erin2802's review
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! So moving and spellbinding. I love myths told from differ perspectives and the way Madeline Miller writes is so very enchanting. I love her! I’ve loved Circe as a figure in Greek Mythology just for her badassery in general and I now love her even more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death, Pregnancy, and Grief
iladevlin28's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
paulawind's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Spoiler
Her final act, the act of “becoming herself” being becoming human and a mortal is so powerful. She never sat well with the other gods, her heart was too big for that. Drinking her potion was an act of defiance, taking her own destiny into her hands, I felt so happy for her when I read the last words. Perfect ending to a nearly perfect bookI am a Greek mythology hoe so of course I loved this book. Feminist story set in the canon which diminished women mostly to tools for heroes to chase their glory. Miller doesn’t strip away achievements of men but rather shines light on the women who were always in the background of these stories, giving them the centre of the stage. At last.
Circe is written with such an intense amount of compassion to women in general, not only the ones from myths. Circe starts off as an innocent soul, with heart of her sleeve - life is beating that out of her but never fully succeeds. She learns to guard her heart and those she loves, seizing power for herself and you can’t help but think “good for her”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Animal death, Death of parent, Rape, Violence, Blood, Infidelity, Torture, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Abandonment, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Classism, and Misogyny
coco1mocha's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
sorryomari's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is one of my favorite books! It felt like beautiful agony. Not in a way that glorifies the sadness of life but looks that sadness directly and still continues.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
bonnie_bee's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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
5.0
As one of the few books that have beckoned me to read it more than once in its fullest, been on my mind for years? It can be nothing less than a five-star rating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
pjdotcom's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child death, Pregnancy, Body horror, Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Death of parent, Abandonment, Animal death, Grief, Sexual content, and War
demento's review
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Misogyny, and Infidelity
rkeith94's review
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Misogyny
sol_reina's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What compelled me at first for this book were the rich descriptions and beautiful comparisons, it was like reading a elaborate tapestry and each thread was like a story that fed into Circe’s life. What kept me reading was Circe’s longing to be something she’s not, to learning how to work through the parts of herself that were hidden and her stories of coming across those who wouldn't accept her, seeking approval from those how least deserved it, and understanding that mortality and love hold something that divinity could never offer her. In some ways I could relate to her longing for love and what it means to be accepted. Her journey through understanding she is not like the other gods in her desire to learn more from mortals or to emphasize with them where a stark difference between her and the other divine characters. Circe was a beautiful book and I can’t wait to reread again.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault