I've had this book on my reading list for a while, but I have been procrastinating on getting to it. I don't know what's going on, but I get this hunger that lasts a while when I just ravenously read through books and books.. and then there's a looong stretch of time when I cannot get to reading a single book. 

Anyway, I finally ordered this and when it got here, I pretty much forced myself to start reading it. There was nothing to force after the first few pages though. Everything I read about this book made me want to read it, and after I managed to actually start doing so, I was hooked.

This is one of the books dealing with the untold stories of women in Greek mythology. Circe is, if you are not familiar with the name, a witch Odysseus meets on his travels back home. She is not really a positive figure in the Homer original, but Madeleine weaves a compelling story that makes her... endearing.

"What do you have to say to me? You threw me to the crows, but it turns out I prefer them to you."

Circe is half-titan, the daughter of Helios and a nymph. She is not beautiful, is actually described as ugly and as having a squeaky voice, a stark contrast from her brother and sister who live up to their divine nature. Often mocked in her childhood, Circe grows up lonely and secluded, still positive and trying to make a life for herself. She is betrayed and hurt by the people she loves, and after finally crossing the line by giving ambrosia to Prometheus (her uncle), convicted for giving humans fire, she is banished to a secluded island to live out the rest of her life alone...

What gives her strength is learning she is a witch, and so she dedicates herself to perfecting her skills. She makes the best of her little island and makes a life for herself... Through trials and tribulations, she manages to keep going. And then she meets Odysseys, an encounter which changes her life forever...

What stood out to me here is how human the protagonist is. As this is a retelling, one would imagine that Circe would be made into a perfect hero - and that everything Homer wrote would be dismissed as misogyny. And though there was an element of that in the original, Circe retains all of her flaws... but flaws are not all she is. We are given reasons, we are given explanations... She becomes this larger-than-life figure who represents strength, perseverance in the face of adversity, and positivity and faith in herself that is astounding.

I dearly recommend giving this novel a try. It's an addictive page-turner that will haunt you for days after you close the last page.