Jason is shown in a very different light from many of the interpretations we typically see of his story. Yes, he is still the swaggering and confident "hero" we know from mythology, but there is definitely a more sinister and manipulative side to him we learn about.

This book was incredibly well written and thought out. You can tell when reading it, Rosie Hewlett truly cared about the characters and the story of Medea and Jason. I will say, having known this tragedy before reading the novel, it was still as, if not more, heartbreaking when the end comes. I most definitely got a hit on my own feminine rage as the story went on. I wanted to hit many of the characters whenever they opened their mouths, which to me, is a sign of a well crafted story. I was fully connected to the characters and felt that darkness Medea did as she learns of her situation throughout the story. I could immerse myself into the novel easily and, even though it was a tragedy, I wanted to stay there as long as I could.

As I listened to the audiobook version of this, I can say the narrator did a fantastic job getting the emotions and nuances across to the listener. It is well paced and edited. I couldn't recommend it more.

Overall, I truly adored listening to this story and am excited to see what Rosie Hewlett puts out next. If it is anywhere near the love she put into this story, I am sure it will be a hit.

Audiobook Review: The Witch of Cholchis by Rosie Hewlett

**This review may contain some spoilers, though I tried to remain vague.**

I want to start by thanking NetGalley and RBMedia for providing me with the opportunity to enjoy this story through an Advanced Reader Copy.

Rosie Hewlett’s The Witch of Cholchis is a compelling retelling of the mythological figure Medea, brought to life through an evocative narration that enhances its emotional depth. The audiobook, with its masterful narration, truly captivated me from start to finish.

The narrator’s voice was a standout feature, skillfully distinguishing between male and female characters and embodying the varied personalities with finesse. This vocal versatility added a rich layer to the storytelling, making the complex relationships and emotions in Medea’s tale even more engaging.

As someone unfamiliar with the original Medea myth, I was kept on edge throughout the book. The narrative unfolds Medea's harrowing journey with a balance of suspense and poignancy. While Medea's passivity early in the story might be disheartening, it’s a poignant reflection of her traumatic past—abuse from her family that profoundly affects her behavior and choices.

The latter part of the book is heart-wrenching, particularly from a mother’s perspective. The devastating events involving her children were particularly distressing, and while I understand their role in the story, they were difficult to process. Despite the pain, the ending offers a glimmer of hope as Medea seems to confront her trauma and reclaim her life. This resolution, while bittersweet, suggests significant character growth and resilience.

In terms of the book’s adherence to the original myth, I’m unsure if Hewlett took creative liberties or adhered closely to the traditional story. I am eager to delve deeper into the source material better to understand the balance between historical accuracy and artistic interpretation. If you’re familiar with Medea’s tale, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how true this retelling is to the original narrative.

Overall, The Witch of Cholchis is a well-crafted and deeply moving retelling, beautifully narrated and emotionally charged. I would rate it 4 stars, largely due to my discomfort with the tragic events surrounding Medea's children, though I recognize this is an integral part of her story. I would definitely recommend it to those interested in mythological retellings or influential character studies. I’m also keen to explore more of Rosie Hewlett’s work in the future.

NetGalley and RBMedia provided this Advanced Reader Copy. My opinions are my own.

#TheWitchofCholchis #NetGalley #AudiobookReview #Mythology #Medea #BookRecommendations #HistoricalFiction #MythologicalRetelling

Holy moly this was an excellent audiobook. This is in my top 5 books of the year.

This retelling was masterfully done in a way that kept true to the story but gave Medea so much depth and really fleshed out her motivations. There was an element of Medea being morally grey and I just loved that. She was an incredibly relatable character and you got to see her grow throughout the book. The evolution of her arc unfolded so beautifully.

The audiobook is a really great way to enjoy this story. Kristin Atherton did a wonderful job, her performance was powerful had great range, powerful when it needed to be and vulnerable when the story called for it.

I will be recommending this book to everyone!!

The Witch of Colchis
by Rosie Hewlett
Narrated by Kristin Atherton

I received an ARC of this audiobook.

Trigger warning: This audiobook is full to the brim with triggers of all kinds.

The narrator does a phenomenal job!

I just finished the book so this review will be raw.

I am fascinated and disgusted by just about every character in this book, especially Medea, Glauce, and Jason; but also: Phryxis, Chalciope, Absyrtus, King Creon, Jason, Circe, King Aeetes, and Hecate.

Greek myths that involve magic and the gods and goddesses are tragedies and this book is no different.

Medea is easily painted as a villain and a monster. I agree with both. But, she was also a victim that needed love and affection and was so starved for it that she consistently waged intolerable cruelties and deaths upon the world.

I love stories about magic when good overcomes evil - this is not that story. This is a story where evil overcomes good from the inside out.

There are good characters too - some of the best are also the worst. And then there are some that are just good - mainly the argonauts.

I recommend this audiobook for anyone who ever wonders how a killer can kill, how good can be corrupted, how love can turn to hate.

Just prepare yourself for the audio journey because it is a bumpy ride.

I am glad I listened, but I am emotionally shaken at the same time. The last two times I felt this way was after listening to David Copperfield by Charles Dickens and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

The Witch of Colchis is a mythology retelling following the life of Medea. THIS BOOK BLEW ME AWAY! I absolutely loved seeing how Medea became a "villain" and seeing her connections with other characters. This was absolutely outstanding and I cannot recommend it enough if you are a fan of mythology retellings.

Narration performed by Kristin Atherton was incredible.

I received an ARC and ALC from SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark and RBmedia | Recorded Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of this book. This is narrated by Kristin Atherton and she does a brilliant job. This is the story of Medea, niece of Circe. She has been punished by her father for turning her brother into a pig. Circe comes to help her harness her magic. Medea finds that she is quite talented. When a man comes bringing the Golden Fleece, she conjures a dragon to keep it safe. Many come to try to pass the trials Medea’s father has set and not one succeeds. Until Jason. He comes with the Argonauts and Medea promises to help him if he takes her with him when he leaves. The following story is of how much a woman will give of herself to a man. The things a man does in return and the consequences anyone can face for giving up who you are. This book would make an excellent Book Club book. The story is fast paced and well thought out. This book should be made into a movie. Get this today and thank me later

I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary review audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley and ask to provide an honest review. Thank you to RBmedia, Rosie Hewlett & NetGalley for giving me access to this audiobook. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

The book is centered around the Witch, Medea. For those that love stories with myths and God’s this is a book you will need to add to your TBR list.

The princess of Colchis, Medea, is considered a disgrace to her family. She finds a sense of belonging when she is around her aunt where she can work on her practice. This is until she leaves unexpectedly. Medea must learn how to survive under her father’s rule. That is until Jason shows up to capture the Golden Fleece and save Medea from her family. The journey after that is a fascinating story of Medea finding herself and learning who to trust.

-The narrator, Kristen Atherton, was the perfect voice for this story.

Really loved the narrator and the perspective the story takes on Medea. A bit slow at points but overall a fantastic rendition of Medea's story, and a perspective that is necessary in the retelling of myth

A Bewitching Retelling

Rosie Hewlett's The Witch of Colchis is a spellbinding retelling that brings fresh life to the myth of Medea, the infamous sorceress of Greek mythology. With a deft hand, Hewlett unravels the complexities of Medea's character, turning her from a mere antagonist into a fully realized woman grappling with love, betrayal, and power.

What I loved most about this novel is Hewlett's ability to balance the fantastical elements of magic with the raw, human emotions that drive the story. The prose is lyrical and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the ancient world while exploring timeless themes of identity, loyalty, and the cost of vengeance.

While the pacing occasionally slows, the rich character development and atmospheric setting more than make up for it. Hewlett's Medea is both relatable and terrifying, a powerful reminder of how myths can reflect the best and worst of human nature.

Overall, The Witch of Colchis is a captivating read for anyone interested in Greek mythology and complex, morally gray characters. It’s a tale that will linger with you long after the last page is turned.

Thank you NetGalley, SourceBooks Landmark, and author Rosie Hewlett for the opportunity to read/listen to an advanced copy!

"Do not confuse your agency with his manipulation."

Rosie Hewlett does a great job at making you sympathize with one of the most villainised women of greek mythology.
I'm not saying Medea was right to do what she did, but I do understand what motivated her. However, non of it really made me feel something (except for exasperation at Jason's entitlement).

I never liked Jason, but this book really cemented him in my mind as the prince of gaslighting.

The side characters were well fleshed out, yet I felt like they really were just there to serve their particular purpise to the MCs. I didn't mind that though.

At times the pacing felt a little off, which made the storyline a little hard to follow.

Overall it was a well written, well researched retelling.
It just kind of fell flat for me.

The book definitely benefitet from the narration by Kristen Atherton.

Thanks to Netgalley and Recorded Books for the audio ARC. This review will be postet on Netgalley, goodreads and storygraph.

“People often do not like what they do not understand,”… “But I do not think you should let other people’s ignorance get in the way of your own potential… do you?”

I did a combo of audio - The Witch of Colchis, and print - Medea. Same book but Medea came out in the UK earlier this year while The Witch of Colchis will publish here in the states on September 10.

This was a much different retelling than the other Medea I read back in April. This was very very dark and felt a little more like what I have come to expect from Greek mythology.

I was particularly pleased with the interactions Medea had with the Argonauts, especially Atalanta. She’s one of my favorite females of the Greek mythology world so any time she’s part of a story I’m very excited.

This was very well written, richly detailed, and the audio was excellent.

Thank you RB Media for the alc via Netgalley.

Absolutely riveting! I probably would have finished this in one day if my AirPods didn't need recharging. The entire story flows perfectly and all the characters are wonderfully thought out.

Kristin Atherton's narration is perfection.

