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A review by dragoninwinterfell
Medusa by Nataly Gruender
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Nataly Gruender's Medusa sits in an interesting space of covering dark topics like sexual assault and victim blaming while also having an almost cozy feel to the narrative, as strange as that sounds.
The story centers on Medusa, a mortal woman born to minor gods, who became collateral damage in a fued between Athena and Poseidon. While serving as a priestess in the temple of the goddess of wisdom, Medusa is raped by the sea god. Since Athena can't punish her uncle, Poseidon, without starting a war between the hods, Medusa is used as a scapegoat. While Athena's victim blaming of Medusa is given additional complexity and motivation, it is not excused. While this is good, there was one point where it became a little preachy. The point was rightly made and made and made multiple times one particular scene. That could have been brought back a little.
While the assault Medusa survives is treated with the appropriate amount of severity, she is also depicted developing friendships, engaging in a romance, healing her relationships with some of her sisters, and bonding with her new head of snakes. Particularly sweet were the scenes between Medusa and one of her nephews. But over it all, looms the prophecy of her doom due to the curse Athena forced on her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The story centers on Medusa, a mortal woman born to minor gods, who became collateral damage in a fued between Athena and Poseidon. While serving as a priestess in the temple of the goddess of wisdom, Medusa is raped by the sea god. Since Athena can't punish her uncle, Poseidon, without starting a war between the hods, Medusa is used as a scapegoat. While Athena's victim blaming of Medusa is given additional complexity and motivation, it is not excused. While this is good, there was one point where it became a little preachy. The point was rightly made and made and made multiple times one particular scene. That could have been brought back a little.
While the assault Medusa survives is treated with the appropriate amount of severity, she is also depicted developing friendships, engaging in a romance, healing her relationships with some of her sisters, and bonding with her new head of snakes. Particularly sweet were the scenes between Medusa and one of her nephews. But over it all, looms the prophecy of her doom due to the curse Athena forced on her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!