Medusa the Mean

If you haven't yet discovered The Goddess Girls Series, allow me to introduce you. This wonderful set of books is all about mixing classic mythology with modern day girls and guys. Trust me, it's a ton of fun to read! Although these books are slated for Middle Graders, I see no reason why older aged readers wouldn't like them as well. After all, I'm almost 30, and I love them still!<br /><br />In this particular installment, we get to see a lot further into Medusa's past and why she earned the title "Queen of Mean". The thing is, Medusa isn't really all that bad! Sadly she's just been told her whole life that she isn't special, and that she shouldn't try. Now here is why I love Medusa as a character. Despite everything else, this girl has dreams! She works hard for them and I see her as a way to teach young readers that if you work hard for something, chances are you can achieve it.<br /><br />What's really sweet about Medusa the Mean is that you get to see her blossom. Making new friends, realizing that sometimes you have to trust others, and even finally seeing how her "supercrush" really is on the inside. The story line in this book is so fun! It's quick moving, there are silly jokes, and the way that the characters interact is perfect. I loved the fact that in this book Medusa is no longer just the "mean girl" character. She really comes into her own, and it's fabulous!<br /><br />Long story short, this is a great series and Medusa the Mean is no exception to that rule! If you have a young reader at home, put this book into their hands. These work great as standalone novels, or you can go back to beginning and let them experience the whole series. Either way, these are sure to be a hit in your home!<br />

Medusa is a rock star! She really is. Once she learns how to trust and be herself, she steals the show. She can turn people into stone, stir the pot, and is easy to spot! She's more hardcore than the frat godboys and outshines the shimmering goddessgirls. Medusa should never try to be like those girls. I see more costumes of her than any of them on Halloween anyway.<br /><br />Jane Austen is in the myth mix too. At first it's like, aw, this tween book is so cute! Dionysus knows Medusa needs to be praised for her talents. When he sees Medusa hurt a helpless girl's feelings, however, the carefree godboy turns into a dutiful Mr. Knightley as he scolds her harmful behavior. I half expected Dionysus to say, "Badly done, Emma. Badly done!" And just like Emma, Medusa feels unexpected hurt. It's a turning point as she journeys to being a better person.<br /><br />The journey isn't easy but it's entertaining. By the way, the actual Medusa myth makes me uncomfortable. But in this version, Poseidon is actually brought to justice! Our lippy heroine chews the jerk out and realizes it's him that's boring.<br /><br />And the end is happy. Thankfully, it's not the total cliché, we're-all-friends ending. Nope! Medusa is still secretly proud to call herself the Queen of Mean. I mean, Medusa is a nice girl--but not too nice! Love it!<br /><br />P.S. I did have my doubts about Medusa getting her own book in a series called “Goddess Girls” because she’s…well not a goddessgirl. But she is far more interesting! Now I don’t think I can go back and read about the actual goddessgirls without snoozing. <br />

uhm. who ships medusa and dionysus???<br />i do apparently cuz this book was fuzzy and sweet and medusa is superior.

3.75<br /><br />Like I said in my review for Medusa the Rich, she is the most interesting character in the entire series. I also like Athena. In this book you realize why Medusa is considered mean and scary to the other MOA students and learn about her backstory.

I had fun reading the whole series, it’s good to see mythology being incorporated into an academy setting which makes it inviting for kids. This one is about Medusa, the mean! My favorite in the series

I agree with other reviewers - one of the best in the series so far!

At First Sight: As one of the few mortals allowed to attend Mount Olympus Academy, it could be said that Medusa Gorgon doesn't have it easy. And, even though she pretends not to care, she isn't above feeling both jealousy and longing for the perks that come with being immortal. <br /><br />And with Principal Zeus and Hera's wedding fast approaching, Medusa feels this longing more than ever, and she's just about to realize what lengths she's willing to go for immortality and popularity. <br /><br />To top it all off, 7 boys from MOA are elected to be groomsmen at the wedding, and they get to select whom the bridesmaids will be. Some have obvious choices - like everyone knows Hades will take Persephone - but some don't, and among them is Medusa's Super Crush since she was 8: Poseidon. <br /><br />Medusa will do whatever it takes to win that spot, even if is Dionysius - the boy she once danced with - who is the only one going out of his way to talk to her. <br /><br />Second Glance: Medusa has always been regarded as a bully at MOA, and her snake hair doesn't really help her rep. But what's really going on behind the snake-y hair and often sour disposition?<br /><br />A lot of loneliness, shyness and just plain lack of social graces. <br /><br />In Medusa The Mean, we finally get to know Medusa and I have to say that I really quite liked her. She's actually a very guarded person, and she has reasons to be, but she also has a softer side to her - which often just comes out with her snakes, all of whom haver personalities. <br /><br />I really give kudos to the authors because while Medusa remains herself and certainly doesn't get a personality change, after reading this book I got to understand her and her actions a lot better. <br /><br />Bottom Line: Medusa the Mean was a great addition to the Goddess Girls series, and I love how the series is expanding to touch on different characters, aside from the original four. And I agree with Carrie @ In the Hammock that this is one of the best entries to the series, I think it's tied in second as my over-all favorite.

I love all of the Goddess Girls books, but this one is possibly even tied for overall fave along with Persephone the Phony. I was almost wary of a book about the 'Queen of Mean' Medusa, but now I absolutely love her! We really got to see why she acts the way she does and understand her motivations for being so grouchy.<br /><br />I totally love her snakes as well. After Athena caused her hair to turn into snakes, Medusa doesn't even see it as a bad thing, she loves her snakes like pets! The snakes hiss at people who are mean to her and always have her back when she needs help. They have their own little personalities and they were just too fun to read about.<br /><br />The other Goddess Girls did make appearances in this book, but maybe not as much as in the other installments. Medusa isn't exactly best friends with them! But she does make improvements in her social skills and all of the girls do become closer in this book.<br /><br />Her age-appropriate flirtation with both Poseidon and Dionysus is super cute to read about. I loved her crush shrine to Poseidon and her obliviousness that Dionysus was interested in her.<br /><br />I really liked the message that comes across when Medusa tried to come out of her shell a little and actually had to make an effort to make some friends and take some risks in trusting people. I'd love to see another installment of the series from Medusa's point of view.<br /><br />Run, don't walk, to read this installment of the Goddess Girls series, it's one of the best books in an already series!<br /><br /><br />sent by the authors in exchange for honest review<br /><br />reviewed for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com">http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />

Goddess Girls series, ages 8-12, Aladdin paperbacks<br />#1 Athena the Brain<br />#2 Persephone the Phony<br />#3 Aphrodite the Beauty<br />#4 Artemis the Brave<br />#5 Athena the Wise<br />#6 Aphrodite the Diva<br />#7 Artemis the Loyal (December 2011)<br />#8 Medusa the Mean (April 2012)<br />The Girl Games (Super Special, July 2012)<br />3 more GGs to come!<br /><br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://series.simonandschuster.com/Goddess-Girls/books">http://series.simonandschuster.com/Go...</a><br />From the Back Cover:<br />The Goddess Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams puts a modern spin on classic Greek myths! Follow the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.

I really love it. Although th is the first book of the Goddess Girls series I read, I wasn't really confused or lost with everything else going on. I love the twists that the authors gave to the gods, goddesses and mortals alike. And I really love Medusa in this book, which surprised me because she never really come off as likable to me when I read Greek mythology. And surprise that she ended up with Dionyseus that was a shock to me. Again, I really love this book although it is a little angsty, I think, considering the age rating, but it's still a good read for kids out there, specially so they can be introduced to Greek mythology. :D Now I just wish I can read the rest of the series.