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A review by blyndwolf
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely stunningly written (this book has magnificent quotes for days) and heart-wrenchingly emotional, I found this unique retelling of the Trojan War to be exceedingly refreshing.
I read this book as a method of stress-relief during final exams and it just made me feel like all my real-life problems were insignificant as hell. I would give anything to have a love like Achilles and Patroclus; their relationship made me feel SO warm and fuzzy. I definitely squealed with delight on multiple occasions at the cutesy bits, and I loved that their relationship wasn’t perfectly linear. I liked how there was significant and meaningful emphasis on the flaws of the characters, whether they be god, mortal, or somewhere in between.
The ending was absolutely perfect. Thetis’ anger and intervention throughout their relationship paired with her actions in the final pages was just 🤌🏼 *chef’s kiss*.
RATING:
The reason I rated 4.5/5 is because I wasn’t as emotionally invested as I would’ve liked to be near the end – I wanted this book to make me scream in despair and sob until I couldn’t sob anymore, however I had a 2 month break between reading the first 4/5 and the last 5th, which likely ruined my immersion. I also found the pacing to be quite slow in some parts. Everything else was perfect. I definitely think everyone should read this book before they die.
I read this book as a method of stress-relief during final exams and it just made me feel like all my real-life problems were insignificant as hell. I would give anything to have a love like Achilles and Patroclus; their relationship made me feel SO warm and fuzzy. I definitely squealed with delight on multiple occasions at the cutesy bits, and I loved that their relationship wasn’t perfectly linear. I liked how there was significant and meaningful emphasis on the flaws of the characters, whether they be god, mortal, or somewhere in between.
RATING:
The reason I rated 4.5/5 is because I wasn’t as emotionally invested as I would’ve liked to be near the end – I wanted this book to make me scream in despair and sob until I couldn’t sob anymore, however I had a 2 month break between reading the first 4/5 and the last 5th, which likely ruined my immersion. I also found the pacing to be quite slow in some parts. Everything else was perfect. I definitely think everyone should read this book before they die.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Cannibalism and Slavery