The Inky Phoenix | I, Medusa: A Novel

I, Medusa: A Novel

Ayana Gray

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From New York Times bestselling author Ayana Gray comes a new kind of villain origin story, 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 Ariadne

Meddy 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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Posts about this title from The Inky Phoenix

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jul 18

In celebration of The Odyssey hitting theaters ...

here’s a recommended reading list to keep you going!

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I, MEDUSA Zoom Conversation recording

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jan 29

[Inky Fam,\ \ I hesitated to book this Zoom until February with everything happening in the US/world right now, but then I realized — this is literally why The Inky Phoenix exists. We are a community. We NEED each other. This bookish, rebellious family is a like-minded group of thinkers, movers and shakers, and I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be right now than with strong and inspired folks like yourself, talking about rage and the feminist figure Medusa. \ \ I hope to see you there, and as always, if you can't make it I will share the conversation here afterwards.\ \ Join our I, MEDUSA Zoom conversation this Saturday at 2pm EST:\ \ https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82499594944?pwd=GQsMA62vh9Ba1y02ShkgJkPpmDo2QE.1\\ \ xo Kathryn\ \

I, MEDUSA Zoom Conversation link

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Dec 14 2025

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Dec 1 2025

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Posts about this book from across Bindery

Rachael's Reads\ \ Rachael\ \ • Jul 23

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So, you saw The Odyssey (or plan to) and now you're hooked on Greek mythology?\ \ I've got you!\ \ Swipe

So, you saw The Odyssey (or plan to) and now you're hooked on Greek mythology?

I've got you!

Swipe through my collection retellings and other stories inspired by Greek mythology, including the very first one that I bought for myself (it was $4.99!), my current read, and one that's yet to be released!

🗨️ Which upcoming book-to-movie adaptation are you looking to? -or- Drop your favorite mythology retellings in the comments!

Grateful for @booksparks for the gifted copy of This Immortal Heart!

🏷️ The Iliad, The Odyssey, Greek Mythology, Mythology Retelling, Inside the Walls of Troy, Helen of Troy, Circe, Song of Achilles, Achilles, Patroclus, This Immortal Heart, Aphrodite, Ares, I Medusa, Medusa, Lord of Tides, K.D. Stark, Ayana, Gray, Jennifer Saint, Madeline Miller, Jasmine Mas, Clemence McLaren

#TheBookOdyssey #SRC2026

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Written Reveries\ \ Krystal\ \ • Jul 19

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Loved Zendaya & Lupita in The Odyssey?

Watched the Odyssey and LOVED seeing Zendaya as Athena, Goddess of Wisdom & Lupita as Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships?

Andromeda by E. S. McLeod I, Medusa by Ayana Gray Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi

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\ \ I love a good Black romance book. The kind that makes you melt a little and side-eye your own life like… okay but where is my magical man?\ \ And fantasy has always been my favorite genre. Give me powers, chosen ones, ancient prophecies, all of it. I want drama. I want tension. I want magic in the air.\ \ But over time I started noticing something. The books that really stuck with me were the ones where Black women were at the center of the magic and still allowed to be loved inside it. Not pushed to the sidelines. Not written as “strong” in a way that secretly means emotionally exhausted and alone. Just fully in the story. Fully desired. Fully chosen.\ \ I don’t even think I had language for that at first. I just knew those were the books I couldn’t shut up about.\ \ So I put together a list on the blog of 6 romantasy books by Black authors where Black women are central, magical, desired, and complicated in ways that feel real. Some are darker. Some are softer. A couple of them took over my entire personality for a solid week. A few are still on my TBR because I’m a chaotic mood reader and refuse to be managed.\ \ If you want the full breakdown, it’s here:\ \ Romantasy by Black Authors: Stories Where Black Women Are Magical and Loved\ \ But I’m curious. When was the first time you read fantasy and actually felt seen? And if you haven’t yet, what kind of magical Black heroine are you still waiting for?](https://thenerdybabelife.binderybooks.com/item/Igm4enQaiyPLLiwt5r1F/)

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jan 31

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