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The Myth of Monsters #1
Medusa
From National Book Award finalist Katherine Percy Jackson meets The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy in this fantastical adventure about Ava, who attends a boarding school for the descendants of Greek monsters and uncovers a terrible secret that could change the world forever. Ava Baldwin has always tried to keep her anger in check, just like her mom taught her. But when know-it-all classmate Owen King tries to speak over her yet again, Ava explodes . . . and Owen freezes, becoming totally unresponsive. Although Owen recovers, Ava's parents whisk her off to her mother’s alma mater, the Accademia del Forte, a mysterious international boarding school in Venice. There, Ava and her brother, Jax, discover that the Olympian gods founded the Accademia to teach the descendants of mythological monsters how to control their emotions and their powers and become functioning, well-adjusted members of society. But not everything at the Accademia is as it seems. After her friend Fia is almost expelled for challenging a teacher, Ava realizes the school is hiding a dangerous secret. To uncover the truth, Ava and her new friends embark on an adventure that could change the way they view history, mythology—and themselves—forever…or end their lives.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
January 1, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
This was such a good story to start the year with!
Basically Percy Jackson meets Amari and the Nightbrothers 😍 A must-read for Greek mythology fans
This was such a good story to start the year with!
Basically Percy Jackson meets Amari and the Nightbrothers 😍 A must-read for Greek mythology fans
March 15, 2024
In the tradition of Percy Jackson, Katherine Marsh's protagonist, Ava, is descended from a character from the Greek myths, not a god, but a monster, and her quest takes her to the most fearsome places to face the most fearsome creatures of all. Great plot with a feminist perspective (greatly appreciated by this myth aficionado) , leaving me hopeful for more in a series.
December 14, 2023
Loved this! Fun and fast-paced and feminist!
September 7, 2023
I chose to read this book because I wanted a light, adventurous fantasy middle grade story. I thought it would be like a mix of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. However, what I got was extremely unexpected and disappointing.
I’ll start with what I did like about the book: I enjoyed all of the Greek mythology in this story. There is quite a bit, and I enjoyed reading (and learning) more about them. I learned about the Greek gods and monsters in high school and also took a class in college, but I have forgotten a lot over the years. So this was a nice refresher, and I learned more about other Greek characters and stories that I hadn’t heard before. I also liked the twist where the children were descendants of Greek monsters instead of Greek gods, like in Percy Jackson.
The adventure the children go on is fun and creative. It felt a little rushed, and I would’ve liked it to be a little longer with more buildup, but overall, it never got boring, and there was a lot of action. It was a very quick and easy read. I read it in two days. There were quite a few twists and turns, and the whole story felt like a puzzle that we were putting together, which was also fun and entertaining.
The main protagonist, Ava, is an admirably brave, strong-willed, clever, and intelligent girl. A few of Ava’s other friends were okay but didn’t stand out too much for me. However, I did not like her best friend, Fia, at all. I felt like she was disrespectful, snarky, and rude. Her rebellious, reckless reactions caused her own problems, and things could’ve been handled differently. We also didn’t get a lot of backstory on the characters, so I didn’t really get to know them that well and just didn’t care as much. I felt like we needed more time with them and more character development. The ending was also abrupt and didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Again, it felt too rushed and short.
However, this book was obviously written by a feminist who had something to say! If I had known ahead of time the feminist turn it would take, I never would’ve read this novel.
This was one of the preachiest books I’ve ever read in my entire life. I don’t want any movement or group pushing their agenda on me, especially in my entertainment when I just want to escape into a fun, creative story. We get enough soapbox speeches about our culture in many other ways. I don’t need (or want) it in my books. Plus, putting these messages in children’s books is appalling to me because not everyone agrees or wants these messages forced onto their children.
This didn’t feel like female empowerment. It felt like progressive, feminist propaganda disguised as a middle grade fantasy. The overtly feminist tone and angle of the story were nauseating, tiresome, and annoying. I tried to keep an open mind as I read it, but I found myself rolling my eyes way too many times. I was incredibly disappointed at the turn it took when it had such potential to be a fun, lighthearted read with some good universal messages without being preachy. But unfortunately, that is not what we got with this one, which is a shame. The concept was imaginative, but the execution was poor.
