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Explore membershipsI, Medusa
A Novel
Length
11 hours 33 minutes
Language
English
Narrators
Tyla Collier & A'rese Emokpae
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
Learn moreBookseller recommendation
“A captivating and magical tale about the origin story of Medusa and her experience in Athena’s temple as a teenager. This book represents the mystical realism of Greek mythology while also exploring important themes of today such as consent. ”
— Elizabeth F. • Charter Books
Bookseller recommendation
“ I love a good villain origin story and I, Medusa delivered. Medusa (Meddy) is a teenage daughter of two low-level demigods, the youngest daughter and only mortal in her family. Like many teenage girls, she longs for adventure and purpose, and believes she may find both as an acolyte at the temple of Athena. But the machinations of ancient immortals and the greed, insecurity, and bigotry of her peers unravel any hope of happiness and force Medusa into dark, dangerous places. ”
— Jennifer • Through the Fold
Bookseller recommendation
“I didn't have an idea one way or the other as to whether I like Greek myth retellings. I suppose I still don't know if that category overall works for me, but this book SLAPPED. If they're all this good, count me in. Feminist, angry, queer, and cathartic, I loved everything about this audiobook.”
— Julie • Pocket Books Shop
Bookseller recommendation
“Gray explores timely themes of power, diversity, agency and humanity through a mythological lens. Even though I knew Medusa's ultimate fate, I wanted to go on this journey with her.”
— Ginger Young • WordsWorth Books
Bookseller recommendation
“I love a good myth-centric or fairy tale retelling and I, Medusa does not disappoint. This fresh take dives deep into Medusa’s early mortal years and even knowing where the story was going I found myself still being surprised at the turns the narrative took. Highly recommended if you like a moody, dark YA with a health side of feminine rage.”
— Kitty • Beyond the Covers
Bookseller recommendation
“such an original and beautiful retelling of the Medusa story. ”
— Amber • Avant Garden
Bookseller recommendation
“This book had me hooked from the beginning. There is a beauty and love in young naivety and even knowing her end you still have hope for her. I grew to love Medusa the girl rather than the “monster”. The book reminds us that not only does everyone have a story, but every story has a storyteller and a truth that gets lost depending on who that storyteller may be. The author did a unique and excelling job of writing a depth into rape culture, being respectful and mindful of it while writing about it. 1000% recommend and love this book!”
— Khristina • Our Town Books
Bookseller recommendation
“I loved every moment of this story. It’s so good. What a great retelling of Medusa. So much better than the stories I have been told about her. I highly recommend this book. ”
— Shea • The Fallen Acorn Bookshop
Bookseller recommendation
“A captivating and magical tale about the origin story of Medusa and her experience in Athena's temple as a teenager. This book represents the mystical realism of Greek Mythology while also exploring important themes in current events such as consent and power dynamics. ”
— Elizabeth F. • Charter Books
Bookseller recommendation
“I, Medusa by Ayana Gray is a powerful, fiercely emotional retelling that reclaims one of mythology’s most misunderstood women. Gray transforms Medusa from a villain into a complex, heart-wrenchingly human character fighting to survive a world built to silence her. This is a story about trauma, resilience, rage, and the courage it takes to reclaim your own narrative. Dark, lyrical, and unforgettable, I, Medusa is perfect for readers who love feminist reimaginings, morally complex heroines, and myth retellings that challenge everything you thought you knew.”
— Jaime • Birdhouse Books and Gifts
Summary
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “captivating villain origin story” (People Book of the Week) reimagining one of the most iconic monsters in Greek mythology as a provocative and powerful young heroine“Ayana Gray brings her fresh, dynamic storytelling to one of the most monstered, maligned, and misunderstood women of Greek myth, imagining all the girls that Medusa was and could have been.”—Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of AriadneAN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEARMeddy has spent her whole life as a footnote in someone else’s story. Out of place next to her beautiful, immortal sisters and her parents—both gods, albeit minor ones—she dreams of leaving her family’s island for a life of adventure. So when she catches the eye of the goddess Athena, who invites her to train as an esteemed priestess in her temple, Meddy leaps at the chance to see the world beyond her home.In the colorful market streets of Athens and the clandestine chambers of the temple, Meddy flourishes in her role as Athena’s favored acolyte, getting her first tastes of purpose and power. But when she is noticed by another Olympian, Poseidon, the course of Meddy’s promising future is suddenly and irrevocably altered.When her locs are transformed into snakes as punishment for a crime she did not commit, Medusa must embrace a new identity—not as a victim, but as a vigilante—and with it, the chance to write her own story as mortal, martyr, and myth.Exploding with rage, heartbreak, and love, I, Medusa portrays a young woman caught in the crosscurrents between her heart’s deepest desires and the cruel, careless games the Olympian gods play.
