for me, the book can be split into thirds. tender boyhood love, we are going to war, death.

the beginning third i enjoyed, the love btwn patroclus and achilles was soft and warm. the middle had an active plot with hurt and compromise. the last was all ego and in my mind avoidable. i completely understand that this is a modern adaptation of the iliad and the plot can't change but as a standalone work i did not enjoy it.

the writing didn't do much for me,  fell flat in the way it was formal avoiding contractions. though there were pretty phrases and descriptions. the main thing for me was the way the author wrote about women was awful. i think there's a way to write that women are undervalued in society without throwing such disdain and pity at them. so many of them unnamed and so many of them suffered. named and they are pitied. one single woman of depth and character and she said ill be your second. 

the war dragged out and ego was the fatal flaw. in my eyes, if achilles is a natural fighter, he would've charged forward no matter his prophecy. 

i know so many people love these books, but unfortunately it wasnt for me