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books4biana's review
3.0
The TBR prompt list said to read a book about something I'm passionate about. Me? I'm not really passionate about anything, I'm just grateful that I can feel at all in these circumstances. So I switched gears and thought about subjects that I enjoy in almost any context. And I got it...Mythology.
I had recently done some research on Medusa for an art project I'm working on. The traditional Greek story about Posideon raping beautiful young Medusa in the temple of Athena has been told over eons. Athena was so offended that her temple be desecrated thus and she cursed Medusa because she couldn't curse Posideon, her uncle.
Yeah, I have some loud and angry thoughts about that, no doubt! The inquiry that I had done into this story left some modern interpretations lingering in my mind. The most poignant was that of Medusa being the apex of Feminism because she continued to fight the patriarchy. She took her curse and used it to be frightening and protective of her sisters, leaving them in peace. Well, heck, I like that! Taking a curse (because Olympus knows, those gods were flinging those around like candy at a parade) and making it benefit her.
SO...................the book.................
This is the tale of Medusa, who was put on a hidden island for 2 thousand years. She was cursed with the looks that kill, the head full of snakes, and a partial snake-like body herself. Yeah, good stuff. She had "brave, young adventurers" come to slay the beast, or whatever they thought they were doing and remained on the island as permanent statues. There was a blind sailor that often visited and she enjoyed his company tremendously. Also Hermes, messenger of the gods, visited the whole two thousand years.
It is Hermes that decides that enough is enough. He takes her case to the Assembly where the gods and goddesses argue about Medusa's future. The case goes in her favor and she's granted life without this curse. Of course, nothing goes smoothly when we talk about the petty and jealous gods of Olympus.
One of my least favorite archetypes of ALL TIME is the damsel in distress, the femme fatale, the helpless female waiting for her beloved, strapping knight to sweep her away from all that is evil. GAG! And this book goes there! Medusa has weak legs and needs some serious PT, but her guardians are more than willing to just pick her up and carry her around. Or put her on their manly laps. She gets tucked into bed, dressed by a maid, taken into the bosom care of Aphrodite, protected from even bad words that are said about her. DOUBLE GAG! And the romance? Saw that coming a kalamos away (10 feet).
But she needs to learn to stand up and fight her own battles, figuratively. (Greeks have champions to fight for them) While the ending is still rather a cliche trope about love conquering all and the hero backing her when she needed it....it's still an interesting twist on the noxious Gorgon Monster story.
Final note, the book ended with this note:
If you or anyone you know is a victim of sexual assault, you do not need to suffer in silence. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE to speak with a counselor, visit the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) website at http://rainn.org, and/or connect with an online counselor via RAINN’s confidential Online Hotline at http://online.rainn.org/ to learn more about your options.
I had recently done some research on Medusa for an art project I'm working on. The traditional Greek story about Posideon raping beautiful young Medusa in the temple of Athena has been told over eons. Athena was so offended that her temple be desecrated thus and she cursed Medusa because she couldn't curse Posideon, her uncle.
Yeah, I have some loud and angry thoughts about that, no doubt! The inquiry that I had done into this story left some modern interpretations lingering in my mind. The most poignant was that of Medusa being the apex of Feminism because she continued to fight the patriarchy. She took her curse and used it to be frightening and protective of her sisters, leaving them in peace. Well, heck, I like that! Taking a curse (because Olympus knows, those gods were flinging those around like candy at a parade) and making it benefit her.
SO...................the book.................
This is the tale of Medusa, who was put on a hidden island for 2 thousand years. She was cursed with the looks that kill, the head full of snakes, and a partial snake-like body herself. Yeah, good stuff. She had "brave, young adventurers" come to slay the beast, or whatever they thought they were doing and remained on the island as permanent statues. There was a blind sailor that often visited and she enjoyed his company tremendously. Also Hermes, messenger of the gods, visited the whole two thousand years.
It is Hermes that decides that enough is enough. He takes her case to the Assembly where the gods and goddesses argue about Medusa's future. The case goes in her favor and she's granted life without this curse. Of course, nothing goes smoothly when we talk about the petty and jealous gods of Olympus.
