Highly recommend this book.

What an amazing telling of the story of the greatest Greek warrior, Achilles.

“Exile might satisfy the anger of the living, but it did not appease the dead.”

“Divine blood flows differently in each god-born child. Orpheus’ voice made the trees weep, Heracles could kill a man by clapping him on the back. Achilles’ miracle was his speed.”

We hear the legacy of Achilles from Patroclus' point of view. From many historical interpretations, Patroclus is known to be the closest companion of the great warrior.

As a young boy, a freak accident ends in the exile of the young prince from his own kingdom, and lands him in the care of King Peleus, the father of Achilles. Patroclus is a quiet boy, weak in his ability to speak and act in the ways a prince was ought to; the opposite of Prince Achilles who spoke so pointedly and clear, who did not hesitate, and god - like in his mortality.

As the young boys bloom and grow up together, a close bond is forged. Taking Patroclus as his formal companion, Achilles of Pelides continues on the journey of his fate as the prophecies lay claim to his fame and success, allowing Patroclus to become a rare witness to the grand becoming of the great Greek warrior.

“Are you frightened?" I asked. The first call of a nightingale in the trees at our backs.
"No," he answered. "This is what I was born for.”

“He is worth more to you, perhaps. But the stranger is someone else’s friend and brother. So which life is more important?”

In the lifetime of Achilles and Patroclus, the Trojan War erupts over the 'kidnapping' of Helen of Sparta. Patroclus and Achilles must survive the wrath and games of the Gods and their prophecies as riddles of their tragic fate become a reality. In their calling to fight for Helen, Patroclus prepares for the disaster that looms ahead, for the loss in death and love alongside his beloved Achilles.

Amidst the pressures of love and war, Patroclus is a rock and council to Achilles and they evade the inevitable for as long as they can. Pride will threaten the toppling of a reputation and the love between the now - grown men, but in the end, the Gods will always have their way.

“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”

Wow this book blew me away. The writing was just lovely to read, I really got a feel for the time and place of the era in which the story is set. I feel the character development was wonderfully thought out and leapt through time perfectly with the maturing of the boys into adults. The intimate moments between our protagonist and the heroic Achilles were balanced among the timeline of events, subtle at times that gave the appropriate amount needed to contribute to the story. The intertwining of the story line and its events as we know it were beautifully spun into this tale, all of it making sense through a beautiful re - telling in this novel.

“There is no law that gods must be fair, Achilles,” Chiron said. “And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone.”

I especially loved the interpretation and presentation of the gods in this story. There were physical entities in the physical world. Their games and prophecies were at play. I was even excited to see the centaur Chiron again! The cold and cruel nature of Thetis was also a shivering aspect, portrayed very well by the author. She was a threatening force throughout the novel, and the ending was just so bloody perfect and beautiful.

“Will you come with me?” he asked. The never-ending ache of love and sorrow. Perhaps in some other life I could have refused, could have torn my hair and screamed, and made him face his choice alone. But not in this one. He would sail to Troy and I would follow, even into death.”