I finished reading “Athena’s Child.” by Hannah Lynn a little while ago. I think that it is a book people should read. It is a story that has been told for centuries but now the the woman behind the gorgon is re-examined…

In this wonderfully-crafted book Hannah Lynn tells the sad and sorrowful tale of Medusa as all should know it. Nowadays when we hear the name Medusa we think of a monster or great evil gorgon with snakes for hair. Here we are shown the young woman behind the beast. Medusa was a girl growing up in Greece. She was famed for her beauty and men came from all over the country for her hand. Her father views all these men as predators and so takes Medusa off to the Temple of Athena.

Medusa became one of Athena’s priestesses and she helped to give people advice. However, one day Poseidon saw her and he, like many others before him, lusted after strong, feisty and captivating Medusa. At first he tried to woo her but his attempts fell short; Medusa was devoted to her goddess and would therefore chose to remain a virgin. Poseidon would not take no for an answer and so he cruelly raped Medusa inside Athena’s temple.

Athena was enraged and instead of doing anything to Poseidon she took her temper out on Medusa and turned her hair into snakes. Medusa fled back to her family home. Her two sister were so angry with Athena’s behavior that they spoke against her. Athena then turns their hair into snakes too and the three of them fled to an island far from mankind…

…

Perseus, the son of Zeus (king of the gods), is born to Danaë but they are both cast to sea because Danaë’s father believes that Perseus will one day kill him. They live quite happily with Dictys and his wife Clymene until one day. Polydectes, the brother of Dictys, is rich and extravagant and he falls in love with Danaë. Perseus is tricked into agreeing to bring the severed head of the gorgon Medusa as a marriage present for his mother and Polydectes. Perseus knows that he will probably never return, after all, many have tried to kill the mighty gorgon before and they have all failed. However, he is a demigod and he has both Athena and Hermes on his side. Between the two deities Perseus is better equipped then he knows. When at last Perseus arrives at the gorgon’s island and makes his way into her lair his encounter isn’t quite as he’d planned…

…

I believe that Medusa’s story has been hidden in history and it is people like Hannah Lynn who help us see the light. She uses vivid description which entertained my senses while my mind got swept up in the gripping plot. Even though the story is centuries old, Lynn has creative a beautiful spin on it. A spin that sees Medusa as the true young woman she was until forced a monster by the gods. A story that tells of the dark and disturbing truth — a goddess’ wrath is a powerful and dangerous thing… I thoroughly enjoyed this book even if at sometimes it was terribly sad. At moments I wanted to scream “It’s not Medusa’s fault! It’s not her fault!”. I felt for Medusa through and through. Her life was a much burdened one but she dealt with it amazingly well.

I especially enjoyed the story because I think that Hannah Lynn created Medusa’s character really well. I felt that I could feel Medusa’s personality very strongly as if she was a real person and not just a mythological being. I’d give Hannah Lynn’s book five out of five stars!

BJMN

I know that I’m a little late publishing this post (Samhain and Halloween have both past now). But who doesn’t love some seasonally scary books anyway?

And so, here are my top five books for this time year:

At number five it’s…

“Rose Raventhrope Investigates: Black Cats And Butlers.” by Janine Beacham.

Rose lives in Yorke with her beloved butler Argyle. After Argyle is murdered in Rose’s house, she is determined to discover who did it and why. On her journey she uncovers some secrets about Argyle and his butler friends. She makes friends and a very dangerous enemy.

I love this book and I think it is a very good mystery book. I found it so exciting and gripping it made my heart beat fast. It is also a little bit funny, tickling me inside. Also black cats are very Halloween-y.

At number four it’s…

“Mic Drop.” by Sharna Jackson.

‘She knew what was coming. Her inevitable end.’

This is a fabulous sequel to “High Rise Mystery.” by Sharna Jackson, a new master of modern crime fiction. I reviewed “High Rise Mystery earlier this year and I thought it was wonderful:

“High-Rise Mystery.” by Sharna Jackson I finished this book a few days ago and absolutely loved it! It’s a tale of crime, set in Modern Times with sister…ataleofjourneys.medium.com

This one sees Nik and Norva on another adventure in the Tri with George. And what a mystery ensures! Katarzyna Clarke a former resident of the Tri but now also the sensational TrojKat is back for a video shoot of her lastest song Cusp. But it all goes wrong and with new murder on their hands Nik and Norva get to work. But the police and public know of the death as well and the duo must race to solve it before they do.

I found this sequel compelling. What a mystery it is! With twists and turns Jackson has really got it together in this wonderful return of our favorite crime-solving duo. A great read for this All Hallow’s Eve as the story itself is set around Halloween!

At number three it’s…

“The Howling Hag Mystery.” by Nicki Thornton.

I’ve reviewed this book by Nicki Thornton earlier this year so if you want to read the whole review then please do. The link is here:

Review of The Howling Hag Mystery. I recently finished this superb mystery by Nicki Thornton, the incredible author of the Seth Seppi books. I’m now…ataleofjourneys.medium.com

‘The Howling Hag made me do it,’ she whispered.

Raven Charming Raven Charming lives in Twinhills with her family. Her mum’s Golden Rule has always been Deny Everything. But with the arrival of the new boy at school, Mortimer Scratch, and that black cat that seems to be everywhere, Raven is not sure that she can keep that rule. Then things start happening at Twinhills and Raven now needs the help of the black cat Nightshade as well as that of Mortimer Scratch, so that they can uncover the mysterious person and stop them.

I loved this new book (published this summer) by Nicki Thornton. It has mystery, family secrets, and magic. WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?! Another book with a black cat (this one also narrates some of the story) and with a mystery of a witch, this is THE perfect gripping read for this time of year. Anyway, I can highly recommend this fabulous and exciting new novel from the author. I’d give it four and a half stars out of five, I think.

At number two it’s…

“The Deathless Girls.” by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

‘Deathless, they said, and their mouths spilled blood. Lay death to rest.’

Lil and Kizzy are twins, and lived their whole lives with their Mama, brother Kem and bear Albu. They are Travellers, journeying from places to place. But as their divining day is born they are tore from what they know placed as slaves to the horrible Boyar Valcan. There they live a miserable and lonely existence. But then they hear that the myths of the Dragon are real and what ensures that will test them all…

This is the book that I am currently reading for this Samhain/Halloween/All Hallow’s Eve. And “The Deathless Girls.” sure is some book! The beautiful language of Kiran is as delightful as ever. But with the darker glimpse it makes it even more thrilling. I can wholly recommend this perfect Halloween read.

And at number one, the best (in my opinion) book for the season is…

“We Played With Fire.” by Catherine Barter.

‘You could have told them!’

Maggie Fox has supposedly committed an awful crime. However, no one listens to her side of the story. When she and her younger sister Kate, and their older sister Leah start up some mischief people start to believe them, but can this last forever? And when they know that spirits are actually sometimes responding, the choice of continuing the fakery is questioned in their minds. But they are determined to show everyone the truth and carry on with strange events following them…

The reasons I put this as the top one is for a few reasons. One is that it is perfect for everyone whatever you celebrate because ghosts or spirits are connected with Halloween, All Hallow’s Eve, and Samhain. Also, it is an AWESOME book! Another reason is that I want to share it with others. I loved Catherine’s style, and think she is an amazing author. She uses her tools so well that I sometimes I actually thought that I was Maggie and forgot where I was. I hope that other people read it and feel that same spell over them. It was wonderful to cover myself in Maggie and Kate’s story and not care for anything else. Again, it’s another book published this year and a must have for those thrill lovers.