*Thank you Random House and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

I really really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the fast pace of the plot and how the book was broken up into different sections based on Medusa's life. I do think some of the major plot pieces were a bit rushed at some points, but that also contributed to the faster pace which made it completely fine. I also wish there was more in the last section of the book on her life post-curse, but it makes sense why there wasn't much to go on since that part of the myth is hard to completely retell. Great read and I will 100% be recommending!

This review will be posted on Goodreads immediately (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/150495613-matthew-gold), and will be posted on instagram (@goldreads13) on publication day.

First off, thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this eARC!

I, Medusa was written so beautifully and I’m going to try my best to give it the justice it deserves. Almost everyone knows the story of Medusa but this was just such an amazing read. I’ve previously read Medusa retellings but this has to be my favorite. You don’t have to be super well-versed in Greek Mythology to follow along with the story and the plot.

There was such an intense amount of energy put into this book; you find yourself feeling all of the emotions as they come along in the story and I even found myself wishing that Medusa’s story could be changed, be different because I had fallen in love with her character and wanted nothing but the best for her.

Pub date is November 18, 2025 and I highly recommend getting your hands on this book as soon as you can.

Thank you, Random House for my ARC! And to Ayana Gray for just, writing this. I weirdly needed it. 😭💕🐍

I, Medusa. WOWWWWW🔥🔥🔥. I think this book is going to be a huge HUGE hit when it’s released.

Dark and reaaaal themes. Amazing characters. Masterful writing. Poignant. More than once I fully just like, fantasized about being a literary agent that got the manuscript of their life while reading this. (Which is not my job or industry lol.)

For badasses. For Oddballs. For protective sisters. For women of color dealing w evil jobs. For women in favor of other women killing it. Women who grew up being called rambunctious and every name under the sun. God, I loved this book. I devoured it and it spoke to my soul.

Also! lovers of Madeline Miller!! You’ll adore this.

Five massive frickin’ stars. ⭐️

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.