If you’re looking for a story filled with heroes, gods, passion, bravery, and a whole lot of heart, look no further than The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. A retelling of the legend of Achilles and the Trojan War, this book is quick-paced and easy to get drawn into.

When our narrator, prince Patroclus, is a young child he is exiled from his home. By a twist of fate, he winds up at the court of Achilles’ father King Peleus and a strong bond forms between the boys. I was really touched by their relationship, an incredibly honest and deeply loyal one. They grow up together and before long they are called to the Trojan War and with it, risk losing everything important to them.

I’m not very familiar with Greek mythology (I paused many times to look up various Greek gods and historical figures) so I really enjoyed learning more. The story didn’t just dive into Greek mythology and history though. It also shared insight into the culture and motives of the Greek people, which I found fascinating.

I try to keep my reviews spoiler-free and I don’t want to give anything away here, but I felt completely emotional at the end of the story. To be honest, I felt a little emotional throughout the entire book! The story really got to me.

I definitely recommend The Song of Achilles!