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Audiobook details
Author:
Ayana Gray
Narrators:
Tyla Collier & A'rese Emokpae
ISBN:
9798217159598
Length:
11 hours 33 minutes
Language:
English
Publisher:
Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Publication date:
November 18, 2025
Edition:
Unabridged
Libro.fm rank:
#46 Overall
Genre rank:
#8 in Historical Fiction
Reviews
“Known for her young adult books, Gray makes her adult debut with a retelling of the Medusa myth. . . . But Medusa is no monster, and she is determined to find justice for the wrongs committed against her and correct the record about her life.”—The New York Times Book Review“A compelling, emotional and unexpected coming-of-age story . . . Gray’s adult novel offers a bold interpretation of Medusa’s monstrous origins, making it a must-read.”—NPR
“[Gray’s] choice to revisit Medusa’s mythology through a lens of race and femininity is a powerful one. . . . An instant classic of Greek mythology retellings.”—Bookreporter
“As vast and vivid as ever, Gray’s worldbuilding is anchored by centuries-old myths but is still unmistakably her own. . . . Gray asks us to reconsider every story built to excuse cruelty.”—Arkansas Times
“[Ayana Gray] reimagines one of mythology’s most infamous figures with nuance, passion, and a sharp eye for justice. . . . Both faithful to myth and daringly new . . . This bold feminist retelling asks whether Medusa was ever truly a monster—or simply made into one.”—Booklist, starred review
“A daring reworking of the most misunderstood monster in Greek mythology . . . bursting with anger heartache, and resiliency.”—BookTrib, Editors’ Picks
“A captivating reimagining of one of mythology’s most well-known villains that is both heartbreakingly tragic and overwhelmingly empowering.”—Ms.
“Gray’s prose . . . is an enjoyable high note. . . . Those who enjoy mythological retellings will doubtless be interested.”—Library Journal
“This captivating villain origin story brims with female empowerment.”—People
“Retellings of Greek myths are so common they’ve become their own sub-genre, so it’s always a delight to find one that feels genuinely fresh.”—Elle
“Ayana Gray flips the script with this incredible villain origin story retelling.”—SheReads
“Gray reimagines Medusa as a fierce heroine given to righteous anger . . . Both empowering and infuriating, it's a strong take on the classic character.”—Publishers Weekly
“A vivid, searing reimagining of the infamous villain . . . A bold new classic as heartbreaking as it is hopeful.”—Ann Liang, New York Times bestselling author of A Song to Drown Rivers
“A stunning reimagining of Greek mythology’s most misunderstood villain.”—K. X. Song, bestselling author of The Night Ends with Fire
“I, Medusa [deftly explores] sisterhood, friendship, and the rage felt by unfairly maligned women all the way back to antiquity."—Sabaa Tahir, bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes
“Melodic and menacing, Gray’s treatment of the Medusa myth is as tender as it is tragic.”—Roshani Chokshi, bestselling author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride
“Deeply relevant to both the ancient and the modern worlds, I, Medusa packs a punch as hard as stone—yet still leaves room for the fragile joys of the mortal condition.”—Samantha Shannon, bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
“Gray has granted us all a gift in this thoughtful and heartfelt retelling. But perhaps it is Medusa who has been given the greatest gift by Gray: a chance to tell her truth and be listened to—an opportunity so few Black women get. Vindication and vengeance are a heady mix.”—Saara El-Arifi, bestselling author of Faebound Expand reviews
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