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Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch
This is not the story of the woman you think you know. You know only the tales of men through the ages. No, this is the story of a dangerous woman fighting for her freedom in a world dominated by cruel gods and ego driven men…
In the house of King Aeetes on the shores of the Black Sea, Medea plays with gods in the forest as visions of a dark future haunt her. Descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, Medea holds the kind of power meant for the heroes of the epics, the heroes who have yet to arrive in the world. But as a woman, her place is decided by the men around her. Until Jason and his Argonauts arrive, bringing with them the winds of change and the goddess’s voice ringing out of Medea’s lips.
Sacrifices. Politics wrapped in layers of deceit, blood, and ego. Gods with their own agendas not meant for mortal flesh. Magic. Monsters. Love. Who will Medea become in her desperate search for freedom?
In the house of King Aeetes on the shores of the Black Sea, Medea plays with gods in the forest as visions of a dark future haunt her. Descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, Medea holds the kind of power meant for the heroes of the epics, the heroes who have yet to arrive in the world. But as a woman, her place is decided by the men around her. Until Jason and his Argonauts arrive, bringing with them the winds of change and the goddess’s voice ringing out of Medea’s lips.
Sacrifices. Politics wrapped in layers of deceit, blood, and ego. Gods with their own agendas not meant for mortal flesh. Magic. Monsters. Love. Who will Medea become in her desperate search for freedom?
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
63 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
February 5, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, JJ Taylor and BooksGoSocial for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love Greek mythology and I’m loving how the women are getting their time to shine. If you love retellings from a woman’s point of view give this book a chance. While I was fascinated with Medea, I wasn’t crazy about the writing. At times I wanted it to speed up and other times when the plot got exciting it felt rushed. Again personal preference it’s a book I had to make myself read vs couldn’t put it down. It’s recommended for fans of Circe and I devoured that one. If you read it and love it. Message me or let me know. Happy reading!
I love Greek mythology and I’m loving how the women are getting their time to shine. If you love retellings from a woman’s point of view give this book a chance. While I was fascinated with Medea, I wasn’t crazy about the writing. At times I wanted it to speed up and other times when the plot got exciting it felt rushed. Again personal preference it’s a book I had to make myself read vs couldn’t put it down. It’s recommended for fans of Circe and I devoured that one. If you read it and love it. Message me or let me know. Happy reading!
April 2, 2024
I think of the myth of Medea a lot. I even went to the Met to see an opera on it! This version of Medea brings a welcome new angle to the story.
Medea is usually painted as a villain, a murderer, and a wholly unsympathetic character. Her crimes are depicted as terrible to fathom. In this book, she takes on new life, and the question of whether or not she is in control plays an intriguing part in the narrative. I noticed how the author deftly explored the question of agency in a world ruled by the fickle whims of the gods. I found myself drawing parallels to the modern relationship between mental health and responsibility for one's actions; in this case, Medea's mental state was not fully her own but she had to bear the consequences of public perception of women and of her actions. Her character was well-developed, with a strong voice set against shifting settings.
I really liked how the author took the epic form of chronicling a journey (in the tradition of The Odyssey) and applied it to Medea. Her travels, and the way she changed throughout them, were noteworthy and written in a digestible way.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to access this ARC!
Medea is usually painted as a villain, a murderer, and a wholly unsympathetic character. Her crimes are depicted as terrible to fathom. In this book, she takes on new life, and the question of whether or not she is in control plays an intriguing part in the narrative. I noticed how the author deftly explored the question of agency in a world ruled by the fickle whims of the gods. I found myself drawing parallels to the modern relationship between mental health and responsibility for one's actions; in this case, Medea's mental state was not fully her own but she had to bear the consequences of public perception of women and of her actions. Her character was well-developed, with a strong voice set against shifting settings.
I really liked how the author took the epic form of chronicling a journey (in the tradition of The Odyssey) and applied it to Medea. Her travels, and the way she changed throughout them, were noteworthy and written in a digestible way.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to access this ARC!
July 19, 2025
Eeeeeee. I feel bad for this rating. The story was just too repetitive and it was like the same thing was happening over and over. There were definitely parts that were good (the beginning and end basically), but then there was also so much that just felt like filler. I will say that I found Medea a likeable character, and I really liked Alkippe so that wins it some points.
February 1, 2024
This is not the story of the woman you think you know. You know only the tales told through the ages. No, this is the story of a dangerous woman fighting for her freedom in a world dominated by cruel gods and ego driven men…
In the house of King Aeetes on the shoresof the Black Sea, Medea plays with gods in the forest as visions of a dark future haunt her. Descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, Medea holds the kind of power meant for the heroes of the epics, the heroes who have yet to arrive in the world. But as a woman, her place is decided by the men around her. Until Jason and his Argonauts arrive, bringing with them the winds of change and the goddess’s voice ringing out of Medea’s lips.
Sacrifices. Politics wrapped in layers of deceit, blood, and ego. Gods with their own agendas not meant for mortal flesh. Magic. Monsters. Love. Who will Medea become in her desperate search for freedom?
I’ve been obsessed with Greek mythology since I was a teenager, so I was really excited to get this arc! I was familiar with the story before I read this book, but this retelling is from a different perspective. Medea is a strong, female, main character and the book has amazing feminist vibes. The relationship between Medea and Kip is refreshing and realistic. Following along on Madea‘s journey was so much fun, and I felt drawn to her character as such a strong, independent female, Add to that all of the references to the Greek myths and I was eating this book up.
The timeline does switch between past and present often, which I usually don’t enjoy. However, the author did a wonderful job of tying things together, so it made sense. I feel like if the story was written in a linear method, you would not get the full effect intended.
Thank you so much NetGalley and JJ Taylor for this arc in exchange for my review!
In the house of King Aeetes on the shoresof the Black Sea, Medea plays with gods in the forest as visions of a dark future haunt her. Descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, Medea holds the kind of power meant for the heroes of the epics, the heroes who have yet to arrive in the world. But as a woman, her place is decided by the men around her. Until Jason and his Argonauts arrive, bringing with them the winds of change and the goddess’s voice ringing out of Medea’s lips.
Sacrifices. Politics wrapped in layers of deceit, blood, and ego. Gods with their own agendas not meant for mortal flesh. Magic. Monsters. Love. Who will Medea become in her desperate search for freedom?
I’ve been obsessed with Greek mythology since I was a teenager, so I was really excited to get this arc! I was familiar with the story before I read this book, but this retelling is from a different perspective. Medea is a strong, female, main character and the book has amazing feminist vibes. The relationship between Medea and Kip is refreshing and realistic. Following along on Madea‘s journey was so much fun, and I felt drawn to her character as such a strong, independent female, Add to that all of the references to the Greek myths and I was eating this book up.
The timeline does switch between past and present often, which I usually don’t enjoy. However, the author did a wonderful job of tying things together, so it made sense. I feel like if the story was written in a linear method, you would not get the full effect intended.
Thank you so much NetGalley and JJ Taylor for this arc in exchange for my review!
January 28, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
I've read a lot of greek mythology retellings, but had never heard much about Medea's story. So, I was really intrigued when this popped up. And I wasn't disappointed. This is a new favorite in the greek retellings genre next to Circe, Clytemnestra, and Atalanta.
I think a lot of the retellings struggle with how to keep readers invested when half the book is the characters traveling and not knowing their destination. This book definitely didn't have that problem. The author was able to introduce new characters, settings, and cultures several times without it feeling repetitive or confusing. You got to learn about the new cities as the characters did so it never felt like the author was just info dumping.
Medea was also such a multifaceted character. It was painful to see her internal strife with being a pawn of the gods and seeking her freedom. One of my main concerns going in was how the author would make me feel connected to Jason (knowing what I already knew going in). But, honestly, I liked Jason and Medea's dynamic and everything that happened felt believable.
Thank you NetGalley and JJ Taylor!
I've read a lot of greek mythology retellings, but had never heard much about Medea's story. So, I was really intrigued when this popped up. And I wasn't disappointed. This is a new favorite in the greek retellings genre next to Circe, Clytemnestra, and Atalanta.
I think a lot of the retellings struggle with how to keep readers invested when half the book is the characters traveling and not knowing their destination. This book definitely didn't have that problem. The author was able to introduce new characters, settings, and cultures several times without it feeling repetitive or confusing. You got to learn about the new cities as the characters did so it never felt like the author was just info dumping.
Medea was also such a multifaceted character. It was painful to see her internal strife with being a pawn of the gods and seeking her freedom. One of my main concerns going in was how the author would make me feel connected to Jason (knowing what I already knew going in). But, honestly, I liked Jason and Medea's dynamic and everything that happened felt believable.
Thank you NetGalley and JJ Taylor!
February 17, 2024
This is the year of Medea retellings, and I’m living for it. Sadly though, this book just wasn’t really for me. 😞
This retelling was focused on historical and geographical events that happened leading up to the Trojan War. While I did enjoy the use of historic and major geographic events in this tale, it felt drawn out at times which in turn, made the reading experience feel long. 🗺️
This Medea is one that I expected to find: strong, independent, and ruthless at times with her opinions. I liked the inclusion and role that she had as a priestess of Hecate, but her relationship with this goddess and the others she meets on her journey make her out to be more of a pawn and tool to the gods than a formidable woman in her own right. That, and her gifts of witchcraft were never explicitly covered expect for a very short paragraph describing her youth with Circe which even then, was a short chapter. In general, this was more of a woman blessed by the gods than someone who had magic in their own right. 🔮
I did find the relationship between Medea and Jason in this retelling refreshing as they acknowledge their awkwardness with each other, but came to genuinely care for each other. I do feel like the deterioration of their relationship was too quickly glossed over and I wish we could have seen a deeper look at it in the end. 🐏
Lastly, like I mentioned before, the plot seems to drag at one point and then it suddenly accelerated towards the end. This pacing not only made it rather hard to keep up with the events, but also made the overall reading experience rather choppy. 🙁
In general, I do think this should be given a go because it really was cool seeing an actual historical series of events being used for the plot, but if you’re not into accurate mythology chain of events or references (ie. Paris as the lover of Achilles? Hmmm. . . ), then I would suggest looking elsewhere for a Medea retelling. 🫣
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for accepting my request to read in exchange for an honest review. ❤️
Publication date: February 1 (thought it was the 6th, but oh well)
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️
This retelling was focused on historical and geographical events that happened leading up to the Trojan War. While I did enjoy the use of historic and major geographic events in this tale, it felt drawn out at times which in turn, made the reading experience feel long. 🗺️
This Medea is one that I expected to find: strong, independent, and ruthless at times with her opinions. I liked the inclusion and role that she had as a priestess of Hecate, but her relationship with this goddess and the others she meets on her journey make her out to be more of a pawn and tool to the gods than a formidable woman in her own right. That, and her gifts of witchcraft were never explicitly covered expect for a very short paragraph describing her youth with Circe which even then, was a short chapter. In general, this was more of a woman blessed by the gods than someone who had magic in their own right. 🔮
I did find the relationship between Medea and Jason in this retelling refreshing as they acknowledge their awkwardness with each other, but came to genuinely care for each other. I do feel like the deterioration of their relationship was too quickly glossed over and I wish we could have seen a deeper look at it in the end. 🐏
Lastly, like I mentioned before, the plot seems to drag at one point and then it suddenly accelerated towards the end. This pacing not only made it rather hard to keep up with the events, but also made the overall reading experience rather choppy. 🙁
In general, I do think this should be given a go because it really was cool seeing an actual historical series of events being used for the plot, but if you’re not into accurate mythology chain of events or references (ie. Paris as the lover of Achilles? Hmmm. . . ), then I would suggest looking elsewhere for a Medea retelling. 🫣
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for accepting my request to read in exchange for an honest review. ❤️
Publication date: February 1 (thought it was the 6th, but oh well)
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️
February 1, 2024
DNF at 10%
I received an arc via netgalley.
Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch is a Greek mythology retelling focusing on Medea. This book was my first introduction into Greek mythology inspired stories after Percy Jackson and it was really disappointing.
I put this book down at 10%. From what little I read, the plot seemed to be moving forward nicely but was completely overshadowed by the terrible writing. The writing of both the characters and the prose is horrible.
Let us start with the characters. The characters will behave in ways that are completely incongruent to the story around them. Medea’s father or brother will be angry simply because the author tells us they are angry. Taylor gives no reason or situations for why these characters should be angry, or any actions or descriptors that would lead one to believe that they are angry.
Other times characters will act without reason.
“By the time I got to the temple entrance, I was sweating and filled with dread. I shut the door behind me and slid to the earthen floor.
‘Medea? Whatever is wrong?’ Alkippe, my handmaid and only friend, hurried to my side. She swept my hair from my face and searched my expression. ‘A vision then.’
I nodded and gripped Alkippe’s hand. ‘Men are coming. Foreign men. Kip, I think they’re coming for me.’
‘For you? Why would they come for a priestess of the temple? Surely they seek your father?
I Pulled my hand away and stood. ‘Is it so had to believe I might be wanted?’”
The way Medea went from fear to anger that someone may not actually want her was jarring. Her thought process generally does not make sense, and that can be said for most of the characters in the novel.
Moving onto the prose. The prose is an overwritten mess, full of run on sentences and grammar mistakes. It was painful to read and made it hard to comprehend what was going on. I would find myself rereading passages to figure out what was happening.
Below is an example of a passage that is overwritten and grammatically incorrect.
“Chaliope came racing into the room, her hair loose around her. Two years younger than me, she was the essence of spring, of beauty and optimism, and life.”
Overall, I think this read like a very early draft. This book had potential to good, but needed time to be further developed and edited.
I received an arc via netgalley.
Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch is a Greek mythology retelling focusing on Medea. This book was my first introduction into Greek mythology inspired stories after Percy Jackson and it was really disappointing.
I put this book down at 10%. From what little I read, the plot seemed to be moving forward nicely but was completely overshadowed by the terrible writing. The writing of both the characters and the prose is horrible.
Let us start with the characters. The characters will behave in ways that are completely incongruent to the story around them. Medea’s father or brother will be angry simply because the author tells us they are angry. Taylor gives no reason or situations for why these characters should be angry, or any actions or descriptors that would lead one to believe that they are angry.
Other times characters will act without reason.
“By the time I got to the temple entrance, I was sweating and filled with dread. I shut the door behind me and slid to the earthen floor.
‘Medea? Whatever is wrong?’ Alkippe, my handmaid and only friend, hurried to my side. She swept my hair from my face and searched my expression. ‘A vision then.’
I nodded and gripped Alkippe’s hand. ‘Men are coming. Foreign men. Kip, I think they’re coming for me.’
‘For you? Why would they come for a priestess of the temple? Surely they seek your father?
I Pulled my hand away and stood. ‘Is it so had to believe I might be wanted?’”
The way Medea went from fear to anger that someone may not actually want her was jarring. Her thought process generally does not make sense, and that can be said for most of the characters in the novel.
Moving onto the prose. The prose is an overwritten mess, full of run on sentences and grammar mistakes. It was painful to read and made it hard to comprehend what was going on. I would find myself rereading passages to figure out what was happening.
Below is an example of a passage that is overwritten and grammatically incorrect.
“Chaliope came racing into the room, her hair loose around her. Two years younger than me, she was the essence of spring, of beauty and optimism, and life.”
Overall, I think this read like a very early draft. This book had potential to good, but needed time to be further developed and edited.
July 2, 2025
DNF'd at 30%
Listen, y'all know I love my Greek mythology stories, which unfortunately for the authors that I read means I have very high expectations for the mythology that I do read. This book got added to my TBR pile after reading Medea/The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett, a book that I adored that follows the same story, so unfortunately for Taylor, my expectation for the story of Medea is unfortunately high as well, and Taylor really doesn't deliver for me.
It may be because the chapters are so short that I got so far, but it's also because the chapters are so short that it feels that the writing and the changes in emotions of characters are just underdeveloped, and I found myself reflecting on how I didn't really care to pick this back up again and I didn't really care about what happened, which is my hallmark sign that I'm giving up 🤷🏻♂️
Listen, y'all know I love my Greek mythology stories, which unfortunately for the authors that I read means I have very high expectations for the mythology that I do read. This book got added to my TBR pile after reading Medea/The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett, a book that I adored that follows the same story, so unfortunately for Taylor, my expectation for the story of Medea is unfortunately high as well, and Taylor really doesn't deliver for me.
It may be because the chapters are so short that I got so far, but it's also because the chapters are so short that it feels that the writing and the changes in emotions of characters are just underdeveloped, and I found myself reflecting on how I didn't really care to pick this back up again and I didn't really care about what happened, which is my hallmark sign that I'm giving up 🤷🏻♂️
January 24, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
First things first, I have to highlight what thrilled me as a queer reader: less than 10% into the story and we have our first (but not last) instance of sapphic Medea! From then on, there is just so much I enjoyed about this retelling. She is a figure often highlighted for the bloody violence she commits, be it out of necessity to assist the supposed hero Jason in his quest, or due to sheer revenge, depending on the myth's source. Which is why JJ Taylor devoting a large portion of the book to the experiences she goes through while on the ship known as the Argo is such a breath of fresh air: the places she visits, the people she meets and whose lives she touches, and the yearning & lamentation she feels. Given that Medea's greatest wish has always been to be free, a previously sheltered princess such as herself broadening her worldview is something I rooted for.
The familiar beats of the myth—aiding Jason in his tasks, stealing the golden fleece, killing her brother and his dismemberment, seeing Circe, King Pelias' murder, Jason's betrayal, etc.—are still revisited. Now, however, we have insight from Medea on these series of events. We see how she laments the necessity of her atrocious deeds yet also is affronted when her role in them is downplayed or attributed to Jason instead, all because she is a woman. Internal conflict is a must for a well-rounded protagonist, and so Medea struggles with managing her hubris as well as her extremely complicated feelings for Jason.
I will say I'm pleasantly surprised by the novel's effort in developing any kind of believably positive dynamic to the Jason/Medea romance given their doomed end. While their "love" for each other is at first initiated by the meddling goddess as per the myth, the two did genuinely grow to care for the other. Jason is even quite likeable at times. I felt that this was one of many ways the novel wanted to be kind to Medea, and offer her more agency than the myth afforded her.
Speaking of agency, I also wanted to note how much I liked the minor tweaking of the way King Pelias' daughters ended up murdering him. Much more satisfying.
Lastly, what I feel is the novel's greatest strength is of how many women supported Medea, and she in turn supported them. Her relationships with most of the men in her life is often fraught because they are threatened by a woman who does not fear them. It's therefore great to see the novel embrace the concept of female solidarity, even over the instances when envy is understandably felt towards Medea and even by Medea towards others.
A wonderfully complex heroine, I'm thrilled to have gone through this journey with her.
First things first, I have to highlight what thrilled me as a queer reader: less than 10% into the story and we have our first (but not last) instance of sapphic Medea! From then on, there is just so much I enjoyed about this retelling. She is a figure often highlighted for the bloody violence she commits, be it out of necessity to assist the supposed hero Jason in his quest, or due to sheer revenge, depending on the myth's source. Which is why JJ Taylor devoting a large portion of the book to the experiences she goes through while on the ship known as the Argo is such a breath of fresh air: the places she visits, the people she meets and whose lives she touches, and the yearning & lamentation she feels. Given that Medea's greatest wish has always been to be free, a previously sheltered princess such as herself broadening her worldview is something I rooted for.
The familiar beats of the myth—aiding Jason in his tasks, stealing the golden fleece, killing her brother and his dismemberment, seeing Circe, King Pelias' murder, Jason's betrayal, etc.—are still revisited. Now, however, we have insight from Medea on these series of events. We see how she laments the necessity of her atrocious deeds yet also is affronted when her role in them is downplayed or attributed to Jason instead, all because she is a woman. Internal conflict is a must for a well-rounded protagonist, and so Medea struggles with managing her hubris as well as her extremely complicated feelings for Jason.
I will say I'm pleasantly surprised by the novel's effort in developing any kind of believably positive dynamic to the Jason/Medea romance given their doomed end. While their "love" for each other is at first initiated by the meddling goddess as per the myth, the two did genuinely grow to care for the other. Jason is even quite likeable at times. I felt that this was one of many ways the novel wanted to be kind to Medea, and offer her more agency than the myth afforded her.
Speaking of agency, I also wanted to note how much I liked the minor tweaking of the way King Pelias' daughters ended up murdering him. Much more satisfying.
Lastly, what I feel is the novel's greatest strength is of how many women supported Medea, and she in turn supported them. Her relationships with most of the men in her life is often fraught because they are threatened by a woman who does not fear them. It's therefore great to see the novel embrace the concept of female solidarity, even over the instances when envy is understandably felt towards Medea and even by Medea towards others.
A wonderfully complex heroine, I'm thrilled to have gone through this journey with her.
February 23, 2024
This book boasts the most captivating first sentence I've ever encountered, it unfortunately falls short in its delivery.
I would like to apologize in advance that this book review turned out to be more of a critique.
"Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch" by JJ Taylor is a Greek mythology retelling centered on the granddaughter of the sun god Helios, who plays a significant role in the myth of Jason and the Argonauts.
I appreciate the author's choice of exploring a lesser-known woman from Greek mythology and attempting to delve deeper into her narrative. It's refreshing that this particular character doesn't seem to be primarily motivated by romance, in contrast to many other stories. This intrigued me, especially since I had always envisioned Medea as being smitten by Jason in other interpretations.
But the challenge with retellings lies in the readers' expectations. Those familiar with the original story anticipate the author's thorough research on the topic. So if you happen to be familiar with the original narrative, as I am, and notice deviations, you might either commend the author for a skillful revision or find it to be a distracting element.
