If I told you that I'd killed a man with a glance, would you want to hear the rest?
Genre: Fantasy/Mythology
Level: Year 9+
Score 4/5
This story is unlike anything I've ever read. Jessie Burton's retelling of Medusa takes the origin story and flips the narrative, painting the character of Medusa as not a villain, but a victim who was shamed into exile through no fault of her own.
Consumed by loneliness on a rocky island, Medusa can't believe her eyes when she sees a young man arrive on the shores. Over time, the two become close, telling each other about their pasts without ever seeing each other face-to-face. No matter how hard she tries, Medusa can't silence Athena's voice in her mind, the warning she gave her after turning her hair into snakes.
Woe betide any man fool enough to look upon you.
This beautiful feminist retelling of one of Greek mythology's most well-known characters is accessible enough for those new to the mythology, and in-depth enough for those who know it well. The illustrations by Olivia Lomenech Gill are artworks in their own right and I know I'll be reading this a second time to properly appreciate them
Note. Source: (Lomenech Gill, 2021)