The Witch and the Huntress

by Luna McNamara

Two of Greek mythology’s most complex and powerful women—Medea and Atalanta—join forces on Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece in this suspenseful, sapphic reimagining from the acclaimed author of Psyche and Eros.

Medea possesses both witchcraft and cunning, yet she endures a lonely and constrained life under the rule of her wicked father, Aeetes. When the hero Jason arrives, they strike a deal: If Medea helps him win her father’s Golden Fleece, Jason will marry her and take her with him back to Greece. But as the journey unfolds, Medea is forced to choose between the life she expected and the love she secretly desires—and the cost may be greater than she ever imagined.

Atalanta, raised by bears, is a capable warrior caught between the wilderness and the human world but never fully part of either. After the sudden disappearance of the woman she loves, Atalanta joins Jason’s Argonauts in an attempt to find her. But when Medea becomes part of the crew, the sorceress awakens something in Atalanta that she cannot ignore.

Jason, a skilled diplomat but a reluctant warrior, depends on his heroic companions to help him claim the Golden Fleece and retake the stolen throne of his father. Medea and Atalanta are among his most useful allies, but Jason soon finds that success may demand more than he can give.

Bursting with mythological references and cameos, Luna McNamara’s The Witch and the Huntress is a daring, enchanting story about two singular women in search of love, power, and redemption, set against a backdrop of epic quests and meddling gods.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Greek Mythology, Retellings, Adult, Queer, Lesbian

432 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 21, 2026

Reviews

[Sarah Seltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this sapphic reimagining of the stories of Medea, Jason, and Atalanta, the author brings us a beautiful tale of adventure, love, loss, and survival by any means necessary. Most stories of Medea and Jason tell a tale of a woman scorned who murders her own children in an effort to make the man who wronged her suffer. In this telling, Medea is a lonely princess seeking to do whatever she can to take her fate into her own hands. This story dives deeper into the lives of women who only want to be in charge of their own destinies and the men who think the right to decide is theirs alone.

McNamara has done a beautiful job weaving this tale from 3 different angles, those of our 3 heroes. Greek mythology is full of tragedy, but this retelling also brings about the hope for a brighter future.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Kate LaMont]

i literally said in the last medea retelling i read that i wanted her and atlanta to be lesbians together... like i manifested this book...

[rachel x]

"Two of Greek mythology’s most complex and powerful women—Medea and Atalanta—join forces on Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece in this suspenseful, sapphic reimagining"

say less, i'm sold

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by publisher:

I’m always up for a good Greek retelling, and this one is well done. The worldbuilding and character work were strong and clearly well researched. I’d assumed the story would focus on the Argo and the quest for the Golden Fleece, but the final third expanded into a full life span epilogue. It eventually paid off, but I do think the book tried to take on too much. Greek mythology is so rich that you really have to pick and choose what to include.

The narrative structure felt a little unexpected. Most of the book is told in a first-person, past-tense frame from both of the protagonists, which worked well and grounded the mythic tone. However, it occasionally shifted to third-person, present-tense scenes with Jason. His POV (and in a different tense) didn’t feel strictly necessary, and the difference in tense made them stand out in a distracting way.

The retelling itself was memorable and unique. If you like mythic epics this one’s worth picking up.

[an ungraceful swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who grew up stowing away the sole book on greek mythology in my library under the shelf so no one would check it out in between my library visits, I am very particular about my mythology retellings. Yet, I am a simple enough reader that I saw sapphic, I requested the ARC.

First, the positives. This book reimagined mythology yet stayed true to the original myths, expanding on the relationship of Atalanta and Medea as they navigate their way onto the Argo and beyond. It did so with respect for both women and their existing stories, yet was able to operate as it's own narrative within the bounds of existing mythology. For the most part it avoided falling into the trap of some retellings, where modern morals are projected into antiquity, though it was not perfect in that regard.

I think the perspective, while the switches in point of view could be jarring, served to further the story as we follow Medea, Atalanta, and Jason. It ultimately humanized the three and took them off the pedestal of time, and the world was clearly thought through.

Melanion stood out in a cast of otherwise 'meh' side characters, and I wish others were given the same vibrancy in the limited page time as they are the first side character to truly feel like a character rather than a prop designed to go through the motions. Atalanta is said to love Meleager and her son yet it rarely came across and both seemed rather discarded once they served their narrative purpose.

Overall, I felt as if their were a divide between what the book wanted me to feel and what I actually felt, as if the raw emotion had been filed off. It is technically good, but is not gut-wrenching in it's tragedy and I assume it will be ultimately forgettable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.

The Witch and the Huntress is a sapphic retelling of The Argonautika and Medea, specifically following Jason, Medea, and Atalanta.

As a sapphic lover of history and scholar of The Argonautika (I wrote my undergrad capstone and a few essays on Apollonios' version of the epic), I was particularly excited for this book, even though I haven't read many retellings of this story that I've enjoyed. But this one worked very well, especially in how it made Medea firmly her own person with her own desires, while still tying her very closely to Jason at the start, like she is in the original tale. I also have to say this is the best version of Jason I've ever seen in a retelling as it keeps his boyish insecurity and his reluctant, but persistent leadership of the Argonauts while balancing his desire for what's right and what he thinks he deserves. His shift in the second half also is wonderfully done, mirroring Medea's own growth as they finally take their destinies in their own hands, to much different effect.

I did find the writing style a bit strangely formal and as much as I loved this version of Jason, I wasn’t sure how his perspective was important to the plot. But I loved the story and how compelling Medea and Atalanta's relationship was, which made it easy to over look any issues I had.

Thank you again to William Morrow and NetGalley for the chance to read this early.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look not to brag (100% bragging) but I got to read an early draft of this novel and it was bomb as fuck. I kept asking myself, "gaaaaay?" about two of the characters and then when I was proved right I kept chanting "Gay! Gay! Gay! Gay!" in my head so I love that in its final form it's officially a sapphic retelling.

I deeply enjoyed the earlier draft and I’m doubly excited to read the upcoming published version. Reading a beloved book for the first time, twice is such a treat. Luna brings these characters to life in such a tangible way that despite their ancient settings, they feel real and relatable even as they experience things the likes of which we can only dream (or nightmare) about.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of Greek mythology, in a more in-depth way than I can sufficiently put into actual words... without sounding like an utter lunatic that is. Add in sapphic romance?
Well, I am most definitely interested now.
While Greek mythology has a tendency to be known for all things tragic, depressing... and well, let's just say all things that you probably don't ever want to experience in real life and more.... And where more than one notably powerful woman is tossed to the sidelines in favor of showing off a man's capability instead.
Luna McNamara has done an absolutely stunning job of taking the three original myths of Medea, Jason, and Atalanta... taking those important mythological elements and essential parts of each story... and balling it into the masterpiece that is The Witch and the Huntress. Gone is the oh-so-common focus on the glories and might of men, Luna has brought a beautifully refreshing tale focusing more on the feats of women in mythological tales, without taking away the original elements to the point where it just focuses on the women instead.
This brings a beautiful balance of the scales, and a new light to mythology that I view as truly beautiful... (Past versions have glorified Jason...or paint Medea as some form of ultimate villain... or otherwise have women act in disgraceful ways take revenge on men....) and one that makes The Witch and the Huntress that much more desirable to read. The three different angles, the themes of love, of loss, of adventure, and of hope... of promise for a better future....
If you are a lover of all things Greek Mythology, The Witch and the Huntress will leave you wanting more after you have long finished its pages.

Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews can be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book by this author and won't be my last.

The Witch and the Huntress is a beautifully written, myth-inspired story told through three different points of view: Jason, leader of the Argonauts; Medea, a witch and daughter of Hekate; and Atalanta, who was raised by bears. Split into four parts, the book explores love, loss, and sacrifice with a strong emotional core and vivid imagery.

