A review by gobooksgo
Circe by Madeline Miller

5.0

I am not especially interested in mythology and therefore was a little hesitant to read this retelling of Circe’s story. On a whim, I joined a buddy read group for Circe and am so glad I did! You definitely do not need to be a mythology buff to enjoy this one.

Written beautifully in first person from Circe’s POV, the story evolves with a variety of characters from Greek mythology playing a role. However, the story remains firmly about Circe and her challenges and growth. This is a character driven novel but still has some action and plot throughout. The novel spans centuries and Miller does an amazing job of making the story flow seamlessly, even though it is unusual for this much time to pass in one book.

Although Circe is immortal (the daughter of a Titan God and a nymph), she is different from the other gods. She has an affection for mortals (apparently this is unusual for a god) and has vulnerabilities and weaknesses that make her relatable to the reader. Even more importantly, she works with her imperfections and uses the characteristics she can control, e.g. bravery and compassion, to become a better and stronger person in the end.

If you are looking for an unusual character driven story with a strong female lead and POV, this one might be for you!