“An exploration of Greek Myth with a modern eye. January 28, 2016

Mythology looks very different to the modern eye, even in the fantasy genre where magic, gods, and heroes are accepted parts of fictional worlds.
In classical myth, Medousa is the story of a monster, a priestess raped by one god, punished with the loss of her humanity by another, and finally slain by the half-divine son of a third.

Michael Butchin turns the myth on its head by looking at the story from the point of view of a young girl taken as a slave, grown into a young woman punished for refusing to suicide after her rape. This becomes a powerful story of love, grief, and redemption in the face of tragedy.

Other mythic and historical figures make appearances, again as viewed through modern eyes, offering opportunities for comedy, tragedy, and philosophy, which resonates well within the cultural context Butchin is exploring.

Medousa is appropriate for young adult audiences, but does contain (unavoidably) both sexual themes and violence. The book also explores gender roles and GLBTQ themes, again within the context of Greek myth and culture.

Highly recommended.”

–Written by Robert Dorf

Diclosure: Robert is an old friend and a merciless editor. I am pleased and mildly shocked that he thinks so well of my book.