Circe by Madeline Miller

“Beneath the smooth, familiar face of things is another that waits to tear the world in two.”

Circe, hawk, daughter of Helios, the witch of Aiaia. Let me change that a little, Circe, the most powerful Titan witch, the witch of Aiaia, the only daughter of Helios who stood up to him.

The story revolves around Circe’s banishment from her father’s halls and her journey through the exile. On the island of Aiaia she became what no one thought she would ever be, the all powerful witch of Aiaia.

Doubting herself every step of the way, it’s her determination and endurance that keep her going. Her fierce instinct to protect those she loves, to show both mortals and gods where she stands, her will power to complete what she began sets her apart from her other witch siblings.

Circe by Madeline Miller

From a Titan who barely knew how to speak in front of others to the Witch who stood up to Helios, the God of the sun and mightiest of the Titans and her own father, Circe became what no one expected her to, powerful. The way she took hold of the situation when faced with utmost danger, we see her true self – a leader, a witch, a God like no other. Her ability to come out of and keep as many others as she could out of harm’s way is what sets her apart.

The fact that centuries of pain, betrayals and even physical torment did not dull her flame is proof enough of her divinity. After all, witches are not so delicate.

Emma Hart as “Circe” by George Romney

Instead of the presence of witchcraft in her blood her journey and hence, her triumphs should be attributed to her determination and her endurance.

I’ll have to admit, sometimes the twists and turns in the story infuriated me, I just wanted Circe to have a few decades of happy life, but let’s face it, that’s what mythology is, isn’t it? Twists and turns.

The beautiful portrayal of all the characters by Miller stands out in every single chapter of the book and is bound to make you appluad her writing. All in all, a very interesting read.