I, Medusa is one of the most compelling retellings I’ve read in the last few years and there have been a tonne. Ayana Gray takes the well-worn myth of Medusa and breathes entirely new life into it, not just reimagining her story, but reclaiming it with power, nuance, and emotional depth.

Medusa’ is both fierce and vulnerable, and I found myself drawn into her internal world right from the first chapter. The novel does an excellent job of exploring themes of power, punishment, and transformation, with a feminist edge that feels natural rather than forced.

At times, the pacing dipped slightly, particularly in the middle third, and I would have loved even more depth in the supporting characters, but these are minor critiques in what is overall a thoughtful, bold, and emotionally resonant story.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review. 

First of all, what a gorgeous cover! This alone would have made me interested in the book, but I've been wanting to read a Medusa book for a while now.

Her myth has quite the number of versions, from Greek poet Hesiod to Roman poet Ovid. Originally, in the Greek myths, Medusa and her sisters were fearful monsters from birth and she willingly laid with Poseidon. It's Ovid (700 years later),  in his work Metamorphoses, who turns her into a beautiful maiden  and changes the myth  into a victim blaming r*pe story, while questioning the autonomy of the Gods. (He was very anti authoritarian btw.)

Not gonna lie, Ovid's version isn't my favorite one, and the book reimagines Medusa's story in the Metamorphoses. 

In this story, Medusa, known as “Meddy,” is a 17 year old mortal girl, who lives on an isolated island with her immortal family. Though young, she yearns for something more. After an unexpected event, she catches the eye of the goddess Athena, who invites her to train as an esteemed priestess in her temple. She leaps at the chance to see the world beyond her home.

Medusa is a sweet young girl, smart, but so so naive, maybe too naive for her age. I do understand that she lived a sheltered life, so her experiences were limited. But I had such a hard time believing that she didn't know anything about intimacy, attraction and all related topics at the age of 17 IN ANCIENT GREECE. During such a time and with Gods around her, who literally go at it with anything that has a hole? Where infidelity and incest happens literally every second? 

Speaking of the Gods. Unfortunately, I'm an Athena girl. But please know that I do not think for a second she was right with her punishment. (Medusa could have been punished MULTIPLE times during this book as an acolyte and even before becoming one btw.) What I THINK, is that she is as petty, pathetic and as HUMAN as any other Greek gods. People tend to forget that they were PETTY. Capital letters. I do THINK that she is still complex. Shitty but complex. She is part of a pantheon, where you are less when you're a godESS among the GODS. That does not justify her actions and way of thinking at all, but I think, to some level, she is also a victim of games of the gods.

And at the same place and time F you Poseidon, you are the worst, a vile, disgusting, petty piece of trash.

Another character I'd like to mention is Apollonia. Another acolyte at Athena's temple, Medusa's friend, who got banished from the temple for losing her chastity.. another r*pe victim. She was such a sweet girl, I wanted to hug her and keep her in a safe place. But unfortunately life is neither safe nor fair, and she had to learn the hard way.  I have some more thoughts about her, and on how she became a victim, but I don't want to go into details. But I wanted to scream at Medusa during those pages.
Medusa and Apollonia's friendship started out nicely, I liked them, Apollonia literally the best girl ever. What I didn't understand was the sapphic love plot. It was a bit of a mystery to me, and if you know me, I'll eat anything sapphic up. But I felt like there was no emotional build up, they haven't seen each other for what felt like months. not to mention how they parted in Athens, and after they parted Medusa didn't even think of Apollonia. And because of that I lowkey forgot about her. 

One of my biggest problems with this book was the pacing. It was honestly so weird sometimes? I enjoyed the first third of the book, the middle section was boring to me, and the end was great. At the beginning we spend some time on Medusa's home island, where a death happens and pretty much this sets off Medusa's journey. The middle section is about Medusa being an acolyte at Athena's temple in Athens. This part slows down a lot and goes into so much detail.And the last third of the book where it truly shined imo, the curse and its consequence. I wished we spent more time with Medusa in this section, but we jumped over days, weeks, things started to happen extremely fast, that I blinked twice and I finished the book. I know this is more of an origin story, but I think it would have been nice to see more of the Medusa most of us are more familiar with. 

Even though I found the middle section of the book rather boring, I can't stop thinking about the complexity of the story, of the relationships, the heavy decisions, the rage, the layers of injustice in life. Everyone knows Medusa's snake hair, but knowing how important her locks were for her, Athena's curse is even more crushing and so much heavier, the violation feels much worse.