Having delved into Medea's lineage through readings like Madeline Miller's "Circe," I'm well aware that she is the daughter of Aetes and an ocean nymph. Thus, when the narrative referred to her father as “mortal”, I couldn't help my disappointment, and that discomfort lingered with me like a sore thumb.
I found myself overwhelmed by the overtly direct feminist ideas, particularly in Chapter 2. The abundance of dialogues seemed to forcefully emphasize these ideologies, which, despite aligning with my beliefs, felt overly aggressive and intrusive. Subsequent chapters followed a similar pattern, consistently delivering dialogues essentially proclaiming, "I am a strong woman." Personally, I believe these themes could have been conveyed more subtly, preferring a show-don't-tell approach.
I found myself being consistently informed about the emotions of the characters, almost as if I were expected to simply accept the transitions from anger to tears, for instance. However, these emotions failed to resonate with me; they were merely conveyed through narration without any genuine heartfelt connection.
The initial chapters also struggled with maintaining a consistent narrative tone. The abrupt shifts between a more formal prose and a colloquial language left me feeling disoriented, disrupting my immersion in the story.
The persistent emphasis on the idea that Medea's feelings towards Jason were not genuine but rather dictated by a God made it challenging for me to establish a connection with the characters. There was a noticeable absence of any meaningful build-up. The recurrent backhanded insults that Medea contemplates about Jason only added to my dissatisfaction. After Jason acquired the fleece, my indifference grew, as it became evident that they were destined for an unfavorable outcome.
Medea, in my perception, appeared excessively narcissistic. Her constant self-praise and thoughts of her own power, almost reaching a god-like status, became exasperating. The relentless trash talk about Jason left me with nothing to appreciate about his character either. The lack of any compelling elements to root for left me disengaged from their journey.
And boy did that journey dragged. It dragged on and on as they moved from one town to another, following a repetitive pattern. They would enter a town, meet with a guide, Medea would pray at the temple, and seemingly, by some mystical force, be blessed by whichever god resided there. The reason for her being chosen, not just by one god but by many, remained unclear and unanswered.
** SPOILER **
The only redeeming aspect for me was how the narrative chose to portray Medea as a loving mother. I've always been horrified by the Greek Mythology version where Medea kills her own children, so I appreciate that this book took a different route in its depiction.
In general, I recognize significant potential in this book, but there were too many minor details that bothered me, and unfortunately, I couldn't shake them off. The ideas are present, but the execution fell short.
Considering this is the author's first book, I am positive that with continued growth in their craft, they will be able to produce more refined and engaging works. But given the nature of my critique, I sincerely hope that the author never stumbles upon this review.
I would like to apologize in advance that this book review turned out to be more of a critique.
"Medea: Priestess, Princess, Witch" by JJ Taylor is a Greek mythology retelling centered on the granddaughter of the sun god Helios, who plays a significant role in the myth of Jason and the Argonauts.
I appreciate the author's choice of exploring a lesser-known woman from Greek mythology and attempting to delve deeper into her narrative. It's refreshing that this particular character doesn't seem to be primarily motivated by romance, in contrast to many other stories. This intrigued me, especially since I had always envisioned Medea as being smitten by Jason in other interpretations.
But the challenge with retellings lies in the readers' expectations. Those familiar with the original story anticipate the author's thorough research on the topic. So if you happen to be familiar with the original narrative, as I am, and notice deviations, you might either commend the author for a skillful revision or find it to be a distracting element.
Having delved into Medea's lineage through readings like Madeline Miller's "Circe," I'm well aware that she is the daughter of Aetes and an ocean nymph. Thus, when the narrative referred to her father as “mortal”, I couldn't help my disappointment, and that discomfort lingered with me like a sore thumb.
I found myself overwhelmed by the overtly direct feminist ideas, particularly in Chapter 2. The abundance of dialogues seemed to forcefully emphasize these ideologies, which, despite aligning with my beliefs, felt overly aggressive and intrusive. Subsequent chapters followed a similar pattern, consistently delivering dialogues essentially proclaiming, "I am a strong woman." Personally, I believe these themes could have been conveyed more subtly, preferring a show-don't-tell approach.
I found myself being consistently informed about the emotions of the characters, almost as if I were expected to simply accept the transitions from anger to tears, for instance. However, these emotions failed to resonate with me; they were merely conveyed through narration without any genuine heartfelt connection.
The initial chapters also struggled with maintaining a consistent narrative tone. The abrupt shifts between a more formal prose and a colloquial language left me feeling disoriented, disrupting my immersion in the story.
The persistent emphasis on the idea that Medea's feelings towards Jason were not genuine but rather dictated by a God made it challenging for me to establish a connection with the characters. There was a noticeable absence of any meaningful build-up. The recurrent backhanded insults that Medea contemplates about Jason only added to my dissatisfaction. After Jason acquired the fleece, my indifference grew, as it became evident that they were destined for an unfavorable outcome.
Medea, in my perception, appeared excessively narcissistic. Her constant self-praise and thoughts of her own power, almost reaching a god-like status, became exasperating. The relentless trash talk about Jason left me with nothing to appreciate about his character either. The lack of any compelling elements to root for left me disengaged from their journey.
And boy did that journey dragged. It dragged on and on as they moved from one town to another, following a repetitive pattern. They would enter a town, meet with a guide, Medea would pray at the temple, and seemingly, by some mystical force, be blessed by whichever god resided there. The reason for her being chosen, not just by one god but by many, remained unclear and unanswered.
** SPOILER **
The only redeeming aspect for me was how the narrative chose to portray Medea as a loving mother. I've always been horrified by the Greek Mythology version where Medea kills her own children, so I appreciate that this book took a different route in its depiction.
In general, I recognize significant potential in this book, but there were too many minor details that bothered me, and unfortunately, I couldn't shake them off. The ideas are present, but the execution fell short.
Considering this is the author's first book, I am positive that with continued growth in their craft, they will be able to produce more refined and engaging works. But given the nature of my critique, I sincerely hope that the author never stumbles upon this review.
January 31, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.
Medea is a character from greek mythology that I've seen pop up in a few other stories, but isn't someone I knew a lot about. I love a female led greek mythology retelling, so this was something I was always going to pick up.
This was such an easy read, and I absolutely flew threw it. I got through 200 pages in a day, and neglected to do everything else I had planned to get done that day it was that good.
Main characters easily annoy me. I find they're usually written in a way that's supposed to be unique, but at this point is actually way overdone and makes me want to roll my eyes straight out of my head. Not once did Medea make me feel that way. She had such amazing growth and was SO relatably stubborn.
This is a world ran by men, a world where women are supposed to keep quiet and do as they're told. Medea is a woman with incredible power, that stands up to these men and says "No." The female solidarity in this book was so powerful and I loved every second.
Medea is a character from greek mythology that I've seen pop up in a few other stories, but isn't someone I knew a lot about. I love a female led greek mythology retelling, so this was something I was always going to pick up.
This was such an easy read, and I absolutely flew threw it. I got through 200 pages in a day, and neglected to do everything else I had planned to get done that day it was that good.
Main characters easily annoy me. I find they're usually written in a way that's supposed to be unique, but at this point is actually way overdone and makes me want to roll my eyes straight out of my head. Not once did Medea make me feel that way. She had such amazing growth and was SO relatably stubborn.
