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The Shadow of Perseus
Nationally bestselling author of Daughters of Sparta Claire Heywood returns with an imaginative and female-centered reinterpretation of the myth of the great hero Perseus, told through the voices of three women who are sidelined in the traditional version--his mother, Danae; his trophy, Medusa; and his wife, Andromeda--but whose viewpoints reveal a man who is not, in fact, a hero at all.
Danae: Banished from her homeland thanks to a prophecy foretelling that her unborn child will one day cause the death of her father, the king of Argos, Danae finds herself stranded, pregnant, and alone in a remote fishing village. It's a harsh new world for a young woman who grew up as a coddled princess, and forging a new life for herself and for her young son Perseus will be the hardest thing she's ever done.
Medusa: As a member of a reclusive band of women who live deep in the woods, known as the Gorgons, Medusa has eschewed all contact with the outside world. That is, until the day she finds an injured boy named Perseus in the forest.
Andromeda: When a harsh sandstorm threatens to destroy her nomadic desert tribe's way of life, Andromeda knows that a sacrifice will be required to appease the gods and end the storm. But when a forceful young Perseus interferes, Andromeda's life is set on an entirely new path.
As Perseus becomes increasingly obsessed with the promise of his own destiny, his heroic journey casts a shadow of violence and destruction across all three women's lives. But even as he tries to silence them, the women may find that reclaiming their voices is their only hope for lifting themselves into a better future.
Danae: Banished from her homeland thanks to a prophecy foretelling that her unborn child will one day cause the death of her father, the king of Argos, Danae finds herself stranded, pregnant, and alone in a remote fishing village. It's a harsh new world for a young woman who grew up as a coddled princess, and forging a new life for herself and for her young son Perseus will be the hardest thing she's ever done.
Medusa: As a member of a reclusive band of women who live deep in the woods, known as the Gorgons, Medusa has eschewed all contact with the outside world. That is, until the day she finds an injured boy named Perseus in the forest.
Andromeda: When a harsh sandstorm threatens to destroy her nomadic desert tribe's way of life, Andromeda knows that a sacrifice will be required to appease the gods and end the storm. But when a forceful young Perseus interferes, Andromeda's life is set on an entirely new path.
As Perseus becomes increasingly obsessed with the promise of his own destiny, his heroic journey casts a shadow of violence and destruction across all three women's lives. But even as he tries to silence them, the women may find that reclaiming their voices is their only hope for lifting themselves into a better future.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 21, 2023
361 people are currently reading
33044 people want to read
About the author
Claire Heywood
3 books426 followersClaire Heywood is a scholar of the ancient world, with a bachelor's degree in Classical Civilization and a master's degree in Ancient Visual and Material Culture from the University of Warwick. Her first novel, Daughters of Sparta, was a national bestseller.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,186 reviews
January 19, 2023
theres nothing majorly wrong with this story. its a very straightforward recounting of the tale of perseus, but told from the perspective of the three women in his life.
and i am all for retelling greek myths with a feminist view, but there was just nothing that excited me about this specific book. i think this particular type of retelling has just become so overdone in recent years that its difficult to really add anything new to the genre.
that being said, i can see this becoming a favourite for readers who are relatively new to greek mythology and want to know more about danae, medusa, and andromeda. because the writing is very nice and easy to read.
thank you for the ARC, dutton!
↠ 3 stars
and i am all for retelling greek myths with a feminist view, but there was just nothing that excited me about this specific book. i think this particular type of retelling has just become so overdone in recent years that its difficult to really add anything new to the genre.
that being said, i can see this becoming a favourite for readers who are relatively new to greek mythology and want to know more about danae, medusa, and andromeda. because the writing is very nice and easy to read.
thank you for the ARC, dutton!
↠ 3 stars
January 30, 2023
I received an advance digital copy of this novel from the publisher, Dutton, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I picked up The Shadow of Perseus at the exact worst time. I had just finished reading Stone Blind, which is now quite possibly my favorite mythological retelling I’ve ever read, and which deals with the exact same myth. However, Heywood’s approach is as different from Haynes’ novel as two books with the same story at their core could possibly be, so I decided to go ahead and pick it up. I thought it would make for an interesting little book flight, allowing me to see the the same story from radically opposing angles. I was right, in a sense, but I found that I couldn’t help but compare the two books, to the detriment of this one.
It’s an interesting idea, rewriting a myth like that of Perseus and Medusa in a way that completely removes magic and the supernatural from every single element of the story. There is not a single fantastical element in this entire book. No gods, no magic, nothing. But, at least in my opinion, it made for a hollow retelling, especially of a story that is so heavily rooted in the fantastical. It was interesting to see how Heywood would take such solidly impossible aspects of the tale, like Perseus’s conception and the entire story of Medusa, and make them more historically plausible. But there was no joy in the reading of it.
The myth of Perseus and Medusa has always been a dark one, but it felt far darker without any divine aid or intervention upon which to place the blame for Perseus’s “heroic” actions. Which was likely the very point Heywood was seeking to make. But while I appreciate the trend of taking heroic tales and shining a harsher light on the hero and his actions, this was so extreme that I couldn’t understand how anyone suffered Perseus, much less felt anything like awe or respect or love for him. Every single one of his actions was appalling and senseless, to the point where it felt like someone needed to put him down for the sake of the world’s safety. This also resulting in the three women in his life, from whom we get the story, coming across as unreliable, unsympathetic, and weak, which I’m fairly certain was not the intent. I felt nothing for Danae, or Andromeda, or even Medusa, and I know I was meant to. But their decisions in part led to Perseus’s choices, and I couldn’t help but feel like they had asked for it in some way. Which ENRAGED me, as I would never blame a victim for their own trauma. It was this that led to my distaste for the storytelling turning into near hatred.
What kept me from giving this book a single star instead of the 2 upon which I settled was the core point Heywood sought to enforce throughout the book. Stories are powerful. The stories we weave and proclaim are what will be remembered, even if they are false. And, when those lies are the core of our own stories, we will often begin to believe they are true. Heywood demonstrated this undeniably.
While I disliked this book intensely, I can think of a lot of readers who will not share my views. Which is one of the things I love most about the book world. So if you’ve been on the hunt for a mythological retelling that strips away every ounce of the fantastic to give you a much more plausible iteration of the story, then I believe you could love this. Unfortunately, it simply wasn’t for me.
I picked up The Shadow of Perseus at the exact worst time. I had just finished reading Stone Blind, which is now quite possibly my favorite mythological retelling I’ve ever read, and which deals with the exact same myth. However, Heywood’s approach is as different from Haynes’ novel as two books with the same story at their core could possibly be, so I decided to go ahead and pick it up. I thought it would make for an interesting little book flight, allowing me to see the the same story from radically opposing angles. I was right, in a sense, but I found that I couldn’t help but compare the two books, to the detriment of this one.
It’s an interesting idea, rewriting a myth like that of Perseus and Medusa in a way that completely removes magic and the supernatural from every single element of the story. There is not a single fantastical element in this entire book. No gods, no magic, nothing. But, at least in my opinion, it made for a hollow retelling, especially of a story that is so heavily rooted in the fantastical. It was interesting to see how Heywood would take such solidly impossible aspects of the tale, like Perseus’s conception and the entire story of Medusa, and make them more historically plausible. But there was no joy in the reading of it.
The myth of Perseus and Medusa has always been a dark one, but it felt far darker without any divine aid or intervention upon which to place the blame for Perseus’s “heroic” actions. Which was likely the very point Heywood was seeking to make. But while I appreciate the trend of taking heroic tales and shining a harsher light on the hero and his actions, this was so extreme that I couldn’t understand how anyone suffered Perseus, much less felt anything like awe or respect or love for him. Every single one of his actions was appalling and senseless, to the point where it felt like someone needed to put him down for the sake of the world’s safety. This also resulting in the three women in his life, from whom we get the story, coming across as unreliable, unsympathetic, and weak, which I’m fairly certain was not the intent. I felt nothing for Danae, or Andromeda, or even Medusa, and I know I was meant to. But their decisions in part led to Perseus’s choices, and I couldn’t help but feel like they had asked for it in some way. Which ENRAGED me, as I would never blame a victim for their own trauma. It was this that led to my distaste for the storytelling turning into near hatred.
What kept me from giving this book a single star instead of the 2 upon which I settled was the core point Heywood sought to enforce throughout the book. Stories are powerful. The stories we weave and proclaim are what will be remembered, even if they are false. And, when those lies are the core of our own stories, we will often begin to believe they are true. Heywood demonstrated this undeniably.
While I disliked this book intensely, I can think of a lot of readers who will not share my views. Which is one of the things I love most about the book world. So if you’ve been on the hunt for a mythological retelling that strips away every ounce of the fantastic to give you a much more plausible iteration of the story, then I believe you could love this. Unfortunately, it simply wasn’t for me.
February 1, 2023
I'm sorry to say that I really didn't enjoy this "re-telling". I use the quotation marks because you can't re-tell a Greek myth by removing all the myth. As the author stresses she use as much historical evidence as she could so this should really be historical fiction in my eyes.
I understand what Claire Heywood was trying to achieve but for it failed miserably. Danae appeared weak and incapable of either helping herself or seeing the truth. Medusa was a victim of abuse and remained one in choosing to believe in an unknown boy's true nature, despite the evidence of her own eyes. Finally we are given Andromeda, our third weak and victimised woman who sits back and lets Perseus do exactly what he likes for much of her story.
I can't help thinking that if Danae had been strong she would have escaped from her first prison. If Medusa had listened to the warning signs and not been so swayed by a pretty face she would have lived to tell the tale. Finally Andromeda would have taken Perseus knife from him while he slept and finished him off.
I can't tell you how much I missed the magic that is so much a part of the Greek myths that to remove it completely is to lose the whole point of the story.
Safe to say, I'm cured of reading these feminist re-tellings. For me they have run their course.
I understand what Claire Heywood was trying to achieve but for it failed miserably. Danae appeared weak and incapable of either helping herself or seeing the truth. Medusa was a victim of abuse and remained one in choosing to believe in an unknown boy's true nature, despite the evidence of her own eyes. Finally we are given Andromeda, our third weak and victimised woman who sits back and lets Perseus do exactly what he likes for much of her story.
I can't help thinking that if Danae had been strong she would have escaped from her first prison. If Medusa had listened to the warning signs and not been so swayed by a pretty face she would have lived to tell the tale. Finally Andromeda would have taken Perseus knife from him while he slept and finished him off.
I can't tell you how much I missed the magic that is so much a part of the Greek myths that to remove it completely is to lose the whole point of the story.
Safe to say, I'm cured of reading these feminist re-tellings. For me they have run their course.
January 24, 2023
Theoretically I should adore this. It has so many components that speak to my heart.
A classic mythology retelling centering the women of the hero's story rather than the hero.
The "monstrous" female closest to my heart - Medusa.
Perseus - one of the more odious Greek fuckbois of literature - getting his comeuppance.
But damn. It was just so so bleak, y'all. While I don't "hate" the fact that the author stripped the epic of all its magic and did a wonderful job of grounding her story in a gritty, realistic ancient Greece, she fell short in imbuing her female leads, Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda, with the dignity and strength promised by its "retelling as a female centered story". The story is driven by Perseus' dude bro rage and childish swagger, and the endless victimization of his mother, wife and first love(?) to the point it sometimes smacks of trauma porn. It was just too much for me.
A classic mythology retelling centering the women of the hero's story rather than the hero.
The "monstrous" female closest to my heart - Medusa.
Perseus - one of the more odious Greek fuckbois of literature - getting his comeuppance.
But damn. It was just so so bleak, y'all. While I don't "hate" the fact that the author stripped the epic of all its magic and did a wonderful job of grounding her story in a gritty, realistic ancient Greece, she fell short in imbuing her female leads, Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda, with the dignity and strength promised by its "retelling as a female centered story". The story is driven by Perseus' dude bro rage and childish swagger, and the endless victimization of his mother, wife and first love(?) to the point it sometimes smacks of trauma porn. It was just too much for me.
January 6, 2023
If you love Greek mythology, you’ll love this female-centric retelling of the Perseus myth. Told from the perspectives of the three most influential women in Perseus’s life – Danae, Andromeda, and Medusa – this novel is a fresh and unique take on the hero story you thought you knew. Claire Heywood turns the old narrative on its head and gives agency and voice to women who were traditionally supporting characters. The prose is nothing short of gorgeous – the settings and descriptions are lush and the characterizations rich. A brilliant and totally immersive read!
Highly recommended for lovers of Greek mythology retellings. Fans of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint are sure to enjoy this one! Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing me an advance copy of this book.
Highly recommended for lovers of Greek mythology retellings. Fans of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint are sure to enjoy this one! Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing me an advance copy of this book.
May 25, 2025
Part I: Danaë
Danaë is said to be the downfall of her father, Acrisius, by way of having a son. He locks her up so she can't get pregnant. Spoiler alert: she gets pregnant. Zeus always be ho-ing around.
