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Medusa: Or, Men Entombed in Winter
A haunting literary thriller about youth, power, fatherhood, and the slow unraveling of a utopia.
"A gripping meditation on power and control... Get it!" — Kirkus Reviews
"Comfortably one of the best books I’ve read this year, and among the top books I’ve read in my adult life." — Saffron Asteria, host of the BOOKED podcast
"A nearly flawless novel... Farnworth has written a dynamite book." — The Book Review Directory
"A haunting mix of intellect, obsession, and the slow, beautiful unraveling of people who think they’re smarter than their own downfall." — Ellie Pulliam, for Literary Titan
Driven by a shared desire for control, a group of Dartmouth students, led by the enigmatic Meddy, forms the Students for Fundamental Change. Their pursuit leads them to Stillwell, Maine, where they establish a secluded community with unconventional rules, challenging traditional norms and attracting those desperate to belong. But their utopia starts to unravel from within and faces growing scrutiny from the outside world.
Peter Holloway, father to Meddy’s children, becomes entangled in her vision as their oldest son, Paul, falls under the influence of a devilish initiate who tempts him deeper into his mother’s unfinished dream. As Meddy's influence deepens and the commune begins to fracture, Peter is forced to confront the monster he helped create and protect his children from the world he once believed in.
Lyrical and unnerving, Medusa; Or, Men Entombed in Winter is a chilling meditation on idealism, obsession, and collapse, set against the stark beauty and brutal cold of rural Maine.
"A gripping meditation on power and control... Get it!" — Kirkus Reviews
"Comfortably one of the best books I’ve read this year, and among the top books I’ve read in my adult life." — Saffron Asteria, host of the BOOKED podcast
"A nearly flawless novel... Farnworth has written a dynamite book." — The Book Review Directory
"A haunting mix of intellect, obsession, and the slow, beautiful unraveling of people who think they’re smarter than their own downfall." — Ellie Pulliam, for Literary Titan
Driven by a shared desire for control, a group of Dartmouth students, led by the enigmatic Meddy, forms the Students for Fundamental Change. Their pursuit leads them to Stillwell, Maine, where they establish a secluded community with unconventional rules, challenging traditional norms and attracting those desperate to belong. But their utopia starts to unravel from within and faces growing scrutiny from the outside world.
Peter Holloway, father to Meddy’s children, becomes entangled in her vision as their oldest son, Paul, falls under the influence of a devilish initiate who tempts him deeper into his mother’s unfinished dream. As Meddy's influence deepens and the commune begins to fracture, Peter is forced to confront the monster he helped create and protect his children from the world he once believed in.
Lyrical and unnerving, Medusa; Or, Men Entombed in Winter is a chilling meditation on idealism, obsession, and collapse, set against the stark beauty and brutal cold of rural Maine.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2026
3 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Farnworth
2 books18 followersKyle Farnworth is an author and educator from New Bedford, Massachusetts. He grew up surrounded by the rich history and working-class resilience of his hometown, elements that deeply influence his writing. His debut novel, WHALERS (2025), was a finalist for the Indie Author Network’s Best Debut Novel and the Kindle Book Awards’ Best Mystery/Thriller, and was shortlisted for Reedsy Discovery’s Editor’s Choice Award.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 5, 2026
A solid read that kept me guessing until the end, I found that this story was at its strongest when focusing on the interplay between members of the Stillwell community. The author does slow burn and menace well, with at least one terrifying character in the mix. Interested to check out his next, whatever and whenever that may be.
May 2, 2026
First of all, thanks to Kyle for sending me a review copy. Unbiased, etc, you know the drill.
Medusa: Or, Men Entombed in Winter is the type of book you don't know you need to read until it slaps you in the face, repeatedly.
I've screamed to all and everyone who'd listen to me that this book is a kick to the teeth, and as I closed it last night after reading the last page, I was still tasting the blood in my mouth.
It's basically Razor's Edge (by W. Sommerset Maugham. If you haven't read it... highly recommended) meets Herman Hesse, meets Greek Tragedies + small town dystopia + commentary with a dash of Orwell.
When you see all of the above you'd wonder if that can come out alright, and I'll tell you, yes, absolutely.
Peter is the main character in this story, and you'd wonder why, or how, if the story is named "Medusa", and I'll tell you that yes, because here comes the second part of the title : "Or, Men Entombed in Winter", where he is perhaps the first of the many that ended up entombed in that winter that is Medusa.
It's the story of a woman who refuses to accept what the world has thrown at her, and sets on a quest to fix it.
It is also a story that studies how many lies it takes to topple an Empire. I won't spoil the number to you, because, well, you've got to read the book.
It's a story of many stories, layered but also intermingled and separate.
A story of power, control and how easy it is to end up ensnared like a hare in winter.
It's a story told in three acts, like the Greek Tragedies, and just like in those, you know there'll be pain and suffering and twists and turns. And that The Moirai (and Kyle) will weave these threads into one incredible story that'll leave you reeling.
It also has a meta-story, where in part the story as you read it and especially the last third is mostly read purely through the reader's glasses.
Make of it what you will.
The pace and the flow of the story are seamless. The characters feel incredibly human, and you can't but feel sorry for some of them, or feel hatred deep in your heart, and wish to some nothing but the worst life could possibly do to them.
It's also a reader's book. (duh) But I mean it in the sense that the more you enjoy reading, and the more you've read some books or some literature or the classics, the more you'll enjoy it.
It's a reader's book.
It's firmly in the running for my book of the year.
4.8⭐️
Medusa: Or, Men Entombed in Winter is the type of book you don't know you need to read until it slaps you in the face, repeatedly.
I've screamed to all and everyone who'd listen to me that this book is a kick to the teeth, and as I closed it last night after reading the last page, I was still tasting the blood in my mouth.
It's basically Razor's Edge (by W. Sommerset Maugham. If you haven't read it... highly recommended) meets Herman Hesse, meets Greek Tragedies + small town dystopia + commentary with a dash of Orwell.
When you see all of the above you'd wonder if that can come out alright, and I'll tell you, yes, absolutely.
Peter is the main character in this story, and you'd wonder why, or how, if the story is named "Medusa", and I'll tell you that yes, because here comes the second part of the title : "Or, Men Entombed in Winter", where he is perhaps the first of the many that ended up entombed in that winter that is Medusa.
It's the story of a woman who refuses to accept what the world has thrown at her, and sets on a quest to fix it.
It is also a story that studies how many lies it takes to topple an Empire. I won't spoil the number to you, because, well, you've got to read the book.
It's a story of many stories, layered but also intermingled and separate.
A story of power, control and how easy it is to end up ensnared like a hare in winter.
It's a story told in three acts, like the Greek Tragedies, and just like in those, you know there'll be pain and suffering and twists and turns. And that The Moirai (and Kyle) will weave these threads into one incredible story that'll leave you reeling.
It also has a meta-story, where in part the story as you read it and especially the last third is mostly read purely through the reader's glasses.
Make of it what you will.
The pace and the flow of the story are seamless. The characters feel incredibly human, and you can't but feel sorry for some of them, or feel hatred deep in your heart, and wish to some nothing but the worst life could possibly do to them.
It's also a reader's book. (duh) But I mean it in the sense that the more you enjoy reading, and the more you've read some books or some literature or the classics, the more you'll enjoy it.
It's a reader's book.
It's firmly in the running for my book of the year.
4.8⭐️
February 8, 2026
One of the best indie books I’ve ever read and among the top books I’ve read in general. I was hooked the whole time! I started this yesterday if that gives you any idea. This book may not be for everyone but I thought it was brilliant!
This author is a star in the making! If this book got picked up by a publisher within the next year or two I would not be surprised at all.
This author is a star in the making! If this book got picked up by a publisher within the next year or two I would not be surprised at all.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Power is never stable
March 6, 2026
A veritable treasure trove for the Men Writing Women blog, this book answers the question, what if that white teen boy who read one Palahniuk novel and adopted it as his personality decided to write Fight Club but “feminist.” It’s a question we didn’t need answered, but here it is. The epitome of manic pixie dream girl (a trope I find so offensive I avoid using the term at all costs and yet, I had no choice here) decides to flip the script on the societal structures that have kept her down so long (never mind the nepotism that got her into an Ivy League school) by using her beauty and generic interpretation of high school literature to convince a bunch of incels to… start a cult?
It’s a slog. A lot of telling, but very little plot (until the last 4 chapters when everything seemed to happen at once) But the real kicker was in Chapter 10 when a barely mentioned woman is sexually assaulted and murdered. The author was clearly so uncomfortable with this topic that they danced around it, making it really difficult to actually understand what happened. I can read SA and murder in books, these are important topics that need to be part of mainstream conversation until the current culture shifts.
What I cannot forgive is when an author centers the pain of some dude who liked the girl OVER the actual harm SA causes. And not in a way to points out the inherent misogyny of that type of thinking, but in a way that is supposed to make us feel sympathetic to the boy whose crush got SAed. That is unacceptable.
I think the story had potential, there was an opportunity here for something really deep and powerful, but it just missed the mark. Too much objectification of the titular character, too much telling (we don't need a chapter summarizing the very bland history of every minor character), and not enough emotional depth. When I read a book, I want to feel as if the author has lived the experience with their characters. I did not feel that here.
So for that, I'm giving the book 1 star.
I received an ARC for free and leave this review voluntarily.
It’s a slog. A lot of telling, but very little plot (until the last 4 chapters when everything seemed to happen at once) But the real kicker was in Chapter 10 when a barely mentioned woman is sexually assaulted and murdered. The author was clearly so uncomfortable with this topic that they danced around it, making it really difficult to actually understand what happened. I can read SA and murder in books, these are important topics that need to be part of mainstream conversation until the current culture shifts.
What I cannot forgive is when an author centers the pain of some dude who liked the girl OVER the actual harm SA causes. And not in a way to points out the inherent misogyny of that type of thinking, but in a way that is supposed to make us feel sympathetic to the boy whose crush got SAed. That is unacceptable.
I think the story had potential, there was an opportunity here for something really deep and powerful, but it just missed the mark. Too much objectification of the titular character, too much telling (we don't need a chapter summarizing the very bland history of every minor character), and not enough emotional depth. When I read a book, I want to feel as if the author has lived the experience with their characters. I did not feel that here.
So for that, I'm giving the book 1 star.
I received an ARC for free and leave this review voluntarily.
April 3, 2026
Very rarely does a story enthrall me from the authors note, yet here we are. Medusa by @kylefarnz was not an easy ready, nor a difficult one. It was exactly as it was intended - a story that makes you stop and think. The entire plot was like one giant Milgram Experiment, in the best way possible. Kyle truly captured the mindset of everyone involved, showcasing how the influence of one person, one thing, can send so many souls on a collision course that - whether they see it coming or not, leads to one, inevitable, tragic end.
Or is it tragic? Could it be exactly as it was meant to be?
Medusa is a novel that showcases how easily corrupted people can be, how with the slightest push of a button, society crumbles and those rebuilding a world exactly as Meddy envisioned it will do it so ruthlessly, mindlessly, passing up free will and any semblance of control for a world that in change somehow makes sense to them. A world where they don’t have to think, where some cease to exist. Losing their identity and all that might entail in the name of a higher power.
An ode to the classics with a modern twist, filled with words I can’t stop thinking about it. Medusa and the men she entombed will live rent free in my head forever.
Or is it tragic? Could it be exactly as it was meant to be?
Medusa is a novel that showcases how easily corrupted people can be, how with the slightest push of a button, society crumbles and those rebuilding a world exactly as Meddy envisioned it will do it so ruthlessly, mindlessly, passing up free will and any semblance of control for a world that in change somehow makes sense to them. A world where they don’t have to think, where some cease to exist. Losing their identity and all that might entail in the name of a higher power.
An ode to the classics with a modern twist, filled with words I can’t stop thinking about it. Medusa and the men she entombed will live rent free in my head forever.
Review of advance copy
Medusa is a literary work of mystery and suspense set within an isolated male community shaped by ritual, endurance and belief. The novel unfolds deliberately, favouring atmosphere and behavioural detail over rapid plot movement, and builds tension through repetition and accumulation rather than conventional escalation.
At its centre is Meddy, a singular woman positioned within a closed male world. Her presence reshapes the dynamics around her, provoking loyalty, fixation and projection. The novel examines how admiration hardens into hierarchy and how belief becomes a substitute for judgement. Meddy functions less as a traditional protagonist than as a catalytic figure within a system largely defined by male behaviour.
The narrative moves between the origins of the community, its eventual fracture, and the personal history of Peter Holloway. Peter’s arc provides the book’s clearest line of continuity, tracing participation, complicity and eventual withdrawal. Fatherhood is presented in practical terms, defined by action, timing and transfer of care rather than emotional resolution.