One of my least favorite archetypes of ALL TIME is the damsel in distress, the femme fatale, the helpless female waiting for her beloved, strapping knight to sweep her away from all that is evil. GAG! And this book goes there! Medusa has weak legs and needs some serious PT, but her guardians are more than willing to just pick her up and carry her around. Or put her on their manly laps. She gets tucked into bed, dressed by a maid, taken into the bosom care of Aphrodite, protected from even bad words that are said about her. DOUBLE GAG! And the romance? Saw that coming a kalamos away (10 feet).
But she needs to learn to stand up and fight her own battles, figuratively. (Greeks have champions to fight for them) While the ending is still rather a cliche trope about love conquering all and the hero backing her when she needed it....it's still an interesting twist on the noxious Gorgon Monster story.
Final note, the book ended with this note:
If you or anyone you know is a victim of sexual assault, you do not need to suffer in silence. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE to speak with a counselor, visit the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) website at http://rainn.org, and/or connect with an online counselor via RAINN’s confidential Online Hotline at http://online.rainn.org/ to learn more about your options.
mccorbin's review
5.0
It is no surprise that I love Mythology so when I was saw this book, I knew I needed it immediately. There is always something so brilliant about taking a story that has been told for hundreds of years and putting a different spin on it, and that is exactly what Lyons has done. This is not the Medusa that I grew up reading about; this is a completely different Medusa, a Medusa I would love to be friends with. In fact, none of the gods or goddesses are the same and it was so wonderful to read about a whole new world than the one I was used to reading.
I fell in love with the character Medusa. The kindness, sorrow, longing, and gentle heart that she showed really made me want the best of life that one could ever have. She is technically a monster, turning anyone she sees into stone, but that is not what she wants. Medusa wants a normal life and the closest that she can get is by befriending a blind old man, a blind cat, and Hermes.
Oh, Hermes, so wonderful throughout the entire book! His want to reverse the curse that was placed on Medusa starts the war of the gods. This war was so fascinating and of course, as the reader, you take a side and you want justice to be served but knowing that these are gods, nothing will ever be completely fair.
Bottom line, if I were asked to describe this book in two words, I would pick ‘ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!’ I look forward to reading more of Lyons books in the future.
I fell in love with the character Medusa. The kindness, sorrow, longing, and gentle heart that she showed really made me want the best of life that one could ever have. She is technically a monster, turning anyone she sees into stone, but that is not what she wants. Medusa wants a normal life and the closest that she can get is by befriending a blind old man, a blind cat, and Hermes.
Oh, Hermes, so wonderful throughout the entire book! His want to reverse the curse that was placed on Medusa starts the war of the gods. This war was so fascinating and of course, as the reader, you take a side and you want justice to be served but knowing that these are gods, nothing will ever be completely fair.
Bottom line, if I were asked to describe this book in two words, I would pick ‘ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!’ I look forward to reading more of Lyons books in the future.
duartepatri's review
4.0
Hermes sweet Hermes....swoon!!!
This is a very original story, it's about Medusa and how and why she became a monster 2000 years back and then how Hermes, who is OH so good!!!! works hard to right the wrongs she has been put through.
I'm not sure I liked the ending, I would have been ok with a less "perfect" one. She getting Hermes back would have been enough....the whole family developement was a bit over the top....sorry if you don't agree.
All in all I strongly recommend this book to any book lover and especially for the ones who like checking real/historical facts along the way.
This is a very original story, it's about Medusa and how and why she became a monster 2000 years back and then how Hermes, who is OH so good!!!! works hard to right the wrongs she has been put through.
I'm not sure I liked the ending, I would have been ok with a less "perfect" one. She getting Hermes back would have been enough....the whole family developement was a bit over the top....sorry if you don't agree.
All in all I strongly recommend this book to any book lover and especially for the ones who like checking real/historical facts along the way.
jen286's review
4.0
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
It took me a while to get into Deep End of the Sea, but once I did I really enjoyed the story. Medusa is so kind, she has such a big heart, she has so much compassion for others, but she has been dealt a bad hand. She was attacked and then banished to live as a monster. I just really felt bad for her. How could anyone be so cruel to such a kind person?
Medusa is banished on an island and doesn't have much contact with the outside world. After all she could accidentally kill people if she looks at them. She see herself as a monster, as someone who is not good, because she has killed others. She has done everything she can to prevent any accidents, but accidents still happen every so often. She has two friends who come to visit occasionally. One an old blind man, one Hermes the god. Medusa doesn't really know why Hermes always comes back, but she is glad he does. He is her best friend, but she is always worried that she will accidentally look him in the eye one day. She has been on her island for two thousand years, but she has still not been able to get over what happened to her. She still will not talk about, about the horrible circumstances that lead to her being cursed.
When Hermes tells Medusa that he is going to the council to try and get her curse reversed, she is hesitant. He has been trying for years to right the wrongs done to her, but she is so scared, so hurt by what happened she doesn't know how to hope for something better. After all it was the gods who did this to her how can she trust them? The story really gets good once she travels to Olympus for the council meeting that will potentially change her fate.
Hermes and Medusa were so cute together. You can see how much he cares about her, even when she thinks of herself as a monster. He doesn't care what she looks like, he likes her. He likes who she is as a person and it doesn't matter about anything else. She has a long road ahead of her, lots of crazy gods, but lots of amazing new friends as well. It was heartbreaking reading her story, but I really enjoyed it. She keeps getting her world disrupted and having to start over, and it really challenges her. I think most of what happened had to happen to really make Medusa who she should be, to let her heal and grow stronger as a person, but I was so sad for her at times. Luckily she has a great group of people who care about her and look out for her. It was a great read. I loved seeing the old mythology through a new lens.
It took me a while to get into Deep End of the Sea, but once I did I really enjoyed the story. Medusa is so kind, she has such a big heart, she has so much compassion for others, but she has been dealt a bad hand. She was attacked and then banished to live as a monster. I just really felt bad for her. How could anyone be so cruel to such a kind person?
Medusa is banished on an island and doesn't have much contact with the outside world. After all she could accidentally kill people if she looks at them. She see herself as a monster, as someone who is not good, because she has killed others. She has done everything she can to prevent any accidents, but accidents still happen every so often. She has two friends who come to visit occasionally. One an old blind man, one Hermes the god. Medusa doesn't really know why Hermes always comes back, but she is glad he does. He is her best friend, but she is always worried that she will accidentally look him in the eye one day. She has been on her island for two thousand years, but she has still not been able to get over what happened to her. She still will not talk about, about the horrible circumstances that lead to her being cursed.
When Hermes tells Medusa that he is going to the council to try and get her curse reversed, she is hesitant. He has been trying for years to right the wrongs done to her, but she is so scared, so hurt by what happened she doesn't know how to hope for something better. After all it was the gods who did this to her how can she trust them? The story really gets good once she travels to Olympus for the council meeting that will potentially change her fate.
Hermes and Medusa were so cute together. You can see how much he cares about her, even when she thinks of herself as a monster. He doesn't care what she looks like, he likes her. He likes who she is as a person and it doesn't matter about anything else. She has a long road ahead of her, lots of crazy gods, but lots of amazing new friends as well. It was heartbreaking reading her story, but I really enjoyed it. She keeps getting her world disrupted and having to start over, and it really challenges her. I think most of what happened had to happen to really make Medusa who she should be, to let her heal and grow stronger as a person, but I was so sad for her at times. Luckily she has a great group of people who care about her and look out for her. It was a great read. I loved seeing the old mythology through a new lens.
jaxyway's review
5.0
I am a monster. The worst kind of monster. The kind that people have told stories about for thousands of years. The kind that daredevils like poor Walt seek out, even though many believe I’m not more than a myth.
I am the Gorgon Medusa. And my eyes can turn anything living to stone.
Thus begins the Deep End of the Sea, a modern-day re-telling of the infamous Medusa legend. Medusa is, of course, the main character, and the love interest is none other than the god, Hermes. Is your mythology a bit rusty? Irrelevant; you’ll remember as you go along, unless you’re some kind of savage. LOL – point is, there’s no need to be intimidated going in if you’re not a huge mythology buff.
