What makes someone a monster? What makes them a villain? What makes them good and bad? The start of this story was wonderful, with well-crafted worldbuilding and descriptions so I could get immersed into the novel. Painting Meddy as this young mortal girl was a good way of making the reader step back from that original myth and guide us through her life. I think Gray's strongest point in terms of writing and storytelling though is Part III of this book. Yes, yes that is halfway through but I'm serious when I say that everything seems to come together from then on as Meddy learns how wonderful and how terrible life is. Knowing her ending it's gut wrenchingly tragic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an eARC of “I, Medusa”. I am a huge fan of Greek myth retelling and this book was everything I was expecting!

I loved how Gray focused more on Medusa’s backstory and how the story merged together multiple different aspects of the classic myth but also included pieces that were original. It made the book a refreshing read. I also enjoyed the imagery and vivid language that Gray used throughout the book.

Overall, I felt like this book was 3.5 stars. Personally, I felt that the end of the book was quite sudden but it was a quick read and I enjoyed the plot a lot!

Wow! This book was everything I had hoped for and more! I love a good Greek mythology retelling, and this sounded like it was right up my alley. It far surpassed my expectations.
I was highly impressed with Gray's ability to use threads from many different versions of Medusa's story and weave them into such a beautiful masterpiece. She was able to seamlessly braid several accounts into a brilliant work of art.
This book had vivid imagery, vibrant characters and was quite thought-provoking. It brings to light many sensitive issues. It touches on bigotry, classism, bias and has some very deep messages regarding consent.
I really appreciated that Medusa and her family were represented as people of color. I am unsure as to why everyone from this era and area has almost always been depicted as white, so this was a refreshing take. It makes so much more sense that those from that/those geographical regions would have dark skin. I mean, hello!
This book was such an elegant blending of the many takes on Medusa's story from her perspective. It was able to stay true to the primary elements of her tale while spinning it and making it unique, captivating, and provocative.
Well done, Ms. Gray. I would absolutely love to see her take on others' stories!

*Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review

.. Medusa thinks about monsters, and how easily she became one"

Thank you to Random House for providing this ARC on Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

From the dedication page to the final page of the book, I was hooked.

I, Medusa is a nuanced exploration of power, agency, and the consequences of betrayal. Ayana Grey takes a myth that is often simplified into "a scored woman turned monster" and breathes new life into it. This isn't just a retelling, it's an origin story told after the NDA expired.

To me, Medusa has never been the villain that Greek Mythology would have us believe. She's a symbol of empowerment, feminine rage, revenge, and protection.

Medusa has always had her reasons.

There are uncomfortable moments in this book, but they're moments we all need to sit in to better understand the struggles women, especially black women, have always faced. I, Medusa serves as a reminder that to history, a strong woman will always be seen as a monster so long as privilege tells the story.

I, Medusa was a great read. I felt every emotion as I was led on Meddy's journey. Loyalty, rage, lust, you name it, Ayana Gray delivered.

I couldn’t put it down. It’s an absolute masterpiece. Ayana Gray has written the story of a girl who got lost in a legend she never wanted to be a part of. Medusa complex, flawed, and beautifully human. She is every young girl who dares to think and speak for herself in a world that tells her it’s better if she keeps quiet. I especially loved how this is Medusas story alone, and how she gets to tell it when historically she’s been at most an extra and least a footnote. Ayana weaves the relevance of modern feminism into one of the most ancient myths and delivers a new meaning to “tale as old as time”

This was terrible—wonderfully written and terrible. I couldn't put it down. Medusa is the only mortal daughter born to two ruthless, has-been parents who would do anything to reclaim their formal glory. Her love for her complicated family and desire to honor them as well as prove herself leads her down a dangerous path. Honestly, it was great—but a tough read for sure. I loved how complex most of the characters were and how real and flawed the gods seemed. I also liked the linear storytelling, how everything flowed in one steady stream toward this inevitable end. Medusa is young, naive, and vulnerable, yet the story is narrated in this retrospective form of present tense that adds so much emotional weight. Like, it's well-known how the story of Medusa goes, but I still found myself hoping for a better fate. I was completely drawn in. Thank you to the publisher and author for this ARC read (all opinions are my own). It was phenomenal!

