This is typically not my kind of book. I was definitely leery about reading it after I figured out the subject matter! Surprisingly, it didn't take me that long to become invested in it. I don't remember a lot about Greek mythology, but I am currently reading the Percy Jackson series, so there were familiar stories. I had never heard of Circe though. It was disturbing how awful her siblings were. I am not sure why they had to be so hateful. Although they didn't seem to have it that easy either, which Circe finds out much later in life. I thought it was interesting that Pasiphae summoned Circe to help her with birthing the minotaur. It seemed to be a kind of compliment to Circe's strength though. No one else would have survived the birth - or even attempted it. I really like Circe, despite her weaknesses. She was the last of her siblings to realize they were witches with special powers. I felt bad that her jealousy over Glaucos caused her to create the monster Scylla. So many lives were lost because of it. I was so relieved that she figured out a way to destroy her in the end, even for Scylla herself.
Odysseus was essentially a cruel man. Circe covers up his cruelty when describing him to their son, Telegonus, but Odysseus was a warrior. He was evolving with every experience, as we all do, but by the time he finally reached Ithaca again, there was no turning back. Athena even had to step in to stop his destruction of others in the end. I thought it was interesting that Telegonus killing his father is the reason why Athena tried to kill Telegonus so many times after his birth, before Circe realized what was happening and figured out a way to protect him on their island. But then when Odysseus died, Athena turned her attention to Odysseus' son, Telemachus, and when he rejected her, she accepted Telegonus instead. Who saw that coming?? Certainly not me.
I also thought it was odd that Penelope and Telemachus ended up finding a home with Circe. I guess if Telemachus had been more like his father, then things would have ended very differently. Telemachus had no interest in his inherited role at Ithaca. He was not the warrior his father was. And yet both Odysseus and Telemachus fell in love with Circe and she had children by both men. (Which is weird in itself, but I always had to remind myself that Circe was immortal and wasn't aging like the mortal men in her life).
It was satisfying that Penelope found her place on Aiaia and Circe found happiness with Telemachus. I really enjoyed this book, despite my initial reluctance to like it. ;)
Wendy's Rating: ****
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