Suspense emerges through setting and recurrence. Cold, waiting and silence recur as organising forces. Violence is shown as learned and maintained rather than sudden or anomalous. The novel shows limited interest in procedural or legal detail, focusing instead on moral consequence and lived aftermath.
The book resists the conventions of crime fiction. Investigation does not drive the narrative and closure is deliberately withheld. The epilogue reinforces persistence rather than resolution, suggesting that systems outlast individuals and that containment does not equal repair.
Readers approaching Medusa should expect a slow-burn narrative that prioritises atmosphere, structure and behavioural truth over pace. It is likely to resonate most with those interested in power, belief and the inheritance of violence, and with readers open to a deliberate, measured form of literary suspense.
3.5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
At its centre is Meddy, a singular woman positioned within a closed male world. Her presence reshapes the dynamics around her, provoking loyalty, fixation and projection. The novel examines how admiration hardens into hierarchy and how belief becomes a substitute for judgement. Meddy functions less as a traditional protagonist than as a catalytic figure within a system largely defined by male behaviour.
The narrative moves between the origins of the community, its eventual fracture, and the personal history of Peter Holloway. Peter’s arc provides the book’s clearest line of continuity, tracing participation, complicity and eventual withdrawal. Fatherhood is presented in practical terms, defined by action, timing and transfer of care rather than emotional resolution.
Suspense emerges through setting and recurrence. Cold, waiting and silence recur as organising forces. Violence is shown as learned and maintained rather than sudden or anomalous. The novel shows limited interest in procedural or legal detail, focusing instead on moral consequence and lived aftermath.
The book resists the conventions of crime fiction. Investigation does not drive the narrative and closure is deliberately withheld. The epilogue reinforces persistence rather than resolution, suggesting that systems outlast individuals and that containment does not equal repair.
Readers approaching Medusa should expect a slow-burn narrative that prioritises atmosphere, structure and behavioural truth over pace. It is likely to resonate most with those interested in power, belief and the inheritance of violence, and with readers open to a deliberate, measured form of literary suspense.
3.5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
“Power is inherently unstable, requiring performance and sacrifice to survive.”
“Medusa, Or Men Entombed In Winter,” begins with 40-something Peter having breakfast with his two young daughters and his father, Frank, on a snowy December day in New England. Peter is about to ask Frank to raise the girls for him, for Peter is running from the FBI after leaving an isolated cult in rural Maine that his partner, Meddy—the girls’ mother and the “Medusa” of the book title—founded years ago.
We meet Meddy in Chapter Two, when she and Peter were in college. Seldom has a character given me the creeps faster. Kudos to the author, Kyle Farnworth, for his skillful portrayal of this woman. Obsessed with the written word, Meddy builds a student following around “Lord of the Flies,” “The Crucible,” and Shirley Jackson’s classic “The Lottery,” texts which, she says, “depict societies that rely on collective control, violence, and spectacle to maintain order.” It soon becomes clear that Meddy wants to build a similar society. Adept at amassing money, she buys land in a remote area of Maine and moves the group she’s started, which is composed almost entirely of men, there. Weird games arise that pit man against man, and the group against the nearby communities. What unites the three stories that justify Meddy’s disturbed practices is “the idea that power must be performed to be preserved. Whether through Puritan trials, small-town sacrifice, or island savagery, each system relies on spectacle and shared belief to sustain itself.” I couldn’t help being reminded of the spectacles used to maintain power in society at large. Perhaps the subtitle “men entombed in winter” doesn’t refer just to the snows of Maine, but to ways in which all of us entomb ourselves in dangerous and outdated beliefs.
Whether you want a reflection on where our world is today, or just a good cult read, this novel will resonate beyond the last page.
“Medusa, Or Men Entombed In Winter,” begins with 40-something Peter having breakfast with his two young daughters and his father, Frank, on a snowy December day in New England. Peter is about to ask Frank to raise the girls for him, for Peter is running from the FBI after leaving an isolated cult in rural Maine that his partner, Meddy—the girls’ mother and the “Medusa” of the book title—founded years ago.