I sat and read this book in a day. I, Medusa gives a detailed view of what she was like before being turned into how she’s remembered.

The author also shines a light on power imbalances and how people can be manipulated and treated as pawns, let to pick up the pieces. I, Medusa is a standalone and I felt satisfied when reaching the end. Her story was beautifully told.

Thanks the NetGalley and Random house for the advanced copy.

4.5-Star ARC Review: I, Medusa by Ayana Gray

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of I, Medusa in exchange for my honest review.

This book absolutely slays. Ayana Gray breathes fire and fury into Greek mythology with I, Medusa, offering a bold, feminist reimagining of one of history’s most misunderstood figures. Told with lyrical prose and razor-sharp insight, this retelling doesn’t just give Medusa a voice—it lets her roar.

Gray masterfully blends myth with emotion, painting Medusa not as a monster, but as a survivor reclaiming her story in a world that tried to silence her. The writing is rich and evocative, the pacing tight, and the emotional stakes run high from the very first page. Fans of Greek mythology will appreciate the nods to classic tales, while newcomers will be swept up in the fierce narrative and stunning worldbuilding.

The only reason I’m holding back half a star is that I would’ve loved just a little more development with a few secondary characters—but honestly, Medusa herself more than fills the page. Powerful, haunting, and deeply resonant, I, Medusa is a triumphant reclamation of a myth long told through the wrong lens. I devoured it—and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

Like many, I’ve come to love and defend Medusa with my whole chest, so imagine my happiness when I picked up I, Medusa and got to read a sympathetic retelling/origin story about Medusa herself.

Now, as myth retellings go, I’ll be the first to say they’re not always my favorite. I like the ambiguity of original myths. And that’s why I really enjoyed this novel. Meddy is presented as she is, with an allegory to the plight of women herself. Many women have felt this kinship with her throughout the centuries and this novel puts paint to it without shoving it down readers throats.

Meddy is also simply allowed to exist without having the boundaries of morality or martyrdom placed upon her. She is not a symbol of righteousness or of revenge, she is simply a woman navigating this world like any of us…but with snakes for hair that turn men to stone. Listen, if I could I would. But seriously, Meddy is just trying to survive. The narrative doesn’t paint her a hero or a villain, she’s just a girl. (And I mean that as a compliment)

The writing was beautiful and really highlighted Medusas pain, making us (the reader) feel it right along side her. Even if you’ve never experienced trauma the way Medusa has, you’ll be able to empathize because of how wonderful the writing is.

I definitely recommend it to anyone with a love for Greek mythology retellings or someone who may find kinship with her.

Stop 🛑 what you are doing and add this book to your TBR. Whether it’s on Goodreads, Fable or whatever app you use. Add this to your “wishlist” because you are going to WANT to read this.
✨✨✨
I, Medusa- is so beautifully written and handled with care. We all mostly know the story of Medusa but this was such a phenomenal take on her villain origin story.
I didn’t know I could sympathize and humanize my feelings for Medusa. But I did. And I love her and I want to learn more about her.
✨✨✨
This book is written so perfectly that you don’t have to be knowledgeable in Greek Mythology to understand and follow the story. Anyone can pick this up and truly immerse themselves into Medusa’s world.
All of the characters had that perfect amount of depth, energy and dialogue that it flowed seamlessly. I could ✨see✨ everywhere Medusa traveled to.
And I think that’s what makes this book extra special. I’m going to think of this book for years to come.
🐍 also, this book DESERVES to have a special edition with sprayed edges!!
Thank You, NetGalley for the advanced copy.


Goodreads: Brenda (Jadore_2read)

This is a lovely Medusa retelling with beautiful writing. I enjoyed it and even stayed up late in the night to finish it, because I couldn’t put it down. Thank you so much NetGalley, Ayana Gray, and Random House Publishing Group for letting me read this ARC.

Medusa has longed to leave her home island and see what life is outside of it. One day a prince comes to visit and ask for the hand of her or her sisters in marriage, but tragedy happens. When Athena is sent to investigate she becomes intrigued by Medusa and asks her to come to Athens to train as an acolyte to become a priestess for her. Medusa accepts and leaves to Athens to begin training. During her time in Athens she runs into the very handsome and charming Poseidon who can’t help but also be intrigued by Medusa. She has vowed to never be touched by a man, but oh does he make it hard to resist.

I highly recommend this book if you love Greek mythology and retellings.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for providing a digital ARC of I, Medusa by Ayana Gray in exchange for an honest review.

Please be advised that this novel does contain subject material that may be sensitive to some readers. These topics include but are not limited to SA, Domestic Violence, Victim Blaming, Bullying, and Racism.

Simply put, Ayana Gray is an absolute GENIUS! First and foremost, I am so appreciative of how true to Medusa’s legend she kept the story, while also creating a modern and relatable narration.

It’s often difficult to express enjoyment of a book that contains such sensitive content, but I truly did find my experience positive.

Ayana Gray created such a lush environment with engaging characters that had me so absorbed in her storytelling. I felt such a soul bonding connection to her interpretation of Medusa and particularly appreciate her attention to detail on the manipulative power imbalance that so many survivors have unfortunately experienced. She wove these issues into Medusa’s story with such grace and tact, that not only do I highly recommend this book, but will go as far as saying it should be essential reading.

I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the creative minds behind this brilliant cover art; Art Director Greg Mollica and Designer Will Staehle.

Finally, thank you to Ayana Gray for also reminding me that despite what has been done to me and the way I have been treated over the years, I. AM. POWERFUL. and no one can take that from me.

I, Medusa is scheduled to release November 18th, 2025 and is widely available for preorder.

4.5 star rating. Now this was story about Medusa, through and through. I love that the author focused on Medusa’s childhood and adulthood into before becoming a “monster.” Medusa is my favorite and the author depicted her so well without paying so much attention on the others Greek gods/goddesses which I am really thankful for.
I would love to pick up a physical copy of this book once it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ayana Gray for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really did enjoy the twists of this Medusa retelling. There were a lot of tough topics that the author handled well while still remaining true to the story and characters.

I wasn’t gripped throughout the book, but I can definitely see a lot of readers really enjoying this.

Easily the best book I’ve read this year. Thank you Random House for this ARC.

For those who enjoyed Song of Achilles or Circe this is an amazing piece of Greek mythology. A story of lessons learned, love, friendship, betrayal and loss. Medusa is really brought to life when portrayed as a mortal rather than the usual untouchable villain. Beautiful characters and heart wrenching emotions make this book a true masterpiece

#randomhouse

I have always been a fan of Greek and Roman mythology so I was super excited to see a book about Medusa as I’d never read one before. It’s such a well thought out and well written novel. Beautiful story and the visuals make you feel as if you are there.

Mortal, Maiden, Mistress, Monster

I, Medusa by Ayana Gray is a breathtaking retelling of Medusa’s story—one that I could almost call one of the great tragedies.

This novel follows Medusa, daughter of Phorcys and Ceto, sister of Euryale and Stheno, devotee of Athena, and eventual victim of Poseidon. Born mortal in a family of immortals, Medusa has always been fiercely protected by her sisters. But when a fateful accident places her before Athena’s judgment, the goddess takes a particular interest in Medusa’s righteous heart and fiery spirit.

The story explores Medusa’s journey as she steps into the world on her own, earning her priestesshood through grueling trials, forging both friendships and rivalries, and finding a place within Athena’s temple. But with beauty as captivating as hers, she also catches the attention of Poseidon—a moment that changes everything.

