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Beginnings: Liberation
Dear Author,
My mother looked at my eyes in the mirror – one last time in a lifetime of never meeting my gaze, never letting me look directly at her face. The snakes of her hair hung limply, unmoving. She had removed her veil for this last visit, but lay turned away.
“You’re not a Gorgon, my boy. Not even half. But when I die – beware. Power doesn’t disappear, it changes and moves. Be careful.”
Five years ago, and I thought by now I was safe. I thought it had passed me by. Until today when the two men I care for invited me home for the night. Until I kissed them and warm flesh turned to stone under my lips. What have I done? What am I? And how the hell can I fix this?
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 1.
My mother looked at my eyes in the mirror – one last time in a lifetime of never meeting my gaze, never letting me look directly at her face. The snakes of her hair hung limply, unmoving. She had removed her veil for this last visit, but lay turned away.
“You’re not a Gorgon, my boy. Not even half. But when I die – beware. Power doesn’t disappear, it changes and moves. Be careful.”
Five years ago, and I thought by now I was safe. I thought it had passed me by. Until today when the two men I care for invited me home for the night. Until I kissed them and warm flesh turned to stone under my lips. What have I done? What am I? And how the hell can I fix this?
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 1.
32 pages, ebook
First published June 13, 2012
11 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Alessandra Ebulu
16 books26 followersFor as long as she can remember, Alessandra Ebulu has always had her nose buried in a book. The characters appeal to her, and it is not uncommon to find her talking to the various characters in her head—, both the ones she has read about and the ones she has created. When not reading or writing, Alessandra can be found watching movies, sitting in front of her laptop (watching animes, reading mangas, or surfing the Internet), or listening to all the genres of music that make her life complete.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 1, 2016
Beginnings: Liberation is inspired by the legend of Medusa, with a touch of “all good deeds are rewarded with good” folk tale motif. The setting time is actually the era of classic Greek myths.
Eleftherios, Medusa’s son, accidentally turns his lovers, Nikandros and Vasilios, to stone. The story is about his journey to find a way to save them.
The prompt is interesting, but the plot is superficial and the writing is dry at best. It could have been executed much better.
Eleftherios, Medusa’s son, accidentally turns his lovers, Nikandros and Vasilios, to stone. The story is about his journey to find a way to save them.
The prompt is interesting, but the plot is superficial and the writing is dry at best. It could have been executed much better.
July 3, 2016
*1.5 stars*
There is a MM book with a main character that has the same name as me!!!
Wait...it wasn't a name back then, but an adjective meaning "liberator". Oh well, I'll take what I can get.
The problem with this story is that big chunks of it could have easily been excerpts of an archaeology book, a tourist guide, or even a wikipedia article. Most descriptions were accurate, and for obvious reasons I appreciate that more than most people. But they made the narration pretty awkward and dry.
As for the romance, there wasn't much of it. Just a sex scene in the end.
1.5 stars rounded up, because Greek mythology. Don't even try reading this if you 're not a fan of it.
There is a MM book with a main character that has the same name as me!!!
Wait...it wasn't a name back then, but an adjective meaning "liberator". Oh well, I'll take what I can get.
The problem with this story is that big chunks of it could have easily been excerpts of an archaeology book, a tourist guide, or even a wikipedia article. Most descriptions were accurate, and for obvious reasons I appreciate that more than most people. But they made the narration pretty awkward and dry.
As for the romance, there wasn't much of it. Just a sex scene in the end.
1.5 stars rounded up, because Greek mythology. Don't even try reading this if you 're not a fan of it.
Read
January 24, 2023Part of Love is Always Write - Volume 1
Nor really a story I could get into but I imagine it would be appreciated by fans of mythology. It all seemed superficial, touching on too much for a short story. The journey to rid the curse took up most of the story with little romance although there is a ménage sex scene at the end.
2.5 stars
Nor really a story I could get into but I imagine it would be appreciated by fans of mythology. It all seemed superficial, touching on too much for a short story. The journey to rid the curse took up most of the story with little romance although there is a ménage sex scene at the end.
2.5 stars
August 4, 2012
This story is based on a prompt of a stone statue of two men. The author turned the prompt into a story of Eleftherios, the son of Medusa, who after his mother dies is cursed with her affliction of turning people to stone. The two people he turns to stone are his lovers, Nikandros and Vasilios. In order to find a way to reverse the curse, Eleftherios must first visit Delphi. After that he goes on an adventure with the information to 'the source.'
I liked this story because I like mythology. The non-sex parts reminded me of a mythological tale which was well done. I would have liked to have had more of a feeling of the personalities of the characters, but there wasn't much.
This was an enjoyable read and fit the prompt well.
I liked this story because I like mythology. The non-sex parts reminded me of a mythological tale which was well done. I would have liked to have had more of a feeling of the personalities of the characters, but there wasn't much.
This was an enjoyable read and fit the prompt well.
June 13, 2012
The non-sex part of this, to me, read like a Mythology textbook. This is not a criticism, just how I felt.
