Medusa: The Myth of Monsters

(Clarion/ Harper February 20, 2024)

From National Book Award finalist Katherine Marsh: Percy Jackson meets Wednesday in this fantastical adventure series starter about 12-year-old Ava, who attends a boarding school for the descendants of Greek monsters and uncovers a terrible secret that could change the world forever.

Ava Baldwin has always tried to keep her anger in check, just like her mom taught her. But when know-it-all classmate Owen King tries to speak over her yet again, Ava explodes . . . and Owen freezes, becoming totally unresponsive.

Although Owen recovers, Ava’s parents whisk her off to her mother’s alma mater, the Accademia del Forte, a mysterious international boarding school in Venice. There, Ava and her brother, Jax, discover that the Olympian gods founded the Accademia to teach the descendants of mythological monsters how to control their emotions and their powers and become functioning, well-adjusted members of society.

But not everything at the Accademia is as it seems. After her friend Fia is almost expelled for challenging a teacher, Ava realizes the school is hiding a dangerous secret. To uncover the truth, Ava and her new friends embark on an adventure that could change the way they view history, mythology—and themselves—forever…or end their lives.

Bonus Material

Praise

“Using the Medusa mythos as a framework, Marsh crafts a unique and distinctly feminist fantasy series…. By exploring the patriarchal origins often present in Greek mythology, Marsh evokes powerful analogies about how girls and women can be taught to fear the world and themselves via a take-charge, intelligent heroine and her compassionate first-person voice.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“It’s a treat to encounter a fearless heroine in Katherine Marsh’s ‘Medusa (The Myth of Monsters, Book 1).’…Here is a novel that casts young people as agents of that change, while acknowledging the risks they face when adults, or a pack of patriarchal gods, lie in wait to silence those who speak truth to power….In this feminist retelling, girls take the lead while boys support and trust them.”

—The New York Times Book Review:“A Feminist Retelling of the Medusa Myth, for Middle Graders: In Katherine Marsh’s new novel, the girl with the snaky curls loses neither her head nor her wits.”

“You won’t be able to stop turning pages . . . it is so stinking good!”—Colby Sharp, author of The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection

“A 10 out of 10. One of my new favorite mythological stories.” —E Train Talks

“I’m in love with this book. Like the best Pixar movies, Katherine Marsh’s Medusa is full of layers.”—Jennifer La Garde, The Adventures of Library Girl!

“Sound the sirens! Katherine Marsh has gifted us with the Greek mythology series we didn’t know we were missing!”—Melissa LaSalle, The Book Mommy and What to Read to Your Kids

“A fast-paced adventure offering a fresh, feminist take on popular themes.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Fans of mythology will enjoy character reveals and reinterpretations.” —Booklist

“Verdict: A story flipping traditional mythology and the voices telling them on their [sic] head starring a resourceful, brave ­Gorgon. Suggested where mythology stories are popular.” —School Library Journal

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The Gods’ Revenge

(Storytide April 22, 2025)

In the next exciting book of the Medusa series, Ava Baldwin is back for a second year at her magical boarding school, the Accademia del Forte. Now that she knows that her fellow classmates, descendants of the so-called Greek monsters, have been lied to by the Olympians, she’s ready to help them uncover their ancestors’ true stories–if only she can stay out of the way of the new headmaster, Perseus.

But laying low is easier said than done, especially when Perseus seems intent on trolling Ava, making it impossible to control her anger.

When Perseus banishes one of her friends, Ava must lead a rescue party on a whirlwind adventure from the Stygian Marsh of the underworld to the ice caves of Mount Etna with Ares and the spirits of violent death in hot pursuit. But the gods won’t be tricked so easily this time . . .

Praise

“As in the series opener, this second installment skillfully weaves familiar mythology with coming-of-age concerns, all filtered through a feminist lens. Full of humor, adventure, and heart, this story, with its diverse cast of international characters, will delight readers.This successful sequel offers relatable heroes for a new generation.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Many mythological creatures are introduced, which is perfect for readers well-versed in Greek mythology. Eighth grader Ava’s mythology-inspired adventures are sure to keep action-lovers turning the pages….VERDICT A solid purchase for all library shelves where the first book was enjoyed.” –School Library Journal

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