A review by documentno_is
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous challenging emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I can't say this book grabbed my attention from cover to cover but the beginning and end were satisfying- with an extreme lull in the middle. Greek mythos and Homer has been a blindspot for me largely and I think this was a nice introduction. The interpretation of Patrocles as lover was an interesting and gratifying one, and I loved the character of Briseis, I also love how much of Achilles "greatness" could actually be attributed to Patrocles. 

This is one of my favorite endings I've ever read- that ultimately Thetis becomes the one to free Patrocles and allow them to be together again. I practically wept at the resolution. Also, I think the lack of POV shift after Patrocles death and the fact that he remains as narrator was an interesting choice and effective in keeping continuity of driving the plot.