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madelinerichards's review against another edition
4.0
I've tried listening to this a few times and couldn't get into it, so that's why it doesn't have a higher rating. that being said once I got into it more it was super interesting. the writing was also super beautiful and lyrical and it definitely enhanced the story.
ameliajeffery's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
margerite83's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
thereader222's review against another edition
3.0
Miller's writing is soooo pretty, and I really appreciate it. I'm a fan of flowery, descriptive language though so if its not your thing you might have a hard time. I don't know much about Greek mythology but I enjoyed seeing Circe grow and find her place on the island. However, since it shows basically her whole life, its quite long and if I reread it I'd probably skip/skim certain parts. I kinda wish Circe had been a bit stronger in her resolve and had more of a fighting spirit, while I think it shows up when she's older it would have been interesting to see her face her family more.
Just a tiny note: From my limited knowledge, I know incest is not out of the normal for Greek mythologies (and I don't even know if this counts since they aren't blood related) but Circe ends up falling in love with her sons half brother and they end up together. Something about that is just so weird to me. Like you fell in love with this guy, had a kid with him, then your kid becomes friends with your lover's other son, and you eventually fall in love with the other son. Basically like falling in love with her son's friend who she is distantly related to. I don't know, it happens at the end and threw me for a loop.
Just a tiny note: From my limited knowledge, I know incest is not out of the normal for Greek mythologies (and I don't even know if this counts since they aren't blood related) but Circe ends up falling in love with her sons half brother and they end up together. Something about that is just so weird to me. Like you fell in love with this guy, had a kid with him, then your kid becomes friends with your lover's other son, and you eventually fall in love with the other son. Basically like falling in love with her son's friend who she is distantly related to. I don't know, it happens at the end and threw me for a loop.
cmalca's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
a_strix_named_strix's review against another edition
1.0
A recipe:
Take a pinch of pretentiousness, and add it to a big bowl. Stir in inaccurate mythology and bland characters. Then, finally, break it up into novellas and stitch together awkwardly into Circe!
Take a pinch of pretentiousness, and add it to a big bowl. Stir in inaccurate mythology and bland characters. Then, finally, break it up into novellas and stitch together awkwardly into Circe!
lauren_legaspi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cipotalectora's review against another edition
1.0
I went on a quick trip with my family today to another town to go eat, so I had more than one hour and thirty minutes going and one hour and thirty minutes coming back home to read, as I don’t get car sick reading on my phone or kindle. But the fact that I chose to listen to my screaming music and fell asleep during both car rides instead of reading should say enough.
This was, very honestly, one of the most boring, dreadful books I’ve read. Reading it was a chore. I am, once again, thankful I do not buy books anymore and instead borrowed this from my library.
What can I say about this? Absolutely nothing.
People call this a feminist novel, a novel of a strong woman who takes back her voice and life. You can literally see this in people’s reviews. I read this thinking I was gonna get that, but I guess I missed it because I didn’t see it that way. I know nothing about Greek mythology, so I read this through the perspective of someone analyzing it without that knowledge. Regardless, in my opinion, Circe is not interesting and is just really fucking boring. Not that I’m the most fun person in life but Circe would drain my introverted battery by 12 pm instead of my usual 4 pm. She turned men into pigs and that was what apparently gave her such a reputation with many readers, but the entire book, the pigs scene felt irrelevant. I was expecting some sort of revenge against the people who wronged her (her entire family), or vengeance for her neglected childhood. Of course I don't know if any of this is accurate, but it doesn’t even matter anymore because even if it is, then I'll find Circe to be so dull. Her character arc is ridiculously tedious. She reminded me of Addie from [b:The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue|50623864|The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue|V.E. Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1584633432l/50623864._SY75_.jpg|46895612] where both do nothing but complain, be miserable, and are just…there.
I mean, even the scene where she turns the men into pigs 45% in was so boring. It happened, and then it’s gone. We’re back to following Circe as she does nothing and continues going along with things in her lonely island. Or talking to Odysseus because Hermes is no longer in the picture. More harvesting. More plant collecting. More herb learning. More ‘woe is me.’
This was, very honestly, one of the most boring, dreadful books I’ve read. Reading it was a chore. I am, once again, thankful I do not buy books anymore and instead borrowed this from my library.
What can I say about this? Absolutely nothing.
People call this a feminist novel, a novel of a strong woman who takes back her voice and life. You can literally see this in people’s reviews. I read this thinking I was gonna get that, but I guess I missed it because I didn’t see it that way. I know nothing about Greek mythology, so I read this through the perspective of someone analyzing it without that knowledge. Regardless, in my opinion, Circe is not interesting and is just really fucking boring. Not that I’m the most fun person in life but Circe would drain my introverted battery by 12 pm instead of my usual 4 pm. She turned men into pigs and that was what apparently gave her such a reputation with many readers, but the entire book, the pigs scene felt irrelevant. I was expecting some sort of revenge against the people who wronged her (her entire family), or vengeance for her neglected childhood. Of course I don't know if any of this is accurate, but it doesn’t even matter anymore because even if it is, then I'll find Circe to be so dull. Her character arc is ridiculously tedious. She reminded me of Addie from [b:The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue|50623864|The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue|V.E. Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1584633432l/50623864._SY75_.jpg|46895612] where both do nothing but complain, be miserable, and are just…there.
I mean, even the scene where she turns the men into pigs 45% in was so boring. It happened, and then it’s gone. We’re back to following Circe as she does nothing and continues going along with things in her lonely island. Or talking to Odysseus because Hermes is no longer in the picture. More harvesting. More plant collecting. More herb learning. More ‘woe is me.’
lindsmarie's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this one more, but it felt like there was no real plot.