10 Mar Book Review: Circe by Madeline Miller

There’s something about retellings of Greek mythology that never gets old. Maybe it’s the larger-than-life characters, the blend of gods and mortals, or the way ancient myths still feel relevant today. Circe is one of those books that takes a well-known figure from mythology and gives her a story that is entirely her own. It’s a novel that feels both grand and deeply personal, turning the infamous sorceress into a fully realized character with desires, fears, and an undeniable will to survive.

What’s it about?

Circe is the daughter of Helios, the all-powerful Titan sun god, and Perse, a sea nymph. From birth, she is different. Unlike her divine family, she is not particularly beautiful, nor does she have a voice that commands attention. In the world of the gods, power is everything, and Circe appears to have none.

Desperate to prove herself, Circe turns to forbidden magic. She discovers that she possesses the rare gift of witchcraft—the ability to transform, to curse, to manipulate the very essence of the world around her. But when she uses her power against a fellow immortal, she is deemed too dangerous to remain among the gods and is banished to the remote island of Aiaia.

Exiled and alone, Circe spends centuries honing her craft, growing stronger with every spell she casts. Over time, her island becomes a refuge for the lost and forsaken. She encounters legendary figures—Daedalus, the Minotaur, Hermes, Medea, and, of course, Odysseus. But every visitor to her island comes with their own motives, and Circe is forced to navigate a world that is constantly trying to diminish her, even as she grows into her own power.

Her exile is meant to be a punishment, but it becomes something else entirely—a journey of self-discovery, a test of her resilience, and a chance for her to carve out a place in the universe where she is not defined by her father, the gods, or the men who seek to control her.

What This Chick Thinks

Circe is a protagonist unlike any other

There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing Circe, a character usually remembered as a side villain in Odysseus’s story, take center stage. She is not an all-powerful goddess, nor is she a helpless victim. She is something in between—flawed, stubborn, and deeply human in her emotions, despite her immortality.

Her character arc is one of the most compelling I’ve read in a long time. She starts as a timid, overlooked daughter of a powerful god, and by the end, she is a woman who has defined herself on her own terms. Her growth feels earned, and even though the book spans centuries, every stage of her journey feels necessary.

The writing is breathtaking

Madeline Miller’s prose is the kind of writing that makes you want to underline entire pages. It’s poetic without being overwrought, full of descriptions that make the world of the gods feel tangible and real. The way she writes about magic, transformation, and Circe’s relationship with the natural world is absolutely stunning.

The relationships are complex and layered

Circe’s interactions with other characters are some of the best parts of the book. Her complicated, fraught relationship with her father, Helios, sets the tone for much of her early life. Her time with Hermes is full of wit and manipulation, while her connection with Daedalus is one of quiet understanding and longing.

But it’s her relationship with Odysseus that truly stands out. Unlike the heroic figure most versions of the myth present, Odysseus here is clever but deeply flawed, burdened by the horrors of war and his own choices. Their dynamic is rich with tension, mutual respect, and inevitable heartbreak.

Beyond romance, Circe’s relationships with other women—her mother, her sister Pasiphae, and Medea—are equally compelling. The book doesn’t just explore how gods and men see her; it also looks at how women in a world dominated by power and violence see each other.

A slow but rewarding journey

This is not a book packed with action. It’s more introspective, focused on Circe’s internal struggles and her gradual transformation over centuries. If you go into it expecting nonstop adventure, you might find the pacing slow. But if you let yourself sink into the atmosphere, it’s an incredibly rewarding read.

Final Thoughts

Circe is a book that lingers. It takes a mythological figure and gives her a depth and humanity that makes her unforgettable. It’s a story about power, loneliness, resilience, and what it means to choose your own fate in a world that tries to define it for you.

If you love Greek mythology, strong female protagonists, and gorgeous writing, this book is a must-read.

Rating: 9/10

Try it if you like

• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – Another beautifully written Greek mythology retelling, this time focusing on Achilles and Patroclus.
• The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker – A feminist retelling of the Iliad, told from the perspective of Briseis, a woman captured in war.
• Ariadne by Jennifer Saint – A novel about another woman overshadowed by myth, Ariadne, who helps Theseus defeat the Minotaur and faces the consequences.