Even though I had quite some issues with the book, the themes the book is working with, the layers of it, the amount of thoughts i'm having in my head after finishing it it's a 3.5 for me but rounding up to 4.

Please check trigger warnings before picking this book up.

I must admit that books inspired by Greek mythology usually don't excite me anymore. I've experienced several renditions of many popular Greek myths in text, audio, and visual format ad nauseam. It takes something special these days for a retelling like this to pique my interest. That something, in this case, was the marketing for this book. I'm glad I picked this up because it was a hit!

● Ayana Gray is a masterful storyteller. The pacing was perfect and I devoured this within 24 hours.
● Gray adds so much nuance to Medusa's character and gives her a voice and a fully fleshed-out backstory. Meddy isn't always a likeable character and does make some impulsive decisions but they lead to her character development. So many tiny moments come together to make her who she is- I could appreciate them a lot more after I turned the final page.
● What I really liked about Meddy as a character was how I could see vestiges of the human in the monster and the monster in the human.
● Meddy's transformation from an innocent, sheltered girl to someone who took charge of her own life (even if that made her a monster, a villain in the process) was the highlight of this book.
● The author explores so many aspects of womanhood not only through Medusa but through her mother Ceto, her sisters Stheno and Euryale, and other side characters.
● Gray doesn't portray the gods as perfect and glorious but as the vindictive, deeply flawed beings they really are.
● I liked Gray's idea of withholding the agency from the man who's often thought to be the hero of this story by, as she explains in the author's note, not even naming him.
● Gray taps into the cultural diversity of the time period, especially that of Athens. She captured the sights and sounds of the setting very well, and I was totally immersed.
● This story is so relevant even today. Poseidon's actions mirror those we often see men of power do in the 21st century. Themes of power dynamics, grooming, rape, and especially consent were poignantly explored.

I'd highly recommend this to fans of Greek mythology and feminist retellings. I can't wait to see what Ayana Gray has in store for us next!

I, Medusa is a retelling of a story from Greek mythology story that I'm sure the majority of readers are familiar with, that of Medusa.

Most often than not, stories whose origin trace back to a time where the only way to pass them down to the next generation was orally, they get lost in conversation. Like the telephone game, the original tale gets twisted and we are left with several interpretations of it, and we can't be sure which one is correct. Such is the case of Medusa's story.

The character of Medusa is often depicted as only a monster, the woman who got Athena angry and who is now cursed to turn men to stone with just a look. But has anyone wondered who was Medusa before this event? The author of I, Medusa, tries to do just that.

In this story, we see Medusa "Meddy" as a curious and smart 17 year old living on an island. She is young and her most deep desire is to leave her island to travel the world and go on an adventure. She daydreams of a life elsewhere, even if that means leaving her beloved sisters Stheno and Euryale.

Medusa's life on the island is sheltered, and she doesn't have many options to leave. She knows that as a woman, what's expected of her is marrying someone good for her family of minor gods and have children. Medusa feels defeated just thinking about that because she wants more. She feels like there is more to life for a woman than just that.

Fate deals Medusa a card that can either help her or destroy her. And Medusa's life from there is full of difficult choices, manipulative people, deceitful gods who don't care about the lives of mere mortals like Medusa. So Medusa is both a player and she is played. She is the victim of a society that is rotten to the core and on the top. A society she would like to help but that is too big and corrupted to be healed at the present time. A society that has unfortunately only remembered Medusa as a perpetrator and not as a victim.

This book was a retelling, so it kept some twists and turns of the recounts of the myth we know about Medusa. But what is new and important is that the author gave Medusa agency, gave her a backstory and wrote her origin villain story. After reading, though, one could wonder: is Medusa a real villain or is there excuses for her choices?

This novel shows us that there isn't just one truth, one side to a story. Medusa is a young woman who was smart but was also kept in the dark about the most carnal realities of the life of gods and people in the city of Athens. So it isn't surprising that she is bound to make mistakes - that's realistic. I would define Medusa a morally gray character. Her feelings are at war with her wisdom and her sound judgement can be swayed by appearances. You can't place her in a box and I loved this about her. She is human. She is not flawless. And she is a player in a game of power that she tries to play, but eventually loses.

The book opens with an Audre Lorde quote. If you are familiar with her work, you know that she was one of the first advocate of black feminism in the US. So Medusa is the representation of the empowered black woman who wants to use her body the way she wants, who wants to protect her sisters from those who want to take claim on other people just because they have power.