I was highly interested in Greek/Roman mythology in middle and high school, but I am old as shit now. I am the very definition of rusty on the topic. Also, I’ve never read a mythology book like this, and I really wasn’t sure how much I’d like it. I am on young adult fantasy kick as of very recently (I’m seriously like Bambi on ice about it), so I figured, “Why not?”
I loved it.
I really, really loved it.
I mention that this is a modern day re-telling, because it is set in the here and now, in 2014. There is technology (tablets, cell phones, et cetera). There is also a great story – mythology isn’t still being studied because it sucks , after all – an epic story, in fact. There is a romance so tender, so believable, it very nearly has the reader falling in love. And the beau is a god, literally. A caring, funny, sexy, gorgeous god.
Love makes every misery, every struggle, every moment of life worth it.
Medusa is a heroine that I can actually say I liked, which is rare for me. A monster for the last two thousand years, the better portion of this book is her coming-of-age story – living life with her curse removed at long last. She is strong, yet cautious, smart, yet unsure of herself.
I run. I kick. I punch. I listen. I write. I give. I live. Stars above, I live.
The other characters (mostly other gods and goddesses of Greek mythology) are amazing – all of them, even the villains. The writing is great – easy to read, and it flows wonderfully. I devoured this novel, and I’m hungry for more.
Reviewed on my book blog, www.bibliobrat.com
thebooktrollop's review
5.0
I would like to start off by saying that I absolutely LOVE Greek Mythology!! I have been obsessed with it since I was in middle school and learned about all the fuckedupness that goes on in Olympus! Of course, in middle school, I really didn't understand everything that was going on but I was obsessed nonetheless. Now that I am older, I can appreciate the going ons in Olympus, while also cringing at the sexual relations...aheeemm...
So when I found out that not only did Heather Lyons have an obsession with Greek Mythology too but was also writing a book about Medusa... to say I was excited would be an understatement!!! I was freaking the freak out!!
But she also decided to do something different with Medusa's story. She changed the whole dynamic of Dusa's character by changing her story from monster to misunderstood woman with a heart of gentleness, not wickedness...
I was a little nervous, I have to admit, because I didn't know how I was going to take this new and improved monster. In my mind, Medusa was full of hate and vengeance, not love and compassion, so changing my thought process was a little hard for me to comprehend... that is, until I started reading The Deep End of the Sea and Heather made it so much easier for me.
Medusa is a monster that people do not understand. Most people are kept away from her personal island because Poseidon is a jealous asshole that keeps people away at all cost. She has one Godly friend, Hermes, and one human friend who happens to have the convenience of being blind so Medusa's curse doesn't bother him. Of course the whole turning people into stone would make her want to keep her distance too.
Dusa is not happy on this secluded island, who would be happy living on an island with only occasional conversations and internet shopping.. It would get old pretty fast (even though I threaten to move to my own island when my spawn and husband are driving me absolutely crazy).... She is missing out on really living, loving, being loved in return, and actually experiencing life as it should be experienced.
Heather does change the mythology a little bit, it is not the exact same as the stories that I have been taught but it is still an incredible story with Godly characters and even an appearance of Death!! Which was an unexpected surprise to say the least...
Medusa learns about herself in this story. She grows from a timid monster and changes into another person by the end that is hardly recognizable from the character who was introduced in the beginning. Hermes helps Medusa not only love herself but accept love in return. Showing her that people could love the monster her and the real her.
"Love makes every misery, every struggle, every moment of life worth it"
Now, I won't go into toooo much detail about this story because that's not fair to all of you who have not read it yet. You need to experience it for yourself and see why I went bat shit crazy for it. Because I promise, if you love a great greek mythology story with lots of angst, love, sexiness, fuckedupness, Gods who remind you of Chris Hemsworth... then you will go bat shit crazy for this book too!! Hell, even if you don't really care for greek mythology, you will still love this story because it speaks to your soul on so many different levels.
It teaches you about love in all forms. Not to judge people based on looks. How monsters come in many different forms and the ones that look like the devil, may actually be an angel in disguise. Friendship. The love of family. The power of love and acceptance.