Ms. Ebulu did a good job of expounding on Medusa myth. I wish that Hephaestus would have a small role in this since the main character was a blacksmith. But all in all, it was an enjoyable read. The heaviness and the slight melancholy portrayed in the story was done well. The speech sound older style that suit the period as well.
Ms. Ebulu did a good job of expounding on Medusa myth. I wish that Hephaestus would have a small role in this since the main character was a blacksmith. But all in all, it was an enjoyable read. The heaviness and the slight melancholy portrayed in the story was done well. The speech sound older style that suit the period as well.
July 30, 2012
It’s always fun and interesting to see how someone’s imagination takes root based on inspiration from a photo. I enjoyed the Greek mythology incorporated into this story – very fitting for the picture. Menage (m/m/m) also happens to be a favorite of mine, so that was a pleasant addition to the story. Very nice overall!
July 13, 2012
I'm a fan of Greek mythology, so this was a fun one for me. Like someone said in the comments, this was like Greek god fan fic, but it was such a hoot to read. I thought Ms. Ebulu did a fantastic job crafting a story that fit the photo and the prompt.
August 13, 2015
2.5/3 Stars. I won't say it was bad, because it wasn't... I just didn't enjoy it quite as much as I should have. I mean... it's freaking mythology for goodness sake! GREEK mythology! I should have loved this regardless but I didn't so.... yeah. 3 Stars because it was mythos and that's it.
April 18, 2015
3.5 - Nice story. I liked the interpretation of the photo. Thank you Alessandra Ebulu, for donating your story, time and talent.
July 31, 2012
Wow! Really enjoy this version of the story. Would really like more of the threesome.
December 11, 2020
There was a strong sense of place and time,
November 23, 2013
It's not bad, but at the same time, quite odd/awkward.
The ostensible features are there, but the cultural aspects aren't quite right. It's like everyone is LARP'ing this story out, except all of the western hints make it seem more like cultural appropriation than anything.
I'm not exactly an expert in ancient Greek culture, but people being disgusted by public male kissing? I thought Greece was all about the male-love and women were pretty much for the convenience of breeding. Not to as far an extent as I made it sound just now, but I'm pretty sure the Greeks were all for homoeroticism.
It almost reads like a tourist/tour guide's Guide to Ancient Greece.
"...and over there on the left, we have the Parthenon, temple of Athena Parthenos - the virgin, you see. It was consecrated in 843 AF - After the Fall of the titans - and was the result of a battle for the patronage of Athens between Athena and Poseidon. And over there, we can see a couple of temple maidens, wearing the white of dedicates. Their unshorn hair shows that they're not yet dedicated. Now, here we have the Propylaea, the path leading up to the Parthenon. Inside, of course, we have the great statue of Athena..." blah, blah, blah.
The relationship...sucked. There was nothing there, no heat, no passion. Doesn't help that I don't really get a sense of who the characters are. I think the author muddled the waters too much by making it a menage. It plants that little seed that maybe the MC of the long and incomprehensible name is perhaps really that expendable after all.
It was too obviously the author trying to accomplish this end and making it so instead of cultivating it and letting it blossom. To reference a Chinese proverb (I really don't know how to translate it/what the English version is, so I'll just describe it): the author couldn't wait for her crop to grow, so she sped up the process by pulling them, to help them grow taller (regardless of the fact that pulling on plants pull the roots out of the soil and cause them to die).
The "moral" made little to know sense to me. I suppose I'm okay with the gods coming off as hypocritical, self-righteous pricks who live by multiple standards, but really, I'm not. I wanted it to make more sense other than a glorified version of "because I said so."
So, ultimately, I was rather disappointed with it, even considering it was a DRitC story.
The ostensible features are there, but the cultural aspects aren't quite right. It's like everyone is LARP'ing this story out, except all of the western hints make it seem more like cultural appropriation than anything.
I'm not exactly an expert in ancient Greek culture, but people being disgusted by public male kissing? I thought Greece was all about the male-love and women were pretty much for the convenience of breeding. Not to as far an extent as I made it sound just now, but I'm pretty sure the Greeks were all for homoeroticism.
It almost reads like a tourist/tour guide's Guide to Ancient Greece.
"...and over there on the left, we have the Parthenon, temple of Athena Parthenos - the virgin, you see. It was consecrated in 843 AF - After the Fall of the titans - and was the result of a battle for the patronage of Athens between Athena and Poseidon. And over there, we can see a couple of temple maidens, wearing the white of dedicates. Their unshorn hair shows that they're not yet dedicated. Now, here we have the Propylaea, the path leading up to the Parthenon. Inside, of course, we have the great statue of Athena..." blah, blah, blah.
The relationship...sucked. There was nothing there, no heat, no passion. Doesn't help that I don't really get a sense of who the characters are. I think the author muddled the waters too much by making it a menage. It plants that little seed that maybe the MC of the long and incomprehensible name is perhaps really that expendable after all.
It was too obviously the author trying to accomplish this end and making it so instead of cultivating it and letting it blossom. To reference a Chinese proverb (I really don't know how to translate it/what the English version is, so I'll just describe it): the author couldn't wait for her crop to grow, so she sped up the process by pulling them, to help them grow taller (regardless of the fact that pulling on plants pull the roots out of the soil and cause them to die).
