Shades of Onyx

by T.J. Williams

To be revealed.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 1, 2026

About the author

TJ Williams is a queer, autistic author. She lives in England with too many cats and a toddler who likes to throw things at her, reads an unholy amount of mxm books, and can quote Peppa Pig word for word. All their stories feature Black
and brown characters, queerness, disabilities and body diversity. She loves to
crochet (iffy), bake (rarely) and rewatch her comfort shows (happily).

Find them on social media at Tjwilliamswrites

Pronouns are they/she.

Reviews

[Emily Capri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for the ARC!

What if Medusa didn't die? Shades of Onyx introduces us to a Medusa who now goes by Onyx and has repeatedly been reincarnated over the last few millennia. Athena discovers Onyx (i.e. Medusa) is still alive and the book follows Onyx trying to deal with this and save herself. This isn't a Medusa retelling, instead taking elements from various iterations of Medusa and the other gods and goddesses to put together a present day story with a black, queer, plus-sized Medusa going by a different name.

I loved this book! I've read a couple of amazing Medusa retellings and was intrigued by this book while also knowing it wasn't intended as a proper retelling. It was fun to recognise various elements of the story, different gods/goddesses while seeing them in a new and original story. It was also so cool to see her as a black, queer, plus-sized woman! Along with these elements of representation, the book also contained chronic illness and non-binary representation. All of this made me incredibly happy and I really felt it was done so well. I'm queer, non-binary and disabled/chronically ill so I'm always excited when any of those elements are done well, let alone multiples in the one book! While elements of the story at times might have been a little predictable, there wasn't anything wrong with that in my opinion. I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it and struggled to put it down as I wanted to see how it all played out! And there were definitely some parts of the story I didn't see coming so loved and was surprised by that! It was a fun read while also tackling some more serious topics with respect and care.

Seeing Medusa as Onyx was so fascinating. Onyx was such a layered character, she had so much depth. Her character really did feel so believable if you were going to envision a repeatedly reincarnated version of Medusa in this context. We watch her grapple with the aftermath of her trauma and the scars she was left with. Anyone who's been through trauma will probably find some element of Onyx will resonate with them. Blake was such a beautiful character, I absolutely adored them. There were some surprising parts of their character that I thoroughly enjoyed and I loved their version of non-binary. The few others in Onyx's life came across as loveable and endearing and I also really enjoyed the iterations of the various gods and goddesses. The author did a great job at building their story using logical/believable gods and goddesses and fitting them into relevant roles that contextually made sense.

Overall, I genuinely really enjoyed reading Shades of Onyx and will definitely be recommending it to others whenever I get the chance!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Medusa has been reincarnated so many times and after awhile she stated detaching herself from people as to protect herself from being hurt. She will get reincarnated but her friends, family, lovers will not. Everything changes when someone has cut Medusa thread and this life, will be her last life. However, Athena is after her.

This story didn't grip me in immediately during the story setup, but once we got to see Onyx meetup with her friend Willow the story starts to become more compelling. When Onyx meets Blake whose going to help her research Athena, I was very happy. Blake was great, I love their character and how it progressed the story. Blake was a wonderful addition and the person Onyx really needed, despite her not wanting to build attachments.

I loved the Underworld, the fact they actually went and the journey that got them to Hades. It was super interesting and one of my favorite parts. I liked the way that section of the journey went and the learning of how much time had passed was done so well because it allowed Blake and Onyx to build that relationship!

𝑰'𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑰 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒌𝒆, 𝑰 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆. 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇𝒇, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚.

I totally get why Onyx wants to keep Blake safe and doesn't want to build those attachments but after awhile reading those thoughts became a bit repetitive, for me. When Onyx learned about Hades lying about her sisters I was shocked. Onyx decided not to bring it up but we also didn't get closure on that topic. Hades decided to no longer pursue Onyx and that seem to be the end of that topic. I personally was hoping for more as it was something I wanted to know!

The conclusion was nice. I don't know how Onyx didn't figure out that twist herself lol but it all resolved well and the epilogue was very nice!

🐍Reincarnation
🐍Diverse Cast
🐍Sapphic
🐍Greek Mythology
🐍Underworld

[Atlas Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

hello! I am leaving an honest review for this book after receiving an advanced reader copy

So I decided to read this book and give it a chance as TJ Williams is a lovely person and I wanted to support them

I am DNFing this book due to personal conflicting feelings around how the author decided to depict the Hellenic Gods about half way through chapter two

The decision to have Aphrodite CHOOSE to depict herself with Nordic beauty standards of blonde hair and blue eyes bothered me. Aphrodite has origins in the middle east stemming with the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar. this feels incredibly ahistorical. The choice to also depict Aphrodite as catty and concerned about a war goddess' wrath coming for her "pretty little neck" BOTHERED me. Aphrodite is a war goddess in her own right and her domain over 'love' is as brutal as it is lovely. She is a verifiable threat

also calling Athena 'deranged' was... interesting. ATHENA??? the grey-eyed goddess of war and wisdom? okay 😭

but the deities aside, TJ Williams made a very lovely main character. I really liked Onyx from the moment she was introduced. I liked her frankness and that she was plus sized and a model who was comfortable in her own skin and her own sexuality

the pacing was kinda fast imo but was fun and the writing was very smooth!! I am very sure if I wasnt as sensitive to depictions of Greek Mythology as I am, I would love this book. unfortunately its just not for me

[Eros Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a slow burn, sapphic paranormal romance then this may be for you!

