The Shadow of Perseus

Praise

“[A] markedly fresh spin on a classic tale, the allegedly valiant adventures of Perseus, the Greek hero who slew the Gorgon Medusa….In the rash, impulsive, arrogant, spoiled, entitled, and dangerous figure of Perseus, Heywood deftly deconstructs the model of Hellenic heroism, illustrating the dark side of a larger-than-life icon. Told through the perspectives of three very different but equally compelling women, Heywood’s second novel is entertaining and impactful.”
—Booklist

“Vivid…Heywood ably imagines how the clever, strong female characters build their lives alongside vindictive and destructive men.” —Publishers Weekly

“Unique and profoundly moving… The reimagined tale of The Shadow of Perseus sweeps you into the heartbreaking tragedy of women mistreated by Perseus….Highly recommended.” —Historical Novel Society

“Inventive…fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe will be enthralled.” —Shelf Awareness

“Heywood brings a fresh vision…The Shadow of Perseus is a compelling retelling.” —The Nerd Daily

“It is the long-silenced women—Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda—who are the heroes in this fresh, feminist retelling of the myths of Perseus. A tale of bravery, heartbreak, and perseverance, The Shadow of Pereseus has breathed new life into these very old stories, and finally given these women their voice.” —Stephanie Marie Thornton, USA Today bestselling author of The Conqueror’s Wife

“Reenergizes the Perseus myth by asking “What if?” What if Perseus was not a demigod, not a hero, but a troubled killing machine? What if Zeus never visited Danae and wasn’t the father of Perseus? What if Medusa was an innocent victim, paying the price of being a woman and befriending Perseus? And what if there was no sea monster to rescue Andromeda from?  By re-interpreting the familiar characters in human terms, Claire Heywood gives new life and a startling new perspective to an old tale. Original and engrossing!” —Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of Helen of Troy

“A beautifully woven tale, Heywood triumphantly reclaims the stories of three of Greek mythology’s most deserving women. With brilliant, confident writing, The Shadow of Perseus has illuminated the stories of ladies too often relegated to the role of villain or damsel.” —Claire M. Andrews, author of the Daughter of Sparta trilogy

“Claire Heywood’s retelling is a fresh and original take on the myth of Perseus. I particularly loved seeing Danae, Perseus’s mother, take center stage alongside her more famous counterparts, Medusa and Andromeda. In this retelling, Danae becomes a moving and compelling character with her own story, beyond simply being the mother of a famous man. Claire Heywood’s choice to dispense with the magical element of the myth also made for some truly thought-provoking moments, and I was gripped by the human drama at the novel’s heart.” —Elodie Harper, international bestselling author of The Wolf Den and The House with the Golden Door

“Not since Madeline Miller’s Circe has there been a more compelling read set in the world of Greek mythology. What Miller did for Circe, Heywood has done in spades for Medusa and her sisters. Absolutely unputdownable!” —Michelle Moran, bestselling author of Cleopatra’s Daughter