Fantasy · Literary
Circe
The witch-goddess known from the Odyssey tells her own life: a lonely girl born to a minor god who is exiled to a remote island. There she learns herbs and magic, meets famous figures from Greek myth and becomes powerful.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2018
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 400
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a lyrical, feminist retelling of myth that is patient and richly drawn.
Skip this if you want fast plotting, since it unfolds across centuries with a slow, reflective pace.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Circe
- What is Circe about?
- The witch-goddess known from the Odyssey tells her own life: a lonely girl born to a minor god who is exiled to a remote island. There she learns herbs and magic, meets famous figures from Greek myth and becomes powerful.
- Who should read Circe?
- Read it if you want a lyrical, feminist retelling of myth that is patient and richly drawn. Skip it if you want fast plotting, since it unfolds across centuries with a slow, reflective pace.
- How long and how fast is Circe?
- It is a slow-paced, medium read of about 400 pages, first published in 2018.
- Does Circe have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Sexual assault, Violence, Death, Abuse.
- Can I borrow Circe for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Circe; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Circe?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Song of Achilles, The Night Circus, Piranesi.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
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| Audiobook | ||
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| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Circe
-
The Song of Achilles
Same author, another heartfelt Greek myth retelling told with a gentler, more romantic focus.
-
The Night Circus Another atmospheric, beautifully written story with magic and a lyrical voice.
-
Piranesi Another quiet, strange book about a solitary person learning the rules of a mythic place.
Fantasy
