Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear (Gifted)

Hello Readers,

I would like to say thank you to Olivia, and Titan for sending me a physical copy of Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear for free in exchange for an honest review. 

 
First off, this cover is stunning, and I still have the book facing out on my bookcase. I am a little late reviewing this book, but I am so happy I waited till I had stop reacting and had my brain back to full power to read this book. As an adult I have gained a lot more respect for Medusa and with my love of Greek mythology growing the past couple of months I have realised how much not only Medusa, but her sisters have been stigmatised. 
 
Medusa was never a monster and I think this is one of the mountains I am going to die on. She was raped by a God (Poseidon) in the temple of Athena (Athene). Instead of enacting revenge of the perpetrator Athena took away Medusas beauty and turned her into a snake haired gorgon and Athena made it so anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was turned into stone. Medusa removed herself from being a problem she moved to a secluded island with her sister’s so she wouldn’t turn anyone to stone, and you know what the Gods sent people after her.  Let the woman live in peace.
 
This is one of my favourite Greek retelling not only as this book features Medusa but because Lauren brings Medusa lesser-known sisters Euryale and Stheno to the forefront as the book is told from their point of view. This book is beautifully written and full of heart, it was a delight to watch the sisters grow and grieve together. I felt for Medusa and her tragic tale, as well as her sisters for being “tainted” for simply being Medusa’s sister. how can that be a crime? Due to Lauren’s writing style, it was easy to grow close to each of the sisters and even though we know how medusa’s story ends you can’t help but get attached them and wish you could change their story.
 
As much as I love the mythological retellings that focus on the forgotten stories of women, at the expense of men. One thing I loved more about this retelling is that Lauren brings up that women can be complicit in these actions including Athena in the Medusa-Athena-Poseidon triangle, and Euryale's involvement and jealousy. Athena’s motivations for cursing Medusa made a little more sense in this story to me and how Lauren shows that women in power can be as rotten as men.
 
The storytelling, prose, characters, and plot in this novel are beautiful and I was captivated from the very first chapter. Without going into too much detail most of us know the story of Medusa and I brought up what happened above, but I won’t be going into more detail than that, but I will say the part in Athena’s temple… its truly gut wrenching in this story. One of my favourite moments in this book is when Euryale steals Athena's shield aegis and paints Medusa's likeness upon it. It might be petty, but this retribution felt especially satisfying as it is a reminder for Athena's transgression and the legacy she left for Medusa.

L x

Twitter  .  Instagram