vanyas's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Incest, Pregnancy, Violence, Rape, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Body shaming, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Animal death
thalia16's review
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Murder, War, Bullying, Grief, Pregnancy, and Rape
patioshipping's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Rape, and Sexual violence
carlycormier_'s review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
When I purchased this book I was excited to read a “spinoff”/“retelling” of a classic piece of literature through a feminist lens. However, after reading it I don’t feel that it was everything I was lead to believe and was hoping it would be. As a college student studying classical/ancient history maybe this is my reasoning for not loving it(?) I had to take a long pause and put this book down because 1) it felt too much like more of the same in regard to my academic focus, 2) certain sections required me to muster up the desire to keep reading (pace, plot, etc).
Miller has a lot of potential which is what excites me the most after reading this. Her mastery and deep knowledge of classical history and mythology truly shines, but that’s also the downfall of Circe. This could have been a contemporary masterpiece, a new mythological epic in its own right, but it just sort of fell flat to this. Arguably, a lot of fat could have been trimmed off this book and it would have been more intriguing and enjoyable. I expected Circe to be this wild ride of a story, but in the end it was too much of a hyper-slow burn for me. I did , however, really enjoy how Circe is a complicated character. She is multi-faceted and flawed. This is the big success with this retelling.
Miller has a lot of potential which is what excites me the most after reading this. Her mastery and deep knowledge of classical history and mythology truly shines, but that’s also the downfall of Circe. This could have been a contemporary masterpiece, a new mythological epic in its own right, but it just sort of fell flat to this. Arguably, a lot of fat could have been trimmed off this book and it would have been more intriguing and enjoyable. I expected Circe to be this wild ride of a story, but in the end it was too much of a hyper-slow burn for me. I did , however, really enjoy how Circe is a complicated character. She is multi-faceted and flawed. This is the big success with this retelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Gaslighting, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
froon's review against another edition
4.0
i enjoyed this book! miller does a great job of working with mythology. however, the ending of the book lost some of the spark that it held in the beginning. when i started this book, i was convinced it would be a 5 star, but it sputtered out at the end (with little fanfare, more like embers loosing flame than a fire being tossed with water). my heart is very fond of circe (the character). the write was gorgeous as always. i think miller deserves more praise for the sharpness and quickness of her dialogue as well (which is maybe why as the isolation grew, i found myself slightly less engaged).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
niftynaturalist's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
This was such a great read. Miller paints a beautifully complex picture of Circe, which lends itself to a story that while slow in pace still feels packed with enough action (both internal and external) to hold you captive all the way through. I’m a fan of myths and legends, and this book is definitely one I’d recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
smarkies's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
aimeest0ne's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
tbh it was fine, just very hyped up; didn't really meet my expectations. not bad, just overrated.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: War
nathalie123's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
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
5.0
A beautiful book about the need to be loved and the difference between loneliness and solitude, this story begins in Circe’s childhood and, as she’s immortal, ends after hundreds of generations. We follow her from the halls of the gods to the island home she shares with wild animals when she’s exiled after angering Zeus.
Circe makes a life for herself collecting herbs and plants for witchcraft and weaving on the unusual loom that was a gift from Daedalus. She has few encounters with humans and immortals, and her reputation as a fearsome witch grows. Any who challenge her spend the rest of their days in a sty looking at fellow pigs.
The author is able to craft an interesting character study where there’s little interaction with other people. I was initially put off by the almost juvenile storytelling till I realized that, as she’d just been born, Circe was indeed quite juvenile. As she matured, so did the writing style and so did my appreciation of the talented author. I hope she continues to rewrite Greek myths. She expands on stories I learned in my youth and I want more.
Circe makes a life for herself collecting herbs and plants for witchcraft and weaving on the unusual loom that was a gift from Daedalus. She has few encounters with humans and immortals, and her reputation as a fearsome witch grows. Any who challenge her spend the rest of their days in a sty looking at fellow pigs.
The author is able to craft an interesting character study where there’s little interaction with other people. I was initially put off by the almost juvenile storytelling till I realized that, as she’d just been born, Circe was indeed quite juvenile. As she matured, so did the writing style and so did my appreciation of the talented author. I hope she continues to rewrite Greek myths. She expands on stories I learned in my youth and I want more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Rape, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence