Serpentine Valentine: A Medusa Retelling
SERPENTINE VALENTINE: A MEDUSA RETELLING
GIANA DARLING
Audiobook
Narrated by Rose Dioro & Quinn Riley
Sapphic Academia
Summary
Born a woman, raised by women, and always in love with women, Lex never spent much time thinking about men or the danger they could pose. Everything changes after she enrolls at Acheron University, where one stormy autumn night leaves her betrayed, traumatized, and unfairly blamed for an encounter she never wanted with Professor Morgan.
When the university president chooses to punish Lex instead of the man responsible, her world is completely shattered. The experience leaves her with two lasting beliefs: she will never stand by while women are hurt by men, and betrayal deserves revenge.
Determined to make the people who destroyed her suffer, Lex sets her sights on Luna Pallas, the president’s beautiful, sheltered, and seemingly straight daughter. Her plan is simple: ruin Luna’s innocence the same way her mother and Professor Morgan ruined Lex’s life.
But as the line between manipulation and genuine connection begins to blur, Lex finds herself caught between vengeance, desire, and emotions she never expected to feel.
Synopsis adapted from Goodreads.
Tasty Thoughts
I absolutely loved this book. It's amazing and so beautifully written. I read this book twice, back to back. I think this is probably my favorite retelling- and not just because it's f/f. The mythology was woven into a contemporary setting flawlessly.
This book has very dark subject matter and I believe that it was presented with sensitivity, tact, and care, allowing for the impact of the action and subsequent revenge to be felt by the reader. Check the trigger warning at the beginning of the book for full details.
I really connected to this story on a whole other level than I've connected with a story in a long, long time. It was so reflective of parts of my journey - I literally felt it in my chest cavity. This story was so richly written and so deep, it was impossible not to submerge yourself in that world, with these characters, and feel the grass under your feet as you walked with the Man-Eaters under the stars for that vigilante shit (I've had Taylor Swift on for days, so you're welcome for the Midnight's reference).
Lex is such a wonderful character who is so painfully and beautifully complex - her need for revenge vs her love for another warring with each other... I think it speaks on an intrinsic level that we all have light and dark in us. We all have the capacity to withstand an unparalleled amount of pain, for incredible evil AND for healing as well as for pure goodness.
Luna was a wonderfully written character as well. She reminded me so much of my wife so I had an immediate affection for her. I adored how her light warmed Lex throughout the story. It was just captivating.
The contrast between Luna and Lex was absolutely beguiling. Their pull to each other was enchanting. Their chemistry and banter between each other- the struggle to deny feelings (Lex) and accept new feelings and facets of yourself (Luna) - I'm literally gushing over it as I'm typing this out.
I would be remiss if I didn't give a virtual high five for the steam factor between these characters and their physical encounters because DAAAAAMN. Yes, girl. yes. Yes. Yes. Here👏 for 👏it 👏!
The author touched on a lot of very hard topics in this story and did it with grace and elegance which is so admirable. I applaud her for this because I know it wasn't easy. From low-key homophobic people to women who sacrifice other women in service of personal gain to this dark desire in women to meet injustice with vengeance - all of that being very real parts of our world. Gianna executed these hard topics with courage and sensitivity.
Lastly, the ending was absolutely beautiful. It made my heart sing and want to dive right back into the story (hence reading it back to back). I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS STORY!!
And- the playlist is 💋. Perfection.
I really really hope everyone reads this book. It's such a heartbreakingly beautiful story.
Originally posted on Goodreads
Why You’ll Love It
Poetic dirty talk
Queer sexual awakening
Delicious thunder thighs
Man-eaters & barbed wire bats
Strength is sexy as hell
Snake tattoos
