Medusa - Rosie Hewlett - ★★★★.½

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AUTHOR: Rosie Hewlett
GENRE: Greek Mythology Retelling
PUBLICATION DATE: April 30, 2021
RATING: 4.5 stars.

In a Nutshell: This book shows you why you must give a chance to indie writers too. There are some real gems in the indie world.


There must be hardly anyone who hasn't heard of Medusa. One of the most feared of the Greek monsters, this gorgon sister is known for her gaze that could turn any man into stone. But here we have a book that reveals the other side of the picture. Why and how did Medusa become Medusa? Is she really a monster or a victim of her circumstances?

In terms of its writing, this book is outstanding. The way the narrative progresses fluidly from one scene to the next leaves you hooked. At a mere 200+ pages, this book can easily be completed within a couple of hours.

You don't need to know the classics in order to grasp the story. The author gives enough of a background into all the key characters to make sure that your reading flow isn't affected. There are some wonderful quotes in the book, with one of my favourites being "The most powerful revelations are the ones we discover for ourselves." I want to especially mention the feminist angle that the story takes at times. This could have been further developed upon but it was still a laudable attempt, especially considering how Greek myths glamorise only male heroes.

Overall, this was a fast-paced and enjoyable read and I loved getting a behind-the-scenes look at Medusa. Definitely recommended to everyone looking for a quick break in between intense books.

Thank you to NetGalley and SilverWood Books Ltd for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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