*NetGalley provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review* TRIGGER WARNING - This novel is based firmly on the rape of Medusa and her subsequent punishment. Only read if you are not triggered by this topic.

I clicked on this book because of the title. I mean, really how could you not be intrigued by this? This novel is a modern-day parallel to the stories of the Greek gods and today's powerful Elite. There were good things and bad things about this novel; but mostly good! This novel takes place in present day New York where the mythical Medusa Gorgon has finally achieved representation for the trial of the century: her rape, and subsequent punishment for being raped by a powerful, rich, and influential male. In this case, an Olympian.

I'll start with the "eh" parts: PACING. The beginning starts slow, and is written as if it is a news article. We meet the players, we have narration by the news casters covering the trial, and slowly we get introduced to the players. The trial itself is solid, we get an idea of how the whole thing is moving, we have delays and extensions, and we get to see the witnesses called to the stand. However, after a pretty big reveal in the novel, the deaths of our influential Olympian are numerous, but we don't really get to see the devastation. It happens rather quickly and is breezed past essentially, that I didn't feel drawn in or vested in suspense for this particular part. The third-quarter of the book sped up and continued that fast-paced momentum through to the end. Normally a fast-pace is a good thing, but this was just a bit too fast for me. There were so many things happening, big reveals, big moments, that I just felt the author could have slowed down just a hair to let those moments really wash over us.
I was also a bit disappointed with the ending, because the set-up of the story-line was preparing me to root for women and to expose those male supremacists and their idea that women who are beautiful and accentuate that beauty are at fault for any sexual crime against them, but the ending, and the person responsible for the whole thing fell on: a woman. Yuck. It just felt a bit conflicting at the end, but I did appreciate the twist because the idea that women break each other down is also common in our society. Ugh. I was left a bit conflicted at the end.

The Good: I liked the way the novel was written. It felt like a news feature in some chapters and then an actual novel in others. The character development was interesting; and the parallels to today's political climate towards women, the idea of rape, and the politicians involved in both rape allegations and legislation was perfect. There was a lot of allusion to "fake news", "twitter posts", "locker room talk", and commentary regarding the victimization of the perpetrators. There were parts in this novel where I was literally shaking with rage, because there are so many people who consistently blame the victim for his/her rape and the author really portrayed the villains in this mindset that was sadly, very accurate to today. Particularly, the commentary on the way the news outlets handle this case, the ruling, and the subsequent events regarding those involved in this affair.

The cover could have been a bit less "legal-ish" -- kinda reminded me of a crime textbook I had back in college, but nonetheless, the novel was provoking, enraging, endearing, and at times absolutely heart-breaking for many reasons. As a woman, this novel spoke to me on many levels, and I recommend it for both male and female readers with an interest in fiction and political crime. I rated this a FOUR-star for the political commentary and creative use of the Medusa myth.

This was an interesting read. I loved the whole Greek mythology retelling. The author did an amazing job of putting the Greek gods into the modern day. I wish we got a bit more detail of what they are doing etc.
This was overall a good read with what felt like a bit of a rushed ending because such a large chunk of the book was based on the trial alone.

Good book, perhaps needed a bit more detail and length to it.

- This book has a little bit of everything, some Greek mythology retelling, social commentary and even a bit of romance sprinkled in. I don't think think book is for everyone though. It definitely deals with some adult themes and mature content. Trigger warning: Abuse, Sexual assault.

- The story takes place in modern day where the Olympians are still the ruling class and control the world with influence and power. Medusa, the main character in the story, is trying is trying to convict her rapist and find justice against the wrong doings that were done to her centuries before. This takes a modern twist where Medusa seeks justice through the legal system. The court room aspect of the book drew me in immediately.

