Blog Tour Stop
2/17/14
The Deep End of the Sea
by
Heather Lyons
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.
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.
My Thoughts
I would like to start off by saying that I absolutely LOVE Greek Mythology!! I have been obsessed with it since I was in middle school and learned about all the fuckedupness that goes on in Olympus! Of course, in middle school, I really didn't understand everything that was going on but I was obsessed nonetheless. Now that I am older, I can appreciate the going ons in Olympus, while also cringing at the sexual relations...aheeemm...
So when I found out that not only did Heather Lyons have an obsession with Greek Mythology too but was also writing a book about Medusa... to say I was excited would be an understatement!!! I was freaking the freak out!!
But she also decided to do something different with Medusa's story. She changed the whole dynamic of Dusa's character by changing her story from monster to misunderstood woman with a heart of gentleness, not wickedness...
I was a little nervous, I have to admit, because I didn't know how I was going to take this new and improved monster. In my mind, Medusa was full of hate and vengeance, not love and compassion, so changing my thought process was a little hard for me to comprehend... that is, until I started reading The Deep End of the Sea and Heather made it so much easier for me.
Medusa is a monster that people do not understand. Most people are kept away from her personal island because Poseidon is a jealous asshole that keeps people away at all cost. She has one Godly friend, Hermes, and one human friend who happens to have the convenience of being blind so Medusa's curse doesn't bother him. Of course the whole turning people into stone would make her want to keep her distance too.
Dusa is not happy on this secluded island, who would be happy living on an island with only occasional conversations and internet shopping.. It would get old pretty fast (even though I threaten to move to my own island when my spawn and husband are driving me absolutely crazy).... She is missing out on really living, loving, being loved in return, and actually experiencing life as it should be experienced.
Heather does change the mythology a little bit, it is not the exact same as the stories that I have been taught but it is still an incredible story with Godly characters and even an appearance of Death!! Which was an unexpected surprise to say the least...
Medusa learns about herself in this story. She grows from a timid monster and changes into another person by the end that is hardly recognizable from the character who was introduced in the beginning. Hermes helps Medusa not only love herself but accept love in return. Showing her that people could love the monster her and the real her.
"Love makes every misery, every struggle, every moment of life worth it"
Now, I won't go into toooo much detail about this story because that's not fair to all of you who have not read it yet. You need to experience it for yourself and see why I went bat shit crazy for it. Because I promise, if you love a great greek mythology story with lots of angst, love, sexiness, fuckedupness, Gods who remind you of Chris Hemsworth... then you will go bat shit crazy for this book too!! Hell, even if you don't really care for greek mythology, you will still love this story because it speaks to your soul on so many different levels.
It teaches you about love in all forms. Not to judge people based on looks. How monsters come in many different forms and the ones that look like the devil, may actually be an angel in disguise. Friendship. The love of family. The power of love and acceptance.
Heather is an incredible author with passion that you can just feel by reading her books. I never really know where her stories are going to take me, but when I finish I realize that I am starting to ripen, my clothes are a mess, and I don't remember the last time I put something in my mouth to nourish my body. Her stories literally take me to another world and I never want to leave...EVER. This one was no different and if at all possible, it was worse, because I did not stop reading until I was completely done and then I went back and reread parts that just stuck out to me.
This story has it all and I absolutely loved it... Was in love with it and I may be a little in love with Heather at this point in our relationship ;)...
If you have not stopped reading this review by now and gone to purchase this book, then you need to do that NOW..... No really... You need to carry your ass to buy this book NOW!!!
I give this book an amazing 5/5
I <3 Hermes Stars and if you want your own copy, link is below!!!
A song that reminded me of Medusa while I read <3
About Heather Lyons:
Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.
Links:
Website: http://www.heatherlyons.net
Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/
THE DEEP END OF THE SEA Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hymheather
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/
GIVEAWAY
Hades written as a love story. Talk about tragic
ReplyDeleteLovvely blog you have
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