Books Like Circe: 12 Reads You'll Love
If you want more of Circe's mythological retelling, start with A Thousand Ships.
Updated July 2026
Books like Circe: 12 picks. Hand-picked reads with the same mood and themes, from A Thousand Ships to The Silence of the Girls.
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12 books like Circe
A ranked list of books similar to Circe — if you liked it, start at the top and work down. Each pick includes why it works and who it's for.
A Thousand Ships
Just like Circe gave a voice to its titular goddess, Natalie Haynes' A Thousand Ships masterfully retells the Trojan War from the perspectives of the women involved. You'll appreciate the feminist lens and the exploration of female strength and suffering amidst a world dominated by men, giving agency to those often overlooked. It's perfect if you crave multiple female viewpoints in a familiar mythical setting.
The Silence of the Girls
by Pat Barker
If you loved Circe's unflinching look at female resilience in a brutal world, Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls will resonate deeply. This Booker-shortlisted novel offers a gritty, unflinching look at the Trojan War through the eyes of Briseis, Achilles's enslaved concubine, giving voice and agency to a woman often relegated to the background of epic tales. It's a powerful and often brutal exploration of war, captivity, and survival, perfect for those who appreciate historical grit alongside their myths.
Mythos
by Stephen Fry
While not a novel, if you found yourself captivated by the intricate world of Greek mythology in Circe and want to deepen your understanding without a dry textbook, Stephen Fry's Mythos is a brilliant choice. His witty and engaging retelling of Greek myths is a delightful companion, making the complex world of the gods accessible and humorous. It's a fantastic way to expand your appreciation for the source material that inspires books like Circe, especially if you enjoy a good laugh.
The Penelopiad
If you adored Circe's reclamation of a female narrative, you'll be utterly charmed by Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad, which offers a brilliant feminist twist on Homer's Odyssey. She tells the story from the perspective of Odysseus's wife, Penelope, and her twelve hanged maids, providing sharp, insightful commentary on ancient society and power dynamics. It's perfect for readers who appreciate satire and fresh takes on well-known stories.
The Song of Achilles
You loved Madeline Miller's gorgeous prose and deep character development in Circe, so it only makes sense to dive into her debut novel, The Song of Achilles. This tells the epic tale of Achilles and Patroclus, creating an intimate, heartbreaking romance against the backdrop of the Trojan War. While not female-led, it shares that same lush, empathetic storytelling and tragic beauty, making it ideal for those who prioritize Miller's unique voice.
Elektra
Much like Circe, Jennifer Saint's Elektra weaves a powerful narrative around a Greek mythological figure, here focusing on the often-overlooked women connected to the House of Atreus. You'll get three distinct female perspectives – Clytemnestra, Cassandra, and Elektra herself – exploring their fates and choices in a world driven by men's wars. It's perfect for those who crave multiple interwoven female voices in their mythological retellings.
Stone Blind
Another gem from Natalie Haynes! Like Circe, Stone Blind takes a 'monster' from mythology, Medusa, and presents her story with incredible empathy, stripping away the villain label to reveal a deeply tragic figure. You'll get a compelling exploration of victimhood, sisterhood, and the cruelty of the gods from multiple viewpoints, including Medusa's own. It's a fantastic fit if you love sympathetic portrayals of misunderstood women in myth.
Daughter of Sparta
If you enjoyed Circe's journey of self-discovery within a mythological framework, Claire Heywood's Daughter of Sparta offers a similar journey for the infamous Helen of Troy. Heywood reimagines Helen's life with a more human, relatable lens, challenging the traditional narratives of her as a mere object or seductress. It’s perfect for readers who want ancient stories grounded in realistic female agency and motivations.
Ariadne
Jennifer Saint has a real knack for giving rich inner lives to mythological women, much like Miller’s Circe. Ariadne focuses on the princess of Crete and her sister Phaedra, who both find themselves entangled with the hero Theseus and the Minotaur. It’s a compelling tale of sisterhood, abandonment, and finding strength in impossible situations. Pick this up if you love exploring the emotional core of famous myths from a female perspective.
The Witch's Heart
Where Circe brought a witch to life from Greek myth, The Witch's Heart delves into Norse mythology, focusing on Angrboda, a giantess and witch who is Loki's lover and mother of monstrous children. You'll find a similar journey of a powerful woman forging her own path, dealing with prophecy, love, and immense loss, all with a deeply empathetic touch. It’s fantastic if you're ready to explore a different mythological pantheon with that same emotional depth.
Kaikeyi
Step into the vibrant world of Indian mythology with Vaishnavi Patel's Kaikeyi, which, like Circe, takes a maligned female figure and gives her a rich, nuanced backstory. This reimagining of the queen from the Ramayana sees her fighting for respect and power in a patriarchal kingdom, making difficult choices with profound consequences. It's perfect if you crave powerful, morally complex female protagonists and are open to exploring non-Western myths.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess
by Sue Lynn Tan
If the magical, enchanting side of Circe truly captivated you, then Sue Lynn Tan's Daughter of the Moon Goddess will transport you to a different, equally beautiful mythological landscape inspired by Chinese legend. Follow Xingyin, the daughter of the Moon Goddess, on an epic quest through celestial realms, filled with magic, adventure, and forbidden romance. It’s a gorgeous read if you're looking for an immersive fantasy with a strong, questing heroine and stunning world-building.
Why readers loved Circe
You devoured Circe, didn't you? That feeling of being utterly swept away by a goddess finding her voice, shaping her own destiny in a world of fickle gods and fragile mortals – yeah, you’re not alone. That's the kind of book that sticks with you, isn't it? If you're here, it’s because you’re craving that very specific kind of magic again, that potent blend of myth, self-discovery, and raw, defiant strength.
Across thousands of reviews, readers keep coming back to the same notes: mythological retelling, feminist, tragedy. Every book on this list was chosen because it delivers on at least two of those threads.
Shared themes & tropes
The threads that connect these recommendations to Circe.
Who this list is for
Age group
Genre fit
Perfect for readers who want…
- mythological retelling — without losing what made Circe special.
- feminist — without losing what made Circe special.
- tragedy — without losing what made Circe special.
- historical fiction — without losing what made Circe special.
- romance — without losing what made Circe special.
- ancient history — without losing what made Circe special.
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