The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons #BlogTour #GuestPost #BookReview #Giveaway

Title: The Deep End of the Sea
Author: Heather Lyons
Pub Date: February 13, 2014


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.

What a cool book idea! This is a reimagining of the story of Medusa. I’m a lover of Mythology but I never would in a million years thought of something like this. Taking a feared monster and giving her another story. This book was addictive right from the start.

This is one of those books that totally took me by surprise. I wanted to read it because it sounded interesting but it totally blew me away and I fell in love with it. Some books just do that and trigger something in you that lights a fire and makes you not be able to stop reading. This was one of those books for me.

I loved Medusa, the misunderstood monster, we start off in her temple as she is arranging another one of her stoned statues. She didn’t mean to kill him but all it takes is one look at her. She’s remorseful and suffers for her lot in life. Cursed by Athena after being raped Poseidon.

I was as silly as Medusa when it came to Hermes for some reason, I thought they were just friends but as their relationship bloomed I felt myself invested in it. I was concerned that something might split them apart or that they might not get together at all at first. It was just very sweet and heartwarming and it made me think of Hermes in a whole different way. Of course this book had me thinking of Medusa in a whole different way as well. I couldn’t stop reading abou them, I love them so much as a couple.

The issues in this book are addressed in an interesting way as well. Medusa is a victim. She is a victim of rape, a victim of unjust punishment, a victim of living in isolation. Even though she has had 2000 years to deal with the issues she hasn’t. It isn’t until Hermes brings her back into the light and she is forced to face those who hurt her does she finally deal with them. I thought it was interesting to infuse these kinds of things into a greek mythology story. It’s not something uncommon in greek myths to hear about it happening but it is not something usually addressed. I loved how the book was as much as Medusa taking control of her life and changing from victim to survivor.

I have much gushy love for this book so definitely check it out if you like some Romance and Greek mythology with a twist.

My Song Choice:

When I was a little girl, my grandmother used to take me out at night and point up toward the stars above us. “Those are more than just stars,” she told me. “Those are stories, and have been just such for thousands of years.”

            It enthralled me to imagine that stars could connect into pictures, and from there into stories. Thanks to my grandmother, I began my lifelong journey into discovering these ancient tales with those found in Greek mythology. That led to Roman (not so different . . . and yet, different all the same), and then to Norse (some of my person favorites), Sumerian, Egyptian, and other world mythologies. Eventually, I delved in global fairy tales, too, as they piggybacked on these ancient myths. It fascinated me to read about how our ancestors believed our world was created and how things ran and would possibly end (Ragnarök and the destruction of Yggdrasil, anyone?). These stories stuck with me over the years as I studied history and archaeology and seemed natural to draw from when I sat down to write my own stories.

            I get a lot of people asking me why I picked Medusa, though—out of all the stories, of all the characters both divine and mortal, beautiful and monstrous, why would I pick such a vilified, terrifying myth? The truth is . . . when I was little and read Medusa’s tale for the first time, I was struck by how wrong it was. How . . . unfair. This woman, once lauded for her beauty and service to Athena, was brutally raped by a god and cursed by another for being assaulted in a sacred temple. Even as a child, I knew that the victim blaming within was not okay. As an adult, I wanted to offer Medusa something the ancients never did—a chance to tell her side of the story, as well as a shot at a happy ending. Plus, it gave me a shot at combining two of my long-loved story tropes: mythology and fair tales.

            I hope that readers will enjoy coming along on this journey. And if I’m lucky, it’ll open the door for them so they can discover the joy of discovering the past through mythology.

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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Blog Tour Schedule:

February 12

Lovin Los Libros-Character Interview (Medusa)
Vilma’s Book Blog-Excerpt and Review
Bookaholics Anonymous-Review Only
Books She Reads-Review Only

February 13

A Bookish Escape-Review Only
The Book Beacon-Review Only
The Road is You-Review Only

February 14

TSK TSK What to Read-Playlist and Review
Romance Addict-Review Only
Imagine A World-Review Only
Movies Shows & Books-Guest Post
A Nook for Books-Review Only

February 15

Book Briefs-Character Interview (Hermes) & Review
Seeing Night Reviews-Review Only
Part of that World-Review Only

February 16

A Dream Within A Dream-Excerpt
Rumpled Sheets Blog-Review Only
The Phantom Paragrapher-Review Only

February 17

Cocktails and Books-Excerpt and Review
Reading the Alphabet-Review Only
Pandora’s Books-Review Only
The Book Trollop-Review Only

February 18

Starbucks N Books-Guest Post and Review
Riverina Romantics-Review Only
Sofia Loves Books-Review Only
Nomi’s Paranormal Palace-Review Only

February 19

The Book Hookup-Review Only
ReaderGirls-Excerpt
Total Book Geek-Review Only
Kat’s Book Buzz-Review Only

February 20

Library of a Bookwitch-Guest Post and Review
Kate’s Tales of Books & Bands-Review Only
Gabic Reads-Review Only
Dowie’s Place-Review Only

February 21

Book Nerds Across America-Review Only
Poisoned Rationality-Author Interview and Review
Bound by Books-Review Only
Alii’s book Jungle-Review Only

February 22

The Book Whisperer-Review Only
Behind Closed Covers-Guest Post and Review
The Bo0ki3-Review Only
Confessions from Romaholics-Review Only

February 23

Not Everyone’s Mama-Review Only
WTF Are You Reading?-Guest Post and Review
NWA Gossip Girl-Review Only
No BS Book Reviews-Review Only

February 24

What’s Beyond Forks-Dream Cast and Review
My Favorite Things-Review Only
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club-Review Only
Imaginary Reads-Author Interview

February 25

Pink Fluffy Hearts-Excerpt
Book Angel Booktopia-Fun & Different Idea and Review