THE SONG OF ACHILLES BY MADELINE MILLER

The Song of Achilles is a hauntingly beautiful retelling of the Battle of Troy, through the eyes of Achilles’ lover from youth, Patroclus. Outcast by his father at a young age to reside under the wing of another ruler known for his generosity, Patroclus meets the king’s son, Achilles, prophecised to be the greatest warrior in the history of the Greeks. Growing together, they realise their love, only to be jarred apart by Achilles’ desperate fear of being forgotten. The novel treads the waters of many modern and relevant topics such as the objectification of women being valued only as prizes; history’s forgotten same-sex relationships; love being more than just an image but an emotion; and the danger of pinning your honour to your chest, hubris being the killer of identity.

This novel didn’t only make me mourn the loss of life; I longed for the return of childhood innocence, a time when love was so simple that it was a sole emotion. The cruel changeling of someone you once loved, replaced by one absorbed in the shallow lust for success and legacy, tainted by the fear of being forgotten. Early in the novel, we see tender moments of self-discovery and growth for each of the characters, as well as carving the formative points of their identity, coupled with the imminent knowledge that they will one day be pulled to the battlefield. Through this, we see the true cost of war: the destruction of someone you once knew.

A critical flaw of Achilles’ character (or, one could argue, the entire army) was the excessive hubris and the glorification of murder. Throughout their entire lives, both opposed battle, even with Achilles blessed with the abilities of a brutal warrior. Patroclus was cast aside as a “weak” heir, taunted by a mistake in the rage of his youth, later, living in the shadow of Achilles, always behind him. Yet, his lifelong partner was one of the few to value him for the person he truly was: kind and benevolent, gifted, with a pure heart. Unfortunately, his later attempts to pull Achilles from his deep pride (forged from his long years forced to fight) only push him further onward, deafening himself to the desperate calls to reason, looking through a tunnel to glory, not seeing the anarchy he leaves behind with the power of his image as a great and powerful warrior.

What Miller has created is more than a story; she gracefully portrays the danger of fame and how you can lose someone to the hunger for a legacy. The love in this novel knows no status or ideal, is complex and layered. The Song of Achilles is a novel worth your time, a gift worth sharing with you today.

Natasha Smith
Year 10, Humphrey Perkins School
You can find out more by linking with Natasha’s blog: Home | coraline-may

THE HUNGER GAMES BY SUZANNE COLLINS

You know that book that you can pick up again and again, even if you read it yesterday? For me, it’s The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins has spun a dystopian fantasy into which you will fall hopelessly deep, sprinkled with strong companionship, fear and suspense. This book is a classic that will undoubtedly withstand the test of time, a page turner that will leave you glued to the book. Just one more chapter!

Katniss Everdeen is a brave, skilful and devoted daughter, sister, and friend. We follow her journey in defiance against the Capitol, which punishes the outlying districts for a long-ago uprising with the annual Hunger Games: a boy and a girl selected from each of the districts fight to the death until one remains.

There are many factors that lead to the creation of a good novel, and I believe Suzanne Collins has achieved them all. First, there’s the intriguing plot line that has an iron grip on its reader from the first page. The suspense, cliffhangers and vivid imagery used keeps readers from closing the book.

Then, although I hope nobody can relate to being put in an arena with a high chance you won’t come out, there are the relatable characters. We can all relate to the worry felt by Prim; the hopelessness felt by her mother; the kindness of Peter and the sudden, instinctive bravery of Katniss. There are moments throughout the book where we feel like we’re looking in a mirror, but later we’re staring through a window to something completely new, and that’s something hard to achieve. Finally, we never feel as though one character is perfect or a complete antagonist. These antiheroes create realism even in a parallel universe, something we unknowingly look for in a book. Overall, this amazing book is perfect for readers aged12+ years who like a touch of danger in their fantasy books. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did and may the odds be ever in your favour!

Poppy Halsall
Year 9 Humphrey Perkins School