A Goddess Rewritten: The Spellbinding Story of Circe

A hypnotic retelling of a forgotten goddess’s rise to power—rich in voice, myth, and emotional depth.

After falling hard for The Song of Achilles, I knew I had to pick up Circe—and it delivered in an entirely different, equally powerful way. Madeline Miller takes one of the lesser-known figures of Greek mythology and brings her vividly, achingly to life in this immersive character study of a woman carving space for herself in a world built by gods and ruled by men.

Born to the sun god Helios and a nymph mother, Circe is quickly dismissed by her family for being too mortal, too plain, too odd. But her curiosity and defiance lead her to discover a forbidden kind of power: witchcraft. Banished to the island of Aiaia, Circe learns to wield her magic with growing precision—and must ultimately choose between the life she was given and the one she builds for herself.

Miller’s prose is lyrical but never overwrought, balancing sweeping mythology with grounded emotion. The novel spans centuries yet feels deeply personal, anchoring Circe’s transformation not just in mythic encounters, but in the slow, steady claiming of her own strength and voice.

With guest appearances from Odysseus, Hermes, and other figures from Homeric epics, Circe adds dimension to stories you may think you know. But its truest magic lies in its feminist core: an ode to solitude, resilience, and hard-won self-worth.

You’ll like this if you enjoy:

- Reimagined mythology

- Strong female protagonists

- Lush, introspective storytelling

- Themes of transformation, power, and identity

Content to consider: Some darker themes including violence and trauma.

Where to buy: HERE