Wow

I've been waiting to write this review because I wanted to get it right - but I don't think I can do this book justice.

If I was going to do book maths like @jenvcampbell I would say this book was Lullaby by Leila Slimani meets Circe by Madeline Miller. It's dark, twisty and uncomfortable but in a brilliantly written way.

I thought this was paced brilliantly and rich in setting, emotion and pain. It was great to read another interpretation of the Golden Fleece after Jennifer Saint's Atalanta.

Hewlett's decision to make Medea's father Aeetes without any powers was a genius move as she made him into a jealous, violent bully who made your skin crawl. Jason was absolutely pathetic and smarmy - the ultimate sleeze on track to change and then ruin Medea's life.

I absolutely adored how Hewlett wrote about magic through Hecate, Circe and Medea, in particular the darker powers thar Medea begins to use...
These powers draw Medea to make decisions that lead many to fear and then leave her. It was heartbreaking like watching a very slow car crash and yet Hewlett doesn't try to whitewash or justify Medea's decisions, which I think was all the more brave.

People may start to roll their eyes at another myth retelling but this is because there are still women's stories to be told anew - Medea in particular. This was definitely a standout and I highly recommend!

Medea is out on 21/03/24

A retelling of the story of Medea from Medea's perspective.

I didn't know the story of Medea, or her relationship to Circe, another woman with magic who scares the men around her. Medea is a lonely, sad girl whose magic has to be hidden or used for her father's benefit who sees her chance of freedom from that life by running away with Jason, of the Argonauts fame. I love the magic of the greek myths and enjoyed the feminist viewpoint. I will be seeking out other books by Rosie Hewlett as I enjoyed her writing so much.

This was a fantastic retelling of Medea who was a sorceress who helped Jason and the Argonauts obtain the Golden Fleece.

I wasn’t as familiar with this myth as some of the others that have been published in recent years. However Medea’s story is very unique in that she is a very strong women as she has magic, and as a result the people in her life manipulate her by asking her to use her magic for their own personal gain.

Her story is very heartbreaking as you see how blinding and crippling loving and trusting the wrong person can be. However I loved that at the end of it all she was still standing strong and was able to continue after everything/everyone she loved had gone.

Medea is known in Greek mythology as a sorceress and a murderer, but this story takes her life from her own point of view, showing how a lonely, unloved young girl became a young woman willing to harness dark forces in her pursuit of happiness. She's egged on by Jason, of Argonaut fame, but as the two sail away from Medea's homeland of Colchis, has she found her happy-ever-after? I really enjoyed this book - it stuck closely to the myths and legends that surround Medea and Jason, keeping the gods and goddesses firmly in the frame, yet never losing sighht of Medea's frail humanity. A couple of bits jarred with the use of modern slang, and where modern values were imposed on Jason - would a Greek hero really stop to ensure consent before ravishing a beautiful woman? Especially as he turns out to be a bit of a gaslighter! But overall, this retelling gave us an exciting, dark and passionate tale of mortals, gods and demigods, dragons and sirens, good and evil, all set in the volatile ancient world. A definite winner for me.

Really beautiful story very well written. My favourite Greek retelling so far. Loved the feminist perspective of a story that isn’t often told

I adored this author's Medusa retelling and knew she would deliver nothing but a feminist focus and heart-aching beauty, revenge, suffering, tragedy, and chaos here.

I really enjoyed this. I am a big fan of historical fiction, particularly mythological retellings, and Medea is not a character I would have seen many books about, so the character already intrigued me. The author’s writing style was beautiful and the book was very well paced. I found myself really rooting for Medea, even as she embraced a more villainous side of herself, and hated characters like Aeetes and Jason, who only served to fuel Medea’s fury and rage. I loved this and can’t wait for more by this author. Excellent!!

If you thought Galatea by Madeline Miller was angry, strap in for 400 pages of feminine rage! All joking aside this book has some major CW for things like abuse and manipulation so definitely check that out before you read. There were some points I would actually go back to certain pages to reread dialogue because the gaslight was gaslighting so hard. I am obsessed with this book. I love how it doesn't back away or try to mitigate Medea's actions. We get a full "women scorned" story and I really appreciate it. Rosie Hewlett is a talented writer and I couldn't keep my eyes off the page.

My review of 'Medea,' the next big Greek myth retelling hitting the shelves in March! 🌙✨

🌿 'Medea' by Rosie Hewlett tells the story of Medea, princess of Colchis. From a very young age, she knows she has powerful magic powers, but she is controlled by her father & used as a weapon to defend the golden fleece. When the handsome hero Jason shows up asking Medea to help him steal the golden fleece, she has to figure out just how far she's willing to go to get what she wants.

⛵ This was a really enjoyable retelling! It was easy to read & wouldn't be difficult to follow if you're not familiar with Euripides or Ovid or any other version. The style of writing was accessible & vividly brought Medea to life.

🏺 You'll especially like this if you're into stories about magic and witches. One of Medea's main dilemmas is that she ends up getting into dark magic, despite the warnings of her aunt Circe. The 'struggling to control dangerous powers' aspect of this book makes me think it might appeal to readers who generally lean towards fantasy.

⚔️ Jason was such a horrible villain! Rosie Hewlett did a great job of making me really hate Jason, but also made me feel quite morally conflicted over rooting for Medea. She makes a lot of awful choices throughout the book & comes across as a very complex character.

📖 Even if you read & loved Rani Selvarajah's 2023 'Savage Beasts,' don't discount Rosie Hewlett's version. They felt like completely different stories, in the best way! This one was magical & witchy, whereas 'Savage Beasts' was set in colonial India / Britain and used the story as a way to explore historical colonialism. If you can't wait to get your hands on 'Medea,' I highly recommend 'Savage Beasts' to whet your appetite in the meantime!

🌙 Overall, this was a brilliant retelling & I'll definitely be reading Rosie Hewlett's already-published Medusa book at some point!

🎁 Thank you to Netgalley for my advance reader copy. This publishes on 18 March 2024!

- Katie

(Review posted to Instagram @katiespencebooks, Twitter/X @katiespencey)

This is a hard review to write because I was deeply excited to read about Medea. If you don’t know the myth, I won’t spoil it for you, but think female rage, betrayal and male glory at the expense of women. The beginning of the book was good and relatively strong, and there was at no point a writing issue. But I have to say, this book felt like someone THOUGHT they understood the concept of female rage, but instead wrote a psychopath slowly losing their marbles. And the thing is, I really cannot tell which one the author was going for.

My problem came from the way a lot of relationships were rushed without much meat to justify the emotional attachment between characters. Medea falls in love immediately with a man who is at no point shown to have any redeeming qualities, even for a girl who has been mistreated and abused all of her life. It’s something I’ve noticed in retellings lately: if the relationship exists in the myth, the author assumes it is enough and does not themselves build it in a convincing way. There would have been many ways to show why Medea loved Jason, there could have been a choice to say she didn’t love him but needed him to escape which would have worked much better with some of the actions she does. Either make him just tender enough in private that it makes her love and ensuing madness logical…or make it obvious that she needed to be free so badly, it infected her mind. And at times it worked, there were little bits here and there where the story would pick back up and I’d feel hopeful, but then the pacing would suddenly accelerate too much and we’d jump decades and years within a blink, it felt like the author was cramming the story in and relying on the existing myth to justify the missing pieces.
The ending is what pulled my rating to a 3, not a 2 because I think the story in itself holds itself pretty decently, but there was an additional coat of paint needed. The ending, as others pointed out, is contrived and inorganic, it felt like an excuse for a moral that..doesn’t fit the story. It felt like heavy exposition to wrap it all up with little finesse. It made me roll my eyes in frustration, it felt disconnected from the rest of the book, and it bothered me because the writing and so many parts of this book were fantastic.

This is not a BAD book, but there were too many things that frustrated me for me to recommend it. It makes me sad that Medea’s story wasn’t given the proper justice, whereas in Madeleine Miller’s Circe, her very brief appearance already felt more organic and logical. In Medea, it felt as if the author wasn’t sure if she wanted Medea to be an empathetic protagonist who goes insane, or a mad psychopath triggered by years of abuse, and frankly, an adequate balance could have been reached, but in this case, I just can’t say it was.

Again, I don’t believe this is a bad book, the writing is good, the atmosphere and magical elements are dark and haunting in a way I really enjoyed, and I would tell anyone to read it just to get their own idea of it because I know my own standards for mythological retellings to be a bit higher because I already know the majority of the myths and read these retellings for the added complexity, not the strictly faithful retelling.


Goodreads Review already published here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/179946109-medea?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=sCJkOscnm6&rank=7
Instagram review will be made available during MARCH 2024.

