Let me preface by saying that I have a minor obsession with Greek mythology. So when I discovered this author (who previously wrote a retelling of the Trojan War), I immediately jumped on the chance to read.

If you’ve read the Odyssey, you may recognize the goddess Circe. Yes, she is the one who turned Odysseus’ men to pigs. But she has a fascinating life before Odysseus ever enters the pictures. Daughter of Helios, sister-in-law to King Minos, lover of Daedalus.

She and her siblings are blessed with a power that no other god or titan possesses – to harness plants from the earth and transform them into magical potions, salves and spells. Circe is thus banished to the island of Aeaea because the gods are jealous and petty (a pretty common theme in Greek mythology).

Circe is one of the most resilient characters I have ever read, and she has a fascinating way of looking at the world around her. Miller obviously put a lot of research and work into recreating this world, and her language is absolutely gorgeous. The pacing gets quite slow toward the middle, and I struggled for several chapters. BUT it picks up quickly once more characters are introduced after the midpoint.

This book is chock-full of the best stories and characters from Greek mythology. But you don’t have to be familiar to enjoy the story. It’s worth a read anyway, so if you love love epic storytelling, new cultures or Greek mythology, pick up this book when it’s released on April 10. Thanks Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This book takes mythology and storytelling to a whole new level. For those of you who don't know, Madeline Miller also wrote The Song of Achilles. For those of you who do know, I have no doubt you loved that book, and this book will be no different.
the plot
The plot occurred over a long time period (like hundreds of years). It begins when Circe is born, then to her childhood, and her first love, then exile, and eventually her life alone on the island. Throughout the years, much of Circe's life passes in monotony, she is focused on perfecting her witchcraft and becoming the witch every god and goddess fears. During her exile, she comes into contact with stray sailors and voyagers, which she takes her own wrath out on. She develops an elusive affair with a renown god, an infamous icon in Greek history, and one of the biggest names in mythology. Circe isn't afraid of her sexuality, and takes every opportunity she has for herself. Her life becomes centered around her newborn son, Telegonus, and she outrages the goddess Athena in the process. Her whole life is filled with drama and excitement while also depicted as boring and repetitive. Hundreds of years pass in Circe's life before she fully begins to understand her place in the world and decide what she really wants.
the characters
Circe is the goddess many of you (including me) have probably never heard of before now, but she is the goddess and story we all deserve to hear. A true witch outcast by her family and peers, she is the epitome of the demonization women have faced throughout history. On her own, she learns to not care about others and perfects her witchcraft to use to her advantage and to use to get revenge on those who have done her wrong. Viewed as a villain, as most independent women in this time were, she's a character people can understand and relate to as all of her actions are justified. Sometimes people need to be rude and callous, women are justifiably allowed to step on others' toes when it comes to certain things. She's a goddess who fully embraces her sexuality and breaks the stigma that women can't have casual affairs. As someone who always speaks her mind, doesn't let others walk over her, and embraces herself for who she is, her story should have been told, and I'm so happy Madeline was the one to do it. Along with Circe, we are introduced to other big name people such as: Daedalus, Icarus, Odysseus and Penelope and Telemachus, Hermes, Athena, and the nymphs of Circe's family. The character development and description in this book is some of the best I've ever read.
the setting
For the most part, all events take place on Circe's island of Aiaia and her encounters with travelers. Alone on the island, much is centered around the greenery and nature aspects of Aiaia and how Circe used herbs, plants, and nectar to perfect her art. And the book contains a beautiful map in the front cover!
the romance
Early on, what Circe thought was true love turns horribly sour and sad, pushing her away from men for her entire life. A true feminist icon, Circe gives no shit what others view her affairs and relationships as (though she is exiled no one sees her often). Forming an acquaintances with benefits type relationship, she is not afraid to kick him out, tell him off, and kick him off her island. She is the woman we all wish to read about who can separate feelings from sex (because they are out there believe it or not). She develops more illicit affairs with others and eventually falls in love with an unlikely candidate who understands her and sees who she really is. Through a surprising bond formed between the two, Circe learns to love again with her whole heart, unfiltered and irrevocable. Her true love in this story is with the humans she's been taught to stay away from, for they are only mortal.
final thoughts
It's been a long time since I've loved a book like this one. It's not the fast-paced, eventful book like many other YA books. It's more slow-paced, thoughtful, and reflective telling of the story of Circe and her journey through life. It's sweet, careful, and beautifully written. I read as slow as I could because I never wanted it to end. A heartbreaking, but in a good way, type of story that everyone will appreciate and understand. I loved The Song of Achilles, but this book has to be my favorite between the two. As much as I love Achilles and Patroclus, something about this book had me hooked from the beginning. Miller's writing has improved so much from TSoA, and her writing was never even bad to begin with; it's that good. Circe also has one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen (the UK version), with a map (all versions), so if that isn't enough incentive to buy it, I don't know what is. Mythology is something we ALL need more of, and there can never be enough of it in YA. For anyone who loves witchcraft, magic, and mythology, this book is for you.

