I will read any and everything that Ayana writes. Like somehow its just absolutely gold. I love this Villian orgin story and that its shows a new spin to Medusas story. I love that she no spoliers becomes a vigilante and becomes the maker of her own story. I just want you to know picking up this book will absolutely ruin your life, you'll be consumed by the story and forget about all your other responsibilities, you'll forget about anybody and everybody but the characters in this book and will be consumed with trying to finish it.

**First off, I would like to say thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this E arc copy of I Medusa**

I, Medusa is the story of Meddy and her life as she evolves into the Medusa we know from Greek Mythology. I went into this book blind without reading any other reviews or looking up much info about the author.

I am a big fan of mythology in general and I love a good origin story. I really liked the way that Ayana Gray gave us a Medusa at a very pivotal point in her life, not as the Medusa we all know, but as a young woman on the cusp of adulthood. So much can happen when you’re 17 just trying to figure out who you are and this book does a good job with family dynamics, internal struggle, and friendships. The book does obviously get into the different dynamics of assault, and how people with power seem to always have the upper hand. I did enjoy the way the author worked these situations in, keeping it relevant to the place and time of the book, while also depicting outcomes in a very realistic way. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters in the story, especially with Medusa herself being a young black woman.

The book did read a little more young adult than I was expecting so that was one of the only drawbacks for me. A few situations did feel a little tropy, but seeing as how mythology has probably inspired so many of the tropes we all know and love it wasn’t a surprise. Overall, I will admit I’m a big “vibe “reader and I did enjoy this book. I didn’t love it as much as I wanted to, but I did feel the desire to continue reading to find out what would happen in the end.

My Greek Mythology knowledge is limited, but I know about Medusa for sure!!

Ayana Gray introduced me to Medusa (Meddy) in a new light and I loved every single moment of it. I have already completed a pre-order for this story. I was only 20 pages into the story and I was cheering, I was ecstatic, and I was ready to continue. Beyond that, I thoroughly appreciated how this story is written in parts. I could sing Ayana Gray's praises all day! I highly encourage everyone to read this. As I am living evidence that regardless if you know all of the Greek Mythology or simply bits and pieces of it all, reading "I, Medusa" is a must!

Thank you so much for this ARC! I have discovered a new to me author, but definitely an author that has already been on my reading radar!!

I really liked this take on the Medusa story. Usually we don't see her POV in most stories written with Medusa in them, so it was very interesting to see that background that the author wrote and how Medusa came to be in her story. She is such a complex character and was taken advantage of when she had no real concept of how the world works outside of her island until she left her island. I would do a re read of this for sure.

I, Medusa was one of the best books I have read this year. The story follows Medusa from a 17-year-old girl who wants nothing more than to explore, read, and not be left behind on their home island when he sisters inevitably marry. As a mortal, Medusa navigates the world of gods and mortals alike. The story is heartbreaking but the journey is incredible. Everything about this book from the pacing to the characters to the writing itself was exceptional. I highly recommend.

I, Medusa by Ayana Gray was such a wonderful read. It's based on the myth of Medusa, which admittedly I know nothing about, but I was immediately taken with the main character of Medusa (or Meddy) and hooked by her story. It was fast-paced and easy to read, and I would highly recommend it!

I have always been a lover of Medusa, and this one blew me away! I loved her story from the beginning and how she was treated by her family, to seeing her come to the defense of not only her family but her friends, and to have it all ripped away from her in an instant. Medusa will always be my favorite lore and this book will be going right on my shelf!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of I, Medusa.

This was a beautifully written and empowering retelling of Medusa’s story. I loved how it centered on women reclaiming their power and rewriting the narratives forced upon them. The author did a fantastic job weaving mythology with emotion and strength, giving Medusa a voice that felt both fierce and deeply human.

If you enjoy feminist reimaginings, layered mythology, and stories about resilience, this one is well worth the read.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

This book, 5 stars and highly recommend. First of all, people know who Medusa is from Greek mythology. This take on her life is absolutely mind blowing how immersive this book gets. It’s emotional and tragic, there’s sisterhood and romance.
“I will never be helpless again”. Gray absolutely stuns with this twist on her story. I will forever recommend. Thank you the NetGalley for the Arc read!