This is a world ran by men, a world where women are supposed to keep quiet and do as they're told. Medea is a woman with incredible power, that stands up to these men and says "No." The female solidarity in this book was so powerful and I loved every second.
December 3, 2023
Medea tells her story (warts and all) as a badass in ancient Greece
Whether you go into this book unfamiliar with any Greek mythology, extensive knowledge of it, or somewhere in between, you're in for the kind of story that may keep you up reading past bedtime. Medea's tale is told in her voice, from her perspective, moving between her present day and different points in her past. Her relationship with the gods is at times unnerving to read - when she is clearly a pawn - and her interactions with some male characters remind the reader how rebellious Medea is to want to be free to live her life on her own terms at a time and in a society in history where women are subservient to men and subject to their whims and abuses with no recourse. The instances where Medea speaks her mind to men in her life are entertaining reading especially when those men are lacking in character traits worthy of respect, yet whose praises are sung and spun in tall tales to those in positions of power and influence. It gives you an idea of how legends are created and what the kernel of truth or original story might have been in other myths as well as whose stories may have been undocumented and then lost over time because in essence those people didn't have a powerful/vocal enough fan club or PR group.
A few names in the story were familiar to me but not many and although I cannot say how much of it may be based on actual people in history that didn't matter to me because it's great storytelling regardless. I did get the impression that an enormous amount of research went into the book to create a full sensory experience of that time period and part of the world, but it's presented in a way that's easy to read and never feels like a dry recitation of facts; the information is woven into a fantastic story where Medea's life is unfurled at her pace and leisure.
The relationship between Medea and her maid Alkippe is more one of long standing friendship with Alkippe knowing her place in society but also being totally comfortable pointing out to Medea her blind spots and reminding her of her strengths as needed. Alkippe gets in some good sarcasm and quips that made me laugh out loud.
Although there is violence in the book, mostly due to moody gods, that was less bothersome to read than the moments when Medea hopes to be free of both gods and the shackles of men and finds they are not done using her for their purposes. At one point in the story I teared up which I did not anticipate but they were happy tears; some readers may want to have tissues handy in case of the urge to cry.
I was a bit apprehensive going into this book given my less than basic knowledge of Greek myth and worry about how to keep track of characters with unfamiliar names in a part of the world I know little about even in modern day, but those concerns melted away fairly quickly as I got pulled into the story and then attached to some characters, wanting to cheerlead for the success and happiness of some and the opposite for others. It's an inspirational read for women needing heroines to look up to or be inspired by, for Medea's determination more than some of her actions. Most of the chapters are short so if you're the type of reader to set a goal or limit of a certain number of chapters to read you can blaze thru a high number of chapters in a sitting.
I recommend this book for the epic journey you can take from your comfiest chair told from an atypical perspective.
If there are more books and stories to come from JJ Taylor in the future I will happily read them and will likely reread this book at some point to see what I may have missed the first time.
Whether you go into this book unfamiliar with any Greek mythology, extensive knowledge of it, or somewhere in between, you're in for the kind of story that may keep you up reading past bedtime. Medea's tale is told in her voice, from her perspective, moving between her present day and different points in her past. Her relationship with the gods is at times unnerving to read - when she is clearly a pawn - and her interactions with some male characters remind the reader how rebellious Medea is to want to be free to live her life on her own terms at a time and in a society in history where women are subservient to men and subject to their whims and abuses with no recourse. The instances where Medea speaks her mind to men in her life are entertaining reading especially when those men are lacking in character traits worthy of respect, yet whose praises are sung and spun in tall tales to those in positions of power and influence. It gives you an idea of how legends are created and what the kernel of truth or original story might have been in other myths as well as whose stories may have been undocumented and then lost over time because in essence those people didn't have a powerful/vocal enough fan club or PR group.
A few names in the story were familiar to me but not many and although I cannot say how much of it may be based on actual people in history that didn't matter to me because it's great storytelling regardless. I did get the impression that an enormous amount of research went into the book to create a full sensory experience of that time period and part of the world, but it's presented in a way that's easy to read and never feels like a dry recitation of facts; the information is woven into a fantastic story where Medea's life is unfurled at her pace and leisure.
The relationship between Medea and her maid Alkippe is more one of long standing friendship with Alkippe knowing her place in society but also being totally comfortable pointing out to Medea her blind spots and reminding her of her strengths as needed. Alkippe gets in some good sarcasm and quips that made me laugh out loud.
Although there is violence in the book, mostly due to moody gods, that was less bothersome to read than the moments when Medea hopes to be free of both gods and the shackles of men and finds they are not done using her for their purposes. At one point in the story I teared up which I did not anticipate but they were happy tears; some readers may want to have tissues handy in case of the urge to cry.
I was a bit apprehensive going into this book given my less than basic knowledge of Greek myth and worry about how to keep track of characters with unfamiliar names in a part of the world I know little about even in modern day, but those concerns melted away fairly quickly as I got pulled into the story and then attached to some characters, wanting to cheerlead for the success and happiness of some and the opposite for others. It's an inspirational read for women needing heroines to look up to or be inspired by, for Medea's determination more than some of her actions. Most of the chapters are short so if you're the type of reader to set a goal or limit of a certain number of chapters to read you can blaze thru a high number of chapters in a sitting.
I recommend this book for the epic journey you can take from your comfiest chair told from an atypical perspective.
If there are more books and stories to come from JJ Taylor in the future I will happily read them and will likely reread this book at some point to see what I may have missed the first time.
January 27, 2024
Firstly, I’d like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free e-arc of Medea by JJ Taylor.
Finally, I have finally read a Medea retelling. AND I LIKED IT.
For the past few years, I’ve been finding a Greek mythology retelling that isn’t Hades and Persephone. Like, they’re great and everything, but they have the tend to be overdone. Other than that, I also didn’t want to read anything from authors I have read before, so this.. it had something I want.
I was never familiar with Jason (I mean I was… but I was familiarized with Greek Mythology women more), so I wanted to see if he was a normal Greek Mythology ego guy, and uhm…yeah! He was! He was coward and selfish; thank GOD he isn’t the main character.
Medea contains a lot of twists, so it kept me intrigued! That doesn’t happen to retellings a lot, so I was shocked of how bold this book is. It was definitely a delight and I would highly recommend!
Finally, I have finally read a Medea retelling. AND I LIKED IT.
For the past few years, I’ve been finding a Greek mythology retelling that isn’t Hades and Persephone. Like, they’re great and everything, but they have the tend to be overdone. Other than that, I also didn’t want to read anything from authors I have read before, so this.. it had something I want.
I was never familiar with Jason (I mean I was… but I was familiarized with Greek Mythology women more), so I wanted to see if he was a normal Greek Mythology ego guy, and uhm…yeah! He was! He was coward and selfish; thank GOD he isn’t the main character.
Medea contains a lot of twists, so it kept me intrigued! That doesn’t happen to retellings a lot, so I was shocked of how bold this book is. It was definitely a delight and I would highly recommend!
