I, Medusa by Ayana Gray is a tragic origin story for the Medusa of Greek mythology. It follows a mortal girl growing up in a world ruled by gods, caught in a power struggle between the old gods and the new.
The central theme is power. The gods hold it, yet they are constantly threatened by the idea of losing it. The novel also explores female power through a modern lens, especially in its examination of sex and consent.
A major plot point involves a god grooming Medusa. The age gap, with Medusa at 17 and the god over a thousand years old, is intentionally uncomfortable but did not work for me. The manipulation was obvious from the start, and I found myself waiting for the relationship to collapse so the story could move forward. I was hoping for more nuance or unpredictability, but it never came.
When Medusa finally transforms into the Gorgon, the story becomes far more compelling. Those moments are powerful and engaging. Unfortunately, the book spends most of its time leading up to that transformation and not enough time exploring the version of Medusa that most readers are familiar with.
The portrayal of Medusa as a person of color works very well. Her hair is described as locs before becoming snakes, and her experience as an outcast due to her appearance adds another meaningful layer to the story.
The family dynamic is one of the strongest aspects of the book. The bond between the sisters is especially well written and emotionally resonant.
The writing feels like it sits between Young Adult and New Adult. Much of it reads like YA, but the inclusion of grooming and sexual assault pushes it into more mature territory.
The pacing is somewhat slow. I remained interested throughout, but the story drags at times, especially during the central relationship.
The ending is the strongest part of the book. The final 20% is gripping and delivers on the story’s potential. I only wish more of that energy had been present earlier.
I, Medusa was first published on November 18, 2025, by Random House.
Why did I read I, Medusa by Ayana Gray?
I read I, Medusa as my wife’s pick of the month. She bought it for us to read together but had not gotten to it yet, so I ended up going first.
This is my first “wifely pick,” as I am calling it. I like that it helps diversify my reading. The next one is Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, which I am very excited about.
Plot Summary:
Meddy, short for Medusa, lives on an island with her family. Her parents are old sea gods who long for their former power, but Meddy herself is mortal, unlike her immortal sisters. She is raised with the expectation of becoming a wife and attracting attention at social gatherings.
During a ball on the island, new gods arrive. A demigod takes an interest in one of her sisters and seeks marriage, but Meddy learns he is cruel. When she tries to intervene, things go wrong. The aftermath draws the attention of the gods, and Meddy becomes entangled in their power struggle. She is sent away, believing it to be a blessing, but soon realizes it is part of a larger plan for control.
What I Liked:
The first time Medusa uses her power to turn someone to stone is heartbreaking and well executed.
The sisterly bond is one of the highlights of the novel. It remains powerful both before and after Medusa’s transformation.
I enjoyed the additions to Medusa’s lore. The idea that she can remove the snakes from her head, despite the pain, was interesting. I also liked that she can eventually control her powers and choose who she turns to stone. The detail of immortals bleeding gold was a nice touch.
The LGBTQ love story is handled well and develops naturally over time.
Gray’s descriptions of the gods are vivid and engaging.
My favorite line is: “The curious thing about monsters, the worst ones don’t bother hiding in the dark.”
What I Disliked:
The age gap relationship did not work for me. Even within a mythological setting, it was difficult to engage with.
The grooming storyline was too predictable. I knew exactly how it would play out, which made that section feel drawn out and less engaging.
Recommendation:
I, Medusa is a book I wanted to like more. The ending is strong, but the overall journey did not fully work for me. The themes of female empowerment are clear, but the handling of consent and grooming sometimes feels forced. It reads like a blend of My Dark Vanessa and Circe, though it does not reach the same level as either.
I would only lightly recommend I, Medusa, mainly for its ending.
Rating:
I, Medusa by Ayana Gray
3 out of 5
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