Circe by Madeline Miller

"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." (Goodreads)

If you are a fan of Greek mythology, then this book is for you. With its rich and enticing storyline, Circe will captivate you from start to finish. Circe is such a beautifully crafted character that you can't help but fall in love. She is filled with flaws, mistakes, hopes, dreams, and humanity that you won't be able to put the book down.

From the beginning, Circe is set apart from the other gods and goddesses. She is a nymph with the voice of a mortal who is constantly reminded of her flaws. She craves the approval of her father, Helios, in every breath she takes. However, Circe becomes a powerful witch that even Zeus himself fears her powers and exiles her to the Isle of Aiaia. 

The character development that Circe goes through is heart-achingly beautiful. Her strength lies in her humanity and the yearning she has to be human. We see her transform from a child into a woman. We see her strength and determination, her loss and grief. We see her find herself while we, as the readers, find ourselves in her. 

Circe not only shows the beauty of being human with all its flaws and mistakes but also the strength and the determination it takes to be one. Everything about Madeline Miller's book, Circe, is beautiful and bewitching. This book will hold you and your heart captive. It is a book that I would highly recommend.

"You threw me to the crows, but it turns out I prefer them to you" (Miller, 89).

★★★★★/5

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Miller, Madeline. Circe. BACK BAY Books LITTLE BRN, 2019.