Medusa’s story is one that many women can relate to—the intoxicating feeling of being chosen for the first time and the impossible choice between fleeting admiration and a lifelong purpose. Even knowing how her story ends, I was captivated by the journey Ayana Gray crafted. Her interpretation of Medusa’s myth felt both fresh and inevitable, with brilliant foreshadowing and symbolic touches woven throughout.

The imagery of snakes was particularly striking. Long associated with transformation, they serve as a powerful representation of Medusa’s evolution—from a gentle maiden to a scorned woman to the monster history remembers her as.

I also deeply appreciated the significance of Medusa being a woman of color. The care and reverence she has for her locs, and the devastating loss of them during her transformation,added an extra layer of meaning that made her story even more heartbreaking.

I, Medusa is a stunning, thought-provoking retelling that breathes new life into one of mythology’s most misunderstood figures.

🐍 I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 🖤

5/5

For the first time in a while after reading a book, I felt such a whirlwind of emotions—sorrow, regret, grief, and yet, love intertwined with it all.

Perhaps the saddest thing that can happen is a broken hope.

During my time in university, we took a mythology course, and I knew exactly what this story would be about. So when I saw the book, I thought I’d be looking at a retelling, as is the trend nowadays, but instead, it was the author’s own interpretation of Medusa’s story, drawn from various sources. I really loved the author’s approach—the book naturally raised issues that still haunt us to this day.

Those we most want to trust betray us at the first opportunity. Those who vow to protect us may turn out to be the ones who harm us. And the kindness you show others won’t necessarily be returned. Perhaps life will remain unfair until the very end. But even so, we can still find new hope day after day, no matter how hard it gets. We can find a new purpose, even peace.

I loved Medusa and her sisters throughout the entire book. But the more I loved Medusa, the more horror enveloped me.

After finishing the book, I feel grief. Grief for all that could have gone differently, for all who might have lived different lives. But in the end, the story is what it is. I hope everyone who resonates with this story will cherish it as much as I do.

* Copy provided by Random House via NetGalley & 100% voluntary review.

I love a good Greek myth retelling and I, Medusa scratches that itch so well! Medusa is often shown as the villain so it’s nice to see a different perspective. Ayana Grey also puts a unique spin on how the gods and are portrayed, I love how she incorporates so much culture but also keeps the storyline true to the Greek telling.

Ayana Grey’s Medusa is heartbreaking, tragic, and really touches on the struggle of women in a man’s world. Meddy has never left her parent’s island so know very little of the outside world, leaving her naive and vulnerable to the manipulation of others. Being young also makes her a target of men who know they are more powerful than she, both socially and physically. She experiences the injustices of the outside world for the first time and struggles to cope with it, leaving her with immense rage. She tends to act rashly and serve her version of justice on her own terms, often leading her to more trouble. Slowly, she learns what it means to be a woman and how to empower herself, finding her own purpose and strength.

I really loved this retelling/origin story! The writing was beautiful and immersive, and seeing Medusa become what she is known for made me sad and angry but it was very empowering seeing Meddy being able to stand up for herself. She makes a LOT of mistakes in this story, often implicating and hurting others with her actions. It was frustrating seeing her continue to make bad decisions despite her acknowledging that her actions have caused pain and suffering for others. I wish I had been able to see more accountability and self-reflection, especially for Apollonia, but then maybe she wouldn’t truly be Medusa.

Like any Greek story, the ending is sort of ambiguous on in if it’s a good or bad resolution. Did Medusa truly find happiness? Was she the heroine or was she someone that just continued to be the product of her circumstances? Did she learn from her past mistakes or did she just run away from her problems? I have to commend the author for making me ponder over these questions and really have me think about Medusa in this way. I definitely recommend checking this one out if you enjoy Greek mythology and anti-heroes! It was a very enjoyable read!