I love love loved this book!

Reading <i>Circe</i> was like stepping into a dream you didn't want to end. As she did with her previous book <i>Song of Achilles</>, Miller submerges us into the mythology of ancient Greece, this time focusing on Circe; nymph, witch and daughter to the god Helios.

Circe's story is quieter, as she has been confined to an island for practicing witchcraft, though still very readable and compelling. We also meet many of the big players who pass through: Odysseus, Athena, Daedalus, Hermes and more. Though lacking a traditional plot, it kept my rapt attention throughout. Circe's world is painted in such loving detail that you can't help but be drawn into it.

If you like mythology, retelling of myths, bad-ass ladies, magic, or when jerks get their comeuppance, then you will like <i>Circe</i>!

Remember way back in 2011, a gorgeous book called Song of Achilles? I have been waiting patiently for her next book...and it is finally here on April 10. Once again, as is obvious by the title, Miller returns to her Greek mythology roots. As a retired teacher who taught the Odyssey relentlessly, year after year, Miller picked one of my favorite characters on which to focus her incredible story-telling skills. Circe, the witch who 'imprisons' Odysseus and his men for over a year, sends them to the House of the Dead, tells them how to avoid Scylla and the Sirens, this gorgeous, frightening, intriguing, complicated woman finally gets her own story and it's a doozy. We see her youth in her father Helios' palace (yep, that Helios, the Sun God), her interplay with some creepy siblings and cousins, her first foray into witchery, the banishment to her island, and her dealings with a wide variety of characters from Greek mythology; don't forget - she's immortal so time just whizzes by. While it was a bit of a slow start for me, by about page 40 I was ensnared in Circe's world. This is a gorgeously written book of a historically misunderstood woman, imperfect yet capable of growth, weak yet learns strength, unlikable at times yet wholly admirable. I highly recommend:)

BookFilter Review: OK, so "The Song Of Achilles" was no fluke. Classicist Madeline Miller made a remarkable fiction debut with a story plucked from "The Iliad" by bringing to life the passion and pain of the hero Achilles. Published as a paperback release, it was critically acclaimed and became an international bestseller. Six years later, Miller returns with a story drawn from "The Odyssey." This time she inhabits the character of Circe. An immortal banished to an island, Circe is just one of many dangers faced down by the wily Odysseus. She turns his men into swine but Odysseus has been forewarned by the god Hermes. Odysseus pressures the hag into restoring his men and then wiles away a year on her island before moving on. Some other ancient tales say Circe even bore the warrior a son (or sons) who would later accidentally kill him. While it's true the adventures of Odysseus were peripatetic in the extreme, why did he tally for a year on her island? And how did Circe end up banished to this spit of land in the first place? As with "The Song Of Achilles," Miller brings Circe fully to life, from childhood to the endless heartbreak, disappointment and frustrated ambition that is surely the lot of demigods who live for thousands of years. "Circe" is gripping from start to finish and Miller's take on everyone from Helios to Hermes to Daedalus and Circe herself threaten to overwhelm your take on these characters despite the many centuries and many authors who have brought them to life before. Circe's resistance to being pigeonholed, dismissed by her father, embrace of "feminine" pursuits looked down on by others (like weaving and witchcraft) and so much more make this a rich tale on many levels. But most of all it's a thoroughly satisfying story. The gods know what epic or ancient myth Miller might set her considerable skills to next, but whatever it is the story will surely be worth the wait. -- Michael Giltz

After I finished The Song of Achilles last month, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Madeline Miller’s follow up because of the impact her writing had on me. I immediately pre-ordered this book and then tried my luck on Netgalley because waiting two months for my copy just seemed unfathomable. To my surprise, I was approved for this arc and I’m happy to say that I enjoyed this book tremendously and the incredible character journey.

Circe is the firstborn of the Titan god, Helios, and the lower Oceanid nymph, Perse. She’s an outcast, despised by her family, and later exiled to the island of Aiaia after she turns a rival into a monster. During her exile, she becomes a student of her craft and crosses paths with Odysseus and other unexpected mythological characters like Prometheus, Daedalus and Icarus, the Minotaur, as well as Medea and Jason.