Medea is one of my favourite characters and stories from mythology, so of course I absolutely jumped at the chance to read this when I heard about its upcoming release. A heartwrenching, violent tale of resentment, reputation betrayal, misogyny, manipulation, power - and the lengths that we will go to for love.

The niece of the infamous Circe, Medea also possesses the power of sorcery; nurtured by her aunt, before her disappearance, Medea’s magic becomes a source of further disdain and persecution from her family and all those around her (unless it can be used to provide something for their own gain). Shunned and belittled as a ‘witch’, Medea is vilified from the beginning; but when beautiful, charming Jason and his crew of Argonauts arrive on Colchis’ shores in search of the golden fleece, Medea plots to aid Jason through the impossible trials her father has set, and in return secure her own escape from the island as his bride. Whilst this could be a straightforward story of love and victory, in truth Medea’s search for freedom, which quickly entwines with her deep love for Jason, leads her through a tumultuous and desperate journey, fraught with impossible choices, and decisions that carry a cost heavier than any before..

The writing in this is easy and clear, accessible for all even without prior knowledge of Greek mythology - but Hewlett writes betrayal and heartache SO well. There were passages in this where I felt Medea’s pain and outrage so deeply, injustice that makes your chest feel cavernous and hot, hot anger that boils over entirely.

*very minor spoilers in this paragraph - only for those who don't know the story or characters*
I loved the gradual, slippery descent from misguided to vengeful, and Medea’s emotional complexity shone through to create further tension and cognitive dissonance around rooting for her vs despising her. There is scope for me to outline how I might have liked to see Jason’s perspective and background fleshed out a little further, how the final chapter felt slightly fragmented from the rest of the book and I would have loved to understand more about the transitional stages of her journey from Corinth back to Colchis; what happened to Meta, how did she manage to return to Colchis and become queen despite her history, etc -
*spoilers end *

and in a lot of cases that would lead to me explaining that that’s why I’ve shaved off a star rating… But ultimately the raw emotion and visceral reaction this book gave me means it’s well worthy of a 5 star. I genuinely feared for my kindle’s life at one point as I fought against my urge to snap it clean in two and / or throw it against the nearest wall in rage on Medea’s behalf.

Huge thank you to the author and publisher for this advance copy; I’ll definitely be seeking out the author’s other retelling, Medusa when I can!

Thank you NetGalley for the copy.

I loved the premise and I am an eager reading of mythology retellings as well as historical fiction based in classic Greece and the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, this was not it for me.

The writing is fine and the idea sounds great, but it lacks substance. I feel it could definitely have been either a longer book or a shorter one without introducing so many "missed opportunities". The characters seem a bit flat and lacking development, which could have been improved if the author used different perspectives and points of view throughout, just as she does in the last chapter.

Overall an OK reading, not the promised WOW. I give it 3 starts because it was entertaining but I am quite disappointed with it unfortunately.

Rosie Hewlett has a lovely style, with compelling prose and interesting imagery. I found she had the perfect level of detail, with a believable and imaginable setting and obviously well-researched storyline. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and would happily read other works by the same author. I found the pacing a bit choppy, and thought the end came very suddenly, which slightly jolted me out of the immersion she had created. While she put up a good case for not viewing Medea as the monster of her own myth, I am not sure I am convinced. I would perhaps have preferred the story to focus more on her as a character, rather than her myth - there was a lot of ground to cover, which I think created the rush and slightly weaker characterisation.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

this was… wow. I am full to the brim with conflicting emotions I’m not sure I could name even if I tried.

I can’t say what I expected going into Medea, as I didn’t have much knowledge about her prior to picking this up. What I found was a captivating story about a young woman who makes a lot of bad decisions for love without having ever been taught what love truly is.

Medea is a journey about power and revenge, hatred, manipulation, betrayal and heartbreak. This book made me feel things so strongly that I hated what I was reading, but I just couldn’t put it down. I have so much compassion for Medea as a character, but I’m also furious at her actions and the way she is treated by everyone in her life.

My initial reaction was that this is a four star book. There were parts I loved and parts I hated. But the more I reflect, the more I realise how utterly captivated I was throughout the entire story.

This book is chaotic and heart wrenchingly sad, almost to the point where I wasn’t sure I would keep reading as I just couldn’t see a happy ending. But that’s the point I guess, some stories need to be told regardless of the ending. No matter the emotion, whether it’s joy, anger, disgust or confusion, Hewlett’s writing produced some BIG feelings in me. And for that alone, this deserves a five star rating.