I’ll start with what I did like about the book: I enjoyed all of the Greek mythology in this story. There is quite a bit, and I enjoyed reading (and learning) more about them. I learned about the Greek gods and monsters in high school and also took a class in college, but I have forgotten a lot over the years. So this was a nice refresher, and I learned more about other Greek characters and stories that I hadn’t heard before. I also liked the twist where the children were descendants of Greek monsters instead of Greek gods, like in Percy Jackson.
The adventure the children go on is fun and creative. It felt a little rushed, and I would’ve liked it to be a little longer with more buildup, but overall, it never got boring, and there was a lot of action. It was a very quick and easy read. I read it in two days. There were quite a few twists and turns, and the whole story felt like a puzzle that we were putting together, which was also fun and entertaining.
The main protagonist, Ava, is an admirably brave, strong-willed, clever, and intelligent girl. A few of Ava’s other friends were okay but didn’t stand out too much for me. However, I did not like her best friend, Fia, at all. I felt like she was disrespectful, snarky, and rude. Her rebellious, reckless reactions caused her own problems, and things could’ve been handled differently. We also didn’t get a lot of backstory on the characters, so I didn’t really get to know them that well and just didn’t care as much. I felt like we needed more time with them and more character development. The ending was also abrupt and didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Again, it felt too rushed and short.
However, this book was obviously written by a feminist who had something to say! If I had known ahead of time the feminist turn it would take, I never would’ve read this novel.
This was one of the preachiest books I’ve ever read in my entire life. I don’t want any movement or group pushing their agenda on me, especially in my entertainment when I just want to escape into a fun, creative story. We get enough soapbox speeches about our culture in many other ways. I don’t need (or want) it in my books. Plus, putting these messages in children’s books is appalling to me because not everyone agrees or wants these messages forced onto their children.
This didn’t feel like female empowerment. It felt like progressive, feminist propaganda disguised as a middle grade fantasy. The overtly feminist tone and angle of the story were nauseating, tiresome, and annoying. I tried to keep an open mind as I read it, but I found myself rolling my eyes way too many times. I was incredibly disappointed at the turn it took when it had such potential to be a fun, lighthearted read with some good universal messages without being preachy. But unfortunately, that is not what we got with this one, which is a shame. The concept was imaginative, but the execution was poor.
Shelved as 'abgebrochen-2024'
October 23, 2024Dnf‘ed at 28%
A bad and way to obvious Harry Potter clone.
Overkill on the Greek Mythology. I know that‘s the point, but it was to much. It got boring fast.
Go read Percy Jackson instead. At least that‘s fun and doesn‘t push feminism down your throat like „Medusa“ does.
A bad and way to obvious Harry Potter clone.
Overkill on the Greek Mythology. I know that‘s the point, but it was to much. It got boring fast.
Go read Percy Jackson instead. At least that‘s fun and doesn‘t push feminism down your throat like „Medusa“ does.
August 1, 2024
This was a fun book and it finally showcased the Medusa I know from my own classical education. She’s not the monster most of the myths portray her as.
December 5, 2023
"Genus non est fatum"
"Ancestry is not destiny"
Medusa is a fun Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter middle-grade book with a twist.
Ava struggles with managing her emotions while at school. Following an incident, Ava and her brother are sent to Accademia del Forte, a boarding school in Venice. There, they discover they are descendants of monsters and are taught how to control their powers and emotions. However, they soon realize that the school has its secrets. Ava teams up with her friends on a journey that could alter everything they know.
Medusa is a thrilling and captivating book that will take you on a journey full of unexpected twists and turns. With its well-crafted plot and engaging characters, this book is a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is a coming-of-age story that is both empowering and inspiring, with a strong emphasis on the importance of friendship and the power of feminism. Whether you're a young girl looking for a relatable and inspiring read or simply a fan of well-written fiction, Medusa is a book you won't want to miss.
Thank you Netgally and HarperCollins Childrens Books for the e-ARC
"Ancestry is not destiny"
Medusa is a fun Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter middle-grade book with a twist.
Ava struggles with managing her emotions while at school. Following an incident, Ava and her brother are sent to Accademia del Forte, a boarding school in Venice. There, they discover they are descendants of monsters and are taught how to control their powers and emotions. However, they soon realize that the school has its secrets. Ava teams up with her friends on a journey that could alter everything they know.
