A spicy urban fantasy novel, Madonna is a modern-day Medusa retelling with Greek mythology and romance, perfect for fans of Alessa Thorn's Medusa, Madeline Miller's Circe, or Katee Roberts' Stone Heart.
On an isolated island in the Pacific, removed from most of humanity, Madonna has finally come home to deal with the sordid family secret. Except now that she’s back, she’s having dreams of fangs and snakes and oceans … dreams that whisper: you’re not listening, Madonna.
Meanwhile, it has been many centuries while Medusa has waited through each lifetime of her lineage for this moment. Redemption.
Now that Madonna’s home, everything is the same, yet different. The truths that she has held for so long are slowly unravelling. When she finds herself in the underbelly of the town, she realises just how little she truly knows. And she’s forced to question beliefs about her blood that have defined her — until now.
Are we really made out of the strength of our convictions? Or are we made out of the opinions of others? Sometimes it takes a while for the truth to come out…
Lies. Secrets. A long-lost lineage. Redemption. This is a spicy Medusa retelling in the Greek mythology realm like no other.
Gwyneth Lesley's "Madonna" is the third standalone novel in the Femme Fatale series, retelling the myth of Medusa through the eyes of her long-lost descendant. The bloodline may be watered down, but the curse – like all family trauma – remains.
"Madonna" is a modern-day Greek mythology retelling containing themes that may upset some people. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Madonna is a retelling of the Medusa legend through a narrative of trauma, seeking to explore themes of nature versus nurture. The plot, which is mostly linear with some flashes back in time, revolves around sexual allegations within powerful families and metaphoric and literal curse for the victims.
Prose: The writing is consistent and well paced, while there is some nice descriptive language. Dialogue promotes characterization but can feel a bit overworked
Originality: The novel is framed as a retelling of Greek myth. The connections are visible but are subtle in nature; the novel works on its own without the underlying subtext, yet is enhanced by it.
Character/Execution: The characters are well defined, particularly complex is the protagonist Madonna. The primary antagonist, Terrence, is wonderfully villainous, with a menacing aura clearly depicted in his scenes. Supporting characters feel authentic to the world the book depicts.
Date Submitted: August 06, 2023