This is Madeline Miller level, if not better. This book was fantastic! Great retelling of Madea's story. Captivating from start to finish. It was both intriguing and devastating to see how Madea's life turned out due to her own choices. I can't believe this book isn't being talked about more. I will definitely read more from Rosie Hewlett!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202204721-the-witch-of-colchis

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Witch of Colchis is a powerful, brilliant retelling of the story of Medea that hooked me from the first line.

This one was everything. I loved the gorgeous, beautifully developed writing. The characters were compelling and well-written. The journey of Medea’s story was stunning with its action, character development, and magic. I loved exploring Medea’s tale and seeing other beloved mythological characters. It is a powerful story of feminine rage and witchy magic, with diversity and intimacy woven throughout. I highly recommend this captivating story!

Kristin Atherton narrated Medea’s story beautifully. The richness and power of her voice fit Medea perfectly, and she delivered the story with fitting accents and emotion. I would recommend listening to the audiobook of TWoC!

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

✨Audiobook Review✨

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Speed: 1.5x

I knew immediately upon starting this audiobook that it was going to be phenomenal, and it certainly was.

The story is a retelling of the classic Greek myth of the sorceress Medea. As the granddaughter of the god Helios and the niece of the powerful Circe, Medea embraces her powers at a young age, only to be emotionally abused by her father and older brother. Imprisoned in her father’s palace and exploited for her magical abilities to inflate his narcissistic ego, Medea is determined to gain her freedom by any means necessary. Readers are taken on a monumental odyssey where the dynamics of gender roles, the sting of betrayal, the intensity of passionate love, and the drive for vengeance will leave you questioning what you would do to get what you truly want.

Highlights:
⭐️ Writing style & flow. The pace of the book was perfect, with just the right amount of characters and details, without dragging the plot.
⭐️ The plot. Engaging and emotional. There were so many times I was heartbroken for Medea but also wanted to burn everything down with her.
⭐️ Medea’s characterization. All her flaws and strengths.
⭐️ The narration. The narrator, Kristin Atherton, did an indescribable job. While listening, you can easily connect with the emotions of the characters through how she conveys their speech and inflections.
⭐️ The ending. I’m speechless.

Pitfalls:
❌ Absolutely none.

Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

The best retelling book I’ve read to date, and definitely my favourite book of the year so far.

This is the second audiobook I’ve listened to from this narrator and I am now searching for more. She is the perfect narrator - she conveys everything brilliantly.

Spoilers lay ahead. Beware.

I knew little of Medea’s story going in to it. It made me physically cry, grieve and crave more.

Medea’s emotions felt so real from love to bitter betrayal. The slow descent into evil, chaos, despair captured me.

I felt like I was there on the page with the characters. Medea’s heartbreak over the betrayal from Jason had me spiralling too.

I loved it. The addition of the final chapter being from her sisters point of view really brought this story to the perfect end.

Thank you for letting me listen/read this!! I cannot recommend this enough.

I loved this book so much. Medea is one of my favorite yet under appreciated characters in Greek mythology, and I am really vibing with all the love that she has been getting recently. I also really love that this book showed the dark sides of trauma and how if people are always told they are going to be the bad guy, of course they become the bad guy. Hewlett portrayed Medea as a complex character who trusted and loved the wrong people, and that results in her continuously making the wrong decisions. It also shows the evilness that men in power will take in order to gain control, and how they will twist reality to fit their own goals. This portrayal of Medea I also feels does a great job showing how young Medea was during all of this, how she was only a teen when Jason arrived and her life was changed. I did wish there were more interactions between her and her gods, but honestly enough other retellings do that it's fine it was missing from here.



Triggers: extreme gaslighting, SA, abuse, childhood abuse, gore, death, body mod, murder

This book presents an amazing retelling of the Greek myth of Jason and Medea from her perspective. I loved how three-dimensional Medea is here, how complex her emotions and thinking are. Even though the story is well-know to most people, this book presents a view into the role of a woman in the family, society and the world overall. It tells a story of how power can corrupt a person, but also how it can empower and help. The story if not lighthearted by any means, but if you know the original that’s not to be expected anyway. Jason the gaslighter made me sooo angry the whole book. I loved this retelling, and the audiobook narrator did a great job as well. The writing style is beautiful and captivating, I certainly will pock up something else by Rosie Hewlett some time soon.

A classic and endearing tale about why we must never center men. This is a story that should be read by all young women and girls. I loved the narration. I actually started this and then avoided my family and friends the entire day so I could focus on my audiobook. I was addicted.
This was perfection.
Seriously listen to this. You will not regret it.

Another entry in the reimagining of Greek myth from the POV of the women most maligned. Hewlett focus on Medea. Hewlett doesn’t shy away from the actions attributed to her but while not exactly making her a sympathetic character, she does create a world where her actions make some sense in a world dominated by men who used women to suit their purposes. The myth of Jason makes him the hero yet so much even in typical versions show Medea’s actions allowed him to succeed.

Medea isn’t the villain but she isn’t a hero - as Hewlett portrays her, she is complicated and abused in so many ways, and yet she has power. An interesting take on a woman most often portrayed as a monster.