- I did really enjoy the social commentary aspect of this book as it dealt with sexism, class-ism, power and media glamorization. Medusa is scrutinized by the media for two things, being a women and being ugly. The book shows us the lack of empathy the media has and the "monsters" it creates. It portrays the media as a fear mongerers who ignore the facts and believes what it wants to. It assumes guild as face value. This was very interesting to read and to see a polarizing figure such as Medusa deal with it was my favourite thing.
- The modernization of the Olympians was also something I enjoyed in this book. Though they may not be gods any longer, they are still idealized and have essentially become modern day celebrities. The parallels between Zeus and Trump was also an interesting point but I do think it was a bit dramatized and stuffed down my throat by the time I reach the end. I wish Zeus has more dimension to him rather than being blanket evil. He felt very one toned to me. Hes also the biggest asshole you have ever seen.

- This book has has heavy feminism tones to it and I'm not sure if it dealt with it well or not. The book hammers how into your hear how women are untrustworthy and only beauty define them. This I didn't mind but I didn't like how other than Medusa and her lawyer, all the other women were represented in less than stellar ways. I also didn't appreciate the amount of time the word "whore" was used. I felt that gave me a bad taste.

- Overall I still enjoyed reading this book and it's really the small details that made the book for me - like its integration of mythology.

The Rape trial of Medusa is an amazing book. Medusa is a cursed priestess who in this world has been trying for an appeal to end her curse. ( anyone who looks upon her is turned to stone ) so goes the mythology.

What Interests me is the Metoo feel. The abuse of power and social standing may it be a god or person of power. Who gets away with it and doesn’t want to face their accuser because they “ asked for it the way they dressed “ like that’s deserving ?

Also the take on beauty how they find Medusa so hideous even in contemporary standards. The gods and goddesses in this time exists are rich influencers.

I really felt for Medusa when she was talking about the emotional burden. Felt a touch of Circe.

I was given this Arc by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't expect to love this book so much. In The Rape Trial of Medusa, the author created this world where the Greek gods live among us, some are ambassadors and senators and practically they are the people with the most power and money in the world.
At the beginning of the story, Medusa Gorgon is brought by the police to the city of Manhattan, where she'll be housed in a special jail. Medusa is going to get her trial to see if the punishment was justified by the alleged crime. The Olympians claim that no one committed rape and Medusa only seduced her brother Poseidon. If Medusa loses the case, she returns to the island where she has spent thousands of years locked up, but if she wins, she will gain back her youth and her freedom. The villain of the story is the Olympians and especially Zeus who with his power floods social media with hatred and torture in a placed called the theater people who are disloyal and do not follow his "rules".
I really like everything about this book the characters and the modern twist of the story. If you like to read about Greek mythology you probably enjoy this book.
5 stars for me
thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this Arc in exchange for an honest review

I’m a big fan of Greek mythology so was grateful to get this book from net galley. It’s a modern retelling of the Medusa story but framed in modern times. Medusa wasn’t killed by Perseus but has survived all this time and has been rescued from her island to accuse the Olympians - the former Greek gods who are now claiming to be a different specie of human with “ichor” in their blood which grants them near immortality. They have lived so long the6 have amassed fortunes and power like no other.

Medusa doesn’t know who raped her but Ovid’s account names Poseidon (now an ambassador with diplomatic immunity) and Athena as the one who punished her for “besmirching” her temple by allowing herself to be raped or for seducing the gods as they see it with her beauty - beauty so famed as to rival Athena’s own beauty.

The first 60% of the book is about the trial. Parallels are drawn to modern times with Zeus cast as a modern day businessman/politico who has everyone in his pocket. He controls goats, buys politicians and people and is a deep misogynist who openly admits to using women as he sees fit as they let him do whatever he wants to them (sound like anyone we know?). During the course of the trial, it comes out that he raped his sisters, some of his daughters and married his sister Hera. Athena seems to be the only one that was spared his affections. The trial also expands on the plight of rape victims and how they are treated in different societies. It touches on issues from honour killings to victim shaming till it concludes with a surprising conclusion.

The next bit of the book talks about the aftermath of the trial and the relationships Medusa builds with people - particularly the people involved in her case. It also turns into a slight whodunnit as it turns out all the Olympians are being killed off one by one. Zeus becomes super paranoid and goes into overdrive. Again the author draws parallels to modern day fame culture and the power celebrities wield as well as the pressures and lack of privacy they face.

