As a youngster I used to love reading Greek mythology and wish it had been as beautifully written and illustrated as this. The story is retold here from Medusa's point of view. How she came to have snakes on her head instead of hair is sympathetically told and the outcome of her relationship with Perseus is fascinating. I do hope this is the first of many retellings of mythology in conjunction with this talented illustrator.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Jessie Burton/Bloomsbury Publishing for a digital cop of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Greek myths and feminist retellings: those are two of my favourite things.

Needless to say that Jessie Burton’s Medusa hit the sweet spot for me.

Although this story is aimed at middle grade readers and up, with stunning illustrations, this is a story for anyone.

Here we meet Medusa not as the monster as she’s always portrayed, but as a woman wronged. A woman whose cries for help, for protection were ignored by society, because, you know, she must’ve asked for it, she shouldn’t have…, and who finally reclaims her story and thus her agency.

A story for our times that all girls (and boys) should read!

4.5 stars!
For so long I have been craving a retelling about Medusa, especially during such a popular time for retellings in publishing.
Jessie Burton's portrayal of Medusa is EXACTLY what I was longing for. It read less like she was making up a new story for Medusa and more like she was just a conduit for the reader to hear and understand her voice. Who she was and what she went through, and of course how it changed her.

I really enjoyed the fact that Medusa was our narrator, that she was telling us the story of her journey to being herself and being comfortable and powerful in her own skin.

Throughout my reading of this book so many lines stuck out to me where the author spoke out about the blaming of survivors for their own abuse and the almost demonization of young women, their femininity and sexuality,
I loved how strong Medusa was in her conversations with Perseus, calling him out on his unjust believes and getting him to see them from someone else's perspective. Namely, a woman's perspective.

"I was not going to let him destroy me for who I was, or who he thought i was, for his own ends, It was simply unacceptable"

Jessie Burtons retelling of the Greek Mythology of Medusa is so beautiful and powerful. This is a telling of the girl and not the accused to be monster, the girl that was wronged by and abused by so many others. Medusa is a book that will resonate with many.

As an ebook this book is great but I can not wait to have a physical copy and see all the finalised illustrations as I am sure that the ebook does not do this book the justice it deserves.

From the captivating beautiful writing to the beyond gorgeous illustrations that bring this book to life, this is a book that is a must have and will make a wonderful gift.

Thank you to netgalley and Bloomsbury for the Earc.

I just love Jessie Burton. I don't usually like YA but she just nailed this retelling, as I knew she would. Gill's illustrations were fantastic and Burton's spin on this classic myth was refreshing and chillingly relevant. I highly recommend it! Thank you for this ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Medusa is such a maligned charatcer in Greek mythology that it was only a matter of time before the current slew of feminist retellings got round to her story. However, Burton has done something special here by choosing to place the narrative in an alternate timeline and combine Medusa's story with that of Perseus (or really, Perseus's mother). The illustrations by Gill are gorgeous and really add to the feeling and mood of the text. This would be a perfect Christmas present for any book-loving teenager, though parents may wish to read it first as it does deal with some very adult issues.

This is a lovely retelling of Medusa's story, with her perspective giving a fresh twist on this. It is accompanied by stunning illustrations and is a must have book for any Greek Mythology fans

A stunning retelling of the story of Medusa, this book makes the reader rethink everything they thought they knew about this famous villain. We actually get to hear her side of the story, incorporating rape culture and victim blaming. Alongside the absolutely stunning visuals, this is an amazing book.

Exiled, with her sisters, to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. But when a charming boy called Perseus arrives on the island, lost as he sails the seas on a quest to save his mother, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love and betrayal…

The stunning illustrations throughout the book, by Olivia Lomenech Gill really being the island world of Medusa alive.

Jessie Burton has retold this myth superbly, bring it bang up to date with the feminist slant it very much needed. It is told from the view point of Medusa and because of this, the themes come across much more emotionally and with impact.

As Medusa and Perseus gradually tell each other their reasons for being on this far-flung island, we can see that perception of themselves and others is a very personal thing. Perseus holds Poseidon in high regard, Medusa hates him with a vengeance. Similarly, their views on Athena differ too.

There are strong themes of self worth, perception of how you are viewed by others and how this affects your behaviours and attitudes, how the opinions (real or perceived) of others impact on you and ultimately change you.

There are strong themes of consent and respect. Medusa’s feelings of how Poseidon should have behaved towards her (as opposed to abusing his power) and how she was not to blame are deeply felt. Her sisters’ allyship is strong but not all other women are her ally. Athena’s use of privilege and power are selectively abusive.

The promises we make…do we actually know what we are promising at the time? Open ended promises are not always good ones.

Throughout the retelling, Medusa’s view of herself, others in her life and her awareness of how the rest of the world perceives her opens up opportunities for conversations to be had. Important conversations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the eARC review copy.

This book is stunning - the words and the illustrations both together and alone are beautiful. Her writing style is so unique and brings such a different view to the. character and the story - the retelling of the story from Medusa's side is so clever. It was a little difficult to read due to the format but I'm sure a finished copy would be gorgeous!

A clever idea but I couldn’t get into it at all. I really struggled with the concept.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to try it.

This is a great book sumptuously illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill. It provides Jessie Burton’s take on the Medusa myth and the retelling is original, beautifully written and powerful.

Medusa, a teenage girl, is stranded on an island with her sisters, Euryale and Stheno, after falling foul of Athena because she is jealous of Poseidon’s lust for the young girl. It is Athena who has given her a head of snakes and turned all three sisters into Gorgons.

The story deals with the arrival of Perseus, also a young man, their dogs, and their flirtations – without seeing one another because Medusa knows what that will mean. She has intense feelings for Perseus and these are reciprocated until he discovers that he is destined to kill her. Then, he becomes a man on a mission and it is one that doesn’t work out so well for him.

That’s the story but what this book is really about is being a woman. Medusa never asked or encouraged Poseidon and, of course, Athena punishes the woman rather than challenging the man. Medusa is a victim of the patriarchy.

Like all women she copes. She gets on with it and falls for Perseus because she hopes he is different but, sadly, he reverts to type, tries to kill her and ends up turned to stone.

In the end, the three sisters set sail in his boat. Medusa has not found love but she has learned something about herself and her capacity to be resolute and strong as a woman in a world dominated by men. She will survive!

This book should be slipped quietly under the Christmas tree for every teenage girl you know!

I found this to be a very effective and enjoyable feminist retelling of the Medusa myth. Told from the young Medusa's POV, you get a compassionate story of a young woman who wants what anyone wants; love, respect, someone to see the real her and accept her on her own terms. The writing is both beautiful and powerful, it makes you really think about the innocent girl who was so brutally abused then cursed by powers so much stronger than her and what that is like for any girl. In subtly subverting the original myth, Burton's reimagining gives voice to others like Medusa and gives us a new heroine rather than a monster. add the wonderful illustrations and you have a beautiful book all round.

“Because, unlike a statue, you cannot break up a myth or wedge it on top of a cliff. A myth find it’s way to remember itself. It makes a new shape, rising out of a shallow grave it is glory.”

TW: Rape

I find Medusa’s tale fascinating and I always leap at the opportunity to see how women are retelling her story after so long with the story written by men.
Jessie Burton has captured a sad tale and made it hopeful. No, Medusa’s not not broken by her trauma, but she’s in the best place she can be to recover: she’s with her sisters, she’s happy, and she’s considering a future in love.
I enjoyed her character, how she’s captured as a young, vulnerable girl. I liked how she told her story - and I liked that she was the one telling it.
I also liked learning more about Perseus’ history, as I’ve only ever known him as Medusa’s slayer onwards. I did realise her and his mother had some god-trauma too.
Medusa was written in a beautiful, haunting way. I flew through it, but also found myself captured by passages, rereading and highlighting things that particularly stood out. The artwork was beautiful too. I can’t wait to see it printed in the finished book.

" 'She was a woman who'd done nothing wrong except exist.' "

This is a brilliant take on the myth of Medusa, truly bringing a feminist twist into the story and showing a new side to what others may know of the myth.

I was truly enraptured by the story and illustrations littered throughout the book. I felt the pain that Medusa went through during her storytelling and as the story progressed I was so amazed at how they retold her tale.

This story brings a new sense of power and recognition to the women of the Greek myth and how they were forced to face the Gods/Goddesses and live life through their additional suffering. In many Greek myths and epics, it is a men's world and women just live in it. This story is one of few that I have read that bring the voice of the women to light. It calls out and warns people of their suffering due to Godly/men's intentions and how those same people tried to use their power to make it seem like the women's fault.

I could not recommend this book enough! Definitely one to read for all lovers of Greek myths and bringing power back to the women of these tales.

It is clear to see the heart that has been invested into researching and retelling this passion project of a book.

Medusa herself is a lyrical storyteller, knowingly drawn to the romanticism of Perseus’ intelligence but deeply self-aware and honest with the reader in her first person narrative of their cautious union. This in turn is a book for intelligent readers with an appreciation for beauty, for the richly poetic and classical style of elegant literary fiction.

Jessie Burton’s masterpiece is invitingly coupled with Olivia Lomenech Gill’s sumptuous designs that dive into the mysticism and wonder of the sea with stunning prints and margin illustrations throughout. We are huge fans of Olivia’s glorious sketchbook anthology, Where the Wellies Take Me, so further to seeing the designs on screen, I can’t wait to see the hardback edition of Medusa in print - what a treasure trove it will be!

Jessie Burton has written a powerful and beautiful retelling of the story of Medusa, a young girl abused by gods, cursed and accused of being a monster. Olivia Lomenech Gill has produced such stunning and emotive illustrations that add depth to the story.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a Greek mythology nerd who does also struggle with the gender dynamics within the various stories, I am always here for a feminist retelling of one of the classic myths. Medusa, in particular, I have always viewed as a tragic rather than monstrous figure so I'm very happy that she's given her dues in this book. The prose is lyrical, but also very easy to read and accessible for readers not familiar with Greek mythology. The illustrations are also beautiful, and I'm sure even more so in a hard copy, the small screen I read my ARC on probably does not do them justice!

(Many thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.)

Absolutely fabulous retelling of the Medusa story, beautifully written. The illustrations are marvelous too , they really help the story along.

Beautifully illustrated retelling of the live of Medusa and her meeting with Perseus. Burton brings a softness to the legend of Medusa with her serpent hair acting as an extension of her psyche as she battles with the very human emotions of longing, love and loss.