In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. Circe is strange - not powerful and terrible, like her father, not gorgeous and mercenary like her mother. But she has a dark power of her own: witchcraft. When Circe's gift threatens the gods, she is banished to the island of Aiaia where she hones her occult craft, casting spells, gathering strange herbs and taming wild beasts. Yet a woman who stands alone cannot live in peace for long - and among her island's guests is an unexpected visitor: the mortal Odysseus, for whom Circe will risk everything.
CIRCE by Madelaine Miller
Genre: Fantasy > Mythology, Historical Fiction, Retellings
Published:
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was a mythological education in powerful goddesses and powerful women. Circe gets under your skin!
I love Fantasy, but I haven't read much Mythology, especially in the format of a retelling, but even so I recognised many of the Greek Myths that had made their way between it's pages, all weaving and interacting with Circe herself.
Circe was captivating as a character. She had to be since it was her words that drove the story, weaving and casting contempt like a spell. Other gods and mortals walk in and out of her solitude, but whilst alone on the island of her banishment, Circe can rely on no one but herself. Her independence is fierce. She's like a lioness roaring angrily into the darkness at the men who wronged her, and drawing the attention of those who would use her further. Even for a goddess, it's a man's world, but if anyone could break free from it, Circe could.
"But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours,
as stars once a year brush the earth. Such a constellation he was to me."
There's always a light in the darkness, and where this is a tragic tale of loneliness and wrath, this is also a love story - one where happiness is snatched in brief moments, and preserved at all costs.
Love is imperfect, and Circe feels no shame in the lovers she takes. From each encounter she learns and draws more strength, wrapping it around her like a cloak. Her journey through the novel is hard, but by the end she is quite the force to be reckoned with!
"It is a common saying that women are delicate creatures, flowers, eggs,
anything that may be crushed in a moment's carelessness.
If I had ever believed it, I no longer did."
I was nervous of reading this novel, worried that it wouldn't live up to it's stellar reputation, but wow, it did not disappoint! I wanted to sit down and devour it in one sitting, soaking up Circe's potent magic and letting it wash through my veins.
It's also piqued my curiosity for mythology, so I'll be seeking more fantastic tales of terror and tragedy to read. Please leave me some recommendations in the comments, and let me know your thoughts on Circe if you happen to read!
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Zuzu 🖋
Thanks for this review - Circe sounds absolutely fascinating 💕
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