Medusa is a thrilling and captivating book that will take you on a journey full of unexpected twists and turns. With its well-crafted plot and engaging characters, this book is a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is a coming-of-age story that is both empowering and inspiring, with a strong emphasis on the importance of friendship and the power of feminism. Whether you're a young girl looking for a relatable and inspiring read or simply a fan of well-written fiction, Medusa is a book you won't want to miss.
Thank you Netgally and HarperCollins Childrens Books for the e-ARC
April 21, 2024
After loving Marsh's THE LOST YEAR just a few weeks ago, I was excited to try this new novel featuring Greek gods and myths as something completely different.
I was so impressed with how different this was from Percy Jackson (and how much better). There are a lot of similar elements for sure, but it never felt like a copycat or a bandwagon jumper; Medusa was really fresh and fun and really focused on themes of storytelling, speaking up for the marginalized, and especially our need for community.
There were a few places where things were a little too on the nose, but overall I loved how the story kept me guessing. (I'd contrast this with Percy Jackson which is very linear; you know where the story is going, just not how it will get there. With Medusa, the plot twists were throughout and it was never obvious where our characters would end up. I loved that.)
This is set up to be a fun new series to follow and I'm defiantly looking forward to it.
I was so impressed with how different this was from Percy Jackson (and how much better). There are a lot of similar elements for sure, but it never felt like a copycat or a bandwagon jumper; Medusa was really fresh and fun and really focused on themes of storytelling, speaking up for the marginalized, and especially our need for community.
There were a few places where things were a little too on the nose, but overall I loved how the story kept me guessing. (I'd contrast this with Percy Jackson which is very linear; you know where the story is going, just not how it will get there. With Medusa, the plot twists were throughout and it was never obvious where our characters would end up. I loved that.)
This is set up to be a fun new series to follow and I'm defiantly looking forward to it.
July 13, 2024
To be honest, the storyline was a bit disorienting. One minute, Ava's life in middle school has been ruined, and the next, she is at the Accademia in Venice with her brother. I thought the story might have been better if Ava had stayed in her regular middle school and discovered her heritage and her powers there. It is an interesting concept, that the gods (men) have told the stories of monsters (women) in an effort to subjugate and control them and that women need to take back their voices and their power because they are not really monsters. However, I thought the point was told in a much too obvious way, i.e., straight out in case the readers missed it, which they really wouldn't have. Also, it struck me as disingenuous to have the monster that won the day against the gods actually be a descendent of one of the gods also, which sort of defeated the purpose of the point to me. The actions scenes didn't really hold together for me either. I think this story was okay for its type.
October 16, 2024
Fans of Harry Potter will love this book! recognize this as a poor imitation.
There are so many equivalents:
Ava is Harry
Fia and Layla are Ron and Hermoine
Arnold is Neville
Mr. Orion is Snape
Ms. Demi is McGonagall
Zeus/Hades/Poseidon is Voldemort
Zale is Draco Malfoy
Anahita and Morgan are Crabbe and Goyle
Owen is Dudley
There are a few differences. Like instead of being a school for learning magic it is a school designed for the teachers to bully kids and encourage others to be bullies as well.
The author also threw in too many big names in the first book in the series. Leaves nothing in anticipation of the rest.
And if you're going to rewrite classical Greek mythology, don't rewrite it completely and change it into a hyper-feminist, all men are evil pigs, story.
But the character development was good, and the writing style kept me engaged (though it was quite rushed and forced). But still not worth the read.
There are so many equivalents:
Ava is Harry
Fia and Layla are Ron and Hermoine
Arnold is Neville
Mr. Orion is Snape
Ms. Demi is McGonagall
Zeus/Hades/Poseidon is Voldemort
Zale is Draco Malfoy
Anahita and Morgan are Crabbe and Goyle
Owen is Dudley
There are a few differences. Like instead of being a school for learning magic it is a school designed for the teachers to bully kids and encourage others to be bullies as well.
The author also threw in too many big names in the first book in the series. Leaves nothing in anticipation of the rest.
And if you're going to rewrite classical Greek mythology, don't rewrite it completely and change it into a hyper-feminist, all men are evil pigs, story.
But the character development was good, and the writing style kept me engaged (though it was quite rushed and forced). But still not worth the read.
October 22, 2023
When I started this book I was a little nervous it was a Percy Jackson knock off but it turns out to be such a great story from a completely different angle. Instead of being the children of gods these characters are the descendants of the monsters in the same stories. The main character Ava freezes one of her male classmates and her parents whisk her away to the Accademia del Forte along with her brother Jax. Their adventure was so fun and they uncovered secrets that improved the lives of Medusa & other mythical characters. The supporting characters were fun. Fia & Albert are great. I loved when Albert found his wings & Fia couldn’t talk but still helped save the day. I will definitely be hoping for another entry in this series,
The voice galley was ok & not too distracting. I can only think this book will be even better with a real narrator.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio/Clarion books for a copy of this book. It was great!
The voice galley was ok & not too distracting. I can only think this book will be even better with a real narrator.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio/Clarion books for a copy of this book. It was great!
July 14, 2024
'"...you can't change the world by force."
Ava didn't even bother to hide her frustration. "Then what can you change it by?"
"Stories." Medusa's amber eyes flashed. "You want to change the world? Find and tell the stories of the silenced and the powerless that haven't been told."'
That line was especially powerful when I read it. In this book, the male God's twisted stories in order to make themselves more powerful and keep females weak. The theme of female empowerment is strong in this story but it's also a fantastically entertaining story that kids will enjoy. Lots of information about Olympic God's so kids who enjoyed the Percy Jackson series will likely enjoy it. But I loved it for its deeper themes as well
Ava didn't even bother to hide her frustration. "Then what can you change it by?"
"Stories." Medusa's amber eyes flashed. "You want to change the world? Find and tell the stories of the silenced and the powerless that haven't been told."'
That line was especially powerful when I read it. In this book, the male God's twisted stories in order to make themselves more powerful and keep females weak. The theme of female empowerment is strong in this story but it's also a fantastically entertaining story that kids will enjoy. Lots of information about Olympic God's so kids who enjoyed the Percy Jackson series will likely enjoy it. But I loved it for its deeper themes as well
July 31, 2024
Content Warning: Sexism
My Thoughts:
Medusa was Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter and I was living for it! It is a good start for young minds to explore how women and girls are taught to shrink down their thoughts, voices, personalities, and even their bodies to satisfy social standards and society's expectations. I thought Ava was an amazing main character that girls (and boys) could look up to. I would HIGHLY recommend this book for middle-grade readers!
Book Summary:
This book follows Ava Baldwin, who gets sent to her mom's alma mater, the Accademia del Forte. But the school is hiding a dangerous secret and it's up ava and her new friends to uncover the truth.
My Thoughts:
Medusa was Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter and I was living for it! It is a good start for young minds to explore how women and girls are taught to shrink down their thoughts, voices, personalities, and even their bodies to satisfy social standards and society's expectations. I thought Ava was an amazing main character that girls (and boys) could look up to. I would HIGHLY recommend this book for middle-grade readers!
Book Summary:
This book follows Ava Baldwin, who gets sent to her mom's alma mater, the Accademia del Forte. But the school is hiding a dangerous secret and it's up ava and her new friends to uncover the truth.
September 13, 2024
This was a very enjoyable book! I listened to the audiobook and had a lot of fun. It's got everything I want in a book. Humor, emotion, strong female character, mythology. This is like a feminist Percy Jackson and I think everyone interested in PJO or mythology in general should give this one a chance. Even the side characters were greatly developed and didn't feel any less important than the main character. I'm definitely looking forward to more of this world!
4.25☆
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Beautiful! Will write my review later
4.25☆
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Beautiful! Will write my review later
March 23, 2024
It’s a middle grade Percy Jackson esque idea - but different. I don’t want to give too much away, but I love the focus on the creatures of Greek mythology AND the women, who constantly get overlooked or turned into some kind of tree or straight up killed in Greek myths…
the allusions are great, the characters well done, and, while a little bit of a wild ride, the plot meaningful. For sure recommend for mythology loving YA and MG readers
the allusions are great, the characters well done, and, while a little bit of a wild ride, the plot meaningful. For sure recommend for mythology loving YA and MG readers
November 9, 2024
This is a “YA” novel but well written and with a great hook - think Percy Jackson meets Hogwarts - but with strong female characters and a great message. I loved it and as a teacher I will recommend it to my students.
October 3, 2024
Is it a little too close to Percy Jackson? Perhaps. Will my students care? No. A definite purchase and I am a little bummed that Book #2 is so far away!
November 29, 2024
Cute middle grade novel for fans of Rick Riordan.
