Written by Ian Mitchell-Gill
While you should never judge a book by its cover, sometimes it’s okay to do just that. Doing that with Ian Mitchell-Gill’s Medusa’s Son will clearly tell you it’s an urban fantasy. That’s not the full story, but it conveys the book’s atmosphere. You probably shouldn’t judge this book by its title, though—although it makes sense in context of the story, the book isn’t about the son of the Gorgon of ancient Greek mythology. Likewise, you probably shouldn’t judge Medusa’s Son by its tagline, either. “The vampires have a new nemesis to fear” might put distance between the story and the mythological Medusa, and it’s technically accurate. What it doesn’t do, however, is capture what makes sets this book apart from others in the genre.
Everything that makes Medusa’s Son so different is what makes it shine. Vampires are a well-worn trope; the creatures have a way of embedding themselves in the human psyche. Usually, these fall into two camps: romanticised, often romantic and sometimes sexy; or fearsome creatures of the night, coldly stalking their prey. The novel’s tagline puts its version of vampires in the latter camp. Yet it takes the concept further than the simple “vampires evil, humans good” that permeates the genre. While they are a threat that must be stopped, the author presents a compassionate view. Every vampire was once a human, a victim of this affliction. The book voices moral quandaries about how they’re treated, and ponders where defence ends and cruelty begins.
This ethical dilemma sits against a backdrop of a gritty world that feels at home within an urban fantasy. The story stretches from Russia to Japan, with its locations being living, breathing places. Despite the urban fantasy stylings, the vampires are presented within a grounded, scientifically justified way, creating a story that is more science fiction than fantasy. As you might expect in a book about a vampiric threat, Medusa’s Son includes some horror elements, yet these are reasonably light. The book is also a young adult story, though fans of the genre might miss its tropes; the story largely avoids them. With the horror elements being as light as they are, however, the book is certainly suitable for younger teens.
In being a young adult novel, Medusa’s Son is anchored by its young protagonist, eighteen-year-old Walt. Walt serves as the sole point of view character (and narrator), with the book’s events being shown through his eyes. He feels like an eighteen-year-old, neither written as too old or too young. He’s a keenly developed character, and anchors the novel well. The other characters that populate the novel, however, are less developed. They’re all engaging characters, but often feel like they’re included to serve their roles, rather than deepen the story.
Walt’s character is explored well through his narration, which sets the tone of the book. The opening paragraph, told through Walt’s voice, will grab the reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading. His voice is immediately likeable and serves to juxtapose against the book’s darker elements. At points, the voice drops a bit from the prose, causing these parts to lose character. The dialogue doesn’t work as well as the prose, however. The characters all have unique voices, but the dialogue often feels forced. Rather than sounding like people having a conversation, the characters sound like they’re reciting melodramatic lines. As the book switches between its prose and dialogue, the difference between the two is distracting.
At just 244 pages in paperback and hardcover (equating to an estimated 246 pages on Kindle, or five hours and fifteen minutes on Audible), Medusa’s Son is a brief read that can easily be devoured in a couple of sittings. The length works well for the book, and isn’t too daunting for its target audience of younger readers. Despite its length, a lot happens throughout the novel. It’s paced in a way that keeps the story moving along quickly, but avoids feeling rushed.
Despite everything that happens throughout Medusa’s Son’s short length, the plot never reels convoluted or like it’s trying to pack too much into it. The book draws the reader in, telling an entertaining tale. There are a few twists and turns, and although they never truly surprised me, it took me on a thoroughly fun ride. Its plot doesn’t break any new ground, but the ethical dilemma I mentioned at the beginning of this review is central to it. This provides the reader something to chew on, whether they fit within the young adult demographic or not.
Medusa’s Son is an entertaining science fiction take on vampires. With a dash of urban fantasy and horror, there’s there’s nothing truly new to its plot, but its presentation is thoroughly enjoyable. The ethics and compassion on display elevate the story, which is held together by its fun narration.
Favourite Passage
Now she knew. I was the story that the vampires would tell to frighten each other. I was the one they feared and dreaded. Medusa’s son.
Medusa’s Son, Chapter 27
Medusa’s Son was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest review.
Medusa’s Son is available in paperback, Kindle and on Audible, exclusive to Amazon.
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Medusa’s Son
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