We meet Meddy in Chapter Two, when she and Peter were in college. Seldom has a character given me the creeps faster. Kudos to the author, Kyle Farnworth, for his skillful portrayal of this woman. Obsessed with the written word, Meddy builds a student following around “Lord of the Flies,” “The Crucible,” and Shirley Jackson’s classic “The Lottery,” texts which, she says, “depict societies that rely on collective control, violence, and spectacle to maintain order.” It soon becomes clear that Meddy wants to build a similar society. Adept at amassing money, she buys land in a remote area of Maine and moves the group she’s started, which is composed almost entirely of men, there. Weird games arise that pit man against man, and the group against the nearby communities. What unites the three stories that justify Meddy’s disturbed practices is “the idea that power must be performed to be preserved. Whether through Puritan trials, small-town sacrifice, or island savagery, each system relies on spectacle and shared belief to sustain itself.” I couldn’t help being reminded of the spectacles used to maintain power in society at large. Perhaps the subtitle “men entombed in winter” doesn’t refer just to the snows of Maine, but to ways in which all of us entomb ourselves in dangerous and outdated beliefs.
Whether you want a reflection on where our world is today, or just a good cult read, this novel will resonate beyond the last page.
March 8, 2026
Medusa: Or, Men Entombed in Winter by Kyle Farnworth is a haunting and thought-provoking literary thriller that explores the dangerous intersection of idealism, power, and human vulnerability. Through lyrical prose and a steadily building sense of tension, Farnworth crafts a story about the rise and unraveling of a utopian experiment driven by ambition and belief.
The novel begins with a group of students at Dartmouth College who form an intellectual movement known as Students for Fundamental Change. What starts as an exploration of radical ideas soon evolves into something far more intense when the group relocates to a secluded community in Stillwell, Maine. There, their ideals are put to the test as rigid rules, charismatic leadership, and emotional loyalty begin to blur the lines between inspiration and control.
One of the most compelling aspects of Medusa is the complex relationship between the enigmatic leader Meddy and Peter Holloway, an academic drawn into her orbit. Their connection reflects deeper themes of mentorship, devotion, and the moral compromises that can emerge when belief turns into obsession. As tensions grow and the fragile utopia begins to crack under pressure, the narrative evolves into a powerful exploration of responsibility, parenthood, and the consequences of unchecked ideology.
Overall, Medusa: Or, Men Entombed in Winter is a gripping and intellectually rich novel that examines how idealistic movements can slowly unravel under the weight of their own ambitions. Kyle Farnworth’s atmospheric storytelling and psychological insight make this a compelling read for fans of literary thrillers and character driven drama.
The novel begins with a group of students at Dartmouth College who form an intellectual movement known as Students for Fundamental Change. What starts as an exploration of radical ideas soon evolves into something far more intense when the group relocates to a secluded community in Stillwell, Maine. There, their ideals are put to the test as rigid rules, charismatic leadership, and emotional loyalty begin to blur the lines between inspiration and control.
One of the most compelling aspects of Medusa is the complex relationship between the enigmatic leader Meddy and Peter Holloway, an academic drawn into her orbit. Their connection reflects deeper themes of mentorship, devotion, and the moral compromises that can emerge when belief turns into obsession. As tensions grow and the fragile utopia begins to crack under pressure, the narrative evolves into a powerful exploration of responsibility, parenthood, and the consequences of unchecked ideology.
Overall, Medusa: Or, Men Entombed in Winter is a gripping and intellectually rich novel that examines how idealistic movements can slowly unravel under the weight of their own ambitions. Kyle Farnworth’s atmospheric storytelling and psychological insight make this a compelling read for fans of literary thrillers and character driven drama.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, thank you so much to the author for providing me a review copy of this book in advance of its release. I'm truly grateful that I got to experience this work of art so early.
I like to go into a book without knowing what to expect, and I'm thrilled that I dove into this incredible story by Kyle Farnworth. Medusa is comfortably one of the best books I've read this year, and among the top books I've read in my adult life.
There's something rhythmically about Farnworth's writing that spoke to me, grabbed me by the eyeballs and lit a fire of excitement in my guts. The characters are so well formed and expertly handled. It's shocking in the right places, the pacing is an example of perfection for me as a reader and I already wish that I could read it for the first time again.
I'd love to tell you about the moments that I enjoyed so much, but that would be spoiling it for you. Strap in and get ready to follow Medusa. What she says is in your best interest.
I like to go into a book without knowing what to expect, and I'm thrilled that I dove into this incredible story by Kyle Farnworth. Medusa is comfortably one of the best books I've read this year, and among the top books I've read in my adult life.
There's something rhythmically about Farnworth's writing that spoke to me, grabbed me by the eyeballs and lit a fire of excitement in my guts. The characters are so well formed and expertly handled. It's shocking in the right places, the pacing is an example of perfection for me as a reader and I already wish that I could read it for the first time again.
I'd love to tell you about the moments that I enjoyed so much, but that would be spoiling it for you. Strap in and get ready to follow Medusa. What she says is in your best interest.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This book continues to showcase the skill set that this author has to craft a fantastic story. The prose is top notch and forces you into a crazy world through the eyes of someone embroiled in it. The undertones of the scenario are deep and immersive, forcing you to think beyond the words on the page. As in his first work, the novel deals with the psychology involved in a crisis. This crisis being one that is (sort of) self imposed. I hated some characters, even the main character, for the choices he makes (or doesn’t make) but that is the whole point of the novel. Just read it and enjoy the journey.
As a usual reader of sci-fi and military fiction, this style of work is usually out of my wheelhouse. But it is just so wonderfully composed and written, I can’t help but love the journey it took me on emotionally.
I cannot recommend this author highly enough, and I think he will be a mainstream name in this industry before long.
This book continues to showcase the skill set that this author has to craft a fantastic story. The prose is top notch and forces you into a crazy world through the eyes of someone embroiled in it. The undertones of the scenario are deep and immersive, forcing you to think beyond the words on the page. As in his first work, the novel deals with the psychology involved in a crisis. This crisis being one that is (sort of) self imposed. I hated some characters, even the main character, for the choices he makes (or doesn’t make) but that is the whole point of the novel. Just read it and enjoy the journey.
As a usual reader of sci-fi and military fiction, this style of work is usually out of my wheelhouse. But it is just so wonderfully composed and written, I can’t help but love the journey it took me on emotionally.
I cannot recommend this author highly enough, and I think he will be a mainstream name in this industry before long.
March 29, 2026
“That was the first sign that snow wasn’t far behind, but by the time the white frost kissed the branches, it was already too late to stop what was coming.”
Power and control, fate versus free will. The age old questions we ask ourselves breathe new meaning in Medusa’s cult, the SFC. The author introduces us to the cult members slowly and deliberately, weaving details of their lives throughout the novel piece by piece to keep us wanting more. It’s hard to put this book down!
A perfect read for anyone that is a fan of a cult thriller. Farnworth does such an amazing job of painting the setting, it feels as if you are living in Stillwell alongside the SFC, wondering to yourself, could this happen to me? How do seemingly good people get wrapped up in evil? Are people born evil or are they products of their environment? A lot is left to the interpretation of the reader, making it a fun and exciting book you want to discuss with others.
Power and control, fate versus free will. The age old questions we ask ourselves breathe new meaning in Medusa’s cult, the SFC. The author introduces us to the cult members slowly and deliberately, weaving details of their lives throughout the novel piece by piece to keep us wanting more. It’s hard to put this book down!
A perfect read for anyone that is a fan of a cult thriller. Farnworth does such an amazing job of painting the setting, it feels as if you are living in Stillwell alongside the SFC, wondering to yourself, could this happen to me? How do seemingly good people get wrapped up in evil? Are people born evil or are they products of their environment? A lot is left to the interpretation of the reader, making it a fun and exciting book you want to discuss with others.
February 15, 2026
*ARC Review*
Wow. I’m honestly kind of speechless about how this book made me feel. At first, I wasn’t sure if the writing style was for me, but after the first few chapters, I was completely hooked — and ended up loving it.
The plot was so good, and I loved how the story moved between different POVs and timelines, blending past and present so well. If you enjoy cult-centered stories and mysteries that keep you guessing, this book is definitely for you.
And that ending… I genuinely thought I was about to start another chapter, and then it just ended. I actually yelled “noooo!” because I was not ready for it to be over.
This was my first book by Kyle Farnworth, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Wow. I’m honestly kind of speechless about how this book made me feel. At first, I wasn’t sure if the writing style was for me, but after the first few chapters, I was completely hooked — and ended up loving it.
