I much preferred Circe - though I liked them both - because of the atmosphere. I think your criticisms of the story are probably pretty well-founded, but I don't remember feeling such a mythic depth to a fantasy book since I read Lord Of The Rings.

I guess, looking back, that mostly comes from the begining section of the book, where MM really draws you into this world of nymphs and spirits and malcontent godlings in a way I don't think I've experienced in another book. They felt like they behaved more like fae, spiritual beings than any other depiction of them I remember.

If anyone can think of any other books that they think match up on this specific point, please do recommend them! As I said, I felt like Lord Of The Rings had a similar mythic feel, and Holdstock's Mythago Wood series had a similar feel of properly ancient, pre/in-human magic, but I'd certainly be interested in more of the same.

I really liked TSOA, but I was blown away by Circe

The prose and narrative structure work better in Circe for me, and the introspective nature of it was something I really enjoyed

Also I am just less familiar with her story, whereas I knew Achilles and Patroclus pretty solidly already

Circe was definitely better in my opinion but I thoroughly enjoyed both. I really like her writing style and will gladly read anything she puts out until that feeling goes away.

I read Circe first, that made me pick up The Song of Achilles. I happened to enjoy both.

I DNF Circe but I really liked SoA

Circe she gets to flex her knowledge of mythology more imo. She is a very talented author, but Circe’s story is more interesting to me because instead of focusing on mostly Achilles and Patroclus, we get much more interactions with gods, demigods, and other nymphs. We also get some of the Minoan myths, Skylla, and Odysseus and Telegonos.

I read Circe first and I liked both, but Circe stuck with me more. SOA is a bit more of a love story / bromance.

TSOA is one of my favorite books, ever. I'm about 2/3 of the way through Circe now, and I'm enjoying it although I preferred TSOA.

I know what you mean about the "smaller stories" vibe in Circe, and I don't think TSOA had that issue. It covers segments of Achilles and Patroclus's lives in smoother, more gradual transitions than Circe. TSOA is much more linear in that sense, as the story is always working toward Achilles in the war, whereas Circe is a more meandering path.

Ya I loved The Song of Achilles but unfortunately didn't even finish Circe.

I really liked SoA but loved, loved Circe. I resonated with the characters more.

TSOA was enjoyable and well made, but Circe was another level for me. As someone who's first obsession was greco-roman mythology and studied Latin for years with a bit of classical Greek as well, but also someone who has much preferred the fantastical Odyssey to the drably violent Illiad, Circe resonated a lot more with me.

The mythological aspects were rather well thought out, and i quite enjoyed the way the author navigated the nebulous and often conflicting surviving tales we have of many of the included mythological figures to create a practical narrative. Its those smaller stories being coherently woven together for a biographical history of an ancient figure like Circe which really drew me in along with relating to some parts of her journey. It was a bit enjoying the story but also a bit of "i wonder how the author is going to incorporate X story or Y figure" that added another level of enjoyment personally.

The mythopoetic atmosphere is something i rarely find in narrative books which i enjoy, so i deeply treasure those where i find it as i did with Circe. I can see though how it can be a less engaging and fulfilling read for others who don't relate or enjoy that same sort of story telling.

[deleted]