Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Medusa A Love Story Blog Tour and Review




Medusa A Love Story
By Sasha Summers
Summary:        

It's said love can change a person. Medusa wasn't always a monster...

Medusa is ruled by duty, to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She's no room for the tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. When Olympus frees her from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she loves... and curses her as the creature with serpent locks.

Ariston goes to war with a full heart... and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep him from returning to her.

Poseidon will use Greece's war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an Olympian, and she will be his.




"This tragic and beautiful retelling of one of the world's oldest stories tackles the eternal battle between duty and happiness. Medusa, A Love Story broke my heart then filled in the cracks with joy. Sasha Summers is simply a mesmerizing new talent."  ~Stephanie Dray, Author of the critically acclaimed Song of the Nile

Excerpt:
“You asked for an audience, you have it. Now tell me, where do you belong?” Hades’ voice was deep, emotionless.
            Ariston swallowed. “Athens.” He met Hades’ gaze, but the God revealed nothing to him.
“Why? You died with honor and glory. Is that not what every soldier wants?” 
             “My wife…” His voice wavered.
Hades brow lifted slightly. “Lives. You do not.”
            “She is in danger.”
            “Earthly danger. She is no longer your concern, Ariston.”
            “The danger she faces is not earthly, but far from it…” Ariston’s voice was hoarse, his desperation mounting. He took a wavering breath before he began again. “She is everything to me. I am proud of my death, but it means nothing if she is in peril. I must know.” Ariston kneeled. “I beg you. I beg you to return me to Athens.”
            Ariston waited, willing himself to be strong.
            “Who is this wife?” Hades asked.
            “Medusa of Athens.” He paused. “Now of Rhodes.”
            Hades was silent, his dark blue eyes regarding him steadily.
            “When I die—” Ariston began.
            “You are dead,” Hades assured him.
“When I return…die again, I would serve as guardian to Tartarus. I am a skilled warrior, a skill I might offer you.” He spoke with confidence.
            “You vex me,” Hades muttered, the slightest crease appearing between his eyes. “You offer this to me for a woman?”
            Ariston nodded. “She is worthy.”
Hades was silent again, his eyes shifting to the blue-white flames in the massive
fireplace.           
“My words do not…adequately express the love I have for this woman. But I cannot leave her. She is at risk. I must return.” The words came without thought. How could he justify such emotion to a God who reviled affection or companionship? “As Olympus has my arm and sword, she has my heart – a mortal, and perhaps weak, heart.”
The room was silent for too long. He would have to fight his way out…
            “It is a weakness not reserved for mortals alone, Ariston of Rhodes.” Hades’ words were so soft Ariston feared they’d not been spoken. But Hades continued, strong and clear. “I will return you to your ship so that you may lead your men to victory. Too many have fallen from this war and I would see it end. When that is done, you may go to your wife.” He paused then added, “When you return to my realm, I will have your fealty.”
            The God of the Underworld, Lord of Death, gave him mercy? Mayhap there was one God he might serve with honor. 
Ariston vowed, “You have it.”

Review:

I was glad that I was given a chance to review this book for the blog tour. So many parts near the ending left me cry and I couldn’t help but love the ending. 

This story is a retelling of the classic myth of Medusa (Madusa here). While there are variations of the myth, the story is that Medusa was a priestess, of either Athena, goddess of wisdom, or Poseidon, god of the sea. Athena is known as a virgin goddess, and her temple was run by virgin priestesses, who kept the temple pure. Poseidon has sex with Medusa (whether it was rape or consensual varies by version to version), inside of Athena's temple. Since Athena can't punish a fellow Olympian, she punishes Medusa and her sisters by turning them into the gorgons, monsters with the hair of snakes and who can turn the living to stone with a single glance. Medusa, who was known for her beauty, is allowed to remain beautiful, while her sisters become hideous monsters.

To be caught in the crossfire of the gods is truly a saddening thing.. Since she was young, Madusa has never had a chance to do what she wanted.  She only has done things to please others, whether it’s her father, or Athena, or any of the other gods. As Athena’s priestess she isn’t allowed to be touched by any man, nor is she to love any man, she must be pure and do as Athena wishes as her priestess. It changes when she slowly begins to feel something towards her guard Ariston. She never knew of such feelings before. With the gods all wanting Madusa, she has no choice but to do as they ask of her. Eventually, Athena turns Madusa into what she is known for, for something Madusa had no control over. She only wanted to help others, but she is punished for that. 
For Madusa, the touch of a man is something she had never known before. Everything was new to her, every small experience Ariston had to teach her. She loved and trusted him, she wanted him to touch her as a man touched a women. It's clear how much they loved each other, but how their restrictions kept them from fully experiencing it. At one point Athena seems to cave to their love, but it turns out to be a cruel twist of fate. Their love knows no bounds and can never be broken as you will see as the story continues. Their love never dies no matter what the gods did. It is a sad love between Madusa and Ariston, but the ending is a happy one.
This tale of Madusa was truly a great story to read, I’ve never read her mythology before the book, but to me this was a better version then the actual myth. You watch as Madusa goes through her time serving Athena, until the day comes where she tries to be her own woman. This story of Madusa was truly great giving it a background story of Medusa and how she came to serve Athena. To have their tragic figure from Greek mythology to be able to love and be more then just a toy for the gods gave the character more depth and easier to pity. 
Greek mythology is full of how the gods use humans for their own pleasures then throw them away or curse them when they're bored with them.This book about Madusa was truly sad. If you love mythology, I highly suggest reading this book you will love it as I have. It gives you both romance with and it will make you happy more then sadden by the events that happen to Madusa. This twist in Madusa’s tale is truly something to read for yourself.

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves


Author Bio:

Sasha Summers is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It's no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, 'Greek Gods and Goddesses' (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout troupe.

She's been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she's doing so.

Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Sasha is an active member of RWA and several Texas Chapters. A self-proclaimed movie-addict, she is full of all sorts of useless movie tidbits and trivia.

Facebook Author Page:



Twitter: @sashawrites




2 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for the gorgeous review of Medusa, A Love Story. It means a great deal to know that you connected with the story!!

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