December 3, 2024
What a great series opener! I love Marsh’s underlying message that history shouldn’t be taken at face value— we should ask ourselves whose voices have been silenced, whose have been amplified, and why?
Fans of Percy Jackson and Greek mythology are in for a treat as they get to know Ava and her friends.
Fans of Percy Jackson and Greek mythology are in for a treat as they get to know Ava and her friends.
January 24, 2025
Creative new spin on retelling Greek mythology.
December 21, 2024
fuck the patriarchy but for kids!
January 22, 2025
A boarding school fantasy story with plenty of action and girl power. The author changes Medusa’s story which was fun.
August 2, 2024
A must read for Greek mythology lovers.
January 16, 2024
Medusa is a new middle grade book that is similar to Percy Jackson but with children of Greek monsters instead of the Greek gods. When Ava gets in trouble at school, her and her brother are sent to a boarding school in Venice. While there, they discover that all of the kids going there are descendants of Greek monsters. The children soon learn something is wrong at the school and go on an adventure to find the truth.
I’ll start with the good stuff. I think the story and adventure were fun and a good idea for a children’s book. I liked all of the characters and the different Greek mythology sprinkled in. The kids had different abilities and it was fun to see how they corresponded to different monsters.
Now to the stuff that didn’t work for me. Overall, this book was very preachy and was very obviously pushing certain ideas. No matter if I agree or disagree with certain things, I don’t want it shoved so obviously in my face the whole time. There is a way to put in certain values and ideas in books without hitting the reader in the head so much with it. I also feel like the pacing was a bit off. It felt super fast the whole time and I wish it slowed down a bit in certain areas.
I think this book had a fun concept but the execution was not there. I wish it wasn’t so pushy and rather just focused on the fun and adventure by the kids. Thanks so much to netgalley and harpercollins children’s books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll start with the good stuff. I think the story and adventure were fun and a good idea for a children’s book. I liked all of the characters and the different Greek mythology sprinkled in. The kids had different abilities and it was fun to see how they corresponded to different monsters.
Now to the stuff that didn’t work for me. Overall, this book was very preachy and was very obviously pushing certain ideas. No matter if I agree or disagree with certain things, I don’t want it shoved so obviously in my face the whole time. There is a way to put in certain values and ideas in books without hitting the reader in the head so much with it. I also feel like the pacing was a bit off. It felt super fast the whole time and I wish it slowed down a bit in certain areas.
I think this book had a fun concept but the execution was not there. I wish it wasn’t so pushy and rather just focused on the fun and adventure by the kids. Thanks so much to netgalley and harpercollins children’s books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2023
I struggled with the rating and the review...
I love the concept. Anyone who has ever read my reviews knows I love alternate perspectives, and especially love to use them in my classroom. And this book has lots of "alternative perspectives" - the hero is a strong young woman, unusual in this genre. And, all of the characters at the school are descendents of monsters, rather than gods/goddesses. It definitely harkens comparisons to Disney's Monster High... but in middle school. I liked that the MC struggles and overcomes, and that she values her friendships... all of the stuff we love in a good YA book, especially aimed at middle school students.
However... there's a lot of REALLY bad behavior (like attempted murder) that is never addressed or punished. I REALLY don't like the idea of horrible acts not facing consequences. It's so bad, that it ALMOST cancels out the good lessons that are there for kids to read.
I'm torn.. I'll keep it in my classroom, and recommend it to a specific kind of student, but sadly, as much as I wanted it to, this isn't the "go to" home run book that I was hoping it would be.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio/Clarion Books for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.
I love the concept. Anyone who has ever read my reviews knows I love alternate perspectives, and especially love to use them in my classroom. And this book has lots of "alternative perspectives" - the hero is a strong young woman, unusual in this genre. And, all of the characters at the school are descendents of monsters, rather than gods/goddesses. It definitely harkens comparisons to Disney's Monster High... but in middle school. I liked that the MC struggles and overcomes, and that she values her friendships... all of the stuff we love in a good YA book, especially aimed at middle school students.
However... there's a lot of REALLY bad behavior (like attempted murder) that is never addressed or punished. I REALLY don't like the idea of horrible acts not facing consequences. It's so bad, that it ALMOST cancels out the good lessons that are there for kids to read.
I'm torn.. I'll keep it in my classroom, and recommend it to a specific kind of student, but sadly, as much as I wanted it to, this isn't the "go to" home run book that I was hoping it would be.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio/Clarion Books for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.
