I feel making Medusa’s sections more distinct would have increased the emotion and empathy. NOT SO GOOD BITS: While the sarcastic tone worked well in Athene and Perseus’s sections, I wanted more variation as the voice felt too similar for all of the POV’s. However, I wish the tone of voice had varied between POVs, which brings me to my criticisms… I also liked how it was inventive with the POVs, including chapters from the point of view of Medusa’s snakes and olive trees.

With realistic reflections on the Gods and Heroes that make them seem less, well, less God-like and heroic Zeus is an imbecilic philanderer, Athene is a narcissist and Perseus is a petulant child. This voice makes the divine seem human and petty. GOOD BITS: This book is extremely funny, with a sarcastic narratorial voice throughout. Put frankly, I think this book was missing its emotional core and its heart. Therefore, I couldn’t build up my empathy and love for the character. Medusa’s personality didn’t feel well rounded because her only traits were being kind and good, and we didn’t see enough of her interacting with people before she was cursed. Although I love multi-POV novels, I don’t think we got enough of the central character. Unfortunately, I’ve got to admit… it’s missing something. RATING: As a former Classics student and lover of Natalie Haynes’ previous novel, ‘A Thousand Ships’, I was so excited to read this book. With a focus on female characters, both mortal and divine, the novel asks who the real monsters are. Told in multiple POVs, the novel charts her upbringing and how she came to have her powers until her eventual murder by Perseus (the myth is over 2,000 years old so that’s not a spoiler!). For the uninitiated, Medusa is the snake-haired Gorgon who can turn people into stone with a look. THE PLOT: ‘Stone Blind’ by Natalie Haynes is a retelling of the ancient Greek myths about Medusa.

Stone blind natalie haynes review