I, Medusa

In this stirring fantasy, bestseller Gray (Beasts of War) reimagines Medusa as a fierce heroine given to righteous anger, with a strong drive for justice and a deep desire for acceptance, all of which puts her squarely at odds with the capricious gods. Meddy, a dark-skinned 17-year-old, is a mortal among immortals, the exception in a family of primordial sea gods, but she’s still subject to the same pressures as her sisters: uphold her family’s honor and marry to strengthen their standing within the Sea Court. Restless, stubborn, and book smart, but painfully naive, Meddy attracts the goddess Athena’s attention and is invited to serve at her temple in Athens. Becoming a priestess is no easy feat as Meddy faces tests from the goddess and racist and xenophobic aggression from her fellow acolytes, who don’t know her divine origins and believe she is from Africa. Her life takes a dramatic turn when the sea god Poseidon sexually assaults her. Outraged by this violation of Meddy’s oaths, Athena transforms her into a snake-haired monster who can petrify with a glance. Caught between anger and grief, Meddy must find a new purpose. In focusing on the young Medusa’s coming-of-age in a toxic environment and the assault that redefines her life, Gray emphasizes the tragic aspects of the original myth and the pervasiveness of rape culture. Both empowering and infuriating, it’s a strong take on the classic character. (Nov.)