Review: The Deep End of the Sea

The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Mythology
Release Date: February 13, 2014
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Book Description:

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.

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I am a huge fan of mythology always have been and retellings or different take on mythology are one of my favorite things to read. I haven’t found many over the years that are good, but The Deep End of The Sea by Heather Lyons was absolutely amazing!

This was such a well-developed and poignant story. I really enjoyed Lyons take of Medusa and her entire backstory. The Deep End of The Sea shows how a young girl names Medusa was a priestess in Athena’s temple. She was raped by Poseidon and then cursed by Athena for defiling her temple. Her curse was being turned into the hideous “monster” Medusa. But in truth Dusa wasn’t a monster at all.


Despite the legends she spent two thousand years cursed and wasn’t happily killing people. She didn’t enjoy it and she certainly didn’t seek out harm or vengeance. She was isolated on an enchanted island with only two friends, an old blind man and Hermes. I’ve got to say Hermes is pretty much on of the Gods I’ve never given too much thought about, but in this book the way he’s depicted, I love him to death.

Persephone and Hades, two of my favorites, play very big roles in this book as well, so that was a nice surprise. But I think one of the best parts of this book are the twists in plot. Once you hit the seventy percent of being done with the book, a whole load of information is thrown at you about Medusa, Poseidon, and a whole bunch of other people (which I don’t want to give away).

I also really love the relationship between Hermes and Medusa and the rest of his family. They are all so kind to her despite being Gods, but when it comes to other people you see how ruthless they can be when someone they love is threatened. It’s just such a cool dynamic. Lyons had a completely unique take on the whole myth. I would absolutely recommend this book and it will definitely be one I add to my paperback collection!

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Author Bio:

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.

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