Medea is a difficult character to make sympathetic due to the numerous heinous acts that she does. So I am incredibly impressed by how Hewlett leads the reader into understanding how poorly damaged and broken Medea is before Jason and the Argonauts reach Colchis. Her need for love and rose tinted glasses towards Jason explain her actions. Despite the warnings of those around her.
The relationship between Medea and Jason, while mythological is a relationship that one could easily see in the modern day. The manipulation, the gaslighting, the love bombing, the toxicity that powers their relationship. Hopefully it can help some readers in this regard.
Towards the end, things started to feel a little rushed and Medea’s actions worsened. These are clear plot points in her myth and I don’t think they were given as much attention to detail as I felt with the Argonaut and the Golden Fleece quest was. Maybe that’s due to the editor.
But a great solid take on one of literature’s most compelling women.

Medea is the daughter of the king of Colchis but she has a talent for magic which leads to her being shunned and abused. When a group of heroes appear, determined to gain Colchis' famed golden fleece, Medea helps their leader Jason to succeed. However, in doing so Medea has to commit a foul deed and is cursed by the gods. Although Medea has been promised love, will her skills bring her happiness.
This book has a wonderful first page and this really draws the reader into the story. Whilst parts sag a little, this is a lively and considered retelling of the myth with Medea as both heroine and victim. There is a strong feminist slant and a modern take on emotions but I really enjoyed this tale.

Medea was beautifully written, I knew some of the story from the myth of Jason and the Argonauts already so I went in knowing some of what to expect, however in with this knowledge Medea’s actions near the end still managed to wrench my heart out. She very much reminded me of the Darkling from Shadow and Bone, misunderstood and used until they become the villain everyone thinks they are. If you are going into this book thinking you are going to get a more hopeful retelling like that of Circe by Madeline Miller I’m sorry to disappoint you but that isn’t this book. This book is powerful in the way it shows Medea’s nativity, her character growth when she releases the truth of who Jason actually is and her taking back her power (though part of me wishes she had not resorted to what she did) I received this book as an arc from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

The story of Medea has stuck with me throughout my life, I genuinely think about it regularly. That made me both excited and nervous to read this. Retellings can be hit and miss.

I need not have worried. This was an absolute triumph. Delving straight into young Medea's life, it shows us how she was ostracized and how Jason gave her solace. The desperate choices of a woman experiencing affection for the first time.

It does a great job of showing what motivated Medea's decisions. It shines the spotlight on why you might have empathy for her. Plus it kept me turning the page where a lot of retellings feel like a slog.

Thoroughly recommend, even to those not familiar with the story.

I found this traumatic story hard to read and emotionally very draining.

Medea’s story is difficult to read. The seeds of her later dark development are sown during her emotionally abusive and neglectful childhood until her gifts are exploited by her father. She is separated from her mentor, Circe and her gifts used to maintain her father’s authority.

She is then manipulated by Jason and her darkness comes to the fore.

None of this excuses her actions but does at least give them context and your sympathies, as a reader, are with her.

A sad sad tale but written in a gripping way.

I was captivated.

Medea tells the story of a woman who has faced repression and distain at the hands of men her whole life, starting with her tyrannical father when she was very young.

Blessed (or cursed?) with the gift of magic in the form of witchcraft, she has been shunned by almost everyone…until handsome young Jason catapults into her world.

Set on claiming the Golden Fleece, he enlists the help of Medea, who sees this as her escape.

What ensues is a tale of love, loyalty and ultimately, betrayal.

I must say, as someone who is keenly interested in historical fiction, particularly Greek mythology, I really enjoyed this retelling.

Thank you so much to the publishers for providing me with an eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Sometimes we must appeal to the darkness to protect the light,"

"Isn't it baffling how men have managed to fool everyone into thinking they are the smarter sex?"

I love Medea. She is an empowering character in one of my favourite Greek Plays. So when I saw that this book was coming out, I knew I was going to love it. The writing did not disappoint; in fact, it made me fall in love with Medea and her story more.

Medea can finally be seen as a character with faults, sure, but through this book, we can also see how much the men around her punished her for being different, tried to belittle or tame her, and kept her as their own prize and possession.