Circe didn’t have the same emotional impact The Song of Achilles had on me, but it is still a masterpiece and an incredible interpretation of the Odyssey from Circe's point-of-view. This story is rich and complicated! The plot is character driven and intricately woven with other myths and like The Song of Achilles, the prose is eloquent, mesmerizing, and poetic. Plus, the gods are meddlesome and brilliantly characterized.

What I loved most about Circe was the writing and character development. Circe is a likable character with fears, insecurities, and easy to root for. At times, I thought she was too naive and too kind, but for the most part, I liked the way Miller brought her to life. I thought Miller did a wonderful job of portraying the conflict she faced by being caught in between two worlds and that she captured the emotions of this character well. I liked Circe's progression from a quite child who desperately wants to be liked to a confident woman — both in her craft and herself. I also enjoyed how perceptive Circe was portrayed in Miller's interpretation. This was something that stood out to me while reading and I loved that she wasn't written as a weak and unintelligent character.

I also loved that the gods have a bigger role in this book. I found the side characters interesting and at times during the plot, I wondered about their fate and hoped to see more interactions with them. I liked that Miller introduced the characters she did because it made Circe's exile more interesting and allowed us to experience Circe's time on the island in a more captivating way.

I enjoyed Circe tremendously; however, there was one particular aspect that bothered me. I expected this world to be filled with misogyny, violence, and rape; however, the sexual violence scene in Circe felt unnecessary. Because I'm not too familiar with mythology surrounding this character, I'm not sure if that was the author's decision or canon material. In my opinion, sexual violence as a device to further the plot was not needed and this was the reason I couldn't give this 5 stars. I think Miller handled the traumatization of that experience well; however, I believe she could've arrived at Circe turning men into pigs without the rape.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoyed The Song of Achilles and to anyone who wants to read a beautiful fictional narrative. It doesn't have as much action and didn’t have the same emotional impact as The Song of Achilles, but it's beautifully written and Circe shines. Greek myth tends to focus on male heroes and male gods, so I appreciated this female perspective.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book

Trigger warning: Rape

I knew after reading The Song of Achilles that I would read anything Madeline Miller wrote and she didn't disappoint me. She is an excellent writer and I am a sucker for Greek Mythology so her books are a real treat for me. I wish there was more out there like this but also of the same quality as Miller's books.

CIRCE is written so beautifully and epically it almost felt metaphysical. I am so sad to not be reading it anymore. I keep having moments where I am thinking about living life fully, motherhood, and feelings that are so human they are biblical and I wonder, "why was I just thinking about that?" It is because I just finished CIRCE. It made me examine what it means to be human. This book whipped me into a world I did not want to leave. I felt like I was dreaming the most wonderful, colorful, and sometimes terrifying things. When I finished the last page I spent hours reading up on Greek mythology, wanting more of Circe and her voice. But outside of this book, it really doesn't exist. One of the best books I've read in years and years.

This story was amazing. The lyrical sense of the story, the complexity of the characters- it was enthralling. It was slow moving seeing as Circe is stuck on an island for the majority of the book; you don't get to see the action happening outside of the island unless it's told from outside sources. By the end of the story, I had a sense of satisfaction.

Circe is emotional, much like Miller's debut, but is transcends it delivering us a moving account of a powerful woman who must not only discover her own power, but her own fate as well. Even more so, Circe is a beautifully written book. There were numerous quotes that moved me, forced me to stop and highlight, and that I would frame on the wall. This is an entirely different being than her first book and if The Song of Achilles was a bright light, I think this is more like a flickering flame - twisting and turning, showing us deeper and more complex shadows on the walls.

Miller has done it again! I'm honestly short on words. I don't know how someone can write so beautifully. The visuals Miller created left me in awe. That being said, there were often times I was so frustrated with with Circe. She made a lot of decisions that annoyed me. I don't fault for the author for this, of course. I think this makes the character more realistic. There were also times where the book seemed to drag on a little longer than I would have liked, but other than that, this book is absolutely wonderful.. It may not be for some people, anyone who is not a fan of witchcraft and can't handle violence, death, or rape may want to steer clear.

I wavered back and forth between three and four stars for Madeline Miller's Circe for one reason; it's beautifully written, but at times I was plodding through it. I'm a fan of Greek mythology, but hardly well-versed in the multitude of characters at play so I spent my fair share of time on wikipedia reminding myself of the backstories. Perhaps that explains the length of time it took me to finish Circe. However, as a speed reader when I'm really enjoying a book I finish it in a few hours at the very most. Circe took me well over a week.

