citybookspgh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Feminist retelling of classic Medusa myth. So good. Audiobook is read by the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Abandonment, Body horror, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Dysphoria, Incest, Rape, and Violence
Heartbreakinguncreativeoops's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Death, Violence, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Rape
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Child death, Body horror, Blood, Sexual harassment, Murder, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, War, Kidnapping, and Animal death
trips's review against another edition
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book truly was not what I was expecting, and what I got instead I just personally didn't enjoy that much.
I really thought it would be more about Medusa herself, but we actually got a retelling of the tale of Perseus from all different perspectives. Which is ok, you don't really talk about Medusa without Perseus, but I suppose I was hoping for the story to be centered around Medusa's perspective. Sadly her perspective really only takes up about 25-30% of the book.
I suppose perhaps the point is to reinforce the thought that Medusa did nothing wrong but was punished anyway, but I suppose in my head there would have been more reimagined surrounding just Medusa in her story before she meets her fatal ending. Besides that though the story isn't incredibly interesting, but it is quite funny in some parts, which is really what made me bump it up to 2 stars.
Disappointed, but I'm sure others will love this book.
I really thought it would be more about Medusa herself, but we actually got a retelling of the tale of Perseus from all different perspectives. Which is ok, you don't really talk about Medusa without Perseus, but I suppose I was hoping for the story to be centered around Medusa's perspective. Sadly her perspective really only takes up about 25-30% of the book.
I suppose perhaps the point is to reinforce the thought that Medusa did nothing wrong but was punished anyway, but I suppose in my head there would have been more reimagined surrounding just Medusa in her story before she meets her fatal ending. Besides that though the story isn't incredibly interesting, but it is quite funny in some parts, which is really what made me bump it up to 2 stars.
Disappointed, but I'm sure others will love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Body horror, and Misogyny
znvisser's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I expected this to be a story about Medusa but instead it was mostly written around the man hunting her - which felt quite contrary to the point. It felt like the author had a vision but discovered along the way there wasn't actually enough source material or creativity to pull from. So instead, many subplots are piled onto the core story, in which we merely meet characters so one-dimensional you don't even get the chance to ponder how to feel about them. And if you still do, you don't have to wait too long for an intermezzo in which some extras come out of nowhere to spell it out for you even more explicitly. I love reading about Greek mythology but to me, the strength in a modern retelling lies in the capability of its story telling: does the writing convey new dimensions to a story long told? To me, this was unfortunately not the case with Stone Blind.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Murder, and Death
Minor: Blood, Animal death, Confinement, Grief, and Sexual violence
I expected this to be a story about Medusa but instead it was mostly written around the man hunting her - which felt quite contrary to the point. It felt like the author had a vision for this book but discovered along the way there actually wasn't enough source material or creativity to pull from, leading to many loosely related storylines being piled onto it. And every single character in those subplots is one-dimensional, so we can't be too confused about how to feel about every single one of them (and if you still are, you don't have to wait too long for an intermezzo in which mostly irrelevant extras spell it out for you even more explicitly). I do love reading about Greek mythology but to me a key factor in the success of modern retelling is the storytelling: does the writing convey new dimensions to a story long told? Unfortunately, I didn't feel that way about this one.itisnatal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, and Rape
Moderate: Body horror and Blood
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i wish this focused more on medusa's story. i feel like the whole thing was about perseus :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Body horror, Cursing, Incest, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, War, Toxic relationship, Violence, Infidelity, Death, Gore, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexism, Blood, and Sexual assault
bandysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Medusa? Feminist retelling? By a well-established author of Greek mythology retellings? Yes, please! Sign me up! When I saw this listed under available audiobooks, I immediately sent in a request.
I delved into this story with enthusiasm and was mostly satisfied with what was delivered. This is a multi-POV story that gives us chapters from the Gorgon sisters, Athene, and Perseus in addition to Medusa. All of the chapters collectively bring us the story of Medusa's life and the events outside of her control that cause her eventual fate.
I thought the characterization of the various gods and demi-gods was very well done. I appreciate that they aren't glorified or made to seem benevolent. Haynes really leans into their awful behaviors toward mortals and it honestly makes a lot more sense.
I also loved how she chose to characterize the Gorgons. They may appear monstrous, but even monsters love their family. She really did a good job of humanizing them and making us care about their plight. It made the emotional response to Medusa's story that much stronger.
My only real qualm with this story is that I expected it to be more about Medusa in her own words since this was marketed as a feminist retelling.. Instead, we have more chapters of other people talking than we do of her talking. It sort of allows her voice to be a bit squashed by everyone else. Perhaps that is an intentional choice that mirrors exactly what is happening to Medusa within the story, but I do wish I'd heard a bit more from her.
As for the audiobook, I believe Haynes narrates this herself. I thought the narration was smooth and easy to follow. She voices each character well and with the right emotions in the right places. I have no real critique to offer in terms of the narration.
All in all, whether you listen to this or read it, if you enjoy Greek mythology retellings, I think you'll likely enjoy this one. Medusa is a compelling character, made more so by Haynes' treatment of her.
I delved into this story with enthusiasm and was mostly satisfied with what was delivered. This is a multi-POV story that gives us chapters from the Gorgon sisters, Athene, and Perseus in addition to Medusa. All of the chapters collectively bring us the story of Medusa's life and the events outside of her control that cause her eventual fate.
I thought the characterization of the various gods and demi-gods was very well done. I appreciate that they aren't glorified or made to seem benevolent. Haynes really leans into their awful behaviors toward mortals and it honestly makes a lot more sense.
I also loved how she chose to characterize the Gorgons. They may appear monstrous, but even monsters love their family. She really did a good job of humanizing them and making us care about their plight. It made the emotional response to Medusa's story that much stronger.
My only real qualm with this story is that I expected it to be more about Medusa in her own words since this was marketed as a feminist retelling.. Instead, we have more chapters of other people talking than we do of her talking. It sort of allows her voice to be a bit squashed by everyone else. Perhaps that is an intentional choice that mirrors exactly what is happening to Medusa within the story, but I do wish I'd heard a bit more from her.
As for the audiobook, I believe Haynes narrates this herself. I thought the narration was smooth and easy to follow. She voices each character well and with the right emotions in the right places. I have no real critique to offer in terms of the narration.
All in all, whether you listen to this or read it, if you enjoy Greek mythology retellings, I think you'll likely enjoy this one. Medusa is a compelling character, made more so by Haynes' treatment of her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Body horror, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Grief
feliscatusnum_1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, and Body horror
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Genocide, and Incest
kers_tin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Violence, Sexism, Body horror, Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, War, Death, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, and Rape