Our narrator is Patroclus, a prince in his own right but one who never had what it took - including the love of his father - to make it in that role. After killing another boy, he was exiled from him kingdom and sent to be cared for by Peleus, the king of the Myrmidons. Patroclus befriends the Myrmidon prince, Achilles.
We follow Achilles, through Patroclus's eyes and heart, for the remainder of the book, and the young prince grows up and fulfills the destiny that his goddess mother foretold. Despite his obvious love for the golden boy, "the best of the Greeks," Achilles is not without fault, especially as the years of battling the Trojans wear on everyone's patience, and the realism is refreshing.
So why did I like this so much? Primarily, it's a well-told tale. It moves smoothly through the twenty-five years of Patroclus's life that it covers. Second, what's not to love about a tale of gods and men, heroes and the vanquished? That's always good stuff. Third, it's a story not only of deep love, but a lesson in cherishing those special moments. Miller has a talent for expressing gratitude, appreciation, and thankfulness, with just a hint of a reminder that it doesn't last, which makes it all the more sweet while it does.
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