This book more than delivered on the hype Madeline Miller garnered for herself after the success of the Song of Achilles, and as much as I love Achilles's tragic tale, Circe may even surpass it. This novel shows Miller at the height of her art and knowledge, her command of the complex intricacies of Greek mythology and her vivid style and characters allow her to weave a story that's feels less like a retelling of the myths and more like a full realization, a complete and unabridged version of those tales we all know. The gods, titans, and heroes step down off their tapestries and out of their well worn myths to become full and compelling characters full of awesome power and petty spite. Monsters get motivations, the gods are decadent and fascinatingly cruel, and even the most unassailable heroes have their all too human flaws revealed.

The most compelling character by far is the eponymous witch of Aiaia who, despite being a divine mix of titan and river goddess, is riddled with all too human traits and flaws and traits. She changes and grows with the story and though her transformation is often painful and at a great cost, it's inspiring to witness. Madeline Miller lifts Circe from her well known minor, unremarkable role in the Odyssey and shows her as a formidable goddess, witch, and woman. The story is at once timeless and extremely appropriate for modern readers as Circe struggles against not only the dangers of divinity, monsters, and magic, but also against powerful, arrogant men secure in a culture (both mortal and divine) which lets them take what they want and relegate women to being trophies, mothers, or spoils of war. It's no exaggeration to call Miller's Circe a feminist hero, though the author embellishes nothing, merely relying on the inherent misogynistic aspects of the culture and mythology. Overall a fantastic and instantly engrossing read, I cannot wait for more from this author, she has blown me away every time.