(Before It's News)
Title: The Deep End of the Sea
Author: Heather Lyons
Publisher: Cerulean Books
Publication Date: February 5, 2014
Genres: YA, Mythology, Romance
Reviewed by: Ellen Fritz
Ellen’s rating: 5/5
SUMMARY
What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?
Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.
But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.
REVIEW
As I absolutely adore books based on mythology, especially Greek mythology, I couldn't wait to read The Deep End of the Sea. Violated by Poseidon and then cursed by Athena, Medusa spent millennia on a secluded island. An island mostly hidden from adventurers who could be turned to stone by one glance from her and where she had only a few friends, the blind sailor, Mikkos, a blind kitten called Mátia, and the god, Hermes. Unfortunately, the road to redemption and, ultimately love, involves a great deal of danger, tribulation and heartbreak.
This comfortably paced book tells the story of an abused woman's journey to healing, as well as her coming to terms with guilt over matters which were out of her control. At first the main character, Medusa, or Dusa as she is known to her friends, is rather sorry for herself and not much of a sport. When things really seem to fall apart, however, she pulls herself together. In the end self-defense lessons, charity work, and community involvement are just some of the activities that give her the tools and strength to fight for what she really wants.
Although this book is a bit heavy on the romance side for my taste, the wonderful characters and their lively, witty dialogue totally redeem the story. I absolutely love that the author cast most of the gods as modern, technologically savvy entities. Apart from the gods, beings like nymphs, satyrs, and automatons make an appearance. Characters from Norse mythology as well as Death, aka The Grim Reaper, play an important part in Medusa's security detail.
I recommend The Deep End of the Sea to everybody who loves mythology, imaginative world building and brilliantly original characters combined with tasteful romance and a wealth of wisdom and depth.
ABOUT the AUTHOR
Heather Lyons writes epic, heartfelt love stories and has always had a thing for words. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.
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