Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

874 reviews

bree_of_the_woods's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Absolutely fantastic! An epic telling of Achilles and Patroclus, from their boyhood adventure to their deep and unwavering love. Miller weaves together the myths we know, with new ideas to create a version of this story that is rich with emotion, and gripped my attention to the very end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, War, Violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Murder

Moderate: Rape and Slavery

art3m1sxx's review against another edition

dark informative sad slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Gore, Rape, Slavery, Violence, and War

thaliareads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

As a Percy Jackson kid, I had a feeling I would really enjoy this book and I was correct. It was an interesting retelling of Achilles life as experienced by Patroclus. It was a brilliant reimagining of the Iliad and had my attention throughout the entirety of the novel. It was heart wrenching and heart breaking but ultimately worth every ounce of pain.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Violence, and War

Moderate: Sexual violence and Slavery

I'm behind on reviews and it's been a few weeks since I read the book so I likely missed a couple of content warnings.

booksemmahasread's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Slavery, War, Violence, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Classism, and Grief

Moderate: Animal death

Minor: Child death, Abandonment, and Pregnancy

mirissab's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective 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

4.75

I only picked this book up because I want to read Circe but I didn't want to feel like I was missing anything.

Spoiler

I'd been so against reading romance until this point, but I underestimated (or failed to get the hint when reading the back cover) the depth and centrality of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus when choosing this book at the library.

I was not in the slightest disappointed by my decision. I haven't read a book in a while to where it felt like I was halfway through running a 5k and this story was my rewarded tiny two ounce paper cup of water. My heart quickened in moments of peril or suspense, and ached in sadness and love. I couldn't get the words off the page fast enough. I haven't had much engagement with Greek mythology since primary school, but my interest has been struck anew. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, War, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Outing, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Kidnapping, Medical content, and Slavery

friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Slavery, Sexual violence, Self harm, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Death, Body horror, Blood, Medical trauma, Child death, Sexual content, Medical content, Physical abuse, Grief, and War

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent

icedlemonade's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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 is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It has so much heart and Madeline Miller has written a masterpiece.

Spoiler

Towards the end it was so hard to hold back to tears but I think the quote that got me the most was ““Let it be remembered I tried.” I remember”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, War, and Violence

Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Gore, and Slavery

Minor: Homophobia

bookish_bry's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

4.25

I mostly enjoyed The Song of Achillies. It was a but slow at some points, but the emotional depth of our perspective character was on point. It was a bit of a tragic tale, but also was cute at times. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, Misogyny, War, Violence, and Infidelity

Moderate: Homophobia and Rape

cyberhavok's review against another edition

adventurous sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and War

Moderate: Sexual content and Slavery

nataliebootlah's review

challenging emotional informative 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? It's complicated

4.0

I rarely read Greek mythology, but when I do, they’re by Madeline Miller. 

Many moons ago, my book club read Circe and the group was absolutely torn. Some loved it, some loathed it. I enjoyed it, hence picking up her debut novel. And The Song of Achilles didn’t disappoint. 

Watching the events unfold through the eyes of a mere mortal, Patroclus, allowed the reader to see a world full of gods and the mighty Trojan war. We witness the slow burn of Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship, the sacrifices that must be made, and how one deals with pride, greed, and glory. It was an emotional, epic ride told in the lyrical prose that Miller does so well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, Violence, and War

Moderate: Slavery and Rape