Surprise! Their son is Perseus, a name I'm sure you're more familiar with.
Part II: Medusa
I wanted the gorgon mythology to be more frightening. Instead, this forest of women just feels sad.
Who else is sad? Perseus, who I no longer feel sorry for. And I 100% blame his mom for babying him. No one wants your crusty son.
Part III: Andromeda
This reads a bit like, "I'm a pick-me girl! Look at me!" But then Andromeda is a bit self-sacrificing.
Perseus is back. And forcing his company, among other things, upon women who didn't ask for it. I thought he was a hero? Am I remembering Greek mythology wrong? Although I suppose Zeus is revered, and he's a rapist.
Part IV: Danaë
This may be shocking. It's probably not. But, and hear me out, Perseus actually gets worse. While he is demeaning to women, he also believes himself above other men. Very Zeus' spawn of him.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton
Danaë is said to be the downfall of her father, Acrisius, by way of having a son. He locks her up so she can't get pregnant. Spoiler alert: she gets pregnant. Zeus always be ho-ing around.
Surprise! Their son is Perseus, a name I'm sure you're more familiar with.
Part II: Medusa
I wanted the gorgon mythology to be more frightening. Instead, this forest of women just feels sad.
Who else is sad? Perseus, who I no longer feel sorry for. And I 100% blame his mom for babying him. No one wants your crusty son.
Part III: Andromeda
This reads a bit like, "I'm a pick-me girl! Look at me!" But then Andromeda is a bit self-sacrificing.
Perseus is back. And forcing his company, among other things, upon women who didn't ask for it. I thought he was a hero? Am I remembering Greek mythology wrong? Although I suppose Zeus is revered, and he's a rapist.
Part IV: Danaë
This may be shocking. It's probably not. But, and hear me out, Perseus actually gets worse. While he is demeaning to women, he also believes himself above other men. Very Zeus' spawn of him.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton
August 4, 2023
An utterly fantastic, harrowing read for fans of Circe and The Silence of the Girls as it explores three women who shaped and were altered by Perseus’ violence and hubris
March 16, 2023
7/10
Do you know Perseus?! the Bastard of Zeus and Danae, He was a HERO, Medusa slayer, the sea monster defeater and the rescuer of Andromeda.
In the Shadow of Perseus, we know him from the point of view of three women, his mother, wife and his victim.
But this story is less by myth and more driven by realism, Perseus is no hero and more like a stupid, angry and sad child who wanted to prove that he is a hero.
Because of a prophecy, his grandfather wanted Perseus and Danae's death. They survived and Danae tried to raise a kind heart child, so this is where the story makes no sense, Perseus became an unlikeable and foolish man, and the story, well..., a little too much dramatic for a realistic one!
I don't know why this keeps happening, I want to read the retelling but instead, I face a feminist tale that the magic and gods are removed from it, not a myth anymore.
Don't make me wrong, this isn't a bad story, I liked the tale of three women and their lives, the writing style was easy to follow and read (in this case to listen). Anyway, I am happy to read it, a good story in its own way.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley for giving me a chance to listen to The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood and narrated by Olivia Darnley, I have given my honest review.
Do you know Perseus?! the Bastard of Zeus and Danae, He was a HERO, Medusa slayer, the sea monster defeater and the rescuer of Andromeda.
In the Shadow of Perseus, we know him from the point of view of three women, his mother, wife and his victim.
But this story is less by myth and more driven by realism, Perseus is no hero and more like a stupid, angry and sad child who wanted to prove that he is a hero.
Because of a prophecy, his grandfather wanted Perseus and Danae's death. They survived and Danae tried to raise a kind heart child, so this is where the story makes no sense, Perseus became an unlikeable and foolish man, and the story, well..., a little too much dramatic for a realistic one!
I don't know why this keeps happening, I want to read the retelling but instead, I face a feminist tale that the magic and gods are removed from it, not a myth anymore.
Don't make me wrong, this isn't a bad story, I liked the tale of three women and their lives, the writing style was easy to follow and read (in this case to listen). Anyway, I am happy to read it, a good story in its own way.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley for giving me a chance to listen to The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood and narrated by Olivia Darnley, I have given my honest review.
September 30, 2023
3.5 stars.
I can't seem to get enough of Greek re-tellings, especially when they have a feminist slant. Though The Shadow of Perseus focused on three women—Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda—Perseus still looms very large in this novel. The title is quite fitting, considering the shadow he casts over the lives of at least two of these women.
Claire Haywood's reimagining has some unexpected settings and she deliberately omits Gods, magic, or elements of myth. Every character is a human with a human's strengths and weaknesses. This was interesting, but I found myself missing the fantasy elements. I also wish Medusa's section was longer. To me, she's the most interesting character by far.
Themes of sisterhood run strong, but the empowerment is on the weak side. Perseus remains an unfettered bully for most of the novel and I was frustrated by the fate of Medusa in particular.
I can't seem to get enough of Greek re-tellings, especially when they have a feminist slant. Though The Shadow of Perseus focused on three women—Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda—Perseus still looms very large in this novel. The title is quite fitting, considering the shadow he casts over the lives of at least two of these women.
Claire Haywood's reimagining has some unexpected settings and she deliberately omits Gods, magic, or elements of myth. Every character is a human with a human's strengths and weaknesses. This was interesting, but I found myself missing the fantasy elements. I also wish Medusa's section was longer. To me, she's the most interesting character by far.
Themes of sisterhood run strong, but the empowerment is on the weak side. Perseus remains an unfettered bully for most of the novel and I was frustrated by the fate of Medusa in particular.
April 18, 2023
you can’t write a greek “retelling” with no myth. this is a very sad, very boring work of pseudo-historical fiction.
February 17, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood on audiobook and haven't in the past read many Greek mythological books before, but this was really good and I thoroughly enjoyed being transported into Ancient Greece.
The book is a retelling and reimagined version of the myth of Perseus, told through three women who knew him best - his mother Danae, his wife Andromeda, and his victim, Medusa.
I listened to the audio version of this book, which was really well written and very well narrated by Olivia Darnley, who gets the pace and sets the scene perfectly. I'll definitely be looking out for more by Claire Heywood (and the narrator) and am keen to listen to or read Daughters of Sparta, her previous novel too.
A big thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audio book
The book is a retelling and reimagined version of the myth of Perseus, told through three women who knew him best - his mother Danae, his wife Andromeda, and his victim, Medusa.
I listened to the audio version of this book, which was really well written and very well narrated by Olivia Darnley, who gets the pace and sets the scene perfectly. I'll definitely be looking out for more by Claire Heywood (and the narrator) and am keen to listen to or read Daughters of Sparta, her previous novel too.
A big thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audio book
December 20, 2022
Have you ever wondered what Greek mythology would be like without the supernatural elements? Enticing, right? Heywood’s expertise in and passion for the ancient world are evident in this well-researched retelling of Perseus. Told in four parts by the women surrounding him.
My heart is still beating like a drum and pinching on every breath. Seemingly, grieving the loss that every character experienced as if it were my own. That is the power of good writing. As a Greek mythology enthusiast, I find Heywood’s voice exciting. I look forward to reading Daughters of Sparta, her debut. Read the author’s note and setting at the end. Illuminating. 👏
Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group | Dutton, and Claire Heywood for the exquisite ARC of The Shadow of Perseus!
My heart is still beating like a drum and pinching on every breath. Seemingly, grieving the loss that every character experienced as if it were my own. That is the power of good writing. As a Greek mythology enthusiast, I find Heywood’s voice exciting. I look forward to reading Daughters of Sparta, her debut. Read the author’s note and setting at the end. Illuminating. 👏
Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group | Dutton, and Claire Heywood for the exquisite ARC of The Shadow of Perseus!
November 17, 2022
Where to begin? This book was, simply put, beautiful.
The Shadow of Perseus revisits the myths surrounding Perseus by examining the women he is mostly commonly associated with in his life: his mom, Danae; his wife, Andromeda; and the gorgon, Medusa.
I'll be the first to admit that, despite loving the mythology and historical fiction genres, I am always extremely hesitant to pick up a book that falls in such a category. With such big metaphorical shoes to fill, how do you ever fill it? Especially with such award-winning books to compare oneself to?
The answer is by crafting a new take on an ages-old tale. I took my time with this book, savoring every aspect placed in front of me, and loving every second of it. Heywood's characters jump off the page, and I am in awe and utter admiration of her ability to examine a myth that's been told thousands of times from a new and original point of view.
I'm not sure what else to say to sell someone on this book except to encourage you to pick it up when it goes on sale on February 21, 2023.
My deepest thanks to Claire Heywood, Penguin Group Dutton, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Shadow of Perseus revisits the myths surrounding Perseus by examining the women he is mostly commonly associated with in his life: his mom, Danae; his wife, Andromeda; and the gorgon, Medusa.
I'll be the first to admit that, despite loving the mythology and historical fiction genres, I am always extremely hesitant to pick up a book that falls in such a category. With such big metaphorical shoes to fill, how do you ever fill it? Especially with such award-winning books to compare oneself to?
The answer is by crafting a new take on an ages-old tale. I took my time with this book, savoring every aspect placed in front of me, and loving every second of it. Heywood's characters jump off the page, and I am in awe and utter admiration of her ability to examine a myth that's been told thousands of times from a new and original point of view.
I'm not sure what else to say to sell someone on this book except to encourage you to pick it up when it goes on sale on February 21, 2023.
My deepest thanks to Claire Heywood, Penguin Group Dutton, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 23, 2023
"Feminist retelling of classic Greek myths" is a surprisingly popular genre these days. I always love the idea of them, but they tend to be really hit or miss with me, and I think this one was a miss in almost every way. In fact, I wouldn't call this book feminist at all.
As the title implies, it's a retelling of the story of Perseus, but through the eyes of the women in his life - Danae, his mother; Medusa, his trophy; and Andromeda, his wife. In this rendition, all of the fantasy elements from the original mythology (i.e. the gods, the monsters) have been taken out, and Perseus is transformed from a hero to a full-on villain - kind of.
Perseus becomes a remorseless rapist and murderer, in addition to being a whiny bitch - but then at the end, there's this strange attempt to redeem him. After all the rape, after the merciless murders of an innocent woman and man, we're meant to believe that "the shadow that haunted him" had passed, and that he would return to being a "tender boy" again. Was this book even meant to be feminist? Because what, exactly, is feminist about giving a murderous rapist a redemption arc and a wistful ending where he will become "a son, a husband, a father" to the women he terrorized?
The only part of this book I really felt was "feminist" was the Medusa segment, which was also the shortest. In taking out the fantasy elements, Medusa was transformed from a terrifying monster to a regular young woman escaping the violent misogyny of her culture into a settlement of women. She's kind to Perseus, and is then killed by him. There was a great point to be made here, but it didn't feel like it was explored well enough, and the fact that there was an attempt to characterize Perseus as a misguided young boy at the end made it feel . . . unpleasant in retrospect.
I just wonder what, exactly, was the point of this book at all. Was it only to show a different side of the myth of Perseus using a realistic historical backdrop? If so, why characterize him in the worst way possible - and then choose to redeem him anyway, despite all of the horrifying things he'd done? I don't get it.
The more I think about this book, the less I like it. The writing was excellent, but that's the only kind thing I can think to say.
As the title implies, it's a retelling of the story of Perseus, but through the eyes of the women in his life - Danae, his mother; Medusa, his trophy; and Andromeda, his wife. In this rendition, all of the fantasy elements from the original mythology (i.e. the gods, the monsters) have been taken out, and Perseus is transformed from a hero to a full-on villain - kind of.
Perseus becomes a remorseless rapist and murderer, in addition to being a whiny bitch - but then at the end, there's this strange attempt to redeem him. After all the rape, after the merciless murders of an innocent woman and man, we're meant to believe that "the shadow that haunted him" had passed, and that he would return to being a "tender boy" again. Was this book even meant to be feminist? Because what, exactly, is feminist about giving a murderous rapist a redemption arc and a wistful ending where he will become "a son, a husband, a father" to the women he terrorized?
The only part of this book I really felt was "feminist" was the Medusa segment, which was also the shortest. In taking out the fantasy elements, Medusa was transformed from a terrifying monster to a regular young woman escaping the violent misogyny of her culture into a settlement of women. She's kind to Perseus, and is then killed by him. There was a great point to be made here, but it didn't feel like it was explored well enough, and the fact that there was an attempt to characterize Perseus as a misguided young boy at the end made it feel . . . unpleasant in retrospect.
I just wonder what, exactly, was the point of this book at all. Was it only to show a different side of the myth of Perseus using a realistic historical backdrop? If so, why characterize him in the worst way possible - and then choose to redeem him anyway, despite all of the horrifying things he'd done? I don't get it.
The more I think about this book, the less I like it. The writing was excellent, but that's the only kind thing I can think to say.
February 23, 2023
Happy publication!! 🎉🎉🎉
4 ⭐️
I really enjoyed my time with this gripping and at times just sad story. It's beautifully written from three women's perspectives.
The authors notes describe it perfectly that these stories can cast a main character as a hero or villain just depends on who controls the narrative.
In this story we follow Danae the mother of Perseus, Medusa, and Andromeda. These are strong women who have the worst luck when it comes to men. Then Perseus comes along and is a villain in each of their stories. He's a boy who has never really grown up and doesn't understand what it means to be an honorable man.
I enjoyed both Danae's and Andromeda's perspectives but im quickly wanting more of Medusas story. After learning more of her origin story my heart breaks for Medusa. I want to read more stories centered around her.
I really enjoyed Claire Heywood's style of writing and I will be planning to read more from her:
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.
I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.floofs.booknook and retail sites near or at the time of publication.
4 ⭐️
I really enjoyed my time with this gripping and at times just sad story. It's beautifully written from three women's perspectives.
The authors notes describe it perfectly that these stories can cast a main character as a hero or villain just depends on who controls the narrative.
In this story we follow Danae the mother of Perseus, Medusa, and Andromeda. These are strong women who have the worst luck when it comes to men. Then Perseus comes along and is a villain in each of their stories. He's a boy who has never really grown up and doesn't understand what it means to be an honorable man.
I enjoyed both Danae's and Andromeda's perspectives but im quickly wanting more of Medusas story. After learning more of her origin story my heart breaks for Medusa. I want to read more stories centered around her.
I really enjoyed Claire Heywood's style of writing and I will be planning to read more from her:
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.
I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.floofs.booknook and retail sites near or at the time of publication.
March 7, 2023
This is a tricky one. If you wanted a 'straight up' Greek mythology with gods and monsters, you'd be disappointed. Nothing magical, all realism. But, if you wanted a thoughtful story of the 3 important woman in Perseus' life, you would say 4. I wanted gods and monsters.
Heywood's afterward explains why she went in that direction. Yes, I understand her choices. Mythology can be anything the author wants, because its mythology. I still wanted gods and monsters.
Heywood's afterward explains why she went in that direction. Yes, I understand her choices. Mythology can be anything the author wants, because its mythology. I still wanted gods and monsters.
March 28, 2023
What an entertaining novel! The reimagining of a classical story wherein the hero sort of becomes the villain makes us realize that everyone can be good or bad. This book had allowed us to explore another side of Perseus a beloved mythological figure that we don't usually see, and it made this book interesting!
November 20, 2022
thank you netgalley, dutton books, and claire heywood for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! i loved the author’s previous book and was really excited to read this one, but i was a little worried that it would be too similar to other retellings. however, this is the most unique greek retelling i’ve ever read, and it truly made me think differently about perseus and how we view women in mythology!
this book follows danae, medusa, and andromeda as they all interact with perseus and it shows how he changes their lives. each of the women are unique and interesting to read about and the author changes their stories in a way that makes sense but that i’ve never thought about before. i feel like medusa’s story changed the most, but leaving out the fantasy elements makes it more of a story about the strength of women.
this book features strong writing, fascinating characters, and a storyline that’s never been done before. i sped through it and was very interested to see how everything wrapped up. i highly recommend it! this is one of my favorite retellings and one of my favorite books of the year
this book follows danae, medusa, and andromeda as they all interact with perseus and it shows how he changes their lives. each of the women are unique and interesting to read about and the author changes their stories in a way that makes sense but that i’ve never thought about before. i feel like medusa’s story changed the most, but leaving out the fantasy elements makes it more of a story about the strength of women.
this book features strong writing, fascinating characters, and a storyline that’s never been done before. i sped through it and was very interested to see how everything wrapped up. i highly recommend it! this is one of my favorite retellings and one of my favorite books of the year
October 4, 2023
Perseus is a well-known figure in Greek mythology, but this retelling revisits his life and the general story through the insights of the marginalised woman surrounding him.
I thought this retelling was superbly well-executed. It brought fourth the original tale, in a recognisable version, but with enough differences to make it feel brand new. Perseus' character was the most interesting aspect as his true self was what differed so greatly from the original. Instead of a hero telling the tale of his own heroics, those with nothing to lose from lying recount their part in this epic tale. And the differences are varied and many!
This also contained a large focus on the rife misogyny and gender mistreatment of the time and how women were silenced, shunned, and made to suffer for crimes they did not commit for men who thought themselves the masters of the universe. There were sections that were difficult to read and my heart pained for the generations of women, before and since then, forced to suffer in silence and in such ways.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Claire Heywood, and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for this opportunity.
I thought this retelling was superbly well-executed. It brought fourth the original tale, in a recognisable version, but with enough differences to make it feel brand new. Perseus' character was the most interesting aspect as his true self was what differed so greatly from the original. Instead of a hero telling the tale of his own heroics, those with nothing to lose from lying recount their part in this epic tale. And the differences are varied and many!
This also contained a large focus on the rife misogyny and gender mistreatment of the time and how women were silenced, shunned, and made to suffer for crimes they did not commit for men who thought themselves the masters of the universe. There were sections that were difficult to read and my heart pained for the generations of women, before and since then, forced to suffer in silence and in such ways.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Claire Heywood, and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for this opportunity.
February 25, 2024
Don't write a Greek mythology retelling if you're going to remove all of the mythology! Then your story is just a bummer.
January 2, 2023
The Shadow of Perseus was utterly captivating. I devoured this story of the mythical hero (or is he?) Perseus in just a couple of days. Claire Heywood took this myth and stripped out the magic and the gods, and while this may not sound like your typical ancient Greek drama, it's a gripping tale of deeply flawed humans. The story is told from the point of view of three women who most deeply impact Perseus' life: Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda. Danae struggles with rearing her jealous, headstrong son. Medusa's snakes aren't what you might expect, and while Perseus does save Andromeda from her fate of being chained to rocks next to the sea, maybe it wasn't exactly the outcome she was hoping for. All of this is makes for an absolutely riveting story. A must read for your 2023 TBR list.
April 12, 2023
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. All of my thoughts are my own.
I quit asking for ARCs from NetGalley for a minute after I hit a streak of simply awful books. I found Heywood's previous novel Daughters of Sparta to be a good enough book so I figured why not see how she takes on Perseus.
Spoiler alert - my awful streak of NetGalley requests continues.
We know Perseus to be a hero. He talks back to Ares. He saves Camp Half Blood on multiple occasions. Wait. Wrong Perseus. This Perseus was something else. Definitely an anti-hero and not the kind Taylor says we are rooting for. However, Perseus might take note and admit he's the problem.