The plot was so good, and I loved how the story moved between different POVs and timelines, blending past and present so well. If you enjoy cult-centered stories and mysteries that keep you guessing, this book is definitely for you.
And that ending… I genuinely thought I was about to start another chapter, and then it just ended. I actually yelled “noooo!” because I was not ready for it to be over.
This was my first book by Kyle Farnworth, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Kyle Farnworth for the ARC.
If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. It is simply PHENOMENAL.
At first glance, Medusa appears to be a story all about control, however, as you are absorbed into the book, it reveals itself to be a narrative about love, loneliness and the human desire for connection. Farnworth's character work is masterful, with the major players seeming like people I've known in some iteration for years, and the tension throughout the book made me genuinely unable to put it down.
I honestly think this book will haunt me for the next of my life. I can only aspire to write something as brilliant as this one day.
If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. It is simply PHENOMENAL.
At first glance, Medusa appears to be a story all about control, however, as you are absorbed into the book, it reveals itself to be a narrative about love, loneliness and the human desire for connection. Farnworth's character work is masterful, with the major players seeming like people I've known in some iteration for years, and the tension throughout the book made me genuinely unable to put it down.
I honestly think this book will haunt me for the next of my life. I can only aspire to write something as brilliant as this one day.
Review of advance copy
This book captivated me from the very start and held my attention throughout. Kyle is an exceptional storyteller, reminiscent of Donna Tartt. His exploration of community and family, as well as how these values can be undermined by malicious individuals, feels especially relevant in today's political landscape. If you enjoy books that feature dark academia, cults, and complex family relationships, you must read this book. I think this book by a self-published author may be one of my favorite books of the year.
I received an advance review copy from Book Sirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy from Book Sirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 27, 2026
Wow, this was intriguing.
Let me start by saying, this wasn't a solid 5 star read for me but deserves to be in the 5-star rating category. (Cult books, I think are just n0t for me)
The plot was really good, engaging. Pacing was consistent. The transition between the different character p.o.v's was smart and done really well. this felt quite dense reading it, not in a bad way, it just felt like an academically higher level read.
I contextually couldn't find a fault in this. I found it to be a sophisticated literary novel that was well planned, written and executed.
Thank you, Kyle for a copy of this book.
Let me start by saying, this wasn't a solid 5 star read for me but deserves to be in the 5-star rating category. (Cult books, I think are just n0t for me)
The plot was really good, engaging. Pacing was consistent. The transition between the different character p.o.v's was smart and done really well. this felt quite dense reading it, not in a bad way, it just felt like an academically higher level read.
I contextually couldn't find a fault in this. I found it to be a sophisticated literary novel that was well planned, written and executed.
Thank you, Kyle for a copy of this book.
February 28, 2026
It took me a little while to get into the rhythm of this book—it had a bit of a slow start for me. But once I saw what the author was aiming to accomplish, I was all in. By the end, the imagery, themes, and inner workings of the town clicked into place beautifully.
This is one of those rare books that made me want to start over the moment I finished it. Motifs I now understand, I want to go back and track. Now that I better understand Meddy, I want to watch her more closely. Overall, it was a book that I wasn’t prepared to like as much as I did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is one of those rare books that made me want to start over the moment I finished it. Motifs I now understand, I want to go back and track. Now that I better understand Meddy, I want to watch her more closely. Overall, it was a book that I wasn’t prepared to like as much as I did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
I really enjoyed getting to read this book, it uses the thriller concept perfectly and enjoyed how everything was told in this world. I enjoyed getting to know the characters were in this world and thought the use of Medusa in this was fantastic. Kyle Farnworth was able to weave a strong storyline and thought the overall feel worked well in this universe and hope to read more from Kyle Farnworth.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 25, 2026
I had the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy from the author, and I’m so glad I did. I started this book with zero expectations, and it completely pulled me in. Kyle has a way of bringing characters to life through rich descriptions and authentic personalities — I could clearly visualize every scene as if I were watching it unfold on screen. The pacing kept me engaged, and the story left a lasting impression. Definitely one I’d recommend giving a chance!
March 15, 2026
Medusa is easily one of the best books I’ve ever read. It completely pulled me in from the very first page and I was utterly immersed in its world until the end. Kyle Farnworth has such a compelling style of writing, it’s intellectual, emotional, and deeply captivating. I truly cannot recommend this book enough.
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