385 Pages
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.
Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.
But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.
I have had a pretty strong interest in Greek Mythology since Sophomore year in high school when our entire first semester in Honors English was the study of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology. Ever since this book came out, it has been on my radar. And, lo and behold as I search the “New Arrivals” stacks in my University library, did I find this.
I’m not going to lie. This book took me a long time to read. I could blame it all on school starting, but I believe it partially has to do with its content. While, of course, this is all fiction, it is still, in a sense, history. And, while in narration, it was still a predetermined story.
While I seemed to have only read this book in 10 minute intervals, with the occasional thirty-minute delve, I found it hard to really immerse myself, but more take in my surroundings of what was going on. I never really felt compelled to have to continue the story, because I knew it would still be there laced in history.
That being said, however, I feel I learned so, so much from this book. The craft and dedication it took to write this is mind blowing. But Circe’s story is something truly devastating (Telegonus), joyful (Telegonus), and frustrating at times (Telegonus), and I’m so happy what I came out of with this book.
If mythology isn’t your thing, then I probably wouldn’t recommend this book, for the style may be awkward for you. But, if you are interested and know just even a little about mythology, I would highly recommend it. The way Miller weaves Circe’s story is fantastic.
What I got out of this book wasn’t only a story carried through time, but knowledge that I want to try and hold with me for as long as I can.
Rating:
Have you read Circe? What did you think about it? Do you like Greek Mythology? Talk to me in the comments!
This is the best review ❤️
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*crying face because all of your nice comments make me cry*
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Is there anyone that doesn’t LOVE this book?? This is an awesome review… you may have done it Daniel… you’ve put me officially over the edge. This is on my OCT reads list now ❤ Thx!!
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!!!!!! Thank you! This is such a kick-ass book. And honestly, there are so many great “woman kicking ass” scenes that it’s fantastic (well, A woman kicking ass…the rest just kind of knows kicks ass and they’re like ‘I cannot kick ass as well as you teach me’).
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lol ❤ Yes!!!
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I loved this book too, like it leaves something with you like you said. It was insanely beautiful.
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Very! The craft of it is quite amazing to think about
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I haven’t read Circe but love and am well-grounded in Greek mythology so will probably get to it. Eventually.
A few years back, I read the first 3 books in the Cannongate Myth Series, now at 18 entries. It’s contemporary authors telling their own reimagined versions of popular myths. You may be interested in looking into them.
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Yeah! Thanks for telling me about them! And, I consider myself semi-well grounded, and it was so interesting to see a minor god’s full story fledged out, all raw and stuff
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Oh, while we’re talking about novelizations of mythology: I read a really good one in 2015 called The Golden Chord by Geraldine Brooks. It’s about the biblical King David.
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!!! I’ll look in to it! Thanks for the great suggestions!!
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I love greek mythology too and I liked this book but had a few problems with it.
Overall, still a very good book!
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I love Greek mythology, and the story of Circe is fascinating! I hope I like it as much as you did when I eventually get to reading it 😁
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I’ve been desperate to read this book since it came out but haven’t found the time to sit down and read it. I loved The Song of Achilles. Do you have any plans to pick that one up.
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Gosh! I don’t know. I want lo say eventually, but not anytime soon, unfortunately. I’m glad you enjoyed it though!
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