January 27, 2024
3.5 / 5
what a fun experience to read another Greek Mythology and it’s about Medea, which i never read before.
this book is about her adventure to find freedom. she’s the chosen one by the gods who can see the future although it’s not crystal clear.
this book is a slow pace and very quiet, it only gets intense when it’s near the ending. but through this pace, we can get a better closure of Medea.
i love the writing styles. it is very poetic and deep. the other side characters in this book are also crafted really well.
what a fun experience to read another Greek Mythology and it’s about Medea, which i never read before.
this book is about her adventure to find freedom. she’s the chosen one by the gods who can see the future although it’s not crystal clear.
this book is a slow pace and very quiet, it only gets intense when it’s near the ending. but through this pace, we can get a better closure of Medea.
i love the writing styles. it is very poetic and deep. the other side characters in this book are also crafted really well.
January 24, 2024
It is a beautiful retelling depicting a strong female story that captivates you with beautiful writing. JJ Taylor does an amazing job at taking a story that has been told thousands of times and breathing new life into it. We get to see the depths of Medea and her character through her youth to old age. As a woman, I felt a sense of empathy and comradery as I read through the chapters. The story was enchanting, tense, heart-wrenching, and liberating. This is perfect for anyone who enjoys Greek retellings like Circe by Madeline Miller.
Thank you to NetGalley and JJTaylorl for this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and JJTaylorl for this ARC.
January 23, 2024
****THIS IS A NETGALLEY ARC REVIEW****
It’s safe to say I loved this book. As a former Greek mythology nerd, I love the emotions that arise from Greek retellings, I love the drama and the tragedy and the suspense. I loved Medea. I love how well the author characterized her, and in reading this book I felt transported back to my childhood, falling in love with Greek retellings all over again.
It’s safe to say I loved this book. As a former Greek mythology nerd, I love the emotions that arise from Greek retellings, I love the drama and the tragedy and the suspense. I loved Medea. I love how well the author characterized her, and in reading this book I felt transported back to my childhood, falling in love with Greek retellings all over again.
December 11, 2023
Medea had me transfixed as I read the story of the life of someone I thought I knew from my childhood knowledge of Greek Mythology. This version has transformed my thinking and I loved it.
JJ Taylor has taken the story and the facts and looked at them through a completely different lens and written something unusual. Unusual enough that I’ve had to put the book down at times to stop my racing heart and re-gain my equilibrium. To find there is an alternative, a contrasting way of thinking or a reason for all those actions I thought I understood, has been enlightening.
The world Medea lives in is wonderfully described. JJ Taylor has looked at the different places and the characters involved showing that her knowledge of this period is something very rare these days. The emotional connection between people and place is exquisite. Her research is thorough and detailed; she knows her mythology and her ancient Greece.
If you add to all this, a poetic way with words that keeps your attention from start to finish, then you understand how JJ Taylor will make you feel when you read this book. I dare you to buy it and see what untruths you uncover.
JJ Taylor has taken the story and the facts and looked at them through a completely different lens and written something unusual. Unusual enough that I’ve had to put the book down at times to stop my racing heart and re-gain my equilibrium. To find there is an alternative, a contrasting way of thinking or a reason for all those actions I thought I understood, has been enlightening.
The world Medea lives in is wonderfully described. JJ Taylor has looked at the different places and the characters involved showing that her knowledge of this period is something very rare these days. The emotional connection between people and place is exquisite. Her research is thorough and detailed; she knows her mythology and her ancient Greece.
If you add to all this, a poetic way with words that keeps your attention from start to finish, then you understand how JJ Taylor will make you feel when you read this book. I dare you to buy it and see what untruths you uncover.
August 20, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall Review (spoilers)
I am in my greek mythology era again, but specifically my “the women in the greek mythology era” stories. Medea fills all my internal desire for strong female Greek mythology characters who are not heroes but also not villains. Medea doesn’t really fit into the anti-hero trope though, just more a reluctant women who craves freedom and the gods really dig her. I love the accurate portrayal of Jason (who has always been my least favorite Greek mythology character) and the way Taylor is able to explain the way in which women speak a language men will never really understand. The book is written in an adult style, slightly reminiscent of the old myths but for a modern reader, especially a pretentious modern reader. I recommend this book if you were a PJO fan as a kid, a Greek Mythology kid, or love strong female characters with a mean streak.
Plot Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating:
Overall Review (spoilers)
I am in my greek mythology era again, but specifically my “the women in the greek mythology era” stories. Medea fills all my internal desire for strong female Greek mythology characters who are not heroes but also not villains. Medea doesn’t really fit into the anti-hero trope though, just more a reluctant women who craves freedom and the gods really dig her. I love the accurate portrayal of Jason (who has always been my least favorite Greek mythology character) and the way Taylor is able to explain the way in which women speak a language men will never really understand. The book is written in an adult style, slightly reminiscent of the old myths but for a modern reader, especially a pretentious modern reader. I recommend this book if you were a PJO fan as a kid, a Greek Mythology kid, or love strong female characters with a mean streak.
Plot Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating:
Read
January 31, 2024Life is too short to read books you aren't just that interested in. This is one of those books.
I need to at least feel sympathy for a character but Medea is one cold-hearted and ruthless B. She is vile, unredeemable and all in the name of the 'Gods' I'm not buying what she is trying to sell.
Please note that I am in the minority and please take it all with a pinch of salt.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
I need to at least feel sympathy for a character but Medea is one cold-hearted and ruthless B. She is vile, unredeemable and all in the name of the 'Gods' I'm not buying what she is trying to sell.
Please note that I am in the minority and please take it all with a pinch of salt.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2024
This book by JJ Taylor has accomplished some of the data involving some of the tribes from the Black Sea to Greece and back with an amazing story. It starts out with an old women who is called Medea, and is also called the Priestess, Princess and Witch although at the time this is told she is a Queen. Alkippe is her maid or equal in her life. She has many meetings with her Goddesses and in each town she travels she meets another Goddess. She was told to give the golden fleece to her first future husband, Jason. This was against her fathers wishes. Taylor describes how they later fair. The struggles that they have and how her children were killed. She had 3 marriages and it was an interesting time when earth quakes were everywhere. It's an interesting story which doesn't really end.
February 24, 2024
I have started to dabble in mythology retellings of late, and Medea's story is one I knew nothing about so when I came across this book I was keen to read it.
I enjoyed reading Medea's POV and the past and present timelines, although I felt the pace of the book was a little slow in places, and then elsewhere it felt a tad rushed. Overall, I enjoyed this retelling of Medea and I would recommend this book to mythology enthusiasts.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an eARC to read and review. Medea is out now.
I enjoyed reading Medea's POV and the past and present timelines, although I felt the pace of the book was a little slow in places, and then elsewhere it felt a tad rushed. Overall, I enjoyed this retelling of Medea and I would recommend this book to mythology enthusiasts.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an eARC to read and review. Medea is out now.
February 7, 2024
This book turned out to be quite an enjoyable reworking of the Medea story from Greek mythology. J.J. Taylor, the author, has managed to gather the stories of Medea into a cohesive storyline, with a plot that gives import to her struggle as a woman to be free in a time where females were generally seen as little more than property. There were a few points where I questioned the changes or variations on the myths, particularly towards the end, but overall, the story overcame the episodic nature of the Medea myths and breathed new life into a tragic and at times unsympathetic figure.
I particularly liked how Medea in many points stood in for the common person when she railed against her fate and had to decide how to deal with it - whether to just give up and resign herself to it or to accept and live the life the best she could while knowing she was a vessel for the gods and goddesses of the times. There were a few points where this struggle may have been internalized perhaps a few too many times, along with the reminders to Medea to humble herself, but I was impressed that this reexamination of her turned helped explain why her character committed many of the horrible acts that she did.
Overall, the prose of the book was quite good, with several passages that I found particularly well done. As Medea observes of many people, "There was truth in people's eyes even when there were lies on their lips. If you didn't look them in the eye, you might miss the truth of who they were." Or, when she comes into her power when she notes, "Was this what it was to be a god? To move as I wished, to know no consequence, and have men fear me? I liked it. I liked it very much."
I find it interesting when an author manages to successfully reimagine a piece of mythology, as it often shows how applicable the old myths, whether Greek or others, are to us today. With this tale, even with my few quibbles, Taylor has joined others in bringing new light to the old stories.
I particularly liked how Medea in many points stood in for the common person when she railed against her fate and had to decide how to deal with it - whether to just give up and resign herself to it or to accept and live the life the best she could while knowing she was a vessel for the gods and goddesses of the times. There were a few points where this struggle may have been internalized perhaps a few too many times, along with the reminders to Medea to humble herself, but I was impressed that this reexamination of her turned helped explain why her character committed many of the horrible acts that she did.
Overall, the prose of the book was quite good, with several passages that I found particularly well done. As Medea observes of many people, "There was truth in people's eyes even when there were lies on their lips. If you didn't look them in the eye, you might miss the truth of who they were." Or, when she comes into her power when she notes, "Was this what it was to be a god? To move as I wished, to know no consequence, and have men fear me? I liked it. I liked it very much."
I find it interesting when an author manages to successfully reimagine a piece of mythology, as it often shows how applicable the old myths, whether Greek or others, are to us today. With this tale, even with my few quibbles, Taylor has joined others in bringing new light to the old stories.
February 21, 2024
Medea by JJ Taylor is exactly the mythological retelling adventure I was hoping for right now. If you already love the myths this story is based on be aware that much of it treads familiar ground however this writer has lifted the veil on a a heaping serving a feminine anger and power that was hiding just under the edges of this tale.
This story is perfect for fans of Psyche and Eros or Circe that haven't quite had enough of re visting their favorite myths yet.
This story is perfect for fans of Psyche and Eros or Circe that haven't quite had enough of re visting their favorite myths yet.
February 1, 2024
This is not the story of the woman you think you know. You know only the tales told through the ages. No, this is the story of a dangerous woman fighting for her freedom in a world dominated by cruel gods and ego driven men…
In the house of King Aeetes on the shores of the Black Sea, Medea plays with gods in the forest as visions of a dark future haunt her. Descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, Medea holds the kind of power meant for the heroes of the epics, the heroes who have yet to arrive in the world. But as a woman, her place is decided by the men around her. Until Jason and his Argonauts arrive, bringing with them the winds of change and the goddess’s voice ringing out of Medea’s lips.
Sacrifices. Politics wrapped in layers of deceit, blood, and ego. Gods with their own agendas not meant for mortal flesh. Magic. Monsters. Love. Who will Medea become in her desperate search for freedom?
I’ve been obsessed with Greek mythology since I was a teenager, so I was really excited to get this arc! I was familiar with the story before I read this book, but this retelling is from a different perspective. Medea is a strong, female, main character and the book has amazing feminist vibes. The relationship between Medea and Kip is refreshing and realistic. Following along on Madea‘s journey was so much fun, and I felt drawn to her character as such a strong, independent female, Add to that all of the references to the Greek myths and I was eating this book up.
The timeline does switch between past and present often, which I usually don’t enjoy. However, the author did a wonderful job of tying things together, so it made sense. I feel like if the story was written in a linear method, you would not get the full effect intended.
Thank you so much NetGalley and JJ Taylor for this arc in exchange for my review!
In the house of King Aeetes on the shores of the Black Sea, Medea plays with gods in the forest as visions of a dark future haunt her. Descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, Medea holds the kind of power meant for the heroes of the epics, the heroes who have yet to arrive in the world. But as a woman, her place is decided by the men around her. Until Jason and his Argonauts arrive, bringing with them the winds of change and the goddess’s voice ringing out of Medea’s lips.
Sacrifices. Politics wrapped in layers of deceit, blood, and ego. Gods with their own agendas not meant for mortal flesh. Magic. Monsters. Love. Who will Medea become in her desperate search for freedom?
I’ve been obsessed with Greek mythology since I was a teenager, so I was really excited to get this arc! I was familiar with the story before I read this book, but this retelling is from a different perspective. Medea is a strong, female, main character and the book has amazing feminist vibes. The relationship between Medea and Kip is refreshing and realistic. Following along on Madea‘s journey was so much fun, and I felt drawn to her character as such a strong, independent female, Add to that all of the references to the Greek myths and I was eating this book up.
The timeline does switch between past and present often, which I usually don’t enjoy. However, the author did a wonderful job of tying things together, so it made sense. I feel like if the story was written in a linear method, you would not get the full effect intended.
Thank you so much NetGalley and JJ Taylor for this arc in exchange for my review!
February 20, 2024
I wish I could rate this higher!!!! A lot of the first half dragged and the exiting bits felt rushed. The last 60-70% I was absolutely hooked but sadly it took longer to get started than it should have.
December 30, 2023
From the youthful offerings of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series to the familiar names of Madeline Miller and Pat Barker, there's no shortage of authors to choose from for those readers seeking to dive into Greek mythology. And as the popularity of those mythological stories and their retellings continue to rise, it requires evermore skill to reach the lofty height of success.
Medea by JJ Taylor has all the qualities of a best-seller. The author's ability to infuse
the nectar of life into archaic words turns crumbling ruins into shining temples, wind-blown ashes into born-again human bones, and inevitable death into fabled glory. This is the story of Medea depicted as never before.
An author to rival the greats in the Greek storytelling field, the passion of JJ Taylor brings every inch of Medea's story to life. The clarity and accuracy with which her journey is told forms a beautiful kaleidoscope of the most common themes oft found in Greek tales; love, lust, war, politics, and of course the everchanging and elaborate whims of the gods. The result is an emotive exploration of Medea's lived experience as told from her perspective, as she seeks freedom not just from her godly trappings, but from familial and societal expectations and duties too. What arises is a fascinating representation of a highly dramatic period of history, one in which a flawed character such as Medea seeks to simultaneously obtain love, power, freedom and choice. What the author skillfully captures in this telling of Medea's story is the very human nature of her story; that power often has a price attached, that freedom and love may not always be as you imagined, but when a decision arises the choice is always in your hands.
Reading Medea does not require any prior knowledge of ancient Greece and its long-standing myths. The abundance of research that has gone into this story is clear on the page, ensuring Medea's tale is more than suitable for both the Greek novice and the field expert. This accessibility ensures that anyone who cares to pick up this gem of a book will benefit equally from a female-led perspective of an ancient story; only this time Medea's voice rises again, and again, to reside high above the coercive control inflicted by the men of her time.
The relationship between Medea and her 'servant' Alkippe is compelling; I can't recall any story which has Greek origins in which a servant is depicted as anything other than just that. Their relationship is refreshingly equal (in so far as it can be), grounded in the longevity of true care and friendship, such that I wonder who else's ancient story might have similar tangents yet to see the light of day.
Medea is more than a woman scorned. She's desired, loved, hated, feared, and venerated by humans and the gods alike. But in the end, she's a woman who dwells in the pools of both light and darkness, and her story deserves to span the history of time, for her strength of character and conviction to shine throughout her well-known trials and retributions. Repeatedly 'god touched' many of Medea's visits to other Priestesses' temples are harrowing, displaying the weight that perhaps no mere mortal should be handed by the gods. And yet, beneath the layers of cruelty, crippling visions, and mysteries, the author deftly draws out subtle links to the many facets of human nature and the moral lessons often still in need of learning.
JJ Taylor's version of the story of Medea will reconfigure what you believe to be true as she allows Medea to stand in her power and gives voice to her place in time. I would dearly love to see JJ Taylor go on to tell more stories of the ancient Greeks; particularly those individuals whom we believe we know all there is to know of their story; as JJ Taylor would be sure to show you that you don't.
After all, everybody knows the story of Jason and the Argonauts, some may even know the story of Medea, but what's for certain is that no one will know the story of Medea as told by JJ Taylor.
I received an ARC of this book from Butterworth Books in exchange for an honest review.
Medea by JJ Taylor has all the qualities of a best-seller. The author's ability to infuse
the nectar of life into archaic words turns crumbling ruins into shining temples, wind-blown ashes into born-again human bones, and inevitable death into fabled glory. This is the story of Medea depicted as never before.
An author to rival the greats in the Greek storytelling field, the passion of JJ Taylor brings every inch of Medea's story to life. The clarity and accuracy with which her journey is told forms a beautiful kaleidoscope of the most common themes oft found in Greek tales; love, lust, war, politics, and of course the everchanging and elaborate whims of the gods. The result is an emotive exploration of Medea's lived experience as told from her perspective, as she seeks freedom not just from her godly trappings, but from familial and societal expectations and duties too. What arises is a fascinating representation of a highly dramatic period of history, one in which a flawed character such as Medea seeks to simultaneously obtain love, power, freedom and choice. What the author skillfully captures in this telling of Medea's story is the very human nature of her story; that power often has a price attached, that freedom and love may not always be as you imagined, but when a decision arises the choice is always in your hands.
Reading Medea does not require any prior knowledge of ancient Greece and its long-standing myths. The abundance of research that has gone into this story is clear on the page, ensuring Medea's tale is more than suitable for both the Greek novice and the field expert. This accessibility ensures that anyone who cares to pick up this gem of a book will benefit equally from a female-led perspective of an ancient story; only this time Medea's voice rises again, and again, to reside high above the coercive control inflicted by the men of her time.
The relationship between Medea and her 'servant' Alkippe is compelling; I can't recall any story which has Greek origins in which a servant is depicted as anything other than just that. Their relationship is refreshingly equal (in so far as it can be), grounded in the longevity of true care and friendship, such that I wonder who else's ancient story might have similar tangents yet to see the light of day.
Medea is more than a woman scorned. She's desired, loved, hated, feared, and venerated by humans and the gods alike. But in the end, she's a woman who dwells in the pools of both light and darkness, and her story deserves to span the history of time, for her strength of character and conviction to shine throughout her well-known trials and retributions. Repeatedly 'god touched' many of Medea's visits to other Priestesses' temples are harrowing, displaying the weight that perhaps no mere mortal should be handed by the gods. And yet, beneath the layers of cruelty, crippling visions, and mysteries, the author deftly draws out subtle links to the many facets of human nature and the moral lessons often still in need of learning.
JJ Taylor's version of the story of Medea will reconfigure what you believe to be true as she allows Medea to stand in her power and gives voice to her place in time. I would dearly love to see JJ Taylor go on to tell more stories of the ancient Greeks; particularly those individuals whom we believe we know all there is to know of their story; as JJ Taylor would be sure to show you that you don't.
After all, everybody knows the story of Jason and the Argonauts, some may even know the story of Medea, but what's for certain is that no one will know the story of Medea as told by JJ Taylor.
I received an ARC of this book from Butterworth Books in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the arc. I love greek mythology retellings, and I was immediately interested in this book when I saw that it was good for fans of Circe (one of my favorite books). Medea’s story is not one that I was very familiar with, but I have seen her mentioned in other books I’ve read. Medea as a character has a lot of depth, and I loved hearing her story and her thoughts/feelings throughout. I also loved that so many different characters and locations were introduced. I especially loved the friendship between Medea and Kip. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was very fast paced, and once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down!
January 20, 2024
Summary: In the house of King Aeetes on the Black Sea shores, Medea, descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, possesses power fit for epic heroes. However, her fate is dictated by the men around her until the arrival of Jason and the Argonauts. With the winds of change, the goddess's voice echoing through her, and visions of a dark future haunting her, Medea's journey is marked by sacrifices, political intrigue, gods with hidden agendas, magic, monsters, and the tumultuous quest for love and freedom.
Pros:
🌌 A stellar 5-star experience for Greek mythology enthusiasts! A faithful retelling that stays true to the myth, unfolding the layers of Medea's compelling story.
👩🦰 Medea, a character to root for! I was drawn into her world, feeling the depth of her struggles and the fierce determination for freedom. A protagonist worth championing.
🖋️ Beautiful prose that weaves an intricately well-written story. The story flows seamlessly, immersing readers in a world of gods, deceit, and a woman's relentless fight against her predetermined destiny.
In conclusion, "Medea" is a captivating exploration of Greek mythology, where gods and mortals collide in a world of sacrifices, politics, magic, monsters, and the undying quest for freedom. A 5-star journey that honors the myth while telling Medea's side of the story. Bravo to JJ Taylor for delivering a compelling retelling! 🏛️🌌
Disclaimer: A big thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC copy. Opinions are as steadfast as Medea's determination, and this review celebrates the allure of Greek mythology. 🏺📚
Pros:
🌌 A stellar 5-star experience for Greek mythology enthusiasts! A faithful retelling that stays true to the myth, unfolding the layers of Medea's compelling story.
👩🦰 Medea, a character to root for! I was drawn into her world, feeling the depth of her struggles and the fierce determination for freedom. A protagonist worth championing.
🖋️ Beautiful prose that weaves an intricately well-written story. The story flows seamlessly, immersing readers in a world of gods, deceit, and a woman's relentless fight against her predetermined destiny.
In conclusion, "Medea" is a captivating exploration of Greek mythology, where gods and mortals collide in a world of sacrifices, politics, magic, monsters, and the undying quest for freedom. A 5-star journey that honors the myth while telling Medea's side of the story. Bravo to JJ Taylor for delivering a compelling retelling! 🏛️🌌
Disclaimer: A big thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC copy. Opinions are as steadfast as Medea's determination, and this review celebrates the allure of Greek mythology. 🏺📚
January 30, 2024
Thank you for the ARC copy of this book through netgalley. Going into this book I knew a bit about Medea and the Greek mythology story line so I was looking forward to reading a retelling. I thought the retelling was well done and in tune with what we see currently with a more feminist lense or a different portrayal of women in myths which I liked. This made Medea come across as a more developed character/lead with many different emotions that were written well. At times the pacing felt a little off but otherwise I really enjoyed this book and this retelling. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Greek mythology.
February 1, 2024
This was a wonderful book! It is so amazingly immersive, it’s got beautiful writing style, and it’s just the right pace. I am so happy I got to read this, as it definitely sparked me back into loving Greek mythology retellings! I can’t wait to see what else JJ Taylor will write!
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