The story includes clear LGBTQ+ representation, with Melanion (they/them) standing out as a caring, compassionate presence amid more traditionally masculine characters. Along with the relationships. Despite having three central figures, a wide cast of mythological and original characters is introduced throughout the journey, making the world feel expansive and layered. While there are moments of warmth and lightness, the tone leans toward struggle and endurance. The writing is deeply visual, I found myself highlighting many passages like, love and loss were part of the tapestry of life.

Some of Medea actions are a bit abrupt and doesn't make total sense which caused issues. The characters I liked the most was Atlanta and Melanion.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jj.Jadaran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the eARC!

This was an OK, ultimately forgettable book. At first, I was very excited to read this book because I loved the idea of a sapphic relationship between the only female Argonauts-- Medea and Atalanta. I read Rosie Hewlett's Medea last year, which I loved; and I was eager to read another retelling of the Medea myth.

However, the book had too many POVs--- three, including Jason. This stopped me from becoming fully immersed in any of the three narratives, because I kept having to leave any time I got interested. They also all sounded similar; the narrative voices all sounded like each other.

Also, the relationships all felt surface level. Atalanta has a son, but I barely remember anything about their relationship. Medea has two kids with Jason, but we barely know anything about these kids. And finally, the romantic relationship between Medea and Atalanta didn't really convince me. I could buy that they felt attracted to each other. But Atalanta has a moral disgust over Medea's actions which is never resolved-- they just agree not to talk to each other about it.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witch and the Huntress is a commendable addition to the relatively recent trend of mythological retellings, viewing the story from the central female characters' points of view. Mythology, throughout time has been in step with history, which has long been HIS-story and burying any significant notable women into the footnotes of the telling. Most of the tales of the adventures of the Argonauts downplay any contributions of Medea or paint her as the biggest villain, but now we have a story that turns the tables. We do not stray entirely into female points of view here since the author gives Jason a voice in addition to Medea and Atalanta but this reimagining goes a long way to balancing the scales. Nor does the author automatically paint Medea as a flawless hero (as some past versions have glorified Jason), but we see her perspective in a brighter light. The story is told well and makes for an enjoyable read especially for anyone who enjoys Greek mythology.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, William Morrow) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Tiffany Seward · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ Mythology | LGBTQ+ | Fantasy

Thank you, William Morrow, for allowing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Witch and the Huntress is a beautifully written, myth-inspired story told through three different points of view: Jason, leader of the Argonauts; Medea, a witch and daughter of Hekate; and Atalanta, who was raised by bears. Split into four parts, the book explores love, loss, and sacrifice with a strong emotional core and vivid imagery.

The story includes clear LGBTQ+ representation, with Melanion (they/them) standing out as a caring, compassionate presence amid more traditionally masculine characters. Along with the relationships.

Despite having three central figures, a wide cast of mythological and original characters is introduced throughout the journey, making the world feel expansive and layered.

While there are moments of warmth and lightness, the tone leans toward struggle and endurance. The writing is deeply visual, I found myself highlighting many passages like, "love and loss were part of the tapestry of life."

Some of Medea actions are a bit abrupt and doesn't make total sense which caused issues. The characters I liked the most was Atlanta and Melanion.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Luna McNamara for an arc of this book!

This book was written gorgeously and did an amazing job retelling the story of Atalanta and Medea as they journey through life. This book is great for fans of Greek mythology retellings and ones that do a fantastic job at it. Not only was the writing itself captivating but the story that the author wrote and how she portrayed the relationship between Atalanta and Medea. As a reader you can see the longing and familiarity they have with each other. There stories are different in ways of achievement and quests but their lives entangle in all ways that matter to them.

[beyondthebookcase95 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher. All thoughts are my own.

A fantastic read. At first it lagged a bit but then it became more and more interesting. I loved the different character perspectives and it kept me to the end. You could really feel the characters.

[Nelly]

WOOOAAh what a beautiful cover!!! I NEED THIS ON MY TBR ASAP.