December 14, 2023
Ava isn't very surprised to be transferred to a new school in Italy after a certain incident at school, but discovering that the Greek gods and goddesses are real takes a little longer to set in. Ava's dreams of being a demigod are quickly crushed by the truth of her heritage, but the longer she stays at the school, the more she realizes that certain people, particularly female people, are repressed. Ava and her friends set out to do something about it, but a quest to change the gods' minds is doomed to fail.
I was really worried at the beginning that this was just another Percy Jackson wannabe, but it's so much more. This tale explores Greek history from a different lens and prods readers toward critical thinking with none-too-subtle gestures. It felt a little episodic, with most of the stories involving a hero sweeping in at the last second, but I still like Ava, and I enjoyed growing with her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I was really worried at the beginning that this was just another Percy Jackson wannabe, but it's so much more. This tale explores Greek history from a different lens and prods readers toward critical thinking with none-too-subtle gestures. It felt a little episodic, with most of the stories involving a hero sweeping in at the last second, but I still like Ava, and I enjoyed growing with her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2024
Great twist on gods and monsters. An empowering book for young girls and anyone who feels they are not being heard. The ending was wrapped up too neatly for my tastes. As if the author ran out of steam.
July 24, 2024
I don't know how i feel about this one. I thought it was a bit different from the greek stories I know. The change Katherine Marsh seemed out of place for me
March 20, 2024
Rating: 4.5
Genre: Fantasy
Thank you Clarion Books for providing an e-copy through NetGalley.
Summary:
Ava is the opposite of her perfect-student older brother Jax. Everyone thinks she is weird, her friends left her for the cool kids, and she has anger issues. When annoying classmate Owen gets her in trouble - again - Ava has had enough and gives him a piece of her mind. In response, Oven freezes, literally, becoming a stone-still statue. Worried, Ava’s parents enroll her and Jax to a school in Venice, their mother’s former school, the Accademia del Forte. Ava is excited for the fresh new start, though her mother acts odd during their goodbyes. She quickly learns that the school was founded by the Greek gods themselves, where they teach students how to harness their special powers to fit into society. Ava is ecstatic, until she discovers that every student is a descendant of not the gods and heroes, but of monsters. But that’s no big deal, right? Just regulate your emotions and listen to the teachers’ rules. Easy. But some students are bullies, and speaking out against them is seen as “wrong”. Teachers tell only one side of the Greek stories, often with female gods and heroes being shunted by their male counterparts. And the gods themselves aren’t that friendly, sometimes even downright mean, depending on what monster you are descended from. And Ava quickly realizes she is descended from the worst of the worst, Medusa herself. There’s something wrong with the school, and Ava is worried to speak out in order to stay safe within its walls. But she can’t keep silent forever, especially when her loved ones’ lives are at stake.
What I Liked:
Medusa is a fantastic take on Greek mythology and adventure stories, focusing on who gets to tell the story, who is praised, who is demonized, and those who fight to be heard. This story is a Harry Potter x Percy Jackson, aka magical school with Greek mythology, but with a nuanced perspective: Too often, those in power get to write the history, or in this case the mythology, that dictates society, social order, and how we remember the past. Ava and her friends must fight against these one-sided myths and discover the truth through the voices of marginalized and villainized women. For once, this is a mythology book that does not hold back its criticism of Greek mythology (the most popular and idolized one in literature), highlighting how the male gods always get the glory, different versions of the same story, and how Zeus is the worst. (Thank you! Why does the media always idolize him? He’s legitimately an awful person and leader.) Ava is a strong protagonist, struggling with two sides: To be silent and stay out of trouble, or to risk danger and speak up. It’s a very real and powerful fight Ava must face, and you will be rooting for her all the way to fight against condescending gods who want to silence her (or even kill her!) and speak up for the mistreated monsters and women in the pantheon. Her friends are great supporters, whose personalities reflect different sides of this fight. Fia is the loudest, not afraid to challenge the narrative and is the smartest of the bunch, Layla is practical and loyal, Arnold is a coward at first but grows into the fight, and Jax is a rules-follower who is against fighting back. Readers will follow Ava as learns the inner workings of the magical school to where she must travel to famous Greek sites like Tartarus and Olympus, meeting with ignored goddesses whose voices have been silenced. Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the mythology-adventure stories in middle grade fiction, being more mature, showing the power of mythology, and proving there is more than one side to someone’s story.
