It’s no secret that I love books about Greek mythology, but one character I’ve always struggled with has been Medusa. I’ve read a few books now where she features, and I’ve never left satisfied, like the book has added something to the character, the story, or to my understanding.

I’ll admit that at the start, I wasn’t optimistic. I was being picky (I often am with this sub-genre) and there were a few too many modernisms, although I enjoyed the characterisation of Medusa greatly.

As the book went on, though, I became more and more entranced and obsessed with this version of Medusa. Other familiar figures, such as Athena and Perseus, started to appear, with just enough familiarity to make their twists completely unexpected.

Rosie Hewlett has done what is so hard to do in this sub-genre, which is to actually add something to the story, to give it a new approach, and to make it feel fresh without losing its familiar hallmarks. There is no doubt that this is Medusa exactly as we know her, but there is just so much more to her here than ever before.

Reading this has made me even more excited to read Hewlett’s other novel Medea, so I’ll be getting to that one soon!

I received a free copy for an honest review.

4.25 stars

This is a bold reclamation of Medusa’s story that simply screams female rage. The book does not shy away from the brutal elements of the myth, specifically the cruelty she is shown by multiple gods. There are allusions to modern concepts of rape culture and victim blaming that really hammer home how this cruelty towards women like Medusa was normalised in mythology (and often still is normalised in today’s society). But what I wasn’t expecting was for the book to also focus on the tenderness that can be found in the myth - Medusa’s dedication to and love for her unborn child despite what had happened to her to result in that child had me tearing up. I also really liked the unlikely friendship between her and Perseus, and this book has fully done the impossible by actually making me feel bad for Perseus for once. I do think that the messaging in the book is a little heavy handed and repetitive, and the narration could’ve been more show-don’t-tell at times, but overall this is a great Medusa retelling perfect for fans of The Penelopeiad and Atalanta.

“Being feared was far more fun that being desired”

This is a beautiful and poignant retelling of the infamous monster Medusa, giving her the platform to voice her own story.

Despite being only 200 pages, it is a rollercoaster of emotions. You really emphasise with the ‘monster’ of story, yet find yourself questioning are they really monsters if they are made to be?

The main reason for it not being a 5* was the jarring writing style, it felt too modern and slightly juvenile despite being rooted in Ancient Greek mythology. Whilst this did make it incredibly easy to read and understand, I felt as though it diluted the impact of some of the darker themes.

Overall, Medusa is a compelling and tragic feminist retelling and I look forward to diving into other work from this author 💫

Growing up, I was absolutely petrified of Medusa. She haunted my nightmares with her hair and her stony glare; everything about her terrified me. I’d always been fascinated by her, but never thought to dig deeper into her story beyond my thinking she was a monstrous gorgon who crept into my dreams.

Rosie Hewlett has completely changed that. Early in the book, Medusa points out that men have alway been the ones to tell her story, and she's right. We're so used to reading things that men have written that we don't even think to question that perhaps we should look at this from another way. She was anything but a monster. This retelling strips away the myth’s distortions and gives us Medusa as she truly might have been, and I devoured every word. I read the whole thing in one sitting, unable to pull myself away.

Some readers have noted that Medusa’s voice feels quite modern here, but that didn’t bother me at all, it was something that worked pretty well for me. It made her feel relatable, real, and alive. She speaks directly to the reader, breaking the fourth wall, as though you’ve been invited into a private conversation with her and I really enjoy that when reading stories that come across as a personal retelling.

Having read Medea by Rosie Hewlett, I already suspected I would enjoy this book, and I was right. Rosie has such a gift for breathing new life into tragic, misunderstood figures from myth. Her writing is lyrical yet approachable, making her an ideal starting point for anyone curious about this genre.

It’s a short book, yes, but that only left me wanting more and that’s the mark of a truly great read in my eyes. In the book, there is plenty to grip you, to fill you with rage at the injustice, and to break your heart for Medusa. I closed the book feeling both furious at her fate and grateful to Rosie Hewlett for changing the way I will see her forever. I'm actually a little bit annoyed that I waited for this book to be rereleased before deciding to read it, I've been missing out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bantam for access to the ARC of this book.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC of this via NetGalley. That has not influenced this review and all opinions are my own.

Wow what a book!! Recently I’ve read a few books about Medusa as I wanted to get to know her story better and this book was so interesting. It’s educational but there’s some level of plot which I really enjoyed. The character development of Medusa was something I really enjoyed because it felt like we were growing up with her throughout the book. And there are so many strong messages in this novel that I think are so important for people to hear, particularly younger females. Medusa fighting against those who have tried to oppress her is something I find so inspiring so I really did love this book so much. And I appreciate that it was a shorter novel because once I started reading, I had to finish it!

Rating: 4/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

"I was beautiful once. I wouldn't recommend it." WHAT AN OPENER!

