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Song of Achilles was actually the second Madeleine Miller book I picked up (Circe being my OG introduction to mythological retellings) and it is definitely one which has stuck as a popular option for people who want a Greek God fix.
It’s no wonder, really, when it’s such a gripping and heartbreaking story with Miller’s writing sweeping the reader off to the front line of the battle for Troy. Song of Achilles is essentially a story of loss, love and adventure but sadly in the style of the classics it’s not the happy-ever-after style romance you may typically reach for. However, if you’ve read SoA, loved it and are after more mythological books to satisfy a craving, then here are my top recommendations.
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Ariadne, Princess of Crete and daughter of the much-feared King Minos, grows up in a beautiful palace hearing stories of gods and heroes. Whilst Ariadne has a seemingly idyllic childhood, her brother the Minotaur, stalks the labyrinth beneath the palace, each year demanding a blood sacrifice. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives as a chosen sacrifice for the beast, Ariadne sees her chance to escape. Ariadne helps Theseus, betraying her family in the process, and flees with him. But this encounter costs her more than she could ever have imagined and her life is changed irreparably with that one choice.
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper
This was my favourite book of 2021 and I am eagerly awaiting the paperback release of book two in this trilogy. Sold by her mother and enslaved in a Pompeii brothel, in the eyes of those around her Amara only has one value: the desire she can stir in others. But Amara’s spirit is far from broken, and surrounded by a group of equally resilient women, Amara finds humour, hope and even the chance to dream despite her bleak surroundings. Is there a way out for Amara? And how much will her freedom cost?
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
You can’t beat a mythological story with a twist and Lore is exactly that with it’s modern-day New York setting. For centuries, Zeus has punished the gods for a past rebellion with a game called the Agon. Every seven years nine gods are forced to walk the Earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, with godly ambitions. Kill a god and ascend, assuming their divine powers and immortality. In this YA we have our main character Lore, whose family were murdered by a rival bloodline. Lore has vowed to repay their sacrifice by surviving, lying low and taking no part in this decades old feud. But when Lore finds the goddess Athena gravely wounded and lying on her doorstep, she is pulled into the deadly hunting game and must decide on survival or revenge.
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
I can’t capture the essence of this story any better than the blurb itself: There was a woman at the heart of the Trojan War whose voice has been silence – until now. This is a retelling of the Iliad told from the perspective of Trojan queen and captive of Achilles: Briseis. Trapped in a world defined by men, Briseis must survive and must remain watchful until she becomes a pawn between two powerful, bored and bloodthirsty warriors.
Circe by Madeleine Miller
I simply couldn’t do this list without including Circe! As I mentioned above, this was the first retelling I picked up and it is simply one of my all-time favourite books. Miller has a way with words which I find utterly captivating and she weaves a beautiful story in Circe. Daughter of Helios, Circe has always felt on the outside, growing up in the shadows and honing her witchcraft. When she is banished to the island of Aiaia, she continues with her craft: creating spells, taming wild beasts and gathering herbs. Then a stranger arrives on her shore and so begins an epic tales of love, family rivalry, loss and the defiant spirit of a woman standing alone.
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
This book is described as being perfect for fans of Miller or Barker (personally I think it has the edge on Silence of the Girls), this is a retelling of the infamous Trojan War, told entirely from the perspective of the women involved. We have the Trojan women who now find themselves captives and at the mercy of the Greeks, the Amazon princess who fights on their behalf, Penelope as she awaits the return of Odysseus and finally the three goddesses whose feud began the entire thing. Natalie Haynes has a fantastic way of bringing these myths to life and giving them a new feel. It’s both well executed and perfect for those who are new to the world of mythological retellings.
Are there any you would add to this list?
