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smolhandsdan 's review for:
Wrath Goddess Sing: A Novel
by Maya Deane
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I liked the concept of having a story from the perspective of Trans Achilles! I just feel like it missed the ball and kinda falls apart. Not to mention the second a God makes them transition into cis-woman form everyone just accepts it? They mention a past where they struggled for people to accept them before and I think I just wanted that. I wanted an Achilles to fight a war and be seen and recognized as being someone of their equal.
The narrative/myth gets really reworked, that it is very vaguely following the main points that take place. I have a lot of mixed feelings. I about gagged when Achilles has the hots for and sleeps with Agamemnon. I mean I get that he's a "great" king and everyone looks up to him but idk he's a huge dick historically and so I really thought there would be a huge fall our between them considering how the war goes in the canon. But that never really happens. In fact they have a threesome and while he is mad Achilles refuses to fight there isn't really a consequence to that.
I do kinda like that Helen had more agency, that she feeds off the war and the killings of the soldiers fighting. But overall the plot with the God's and their goals were kinda weird and meh, sort of has a Queen of the damned vibe if I could describe it? It really got convolute and lost on me.
Also minus points for Patroclus & Achilles not being lovers/romantically involved. I just feel like that is a big part of Achilles and it got reduced to a supportive cousin. I mean maybe I'm being bias cuz I adore Song of Achilles, but it just feels like a crime to not have them be together??
The narrative/myth gets really reworked, that it is very vaguely following the main points that take place. I have a lot of mixed feelings. I about gagged when Achilles has the hots for and sleeps with Agamemnon. I mean I get that he's a "great" king and everyone looks up to him but idk he's a huge dick historically and so I really thought there would be a huge fall our between them considering how the war goes in the canon. But that never really happens. In fact they have a threesome and while he is mad Achilles refuses to fight there isn't really a consequence to that.
I do kinda like that Helen had more agency, that she feeds off the war and the killings of the soldiers fighting. But overall the plot with the God's and their goals were kinda weird and meh, sort of has a Queen of the damned vibe if I could describe it? It really got convolute and lost on me.
Also minus points for Patroclus & Achilles not being lovers/romantically involved. I just feel like that is a big part of Achilles and it got reduced to a supportive cousin. I mean maybe I'm being bias cuz I adore Song of Achilles, but it just feels like a crime to not have them be together??
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail