When I requested this, I was really looking forward to picking it up. My reading vibes have changed though so whilst I will hopefully still pick this up one day, I'm just not sure when.
I have heard amazing things about this book though.

I love feminist retelling of ancient myths and did my whole dissertation on it so I was so ready for this book! Readers don’t need an in depth knowledge of the story of Medea and Jason to enjoy the story. I think the character of Medea is one ripe for new representation and giving life to old characters is wonderful, bringing some of the oldest stories that we have to new readers. Very good writing too and I hope to read more from Hewlett in the future!

I’ve been on a bit of a retelling kick, reading a few in quick succession but I enjoyed Rosie Hewlett’s take on the trend. Medea as a novel is inviting, interesting and appealing. Rosie’s words draw you in and the story envelops around you.

Phenomenal!! I am a MASSIVE fan of greek mythology and was immediately seduced when I saw the cover and read the blurb for this book. The plot was epic as was its execution, I was so invested in the characters (especially as I already was familiar with them from my understanding of greek mythology) and felt they were brought to life on a whole new dimension. The characters have a rich background which is told in a very concise way allowing you to settle in to the story which is divided into 3 parts. However, even though I am already familiar with the greek tales I was still hooked with every twist and turn, the passion, the magic, the awe, the rage, the good and the bad, and I liked that Medea was written with her flaws and all and not put on a pedestal which made her more relatable and likeable, and also written in line with her age (especially her obsession with the male physique haha) which was good (some books can cast teenagers but their character would depict someone A LOT older). I liked the fact that Hewlett took Medea back to when she was younger to explain, in essence, what led to her well known actions (killing her children) which helps the reader to understand her character and background and the trauma she experienced growing up in Colchis, as it't not always as black and white as just seeing the crime for what it is. I felt deeply for her character on so many levels and really felt Hewlett did the story so much justice.

Having read Medusa by Rosie Hewlett, I was really looking forward to her depiction of Medea. Medea is a dark character but how did she get there? What experiences shaped her & is it possible to feel sympathy for this notoriously dangerous woman? Rosie does a good job of showing the darkness within Medea whilst showing how this darkness was fed. A complex character whose nuances are explored by Rosie in a captivating manner

#netgalley #medea

I'm always a fan of female-centered retellings of Greek myths and Medea didn't disappoint. Hewlett writes a nuanced and thoughtful take on Medea's story, giving her agency and perspective where she's often simply vilified. The prose and imagery are beautiful. I occasionally took issue with the tone of the dialogue -- some of the snappier lines of banter are a little too contemporary and took me out of the historical setting, but this is a small gripe. Overall I greatly enjoyed this book!

Unfortunately I'll be putting this down for now, but I did get a copy for Christmas so I'm looking forward to giving it another go in the future!
Thank you for the eARC

‘Death is a terrible burden for anyone to carry,’

I think this book starts strong, Medea isn't weak, isn't sentimental, and she doesn't really care!

‘Why did you do this?’ he asked.
‘Because I can,’ I replied. Apparently, that was the wrong answer.

Although this line didn't stay consistent until the end, and I wasn't completely thrilled about the characters' development but as it was engaging enough, so I thought it deserved four stars.

"I have often wondered if there is a monster inside me, cloaked in the skin of a young, quiet girl. Perhaps everyone can see it pacing restlessly beneath the surface, and that is why they keep their distance."

Do you know what the biggest problem is with the retellings of Medea?

Why do we so desperately want to blame Jason for everything, as if every monstrous act by Medea was done for him?

Why should Medea be portrayed as strong, in love, and only under Jason's command?

Why Medea cant be a crazy, messed up one, a monster, who she can't let them put her aside, or bear the burden of lose?!

Why had we always wanted to pull out a good woman inside her?

Please, let one woman not be a good one, fooled, or deceived by men.

"He must love me. Because if this is not love, then what else is it?"

I personally think a woman could do all the devious and monstrous by herself and even enjoy it without hesitation. Why do we insist that a horrible father or lover is necessary for that?

Thank you Random House UK, Transworld Publishers via NetGalley for DRC. I have given my honest review.

This wouldn't be my usual sort of read but I found it incredibly compelling.
Looking forward to reading more from Rosie Hewlett.
4 stars.

A well-crafted story with plenty to appreciate. The pacing, characters, and plot twists kept me interested throughout. I'm looking forward to seeing how readers respond once it's released!

I was already in love with Rosie's debut Medusa, and have been keeping my eyes peeled for her next masterpiece ever since then. And oh boy Rosie DID NOT disappoint. Medea is one of the most interesting characters and witches in ancient history, often villainized. And I love what Rosie has done with her and her story! No spoilers, just, go READ THIS. It's absolutely worth your time!

Medea is in-depth, imaginative and lively retelling of the story of Medea. The prose is beautiful, rich with detail but easy-to-read at the same time.

I really enjoyed the book, it shed a different light on the story of Medea who is usually portaited as the ultimate villian. The characters were well-developed which I value. When you roughly know the story you should be led by the characters.

So all in all, recommend this title to everyone who enjoys mytology retellings or is interested to get into reading more of them!

Wow! I had no idea about the story of Medea, soreceress and wife of Jason "the Argonaut".

Like so many women in history (or mythology) we only learn of their stories in relation to the men in their lives. Their fathers, brothers, husbands and sons. Medea is no exception but as the book unfolds and we learn about her relationships with her sister, aunt and friend, you fall in love with her in a conflicted way.

Enjoying Medea's story and supporting her is an ethical dilemma throughout. From the abuse, gaslighting and abandonment of the men in her life, to the stubbornness she displays against the women who care about her and her horrific acts against the innocent, Medea is a real rollercoaster.

And I loved it!

Absolutely fantastic.

This so fantastically weaves the story of medea while remaining true to the original tale. Medea is such a fascinating figure and the spotlight on her instead of Jason is frankly unmissable.

It was exactly what I wanted from a Greek myth retelling and flawlessly written. It evokes so much feeling from the reader and honestly, I couldn’t reccomend this enough.

disclaimer: I received this free from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review

content warnings: violence, abuse, gore, child abuse, child death, sexual assault, rape

'They'll either make you his adoring, lovesick damsel or they'll make you the villain. Those are the only roles they feel comfortable with us occupying'.

Medea follows Medea - obviously - throughout her childhood, her marriage to the legendary hero Jason, and then the killing of her own children & we see her slowly spiral and give into her rage, her power, and her darkness & fully embrace it. Medea was a... difficult character for me, & rightly so - she was multifaceted. I felt a lot of things - I hated her naivety, her co-dependance & her anger & her slow descent into the 'villain' but I also hated how she was villainised by everyone around her! You sympathise, you hate, you love, you weep & you seethe in anger alongside her. The complexity to accomplish this!

Honestly, she should have run off with Atalanta & lived happily ever after.

I love Euripedes’ Medea so I was excited to dive into this book. It was great to see Medea’s back story masterfully fleshed out, such a great read.

4.5 ⭐️

I love it when a book makes you completely unsure how to feel about a character by the end. This book is certainly not for the faint of heart as check the content warnings.

I knew how Medea's story ended going into this, so I wasn't expecting to feel bad for her. But you do, you spend most of the book seeing her be gaslighted into destroying herself in the name of love for a man you know doesn't care about her.

It's sad and beautifully written. The author did an excellent job of stirring emotion and keeping the pacing even. The plot moves along nicely and keeps you engaged. The book has also made me really interested in the story of atalanta.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, Rosie Hewlett, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

One of the best Medea retellings I've read! The world is so beautifully drawn, the characters painfully human (despite their origins). I absolutely loved this book.

Medea by Rosie Hewlett offers a captivating and feminist retelling of Medea’s story, exploring her life from childhood to her tumultuous relationship with Jason and beyond. Hewlett provides a fresh perspective on Medea, delving into her experiences and the reasons behind her actions without fully absolving her.

Hewlett skillfully blends the style of Ancient Greece with a subtle feminist touch, focusing on Medea’s relationships with the men in her life, such as her abusive father, King Aeetes, and manipulative Jason. These relationships are central to the story, highlighting the pain and anger at Medea’s core. Equally important are her relationships with her Aunt Circe and Atlanta, who teach her about her power and inner strength.

The novel does not seek to redeem Medea but rather to provide a deeper understanding of her character and motivations. Each chapter is filled with drama, passion, and sharp insights, making it difficult to put the book down. Hewlett’s writing is detailed and emotionally engaging, offering a complex portrayal of Medea while questioning whether she is truly the villain or a product of her circumstances.

Hewlett’s Medea stands out among Greek mythology retellings, delivering a thrilling and compelling story from start to finish. If you enjoy Greek mythology with a modern twist and strong character development, this book is a must-read.

I wanted to love this, love the idea of a feminist retelling and premise of the book but unfortunately I found it hard to engage and care about her. There was no real plot just a rambling through a series of events that held no interest.