-Greek mythology; Aphrodite, Poseidon, Athena, Hades, etc
-1 POV
-reincarnation
-lesbian, thick bodied fem FMC
-blasian, nonbinary XMC
-healing from trauma
-light dom/sub dynamics
-cinnamon roll XMC
-vivid, blush worthy spice
-found family
-endometriosis representation
-written in British English
-beautifully written
-solid conclusion
-under 400 pages

There was a lot to enjoy with this.
The nonbinary love interest, Blake, was easily my favorite character. They were lovable, relatable, honest & unwavering in a way that balanced the storylines heavier topics effortlessly.

This was unapologetically Black and queer. The concept was solid and executed in a way that kept me engaged. Reading this felt like binge watching a TV show. Every time I picked this book back up I was watching a brand new episode.

I do not think that you need to know about the Gods/Goddesses prior to reading. But, if you are already a lover of Medusa & adjacent people then, this is definitely up your alley.

This was my 1st book from the author and it won’t be my last.

[Alex Higginbotham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to author TJ Williams for giving me the opportunity to read her book in exchange for an honest review!
I want to start of by saying that this book was not bad by any means, I just think it wasn't for me. I loved the endo rep, body diversity, enby rep, and it was really cool to read a fantasy with a black main character. That being said, I think I would have enjoyed the story a bit better had I known more about Greek mythology going in, so if that's your thing you will totally love this! My only complaint was that the story only really focused on her lives as Onyx and Medusa, which was fine, but in a reincarnation story I kind've expected to learn a bit about her other lives as well given that she's been reincarnated so many times between now and then.
Anyways, if you love greek mythology and sapphic romance with a black mc I think you would really enjoy this!

[Jacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

I love Blake. Truly, truly love them. Is love the cure for all ills? Of course not. But if Blake loves you, you’re in a good spot.

The Gods are always fickle, and when you retell the story of Medusa, you know Athena is going to hold a grudge. This was such an interesting new take on the story, and I genuinely enjoyed it.

I love how the story was modernized and how the focus wasn’t solely on the original Medusa lore. Williams created a rich new history while still incorporating pieces of the legend in a way that felt natural and compelling. I became so invested in Onyx and Blake, and I was genuinely happy with how their story ended. And that debauched public sex scene at the end was a phenomenal climax.

Thank you to T. J. Williams for the free review copy.

[Andrea (looseleftlesbian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

Like the author says, this is not a Medusa retelling. I loved what the author did in this book. I can’t even imagine the creativity and forethought that would go into creating this world that Onyx and Blake live in. Getting Onyx’s history and seeing what happened to her as Medusa was fascinating. She obviously has a lot of trauma and this is explored throughout the novel. It was nice that we got to see how it manifests for her.

I loved Blake. They were such an amazing person who you can tell loves and cares deeply. They never wavered with Onyx and being there for her. It was refreshing to see how Onyx and Blake communicated with each other.

Shades of Onyx has the perfect mix of humor, hurt/comfort, adventure, romance and mythology.

[Ashleigh Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Reader✨

I love Greek mythology! Haven't studied it in well over a decade, but the author does a great job of filling in my memory gaps. You can definitely read this book with limited knowledge of the gods and goddesses mentioned.

Overall, I think my favorite part of Shades of Onyx was all the time spent in the underworld. You automatically assume that it's dark, dreary, and devoid of fun. But Onyx and Blake exploring the more fun parts of the realm was cool.

I would have loved to know a little more about Onyx's other lives, but I totally get that her last one is the most impt. which is why it was the primary focus. Lastly, it was nice to read a Medusa tale without the assault. Yeah, her past life still sucked, but this change in direction was appreciated.

[Lit With Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this ARC!

There was a lot I appreciated about this book, especially the representation and the themes woven throughout the story. The inclusion and diversity felt meaningful and intentional, and I really enjoyed seeing those elements centered within a fantasy setting. The book also explores healing from trauma and personal strength in a way that I think many readers will connect with.

While I liked the book, I never fully reached the point where I felt completely immersed in it emotionally. For me personally, there was just something missing that kept it from becoming a standout read. I found myself wanting a little more connection to certain elements of the story and characters.

Overall though, I still think this is a solid read, especially for readers looking for more representation within fantasy and sapphic paranormal romance spaces.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Format: eBook/Kindle

[Salmaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS AN ARC REVIEW

This was a great adaption of the story of Medusa. I enjoyed the Mythology and the way the gods were shown. It was refreshing to read the victim side of Medusa rather than her as a villain and it was refreshing to have some acknowledgement of her sisters too.

I enjoyed reading this, while there were some areas I think could have been done better or explored more, it was a good read.

[Emma]

Thank you to the author for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

DNF after one chapter. This book just wasn’t for me! I’m not a fan of contemporary and modern romances and I just couldn’t get hooked. I love the story of Medusa but this, as stated by the author, was more Medusa-adjacent. Not my thing, unfortunately. Because of that I will refrain from giving this a star rating.

[Dominique Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and the ride and thrill it took me on. I was not sure what to expect when I was reading the first chapter but omg as I kept reading it just kept me on the edge of my seat. Very good read 10/10