Book review: Circe

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By Madeline Miller
Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing

 Synopsis: In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft. 

 When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, wrathful Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia. There she learns to harness her occult craft, drawing strength from nature. But she will not always be alone; many are destined to pass through Circe's place of exile, entwining their fates with hers. The messenger god, Hermes. The craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece. And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home.

 There is danger for a solitary woman in this world, and Circe's independence draws the wrath of men and gods alike. To protect what she holds dear, Circe must decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

 How did this book end up in my hands? I had been wanting to read this book for a long time so I jumped at the chance of listening to the audiobook on BorrowBox.

 Was it a page-turner? This novel is so beautifully written and rich with such evocative imagery that I didn’t want to rush through it.

 Having read the synopsis, did the book meet my expectations? This book went above and beyond expectations as Madeline Miller is an extraordinary storyteller. I loved discovering the myth of Circe, which I only knew in parts.

 Did I like the ending? [no spoilers] I loved it! I would only have liked it more if it had come hundreds of pages later!

 Three words to describe it. Feminist. Fierce. Visual.

 Do I like the cover? Yes, it would have been perfect for the retelling of any Greek myth.

 Have I read any other books by the same author? Yes, The Song of Achilles is among my favourite books ever. I also look forward to reading Galatea.

 Will I be recommending this book? Definitely yes! Whether you are familiar with Greek mythology or not, this is a spellbinding story of magic, courage and transformation.

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