The last bit is the “shocking” conclusion and how nothing is as it seems. I’m giving this a 3.2 out of 5. The premise was interesting but I felt like 9 was reading lectures for half of it. The modern day parallels to idiots we know and our current society were depressing. The conclusion was a somewhat interesting twist but I wasn’t locked in enough to be truly invested in any of the characters or what happens to them. I struggled to get through the first half of the book and had to push myself t9 keep reading it. The book definitely gets better in the 2nd half but not enough to raise the rankings. Interesting concept but could have been better executed. What should have come across as really clever just comes through as really disjointed and flat.

I went into this book with a open mind. I know some about greek mytologie so i thought by myself why not. It was very interesting to read more about the mythe. And i really like how it was turned into a today trial. It felt more real somehow.

You know when your right in a story and you get the “feels” like when the character is hurting you kinda hurt too. Couldn’t find that with this. With the topic at hand I should have felt something for someone.

The descriptions were great, very easy to picture but the conversation seemed choppy. Almost like a translation

This one didn’t do it for me.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC
Firstly I loved the modernisation of this long ago myth and how some of the characters were modelled around some of today’s public figures. I also liked how the author did not tone down the descriptions and explanations of the atrocities that have been going on around the world against women and children and how they are brushed under the carpet.
Unfortunately that was about all I liked. I was not about to get a feel of the characters and for me they felt bland. I tried to stay in the story but found myself wandering away from it as it went on and I DNF’d it at the half way point as it became too much of a struggle to continue.

Please note this is a 4.5.

I absolutely adored this novel. There was just so much to love about it- characters who were wonderfully idiosyncratic, action that was fast-paced, and a concept that is absolutely marvellous. One does tend to frequently wonder what would happen if the old gods were held to the modern standards (their myths do little to flatter their behaviour) and so to drag them, kicking and screaming into modernity was marvellous to see. The positioning of Zeus as a Trumpian dictator who secretly runs the world was really quite something, and I loved that it was done so irreverently. It's not subtle satire, but it speaks volumes and works horribly well.

I think the development of the characters (especially Medusa) was also very good. They grow with the case and you find yourself rooting for them very easily in the face of plain evil. I have to give a special mention to 'The Theatre' as one of the most messed up things I have read about in a long time- this was a standout, delivering something horror novels in recent times have absolutely failed to do. The behaviour of the Olympians is beyond messed up, and I adored reading a book that didn't shy away from that kind of depravity (which, again, is an essential element of the myths). The ending was also wonderful- it is rare that I am so satisfied at the end of a book, but this managed to deliver.


My only critique is that sometimes the dialogue felt a little stunted and didn't always feel organic (strangely, mostly from the human characters in this book). A little adjustment in relation to some of it would go miles (and honestly, make this a five star for me). However, all in all, this was a fantastic read in the vein of the myths themselves and I appreciated it enormously.

This book want my cup of tea. The whole Medusa against the Olympians in court was uninteresting and painful to read.

The Rape Trial of Medusa is a phenomenal premise. The classic tale of Medusa is given a modern twist, alone and abandoned after her ordeal, she is now in Modern Day NYC awaiting trial against the Olympians.

Full Disclosure: I DNF'd this book at 31%.

My biggest frustration was the lack of emotion and motivation from any of the central characters, Medusa especially. For example, when Medusa sees her face for the first time in a thousand years, rather than getting an insight into how she has become a monster, we get a repeated description of what she looks like and a tear falls down her cheek. This could have been the perfect opportunity to humanise the mythical story, where is her trauma? Her horror? Her fear?

We are repeatedly told, as readers, how traumatic her life has been, but never is this truly felt. She happily tells her story to the legal team - why does she trust these people? It felt like key parts of her life were skipped, especially when she arrived in NYC. We're told that she doesn't understand modern life and they have to get her encyclopaedias to learn, but in the next chapter she's making jokes with the legal team? I would have been far more invested in her journey if we had seen her fight and determination to learn.

That said, the idea of brining the Olympians into modern day as politicians was fantastic. Zeus as a Donald Trump like figure, tweeting fake news? Hilarious! Unfortunately, I just found myself too frustrated to be truly engaged in the story.