The "moral" made little to know sense to me. I suppose I'm okay with the gods coming off as hypocritical, self-righteous pricks who live by multiple standards, but really, I'm not. I wanted it to make more sense other than a glorified version of "because I said so."
So, ultimately, I was rather disappointed with it, even considering it was a DRitC story.
September 25, 2012
Okay, so of course my review of this book will be completely biased. I wrote it after all. But I had fun writing this story. I love Greek mythology. From the crazy gods and goddesses who have their human flaws, arrogance and pride, to the mortals who had to fight for their own survival and turn out stronger because their gods were to busy immersed in their own lives to care. Eleftherios had to fight for a change for himself and his lovers, and he started the chain of events that would eventually lead to the liberation of everyone he loves.
Of course, I probably could have written a longer story, but I liked the way the story ended. Eleftherios had fulfilled his role and introduced us to what his family had been through. He also intimated us with what they would still have to go through and although I fell in love with the characters, it was time to take a break. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to interacting with them sometime soon, when I go back to that world.
Of course, I probably could have written a longer story, but I liked the way the story ended. Eleftherios had fulfilled his role and introduced us to what his family had been through. He also intimated us with what they would still have to go through and although I fell in love with the characters, it was time to take a break. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to interacting with them sometime soon, when I go back to that world.
October 18, 2015
I have not got a background in Greek myths and legends but I do know some of the story of Medusa. This story is based on the Medusa Myth and tells a tale of one of her sons who finds himself cursed with his Mother's curse when his lovers are turned to stone. Most of the book is taken up with his quest to restore them to life and I must admit I would have liked a little more information about how the three had gotten together before we get transported 2 years later to where they get turned to stone. I wasn't sure why it was at that point that the curse occurred, but I liked the description of the journey, but the restoring of the three back together didn't have enough emotion for me, I would have expected more tension and apprehension from Eleftherios and more describable joy when the three men were back together.
The story was a good version of the prompt and I cannot imagine it was an easy topic to write about.
The story was a good version of the prompt and I cannot imagine it was an easy topic to write about.
February 5, 2013
I'm not really a Greek Mythology fanatic -I seem to be one of the few on goodreads :(- but I do appreciate and like Greek Mythology, I just don't actively seek out and read them, or read books based on them. So, though I am familiar with Medusa, this was kinda an odd book for me. To be honest, I wasn't really feeling the whole mythology thing too much, and even after Athena explained herself, I didn't really like her.
The menage was totally hot though, haha.
The menage was totally hot though, haha.
Want to read
June 8, 2012
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group, Love Is Always Write: Volume One.
March 29, 2013
Interesting concept of using the Medusa curse and how it affected the next generation. A little bland at times for me and I would have liked a little more back story (I didn't feel really connected to the lovers of the MC) but overall it was a good read.
May 23, 2014
A really interesting short story and the author takes great liberties with the use of fiction and retelling of the stories of the Gods and Medusa. I found it very entertaining, and sexy!
I will be looking for more from this author!
I will be looking for more from this author!
May 28, 2015
I love Greek and Roman mythology so this book was appealing to me from the start. The characters are likable but the writing jumps a bit. Not too distracting but noticeable. The different take on Medusa was interesting. 3 1/2 stars.
Adult read
Adult read
October 17, 2015
Simple Beautiful
I of course grew up learning about Medusa in school, but to read this and have a whole new twist put on her story? It's perfect! And Hell, it's actually her gay son's story! Even better!! I did very much enjoy the romance, adventure, everything.
I of course grew up learning about Medusa in school, but to read this and have a whole new twist put on her story? It's perfect! And Hell, it's actually her gay son's story! Even better!! I did very much enjoy the romance, adventure, everything.
December 31, 2012
I enjoy Greek/Roman mythology, so this one was right up my alley. It felt complete and was a quick read with an interesting message/concept built into it. Enjoyable.
March 8, 2013
This was just ok for me. Not exactly my cup of tea but I did enjoy the Greek gods aspect and the twist on the Medusa tale.
April 15, 2014
The part I surely won't forget so soon about this short story is the mental image of Eleftherios' lovers turned to stone in a rather compromising position!
March 17, 2015
Set in the time of greek Gods, the son of Medusa, travels to Athens to free his lovers from a curse placed on his family by the Goddess Athena.
July 21, 2015
Only for lovers of mythology
Interesting read if you love mythology, intense menagè at the end. Is well written and creates an engrossing read overall
Interesting read if you love mythology, intense menagè at the end. Is well written and creates an engrossing read overall
August 17, 2015
An interesting look into the life of one of the children of Medusa. It reads like a classic myth.
August 29, 2015
This was an interesting story with some great dramatic twists. Sometimes doing the right thing with no thoughts of reward end up getting you rewards.
January 2, 2017
31 pages free read. Love mythology great story
owned-to-read
January 1, 2014*free on ARE
June 18, 2014
An interesting take to Medusa's story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews