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katiecoconut21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The relationships between the characters are what made me enjoy this book. The
As much as this is advertised as a love story, I feel like people forget that it is also a tragedy, which is made so very clear in the book
Having said that, Achilles' character development is masterfully done. You feel the tragedy of this through Patroclus' eyes and feelings, and Madeline Miller made me truly believe how her Achilles mirrored that of the Greek epics.
Very well done!
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, and Pregnancy
uselesspirateraven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Incest, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
mangofraiche'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
4.5
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
mentalmondai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Infidelity
tokiberry'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? It's complicated
4.5
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑.𝟱
⋆✴︎˚。⋆ Those seconds, half seconds, that the line of our gaze connected, were the only moment in my day that I felt anything at all. The sudden swoop of my stomach, the coursing anger. I was like a fish eyeing the hook.
Rounded it off to a 5-star because this is the only book that actually made me break down and cry uncontrollably during the last three chapters because of the pain and despair I felt despite knowing the end was inevitable. The number of highlights and notes in my Kindle is crazy, and not everything is uploaded because, man, I felt some heavy emotions.
Miller’s retelling was fantastic, although certain areas had some criticisms (I'm talking about how they did my girl, Briseis, dirty). But this didn’t take away the stunning storytelling, with it being both beautiful and devastating. I doubt I’ll ever be able to express my thoughts fully, but I plan to reread this book soon, even though it means going through the heartache again.
“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”
If only our star-crossed lovers never left Pelion... My Roman Empire.
“I do not mean—” I twisted my fingers. “I would still be with you. But I could sleep outside, so it would not be so obvious. I do not need to attend your councils. I—”
“No. The Phthians will not care. And the others can talk all they like. I will still be Aristos Achaion.” Best of the Greeks.
“Your honor could be darkened by it.”
“Then it is darkened.” His jaw shot forward, stubborn. “They are fools if they let my glory rise or fall on this.”
“But Odysseus—”
His eyes, green as spring leaves, met mine. “Patroclus. I have given enough to them. I will not give them this.”
GASPING FOR AIR. YES FIGHT FOR YOUR MAN!
“Have you no more memories?”
I am made of memories.
“Speak, then.”
This scene between Patroclus and Thetis...
⊹ ࣪ In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out the sun. ˖
. ݁˖ . ݁
✦ post-read: this story was both beautiful and heart-wrenching 🥹
. ݁₊ ⊹
⟡ pre-read: okay i see this all over tiktok so let's get into it
Graphic: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and War
morbidgoogle's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
wildflower_magic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Biphobia, Child abuse, Child death, Genocide, Homophobia, Infidelity, Transphobia, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Outing, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy
cnannery19's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
barbarianmissy'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
I really loved this book. Summing up Patroclus’ entire life into 369 pages was a worthy feat. I felt like I lived it alongside him.
The love story in this book between Patroclus and Achilles was so beautiful and tragic and unapologetic. It was so good. I also found it super interesting how they truly shaped one another’s character. Patroclus started off his exile cynic and prideful, whereas Achilles was introduced as a breath of life and beauty. They really swapped those traits during the war.
I got SUPER FRUSTRATED near the end with Achilles and Agamemnon in how both THEIR own prides cost so many men their lives. Gah, frickin MEN! Also Achilles’ stupid idiot son can EAT A CAR TIRE AND DIE. What a lil shit and a half. Glad he didn’t last long.
Anywho, I really loved the ending. Reading about the immense grief had me in TEARS but it was so beautifully written. It was a nice switch up that Achilles’ crazy nymph mama really just was a protective mummy who loved her kid in the end. Happy she gave her son what he truly loved and wished for in the end. They found their peace and it was just a gorgeous finale.
I JUST LOVED THIS STORY OK!?! Felt like I was back in elementary school obsessing over Ancient Greek Mythology again. Also, Madeline Miller is such an amazing author, I may read Circe next.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
bwoo's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, and Pregnancy