What happens when you strip a story of it's myth and magic? What happens when there are no monsters? According to Heywood, when all these things are gone, the hero becomes the monster. And who does that leave to slay the monster? The women of course. Except these women all fall short.
As Taylor teaches us, maybe I should be admitting to being the problem here. It's entirely possible that I'm just overly triggered by books that feature narcissistic mama's boys. Or maybe I'm completely over the myth re-telling trend. I should have quit while I was ahead. See Phaedra.
Of course the problem could also be that Perseus is an insufferable mama's boy and it just flat out makes him a terrible person. This mama's boy was so one dimensional. There was absolutely nothing redeeming about him. "Oh poor me. I have such a hard life. My mother sacrificed everything to give me everything and keep me comfortable. But other kids make fun of me and some guy took something that should be mine. Poor me. My life is so hard. Please, please, reader feel sorry for me." Seriously, Perseus and my ex-husband should start a poor-me support group.
The problem could also be Perseus' mother, Danae. Perseus is exactly what you should expect when you spend a child's entire life telling them how special they are. "Oh my sweet boy! You deserve a throne and to be worshiped by everyone you meet. You are too special to play with the other boys. You might get hurt. Or even worse, one of them might be better than you." Danae and my ex-mother-in-law have a lot in common.
I can't say Medusa was the problem. She didn't do anything. She tried. She saved his life. That might not have been one of her better ideas.
That leaves Andromeda. Is she the problem? She definitely deserves some blame. She commits herself to using sex as a weapon (I can't even believe that we are making that a thing in 2023. Like women can't have any other weapons.) and then never actually pulls the figurative trigger. She's so convinced she's going to change Perseus. We all know what happens when a woman things she can change a man. Andromeda reminds me of me early in my marriage. Girl, don't be like that. Therapy is expensive.
To sum it up - 1.) Perseus is a terrible human being. 2.) The myth re-telling trend has peaked.
I quit asking for ARCs from NetGalley for a minute after I hit a streak of simply awful books. I found Heywood's previous novel Daughters of Sparta to be a good enough book so I figured why not see how she takes on Perseus.
Spoiler alert - my awful streak of NetGalley requests continues.
We know Perseus to be a hero. He talks back to Ares. He saves Camp Half Blood on multiple occasions. Wait. Wrong Perseus. This Perseus was something else. Definitely an anti-hero and not the kind Taylor says we are rooting for. However, Perseus might take note and admit he's the problem.
What happens when you strip a story of it's myth and magic? What happens when there are no monsters? According to Heywood, when all these things are gone, the hero becomes the monster. And who does that leave to slay the monster? The women of course. Except these women all fall short.
As Taylor teaches us, maybe I should be admitting to being the problem here. It's entirely possible that I'm just overly triggered by books that feature narcissistic mama's boys. Or maybe I'm completely over the myth re-telling trend. I should have quit while I was ahead. See Phaedra.
Of course the problem could also be that Perseus is an insufferable mama's boy and it just flat out makes him a terrible person. This mama's boy was so one dimensional. There was absolutely nothing redeeming about him. "Oh poor me. I have such a hard life. My mother sacrificed everything to give me everything and keep me comfortable. But other kids make fun of me and some guy took something that should be mine. Poor me. My life is so hard. Please, please, reader feel sorry for me." Seriously, Perseus and my ex-husband should start a poor-me support group.
The problem could also be Perseus' mother, Danae. Perseus is exactly what you should expect when you spend a child's entire life telling them how special they are. "Oh my sweet boy! You deserve a throne and to be worshiped by everyone you meet. You are too special to play with the other boys. You might get hurt. Or even worse, one of them might be better than you." Danae and my ex-mother-in-law have a lot in common.
I can't say Medusa was the problem. She didn't do anything. She tried. She saved his life. That might not have been one of her better ideas.
That leaves Andromeda. Is she the problem? She definitely deserves some blame. She commits herself to using sex as a weapon (I can't even believe that we are making that a thing in 2023. Like women can't have any other weapons.) and then never actually pulls the figurative trigger. She's so convinced she's going to change Perseus. We all know what happens when a woman things she can change a man. Andromeda reminds me of me early in my marriage. Girl, don't be like that. Therapy is expensive.
To sum it up - 1.) Perseus is a terrible human being. 2.) The myth re-telling trend has peaked.
January 24, 2023
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Shadows of Perseus
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Claire Heywood
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Greek Mythology
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 21st February 2023
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬/𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: Fragile Masculinity, Female Oppression
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5/5
TW: rape, kidnapping, murder
This is a story of how one man’s fragile masculinity was the demise of multiple people. Shadows of Perseus focuses on the prominent women in his life: Danae, Medusa and Andromeda
This idea has been done before: feminist Greek mythology retellings, and has especially grown in recent years, I’ve read two alone this month. I feel as though I can never get tired of it though, and Claire Heywood is a new voice for me.
I really enjoyed that Claire Heywood wanted her interpretation to be more realistic so cast aside any interventions from the gods and focused primarily on human behaviour and decisions. I felt that it grounded the story into a more believable escapade and also helped raise the women’s voices above the gods.
Some retellings can be over complicated with multiple POVs and a layering of multiple storylines. Shadows of Perseus is a much more simplified retelling, mainly based on the works of Pseudo-Apollodorus and Ovid. However, after reading the authors note, I can see just how much research and expertise went into this story and whilst I had already loved the story in its entirety, the authors note gave me a newfound appreciation for the hard work that had gone into this books creation.
This book was not overtly feminist, but feminism was definitely present. It was present in the Gorgon tribe that included Medusa as one of their sisters, it was subtly present in Danae’s role of motherhood, caregiver to Perseus until suddenly Perseus is guardian of her, and treats her as though she is a possession of his, and it was present in Andromeda’s mindset, her belief that her spirit has raised to be strong, and though life has dealt her undesirable cards, she must play the game to win. Danae, Medusa and Andromeda are each strong women within their own right and I adored the portrayal of each of their perspectives.
This is probably the easiest Greek Mythology interpretation I have ever read. It’s well researched and I enjoyed the feminist themes and exploration of fragile masculinity. I haven’t read Claire Heywood before but I absolutely want to read Daughters of Sparta now.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Shadows of Perseus
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Claire Heywood
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Greek Mythology
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 21st February 2023
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬/𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: Fragile Masculinity, Female Oppression
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5/5
TW: rape, kidnapping, murder
This is a story of how one man’s fragile masculinity was the demise of multiple people. Shadows of Perseus focuses on the prominent women in his life: Danae, Medusa and Andromeda
This idea has been done before: feminist Greek mythology retellings, and has especially grown in recent years, I’ve read two alone this month. I feel as though I can never get tired of it though, and Claire Heywood is a new voice for me.
I really enjoyed that Claire Heywood wanted her interpretation to be more realistic so cast aside any interventions from the gods and focused primarily on human behaviour and decisions. I felt that it grounded the story into a more believable escapade and also helped raise the women’s voices above the gods.
Some retellings can be over complicated with multiple POVs and a layering of multiple storylines. Shadows of Perseus is a much more simplified retelling, mainly based on the works of Pseudo-Apollodorus and Ovid. However, after reading the authors note, I can see just how much research and expertise went into this story and whilst I had already loved the story in its entirety, the authors note gave me a newfound appreciation for the hard work that had gone into this books creation.
This book was not overtly feminist, but feminism was definitely present. It was present in the Gorgon tribe that included Medusa as one of their sisters, it was subtly present in Danae’s role of motherhood, caregiver to Perseus until suddenly Perseus is guardian of her, and treats her as though she is a possession of his, and it was present in Andromeda’s mindset, her belief that her spirit has raised to be strong, and though life has dealt her undesirable cards, she must play the game to win. Danae, Medusa and Andromeda are each strong women within their own right and I adored the portrayal of each of their perspectives.
This is probably the easiest Greek Mythology interpretation I have ever read. It’s well researched and I enjoyed the feminist themes and exploration of fragile masculinity. I haven’t read Claire Heywood before but I absolutely want to read Daughters of Sparta now.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
January 21, 2023
The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood is a historical mythological re-telling of the myth of hero Perseus as told by three women central to the story, Danae, his mother, Medusa, the Gorgon Queen and Andromeda, his future wife. Ad the author explains in the foreword, she has taken some liberties with the re-telling crafting it her own and giving us something unique, fresh and heartwarming. The author has taken some of the more fantastical elements of the myth and grounded them in reality telling us a much more likely tale which may very well have been the experience of many women. With a slight feminist undertone, the story of each woman is empowering, courageous and such a delight to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will be going back to read the authors other works as well as any future reads. Thank you to Claire Heywood, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this fantastic book.
June 3, 2023
If this book was set in 2023, Perseus would have absolutely followed Andrew Tate on Twitter.
January 24, 2023
‘He does not intend to hurt me, he simply doesn’t care he does’
The Shadow of Perseus follows the story of the three women within the mythology of Perseus; the women who made the young man a most renowned figure in literature. This inventive retelling challenges the one sided narrative often found within history, harkening back to the figures most effected by our ‘heroes’.
From Danae, Medusa and to Andromeda, Heywood brings to life these neglected, female characters, giving a voice and depth to their role within Perseus’ life. By reinventing these figures, Heywood offers a grim version to our beloved Perseus, exposing him for the man he is.
I really liked this book. I liked how Heywood maintains the decorum of the time, portraying realistic representations of what it means to be a woman within antiquity. Particularly I like how she subverts Perseus’ paternity, reducing his status way earlier on in the book. I like this subversion particularly because it exposes our hero for what he is: a man who believes he is better than everyone else. This is shown early on, particularly in Danae’s POV in which she vocalises that Perseus is more fragile than the other boys; he’s not as tall or strong willed. If anything, she exposes him to be an irritable, demanding young man. It becomes worse once he interacts with Medusa, once more subverting the original tale, bringing familiar, modern themes regarding consent. It’s when he meets Medusa that we see Perseus is a representation of a man consumed by toxic masculinity.
Additionally, I’m a massive fan of Heywood’s writing style. Her characters are convincing as well as the relationships she creates between them. I really did enjoy reading the role these women play within Perseus life, but more importantly how they lived before he emerged into them. The original myths, of course, do not permit any such detail given to these women, so I enjoy how Heywood vilifies and de-vilifies certain figures.
The Shadow of Perseus follows the story of the three women within the mythology of Perseus; the women who made the young man a most renowned figure in literature. This inventive retelling challenges the one sided narrative often found within history, harkening back to the figures most effected by our ‘heroes’.
From Danae, Medusa and to Andromeda, Heywood brings to life these neglected, female characters, giving a voice and depth to their role within Perseus’ life. By reinventing these figures, Heywood offers a grim version to our beloved Perseus, exposing him for the man he is.
I really liked this book. I liked how Heywood maintains the decorum of the time, portraying realistic representations of what it means to be a woman within antiquity. Particularly I like how she subverts Perseus’ paternity, reducing his status way earlier on in the book. I like this subversion particularly because it exposes our hero for what he is: a man who believes he is better than everyone else. This is shown early on, particularly in Danae’s POV in which she vocalises that Perseus is more fragile than the other boys; he’s not as tall or strong willed. If anything, she exposes him to be an irritable, demanding young man. It becomes worse once he interacts with Medusa, once more subverting the original tale, bringing familiar, modern themes regarding consent. It’s when he meets Medusa that we see Perseus is a representation of a man consumed by toxic masculinity.
Additionally, I’m a massive fan of Heywood’s writing style. Her characters are convincing as well as the relationships she creates between them. I really did enjoy reading the role these women play within Perseus life, but more importantly how they lived before he emerged into them. The original myths, of course, do not permit any such detail given to these women, so I enjoy how Heywood vilifies and de-vilifies certain figures.
July 1, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this unapologetic expose on what a problematic pain Perseus truly is!
What I love so much about Greek mythology retellings of Perseus in particular, is that there are several potential perspectives to share from each story. Perseus is such a great example of that, with some stories vilifying and some glorifying him; this time, we are someplace in the middle. Thank goodness, because I’ve had about enough of the glorifying ones!
We begin with Danae - a hugely likeable character locked in her room because, as befits many Greek parents with unfortunate demises shared by an Oracle, her father has learned that Danae’s offspring will result in his own death. So of course, locking her away like Rapunzel without a mane seems a solid place to start preventing that demise. But Danae doesn’t need an unruly haircut to capture the eye of a handsome boy - he just breaks right in! As a result, Perseus is later born.
The story follows Perseus from here as he meets Medusa and later Andromeda. I really enjoyed the way the story developed, and the audiobook was especially enjoyable for such a character driven narrative. It’s no secret that Perseus isn’t the most moral young man, but in this retelling I felt the author strived to show that there was reasoning behind his poor character which was more interesting. I also enjoyed that Andromeda and Medusa had more of a voice, when often they are secondary characters for Perseus to exploit.