I loved reading about the relationship between Medea and the female people in her life, from her sister to Circe to Atlanta, and how they compared her to the men who wrongfully used her, particularly her father and brother in the beginning.

The addition of Atlanta to the Argonauts provided such a vital and new insight into her character, and I'm really glad that Hewlett wrote her as she did. Especially this fecking line that sums up the play entirely,

"I also know how they will tell this story. It is the same for any woman who defies their place in this world. Jason will be the hero, and you? 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"

Some people still question Medea's morals and justification for her actions. Still, I hope this book lends to that conversation, too or at least helps people gain a different outlook and perspective on all the characters involved.

Medea makes some tough decisions, and I'm relieved that this book did her justice.

Also just a side note (but also an obvious one) Fuck Jason, he's an ass like most of the Greek men in these plays and myths.

Medea was born a princess of Colchis and with a gift from the goddess Hecate: magic - just like her aunt Circe. But her father abhors magic, until he begins to see that it's also a powerful weapon. When Colchis obtains the Golden Fleece that makes its owner invincible, all heroes of Greece and beyond flock to Colchis to earn it. Among them are Jason and his argonauts. An encounter that will change Medea's life forever.

I must honestly admit that when I started this book I feared it might not be for me. I love Greek myths, but the story of Jason has never really been quite my thing. But, as it turns out, I just have to read it from Medea's perspective. Medea was a great Greek retelling that I enjoyed a lot!

Throughout the story you get to know Medea with all her faults. You learn how she is treated badly by the people around her (mainly men), you feel her fears, her anger, her injustice and her helplessness at times. This book really reminded me of Madeline Miller's 'Circe'. And not just because Circe is an important side character. But because you follow Medea throughout her own struggles, along with all these other mythological characters she meets and you begin to understand her. She becomes more than that witch of the well-known myth.

Jason is, as always, an asshole. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at him in any other way. The book did make me look at the Argonauts differently. In this book, Atalanta was also part of the crew and I found her personality more strongly expressed than in Jennifer Saint's Atalanta book.

The book is smoothly written with a great pace - even though it's not a thin book. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Hewlett, her book on Medusa is going on my TBR-list.

Medea comes highly recommended for fans of Circe, or of Jennifer Saint's books. Or for anyone who wants to learn about Medea's story.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I know very little about Greek Mythology and had never heard of Medea, but i had heard if Jason and the Argonauts. Who Medea fell in love with and married.

This is a brilliantly crafted read about the life of Medea. From her early years she was used and abused by her tyrant of a father. She had magical powers which she was only to use when he told her to, if she used them elsewhere like when she turned her brother into a pig she was punished. Circe came to teach her how to use some of her powers which Medea enjoyed the time they spent together, but then one day Circe had gone, Medea thought she had done something wrong, she waited and waited for her to return, it was only years later that she learned what had happened to her.

The minute she saw Jason she fell in love and in order to escape her father and brother she helped Jason steal the golden fleece. But as they escaped Medea was made to do something that would change her life forever. Jason asked her to use her powers several times when it suited him did that make him no better than her father. There were times he looked at her differently after she had performed her magic.

Jason had been promised to be made king by his uncle if he brought back the fleece. But would it be that simple.

I felt such empathy for Medea at times, she was doing things she had been bid to do first by her father and then by the man she loved. Each of those men used her when they wanted something. There were things Medea did that i couldn't empathise with but she felt she was doing things for the right reasons.

She was a powerful woman, with some powerful magic,

I thoroughly enjoyed the authors retelling of this story, i know that she has also written about Medusa so i will be looking at getting that and look forward to whatever is next. I feel i want to know all of the Greek Mythology characters now.
I highly recommend this book if you like me have never learnt anything about these characters. Give this book a chance it has everything, romance, deceit, greed, power.

I would like to thank #netgalley and @BantamPress for an ARC if this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve always enjoyed reading all sorts of myths, but I think the Greek mythology was my favorite growing up. I was constantly fascinated by the legends about the world creation, the heroes and the gods, the places and the adventures they all lived. It is, thus, no surprise I ended up looking for a new retelling to explore recently and, having read a comic book whose main character is named after the Greek sorceress, Medea, I figured I would give Rosie Hewlett’s Medea a try, too.

