Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

88 reviews

kpraetori's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• 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

3.75

Good book, well written, great that it follows the characters from upbringing to death instead of just the height of war, and there are nice of little details, foreshadowing, etc. It is enjoyable to read and I would rate it higher if this sub-genre was my cup of tea

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Slavery, War, Torture, Sexual content, Sexism, and Violence

gayelfboi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

• 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

liked it the first time. After reading more of the author’s academic work on ancient Greek culture I come back loving and appreciating it even more. Cried both times

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and War

Moderate: Slavery, Classism, and Rape

Minor: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Animal death, Cursing, Homophobia, Sexism, and Torture

myaphrodiite's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad 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? Yes

4.75

this is such a beautiful book, once you start you never want to put it down. this book shows greek mythology you’ve rarely seen and a pure love story that will definitely leave you in tears (i needed tissues before i even finished this book).

this book shows that love is pure no matter what gender you are, where you come from, your background, your looks and even your skills. love is love and this story shows this to the reader. the love between an exile and a prince, forbidden by their stereotypes but welcome by their hearts.

the amount of passion and emotion in this writing is breathtaking, it is by far one of the most beautiful books i’ve ever read, although it shattered my heart i will love it forever. i would recommend for everyone to read this book as it is a piece of art.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, War, Violence, and Gore

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Murder, Rape, Self harm, and Slavery

Minor: Kidnapping, Torture, and Animal death

ai_lin's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Abandonment

Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and War

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Classism, Slavery, and Torture

annagallo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and War

Minor: Torture, Sexual violence, Slavery, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

morgcailie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Well obviously they're in love, and it's beautiful, and it's messy, and it's groundbreaking. And It really wouldn't be so toxic if it weren't for war. Don't forget that pinch of destiny. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, War, Rape, Murder, and Death

Moderate: Torture and Ableism

mayreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.25

When Patroclus is banished from his home and is moved into another, he meets Achilles, a wondrous demigod. Through their many adventures and countless experiences, a

fond love blossoms between them

. Until the eminent Trojan War, that is. The emotional end of the book and the marvelous prose used made the adventures of Patroclus and Achilles immensely more tremendous. The beloved friendships and relationships that form among them, though, are what made the book so glorious. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Blood, Death, and War

Moderate: Torture, Rape, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts

chavborromeo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

“Name one hero who was happy.”

This book broke me. Patroclus death does not sink it yet but when Achilles weep and asked his mother if she can bring him back to life thats when I started crying😭. He doesn't deserve that. If only Achilles wasn't that petty.

At first, I found this story boring probably because the narrator was a bit boring. He doesn't have any personality aside from the fact that he love this beautiful boy until the end. But then scenes became interesting and exciting. I just need to forget that "one sex scene" never happen. Like what the hell??? What's happening?

“Go,” she says. “He waits for you.”

Who would have thought that the one who hated Patroclus when he was still alive was also the one who gave his peace and finally reunited him with his beloved? I love that scene so much. I'm sad it ended that way but at least they still together at after life. 🙁

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Slavery, War, Misogyny, Torture, Rape, and Violence

fanboyriot's review against another edition

sad slow-paced

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

1.0

Finally finished reading this after having it on my physical TBR for at least five years.  

The hype of this was high.  Seeing great reviews and positive comments about how amazing the writing was and how sad but good it was.

I’m not gonna lie I only bought it because it was queer and it had Greek mythology in it.  I thought despite the angst and it being a historical fiction that I’d like it.  

The short review is that I did not like it.  I wanted to DNF it so many times but thought maybe I just wasn’t giving it a chance.

I don’t know if it was because of the slower paced chapters or because it was a historical fiction but this book was so boring.  I could not wait to be done with it.

There were so many moments that it was cringey or just uncomfortable to read.  All the spicy moments were awful to get through.  And  while I understand it was back when people were a lot younger when they were married off or forced to have children but it was just so uncomfortable to read lines like: “Her body, he said, was soft and small as a child’s.” (Chapter 13, page 147)… why is that necessary??  How did that make it into the final edits?? 

I will say the positive about this was that through everything Achilles and Patroclus had a healthy, honest, and trusting relationship for the most part.  

And while the ending was sad it wasn’t as bad as I expected.  I think that what Thetis ended up doing in the end helped with that.  It was the sweetest thing she had done in that whole book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Classism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Death, Violence, War, Blood, Murder, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Suicide, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Gore, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Animal death, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, Slavery, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture

Minor: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Ableism, Vomit, Child death, and Trafficking

books_and_rainydays's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, War, Violence, Grief, and Blood

Moderate: Slavery, Child abuse, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Torture

Minor: Deportation, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent