The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
badmom's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
The historical references and details of weaponry & battle are peripheral; the bulk of attention is spent humanizing the characters through their lesser-known thoughts & behaviors.Â
In the end, this well-known war story becomes a rich, beautiful examination of friendship, love, & family.Â
Graphic: Death, Grief, Violence, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Slavery, and Infidelity
srolocs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, and War
Moderate: Rape
bluedilly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, War, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Slavery, Animal death, Blood, Murder, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Self harm, and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Abandonment, Child abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Classism, Pregnancy, Rape, Slavery, and Vomit
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Death of parent, and Homophobia
vaguely_pink's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Child abuse, Grief, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Minor: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
booklover01's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: War, Self harm, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Genocide, Blood, Animal cruelty, Violence, Animal death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
gaia004's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Blood, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Murder, Sexual violence, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Cannibalism
lokioste's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual violence, War, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexual harassment, Body horror, Suicide, Blood, and Domestic abuse
rori_ratsoma's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Cursing, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Misogyny, War, Homophobia, and Violence
annamay1021's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Animal death, Blood, and Violence
jayvdw's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I was already very familiar with the story of Achilles, having read Heroes and Troy by Stephen Fry. But the interpretation of the original story by Madeline Miller made this story so much more than just another hero's journey. I really enjoyed that the main focus of the book wasn't on the Trojan war, as this story has been told numerous times.
Some other things that I really liked about the book were < spoiler> the change from Achilles being invulnerable, to just being a genius fighter who is still vulnerable to attacks. , the way gods were presented as selfish and unethical, and the conflicted depiction of Odysseus, as a person with his own motives and drives.
The ending of the book was perfectly executed. While reading I was wondering how Madeline Miller would pull this off, but she clearly exceeded my expectations.Â
For my rating: I loved the book, but I have two minus points. First, the book sometimes felt a bit too slow-paced for my liking. Secondly, the book missed a certain spark to get 5 stars. I only felt this spark in the last 4 chapters. For this reason, I gave it a 4.5.
Graphic: War, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault