READING: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Publication date: August 28 2012
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: New Adult, MM, Romance, Historical 
Rating: 

Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath.

They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice. 

Screw Romeo and Juliet. 

THIS the most epic love story of all time!

How can you review a book that is absolute perfection? How much can you gush over something you love? I feel like Chiron when, after seeing Achilles unique prowess, told him “I have nothing to teach you.” I seriously have nothing to say about the Song of Achilles that would do it justice, it’s that good.

I knew Miller is an exceptional writer (Circe is another masterpiece of hers I read last year) so I knew going in that I was at least going to like the Song of Achilles. What I didn’t expect was a deeply emotional and sensitive page turner of a book about the life journey of two boys in Ancient Greece.
Having the story and world building practically already mapped out, Miller has plenty of time to explore her characters and does so beautifully. I love that there is such a linear progression to her characters growth, we see them from a very young age growing and developing through the pages, steadily, almost respectfully, like every detail of their lives matters in how their personalities are eventually shaped. Nothing is left to chance and nothing seems out of place. Miller doesn’t choose the easy way out, there are no repeats of done-to-death tropes and that’s what makes her writing so unique and extraordinary.

Yes, the Song of Achilles was a great love story between Achilles and Patroclus, but for me it goes beyond that. What those two had was way more than simple love for each other. The level of devotion and the pure idolisation Patroclus had for Achilles was unreal. I do not doubt for a second that Achilles felt the same for Patroclus (he was the one who initially approached him after all) but in a slightly different way, which to some might not be quite enough, and maybe it wasn’t. Because Patroclus love for Achilles was so intense, any show of affection from Achilles could not possibly compare. Patroclus dreamed of kids and another life but he would happily put all his wants aside for Achilles, just to be with him and die with him. Achilles wouldn’t, at least not that easily, and Patroclus knew that very well. And he still loved him all the same.

The Song of Achilles is a tale of two boys with an unbreakable bond. It is a tale of war, death and destruction, but also of friendship, love, loyalty and forgiveness. 
In an nutshell, an absolute must-read.

The next day...
I can't stop thinking about this book you guys, and that very rarely happens to me. The effect it had on me is remarkable and it will always have a special place in my heart. 💖

-------------------

Because I have seen some crazy shit in some reviews, I feel the need to address some of it:

Mythology comes from the Greek words "mythos" which means legend and "logia" which means words, coming from the verb "legw" which means speak.
So, mythology is just that: stories, fables, fiction, basically a total fib. You can twist it any way you like and give it the shape you want. You cannot be "disrespectful" to mythology even if you tried, such thing is a paradox, it doesn't exist.
I am Greek and I studied Ancient Greek and Latin for 4 years in high school and I am telling you now I wouldn’t give a fuck and certainly wouldn’t be offended if Miller wanted to make Achilles a flamboyant drag queen from San Francisco or a surfer dude from the Gold Coast, who cares? She writes fiction, she is not a scholar. Stop picking everything apart and try enjoying books more would be my suggestion. Or read non-fiction, that could be a choice. 

And one more thing: if you don't like MM romance, don't read MM romance! It is really that simple.

READING: Dark Shores (Dark Shores #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

Publication date: May 7 2019
Published by: Tor Teen
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Gods, Magic, Romance, Suspence
Rating: 

A PIRATE WITH A WILL OF IRON

Teriana is the second mate of the Quincense and heir to the Maarin Triumvirate. Her people are born of the seas and the keepers of its secrets, but when her closest friend is forced into an unwanted betrothal, Teriana breaks her people’s mandate so her friend might escape—a choice with devastating consequences. 

A SOLDIER WITH A SECRET

Marcus is the commander of the Thirty-Seventh, the notorious legion that has led the Celendor Empire to conquer the entire East. The legion is his family, but even they don’t know the truth he’s been hiding since childhood. It’s a secret he’ll do anything to protect, no matter how much it costs him – and the world. 

A DANGEROUS QUEST

When an Empire senator discovers the existence of the Dark Shores, he captures Teriana’s crew and threatens to reveal Marcus’s secret unless they sail in pursuit of conquest, forcing the two into an unlikely—and unwilling—alliance. They unite for the sake of their families, but both must decide how far they are willing to go, and how much they are willing to sacrifice.

What a pleasant surprise this book was! I went into it after years of not reading much of YA fantasy (too many duds in the past) and expecting the worst because of all the hype.
I am so glad I was wrong.

Plot wise, Jensen nailed it. I really liked her world building - intricate enough to be interesting, but not too complex to be confusing. Although I have to admit it was hard for me to get into in the beginning, but I mostly attribute that to my long absence from fantasy. Also, I am not a fan of "explaining as you go", as I very professionally call it, and Dark Shores was definitely like that. There is no introduction to the world, you get thrown in it right away, and I caught myself flipping the pages to see if there is anything I missed in the beginning. But that goes away quickly as events start unravelling and we get into the characters more. 

For me, the book really picked up the pace and explored its characters from when they arrived in Arinoquia.
I instantly liked Marcus right away, his story was so well thought up, it was hard not to. I loved his personality and the way he carried himself among his men, exuding power and authority but also showing sympathy and compassion. Most of all though I loved the way he talked and his ever so careful choice of words. I know it is an odd thing to like, but you'll understand when you read it.
I liked Teriana well enough, although there were some instances where her actions did not really make that much sense to me. I get that she is conflicted, but I didn't really see how that conflict came to be so quickly. Contrary to Marcus who had no opinion of Maarin before he met her, she is brought up to despise godless Empire people, no more than the legatus of the most lethal legion in existence, Marcus. Not that it was insta love or anything, not even close. However, I felt that Marcus's attraction to her was more justified than hers to him.
I have to say though, not having their physical attributes pointed out all the time was such a breath of fresh air. Not everything needs to be sexualised. And that is coming from me!

That ending though...😱 It's not a cliff, but it will definitely leave you wanting more.

If Spartacus had a YA brother, it would be Dark Shores. It doesn't get any better than that.

Side note: Dark Shores is not a book about pirates, at least not as we know them. Granted, you catch a glimpse of the sailors' life at sea, but they are not your typical cutthroat pillagers. On the contrary, Maarin are peaceful people, who avoid trouble and just looking to trade. They are opportunists sure, but they would never harm just for the sake of it. So if you are looking for a swashbuckling adventure in the high seas, this might not be the book for you.

READING: Bright We Burn (The Conqueror's Saga #2) by Kiersten White

Publication date: July 10 2018
Published by: Delacorte
Genre: New Adult, Historical, Violence, Suspense, Fantasy 
Rating: 

Haunted by the sacrifices he made in Constantinople, Radu is called back to the new capital. Mehmed is building an empire, becoming the sultan his people need. But Mehmed has a secret: as emperor, he is more powerful than ever . . . and desperately lonely. Does this mean Radu can finally have more with Mehmed . . . and would he even want it? 

Lada's rule of absolute justice has created a Wallachia free of crime. But Lada won't rest until everyone knows that her country's borders are inviolable. Determined to send a message of defiance, she has the bodies of Mehmed's peace envoy delivered to him, leaving Radu and Mehmed with no choice. If Lada is allowed to continue, only death will prosper. They must go to war against the girl prince. 

But Mehmed knows that he loves her. He understands her. She must lose to him so he can keep her safe. Radu alone fears that they are underestimating his sister's indomitable will. Only by destroying everything that came before--including her relationships--can Lada truly build the country she wants. 

Claim the throne. Demand the crown. Rule the world.

An epic ending to an amazing series.

Great storytelling, as always, this one focusing mostly on Radu and his journey to redemption and forgiveness-and it was beautiful.And if I can say that for a book that has so many bloody deaths, imagine how good the book is!

Lada is the epitome of anti-heroine-she never lets up, she wants you to hate her. But somehow you just feel for her, you don't want anything bad happening to her, even though you know that if she was eliminated, it would end so much suffering. You are like Radu in a way: you know she has done some unforgivable, atrocious things (and she knows it, too) but you can't just find it in your heart to hate her.
Loved how the resolution of such a bloodthirsty and horrifying war was so serene and peaceful in the end. I guess what Lada needed was her brother by her side all along, loving her and supporting her. Maybe if she had him by her side from the beginning, so many lives would be saved. But what would happen to Radu? He would never have touched so many lives, and let his be touched, if he had stayed with Lada. 

Do yourselves a favour and read this amazing series-White truly outdid herself.

Note: I know it's advertised as YA but for me it tackles matters for more mature readers.