Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

76 reviews

ntvenessa's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

Oh my heart. Despite knowing this was a Greek tragedy, Miller's storytelling constantly kept me turning pages in hope. The character development of Patroclus and Achilles was especially well done and readers will appreciate the nuance and care invested. The writing balanced both a prophetic and tender voice, willing the story along and keeping you invested. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, although it will scrape at your heartstrings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Outing, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Abandonment

Minor: Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, and Dementia

lish_e's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.5

 “Name one hero who was happy."
 I considered. Heracles went mad and killed his family; Theseus lost his bride and father; Jason's children and new wife were murdered by his old; Bellerophon killed the Chimera but was crippled by the fall from Pegasus' back.
 "You can't." He was sitting up now, leaning forward.
 "I can't." 

I was a bit worried at first because I don’t have a lot of knowledge about Greek mythology and stories. But that wasn’t a problem at all. 
We follow the two main characters as their friendships starts to turn to love. You start to feel a lot of different emotions throughout the story. There are sweet moments between them and then there is a war. Sometimes they’re willing to do a lot of things for each other, so that the partner feels loved and cared for. Other times the relationship gets a bit toxic, in my opinion. 
The small sentences and details that get picked up later in the book also help to give the story a lot of emotions. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War

Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Pregnancy and Abandonment

gabrielleclarke05's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

ferdia1's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Gorgeous writing and very well executed plot. Lost a star because I think it killed a part of my soul.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and War

l1iqc's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and War

Minor: Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping

mashleys's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

How I would describe this novel: PG-13; Queer; more Romance than Epic; easy/casual read
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I am not sure that my review could convince you to read this if the others haven't already, but I read the audible audio version performed by Frazer D and I was incredibly pleased with the narration. Douglas's voice is pleasing to listen to and his accent matched the story well.

I read this in the course of 2-3 weeks and from the first chapter I was completely immersed in the story. Miller seamlessly creates a scene with little effort and writes the characters in such a way you become very invested in their lives. I was acquainted with the story of Achillies, as I believe most probably are, going into this, but I had not known it in this manner, nor did I remember some key details that Miller wrote about. I enjoyed it like reading the book to a movie I watched 10 years ago and only remember a few plot points from.

I was disappointed because I didn't cry as I was expecting to, but I understand why others did. It might be that I am all cried out at the time of reading this from circumjacent situations, but I did experience the catharsis it sounds like many others did, just sans tears.

I am very happy to have read this and it makes me want to give the Illiad a second chance as it seems that part of the story was lost on me while reading it in school.

I would recommend this to friends looking for a mythology-inspired, easy, and enjoyable read.
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For those that are into dark academia, this is not really "academia" rather more just the aesthetic of it. If you're looking for the academia side of DA read the Illiad, if you want a casual read that reflects DA tropes then this is for you.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Gore, Sexual violence, and Slavery

seefahrer's review against another edition

tense fast-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? It's complicated

0.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

liz_vg's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Rape

nicole_m's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Beautiful writing and I find mythology so interesting to read. <Spoiler> Many of the books plots were predictable because of the prophecy but more the comfortable kind not boring and although the ending should be sad I didn’t find it that way it was a tragic love and that was fine

. Overall, this book was great and I recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

Content heavy, if the warnings above trigger you then I don’t suggest you read but if not enjoy.

natalie809's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.75

A solid book. Took a bit to get into, but got hooked about half way through. There are some questionable things, and i found that the writing was dull at times. The plot was slow at points too, and I ended up skimming some parts. It gets good 3/4 through tho, and the tragic ending is well written. It's not perfect, but it certainly isn't bad. If you like greek mythology and gay romance you will enjoy this.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Murder

Minor: Homophobia

The way sexual assault is talked about in this book is a little too casual for my liking. Doesn't make it unreadable though. The sex is uncomfortable, especially bc the characters are underage.