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crisi_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first, I was leaning towards rating this 3-3.5 stars, but the latter half of this book made me bump it up to 4.
The prose is beautiful and poetic, and extremely efficient in detailing events that happen over thousands of years. It reads like a cautionary tale told by the fireplace, sardonic and reflective, which is highly accurate for the vibes of this book and the stuff that happens in it. As someone who liked to call themselves a Greek myth nerd, I also thought all the cameos were exciting and the portrayal of their characters intriguing.
The reason I originally wanted to rate this 3 stars has a lot to do with Circe’s character. I don’t hate her necessarily, but the fact that she wailed about her misfortune for so long (the whole first half of the book) but still groveled at the feet of those around her was…unappealing, personally. I almost DNF’d it because I can’t stand mc’s who grovel and are docile and too easily swayed. I understand that it is a part of her growth, and that growth indeed paid off. By the end, I found her character to be a lot more endearing and sympathetic. It was the kind of character development that makes all the sighs of frustration and facepalms worth it.
That being said, I did overall enjoy Circe’s character more than I disliked it. Her capacity for mercy, sympathy, and understanding sets her apart from the mercilessness of everyone around her, and her need for independence but cluelessness in obtaining it is frustrating yet endearing. Her defiance against the gods is hard earned, and that makes this book all the more enjoyable.
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Cannibalism
professorcackle71's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: War
val_so_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Rape, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
katebradley's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Violence
louisegraveyard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Rape, Violence, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Misogyny
rensreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
from the rocky beginning to the tremulous end, circe was a joy to read. i will say i didn’t check trigger warnings before i read and i really should have, but its a greek myth re-telling so what did i honestly expect? anyway!
circe was never well-loved and it was clear from the beginning that she did not like her divinity if it meant she was to act like the other gods she had been surrounded by for most of her life. then her banishment came about and i just loved that moment she had with daedalus. they really could’ve been something if they had the time.
that being said, it’s so strange to become friends with the woman whose husband she slept with and had a child with. even stranger to marry that husband’s other son. still, i think they were well-suited to each other in every case.
i think what really tied this story up for me was the fact that despite everything, circe gets her happy ending. her life was rocky and awful at times but she still made peace with the direction her life was heading after her son leaves. and im glad for that.
and so, because of all that, i give this 4 stars (:
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
beastiality is also discussed, i.e the minotaur.thatbookishworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Torture, and War
louisa_pennyfeather2021's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Pedophilia, and War
krxshan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Misogyny and Rape
forgottengoddess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Torture
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Blood, Gaslighting, and Alcohol