That this was Hewletts first novel, and self-published, is a feat of her writing. The story is injected with the venom of injustice and she evokes such empathy and power within a figure who i was ignorant of prior to this book.
Though Medusa may be a monster, I fell in love with her. She is both gentle and powerful in such a way it evokes true emotion, where i was expecting terror, i was met with compassion, pain and sisterhood.
The pace of the novel keeps pushing you towards its inevitable end, each chapter revealing a harrowing road to become the infamous Medusa. The words are poetic at times, the structure is made for pacey reading and the characters are so developed - it seems with ease, no detailed descriptions are given, instead we feel the characters, moulding them through their actions and dialogue.
I felt it all throughout this novel and would highly reccomend!

Medusa is born a human and thus a disappointment to her divine mother. She's left as a foundling at the temple of Athena, where she will be trained to become a priestess, dedicating her life to the goddess. But that goddess proves to be vengeful, and Medusa cannot escape her fate.

Medusa is Rosie Hewlett's debut novel, which she released in 2021 during covid and new gets a second edition. I found her second book Medea truly phenomenal, so I was curious about her earlier work. And I can immediately say that Medusa feels much more like a debut novel.

The book is narrated by Medusa herself after her death. She explains that everyone remembers her as a monster, and now it's her turn to tell her true story. We follow her from her birth, her service in the temple, get to know her sisters Eurycale and Stheno, and eventually Poseidon's visit, her punishment from Athena, and Perseus. The familiar story is told in a very feminist and raw way.

If a hero remains a hero after killing a woman like Medusa, why is Medusa a monster when she kills a man who rapes women? Exactly.

I found Perseus's role most surprising. In most other retellings (among them The shadow of Perseus and Stone blind), he's portrayed as a weak boy whom the Gods must help—and that's true here too. But Perseus has his own character, and Athena doesn't have an easy time with him.

However, the book is heavily feminist and tries hard to convey morals about rape, the fate of women, and how history remembers things incorrectly... And I love feminist themes in book (as I love Emilia Hart's books for example) but this novel felt a bit too much at times. In Medea, we get a much more moderate heroine who tries to take her own fate into her hands. I did notice some progress in Hewlett's writing style, but this seems normal when you've only discovered your writing gift during lockdown.

I'll keep an eye on Rosie Hewlett and I'm extremely excited to find that her next book about Penelope is set to be released in 2026. She is a great new voice in the Greek myth genre. For those who haven't read too many Medusa books yet, this novel is a good place to start. But I must admit that I prefer Nathalie Haynes book on Medusa and Perseus more.

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

This book really got under my skin in the best way. I have read a few Medusa retellings, but Hewlett’s version feels different - more intimate, more aching. Medusa narrates her story in her own voice and from the first page, I felt like I was listening to someone who had never been allowed to speak before. It is part memoir, part myth, and it completely pulled me in.

One moment that hit me hard was when Medusa reflects on the aftermath of Poseidon’s assault in Athena’s temple - not just the horror of what happened, but the betrayal by Athena, who punishes her for something she never asked for. The way Hewlett captures that moment, the shame and confusion Medusa feels, is absolutely devastating. Her transformation into a Gorgon isn’t just physical but emotional as well, and it feels like the only form of protection left to her.

I also loved how the book gently reimagines her relationships - with her sisters, Euryale and Stheno, who are so often forgotten in the myth. Here they are a source of love and strength, and those scenes added such warmth to an otherwise deeply painful story. The bond between the three of them was honestly one of my favourite parts.

Hewlett’s writing is lyrical and modern but still feels rooted in myth. There were moments where I just had to stop and sit with a sentence for a while. What I appreciated most is that Medusa is never framed as a villain but as someone who has been deeply wronged and chooses to reclaim power in whatever way she can.

This is a myth retelling that centres female rage, resilience, and reclamation, and is an absolute must-read. It’s fierce, tragic, and quietly beautiful. I finished it in one sitting and have been thinking about it ever since.

A wonderfully sympathetic read told from Medusa’s viewpoint and brilliantly woven. I found myself catching my breath so many times, I just wished so much better for her. Hewlett is now a must read when it comes to Greek myth retellings.

Thank You NetGalley and the publishers, for giving me the chance to read this book.

As someone who loves Greek mythology, I enjoyed diving into Medusa’s story through this retelling. It was powerful, unsettling, and oddly timely. I found myself especially peeved at Athena for not believing Medusa. But isn’t that, sadly, still a reflection of how women often don’t believe women? All in all, another thought-provoking retelling to add to my reader’s repertoire.

Got offered this on NetGalley and jumped at the chance to read this book for the second time. The republished cover is stunning and does this excellent book justice. Read in pretty much one sitting; absolutely thrilling. Medusa is an incredible character and her story is so moving in such a short novel. LOVE LOVE LOVE Medusa and Medea and I can’t wait to see what Hewlett does next!