I can’t say that this story stands out from a very overpopulated market, but it was really enjoyable and I’d certainly recommend it to readers who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s or other similar works.
ARC provided from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I love so much about Greek mythology retellings of Perseus in particular, is that there are several potential perspectives to share from each story. Perseus is such a great example of that, with some stories vilifying and some glorifying him; this time, we are someplace in the middle. Thank goodness, because I’ve had about enough of the glorifying ones!
We begin with Danae - a hugely likeable character locked in her room because, as befits many Greek parents with unfortunate demises shared by an Oracle, her father has learned that Danae’s offspring will result in his own death. So of course, locking her away like Rapunzel without a mane seems a solid place to start preventing that demise. But Danae doesn’t need an unruly haircut to capture the eye of a handsome boy - he just breaks right in! As a result, Perseus is later born.
The story follows Perseus from here as he meets Medusa and later Andromeda. I really enjoyed the way the story developed, and the audiobook was especially enjoyable for such a character driven narrative. It’s no secret that Perseus isn’t the most moral young man, but in this retelling I felt the author strived to show that there was reasoning behind his poor character which was more interesting. I also enjoyed that Andromeda and Medusa had more of a voice, when often they are secondary characters for Perseus to exploit.
I can’t say that this story stands out from a very overpopulated market, but it was really enjoyable and I’d certainly recommend it to readers who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s or other similar works.
ARC provided from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2023
This story was not what I was expecting... and I loved it! Growing up reading greek and roman mythology you expect stories to follow a similar track but Claire Heywood strips the magic of the gods out completely. What we're left with is a story of a young man who's jaded by life told from the perspective of the 3 most important women in his life in any iteration.
I absolutely loved how the author drove the narrative through Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda upending the traditional stories by making the reader ask what if. What if Perseus' story had been written by the women in his life and what if the myths we've read for generations are completely wrong. The only thing I would have changed was more of Medusa's story to be included, what the author wrote was utterly fascinating and you want to know more. This story was truly one of the most unique versions of the tale I've ever read and will definitely recommend it!
Glad I received a copy from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review!
I absolutely loved how the author drove the narrative through Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda upending the traditional stories by making the reader ask what if. What if Perseus' story had been written by the women in his life and what if the myths we've read for generations are completely wrong. The only thing I would have changed was more of Medusa's story to be included, what the author wrote was utterly fascinating and you want to know more. This story was truly one of the most unique versions of the tale I've ever read and will definitely recommend it!
Glad I received a copy from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review!
March 4, 2023
I went into this expecting a re-telling of the myth of Perseus. The story is marketed as that, but told from the perspective of the three female characters that play a big part in the myth; Danae (his mother), Medusa and Andromeda (his wife). You think you know what to expect from a book like this, but it was nothing like it seemed to be.
Every single mythical part of the story has been taken out. There is no involvement of the gods, which makes for a rather confusing story at first. Instead of being impregnated by Zeus, Danae has a boy who she meets every night while she is imprisoned. This caught me off guard as I went in expecting a re-telling. It is hard to retell a myth without including the gods, especially when essential parts of the plot are tied to that. I tried to adjust my expectations of the book after this but it never really got better.
It is ambitious to tell this story without the “magical” elements. By doing so not only did the author take out important plot points, it also took the life out of the story. It would be better categorized as historical fiction and seen as a separate story, but even then it is not up to standard. I am all for authors adding on to myths, there are chunks of stories missing and there lies an opportunity to give a story your own spin. To add on to a character’s personality or waht their life might have looked like. The changes made in this book are far from that, they seem to take away from the story rather than add on to it. Which raises the question of why you would read the book at all, since the original myth is more interesting.
There is an attempt to highlight the female characters. Unlike lots of other people I am not tired of the feminist re-tellings of greek myth, this one however missed the mark. Instead of female empowerment the book takes these women and makes them seem weak. To the point where abuse is added to make characters appear stronger, instead of amplifying the strength the characters have in the original myth. A false sense of sisterhood is added to Medusa as she resides with other women who were abused. Which on its own is an interesting addition, however she is killed just a few pages later. Making any time we spent with these characters feel useless.
What confused me the most was the ending. Perseus is constantly painted as a monster. The story is even more gruesome than the original myth and every single action he takes is rightfully condemned by the women in his life. Until he gets an redemption arc. Which caught me off guard and seemed like the worst possible ending.
The author tries to put it into a time accurate context but even then it feels off. I wish I enjoyed this more. After having the same issue with her previous book I think the author’s work just isn’t for me. Re-telling a myth without the elements that make it a myth just doesn’t work. The thing I did enjoy was the writing, however not enough to redeem this book.
Every single mythical part of the story has been taken out. There is no involvement of the gods, which makes for a rather confusing story at first. Instead of being impregnated by Zeus, Danae has a boy who she meets every night while she is imprisoned. This caught me off guard as I went in expecting a re-telling. It is hard to retell a myth without including the gods, especially when essential parts of the plot are tied to that. I tried to adjust my expectations of the book after this but it never really got better.
It is ambitious to tell this story without the “magical” elements. By doing so not only did the author take out important plot points, it also took the life out of the story. It would be better categorized as historical fiction and seen as a separate story, but even then it is not up to standard. I am all for authors adding on to myths, there are chunks of stories missing and there lies an opportunity to give a story your own spin. To add on to a character’s personality or waht their life might have looked like. The changes made in this book are far from that, they seem to take away from the story rather than add on to it. Which raises the question of why you would read the book at all, since the original myth is more interesting.
There is an attempt to highlight the female characters. Unlike lots of other people I am not tired of the feminist re-tellings of greek myth, this one however missed the mark. Instead of female empowerment the book takes these women and makes them seem weak. To the point where abuse is added to make characters appear stronger, instead of amplifying the strength the characters have in the original myth. A false sense of sisterhood is added to Medusa as she resides with other women who were abused. Which on its own is an interesting addition, however she is killed just a few pages later. Making any time we spent with these characters feel useless.
What confused me the most was the ending. Perseus is constantly painted as a monster. The story is even more gruesome than the original myth and every single action he takes is rightfully condemned by the women in his life. Until he gets an redemption arc. Which caught me off guard and seemed like the worst possible ending.
The author tries to put it into a time accurate context but even then it feels off. I wish I enjoyed this more. After having the same issue with her previous book I think the author’s work just isn’t for me. Re-telling a myth without the elements that make it a myth just doesn’t work. The thing I did enjoy was the writing, however not enough to redeem this book.
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