vic_the_postie's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
andreadpr's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
emma_ctz's review
adventurous
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chippity_books's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
pennyleijon's review
adventurous
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
annaavian's review against another edition
2.0
I expected to like this book a whole lot more than I did. I enjoy reading Greek Mythology books and I liked Circe but this one didn't do it for me.
It felt like the plot had no particular direction for quite a while. I skimmed through some passages, hoping to get to something actually exciting.
The whole relationship between Patroclus and Achilles lacked complexity, it lacked emotion and the "forbidden love" kind of intensity. There was never a moment where I felt that some tension was building up, even the whole war was told in such dull, shallow way.
Most of the characters were depicted in a very melodramatic and vain manner so I can't really say I liked any of them. The way Patroclus was portrayed in this book reminded me of Bella Swan from Twilight, another deeply dependant and otherwise faceless character had it not been for their macho Alpha male to define them. Why Miller chose to portray him as this weak, incompetent and awkward person I could not understand. The scene in which Patroclus "kills" Sarpedon is simply ridiculous.
The song of Achilles is very overrated and I can't believe it currently has a higher rating than the Iliad ...
It felt like the plot had no particular direction for quite a while. I skimmed through some passages, hoping to get to something actually exciting.
The whole relationship between Patroclus and Achilles lacked complexity, it lacked emotion and the "forbidden love" kind of intensity. There was never a moment where I felt that some tension was building up, even the whole war was told in such dull, shallow way.
Most of the characters were depicted in a very melodramatic and vain manner so I can't really say I liked any of them. The way Patroclus was portrayed in this book reminded me of Bella Swan from Twilight, another deeply dependant and otherwise faceless character had it not been for their macho Alpha male to define them. Why Miller chose to portray him as this weak, incompetent and awkward person I could not understand. The scene in which Patroclus "kills" Sarpedon is simply ridiculous.
The song of Achilles is very overrated and I can't believe it currently has a higher rating than the Iliad ...
tallulah27's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
3.5
Very different for me and interesting historically but didn’t really move me as much as I expected, wasn’t emotionally connected to the characters I guess. Plus their deaths were already predicted so I guess that took the emotion out a bit.
pumpkinspice587587's review against another edition
5.0
I already knew the story of Achilles and Patroclus and so I knew that Patroclus would die, but it still ripped me apart. I think me knowing what would happen made it more painful. Reading them being hopeful and happy together knowing their fate was another level of hurt. But that’s what makes it so amazing. In my opinion, a book that hurts you is a good book. The fact that an author can twist words to make you feel for people who don’t even exist? That is incredible.