Medea, Rosie Hewlett ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow. From the first page, wow. I read 80% of this book in one go and, honestly, if I didn't have responsibilities I'd have read it all in one go.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book via NetGalley, after hearing the review from HANNAH, we have very similar tastes, and because of that, I had very high hopes - Hewlett did not disappoint.

I loved the strength of the characters throughout and not just focusing on our protagonist, Hewlett manages to weave through layers to all of her characters, creating a feeling of empathy, rage, desperation as you read. As we read Medea's thoughts are captivating and we follow her journey with ease. I found myself growing fonder of her as it progressed and found myself pleading in my own head to stop the story when things got tough - I was completely immersed and invested in the story and in Medea. Hewlett's writing is brilliant in that I began to anticipate the characters moods, the rage was felt, alongside the jealousy, passion and grief.

Along with the characters, the imagery we are given is wonderfully done, the story grows and the world grows with it - there is a fine balance between dialogue and description, it's not too heavy and reads so fluidly.

This is a story of power and grit and resilience. I want to say there are gems of excellence throughout, but it's more than gems, it's everywhere and created a fantastic read.

My favourite quotes that sum up the book nicely:
🔥 "Violence breeds violence"
👑 "And let a new Medea rise from the ashes"
⚔ "..as if our fight has moved to new plains, and now our bodies are the battlefield."

Broke my heart in the most tender way! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

A memorable novel that explores the impact that having various types of power can have.

As a reader, the old adage of power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Medea and Jason are immensely powerful in their own ways and this seems to draw them together. Medea's power comes from the inner strength and magic She holds. Entranced by Jason, She'll stop at nothing to be with him.

Jason on the other hand is an undefeated warrior whose allure captivates those around him. His obsession is one day becoming king of a powerful land.

Medea is a wonderful Greek mythology retelling that explores what happens when power is misused, misunderstood or used for malevolent or personal gain. Excellent!

Rosie Hewitt gets a lot of credit from me for tackling MEDEA, a Greek mythological figure with perhaps the most unbearable story. I was quite intrigued to see how she was going to handle this one. Medea’s story is the one to decide: some things just aren’t defensible…or are they?

Media was a princess of Colchis, a princess with magic. Her father possessed the Golden Fleece - yes THAT golden fleece - which Jason & the Argonauts showed up to win, so the HE could in turn win back his throne. We all know the Argonauts succeed (so no spoiler there) & Medea sails off with Jason to claim Iolcus & live happily ever ever. This is greek tragedy though so…[nervous grin]

I do not want to give all her story for those who aren't familiar, but suffice it to say that without Medea, the Argonauts would be nothing but the tale of a failed adventure - if we ever heard of them at all. And for those who already think Jason is THE WORST…just wait til you read this.

I cannot say I came out of this feeling better for or about Medea than I did before. I kept wishing Medea would at least question the way everyone continually blamed her for everything (her abusers, basically). I also wished she could see how utterly worthless Jason was, how she deserved so much more. (Alas, Medea’s love for Jason wasn’t really up to Rosie.) Can you tell I got a little wound up about the plight of poor Medea? LOL.

The second half of the book, which focuses on the deterioration Medea’s marriage, gets a bit soapy for my preferences (but some of you will love it!). There is lots of dramatic arguing between Medea & Jason so if you like domestic drama & the “Ancient celebs! They were just like us!” vibe - and/or fans of Jennifer Saint - then this is the retelling for you.

"Medea" by Rosie Hewlett presents a gripping retelling of the classic Greek tragedy, infused with dark and potent storytelling. Through the lens of Medea, a mortal woman blessed with magic by the Goddess Hecate, we delve into a narrative fraught with familial tensions, manipulation and betrayal.

Hewlett's character portrayal is masterful; despite Medea's heinous deeds, her plight evokes a level of sympathy. Among the cast, Atalanta emerges as a standout—a fierce and resolute figure, a beacon of feminist strength within the narrative. As for Jason, well, let's just say my feelings are complex, but spoilers prevent further discussion.
While the book's setting demands acknowledgment of its time and place, sensitive readers should note the multiple references to animal sacrifice and themes of abuse.

For enthusiasts of Greek mythology and tales brimming with intrigue and vengeance, "Medea" is a must-read. Hewlett's skillful retelling left me thoroughly captivated, eagerly anticipating her future works.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Publishing for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.