A review by jbellomy
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Tfw you wait for the

heel thing

and it simply never comes

This did not wreck me like it seems to have wrecked many readers, but I thought it was beautifully done. The romance is wonderful, especially in its early stages. I don't love the way that

Patroclus' devotion to Achilles was never questioned by the text. Seems like if you're the "best of men," maybe you should have some conviction when your partner is treating you and everyone else like shit. Later in the story, Achilles acted as though he didn't respect Patroclus (or literally anyone else) at all, and I was just like LEAVE HIM!!! I get that Achilles is a haunted sad boy because he's doomed to be perfect and die young but not once did he put Patroclus' needs before his own (until he basically sends P to his death). And like, maybe that was the point? His fatal flaw? But that was never made clear. When it came down to it P was just like "sucks that he's letting all my friends die but idk how to be mad at him" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  I think that's why I was more frustrated than sad during the last few chapters.

That's a bit of a sore spot for me, though, so I understand why not everyone was bothered by it. Overall, Miller killed it, as per usual!