The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller -- Restarting August 15th 2025

[Aeia]

Just checking in! I'll send my first update later

[Jill]

starting!

[Jill]

22% (view spoiler)[ I enjoy reading Greek mythology and don't know the back story to this one, so I'm interested to see how Achilles turns into a god. Before reading this, I heard it was a romance but did not realize it was a gay romance. I'm totally on board! I'm finding the book a little slow though with not much going on. Maybe now that they're going to train with the centaur it will pick up.. (hide spoiler)]

[Aeia]

Jill wrote: "22% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm kind of new to Greek mythology. The only books I've read are Percy Jackson & the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus.

I agree. The book is a bit slow, but I guess it's so Achilles and Patroclus can build their relationship and establish their characters and personalities to readers. (hide spoiler)]

[Aeia]

Here are some of my reactions as I read the book

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[I was aware of my hands on the beautiful bowl, touching the story’s figures: Zeus appearing from the streaming sunlight, the startled princess, their coupling.

Imagine being a father and receiving a bowl as a gift for your daughter in which the design tells a story of how she was conceived because of another man😑 The bowl was made of gold but that's still weird. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)["I will tell them nothing.” The answer came with no hesitation, clear and crisp. “It is not for them to say what I will do.

I love how confident Achilles is! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[This feeling was different. I found myself grinning until my cheeks hurt, my scalp prickling till I thought it might lift off my head. My tongue ran away from me, giddy with freedom. This and this and this, I said to him. I did not have to fear that I spoke too much. I did not have to worry that I was too slender or too slow.

Aww, Patroclus is finally happy. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[“She feels that—” He faltered a moment, and I almost did not breathe. “That he is a mortal and not a fit companion.” “Do you think he is?” Chiron asked. His voice gave no hint of the answer. “Yes.”

😍😍😍 (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

Aeia wrote: "Jill wrote: "22% [spoilers removed]"

I'm kind of new to Greek mythology. The only books I've read are Percy Jackson & the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus.

I agree. The book is a bit slow, bu..."

(view spoiler)[I read Percy Jackson too! and thats about the extent of my knowledge of greek mythology lol (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

50% (view spoiler)[ I didn't realize achilles was linked to the Helen of troy story. Is this the one with the Trojan horse? It was sad when Achilles disappeared because Patroclus misses him. I guess their romance is doomed because Achilles is choosing to fight in this battle which means he will die. (hide spoiler)]

[Cinthia]

I gotta get this book off my TBR.. I will be joining

[Aeia]

40%
(view spoiler)[After reading chapter 13, I realized that this is probably the first book I've read where a bunch of characters have the weirdest logic. I can't even tell if it's because the book's all about mythology or if the author intentionally gave them questionable reasoning.

Regardless, I can't wait to go further into this book so I can read your latest update (hide spoiler)]

[Aeia]

Cinthia wrote: "I gotta get this book off my TBR.. I will be joining"

Sure! We're thrilled to have you here.

[Jill]

Ch 27 (view spoiler)[ A lot of war and no action. They're at a standstill 4 years later. I'm glad Petrocles was able to save Briseis from Agamemnon, who is a really bad guy. (hide spoiler)]

End (view spoiler)[ so I guess Achilles died not at the hands of Hector like the prophecy leads you to believe, but by Paris, and a domino affect from Hector's death. I knew Petrocles plan would lead to his death because of the prophecy. A really sad love story but at least they ended up together in the afterlife. (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

Aeia wrote: "40%
After reading chapter 13, I realized that this is probably the first book I've read where a bunch of characters have the weirdest logic. I can't even tell if it's because the book's all about m..."

(view spoiler)[I think everyone is about honor and image more than logic LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Aeia]

Jill wrote: "Ch 27 [spoilers removed]

End [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm starting to hate Achilles because of his decision. He values his honor more than the life of the girl. Patroclus is right when he refused to agree with Achilles. He said, "I would have the memory be worthy of the man. I would have you be yourself, not some tyrant remembered for his cruelty." I'm so proud of Patroclus! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting August 15th 2025. Happy Reading ☺

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[Lara]

Just starting this now!

