First off - thank you @randomhouse and @netgalley for this ARC of I, Medusa. The serotonin boost I got seeing an approval come thru from Random House for one of my first requests was so exciting.

Now for the review. First off the cover is stunning and was immediately drew me to request this ARC. I’ve read a good amount of Greek retellings the past few years but I have not read one on Medusa before and let me tell you - from Chapter 1 I was hooked. You feel for this sheltered, naive girl who plays right into the games the Gods will play to amuse themselves with mortals. I think the story and development was very well written covering each phase of her life from mortal, to acolyte at the Temple of Athena, Mistress and lastly Monster. Gray does a fantastic job of weaving both ancient and modern themes into the book from cultural differences to trauma and the responses individuals have with it.

Gray creates a dynamic retelling of Medusa’s story. Rightly so, she embraces the established enemy’s of the story and embellishes along the way to create a more compelling story. She is able to create sympathy within the reader by establishing Medusa mortality in a world that is immortal. She develops the rage/passion that entices and disgusts the goddess Athena. This rage becomes the fatal flaw for Medusa.

I appreciate that Gray explores the power dynamic within the rape of Medusa and how unjust this culture has been as it has been perpetuated for years. Gray addresses the desire that Medusa feels, but also acknowledges that the desire isn’t sufficient consent. Using both Medusa and Apollonia, Gray shows that the punishment of rape is solely bore by the weaker party.

Additionally, I admire the fact that she delved into the characterization of Medusa and not focusing on the Perseus tale. To focus on Perseus would have minimized the importance of Medusa and her agency within the story.

Deeply moving, heartbreaking, but so so good. Every woman should read this book!
If it could have just one more thing, it would be more rage killing, but that's a personal preference :)

Ayana Gray captivated me, made me cry, and made me wish I could give Meddy a hug. As someone who has always loved to delve deep into mythology, this story definitely scratches that “eff the patriarchy” aspect that I absolutely adored. Great writing, great storytelling, a great novel all around 🩵 If you’re curious about Medusa’s origin or just want another take on a classic story, this one is definitely one to read.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review 🖤

Ayana Gray delivers a captivating and poignant retelling of Medusa’s story, full of lush prose, emotion, and raw strength. This novel gives voice to a misunderstood figure, blending heartbreak and empowerment in a way that lingers long after the final page.Ayana Gray delivers a captivating and poignant retelling of Medusa’s story, full of lush prose, emotion, and raw strength. This novel gives voice to a misunderstood figure, blending heartbreak and empowerment in a way that lingers long after the final page.

I love a Greek mythology retelling, especially one that centers on feminine rage. I really enjoyed the spin that Ayana put on Medusas story and would definitely recommend.

This was such a beautiful book! As a Greek mythology lover, I've always been interested in the story of Medusa, but I felt like this author's vision for Medusa was my favorite so far. Learning more about her background, her sisters, and variety of relationships - Theo, Apollonia, fellow acolytes, Olympians, etc - gave me a fuller understanding of the character.. her mortality, her humanness, ironically, is what those who matter most, her sisters - will remember her by for eternity.

This just wasn’t for me. It has a very interesting story but I found myself bored throughout. Also, the ending felt rushed and a bunch of different things thrown in there. I feel like this could’ve been SOO GOOD but really felt short.

This book had me hooked and kept me engaged. It was my most anticipated read out of all of my e-ARCs that I had requested from NetGalley, so thank you to them for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. I really was interested in this retelling of Medusa, who is a very intriguing figure in Greek Mythology. I thought Gray's approach to this novel was really engaging and kept me reading and invested in the character of Medusa (called "Meddy"). While I don't think this book is technically YA, it definitely reads that way due to the narrator being 17 years old for the duration of the novel. However, it does deal with some content that could be triggering for readers, so please watch out for trigger warnings if this might apply to you. There is some violence toward women.

I love the themes of sisterhood, womanly wrath/vengeance, and the symbolism and importance of braiding interwoven throughout the story. I also did not expect this to explore queer themes, but I love that it did approach the themes of queer love. I even wish this would have been explored more/earlier in the text.

I think if you loved The Song of Achilles and don't mind a YA-style writing/coming-of-age story, then I think you would enjoy this book as I did. If you don't enjoy these things, this book may not be for you.

4/5 ⭐️

I Medusa, ensnares you from beginning to end in this powerful retelling. What a brilliant, woven take on this Greek myth.

I enjoyed this rendition of the myth of Medusa. I also appreciate the obvious love & care that went into the research for the locations of this book. I had the immense pleasure of visiting a few of the cities and islands mentioned in this book myself earlier this year and got to learn all about their histories. The way Gray writes about them conveys very similarly to how I felt while I was there! Just on that alone I could feel the scenery come to life through the pages.

Meddy’s story is one many people will be able to connect with and I can’t wait to pick up the book again and do a reread when I have the chance!

More of my thoughts will be updated after the publication date. :)

Thank you to the publisher; Random House Publishing Group & Random House, the author; Ayana Gray, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my unbiased opinion and is given with free will.

This villain origin story of the myth and legend of Medusa did so well in explaining her story before she became the monster and why she became the monster we know today! It was equal parts heartbreaking and filled with so much justifiable female rage (check your trigger warnings) that I had visceral reactions to so many things that happened in this story. My only critique is that past the 80 or so mark the pacing shifted and threw me off, but it made sense because of the story the author was telling because it is a one and done standalone (I think) book, but other than that??? The way you can gradually see the shift from Medusa’s upbringing to what the world (the gods rather) made her to be?? Masterful work I swear. My heart broke for her because in other stories where the gods are praised and you love them and their powers and limitless and amazing, you never really see their cruelty portrayed first hand and you see that in Medusa’s point of view and it really made me want to scream and fight her battles because homegirl went through a lot that I literally cannot say at the risk of spoiling! I will say that Medusa and her hair were such a prominent part of this book, and the fact that she was black made so much sense to me because you never really see that portrayal in Greek retellings or any Greek reimagining stories so I really enjoyed that too.

4.25 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the arc!

I, Medusa took me on a thrilling ride. We have heard the stories about the myth and the monster, Medusa. However, Ayana Gray takes readers on a new journey that leaves you questioning. Is Medusa a monster? Was she deserving of everything she got? What truths seek to be discovered in the depths of this villain origin story? I know the way I see Medusa has forever been altered…don’t hesitate to grab a copy of this book!

Wow what a powerful book! Absolutely loved the feminine rage and the vengeful goddess vibes. Ayana did a wonderful job providing Medusa with some depth and I loved the fact that we get to know her before she became the "Villain".

The book did feel a bit too woke in some parts but nevertheless I still loved it and highly recommend it!

Ugh I really really REALLY wanted to love this book!!!! It was a fast, fun, and easy read…kinda like a CoHo but not lol. Unfortunately it felt a little too “woke” for my particular taste. It felt in my face by the time I finished the book with the feminism and the politics, and I felt like all the “bad people” were the only white characters.

This book? Phenomenal. I’m still reeling.

I, Medusa cracked me open in the best way. Ayana Gray didn’t just retell a myth—she reclaimed it. Meddy’s story is heartbreaking, powerful, and absolutely unforgettable. From start to finish, I was completely invested in her pain, her fury, her transformation. This isn’t just a story about a “monster.” It’s about a woman who was betrayed, broken, and still found her power.

I loved how Gray gave Medusa depth—before the curse, before the snakes, before the world twisted her into something to fear. She was soft and strong, vulnerable and vengeful, and so, so human. Her rage? Justified. Her journey? Devastating and empowering all at once.

The writing? Gorgeous. The mythology? Rich but accessible. The themes? Feminine rage, trauma, healing, survival—and it hits. Every. Single. One.

I closed this book and just sat there for a minute, like… wow. THIS is how you write a retelling. This is how you do justice to a woman the world tried to silence.

If you’ve ever been called too much, too angry, too loud—read this. Let Meddy be your patron saint.

✨Book Review✨

Special note: This is a review of an advanced reader copy (ARC) written by @ayanagray provided by @netgalley

Expected publication November 18, 2025

Genre: Fantasy/Mythology

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:

Medusa, Meddy, being introduced to the audience as a young woman of color and the youngest daughter of minor sea gods immediately grabbed my attention. The Mediterranean has had many nationalities and ethnicities for centuries. Why would the pantheon only be represented by Caucasians? It has simply been accepted as truth even though it would be more reasonable as imagined in I, Medusa.

