Review - Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

 

 

Title: Stone Blind

Author: Natalie Haynes

Pages: 379

Publisher: Mantle

 Release Date: 15th September 2022

Blurb from Goodreads:

 

 ** Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023 **

In Stone Blind, the instant Sunday Times bestseller, Natalie Haynes brings the infamous Medusa to life as you have never seen her before.

'Witty, gripping, ruthless' - Margaret Atwood via Twitter
'Beautiful and moving' - Neil Gaiman via Twitter

'So to mortal men, we are monsters. Because of our flight, our strength. They fear us, so they call us monsters.’

Medusa is the sole mortal in a family of gods. Growing up with her Gorgon sisters, she begins to realize that she is the only one who experiences change, the only one who can be hurt. And her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know.

When the sea god Poseidon commits an unforgivable act in the temple of Athene, the goddess takes her revenge where she can – and Medusa is changed forever. Writhing snakes replace her hair, and her gaze now turns any living creature to stone. The power cannot be Medusa can look at nothing without destroying it. She is condemned to a life of shadows and darkness.

Until Perseus embarks upon a quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . .

Goodreads | Storygraph | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Bookshop

My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley*

Unlike her Gorgon sisters, Medusa is mortal. However, because of her wings, Medusa stays away from the other mortals.

When Medusa catches the eye of Poseidon, the sea god, his actions lead to Medusa being cursed by the goddess Athene - where Medusa's hair once was is now a mass of snakes, and any living creature that meets Medusa's gaze is instantly turned to stone.

Medusa stays at her home with her sisters, safe until a young man named Perseus comes searching for the Gorgons.

As a fan of Greek mythology and having enjoyed several of the author's previous works, I was looking forward to reading this.

While Medusa is a main characters in this book, the story has several main characters whose lives entwine quite cleverly - alongside Medusa, there are chapters on Athene, Poseidon, Perseus, Andromeda, and several others.

The chapters about Medusa and her sisters were interesting and I really liked their close relationship.

Perseus was a character I disliked immensely, and the chapters on Athene made me see her in a new light.

The volatile relationships between the different gods were interesting to read, especially when they were trying to one-up each other or get revenge.

I thought the author did a really good job of weaving several story-lines together, and it was done in a very engaging way.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend.

Review - Princess of Souls (Hundred Kingdoms, #2) by Alexandra Christo

 

 

 

Title: Princess of Souls (Hundred Kingdoms, #2)

Author: Alexandra Christo

Pages: 417

 Publisher: Hot Key Books

 Release Date: 11th October 2022

Blurb from Goodreads:

Return to the world of TO KILL A KINGDOM for a brand-new fantasy adventure about a young witch groomed to steal souls for an immortal king and the reckless, rebellious boy to whom her fate is tied.

For sixteen years, Selestra has been trapped in her tower on the Floating Mountain, preparing to take her mother's place as the King's Witch, who foretells deaths in the Festival of Predictions. Outrunning your fate earns a wish and the chance to steal the King's immortality. But die and your soul is forfeit. And though thousands have tried, nobody has ever beaten death.

A soldier in the King's army, Nox is an unlikely candidate for the Festival, but, driven by revenge, he is determined to steal the King's immortality and kill the entirety of his court, starting with Selestra.

Yet when Selestra touches Nox in her very first prediction, their fates become entwined, and death seeks to take both their souls. Only by working together can they survive long enough to escape the dark fate and the immortal King that now hunts them.

A feast of storytelling, featuring breathtaking journeys, nail-biting battles and powerful magic.

Goodreads | Storygraph | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Bookshop

My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley*

Selestra has spent her life trapped behind palace walls, the heir to her mother's place as the immortal King's witch.

Every year at the Festival of Predictions, people risk the price of having their souls claimed by the King for the chance to earn a wish and take the King's immortality for themselves. However, doing so means attempting to avoid almost certain death, something no one has ever been able to do.

This year, Nox, a soldier in the King's army, takes part in the Festival, driven by the need to avenge his father's death at the King's hand.

When Selestra and Nox's futures become linked, they will have to work together if they want to survive until the end of the festival.

Together can they bring an end to the King's tyranny?

Having both enjoyed and not liked some of the author's previous books, I was a little hesitant to try this one, but I'm glad I did.

I found both Selestra and Nox to be likeable and relatable protagonists, and they'd both had tough lives, but I did like Selestra more. Their interactions were enjoyable to read, but I did find the jibes a bit too much at times.

My favourite character was Irenya, Selestra's friend, and I liked their relationship.

Selestra's mother was quite an interesting, complex character. I would have liked to find out more about her and her past/experiences as the King's witch.

The setting was interesting and I enjoyed finding out more about the world and its lore.

The plot was enjoyable and held my attention. The pacing was pretty good throughout, but I did start to lose interest a little towards the end. I didn't feel overly invested in what happened, but I was rooting for Selestra to show her mother and the King that she was more than just the heir.

The writing style was easy to follow.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.