4.33 stars

"That's the curious thing about monsters. The worst ones don't bother hiding in the dark."

A huge value of this book is that you can gift it to people who need education on consent and sexual assault without having to tell them these topics are discussed in the book *cough* any non-understanding fathers? *cough*

The book elevated itself to greatness in the third act. The opening scene tied in so well with what we knew would happen to Medusa, yet as the audience you might be begging her to let it go and live without vengeance.

The book was ultimately successful in conveying interesting messages about autonomy, purpose in life, and family. I also greatly appreciated how it added diversity to a Greek myth retellings, the issues of which were very easily translatable to modern times.
I will be recommending this book to anyone who wants to read female rage literature and Greek myth retellings!

Such a beautiful retelling highlighting individualism, feminine rage, and friendship. The highlight of Meddy's hair really stood out compared to other retellings. Adored how Meddy felt unique from other Medusa stories

Immaculate. I, Medusa is an immaculate book.

I could honestly stop there. Thats all you need to know.

Gorgeous prose, perfect pacing, amazing character depth, an expertly woven narrative, and poignant symbolism and themes. There is nothing about this book I didn’t love.

Hands down the best Medusa retelling I’ve ever consumed. One of the best books I've read all year!

GO READ THIS BOOK!

*Hopefully the finished edition will include content warnings, but in the mean time. Please read with care there is are heavy themes within, including on page SA.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

At once a formidable literary retelling and a reflection of modern relevancy- with I, Medusa Ayana Gray joins ranks with Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint.
The story of Medusa is prolific in many of the most famous Greek retellings of recent years, however we have never seen her like this before. With a tenderness that I believe so many of the vilified women of past stories deserve, through I, Medusa we are able to give this famous character a vivid back story in recognizable setting of an ancient Greek landscape.
The setting and story are largely well executed throughout, though pacing suffers a bit in the second act. Where this book really shines is through the characters and their relationships.
While I've seen some describe this as a 'villains origin story', the greatest lesson to be found in Gray's newest book stated plainly "The worst {monsters} don't bother to hiding in the dark". In fact, I find Meddy to be wildly relatable and charming, especially for younger readers.
I will carry I, Medusa with me for quite some time, and am so happy to find more of these retellings giving reverence to the characters of old.

I loved this retelling of the Greek legend of Medusa. Medusa has been portrayed as a monster in most popular versions of the story. Ayana Gray has done a fantastic job of making her human. You can actually relate to her aspirations and dreams and failings as also the tragedy that befalls her. The tone of the novel is a bit YA and at times it felt like reading the Percy Jackson series. However it does deal with mature concepts like equality between the sexes, gender discrimination, racial bias and the exploitation of women. I read the whole story in one sitting and definitely looking for more from this author.

Thanks you Random House for the ARC.

“Stheno and Euryale understand that their sister is a myth now, and nothing at all like the girl they once knew. They do not mind. They remember her who she truly was, and that is enough”

I love me a good Greek myth retelling and I, Medusa was so fun and well written. It made me realize how little I knew about Medusa other than the snakes and turning men to stone. Ayana Gray does a great job storytelling with amazing descriptions. She really kept me hooked from the start. I also appreciate the presence of diverse characters

3.75⭐️
Thank you to Ayana Gray and Penguin Random House for access to this arc! 🐍
If you’re like me and your fascination with Greek mythology hasn’t let up since middle school, then you’re always up for a retelling, and it’s not everyday we get a retelling of Medusa’s story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. As an adult debut I’d say Gray nails it. The themes were heavy handed but not in a way that it felt forced or unnecessary. In fact they very much felt like what could’ve likely played out.
I sympathized with Medusa basically through this entire story, which is not something I thought I’d ever say. While she’s a flawed character, you understand completely why she did the things she did.
In the end I just wanted to give her a hug, but maybe with my eyes closed.🐍

***SPOILERS AHEAD***


I knocked this down 1.25 stars mainly because I wanted to see what made her the “famed” Medusa. In the start of the book she’s very intelligent and cunning and that’s constantly shown and is in fact one of the main reasons Athena chooses her as an acolyte for her temple. I felt like once she was cursed, that characteristic of hers went away. Athena at one point says that people “whisper about Medusa and her sisters. The legendary Gorgons.” But from what I could tell it should’ve been “Stheno and her sisters” given how much Stheno would take the lead in “protecting” their island. Medusa didn’t feel singled out to me as to why she would be the one who was whispered about. She actually showed mercy to survivors, so if anything, those survivors would’ve been whispering about her mercy, not how she was a mindless killing monster.

I really enjoyed this feminist take on Medusa’s origins! As many of us know, Medusa did not get a fair representation in Greek mythology and this book aims to show that sometimes the beings we are supposed to consider monsters are simply products of their environments. I loved the interweaving of Greek myths into the story of Medusa and her sisters and I loved how Ayana Gray made the character of Medusa so strong and wonderful!!

Sitting here and processing this book after reading and I know I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while! I loved the story and getting to see Medusa’s evolution. It was such a powerful and heart wrenching story and very well done.

This was a beautifully written retelling of Medusa. I was captivated from beginning to end. Heartbreaking and tragic, yet the story draws striking parallels between the ancient world and today, especially in its connection on how women are treated.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!

“You are not a monster.” “You are only what they made you.”

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC. I absolutely devoured this book. I have always been fascinated by Medusa’s story. I appreciated the author’s decision to bring it to light once more. In hopes that people can relate to her even now. Her story is full of heartbreak, loss, vengeance, anger, love, and sacrifice. She wanted to find her place but instead was thrown around. She was wronged in so many ways. If you love Greek mythology definitely pick this up in November.

Triggers
-SA
-attempted SA
-physical abuse
-manipulation
-alcohol use

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I, Medusa has been on my TBR for months! As a fan of Greek mythology, the cover instantly caught my eye. I figured I had a low chance of being approved for this ARC with Ayana Gray being so popular, but I figured I'd try. I was shocked when I was approved and couldn't wait to start reading.

Let me tell you, I am so glad I applied because this book is AMAZING!!! To me this Medusa retelling brings various elements to the table that truly show why Medusa becomes the being we all know her to be. As a female her story is sadly relatable. Living in a man's world, being held to unrealistic expectations, and it still is not good enough. In this story Medusa is 17 and her nativity definitely reflects that. There are many times when Medusa would walk into situations and my heart would break for her because I knew it would not end well. While many parts were hard to stomach, she takes those situations, reflects, and uses them to grow as a person. In many ways this a coming-of-age story as Medusa learns to love and trust herself. This is a check the TW read.

Ayana Gray does a fabulous job of creating a more realistic world for the time period. The diverse group of characters was refreshing for a story told a hundred times over. I LOVED the emphasis on Medusa's hair throughout the book. One of my favorite parts is when it is acknowledged that not only are her locks beautiful, but they are so beautiful they are worthy to be presented to the Gods. For as much time, effort, and care Medusa puts into her locks of course they are worthy!!!! The little details showing the experiences of Black womanhood were intertwined perfectly into the story and added more depth to Medusa.

Again, for a story I've heard more times than I can count I was truly blown away that the ending BROKE ME! It has been two days since I finished the book and I find myself still thinking about not only Medusa but also her sisters, Theo, and Apollonia. I want to give them all a hug and help them push Athena off a very high cliff. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is because I wish there was more. The ending is perfect, but I wish the journey to that ending had more details.

If you're a fan of Greek mythology, adore female rage, seeking revenge, or need a reminder that you are stronger than you think then this is a must read!!

I, Medusa is, at its core, a slow, flat, and disappointingly unoriginal retelling of one of mythology’s most tragic and compelling figures. Despite being under 300 pages, the novel drags and the prose is boring. Pacing is one of its biggest issues—there’s a heavy reliance on excessive, often unnecessary information that adds little to the story. Instead of deepening the narrative, much of the prose is dedicated to mundane, repetitive moments: waking up, eating, walking, small talk, going to bed. These scenes could have been condensed or removed entirely to make room for more meaningful content. As a result, not much actually happens, and what does happen often lacks weight or urgency.

Gray’s prose itself feels uninspired. There’s little emotional resonance or poetic quality to bring the myth to life. The characters, too, are disappointingly underdeveloped. Even Medusa—who should be at the center of this rich, emotional retelling—feels like a vague sketch rather than a fully realized figure. Athena, and indeed all the gods, come across as one-dimensional and lifeless. They lack the grandeur, menace, or mystery one would expect from divine beings. None of them feel particularly powerful, otherworldly, or complex.

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect is the depiction of Medusa herself. She is portrayed as painfully naïve and uninformed—a baffling choice, given the gravity of her myth. Her passivity and lack of awareness made her a frustrating protagonist to follow. Instead of a bold reinterpretation of the iconic Gorgon, we’re left with a character who feels diminished and unremarkable.

What’s more disappointing is how little the novel explores Medusa’s transformation into the snake-haired, stone-turning figure we all associate with her name. That portion of the myth, which holds so much potential for drama, tragedy, and power, is barely touched. Gray shies away from a more nuanced, complex and above all darker narrative, opting instead for a sanitized, surface-level portrayal and feels underwhelming and uncreative. There’s so much room for psychological depth, thematic weight, and rich world-building, yet the novel seems content to skim the top layer.

This continues a frustrating pattern I’ve noticed with many modern mythology retellings. Despite the inherent richness of the source material—stories teeming with drama, symbolism, and timeless relevance—so many of these books end up feeling empty. Instead of tapping into the nuance, the strange beauty, and the emotional intensity of the myths, they often present a hollowed-out version of the story. I, Medusa unfortunately follows suit, offering little more than the shell of its premise.

Additionally, the novel attempts to comment on consent and sexual assault in a way that is well-intentioned but ultimately clumsy. Rather than weaving these themes organically into the historical and mythological context, the book halts to deliver modern-day moral messaging that feels jarringly out of place. While it’s important to address these issues, doing so with more subtlety and narrative integration would have been far more effective. As it stands, it reads more like a PSA than a compelling narrative arc.

In the end, I, Medusa is a missed opportunity. Medusa’s story is one of pain, power, and transformation—an archetype ripe for reinterpretation. But this retelling fails to capture a more darker, sinister, and grueling version of her complexity, her rage, or her tragedy. It lacks not just depth, but a sense of purpose or passion. I wanted so badly to be swept away, to feel the pulse of the myth anew. Instead, I was left with a version that felt safe, dull, and uninspired.

ARC Review:
When I was in 6th grade, Greek mythology was my “Roman empire.” I have always loved a Hades and Persephone retelling, but Ayana Gray’s I, Medusa makes me want to read all of the Medusa retellings I can get my hands on. Meddy’s story is filled with rage and tragedy (with some tender moments) and even though you know what’s going to happen you still hope that this time will be different. Please put this book on your TBR, it’s available November 19, 2025

This book was absolutely overstuffed with rage, cover to cover. The anger stuck with me for a while after reading. It felt slightly heavy-handed, as if it had originally been intended for a YA audience. I'm a sucker for myth adaptations, thought.

This was the first retelling of Medusa that I have read and I believe that Ayana Gray did a great job with her story. My only complaint (it's not really a complaint) is that I wish the book was a bit longer, and that we've gotten more of post-transformation Medusa.

If you're familiar with Medusa's story you already know what to expect. If not here are some trigger warnings: rape, victim blaming, manipulation, and religious trauma.


*thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the eArc.

Oh my gosh I love this!!! A look into how our girl became Medusa?? Absolutely yes. I love this creative take on her story. It’s powerful, emotional, and the writing is beautiful! If you love mythology you will adore this.

Imagine if Medusa were written as a coming of age story. That’s what you have here. This details not only the origin stories of Medusa and the Gorgons but a young woman coming into her own and figuring out the world. This was a somewhat heartbreaking tale of Medusa just trying to life her own life (in a very cliche fashion, defying (but still wanting to meet) the expectations of her parents).

Ayana Gray’s I, Medusa is a fierce and luminous reimagining of one of mythology’s most misunderstood figures. In this powerful origin story, Medusa—reborn as “Meddy”—is no longer a footnote in someone else’s tale but the heroine of her own. Raised in the shadow of her divine family, Meddy yearns for meaning beyond her island, finding it in Athens as a priestess of Athena. But what begins as a dream of purpose is shattered by betrayal, power, and the gods’ brutal indifference. Gray delivers a narrative rich in emotion and mythological detail, tracing Medusa’s transformation not just into a monster, but into a force of righteous fury and resilience. With themes of agency, injustice, and reclaiming power, I, Medusa is a bold, timely retelling that gives voice to a silenced legend. Raw, empowering, and gorgeously written, this is Medusa as she was meant to be: not a villain, but a survivor—and a revolution.

I absolutely loved this retelling of Medusa's story, truly one of the better reimaginings of a myth that has been retold in so many different ways and from various perspectives. Ayana Gray has woven a lyrical tapestry of the Olympians who orbit Medusa, using their hangups and insecurities to dictate the life of Meddy. It had great pacing, wonderful characters, and it broke your heart as much as it gave you a tiny bit of hope that her sisters are still around, keeping her memory alive. You can't help but root for Meddy as she discovers who she is as a woman of color in the ancient world, an immigrant to Athens, a mortal child of ancient gods, the youngest of her family, becoming a priestess, and discovering who she is and who she loves.

This is one of the rare books that I read in one afternoon because I couldn't put it down. And I so wanted Medusa to have a different ending than what we all know is coming. Can't wait to read future books from the author after being spellbound by this one.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.