Specific calls to black culture are Meddy and her sisters’ locs and their care for them and micro aggressions Meddy faces in Athens. One scene stood out to me as another acolyte touches Meddy’s hair without permission and asks if it’s real. She then makes a face at how it feels between her fingers. I’ve witnessed my friends go through the same thing. Though, I wondered if this is too American of a micro aggression or if it happens in other countries as well.

The book briefly touches on mother daughter relationships and their nuance when the mother has trauma.

A few reasons for it being three stars for me:

The chemistry was not built up enough for me to believe that this passionate, dedicated young woman would risk her standing.

Some moments felt rushed like the scene where Meddy is trying to tell her sisters what happened to Apollonia in Athens. She doesn’t really tell them anything but brushes off their reactions as them not understanding how it is off their island. This really falls into a miscommunication trope for me.

The ending felt anticlimactic to me for a few reasons but I don’t want to provide spoilers.

Overall, the story was enjoyable and I liked the different aspects brought to this new imagining of Medusa’s myth. I’d recommend it!

✨✨✨Chef’s kiss✨✨✨

5+ stars!! Another new favorite book! 😻

You had me at Medusa. Plus look at that GORGEOUS cover! I just love anything having to do with Medusa! I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could!

I was super excited going into reading I, Medusa because I love mythology and ESPECIALLY Medusa! She’s my favorite and I’m thrilled that I was not disappointed! This is such an incredible villain origin story/retelling. 👏 👏

The writing and world building are very well done! Meddy is such an easy character to root and care for. The story is very fast-paced. I wanted to binge it in one sitting but unfortunately with adulting I wasn’t able to.

I have absolutely no complaints about this book except that it had to end and I want more! I need Ayana Gray to do a retelling of someone else in Greek mythology!!! Please?? 🙏

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released November 18, 2025.

This book really tried to set a certain tone with the prologue, and then it completely fumbled the ball for the entirely of the book. The LAst 100 pages feels like an entirely different story, as if they author went "Whoops! This isn't about a young girl at an abbey, this is supposed to be about Medusa!". What a horrifically disappointing rollercoaster. The writing was good but the plot felt like train of thought writing where the author had a beginning and an end, but no idea how to connect the two, so we gets lots of slack in the rope.

This book was all too relatable at times, heart wrenching story even if it’s one we’ve all heard before in one form or another. As someone who was obsessed with Greek mythology, I loved experiencing the story of Medusa through her eyes and from a point of view that showcased the cruelty of the Greek gods. I had to just sit with this one a few times and let the story sink in, amazing story and it felt so real.

A few of my favorite quotes:

“As she douses the temple’s torch and surrender to the dark, Medusa thinks about monsters, and how easily she became one.”
“A cruel one,” she says simply. “Then again, I’ve learned that most men are cruel. Some are just better at hiding it.”
“That’s the curious thing about monsters,” she whispers. “The worst ones don’t bother hiding in the dark.”
“Unfortunately for you, I am no man.”
“You are not a monster,” I murmur. I don’t know if the words are for the lion or for me. “You are only what they made you.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for providing this book, with my honest review below.

First let me say, as a lover of Greek mythology to see this story told with a person of color perspective makes the hellenophile in me just swoon. Not often are people of color portrayed as royalty or deity. To see them brought to life in that manner through this medium is just absolutely joyous. One of the first things that stood out to me was the attention to detail in the story surrounding the loc hairstyle, it is a sweet love letter to all my beautiful naturalistas out there. The bond between sisters is everlasting and felt throughout the novel. Friendship, betrayal, resilience put together in such a poignant tale. There aren’t enough words or ways to describe my utter adoration of this book. My only caveat is the ending, I don’t want to spoil it, but I wish Medusas ending had more depth/ action behind it. The power portrayed through the story didn’t feel reflected in her death. Overall I grieve the opportunity that it was to read this book for the first time, but I can’t wait for others to read and have their own love affair with I, Medusa.