A sapphic graphic-novel reimagining of the Medusa myth, where the fearsome Gorgon and a blind princess fall in love against impossible odds. Perfect for readers of Lore Olympus and The Song of Achilles.

Song for Medusa is a sapphic reimagining of the petrifying Gorgon Medusa, who falls in love with a blind princess who is not affected by her curse.

Medusa has lived in her temple prison for years, turning men who seek glory to stone. Her only comfort is the mysterious song drifting from the villa palace above. After a chance encounter with Princess Cyrene—whose blindness spares her—the two lonely women find in each other kindred spirits, and soon, love.

• A romantic, resilient retelling of a classic myth
• Centers LGBTQ+ and disabled characters with care
• Lush, expressive, cinematic artwork
• Perfect for fans of romantic fantasy and queer mythology retellings

Fall under Medusa’s spell in a myth made new . . . beautiful, powerful, and unforgettable.

“A sincere and compassionate story with emotive drawings, Song for Medusa is a wonderful title for lovers of Greek mythology!” —Rachel Smythe, NYT bestselling author of Lore Olympus

Ever wanted a happy ending and a love story for the long-suffering Medusa? Song for Medusa imagines it beautifully.

The story starts out with Medusa in her cave by the sea, surrounded by the bodies of the men her eyes have turned to stone. Each man in the cave had come to kill her, so she does not feel sorry for their fates. But still, she is deeply unhappy and laments the terrible things that have happened in her life–betrayal and abuse by the gods, and the multiple tragedies in her life.

However, life changes for Medusa when the blind princess Cyrene happens upon Medusa’s cave. Cyrene is a lifeline for Medusa–she won’t turn to stone; she listens to Medusa’s story without judgement, and the two have remarkable chemistry and hit it off well, particularly through the expression of music (Cyrene is a remarkable lyre player and singer).

There are external threats–war with another country, and the hero Perseus, who has inserted himself into Cyrene’s life by pursuing her hand aggressively. But nothing can come against Cyrene and Medusa’s feelings for each other, especially when Eros shoots his arrows at them to seal the deal.

I won’t spill any more about the story, but I was worried about how the tale of Perseus would be resolved, as he is notoriously captured in art as holding Medusa’s severed head in his hand at the end of a battle with her. Suffice it to say, this graphic novel has a really creative way of resolving that thread, and I was happy we got an HEA as required of the romance genre.

The artwork is lovely and I particularly love the color schemes throughout the piece. Ancient Greece was a colorful, beautiful place (not the whitewashed, pillared buildings we see today) and Song for Medusa captures it well.

But overall, I really enjoyed the connections between Cyrene and Medusa through music. The way the singing is illustrated is gorgeous, and you can see how Medusa is moved by it.

I loved reading this unique take on the Medusa myth. Though her origins still reflect brutality and tragedy–this has not changed from the original telling–the fact that Medusa gets a song of her own, and a new chance at life, is very satisfying.

I received this as a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am happy to leave a review of 4.5 stars, which will be rounded up to 5 on NetGalley’s website since they don’t do half-stars like Goodreads does now. I highly recommend this graphic novel to anyone who loves reimagined mythology.