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A review by meganchristine
Circe by Madeline Miller
5.0
I was so scared to read this book because of the hype surrounding it! I LOVED "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller, so I had really high hopes that this novel would be up to par. Let me tell you... I COULDN'T BE MORE PLEASED! I adored this book! Almost more than "The Song Of Achilles"! Going into to this book I had no idea who Circe was, which blows my mind considering how many lives she has touched within the mythology world! This book has cameos of some of my favorite people, which made reading this continuously exciting. I suppose I should tell you what it's about...
So Circe is the daughter of the great titan Helios and a nymph. Their family dynamic was exactly what you would have expected from a self centered titan and a clout chasing nymph... power, perfection, and legacy was all that mattered. So when Circe was born as "average", her life was matched to the "average" reputation. Especially compared to her other siblings, who were given insane beauty and a great legacy. Circe's attempts to fit in and gain her father's love puts her in some compromising situations... some even considered illegal. When her father is told that Circe and her siblings are actually witches, Helios is forced by Zeus to exile Circe because she has used her powers in "unspeakable" ways. So, Circe is left to fend for herself on an island for the rest of time. She is quick to adapt to her new situation... by practicing her potions and testing her magical skills. Until one day she gets her first visitor. This is where the story gets good! After her first visitor.. the trail of people slowly start to trickle in. Circe finds enjoyment, passion, hatred, and even love in some of these visitors. But are they a danger to her? Will they be able to take the only thing she loves away from her?
I loved how this book focused around mortal love and lifestyle! Circe has no choice but to learn about what is important in the real world and she begins to build the bond that is incomprehensible to any of her mythological friends/family. I would recommend this book 100% of the time to anyone!
So Circe is the daughter of the great titan Helios and a nymph. Their family dynamic was exactly what you would have expected from a self centered titan and a clout chasing nymph... power, perfection, and legacy was all that mattered. So when Circe was born as "average", her life was matched to the "average" reputation. Especially compared to her other siblings, who were given insane beauty and a great legacy. Circe's attempts to fit in and gain her father's love puts her in some compromising situations... some even considered illegal. When her father is told that Circe and her siblings are actually witches, Helios is forced by Zeus to exile Circe because she has used her powers in "unspeakable" ways. So, Circe is left to fend for herself on an island for the rest of time. She is quick to adapt to her new situation... by practicing her potions and testing her magical skills. Until one day she gets her first visitor. This is where the story gets good! After her first visitor.. the trail of people slowly start to trickle in. Circe finds enjoyment, passion, hatred, and even love in some of these visitors. But are they a danger to her? Will they be able to take the only thing she loves away from her?
I loved how this book focused around mortal love and lifestyle! Circe has no choice but to learn about what is important in the real world and she begins to build the bond that is incomprehensible to any of her mythological friends/family. I would recommend this book 100% of the time to anyone!