What I Didn’t Like:
Despite the great message, many times, the writing could be too preachy. We all should hear women’s and girls’ voices, empowering them, not silencing them. But this was beaten over the head a little too much. Also, at the beginning, the reveal of certain Greek Gods would be brushed over very quickly (and oh yeah, our design teacher is Hephaestus, moving on) which could be disorienting to some readers. The latter half of the book does a great job exploring different realms and goddesses.
Recommend to: Kids who love mythology - adventure stories, Greek mythologies (or even don’t like Greek mythology, because there is a lot of well-deserved shaming), and the power of storytelling.
Review Date: March 19, 2024
Genre: Fantasy
Thank you Clarion Books for providing an e-copy through NetGalley.
Summary:
Ava is the opposite of her perfect-student older brother Jax. Everyone thinks she is weird, her friends left her for the cool kids, and she has anger issues. When annoying classmate Owen gets her in trouble - again - Ava has had enough and gives him a piece of her mind. In response, Oven freezes, literally, becoming a stone-still statue. Worried, Ava’s parents enroll her and Jax to a school in Venice, their mother’s former school, the Accademia del Forte. Ava is excited for the fresh new start, though her mother acts odd during their goodbyes. She quickly learns that the school was founded by the Greek gods themselves, where they teach students how to harness their special powers to fit into society. Ava is ecstatic, until she discovers that every student is a descendant of not the gods and heroes, but of monsters. But that’s no big deal, right? Just regulate your emotions and listen to the teachers’ rules. Easy. But some students are bullies, and speaking out against them is seen as “wrong”. Teachers tell only one side of the Greek stories, often with female gods and heroes being shunted by their male counterparts. And the gods themselves aren’t that friendly, sometimes even downright mean, depending on what monster you are descended from. And Ava quickly realizes she is descended from the worst of the worst, Medusa herself. There’s something wrong with the school, and Ava is worried to speak out in order to stay safe within its walls. But she can’t keep silent forever, especially when her loved ones’ lives are at stake.
What I Liked:
Medusa is a fantastic take on Greek mythology and adventure stories, focusing on who gets to tell the story, who is praised, who is demonized, and those who fight to be heard. This story is a Harry Potter x Percy Jackson, aka magical school with Greek mythology, but with a nuanced perspective: Too often, those in power get to write the history, or in this case the mythology, that dictates society, social order, and how we remember the past. Ava and her friends must fight against these one-sided myths and discover the truth through the voices of marginalized and villainized women. For once, this is a mythology book that does not hold back its criticism of Greek mythology (the most popular and idolized one in literature), highlighting how the male gods always get the glory, different versions of the same story, and how Zeus is the worst. (Thank you! Why does the media always idolize him? He’s legitimately an awful person and leader.) Ava is a strong protagonist, struggling with two sides: To be silent and stay out of trouble, or to risk danger and speak up. It’s a very real and powerful fight Ava must face, and you will be rooting for her all the way to fight against condescending gods who want to silence her (or even kill her!) and speak up for the mistreated monsters and women in the pantheon. Her friends are great supporters, whose personalities reflect different sides of this fight. Fia is the loudest, not afraid to challenge the narrative and is the smartest of the bunch, Layla is practical and loyal, Arnold is a coward at first but grows into the fight, and Jax is a rules-follower who is against fighting back. Readers will follow Ava as learns the inner workings of the magical school to where she must travel to famous Greek sites like Tartarus and Olympus, meeting with ignored goddesses whose voices have been silenced. Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the mythology-adventure stories in middle grade fiction, being more mature, showing the power of mythology, and proving there is more than one side to someone’s story.
What I Didn’t Like:
Despite the great message, many times, the writing could be too preachy. We all should hear women’s and girls’ voices, empowering them, not silencing them. But this was beaten over the head a little too much. Also, at the beginning, the reveal of certain Greek Gods would be brushed over very quickly (and oh yeah, our design teacher is Hephaestus, moving on) which could be disorienting to some readers. The latter half of the book does a great job exploring different realms and goddesses.
Recommend to: Kids who love mythology - adventure stories, Greek mythologies (or even don’t like Greek mythology, because there is a lot of well-deserved shaming), and the power of storytelling.
Review Date: March 19, 2024
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