I really enjoyed this retelling and how it centered Medusa. I especially found the epilogue compelling how it didn't name who killed her so she could maintain the central focus. I wish we got to spend more time with her after becoming a "monster" because she was so interesting and complex- as were her sisters!

Really enjoyed this one, great characters, a story that pulled me in, and writing that felt super easy to sink into. It was hard to put down and stuck with me after I finished.

This reimagining was amazing in so many ways. I’ve always been intrigued by this particular story in greek mythology so I flew through this like crazy. The writing was wonderful and I was so immersed in the world!

Rating: 5/5
Please check warnings as there are some themes that may be unsettling for some readers.

"That's the curious thing about monsters," she whispers, "The worst ones don't bother hiding in the dark."
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This is the retelling of Medusa, as she is often vilified and portrayed as the monster. But not many people question where the monster came from. Ayana Gray did a beautiful job setting the background and telling the story of Medusa, where she came from and how she got to the so called 'monster' she became.

Thank you to Ayana Gray and Random House for the opportunity to read this book! This book had me crying by the end because of the beautiful tragedy that was portrayed within the story. How the truth lies with the powerful men, as they can decide what the real story is regardless of what the truth may be. How a young innocent girl can be mislead and brought into the worst of circumstances, blaming herself when it is the person who wronged her who is to blame. And how the victim of the problem almost always seems to bear the punishment. I cannot say enough good words about this book and how artistically it was written as I would not do it justice. It helped to remind me that not all monsters are as they seem and taking responsibility doesn't mean you should be shouldering the blame. I will definitely be buying this book when it comes out!

Hands down a 5 star read!!!!

Longing for more in life, Medusa “Meddy” eagerly accepts an invitation from the Goddess Athena to work towards being a priestess, unfortunately, Athena isn’t the only Olympian with eyes set on Medusa

I don’t even know where to start yall. I laughed, I cried, I gasped, gulped and everything in between. All the emotions! An unequivocal beautiful reimagining

My heart broke for the innocent albeit naive girl. I celebrated her victories, grieved her losses, and cringed at some of her choices. In other words, completely engrossed.

I, Medusa takes place in ancient times but still managed to have a bit of modernity. There were also so many messages incorporated, but one in particular that stood out was, you can say no at ANY time and it’s still a NO. Whether you say stop, hold on, wait, or any other variation. It still a no

Although, I already knew the story of Medusa, I was still left in shambles and I’m currently trying to recover. Ayana did her thing with this retelling

I,MEDUSA is remake of Medusa. I enjoy stories about God's and the good and bad. This book was definitely so good. A Greta start to a new fantasy series and new author.

Final rating 4.5

I LOVED this! I have always heard bits and pieces about the mythology of Medusa but never had taken on the task of reading more about it. This, however, caught my eye, and Ayana Gray delivered.

The flow of this book was perfect, I was never bored or overwhelmed. Ayana somehow kept the story steeped in the times that it's from but still fresh and relatable for readers of today.

I also loved that we got to see Medusa (and her sisters) take their power back. I smiled every time they turned someone to stone☺️.

Lots of touching themes and commentary sprinkled (perfectly) throughout the story.

My only (minor) complaint would be the ending feeling a touch rushed, but wow, what a story.

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

With this retelling of the legend of Medusa, Gray seeks to restore the agency of one of the most notorious “monsters” in Greek mythology. But the Medusa presented in this story isn’t a monster; she’s a young woman whose life is shaped by circumstance and by the whims of the gods. It’s about finding purpose and power, one’s place in the world and the strength to move through it.

“I have been the youngest daughter of sea gods. I have been an acolyte, then a priestess of an Olympian. I was once the pawn and plaything of another. Never before have I held real power. Now, for the first time, I do... I will never be powerless again.”

The story starts out with Medusa, or Meddy as she’s affectionately known, living on a remote island with her parents (a lesser god and goddess in the pantheon of Greek mythology), and her two immortal sisters. It takes the reader through her journey from mere mortal, to maiden, to mistress, and ultimately to the “monstrous” form we often see or read about depicted.

But this is more than just a redemption of Medusa; it’s a tale that captures the timeless struggles women face in a world where men hold the most power and are rarely held accountable for their actions.

I, Medusa is Gray’s adult novel debut. The writing is descriptive and clear. The story is brilliant. My only criticism is some of the dialogue, especially around some of the feminist topics, tends to have more of a 21st century tone, which sometimes feels out of place in the rest of the story. Overall, I really enjoyed this emotional and powerful redemption story.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I, Medusa is a retelling that takes place in ancient Greece and reimagines Medusa as a young woman with dark skin and a desire to see the world.
From the beginning I was interested and the prologue was fantastic! I think Ayana Gray giving Medusa locs was really smart and helped to build anticipation in the reader for the change in hair later on. This was also a very easy read being that its YA.
Personally, though it wasn't quite what I was looking for right now. I have been in what Ive dubbed my Greek era and when picking this up, I wanted to focus on the myth and character but there was a theme regarding colorism in this book that was hard for me to get into with this genre. I love when a book focuses on something deeper and is saying something important but when I picked up a Greek myth retelling that takes place in ancient Greece, it wasn't a theme I was prepared for and its also a theme that's too important for me to not give it my full attention. Essentially my brain was at war with itself every time I picked this up because on one hand, I was having fun learning the myth but on the other, it got deep in a way I was not expecting. This is NO fault of the book and ONLY a problem with me and my current expectations ( I would've ate this up in my pre-Greek era)
I recommend this book especially to younger readers who would like something entry level or someone who wants to learn the myth but still wants their book to be saying something about the world.
Thank you to Random House Publishing for the e-ARC

Retellings are one of my favourite types of media, whether it's through books, stage, or movies, add in Greek Mythology and I, Medusa hit all the marks. Divided into stages of Medusa's life (Mortal, Maiden, Mistress, and Monster) each stage provided a solid build up to the climax of the novel. Gray wove together a likeable and fiery main character, giving depth to Medusa that she so desperately needed. I, Medusa was an easy read, and a relatively short one which might have been my biggest quarrel with the novel.

I wanted more!! I, Medusa truly hits its stride in the second half of the novel, to the extent that I was truly surprised when a chapter came to an end and it was an epilogue. There was much that could have been explored in Medusa's "Monster" stage, but much of the novel focused on her "Maiden" and "Mistress" stage. Such a beautiful and epic platform was set that I felt the story was not complete, and was desperate to see Medusa and her sisters bring some semblance of balance to a world where everything has been skewed against them.

Overall, I, Medusa is a riveting retelling that weaves this ancient myth with modern society, providing a critique on race and social dynamics in a masterful way.

Ayana Gray's "I, Medusa" is a stunning and gut-wrenching reimagining of the classic myth that truly breathes new life into one of mythology's most infamous figures. As a lifelong mythology enthusiast, I'm always eager for feminist retellings, and this one immediately vaulted to the top of my list for its originality and depth.

This book powerfully illustrates that monsters aren't born, but created. Gray delves into a rich, heartbreaking backstory for Medusa, transforming her from a villain into a complex character filled with strength, fury, and immense pain. It's impossible to see her as purely evil after experiencing this narrative.

The author masterfully portrays the Olympian gods in their true, capricious, and often cruel light, using mortals as playthings. This aspect of the story is particularly impactful, showcasing betrayal and the arduous journey of reclaiming one's identity.

While the prose is vivid and immersive, painting a clear picture of ancient Greece, a significant caveat must be noted: this book tackles extremely mature themes with unflinching detail. Despite the protagonist's youth (17) and some narrative choices that lean into her naiveté regarding sexual matters, the content includes explicit depictions of sexual assault, child abuse, and body horror. This is not a Young Adult novel and should be approached by a mature audience.

However, if you're prepared for the dark and morally complex themes, "I, Medusa" is an incredibly well-paced and compelling read. It champions the protection of women and explores the slow, logical descent of Medusa into an anti-hero through accumulated trauma and generational curses. The intricate character development and the nuanced portrayal of human and divine relationships make this a truly unforgettable story.

I was completely engrossed and couldn't put it down. Highly recommend for adult readers who appreciate a dark, thought-provoking mythological retelling, especially fans of authors like Madeline Miller or Jennifer Saint.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy.