Reviews tagging 'War'

The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller

1052 reviews

kpraetori's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Good book, well written, great that it follows the characters from upbringing to death instead of just the height of war, and there are nice of little details, foreshadowing, etc. It is enjoyable to read and I would rate it higher if this sub-genre was my cup of tea

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Slavery, War, Torture, Sexual content, Sexism, and Violence

izzle17's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

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

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Blood, Violence, and Murder

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Child death, Sexual assault, Injury/injury detail, Death, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, and Pregnancy

natgoe's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This book surprised me not in how much I enjoyed it, but in what ways that I did. Throughout the day I found myself falling in love with the character of Patroclus. I found him so addicting and following Achilles through his eyes was so intriguing. The ending was predictable but not the details which had me sobbing.

Spoiler

When we are hearing Patroclus narrate Achilles actions after his death and then finally Patroclus yearning for his final resting with him, that part broke me dude.

Overall this book was so sad and yet so beautiful.❤️

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Murder, Blood, Death, Homophobia, Medical content, War, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual harassment

Minor: Rape

thyme_paradox's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, War, Injury/injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Medical content, Grief, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Child death

Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Self harm

maxyne21's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, War, and Murder

Moderate: Blood, Animal death, and Body horror

Minor: Rape

andiehales's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I think this story as a whole is a beautiful and crushing one and I understand why so many people love this book so intensely but I just didn’t love it the way I’ve seen others love it. A lot of the times, the way this book was written would throw me off, make me feel disconnected from the story and characters, and made it harder for me to enjoy. I pushed through because I wanted to know what all the hype (and tears) were for lol. 

This book definitely had me feeling sick with emotion at times, especially towards the ending, but the writing style unfortunately wasn’t for me. 

Spoiler

Also, I need to note how emotionally attached I became to Briseis. I love her like nobody else. She deserved so much better. Briseis I will avenge you.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Infidelity, Genocide, Murder, Violence, War, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Blood, Death, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, and Sexual content

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Abandonment and Cursing

inlaraland's review against another edition

emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

I've heard so many things about The Song of Achilles, but I have been putting off this book because this particular myth has been told time and time again. However, Circe was one of my favorite books that I read in 2020 so I knew that I wanted to finish reading The Song of Achilles this year. 

I can happily say that I also enjoyed this story! I loved that the perspective was told through Patroclus' eyes, and it focuses heavily on the love and sacred bond he shared with Achilles. There were so many lines that I wanted to highlight that blew me away. I always appreciate that Madeline Miller breaths personality and life into these characters that we are so familiar with. The emotion is felt through all the imagery and with every piece of dialogue. There were parts that sent shivers down my spine, and the tragic moments struck deeply. 

My only criticism is that I did find the pacing of this story to be slow. There were parts of the plot that I felt dragged, but it was interwoven with really interesting stories at the same time. In comparison, I thought Circe was much more refined as a story but I still think The Song of Achilles is worth the read. 

Knowing that Persephone will be the next myth she tackles, I can honestly say that I am eagerly anticipating her third book! I know for a fact that she will do justice to one of my favorite Greek myths, and I so look forward to reading her next book! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and War

Moderate: Rape

nicolewanttie's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Murder, Animal death, War, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Rape, Blood, Death, and Slavery

tomasalbanez's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.75

I love the way the relationship with gods is represented, with them being clearly real but still mysterious, distant and covered by myths. The love story is tragic (a Greek Tragedy™) but really good.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Violence, Child death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Grief, and Blood

Moderate: Bullying and War

Minor: Slavery, Ableism, Pregnancy, and Sexism

amiah_s's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book took a piece of my soul in the best way

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, War, and Blood

Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Homophobia