amanda_mh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Gore, Grief, Murder, Death, and War
miastegner's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
•it could’ve used less misogyny in the way things were framed & overlooked (even with generous leeway for consideration of the time period and what might’ve been the main character’s honest point of view)
•I really appreciated that it didn’t shy away from the queerness of the story, and watching their love for each other evolve as they grew up was really beautiful
•the ending made my cry a little just like my cousin said it would (albeit only after all the death, at
Spoiler
the mother’s slow acceptance of her son’s chosen partner and eventual willingness to add his name on the grave).Graphic: Murder, Misogyny, Gore, Death, Blood, Sexism, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Self harm
myaphrodiite's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
this book shows that love is pure no matter what gender you are, where you come from, your background, your looks and even your skills. love is love and this story shows this to the reader. the love between an exile and a prince, forbidden by their stereotypes but welcome by their hearts.
the amount of passion and emotion in this writing is breathtaking, it is by far one of the most beautiful books i’ve ever read, although it shattered my heart i will love it forever. i would recommend for everyone to read this book as it is a piece of art.
Graphic: Blood, War, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Injury/injury detail, Child abuse, Murder, Rape, Self harm, and Slavery
Minor: Kidnapping, Torture, and Animal death
rubyabercromby's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Animal death, Death, Gore, and Grief
timuryo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Blood, Death, and Gore
Minor: Rape and Homophobia
leonormsousa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, Injury/injury detail, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Body horror, Death, Sexual assault, Slavery, Medical content, and War
daringreader13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Violence, Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Genocide, Grief, Murder, Misogyny, Animal cruelty, Injury/injury detail, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, and War
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
schang's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Murder, and War
Moderate: Homophobia
simplyintroverted_rc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: War and Gore
ricksilva's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Told from the point of view of Patroclus, the lover of Achilles, the story follows the events that lead up to the Trojan War beginning with Patroclus as the youngest of Helen's suitors to his exile and his first meeting Achilles.
Miller includes the mythical elements of the story, especially focusing on Achilles' mother, the goddess Thetis, who is a powerful presence in the narrative, both relatable as the parent disapproving of her son's choice of romantic partner and still completely inhuman in her power as a goddess. It is Thetis, rather than Hector, Paris, or any of the Trojans, who is the true antagonist in the story, and much of the resolution comes from Thetis finally facing the consequences of her own part in bringing Achilles' fate upon him.
The story doesn't stray far from the original plot; the "heel" element is dismissed as nonsense, but most of the other magical elements of the myth remain, although the author does a nice job of avoiding the magic overshadowing the human drama too much. The character interactions, and Patroclus' very human viewpoint are the major contributions of this interpretation of the myth, which allows the reader a much more intimate view of the famous events.
Graphic: Murder, Gore, and War
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Rape