Goodreads Names *Circe* the Best Fantasy Book of the Decade

Goodreads, a haven for book lovers, just crowned Madeline Miller's Circe as the Best Fantasy Book of the Decade. And with Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey film on the horizon, Greek myths are back in the spotlight.

A Surprising Choice?

Some might not have seen Circe coming. But awards like these are subjective. The Goodreads team looked at books from 2017 on, focusing on those with high shelving numbers and ratings over 3.5 stars. Circe pulled in 1.4 million ratings and 140,000 reviews, making it a clear fan favorite. Comparatively, Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings didn't hit those numbers.

A Fresh Take on an Old Tale

Circe gives a new twist to Homer's Odyssey. Originally, Circe is just an enchantress detaining Odysseus. Miller reworks her into a strong sorceress, adding layers not in the original. This feminist angle has hit home with readers.

Why Greek Myths Still Matter

Greek myths have always been a treasure trove for stories, fueling countless retellings. Alongside Miller, authors like Rick Riordan with his Percy Jackson series keep these ancient tales alive for today's audiences.

How It Stacks Up

Circe finds its place among giants like J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea. These works set the bar high, but Miller's novel holds up, offering fresh takes on age-old myths.

Still Unclear:

• How will Nolan's The Odyssey movie impact the book's buzz?
• Will Charlize Theron capture Circe as Miller envisioned?
• Is there a rising trend of feminist retellings in fantasy?

Why It Matters

Choosing Circe as the decade's top fantasy signals a shift in what readers want. They're looking for stories that question old roles and offer new angles on classic tales. As storytelling shifts, these works do more than entertain—they provoke and inspire.