Reviews tagging 'War'

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

1383 reviews

gladiolus17's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

If you liked Circe, you will definitely like this!

The writing, like Circe, was lush and filled with surprising, strong metaphors. It was very steeped in worldview. As well, the romance with Achilles was so tender, raw, and sensual.

I had the same issue with The Song of Achilles as I did with Circe: that the plot wasn’t very centered. I suppose this is like how it was in the Greek myth (I don’t know for sure, as I’m not familiar with it). 

Overall, I enjoyed the book, especially on audio.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

ppppaula's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Death, Animal death, Rape, Sexual content, and War

dilani's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-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

Miller describes a beautiful relationship growing between Patroclus and Achilles. I feel like Miller could have gone more in-depth about them though. It is still a thrilling, yet heartbreaking story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual violence, Slavery, and Rape

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

enchante's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.5

It was good, so so good. I love Madeline Miller. Her writing is incredible and I felt like I knew Achilles and Patroclus personally by the end of the book. I wish we'd seen more of their relationship, more of their actual conversations and moments together.

Spoiler

I think I still like Circe more, but I think that's mostly because I've never had a lot of interest in the Trojan War, so the setting and themes of Circe appeal to me more. But Achilles and Patroclus 😭

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Death, Violence, and War

Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual violence

rowdymeowdy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-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

This book at first was a little tough for me to get through. It felt a little flat for a while and took me a beat to get into a reading rhythm but I still think this is a pretty story. I liked the ending, and how it was written. I did tear up there. I did get pretty ticked off at some of the main character flaws but I think that’s the point of stories like these. I enjoyed this read and would recommend if you want a slower, stable read (not too much of an emotional rollercoaster imo)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, War, Violence, and Homophobia

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Slavery, War, and Xenophobia

chelle22's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Torture, Animal cruelty, Cultural appropriation, Child abuse, Blood, Cannibalism, Child death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Sexual assault, Animal death, Death, Cursing, Grief, Incest, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Slavery, War, and Self harm

luwa963's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Slavery, Pregnancy, Grief, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Animal death, War, Bullying, Blood, Abandonment, Medical content, Self harm, Alcohol, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation, and Death

angry_badger224's review against another edition

emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

One of the best books I’ve ever read. It will rip your heart out and stomp on it, and you’ll thank Madeline Miller for it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, Murder, Child death, Blood, Misogyny, Grief, Slavery, and War

Minor: Rape

It follows the Iliad, so pretty much the red flags of Ancient Greece all apply.

alex04's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and War

melodyramirez's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Animal death, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Misogyny, and Grief

Minor: Suicidal thoughts