Medusas Sister: Stheno and Medusa (Flash Fiction Myths Book 2)

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When Kara Caldwell was a little girl, she stayed up late every night to read just a bit more. Reading under the covers didn't work for long, so she snuck out of the house with the tornado kit flashlight to read in the woods.

Myth and Medusa

Her parents put an end to her excursions when they found the right punishment at last--they took her library card! Without books to read, she started writing her own tales and never stopped. She's all grown up now, but Kara's life still revolves around books. Married with cats, she lives in Denver, Colorado, where she works at a local library. She owns more books than she'll ever have time to read. And she still stays up till the wee hours to write just one more chapter. Are you an author? Help us improve our Author Pages by updating your bibliography and submitting a new or current image and biography.

Learn more at Author Central. All Formats Kindle Edition Sort by: Truly, was there a more glorious thing than the untamed sea? His affection ebbed and flowed, he took what he wanted — regardless of the destruction it might cause. He was a selfish deity, but he felt no shame for it.

What does it take to make a monster?

He was a God. God of the Underworld and ruler of the dead. You are honored, yet you cast it aside? There are many complex relationships in the book. One of the most interesting was the relationship between Athena and Poseidon. Zeus regarded him with amused eyes, shrugging. Have you made peace with her?

Will their rivalry ever end? While it's not perfect, it's definitely a book I enjoyed immensely. I know you want to read it, so go and dive in. This list is for all you mythology lovers out there. Tested, read, and approved by yours truly. View all 89 comments. He drew in a harsh breath before he whispered, "The love I have for you gives me breath and strength.

You will always hold my heart. Let it give you the strength to do what must be done. For you will be my lady, forever. I felt so bad for Medusa and Ariston, but this retelling was very satisfying against all the odds "Wisdom will rule this day on, your constant lullaby their serpents song. Only those w He drew in a harsh breath before he whispered, "The love I have for you gives me breath and strength.

Customer reviews

Only those with an innocent heart, women and children, are set safely apart. A heart of stone is your curse to bear as they turn man to stone with their ruby stare. Keep them safe and keep them whole, or to Hades you will send their soul. Your disloyalty causes man's life to end, but through your death, they live again.

View all 18 comments. Apr 29, Anne rated it liked it. Buddy read with Ana. To read her review, kindly click on her name. Recommended to all the Greek Mythology enthusiasts and lovers out there! And if you care for a lovely take on the much scorned character, Medusa , do read this and learn about the serpent lady.

A heart of stone is your curse to bear as they turn man to stone wit 3. Keep them safe and keep them whole, or to Hades you will send their hardened soul. Only those pure of heart - children - and women were spared. The fate of Medusa is no secret. She dies by the hand of Perseus, Zeus' son. It was something I had to acknowledge before starting this book.

First Achilles and now Medusa. I don't know why I torture myself so. I guess the pages before matter, the story before the end, and Sasha Summers, it seems, is very sympathetic to Medusa's character. She made me so too. You might have heard monstrous tales of Medusa , but before that there was Medusa in love.

Medusa, fair, ethereal, graceful and gentle. Medusa was the mortal daughter of the sea titans Ceto and Phorcys. Her sisters were Gorgons in all sense of the word, but she was set apart for her beauty, mortality, and her fertility. She was no more than a bargaining chip. All her life she had been - for those very traits - traded and offered in place of favors. Medusa is what it means to be a pawn of the gods.

Something to be toyed and played with. In this story, Medusa becomes a victim. It's a known fact. They are gods, they do not cater to the welfare of man unless it suits them. They are proud and ruthless and they take delight and glory in being so. How easily they break ties and cast away those who have been faithful in service for years over some small slight.

It never ceases to amaze and intrigue me, honestly. I couldn't help but wonder. This servitude, priesthood and whatnot, isn't this akin to slavery? The unfairness of Medusa's curse was truly so unsettling. What wrong did she do but love? Was it her fault that she was sandwiched between deities and used for sport?

A priestess of the goddess Athena who demanded purity, lusted after by Poisedon who demanded and took whatever he wanted. Who takes responsibility for that? There are versions of the myth which say Medusa was raped, and others that she was seduced by Poisedon. Whatever variant you choose, it doesn't make the outcome any less twisted. I guess all that's for the reader to dissect. I liked that we were involved with each character's thoughts. Man and gods alike.

The gods were fully involved in this story. That's what we want to read about! About those I found intriguing enough for mention. No matter where I meet him "War is war, Hera. I liked him best of all. He was my favorite Olympian. But this story painted him in a villainous light. But we can't be too judgemental because after all he is a god. Poseidon was known for his conquests. Hera had often chided him, comparing his temperament to that of his kingdom, the sea.

He preened under such comparisons. This is me jumping ship.

I don't want it anymore My heavy thanks to the author for the disillusionment. Somewhere along the way Hades became my favorite Greek god. Please don't ask how. He is just so apart from the Olympians. Cast away, but I found him so fascinating after reading just a few pages with him.

Or be the slightest bit involved in. Her character did not incite interest, forced sympathy and pity, yes - but nothing more. I felt the kind of empathy I feel for a stranger who is suffering. There's a certain level of affection that defines involvement and I couldn't feel that with her. That didn't stop me from cheering her on What makes Medusa's character notable is her passion and loyalty.

Medusa was given to the service of the goddess Athena, as a priestess, from a very young age of twelve. She embraced this pronouncement and entered her role with purpose and humility. She felt as much as love for Athena. As a woman, she grew to yearn and want for the things normal women who roamed the streets of Athens do. Love - to love and be loved, to be held and comforted. She thought of family and kids. Things which turned transgressive in the light of her vow to Athena. She couldn't touch a man or be touched by one.

How woeful is it that she fell in love? Ariston and Medusa were electric. Their love was frankly, sensual, albeit it wasn't rushed, it escalated quite quickly - which I thought was a good thing. It's a story of only something pages, no need for the drag along torture. It's true nothing much happened, nothing earth shattering, nothing startling or heart-racing, but I didn't mind at all. A story need not shock to be loved, I think.

That's not to say I loved this. Hot and feverish is just as well, sensual I found, can be lovely too. I really liked Ariston and Medusa together. I was happy for them. No matter her fate or how short-lived her love was. It was folly to imagine what could have been if she were not a priestess or the daughter of a Sea Titan. But, for a brief moment, she did. To be a woman from a family of no import, with little or no responsibility beyond that of daily life to carry out…to just be I'll get to the point.

Forbidden love is smexy in books. In real life - I can imagine it involves a lot of tearfulness. I hold my peace and say no more. And here again we find the topic of the perils of immortality quite prominent. Was immortality a gift? Medusa was offered this gift at some point in this story. What did she say? I and Ana do. But we won't be tellingggg.

I think it's fair to say there's been enough discussion, in my corner, about this topic to stay in current circulation for a long time. And while I read the exchange of vows between Ariston and Medusa, I couldn't help but wonder: Are you buying a cow or wedding a woman? Medusa is now my property and my family. This was a romance story through and through, and I was in the mood for it.

It was also a pretty quick read, albeit my slow reading because of my exams. View all 27 comments. Dec 16, Meret Punk rated it liked it Shelves: This book is so sad.. All I did during reading the book was shout, "WHY???? I was really disappointed though.. I read this book after reading For the Love of Hades, which I loved..

This book on the other hand, not so much.. Still, it was a really nice SAD book: May 19, Rhonda rated it it was amazing. Sasha Summers took this Beautiful Job Sasha!! Sasha Summers took this story and made it sweet, beautiful, sad and heartbreakingly gorgeous. Medusa is the human daughter of Phorcys, a Sea Titan, who has bartered her more than once in her life. Now the Priestess to the Goddess Athena since she was a child, Medusa has lived a life of servitude, never being free to make her own choices. She and her guard, Artison start to fall in love, and all she longs for is to be free to be herself, and know this beautiful man that holds her heart.

Medusa is beautiful beyond measure, and Poseidon has set his sight on her, and will not back down until he has her, thus setting in motion all the evil games that are played at the cost of Artison and Medusa. Finally Medusa gains her freedom, and the first person she runs to is Artison. With only two days before he is to set out to war, they are finally able to be together.

This was such a sweet time in the story, and I fell in love with Artison from the beginning. He was so sweet with Medusa, and their short time together was beautiful. And a short time would be all they would have. The Gods seem to enjoy toying with others like pawns. There were times I had to stop reading because it was breaking my heart what was happening to these two. It was like there was constantly an obstacle, and the fates were not on their side. It seemed as though nothing good could possibly come of this story. Sasha Summers did a beautiful job with her writing, and the characters.

I'm really looking forward to the next book! If you like Greek Mythology I highly recommend this book. View all 9 comments. A tragic romance like no other! As priestess to the Goddess Athena, Medusa's sole purpose is to serve. When she meets the handsome warrior guard Ariston, Medusa begins to question her duty to the Goddess. As time passes, Medusa finds herself falling for Ariston and when she is set free from her duties to Olympus she wastes no time in marrying her true love.