When Medusa turns into a monster, she finds power in her new change of appearance. Her beautiful locs are now her strongest weapon. I loved this message because I, too, have curly hair and it is one of my beloved traits. For a long time, I hated it. Then I realized that my hair was one of the features that made me who I was because it's not a common trait, and it makes me feel special.

I found the writing really beautiful. And the pacing was great, there was never a dull moment.

As a longtime fan of Greek mythology, I’d been on a break after overindulging last year, but when I saw 'I, Medusa', I knew I had to read it.  Medusa has always been my favourite figure from myth, and the blurb intrigued me, hinting at a deeper exploration of her life before the snakes.

Ayana Gray’s 'I, Medusa', is an accessible and engaging read, especially for those newer to Greek mythology. Gray’s writing style is clear and inviting.

One of the highlights for me was seeing fresh perspectives on iconic Olympians like Athena, Poseidon, and Zeus. The author gives each of them a distinct voice, offering a unique take that even mythology veterans will find thought-provoking.
That said, the pacing shifted noticeably about two-thirds of the way through. The first half gently introduces us to “Meddy” and unfolds at a measured pace. But once the snakes arrive, the storytelling becomes more abrupt and summary like.

I was also slightly disappointed by the portrayal of Medusa’s emotional arc. Traditionally, Medusa is a symbol of wrath and retribution, a wronged woman who channels her pain into power. This version felt more subdued, and I missed that fierce rage I’ve come to associate with her across other interpretations.

The relationship with Apollonia felt a bit rushed, especially toward the end. I would have loved more buildup and earlier hints to strengthen the emotional payoff. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the dynamic between Stheno and Euryale.

Overall, 'I, Medusa', is a compelling reimagining of a classic figure with fresh angles and emotional depth. While I had a few reservations, I absolutely recommend this book, especially to readers who enjoy character driven mythology. I look forward to seeing what Ayana Gray writes next!

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy reading this book. It was a quick read, which was nice. But I had some issues with it throughout my reading experience.
I did not like the author’s portrayal of Medusa of a naïve and quite passive girl. She was frustrating and annoying to read about. The two sisters were better but it was supposed to be Medusa’s story and it sometimes did not feel like it. In this story Medusa is seventeen, and I think it’s too young for this kind of story. Because it often read like a young adult book, but clearly isn’t because of its content.
Also, the pacing was not of my liking. At parts it was way too slow, and the ending was too rushed. It made little sense to me to not focus on Medusa’s story as a Gorgon, the book mainly focused on events leading up to this.
Overall, the story felt a bit shallow. It felt like the author wanted to do too much and managed to do little. Which is a shame, because the writing was pleasant and it would have been a better experience if there was more depth to it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

A beautifully written and refreshing retelling that focuses on Medusa’s life before her transformation into a Gorgon. Instead of the legendary monster, the story reimagines her as a teenage girl with dreams, fears, and a deep sense of humanity. We see Meddy’s closeness with her sisters and training as a acolyte. The story shows her rage and pain, but also highlights moments of love and friendship making it emotionally compelling.

Meddy’s 17 and naive, having lived a sheltered life on an island. She lacks awareness of intercourse and the real world. Gray does a great job writing her character—she starts out unaware, but that makes her eventual awakening feel more powerful. Watching Meddy grow from someone who doesn’t fully understand the world around her into someone who starts to fight back is what makes her story moving. This is also worked well showing how young women can be manipulated and silenced.

In conclusion I, Medusa is not for readers seeking a fast paced, action-packed mythological spectacle. Instead, it’s a character-driven exploration of girlhood, coming of age, grooming, and transformation in a patriarchal world. At its heart, it’s a story about trauma, survival, and the suffocating power of silence. The reason I loved this so much is because of how well it mirrors real-life rape culture and shows how perpetrators exploit victims through power imbalances.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me an ARC of this via NetGalley! That has not influenced this review and all opinions are my own.

I have been waiting for this book since I first heard about it in April and I am HEARTBROKEN that I’ve finished it!! I would sell my cat to be able to wipe my memory and read this for the first time again. I love mythology re-tellings and this is easily one of the best I’ve ever read.

Everyone knows the story of Medusa, or at least the whole ‘gorgon with snakes for hair who turns men to stone’. However this book showed me I had no real idea about Medua’s story and it educated me in the best way.

I didn’t think it was possible for a book to be both heartbreaking and liberating at the same time. The depth of Meddy as a character is phenomenal. She’s angry but soft hearted, she’s ruthless yet kind, she’s naive but also so well educated. All of these adjectives are true and Ayana’s writing really highlights how people can be many different things at once. Anyone who’s been a young girl can understand Meddy’s journey; we’ve all wanted to please our parents and find our focus, and we’ve all probably changed ourself 100 times for people who don’t deserve us. I felt everything that Meddy felt in this book because the writing was superb. I was cheering her avenging men for people she loved, I was tearful when she was used and thrown away.

There are so many important messages in this book and I’m so thankful to Ayana for speaking about these things because they aren’t easy things to think about, nevermind write about. There’s feelings of rage, dismay, dispair, hopelessness, bitterness. But there’s also feelings of hope, love, acceptance. And again, this is a credit to Ayana’s writing. Everything melded together in a perfect way, with a great balance of plot and character development. Sometimes I’ve read emotional books that feel like they give me whiplash when they change too quickly, but every single thing is this book was executed perfectly.

I am so incredibly thankful to have read this book. I pre-ordered a special edition before I’d been given an ARC because I just knew Ayana would nail this. Although this book discusses hard topics of power imbalance and manipulation, this ends up being a beautiful story about unconditional love and reclaiming your power, and I hope every female who reads this finds it as empowering as I did.

Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

I am a huge fan of the cover!
I loved that it followed the original closely but also was so unique and had its own spin on it, it felt completely different for what everyone knows and loves but also still had a familiar feel to it. It was a wonderful read and if greek mythology is something you're drawn to, you will love this book!

i, medusa was my most anticipated release of 2025 and WOW. every expectation i had was blown far out of the water. this book is INCREDIBLE.

i have been a mythology nerd since i was a little kid. i love learning about the gods/goddesses and their extensive lore. medusa has always been a villain i found very intriguing, as we know her main functionality but very little about HER as an individual. when ayana announced this novel and how it would focus on medusa's backstory (combined with the twist that she was MADE into a "monster" rather than born one), i was immediately filled with excitement.

this story was intensely captivating from page one. for starters, ayana writes with the most stunning language. her books are not only stories, but also a form of linguistic art. every sentence, filled with detail and emotion, drew me deeper and deeper into the story. i loved learning about medusa's life on the island with her sisters and parents. her passion for knowledge and reading and the outdoors was so prevalent and enticing, to the extent that you just want her to have the chance to leave her island and see the world so badly. the historical concept of marriage as a business arrangement really set the foundation for the politicking that this book focuses on, creating a clear image of the environment the gods exist in and the very different expectations of men and women.

i loved medusa's journey in finding herself as she trained to become a priestess. we got to see her cleverness, creativity, and compassion at their best. i didn't even care about if she impressed athena, i just wanted her to be able to be herself and let the most authentic part of her shine. her friendship (...) with apollonia was also a beautiful development and offered insight into who medusa coula have been to people if those in power didn't alter her image.

one of the early turning points in this book involves a conversation surrounding domestic violence and sexual assault, themes that remain at the forefront of the novel for its entirety. i felt that ayana addressed these subjects with care but also a pointed seriousness, getting straight to the point without taking side paths. this violence occurs a number of times between several different sets of characters, and while i don't want to risk any spoilers, the incidences and their aftermath are such important representations of the way women's experiences are minimized at the benefit of men time and time again. women deserve to be heard, acknowledged, and listened to. they sure as hell shouldn't be considered marred or unclean for such experiences, and that point is touched on very well.

at its heart, this book is the story of a woman. medusa in particular, but also the story of so many women. growing up dreaming of the beautiful world we live in and its many opportunities, and coming to learn that is far more rough and difficult to move through this life than we originally believe. these experiences alter us and the people around us, and so much comes down to perspective and interpretation.

to me, even when she became "the monster", medusa was never the villain. she was a girl who had been used by various people in power when it suited them, and then her story was twisted by those same people so that she became seen as the evil one. in reality, she was the brave young woman who desired change in the world and was blinded by her admiration for others and her desire to be loved. medusa and her sisters ended up being the only three people who ever understood the truth because they were the only ones to live the story from every angle. stheno and euryale never left medusa or fell prey to the warped messages of the olympians -- they believed what they knew and trusted in.

this book was incredibly powerful and filled with themes that are very pertinent in today's society. this book was also very fun and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time i was reading. i sat down intending to read just a bit and ended up finishing in four hours, during which i did not move. i cannot wait to scream at the top of my lungs about this book to everyone that will listen.

thank you x1000000000 to zaffre for the advanced copy!