Reviews tagging 'War'

Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

1655 reviews

kileyjojo's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is well written, characters are lovable, and the story just kept getting better. The story in one POV and the narrator is very lovable. You fall in love with Achilles through his eyes and you see their relationship develop in such a well paced narrative. This book is not fully focused on the romance. It is a driver in the story, but it isn’t the main focus. You grow with the characters on their journeys. If you know some of the Greek Gods and Goddesses, you might be able to guess some of the plot but it doesn’t fit just as a retelling. I really recommend this book if Greek mythology and the story of Achilles interests you. I will definitely be picking up more by this author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Violence, and War

Moderate: Sexual assault, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Rape, and Homophobia

gin_and_panic's review against another edition

adventurous sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Violence, and War

Moderate: Slavery, Sexual assault, Rape, Blood, and Gore

Minor: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, and Self harm

islathebooknerd's review against another edition

inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I have always loved Greek Mythology, especially the tale of the Trojan War, this book is really good for someone who is looking for a new take on the classic tale, but also wants to cry for hours on the couch after finishing it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and War

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Pregnancy

jodean's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I will remember Achilles and Patroclus and their love. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Self harm, Violence, Murder, War, Trafficking, Sexual content, Homophobia, Medical content, Kidnapping, Blood, Grief, Gore, and Alcohol

Moderate: Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Slavery, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Animal death

hannaconda_02's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and War

daniellekat's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Re-read review: I thought I would like this less on a second read but I think I actually like it more. I had originally thought the pacing was weird but now I see how well it fits with the story. The writing is absolutely outstanding. I love the way Miller writes Achilles' grief. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Violence, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood

Minor: Sexual content and Sexual assault

wrensandroses's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Death, and Violence

megaponyprincess's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Rape, War, and Slavery

abookbitch's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Slavery and Rape

anmane's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The book was well written in terms of language and pacing, but the subject matter - by this I mean the war, not the romance - was hard for me to stomach. The focus is on the male characters, as it is in the source material, and how women, children or indeed all humans are treated is not sugarcoated. Also, because of the subject matter, there is a lot of violence, gore and cruelty. I also hated Achilles as a character, which made the motivation of Patroclus' actions hard to understand. Will not read again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Torture, Trafficking, and War

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Pregnancy