Their time together is short lived with Ariston called off to war and when the truth of their union is revealed, jealousy consumes the Gods w A tragic romance like no other! Their time together is short lived with Ariston called off to war and when the truth of their union is revealed, jealousy consumes the Gods who threaten to come between the two young lovers. Sasha Summers takes your breath away with a riveting story of love, loss and sacrifice in Medusa, A Love Story. Many of us have heard of Medusa in Greek mythology, but most of us automatically characterize her as a monster.

This story shows a young and innocent woman in love who's cursed by the Gods in their selfishness and endures pain and heartbreak but is never broken. Medusa's character is loyal and pure of heart, it's easy to love this heroine and never see her as a monster. The love between Ariston and Medusa is the reason romances are written Medusa, A Love Story is a beautifully written "forbidden romance" that pulls at your heartstrings and keeps you on edge. With a stellar romance, Gods as villains and wonderful imagery, it has all the elements to satisfy a voracious reader like myself.

It's the kind of story that leaves you breathless and impatiently waiting to devour next book. Whether you're a fan of Greek mythology or just love to read a true romance that whisks you away to another world, you'll be captured by Ms. Dec 04, Mei rated it it was amazing Shelves: Sometimes beauty is a curse And what her honor and gentleness grants her? Nothing but despair… and pain… Her story is heartbreaking. Her love for Ariston, and his for Medusa, is doomed from the beginning, but it will resist everything, even the wrath of Gods. And only death can reunite them… Those spite Sometimes beauty is a curse View all 6 comments.

Feb 22, Wendy rated it it was amazing Shelves: A daring young man, armed with a sword and shield, walks into the ruined temple to slay the cursed Gorgon, Medusa. The monster surprises him, though, offering instructions on how to take her head. The novel then rewinds about a year, to when Medusa was a cherished priestess of the goddess Athena.

His loyalty to Athena becomes a problem for him. His job is to protect Medusa, whose vow of purity demands that she not be touched. Within days, touching her is all he wants to do.

Sasha Summers is a master of the tiny detail. Her characters, Ariston and Medusa, are intimately aware of their own breath, their own heart beats, even the slightest tickle the other causes under their own skin. I am of the opinion that there are few devices quite as powerful as sexual tension, and while the innocent Medusa serves Athena, the desire between her and Ariston builds into a palpable force. Much of fun of Greek mythology is the tragic course it takes, and the author plots two trails through purgatory for her pair.

One leads Medusa to torture, divine curse, and the hospitality of her Gorgon sisters, while the other leads Ariston literally to hell and the mercy of Hades, the god of death. The characters of this creative twist are exceedingly well rounded, particularly the gods.

Poseidon is a selfish, game-playing boar. Yet, while not quite guilt for his actions, he is the god on Olympus who seems most concern that her punishments continue. Hades, typically feared for being heartless, displays great mercy. And still, Summers manages to make the key players surprising.

I would recommend this book to any lover of Greek myth and romance. Apr 28, Taschima marked it as to-read. This is one of the most interesting sounding books to come out this fall. I don't think I've actually seen someone else trying to tackle Medusa.. Mar 21, Kayla rated it really liked it. A really great retelling of the Medusa Myth. I really enjoyed myself! Jun 01, Mlpmom Book Reviewer rated it really liked it.

I adore Greek mythology and the idea of painting Medusa as someone other than the villain really appealed to me. To complete his mission, he is given all the tools he needs, including winged sandals, a magic wallet, an invisibility cap, sword, and mirror shield. Hermes and Athena both arm and guide him. With their help, Perseus goes to home of the Gorgons. Quickly, he finds Medusa. While looking at the shield, he beheads Her with one swift motion. The story says that the hand of Athena guided him.

Perseus drops the head into the wallet and flies away. Perseus quickly puts on the invisibility cap and escapes the Gorgons. While these events occur, there is a birth.

Medusa, A Love Story (Loves of Olympus, #1) by Sasha Summers

The first child was Pegasus, the winged horse. The second was a giant golden warrior, called Chrysaor. Medusa is actually an African serpent goddess, usually said to be from Libya the home of the Gorgons. She is the main goddess of the Libyan or Gorgonian Amazons. Metis, Medusa, and Athenna or Anath.

Medusa is found throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. In Egypt, She is associated with the dark goddess Neith and the Anatolian sun goddess.

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Her images were found in Crete, Iran, and Yugoslavia. Her most famous image is on the pediment of the Temple of Artemis on the Greek island of Corfu also called Corcyra. Medusa reached these areas through trade, assimilation, and diffusion. As The Great Mother Goddess, Medusa is associated with the full moon and the menstruation blood mysteries. She is a symbol of the powers of life, death, and rebirth for two main reasons. The first relates to her ability to menstruate and give birth.

The second comes from Greek myth.

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