That shouldn't take away from the fact that Circe is a great story. Madeline Miller brought an important but often unacknowledged character and masterfully told several generations of Greek mythology from her perspective. The fact that Circe is exiled on an island alone for many of those generations should highlight Miller's talent.

I look forward to reading everything Miller writes from here forward, but I don't think Circe will be one I find myself coming back to.

For fans of Greek mythology, Homer, or just of great historical fiction this is an excellent tale. Lacking the "cheese factor" of many modern re-tellings of ancient myths that tend to humanize or glorify the Gods and characters with a completely modern, often YA feel, this book instead exhibited great story-telling, the ability to stay true to source materials and update it for modern tastes, but keeping many of the classic elements. I have read the original content it is based from, i.e. Homer and many variations of old tales, including the more ancient versions of Greek mythology and this is very well done. I highly recommend it even if you aren't that familiar with Greek mythology.

Absolutely loved this one. I have been waiting for another book by the author for years, and this one did not disappoint. Beautiful, heartbreaking and triumphant from one moment to the next, with characters so fully formed you will be thinking about them long after you close the book. I wanted to savor it, but I also couldn't wait to find out what our heroine would tackle next. An exquisite voyage of self discovery and awakening for one of mythology's most intriguing women.

Miller's beautiful previous work, 'The Song of Achilles', had won me over completely. This book lives up to the latter's high standards. The language is lush, lyrical, and often startling in its metaphors and imagery. The ancient story is made entirely new again when we hear it from Circe's point of view. The large cast of characters that are drawn to this strong, independent, solitary, passionate woman as she wrestles with both internal and external forces makes for compelling storytelling, of course. But her struggle for survival and journey to transformation are timeless and uplifting too.

The skill with which Miller gives us a complete world, rich in nuance and detail, is breathtaking. And it takes a practiced art to marry a fecund imagination with so much historical scholarship to create a thrilling and page-turning narrative.

[The rest of the review will be linked when it is published later this month.]

I read Madeline Miller's first novel when it came out and was happily surprised to see this one on NetGalley. I enjoyed it overall, though some parts moved more slowly than others. It's helpful to have some knowledge of myths and the Odyssey to appreciate what Miller has done here. I had to refresh my memory in a few places as I initially confused Circe with Calypso (who is actually a nymph, not a witch, and imprisons Odysseus for 7 years).

I found the initial portion of the book more of a page turner than the latter half. I was much more interested in Circe's upbringing and Miller's rendition of the gods vs the Titans than the prophecies of Telemachus and Telegonus, but to each her own.

Worth reading if you know your classics and your Greek mythology.

Here's the link to my Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2308466005

First line: When I was born, the name for what I was did not exist.

Summary: Circe is the daughter of the titan, Helios. When she begins to show the powers of a witch, the gods of Olympus begin to fear her. Therefore, she is banished to a deserted island. As she learns to hone her gifts, she continues to become more powerful. When men begin to appear on the shores of her island she makes her way into history.

Highlights: I really liked the cover. It is simple but pretty. I have always enjoyed Greek mythology. When I read the Odyssey in high school, I found it very interesting. I did not remember much about the part involving Circe except for turning the crew into pigs. I learned a lot from the story about this lesser known character of mythology.

Lowlights: I was bored. The story was slow moving with very little happening. I wanted more.

FYI: Read the Odyssey by Homer.

Not quite as awesome as The Song of Achilles (but then, I have always like the Iliad more than the Odyssey), but still a wonderful story. I love how Miller takes these classical tales and re-tells them adding her own imagination, yet still staying close to the sources. I hope another book is in the works! Maybe a re-telling of the Aeneis?

Golden, immortal Circe, daughter of the Titan Helios and the Naiad Perse, was first of her kind and beloved of few. Born with the witching power, her song is one of sadness. Reviled by her mother, chastised by her father and rejected by her siblings because she is different, she chafes under their lash.

In striking back at an enemy, her power becomes known, and it strikes fear in the heart of mighty Zeus, King of the Gods. Her punishment comes swiftly; solitary exile to the island of Aiaiaia. Isolated from all that she has known, she will hone her craft and become the witch who can seduce Gods and men. Or turn them into pigs.

Homer would have loved this tale. It suits my tastes too. In my misspent youth, I devoured The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeniad and all the stories and lore of Greco-Roman Mythology. If you are of similar inclination "Circe" will sing to you. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Hachette Book Group and NetGalley who provided the ARC on which I have based this review.