This is why, before jumping into the review, I would like to start with a thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, for granting me permission to read the book ahead of its publication, in exchange for an honest opinion. By the way, the book has just published on March 21, so I believe a happy publication week should be in order.

Book Title and Cover

By this time, I am sure everyone knows I judge books by their covers and this is once again applied for this particular book. I was drawn in not only by the title, which describes the main character, the fabled daughter who kills her family members and triggers the wrath of the Greek gods, but also by the gold accented cover.

The blue hues in conjunction with the gold and black quickly grabbed my attention and I found myself lingering over the intricate details in the two moons, the birds and the tree branches stemming from the woman’s hands, hinting at the roots of her magic. The title placement, as well as the font, add to the cover’s appeal, borrowing from the Greek column designs.

The Plot

The story, overall, is the same: Jason and his Argonauts come looking for the golden fleece on the island of Colchis, where they meet Medea, a young girl shunned for her magic abilities who is willing to do everything in her power to escape the tiny world she lives in. Bewitched by Jason’s words and handsome face, she decides to help him and his crew pass through her father’s trials.

Once they obtain the famed fleece, they flee the island and are caught in an adventure on the treacherous sea, which seems to hint at the future awaiting Medea.

Thoughts

Honestly, I think I got too excited for this story. Just like I did with Circe, which kind of disappointed me. I went in with pretty high expectations, thinking I would meet a very strong woman, shaped by the difficult life she lived with her family, a woman who was smart and knew what she wanted. Instead, I found a weak girl who got easily manipulated by a dashing hero into killing one of her family members and triggering a power she was not ready to handle.

One other thing that bothered me greatly were the vulgarities encountered throughout the book, as we are thrown into a pretty nasty scene somewhere in the first few pages, once Jason comes to her island, as well as some rather strong language which did not seem to integrate too well into the context. It felt like I was thrown into an R-rated movie with a distasteful scene. I guess some would call this fan-service or spice but, seriously, it was just plain unsavory to me.

The magic system was also rather dull and left little to no impression on me. I had expected Medea to struggle with the magic, to have some sort of gruesome training or failed attempts, but instead she controls everything so well every single time (except when she faints later on). There was so much potential here and the writer chose to ignore it. Oh, and I was also rather confused at some comparison the writer made when Medea was using her newfound magic, as she chose to mention a surgeon and a scalpel—JUST WHY?!

One other aspect I hated was the insta-love trope. While I do understand the lack of her family’s love made the girl quickly get infatuated with the first and second guy she meets, this didn’t help moving the story forward. It made the entire foundation rather weak and hard to believe.

Overall, the book failed to impress me. On the contrary, it left a rather bitter aftertaste, as there was a lot of potential and quite a few different ways the writer could have handled Medea’s past and present. She could have definitely shaped her into a stronger protagonist or made her the villain history draws her as, instead of turning her into a headless damsel in distress.

Devastating. Powerful. Rage. Heartbreaking.

I absolutely loved how this story began and the language used. It’s so beautifully descriptive that I got lost in Medea’s world and I never wanted to leave.

“What have those eyes seen that make them cradle such anguish?”

“A woman so starved of light she brings darkness wherever she goes”
~ Simply exquisite!

I loved Atalanta. Strong, beautiful and wise. And unbeknownst to Medea, a true friend. I wish we had more of her.

My heart ached for Medea. She spent her life under the control of a cruel and sadistic man, (too scared to let her grow into a strong, confident woman), she runs into the arms of, (who she believes will be her saviour), only to discover he is even more manipulative & controlling than her father. I was screaming at the book, wishing she would just see the signs, listen to those around her so she could escape and not fall into the darkness but, alas, she didn’t and instead she justified his actions time and time again. Foolish Medea!

There is a section towards the end that I didn’t like at all. It’s hard to explain and might sound weird but, at one point, I felt like I was reading a contemporary novel which took me out of the mythological world we were previously immersed in. Maybe that was the idea/point, I don’t know but I didn’t enjoy it.

The ending, as gut wrenching and heartbreaking as it is, I loved it! I loved Medea reclaiming her life, her power including the darkness and the light. It was brilliant.

On a personal note, whenever I read a book that uses the word Irrevocably, I die a little inside. I hate that word with a passion and it’s used several times in Medea.
But that’s a me problem lol.

Overall I enjoyed Medea and would love a beautiful hardback to add to my Greek Mythology collection.

Thank you NetGalley and Bantam for this ARC.

We all know I love a Greek retelling and this was lush. This and my previous read really boosted me out of my reading slump.

I will be honest I knew little to nothing about Medea and mainly knew about Jason. I am glad to have read this novel to get another viewpoint of well known mythology.

As with any mythology it's can be a dark and tragic tale but Rosie's writing is so beautiful and whilst Medea is not perfect as the reader you get an understanding of her actions. We don't have to agree to understand.

I'd recommend this to Greek mythology lovers and I look forward to reading Rosie's version of Medusa

I only knew a little about Medea's story so was incredibly eager to read Rosie's take on it after absolutely loving her Medusa story. This book did not disappoint and I ended up devouring it so quickly. It even helped stop me from falling into an oncoming reading slump!

Medea is such a fascinating character and her story is definitely one of the darkest and most disturbing! Rosie has an amazing way of bringing Medea to life, telling her story in a way that's just so gripping and addictive. I haven't stopped thinking about this book and Medea's incredible yet heart-wrenching journey.

Medea is such a strong character and everything she goes through within this book just hits hard. While she is not an innocent character in any sense I still found myself wanting to protect her and wanting the absolute best outcome for her. I love that we got to see her growth even when it wasn't in a positive manner.

From a horrible childhood to her relationship with Jason this book covers Medea's whole life but never once felt like it dragged at any point, It flowed perfectly! This is one of the best feminist retellings of women in Greek Mythology I have read and Rosie has definitely found her way to my auto-buy author list.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book because I just love re-tellings of greek mythology. This is a glorious tapestry of suffering, sorcery, and sisterhood

The character of Medea has been depicted and interpreted in various ways throughout history. Many plays and literature over the centuries, including the classic play "Medea" by Euripides, have explored Medea's story and complex personality in depth.

Hewitt skilfully portrays Medea as a symbol of women's revenge, a tragic heroine, and a powerful sorceress.
There are some great characterisation work here, though some characters get more depth than others. I really enjoyed seeing Atalanta’s friendship and support of Medea, Circe nurturing Medea's magic powers was a real treat. Jason comes across as a not-so-heroic hero who uses Medea as a weapon, he has no qualms with it, he just loves gaslighting her no end.

Hewitt knowledge of mythology is commendable and her prose is very accessible. Hewitt starts painting us a young Medea growing up in a nest of violent men, both her father and brother bully and beat her. Chalciope, her sister, made of softer matter can do little to help, and leaves home quite early with a suitable suitor. So Medea is left alone, and can only but endure it all.

The tragedy is kept faithful to its Greek’s proportions, but also here Hewitt offers Medea a chance at redemption, reminding us how filled vessels spill what they contain.

“As I [Chalcipe] stare at my sister [Medea], I consider how much she has endured, all that hate, cruelty, manipulation, abuse, rejection . . . When you fill a person with such ugly things, is it surprising that they would unleash it all back on the world?.”

It's made me excited about reading Hewitt's debut novel Medusa! Highly recommend to all the mythology lovers out there.

Very grateful to Netgalley, Random House UK and Transworld Publishers for the arc

Medeas traumatic story is presented beautifully and lyrically by the author.
A disturbing story it may be but I found this retelling to be highly engrossing and emotive.
The complexity of Medeas character is laid bare and evolves throughout. Other characters, such as Atalanta also shine.
It’s dark and it’s compelling - simply five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Growing up tormented by her father and brother, Medea leads an unhappy life. Although she has temporary comfort from her aunt, Circe, who nurtures her magical skills, Medea longs for a different life.

When Jason and his Argonauts arrive to claim the Golden Fleece from her father, Medea sees an opportunity for escape... and for love. Embracing not only the full extent of her magic, but also Jason's promises, Medea sets off on a path that may end in ruin... but for who?

I've had quite a lot of Greek mythology retellings now, and I think the ones that really excel are the books that aren't afraid to take on difficult leading ladies. Medea is a great example of this. By all accounts, she takes actions in her life that don't portray her in a good light, and as a result, trying to humanise her might seem like a precarious task.

But I think Hewlett's characterisation of Medea has done a great job of walking that line of not excusing Medea's actions but certainly framing them in a light which makes her story a compelling and emotional one. The Medea here isn't two dimensional; there are facets and reasons behind everything she does, and even if we don't agree with them, we can see how they make sense to her. Given she's the central character and everything is shown through her eyes for the most part, it is important for her to be engaging and I definitely found her to be. As a result, I think the other characters in the book seemed to fade in comparison to her, and I think this is only a minor flaw in a very page-turning read!

Overall, I think this is a really good addition to the very oversaturated Greek mythology genre. There are so many to choose from now that you want to spend your time with the best, and I think this is right up there. I'd say it is a definitely recommended for those who enjoy the style of Jennifer Saint's books (Ariadne, Elektra, Atalanta) - although I think Hewlett definitely gives Medea more punch and more emotional heft.

This was such a gorgeous interpretation of Medea's tale. It was dark and built to its crescendo perfectly. From the opening line I was immediately invested in Medea's tale and seeing the way that she was used a pawn in so many men's stories in order for them to get what they wanted so heartbreaking. I thought Hewlett did a really good job of portraying how Medea was trapped by her circumstances and also how she managed to find her own footing again. Yes it was dark and at times shocking, but it also really conveyed the sense of hopelessness that you felt like she felt in the moment.

Phenomenal read. This has become a favourite feminist Greek retelling. I always knew the story of Medea but from the stories involving Jason and she was, if not always portrayed as a villain. Of course with this reimagining we get an understanding of her and her actions and reactions.

The writing was easy to follow and it pulled me in right away.

Overall an enjoyable read.

I adore Greek mythology, it was one of my favourite topics when I was teaching, and I absolutely love reading modern retellings through the female voices. I didn’t know very much about Medea before reading this book but from the very beginning I was gripped and transported to Colchis with her and became totally absorbed in her story. Oh poor Medea, so many times my heart broke for her. What an incredible woman. And what a side we see of Jason, usually portrayed as the glorious hero, yet so self centred and cruel. Rosie’s writing is simply spellbinding, it’s no wonder that I couldn’t put this book down. It was my first book of hers and I will definitely be reading Medusa and eagerly awaiting her next book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Random House UK, Transworld for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Medea is a force of nature. This is a book that will not allow you to forget it and nor should you.

Rosie Hewlett is my new one to watch in the sphere of Greek mythological retellings. In a crowded space, her writing has such nuance and ability to infuse its characters with a poignant complexity. I found this in her retelling of Medusa and was delighted to see it here again. Medea is a deeply flawed character, but Hewlett faces up to this and the extreme circumstances around her. If you enjoy stories that bristle with female rage, you’ll love this inferno.

There is no escaping the darkness and the inevitable ending you know is coming and Hewlett gives this such a weight that I cannot stop thinking about. Throughout the book, the questions of legacy and fate cast a shadow over every character and there is this metatextual awareness of the longevity of these warped narratives. You know what will happen, but you spend every page hoping that it will end differently this time.

The prose here is just sumptuous. I found myself totally transported and bewitched by Medea’s voice. It perfectly sat in that line of lyrical myth and accessible narrative – feeling fresh and different. In particular, I think the exploration of Medea’s early life and the trauma that results in is something I was less familiar with in Medea’s overall narrative. Therein lies the entire point – you know the parts shaped by men that erase the woman within to instead twist her into a simplistic caricature of the fragility of femininity. In reality, there stands a powerful witch who threatens the established order of patriarchal power and is forcibly torn down.

Medea is a wonderful Greek tragedy, giving voice to its fractured female characters. Hewlett just cemented herself as an auto buy author for me.