esmeelizzy 's review for:

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

3.5

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This book is really well written; and I see why so many people love it. I also think it is a good book, but I think because I wasn’t really in the mood to read this one I often struggled with picking up the book and continuing it. 

I love the characters of Achilles and Patroclus, and they are so cute together. I wish we could have seen a little bit more of their romance, but overall their story is really sweet. I also read another review in the book which said that you feel like you become smarter because of the book, and I agree with that. I do not know anything about Greek mythology and even though there were a lot of similar sounding names, it is explained really well without being over-explained. I learned a lot from this book and that is definitely a bonus. 

Unfortunately this isn’t a five star read for me; lots of people said that it made them cry, but I didn’t feel that way. I think it is known from early on that

Achilles is going to die (I do question his decision, but okay), and Patroclus’ death is then also not a surprise (however, could have been avoided, but Patroclus made some reckless decisions near the end). I do love that the ending is good (otherwise it would have been very sad) and they meet eachother again in the underworld.

All in all a really good book (as in very well written and you can see the amount of research that went in to it); but not my favorite book unfortunately. But this is my favorite quote:

“Achilles' eyes were bright in the firelight, his face drawn sharply by the flickering shadows. 
I would know it in dark or disguise, I told myself. I would know it even in madness.” 🩵🏹