Circe is the daughter of the Sun God Helios, but she isn’t powerful like her father, or alluring like her mother. She falls in love with a mortal boy called Glaucus but he in turn is in love with the lovely Scylla. Circe curses Scylla, and she becomes a scary sea monster – and when Circe’s gift threatens the gods she is exiled to the island Aiaia. Here she perfects her witchcraft, spelling beasts and humans. Several humans pass her island, like Jason, Medea and Odysseus.
Circe falls in love with Odysseus when he and his men stop on her island. They stay for quite some time, and once they continue their voyage Circe learns she’s pregnant with Odysseus’ son. The goddess Athena warns Circe not to have the baby because Odysseus will perish at his son’s hand.
When he’s 16, Circe and Odysseus’ son Telegonus wants to sail to Ithaca to meet his father. Not long after he has left, he returns to Aiaia with his half brother Telemachus and Odysseus’ widow Penelope. Circe initially is wary of Penelope, but the two women become friends eventually…
I absolutely loved this book. This time I listened to the audiobook, I have previously read the book… both are exceptional!
Read for The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2025
Prompt 42: Non-Human Antagonist
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