At first I was a little put off by the modern tone and the first person style of writing, but I soon got used to it and found it worked well by guiding the narrative from Medusa's point of view. Although the story is about Medusa, we not only see another side to her sisters Stheno and Euryale, and their relationship, but that of Perseus, whose task was to kill her. Ultimately, all four were at the mercy of the gods, and in one way or another damned to their fates. This retelling of the story brought a human aspect to events and hopefully will encourage others to think past the myth and consider the other side of the narrative.

#Medusa #NetGalley

Medusa - monster or misunderstood women? Snake-headed Medusa tells her story in her own words. from her abandonment by her mother, to her tragic encounter with Poseidon to her final reckoning with Perseus.
This is a great retelling of an old story. I liked the way the author kept Medusa very matter-of-fact, almost pragmatic, about the legends surrounding her. She is a surprisingly empathetic character, as is Perseus.
The gods and goddesses are brutal, selfish, uncaring and careless of the human lives they disrupt, but Medusa and Perseus manage to outshine them, despite the fact that there is no escaping the destiny the Fates have cast for them.
Sometimes, these mythological retellings have casts of thousands, but the author keeps the characters to a minimum, concentrates on the facts as Medusa knows them, and delivers a wonderfully engrossing story that is of its time but timeless.

I was unsure when I started to read this if I enjoyed the narrative voice. The modern tone and turn of phrase at first put me off, but I grew to connect more with Medusa to how familiar she felt. Having read a lot of feminist retellings of myths I appreciate that in this version the 'traditional hero' Perseus isn't portrayed as an arrogant asshose seeking fame and fortune. He is a compassionate and understanding boy who relates to Medusa. So often heores are villainised in these modern tellings. I really liked how Hewlett took both Medusa's and Perseus' stories and held them to each other as a mirror to how they were both pawns in the gods games, even though myth paints them as foes.

thank you netgalley and bantam books for a review copy!

I found this a really unique retelling. It was fast paced and I thought the perspective and tone were really well written. The plot was still engaging even though the story is well known and I found it so hard to put this book down!! If you love greek mythology retellings and empowering books this is the perfect one to add to your tbr!

Another wonderful retelling from Rosie that succeeds in humanising Medusa. Medusa ‘the monster’ is well known throughout the ages but Rosie looks into Medusa before her transformation. Highly recommended!!

I loved Medea by @rosiehewlett.author, and was thrilled to get an email with the eARC of Medusa.

Yes, Bantam! I DID love this book. I so enjoyed Medea that I went to meet Rosie at Waterstones in Leeds and picked up the previous version of this book and swallowed it in a single sitting.

I still pre-ordered the matching hardback edition when it was announced though.

Why? Because quite simply Medusa is brilliant. This is a debut that packs a punch. It is only 200 pages long but that just means the story snaps along with pace and power.

Hewlett has redrawn this myth to recentre Medusa in her own story. From her birth as a mortal to Gods, being left to grow in a temple serving Athena, in a city destroyed and cursed by Poseidon and then the inevitable rape, unfair retribution and murder Medusa's angry, compassionate, powerful voice tells her own story. Hewlett has perfectly humanised Medusa from the complicated and confusing emotions and ignorance of childhood and teenager years and the unwelcome attentions she receives as she matures and just wants to serve the temple, to her palpable grief and rage in the wake of her rape and Athena's punishment if her for being a victim.

I loved how in this telling though all three Gorgons are afflicted by Athena's wrath and that this actually forges their sisterly bond and gives all three of them a confidence and motivation, even if it is to commit a lot of murder - although all women can understand Medusa's code of only targeting the monsters that look like men.

The end of the story is also subverts expectations and I enjoyed the way that it remains true to tradition whilst still giving it a different perspective.

This is a brilliant book and I'm so glad it's getting this new lease on life!

Several authors have recently captured Medusa; however, I loved Rosie Hewlett’s vision of her. Being able to go on the journey with her from a young Priestess of Athena to a mother and survivor. I enjoy it when authors allow their characters to be angry and show that frustration. Medusa gave us her honest point of view throughout her life through breaking the fourth wall multiple times. I appreciate that this story is getting another chance for discovery with its rereleased in hardcover in September! Thank you to NetGalley for the read!

So unusual to read a Greek mythology retelling in the 1st person but it really works.

You may think you know Medusa but this retelling is incredibly engaging and shines a different light in the 'monster' we all know.

Hewitt's writing not only engages the reader but has a great way of developing empathy.

I read this so quickly and would recommend

Medusa is a monster, or so we’ve been told. But is she really? Rosie Hewlett unravels her story and tells it from Medusa’s perspective. A retelling that questions the definition of a hero(ine) and a monster.

This novel, originally self published in 2021, fits beautifully with the other retellings of the myths that we ‘think’ we know, like The Song of Achilles, Circe and the Penelope series. I very much enjoyed it, and will now always have a soft spot for Medusa.