Heather is an incredible author with passion that you can just feel by reading her books. I never really know where her stories are going to take me, but when I finish I realize that I am starting to ripen, my clothes are a mess, and I don't remember the last time I put something in my mouth to nourish my body. Her stories literally take me to another world and I never want to leave...EVER. This one was no different and if at all possible, it was worse, because I did not stop reading until I was completely done and then I went back and reread parts that just stuck out to me.
This story has it all and I absolutely loved it... Was in love with it and I may be a little in love with Heather at this point in our relationship ;)...
If you have not stopped reading this review by now and gone to purchase this book, then you need to do that NOW..... No really... You need to carry your ass to buy this book NOW!!!
I give this book an amazing 5/5 I <3 Hermes Stars
So when I found out that not only did Heather Lyons have an obsession with Greek Mythology too but was also writing a book about Medusa... to say I was excited would be an understatement!!! I was freaking the freak out!!
But she also decided to do something different with Medusa's story. She changed the whole dynamic of Dusa's character by changing her story from monster to misunderstood woman with a heart of gentleness, not wickedness...
I was a little nervous, I have to admit, because I didn't know how I was going to take this new and improved monster. In my mind, Medusa was full of hate and vengeance, not love and compassion, so changing my thought process was a little hard for me to comprehend... that is, until I started reading The Deep End of the Sea and Heather made it so much easier for me.
Medusa is a monster that people do not understand. Most people are kept away from her personal island because Poseidon is a jealous asshole that keeps people away at all cost. She has one Godly friend, Hermes, and one human friend who happens to have the convenience of being blind so Medusa's curse doesn't bother him. Of course the whole turning people into stone would make her want to keep her distance too.
Dusa is not happy on this secluded island, who would be happy living on an island with only occasional conversations and internet shopping.. It would get old pretty fast (even though I threaten to move to my own island when my spawn and husband are driving me absolutely crazy).... She is missing out on really living, loving, being loved in return, and actually experiencing life as it should be experienced.
Heather does change the mythology a little bit, it is not the exact same as the stories that I have been taught but it is still an incredible story with Godly characters and even an appearance of Death!! Which was an unexpected surprise to say the least...
Medusa learns about herself in this story. She grows from a timid monster and changes into another person by the end that is hardly recognizable from the character who was introduced in the beginning. Hermes helps Medusa not only love herself but accept love in return. Showing her that people could love the monster her and the real her.
"Love makes every misery, every struggle, every moment of life worth it"
Now, I won't go into toooo much detail about this story because that's not fair to all of you who have not read it yet. You need to experience it for yourself and see why I went bat shit crazy for it. Because I promise, if you love a great greek mythology story with lots of angst, love, sexiness, fuckedupness, Gods who remind you of Chris Hemsworth... then you will go bat shit crazy for this book too!! Hell, even if you don't really care for greek mythology, you will still love this story because it speaks to your soul on so many different levels.
It teaches you about love in all forms. Not to judge people based on looks. How monsters come in many different forms and the ones that look like the devil, may actually be an angel in disguise. Friendship. The love of family. The power of love and acceptance.
Heather is an incredible author with passion that you can just feel by reading her books. I never really know where her stories are going to take me, but when I finish I realize that I am starting to ripen, my clothes are a mess, and I don't remember the last time I put something in my mouth to nourish my body. Her stories literally take me to another world and I never want to leave...EVER. This one was no different and if at all possible, it was worse, because I did not stop reading until I was completely done and then I went back and reread parts that just stuck out to me.
This story has it all and I absolutely loved it... Was in love with it and I may be a little in love with Heather at this point in our relationship ;)...
If you have not stopped reading this review by now and gone to purchase this book, then you need to do that NOW..... No really... You need to carry your ass to buy this book NOW!!!
I give this book an amazing 5/5 I <3 Hermes Stars
wellingtonestatelibrary's review
4.0
A good friend gave me this book for Christmas, and assured me I would enjoy it. I put it on my shelf and waited for it to call to me. Yesterday I finished a mystery set in Greece and today, as I was perusing my shelves for the next read, this one caught my eye and felt right lol. I'm so glad I finally picked it up because it is such a sweet, enjoyable story. I could barely put it down all day and I wish there was a sequel I could immediately pick up. I want to read more about Dusa and Hermes, and the rest of the family.
stephaniediane07's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Suicide attempt