Il segreto di Medusa

I have always had a love for Greek and Roman Mythology. I had my first taste of it in my senior year of high school and have loved it since. Now I have not exactly explored all the tales within the mythology realm, focusing on more of Hades and Persephone. Still, I will admit that Rick Riordan's take on the mythological realm reignited that love.

Some believe that monsters are born monsters.

That some creatures arrive on this earth with a darkness so all-consuming in their heart that no mere mortal's love could ever hope to tame it. These souls, they believe, cannot achieve redemption and do not deserve it. They are beasts, intent on causing chaos for all who cross their paths. They are vengeful and hate-filled, deserving of nothing except our contempt.

Medusa was never the monster in the beginning. Instead, she was a beautiful young woman whom her father wished to protect from males that offered her hand. He thought having her become one of the priestesses of Athena would be the best course for her. In the beginning, it probably was. She abhorred the rules Athena had put in place for all her priestesses. She offered blessings and tried on numerous occasions to protect the abused wife that would seek shelter. Unfortunately, this will be one of her biggest downfalls as it would cause Poisedon's attention. Medusa tried to dissuade his attentions but it would be for naught - he would rape her within the temple of Athena. This would cause Athena's wrath to fall upon Medusa and completely change her from the beautiful young woman she had been to the monster in Greek Mythology we would come to know. Even her own sisters, who were angered at Athena, would not escape her wrath. All of them becoming the Gorgons.

In the second act, we meet Perseus. Another Greek hero would come to play within the Gods' hands and change the course of his history. Born out of wedlock to Zeus and a mortal woman, Perseus, and his mother were cast from her homeland by his grandfather, Acrisius, the king. Long ago, Acrisius had been told of a prophecy that scared him and he sought to make sure it never happened, but he underestimated the will of the Gods. Enraged by his daughter's pregnancy, he locked both she and Perseus away in a trunk, throwing them into the sea with hopes that the two would drown. Unfortunately, for Acrisius, they did not drown and were found by Dictys. Perseus would grow up healthy and strong, finding security on Seriphos with his mother and Dictys. One day, Perseus learns that her mother has become the attention of a tyrant king named Polydectes. Polydectes wanted his mother and he knew that Perseus stood in the way and he needed to get rid of him quickly. So, he offered him a quest - bring back the head of Medusa. After all, no one returned from Medusa's island alive.

The lives of Perseus and Medusa become entangled and like most mythology - the hero always wins in the end. Medusa's life is taken and her head is used to save the lovely Princess Andromeda.

This book is the first in a series of The Grecian Women Trilogy. The mythology of Medusa and Perseus has been told. This has been really the first mythology-based book with Medusa being the main character. Oh, Rick Riordan does have her appear in Percy Jackson, but that is pretty much it for her.

I loved that Medusa was front and center. Her character and story pull you in and keep you until the very end of the story. You feel the pain Medusa goes through and you sympathize with her character. The fear, terror, and horror she had gone through from her rape within the temple to the very end of her life. Her sisters, unfortunately, end up sharing the same fate, but not for the reasons set upon Medusa. Their words turn them, sadly.

I don't believe she deserved her fate and I think Athena should have listened to her. It was her temple. I would have thought she was paying close attention and would have set revenge upon Poseidon for harming one of her own. Yet, she sees it as HER fault and turns her into a gorgon. This story makes me believe - in some form - that she cared little for priestesses. They were expendable.

I plan on reading the rest of this trilogy soon. This was a great read and I recommend this especially if you are a huge fan of mythology.