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[ I already love the characters in this one! I love the friendship between Achilles and Patroclus, and it's so cute that he's happy now after everything that's happened to him. (hide spoiler)]

[Prisha]

Lara wrote: "Just starting this now!

Chapter 6: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes! especially if you contrast it to when he was with his father or when he used to sit alone skipping lessons. He was miserable then, feeling that he's not enough. Achilles makes him feel complete ♡ (hide spoiler)]

I'm mid chapter 7 btw

[Prisha]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[ So they've gone to Chiron's place? He seems very even-tempered and wise.
Achilles and Patroclus kissed!!!! <3
Unfortunately they have to go back to the king-I assume he's going to ask Achilles to join the war... (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[ Omg yes I'm actually obsessed with this romance, it's so cute I am loving it! And absolutely love Chiron, so wholesome and chill! (hide spoiler)]

Now I'm up to chapter 14: (view spoiler)[ Patroclus sleeping with Deidamia last chapter stressed me out so much, I really don’t want this to come between him and Achilles! I thought he was going to tell Achilles about it straight away and this whole chapter I was waiting for that conversation! But now that he hasn’t I’m really nervous that this is just going to come up later and start a huge rift and I really don’t want that to happen! I'm rooting for Patroclus and Achilles so much! (hide spoiler)]

[Prisha]

Lara wrote: "Chapter 10: [spoilers removed] Patroclus sleeping with Deidamia last chapter stressed me out so much, I really don’t want this to come between him and Achilles! I thought he was going to tell Achil..."

I'm also up to chapter 14
(view spoiler)[ OMG yes, like I can't even understand why he did it. Honestly, I dont know why but I feel like Achilles won't care much about it. But I honestly find it very uncomfortable 😭
Why did Deidamia even want this? (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Chapter 23: (view spoiler)[ The descriptions of the battle are really intense and well written! I think that this book has done a really good job at the shift between their growing up together and now having to mature very quickly and go through so much in such a short amount of time.

I am very glad that Patroclus is now helping in the medical tent, I feel like that makes so much sense and I’m relieved on his behalf! (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[ I really am not liking Achilles at the moment, he’s so prideful and selfish! I can’t tell if this character change was really sudden or - the more likely scenario I think - that it’s been happening really gradually and I was in denial and oblivious because I was too caught up in the romance and wanted Patroclus and Achilles to live happily ever after! But either way I really don’t see how Achilles can come back from this, his abandoning Briseis feels unredeemable to me :( (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ OH MY GOSH!! Call me an idiot but I honestly had no idea that Patroclus would die like that! I have no familiarity with the original mythology whatsoever, and because the whole book was from his first person perspective I was honestly like nah there’s no way! And seeing Achilles reaction was heartbreaking, even though he went off the rails a teensy bit at the end there it’s still so clear that his love for Patroclus was real! Ahhhhh

I also loved that Achilles’ mum is the one who ends up including Patroclus on the tomb, such a clever and beautiful moment! (hide spoiler)]

[Prisha]

I'm still 50% through but I'm hoping to read a big chunk today :)

[Prisha]

50%
(view spoiler)[ 'I did not plan to live after he was gone' - Patroclus
:(
It is heartbreaking, but I know it ends with Patroclus's death first (I think to Hector?) and then Achilles becoming mad. (hide spoiler)]

[Prisha]

Lara wrote: "Chapter 26: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes. But I'm really proud of Patroclus for standing up for her and going against Achilles' wishes. It was very brave considering he doesn't have much power but still does his best to protect the ones he loves. (hide spoiler)]

[Prisha]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ The book was very interesting and fun to read. I already knew the ending however it was nice finding out about the characters in depth and learning more fascinating parts of the mythology. I'd never known that Achilles had a son, it was shocking to find out how he was much more horrible than Achilles. I'm glad Patroclus got to go to the Underworld ♡ (hide spoiler)]